Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Segment information
Number of primary operating business segments | segment	2
Total assets	$ 38,813,138		$ 38,239,947
Revenues	4,497,853	$ 3,217,389
Depreciation and amortization	190,385	166,820
Operating income (loss)	864,576	144,078
Interest income	1,970	14,216
Other, net	(5,261)	1,592
Income tax (provision) benefit, net	(215,849)	(45,006)
Net income (loss)	641,563	99,274
Asset Impairment Charges		356,418
United States
Segment information
Revenues	4,485,863	3,201,448
Canada And Mexico
Segment information
Revenues	11,990	15,941
Pay-TV | Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	36,602,189		36,251,281
Revenues	3,203,969	3,218,024
Operating income (loss)	772,743	541,642
Wireless | Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	29,929,444		29,921,237
Revenues	1,294,649	1,102
Operating income (loss)	91,833	(397,564)
All Other and Eliminations | Other and Eliminations
Segment information
Total assets	(27,718,495)		$ (27,932,571)
Revenues	(765)	(1,737)
Pay-TV video and related revenue
Segment information
Revenues	3,164,367	3,166,041
Wireless services and related revenue
Segment information
Revenues	1,045,167
Equipment sales and other revenue | Eliminations
Segment information
Revenues	(765)	(1,737)
Equipment sales and other revenue | Pay-TV
Segment information
Revenues	39,602	51,983
Equipment sales and other revenue | Wireless
Segment information
Revenues	$ 249,482	$ 1,102