| **Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Tables)** | 6 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
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| **Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]**                              |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Cash Flow Operating Capital                                                 | Changes in operating assets and liabilities consist of (amounts in thousands):Six Months Ended June 30,2014 2013(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net$24,693 (19,241)Increase in prepaid expenses(5,084) (2,531)Decrease in inventories2,024 3,333Decrease in other current assets75 1,185Increase in other assets(344) (1,294)Increase (decrease) in accounts payable(6,821) 1,044Increase in deferred revenues3,360 207Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll and payroll related obligations(4,359) 3,732Increase in accrued liabilities1,452 2,881Decrease in accrued interest(384) (25)Increase (decrease) in subscriber deposits(188) 133Decrease in long-term deferred revenue(2,345) (927)Increase (decrease) in components of other long-term liabilities747 (901)Total change in operating assets and liabilities$12,826 (12,404) |
| Cash Payments for Interest                                                  | The following item is for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):Net cash paid or received:2014 2013Interest paid including capitalized interest$37,658 35,139                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Schedule of Other Significant Noncash Transactions                          | The following items are non-cash investing and financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands): 2014 2013Non-cash additions for purchases of property and  equipment$25,114 13,740Net capital lease obligation$9,386 —Distribution to non-controlling interest$4,167 —Asset retirement obligation additions to property and  equipment$361 1,066Deferred compensation distribution denominated in  shares$617 621                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the net increase (decrease) in operating capital in the operating section of the statement of cash flows, represents the entire footnote disclosure that provides details regarding the net change during the reporting period of all assets and liabilities used in operating activities.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of supplemental cash flow information for the periods presented.
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No definition available.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of all or some of the information related to other significant noncash investing and financing activities that occurred during the accounting period and are not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of a transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586
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