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Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Long term debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	$ 11,947,815			$ 13,037,370
Fair Value	11,577,985			13,309,474
Unamortized deferred financing costs and debt discount, net	(25,105)			(31,041)
Capital lease obligations (3)	76,348			104,318
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations (including current portion)	11,999,058			13,110,647
Principal balance of debt redeemed	1,088,392	$ 900,000
4 1/4% Senior Notes due 2018
Long-term debt
Carrying Value				1,025,861
Fair Value				$ 1,031,596
Interest rate (as a percent)			4.25%	4.25%
7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2019
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	1,337,469			$ 1,400,000
Fair Value	1,386,514			1,501,206
Debt repurchased	62,000
5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2020
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	1,100,000			1,100,000
Fair Value	1,112,320			$ 1,127,588
Interest rate (as a percent)			5.125%	5.125%
6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	2,000,000			$ 2,000,000
Fair Value	2,049,640			$ 2,120,480
Interest rate (as a percent)			6.75%	6.75%
5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	2,000,000			$ 2,000,000
Fair Value	1,958,480			$ 2,014,140
Interest rate (as a percent)			5.875%	5.875%
5% Senior Notes due 2023
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	1,500,000			$ 1,500,000
Fair Value	1,366,665			1,432,335
5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	2,000,000			2,000,000
Fair Value	1,802,400			$ 1,952,220
Interest rate (as a percent)			5.875%	5.875%
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	2,000,000			$ 2,000,000
Fair Value	1,891,620			$ 2,118,400
Interest rate (as a percent)			7.75%	7.75%
Other notes payable
Long-term debt
Carrying Value	10,346			$ 11,509
Fair Value	$ 10,346			$ 11,509