v3.3.1.900
SCHEDULE I - Parent Company Information - Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Costs and Expenses:                      
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 $ 374,116 $ 372,010 $ 358,499
Depreciation and amortization                 528,158 556,676 507,111
Total costs and expenses                 2,787,681 3,117,488 3,178,865
Operating loss $ 91,873 $ 88,607 $ 94,348 $ 81,205 $ 83,523 $ 92,277 $ 92,470 $ 59,820 356,033 328,090 103,587
Other Income (Expense):                      
Interest income and expense, net                 (111,637) (162,247) (177,898)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net                 1,895 8,198 (5,024)
Other, net                 (2,006) 4,251 6,958
Total other income, net                 (134,461) (149,757) (137,623)
Income tax (provision) benefit, net                 (72,201) (30,784) 37,437
Net income attributable to EchoStar                 153,357 152,874 2,525
Comprehensive Income (Loss)                      
Net income                 153,357 152,874 2,525
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:                      
Foreign currency translation adjustments                 (62,731) (31,935) (16,394)
Recognition of foreign currency translation loss in net income                 1,889    
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other                 (12,046) (9,462) 18,413
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on marketable investment securities in net income                 11,226    
Recognition of realized gains on marketable investment securities in net income                 (35) (41) (36,312)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax                 (61,697) (41,438) (34,293)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar                 91,980 111,673 (30,882)
EchoStar Corporation                      
Costs and Expenses:                      
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 1,482 1,536 1,598
Depreciation and amortization                 16,964 16,965 16,964
Total costs and expenses                 18,446 18,501 18,562
Operating loss                 (18,446) (18,501) (18,562)
Other Income (Expense):                      
Interest income and expense, net                 7,941 8,880 7,197
Gains (losses) and impairment on marketable investment securities, net                 (5,067) 73 36,280
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net                 6,157 (4,389) (12,068)
Other, net                 790 5,835 (598)
Total other income, net                 9,821 10,399 30,811
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries, net                 (8,625) (8,102) 12,249
Equity in earnings (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries, net                 166,731 159,871 (2,251)
Income tax (provision) benefit, net                 (4,749) 1,105 (7,473)
Net income attributable to EchoStar                 153,357 152,874 2,525
Comprehensive Income (Loss)                      
Net income                 153,357 152,874 2,525
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:                      
Foreign currency translation adjustments                 (62,411) (31,698) (15,508)
Recognition of foreign currency translation loss in net income                 1,889    
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other                 (12,046) (9,462) 18,413
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on marketable investment securities in net income                 11,226    
Recognition of realized gains on marketable investment securities in net income                 (35) (41) (36,312)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax                 (61,377) (41,201) (33,407)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar                 $ 91,980 $ 111,673 $ (30,882)