Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Dilutive Impact of Equity Method Investee Stock Options) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	[1],[2]	Sep. 30, 2016	[1],[2]	Jun. 30, 2016	[1],[2]	Mar. 31, 2016	[1],[2]	Dec. 31, 2015	[1],[2]	Sep. 30, 2015	[1],[2]	Jun. 30, 2015	[1],[2]	Mar. 31, 2015	[1],[2]	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic	$ (12,082)		$ (3,821)		$ 32,654		$ 30,819		$ (1,681)		$ (3,347)		$ 18,027		$ (82,503)		$ 47,570	$ (69,504)	$ (1,427)
Less: Adjustment for dilutive effect of Telesat stock options																	(1,096)
Income (loss) from continuing operations - diluted																	$ 46,474

[1] The quarterly earnings per share information is computed separately for each period. Therefore, the sum of such quarterly per share amounts may differ from the total for the year.

[2] Variations in income from continuing operations among quarters in 2016 and 2015 are primarily the result of (i) the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar on our equity in net income or loss of Telesat and (ii) the limitation on recording our portion of Telesat's net income or loss due to the reduction of the carrying amount of our investment in Telesat to zero. Equity in net loss of affiliates for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 included an impairment charge to reduce our investment in XTAR to its fair value.