Leases - Property and Equipment Subject to Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Property and equipment
Cost	$ 6,546,424		$ 6,546,424		$ 6,355,140
Accumulated Depreciation	3,216,630		3,216,630		2,940,232
Property and equipment, net	3,329,794		3,329,794		$ 3,414,908
Depreciation Expense	144,516	$ 137,810	288,337	$ 272,824
Customer premises equipment
Property and equipment
Cost	1,270,959		1,270,959
Accumulated Depreciation	953,646		953,646
Property and equipment, net	317,313		317,313
Depreciation Expense	46,839		92,651
Satellites
Property and equipment
Cost	1,552,245		1,552,245
Accumulated Depreciation	879,760		879,760
Property and equipment, net	672,485		672,485
Depreciation Expense	32,600		65,201
Real estate
Property and equipment
Cost	100,049		100,049
Accumulated Depreciation	30,836		30,836
Property and equipment, net	69,213		69,213
Depreciation Expense	558		1,116
Assets leased to others
Property and equipment
Cost	2,923,253		2,923,253
Accumulated Depreciation	1,864,242		1,864,242
Property and equipment, net	1,059,011		1,059,011
Depreciation Expense	$ 79,997		$ 158,968