v3.3.1.900

Property and Equipment - Satellites (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Property and equipment
Carrying amount		$ 3,412,990	$ 3,194,793
Reduction of capital lease obligation recognized as gains		4,500		$ 6,694
Impairment loss		2,400		38,415
EchoStar Technologies Business
Property and equipment
Impairment loss		$ 2,400
Satellites
Property and equipment
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator | item		18
Length of satellites utilized in geosynchronous orbit above the equator (in miles) | item		22,300
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease | item		2
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease | item		2
SPACEWAY 3
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		12 years
EchoStar XVII
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		15 years
EchoStar III
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		12 years
EchoStar VI
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		12 years
EchoStar VII
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		3 years
EchoStar VIII
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		12 years
EchoStar XII
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		2 years
EchoStar XII | EchoStar Technologies Business
Property and equipment
Impairment loss	$ 34,700
Estimated fair value	$ 11,300
EchoStar XII | EchoStar Satellite Services Business | DISH Network
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		18 months
EchoStar IX
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		12 years
EchoStar X
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		7 years
EchoStar XI
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		9 years
EchoStar XIV
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		11 years
EchoStar XVI
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		15 years
AMC-16
Property and equipment
Capital lease additional term		1 year
AMC-15 and AMC-16
Property and equipment
Carrying amount		$ 0
AMC-15 and AMC-16 | Other Income
Property and equipment
Reduction of capital lease obligation recognized as gains		$ 4,500	$ 0	$ 6,700
Nimiq 5
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		15 years
QuetzSat-1
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		10 years
63 West Agreements
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life		15 years

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- Definition

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