Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets - Regulatory Authorizations (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Gross [RollForward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 361,300
Balance at the end of the period	361,283
Accumulated amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(302,345)
Balance at the end of the period	(317,052)
Net
Balance at the beginning of the period	58,955
Balance at the end of the period	44,231
Total regulatory authorizations, net
Balance at the beginning of the period	536,936
Additions	(5,190)
Impairment	(29,628)
Currency Translation Adjustment	(6,464)
Balance at the end of the period	495,654
Indefinite Lives
Indefinite lives
Balance at the beginning of the period	465,657
Additions	0
Impairment	0
Currency Translation Adjustment	0
Balance at the end of the period	465,657
Finite lives
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Gross [RollForward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	92,621
Additions	0
Impairment	(37,476)
Currency Translation Adjustment	(8,358)
Balance at the end of the period	46,787
Accumulated amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(21,342)
Additions	(5,190)
Impairment	7,848
Currency Translation Adjustment	1,894
Balance at the end of the period	(16,790)
Net
Balance at the beginning of the period	71,279
Additions	(5,190)
Impairment	(29,628)
Currency Translation Adjustment	(6,464)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 29,997