Investments in Affiliates (Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	$ 205,790	$ 210,038	$ 426,389	$ 427,506
Operating expenses	(39,245)	(44,174)	(79,575)	(94,332)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(58,277)	(62,845)	(116,758)	(120,663)
Gain (loss) on disposition of long lived asset	(3)	(2,010)	(62)	(1,542)
Operating income (loss)	108,265	101,009	229,994	210,969
Interest expense	(47,501)	(51,077)	(95,016)	(110,772)
Expense of refinancing				(19,961)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	92,665	(98,389)	(9,084)	(168,729)
Gains (losses) on financial instruments	(30,979)	59,755	16,371	96,608
Other income (expense)	1,427	10,453	2,166	10,833
Income tax provision	(18,007)	(19,151)	(39,156)	(26,993)
Net income (loss)	105,870	2,600	105,275	(8,045)
Current assets	461,688		461,688		366,814
Total assets	4,926,469		4,926,469		4,929,838
Current liabilities	308,239		308,239		360,744
Long-term debt, including current portion	3,179,547		3,179,547		3,215,831
Total liabilities	4,166,313		4,166,313		4,280,902
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	760,156		760,156		648,936
XTAR, LLC [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	7,675	8,325	15,721	16,450
Operating expenses	(8,006)	(8,493)	(15,813)	(16,862)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(2,314)	(2,310)	(4,629)	(4,620)
Operating income (loss)	(2,645)	(2,478)	(4,721)	(5,032)
Net income (loss)	(3,302)	(3,210)	(6,064)	(6,469)
Current assets	6,329		6,329		6,970
Total assets	59,475		59,475		64,745
Current liabilities	25,030		25,030		22,443
Total liabilities	57,666		57,666		56,872
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	$ 1,809		$ 1,809		$ 7,873