Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Capital leased assets disclosures
Estimated fair value of satellites acquired under capital leases	$ 500,000
Accumulated depreciation on satellites acquired under capital leases	365,000	$ 322,000
Depreciation expense - capital leases	43,000	$ 43,000	$ 43,000
Future minimum lease payments under the capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments
2016	76,297
2017	75,935
2018	50,320
2019	48,000
2020	48,000
Thereafter	16,000
Total minimum lease payments	314,552
Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(153,360)
Net minimum lease payments	161,192
Less: Amount representing interest	(25,046)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	136,146
Less: Current portion	(33,412)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	$ 102,734
FSS Satellite Anik F3
Capital leased assets disclosures
Ku-band capacity leased (as a percent)	100.00%
Term of capital lease	15 years
Canadian DBS Satellite Ciel II
Capital leased assets disclosures
Satellite capacity leased (as a percent)	100.00%
Initial Term of capital lease	10 years