Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Capital leased assets disclosures
Estimated fair value of satellites acquired under capital leases	$ 500,000	$ 500,000
Accumulated depreciation on satellites acquired under capital leases	407,000	365,000
Depreciation expense - capital leases	42,000	$ 42,000	$ 42,000
Future minimum lease payments under the capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments
2018	77,141
2019	50,719
2020	48,000
2021	48,000
2022	16,000
Total minimum lease payments	239,860
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	(120,196)
Net minimum lease payments	119,664
Less: Amount representing interest	(15,346)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	104,318
Less: Current portion	(37,450)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	$ 66,868
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