Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($) segment	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Segment information
Number of primary operating business segments | segment			2
Total assets	$ 49,003,024		$ 49,003,024		$ 48,001,725
Revenues	4,095,451	$ 4,449,635	12,636,034	$ 13,434,448
Operating income (loss)	427,029	717,705	1,670,324	2,489,019
United States
Segment information
Revenues	4,082,463	4,432,751	12,603,549	13,390,248
Canada And Mexico
Segment information
Revenues	12,988	16,884	32,485	44,200
Pay-TV | Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	43,874,451		43,874,451		43,799,761
Revenues	3,078,418	3,220,128	9,399,244	9,676,487
Operating income (loss)	647,654	699,730	2,185,171	2,299,387
Wireless | Operating segment
Segment information
Total assets	44,309,666		44,309,666		33,310,090
Revenues	1,018,132	1,230,072	3,241,590	3,761,834
Operating income (loss)	(220,625)	17,975	(514,847)	189,632
All Other & Eliminations | Eliminations
Segment information
Total assets	(39,181,093)		(39,181,093)		$ (29,108,126)
Revenues	(1,099)	(565)	(4,800)	(3,873)
Pay-TV video and related revenue
Segment information
Revenues	3,037,279	3,175,193	9,280,621	9,541,602
Wireless services and related revenue
Segment information
Revenues	892,820	1,038,042	2,754,008	3,136,016
Equipment sales and other revenue | All other
Segment information
Revenues	(1,099)	(565)	(4,800)	(3,873)
Equipment sales and other revenue | Pay-TV
Segment information
Revenues	41,139	44,935	118,623	134,885
Equipment sales and other revenue | Wireless
Segment information
Revenues	$ 125,312	$ 192,030	$ 487,582	$ 625,818