Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	$ 7,246,252	$ 7,221,871
Fair Value	7,851,597	7,807,121
Capital lease obligations	264,154	271,908
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (including current portion)	7,510,406	7,493,779
7 % Senior Notes due 2013
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	500,000	500,000
Fair Value	535,625	535,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.00%	7.00%
6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2014
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	1,000,000	1,000,000
Fair Value	1,090,000	1,060,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.625%	6.625%
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2015
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	750,000	750,000
Fair Value	851,970	817,500
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%	7.75%
7 1/8% Senior Notes due 2016
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	1,500,000	1,500,000
Fair Value	1,662,750	1,593,750
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.125%	7.125%
7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2019
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	1,400,000	1,400,000
Fair Value	1,610,000	1,589,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.875%	7.875%
6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	2,000,000	2,000,000
Fair Value	2,005,000	2,140,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.75%	6.75%
Mortgages and other notes payable
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	96,252	71,871
Fair Value	$ 96,252	$ 71,871