Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 49,138	$ 64,965
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, equipment and satellites, net	(120,182)	(159,167)
Cash paid for patents, licenses and other assets	(18,880)	(17,104)
Net cash used in investing activities	(139,062)	(176,271)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Additional 2020 Notes	300,000
Repayment of 2016 Notes	(271,582)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(8,059)	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under equity plans	19,512	14,369
Purchase of common stock in treasury	(7,902)	(6,991)
Payments on capital lease	(925)	(762)
Payments of satellite performance incentives obligation	(1,025)
Proceeds from line of credit borrowings		130,000
Payments on line of credit		(20,000)
Net cash provided by financing activities	30,019	116,616
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(11)	42
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(59,916)	5,352
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	172,583	40,490
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	112,667	45,842
Issuing Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(39,621)	10,692
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, equipment and satellites, net	(33,742)	(130,843)
Cash paid for patents, licenses and other assets	(18,795)	(17,068)
Long-term intercompany notes and investments	(1,155)	3,265
Net cash used in investing activities	(53,692)	(144,646)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Additional 2020 Notes	300,000
Repayment of 2016 Notes	(271,582)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(8,059)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under equity plans	19,512	14,369
Purchase of common stock in treasury	(7,902)	(6,991)
Payments on capital lease	(96)	(84)
Payments of satellite performance incentives obligation	(1,025)
Proceeds from line of credit borrowings		130,000
Payments on line of credit		(20,000)
Long-term intercompany financing		30,531
Net cash provided by financing activities	30,848	147,825
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(62,465)	13,871
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	162,426	24,347
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	99,961	38,218
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	88,567	51,853
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, equipment and satellites, net	(85,390)	(28,069)
Net cash used in investing activities	(85,390)	(28,069)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on capital lease	(829)	(678)
Long-term intercompany financing		(30,531)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(829)	(31,209)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,348	(7,425)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	439	7,600
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,787	175
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	143	4,365
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, equipment and satellites, net	(1,050)	(2,200)
Cash paid for patents, licenses and other assets	(85)	(36)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,135)	(2,236)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under equity plans	49
Long-term intercompany financing	1,155	(3,265)
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,204	(3,265)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(11)	42
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	201	(1,094)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,718	8,543
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	9,919	7,449
Consolidation and Elimination Adjustments [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	49	(1,945)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, equipment and satellites, net		1,945
Long-term intercompany notes and investments	1,155	(3,265)
Net cash used in investing activities	1,155	(1,320)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under equity plans	(49)
Long-term intercompany financing	(1,155)	3,265
Net cash provided by financing activities	$ (1,204)	$ 3,265