Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Segment information
Number of primary operating business segments | segment	2
Total assets	$ 49,201,652		$ 48,001,725
Revenues	4,330,620	$ 4,497,853
Depreciation and amortization	176,341	190,385
Operating income (loss)	550,360	864,576
Interest income	4,849	1,970
Other, net	42,548	(5,261)
Income tax (provision) benefit, net	(144,310)	(215,849)
Net income (loss)	448,846	641,563
United States
Segment information
Revenues	4,322,176	4,485,863
Canada And Mexico
Segment information
Revenues	8,444	11,990
Pay-TV | Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	44,499,312		43,799,761
Revenues	3,167,563	3,203,969
Operating income (loss)	752,046	772,743
Wireless | Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	42,134,857		33,310,090
Revenues	1,165,457	1,294,649
Operating income (loss)	(201,686)	91,833
All Other & Eliminations | Eliminations
Segment information
Total assets	(37,432,517)		$ (29,108,126)
Revenues	(2,400)	(765)
Pay-TV video and related revenue
Segment information
Revenues	3,129,734	3,164,367
Wireless services and related revenue
Segment information
Revenues	945,388	1,045,167
Equipment sales and other revenue | All other
Segment information
Revenues	(2,400)	(765)
Equipment sales and other revenue | Pay-TV
Segment information
Revenues	37,829	39,602
Equipment sales and other revenue | Wireless
Segment information
Revenues	$ 220,069	$ 249,482