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The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) segment	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Segment information
Number of primary operating business units \| segment			2
Total assets	$ 31,771,440		$ 31,771,440		$ 30,587,012
Revenues	3,168,363	$ 3,395,141	9,566,819	$ 10,314,473
Operating income (loss)	468,892	562,703	1,355,924	1,664,869
Pay-TV video and related revenue
Segment information
Revenues	3,070,915	3,288,754	9,285,916	9,988,705
Broadband revenue
Segment information
Revenues	46,276	60,602	141,617	203,115
Equipment sales and other revenue
Segment information
Revenues	51,172	45,785	139,286	122,653
United States
Segment information
Revenues	3,156,853	3,380,412	9,533,647	10,280,237
Canada And Mexico
Segment information
Revenues	11,510	14,729	33,172	34,236
Pay-TV \| Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	30,010,794		30,010,794		28,981,608
Revenues	3,169,967	3,395,141	9,569,972	10,314,473
Operating income (loss)	491,696	572,753	1,406,179	1,693,378
Wireless \| Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	25,371,101		25,371,101		24,433,458
Revenues	64		187
Operating income (loss)	(22,804)	$ (10,050)	(50,255)	$ (28,509)
All Other and Eliminations \| Other and Eliminations
Segment information
Total assets	(23,610,455)		(23,610,455)		$ (22,828,054)
Revenues	$ (1,668)		$ (3,340)