Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
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12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2013
segment
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Jan. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2013
Public Warrants
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Dec. 31, 2012
Public Warrants
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Dec. 31, 2013
Series C preferred warrants
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Dec. 31, 2012
Series C preferred warrants
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Dec. 31, 2011
Series C preferred warrants
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Dec. 31, 2013
Minimum
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Dec. 31, 2013
Maximum
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Dec. 31, 2013
Computer software and ERP system
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Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment
Minimum
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Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment
Maximum
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Dec. 31, 2013
Connectivity equipment
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Dec. 31, 2013
Building and Building Improvements
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Dec. 31, 2013
Domestic Deferred Tax Assets
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Dec. 31, 2012
Domestic Deferred Tax Assets
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Dec. 31, 2013
Foreign Deferred Tax Assets
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Dec. 31, 2012
Foreign Deferred Tax Assets
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Jan. 31, 2013
Row 44, Inc.
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Dec. 31, 2013
AIA Purchase Agreement
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Sep. 30, 2013
AIA Purchase Agreement
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Jan. 31, 2013
AIA Purchase Agreement
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Oct. 18, 2013
IFES Acquisition Corp Limited
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Dec. 31, 2013
Prepaid and Other Current Assets
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Dec. 31, 2013
Other Non-current Assets
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Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory and Other Long-Term Assets
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Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory and Other Long-Term Assets
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Dec. 31, 2013
STC Fees
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Dec. 31, 2012
STC Fees
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Dec. 31, 2011
STC Fees
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Dec. 31, 2013
Global Eagle Warrants
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Dec. 31, 2013
Global Eagle Warrants
Public Warrants
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Dec. 31, 2013
Common Stock
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Basis of Presentation: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock, par value | $ 0.0001 | $ 0.0001 | $ 0.0001 | $ 0.0001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principles of Consolidation: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ownership interest | 18.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment to acquire investment | $ 1,500,000 | $ 0 | $ (7,000) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue Recognition: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equipment Sales | 26,494,000 | 57,845,000 | 30,455,000 | 700,000 | 200,000 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Product Development: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capitalized software development costs | 1,400,000 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Cash: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Letter of credit, period secured by cash | 1 year | 3 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | 3,300,000 | 0 | 1,000,000 | 2,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Inventory, net: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred equipment costs | 6,200,000 | 6,100,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Content Library: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Useful life of licensed film rights | 1 year 6 months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, useful life | 3 years | 3 years | 10 years | 5 years | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Payments to acquire equipment | 11,477,000 | 2,432,000 | 594,000 | 5,300,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, service life | 5 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible Assets and Goodwill: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of reportable segments | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill | 52,345,000 | 0 | 0 | 35,385,000 | 39,217,000 | 39,217,000 | 12,117,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business acquisitions and supplemental pro forma information: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ownership percentage in subsidiary | 86.00% | 94.00% | 86.00% | 100.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income Taxes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Valuation allowance | 50,782,000 | 39,122,000 | 28,480,000 | 48,900,000 | 39,100,000 | 1,900,000 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative Warrants: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants repurchased and retired | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class of Warrant or Right, Warrants Exchanged | 2,921,450 | 2,900,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants converted to common stock | 900,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives | $ (63,961,000) | $ (3,576,000) | $ 0 | $ 64,000,000 | $ 0 | $ (100,000) | $ (3,600,000) | $ 0 |