Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (68,275)	$ 21,767	$ 21,770
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	210,441	200,686	193,086
Amortization of intangible assets	45,211	45,236	48,990
Deferred income taxes	(36,558)	(218)	(5,003)
Stock-based compensation expense	68,545	55,775	47,510
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	32,978	35,431	33,960
Loss on extinguishment of debt	10,217
Other non-cash adjustments	6,883	10,018	8,957
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(12,439)	16,071	(26,342)
Inventories	(37,562)	(12,386)	(26,749)
Other assets	(25,975)	(15,259)	(3,335)
Accounts payable	32,503	972	5,250
Accrued liabilities	60,042	48,039	(337)
Other liabilities	72,622	5,166	(820)
Net cash provided by operating activities	358,633	411,298	296,937
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, equipment and satellites	(511,634)	(514,692)	(377,894)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate		(140,378)	(1,258)
Cash paid for patents, licenses and other assets	(72,853)	(70,966)	(72,731)
Payments related to acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(16,528)	(4,402)
Proceeds from sale of real property		27,559
Net cash used in investing activities	(584,487)	(715,005)	(456,285)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of debt issuance costs	(9,759)	(6,677)	(840)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under equity plans	26,165	22,403	22,309
Purchase of common stock in treasury (immediately retired) related to tax withholdings for stock-based compensation	(24,206)	(21,670)	(16,397)
Proceeds from common stock issued in public offering, net of issuance costs		503,061
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest capital contribution	8,491
Other financing activities	(1,816)	(1,802)	(1,784)
Net cash provided by financing activities	165,776	392,784	149,122
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,426	(1,067)	51
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(58,652)	88,010	(10,175)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of fiscal year	130,098	42,088	52,263
Cash and cash equivalents at end of fiscal year	71,446	130,098	42,088
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)	3,722	10,094	21,787
Cash paid for income taxes, net	4,021	1,468	1,380
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of stock in satisfaction of certain accrued employee compensation liabilities	16,409	13,080	11,609
Capital expenditures not paid for	41,149	29,813	60,796
Issuance of common stock in connection with acquisition		4,988
2020 Notes [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt	10,217
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of 2020 Notes	(575,000)
Payment of debt extinguishment costs	(10,602)
2025 Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of 2025 Notes	700,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facility borrowings		90,000	175,000
Payments of revolving credit facility borrowings		(270,000)	(205,000)
Ex-Im Credit Facility [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facility borrowings	52,503	77,469	175,834
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Exposure fees on Ex-Im credit facility financed through Ex-Im credit facility	$ 5,764	$ 8,505	$ 20,992