Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Capital leased assets disclosures
Estimated fair value of satellites acquired under capital leases	$ 500,000
Accumulated depreciation on satellites acquired under capital leases	449,000	$ 407,000
Depreciation expense - capital leases	42,000	$ 42,000	$ 42,000
Future minimum lease payments under the capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments
2019	50,751
2020	48,032
2021	48,032
2022	16,032
Total minimum lease payments	162,847
Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(87,248)
Net minimum lease payments	75,599
Less: Amount representing interest	(8,615)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	66,984
Less: Current portion	(19,923)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	$ 47,061
FSS Satellite Anik F3
Capital leased assets disclosures
Ku-band capacity leased (as a percent)	100.00%
Term of capital lease	15 years
Canadian DBS Satellite Ciel II
Capital leased assets disclosures
Satellite capacity leased (as a percent)	100.00%
Initial Term of capital lease	10 years