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Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Debt (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jun. 12, 2015
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Jun. 01, 2011
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations          
Carrying Amount   $ 1,890,803 $ 2,001,240    
Loss from partial redemption of debt   (5,044)      
Debt issuance costs amortized   $ 6,000 5,800 $ 5,400  
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019          
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations          
Interest rate (as a percent)   6.50%      
Carrying Amount   $ 990,000 1,100,000    
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 | Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC")          
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations          
Principal amount of debt issuance         $ 1,100,000
Debt instrument issued, issue price (as a percent)   100.00%      
Carrying Amount   $ 990,000      
Loss from partial redemption of debt $ (5,000)        
Redemption premium 3,300        
Write off of deferred financing fees 1,700        
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount   100.00%      
Purchase price as a percentage of aggregate principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in the event of change of control   101.00%      
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 | Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC") | Prior to June 15, 2015          
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations          
Debt redeemed $ 110,000        
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount 103.00%        
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021          
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations          
Interest rate (as a percent)   7.625%      
Carrying Amount   $ 900,000 900,000    
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 | Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC")          
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations          
Principal amount of debt issuance         $ 900,000
Debt instrument issued, issue price (as a percent)   100.00%      
Carrying Amount   $ 900,000      
Other          
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations          
Carrying Amount   $ 803 $ 1,240    
Other | Minimum          
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations          
Interest rate (as a percent)   5.50%      
Other | Maximum          
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations          
Interest rate (as a percent)   13.25%