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Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2009
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Distribution received from affiliate	$ 242,735,000
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Economic interest in affiliates	62.70%
Common stock, percentage acquired by an unaffiliated third party	90.00%
Duration for shares to be paid, days	10 days
Distribution received from affiliate	$ 242,700,000
Xtar [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest	56.00%
MHR Funds [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding voting common stock	39.90%			39.90%
Percentage of combined ownership of voting and non-voting common stock	58.40%			58.40%
Transaction, Consulting Agreement [Member] \| Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, date	Oct. 31, 2007
Transaction income during the period	$ 1,250,000	$ 1,250,000
Transaction payments received during the period	$ 1,200,000	1,200,000
Transaction, Consulting Agreement [Member] \| Director [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, date	Dec. 14, 2012
Transaction fee	$ 360,000	360,000
Transaction income during the period	15,750	$ 15,750
Transaction, Management Agreement [Member] \| Xtar [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, noncurrent	6,600,000			$ 6,600,000
Amounts due under the transaction - Noncurrent	6,800,000			$ 6,800,000
Management fee charged as a percentage of revenue			3.70%
Annual Fee [Member] \| Transaction, Consulting Agreement [Member] \| Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Transaction fee	5,000,000
Annual Fee [Member] \| Transaction, Welfare Plan Participation Administrative Fee [Member] \| Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Transaction fee	100,000
Monthly Fee [Member] \| Transaction, Consulting Agreement [Member] \| Director [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Transaction fee	$ 120,000
Years 2003 to 2006 [Member] \| Telesat Holdings Inc [Member] \| Brazil [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Tax assessment imposed audit					$ 2,300,000