Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets - Regulatory Authorizations - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Gross [RollForward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 716,335
Balance at the end of the period	530,269	$ 716,335
Accumulated amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(583,682)
Balance at the end of the period	(441,815)	(583,682)
Net
Balance at the beginning of the period	132,653
Balance at the end of the period	88,454	132,653
Total regulatory authorizations, net
Balance at the beginning of the period	543,812
Additions	(4,685)
Currency Translation Adjustment	5,506
Balance at the end of the period	544,633	543,812
Amortization of regulatory authorizations	58,400	75,900	$ 92,100
Indefinite Lives
Indefinite lives
Balance at the beginning of the period	471,657
Balance at the end of the period	471,657	471,657
Finite lives
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Gross [RollForward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	82,007
Currency Translation Adjustment	5,952
Balance at the end of the period	87,959	82,007
Accumulated amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(9,852)
Additions	(4,685)
Currency Translation Adjustment	(446)
Balance at the end of the period	(14,983)	(9,852)
Net
Balance at the beginning of the period	72,155
Additions	(4,685)
Currency Translation Adjustment	5,506
Balance at the end of the period	72,976	72,155
Total regulatory authorizations, net
Amortization of regulatory authorizations	$ 4,700	$ 4,700	$ 6,100