Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	$ 414,130	$ 438,592
Cash received for interest	9,478	16,083
Cash paid for income taxes	211,529	14,501
Capitalized interest	382,458	133,102
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	24,984	$ 26,026
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	$ 988