Property and Equipment (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) item	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) item	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	$ 228,963	$ 237,248	$ 441,217	$ 461,143
Equipment leased to customers
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	197,352	206,314	378,003	398,067
Satellites
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	15,262	15,261	30,523	30,522
Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	$ 16,349	$ 15,673	$ 32,691	$ 32,554
Pay-TV Satellites
Depreciation and amortization expense
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator | item			12
Owned Satellites | item	1		1
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease | item			9
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease | item			2