Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Segment information
Number of primary operating business units | segment	2
Total assets	$ 31,686,377		$ 30,587,012
Revenues	3,187,144	$ 3,458,487
Operating income (loss)	456,300	529,506
Pay-TV video and related revenue
Segment information
Revenues	3,097,936	3,347,597
Broadband revenue
Segment information
Revenues	49,834	75,107
Equipment sales and other revenue
Segment information
Revenues	39,374	35,783
United States
Segment information
Revenues	3,176,253	3,449,016
Canada And Mexico
Segment information
Revenues	10,891	9,471
Pay-TV | Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	30,002,686		28,981,608
Revenues	3,188,169	3,458,487
Operating income (loss)	457,369	539,302
Wireless | Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	24,737,581		24,433,458
Revenues	3
Operating income (loss)	(1,069)	$ (9,796)
All Other and Eliminations | Other and Eliminations
Segment information
Total assets	(23,053,890)		$ (22,828,054)
Revenues	$ (1,028)