Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)

v3.8.0.1
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)
shares in Millions
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 10 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2016
shares
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Nov. 03, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Jul. 27, 2016
member
Feb. 28, 2015
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                  
Cash and cash equivalents     $ 50,686,000       $ 223,552,000         $ 50,686,000 $ 223,552,000 $ 197,648,000 $ 258,796,000    
Principles of Consolidation:                                  
Ownership interest (as a percent)                             18.00%    
Payment to acquire investment                             $ 1,500,000    
Equity method investment, ownership percentage                             22.00%    
Impairment loss                           1,500,000      
Revenue Recognition:                                  
Equipment                       33,220,000 21,051,000 35,507,000      
Restricted Cash:                                  
Restricted cash     18,000,000       4,400,000         18,000,000 4,400,000        
Impairment of Long-lived Assets                                  
Asset impairment charges                       4,100,000 0 0      
Content Library                                  
Film costs to be amortized in next 12 months                       12,300,000          
Accrued participation liabilities to be amortized in next 12 months     13,500,000                 13,500,000          
Minimum guarantee liability, current     5,500,000       8,000,000         5,500,000 8,000,000        
Minimum guarantee liability, noncurrent     8,600,000       6,100,000         8,600,000 6,100,000        
Intangible Assets and Liabilities and Goodwill                                  
Goodwill impairment     64,000,000 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0   64,000,000 0 0      
Goodwill     327,836,000       93,796,000         327,836,000 93,796,000 53,014,000      
Investments in Equity Affiliates                                  
Number of voting members on the board of directors | member                               2  
Number of members on the board of directors | member                               2  
Derivative Warrants:                                  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives                       25,515,000 11,938,000 (6,955,000)      
Common Stock | UMG Recordings                                  
Contingently Issuable Shares                                  
Shares issued in period (in shares) | shares 1.8                                
Public Warrants                                  
Derivative Warrants:                                  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives                       23,600,000 11,900,000 (7,000,000)      
Wireless Maritime Services                                  
Principles of Consolidation:                                  
Equity method investment, ownership percentage                               49.00%  
Investments in Equity Affiliates                                  
Number of voting members on the board of directors | member                               5  
Wireless Maritime Services | AT&T                                  
Principles of Consolidation:                                  
Equity method investment, ownership percentage                               51.00%  
Investments in Equity Affiliates                                  
Number of voting members on the board of directors | member                               3  
Santander                                  
Principles of Consolidation:                                  
Equity method investment, ownership percentage                               49.00%  
Investments in Equity Affiliates                                  
Number of voting members on the board of directors | member                               5  
Santander | Erzia                                  
Principles of Consolidation:                                  
Equity method investment, ownership percentage                               51.00%  
Investments in Equity Affiliates                                  
Number of members on the board of directors | member                               3  
Connectivity                                  
Revenue Recognition:                                  
Equipment                       33,220,000 21,051,000 35,507,000      
Maritime & Land Connectivity                                  
Intangible Assets and Liabilities and Goodwill                                  
Goodwill impairment                       64,000,000          
Goodwill     146,380,000       0         $ 146,380,000 0 0      
Maximum                                  
Restricted Cash:                                  
Letter of credit, period secured by cash                       3 years          
Noncurrent Assets [Member]                                  
Reclassifications [Abstract]                                  
Intangibles             12,300,000           12,300,000        
Other Non-current Assets                                  
Restricted Cash:                                  
Restricted cash     0       2,100,000         $ 0 2,100,000        
Computer software                                  
Property, plant and equipment:                                  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)                       3 years          
Content library                                  
Impairment of Long-lived Assets                                  
Asset impairment charges                       $ 0   0      
Equipment (3) | Connectivity                                  
Property, plant and equipment:                                  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)                       10 years          
Equipment (3) | Minimum                                  
Property, plant and equipment:                                  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)                       3 years          
Equipment (3) | Maximum                                  
Property, plant and equipment:                                  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)                       10 years          
Buildings                                  
Property, plant and equipment:                                  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)                       30 years          
Connectivity equipment                                  
Property, plant and equipment:                                  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)                       5 years          
STC Fees                                  
Revenue Recognition:                                  
Equipment                       $ 1,200,000 0 600,000      
Adjustment                                  
Reclassifications [Abstract]                                  
Deferred revenue     8,000,000                 8,000,000          
Deferred equipment costs     $ 7,900,000                 7,900,000          
Impact of adjustments                       100,000          
Available-for-sale Securities             5,000           5,000        
Previously Reported | Current assets                                  
Reclassifications [Abstract]                                  
Intangibles             12,300,000           12,300,000        
Previously Reported | Intangible assets, net                                  
Reclassifications [Abstract]                                  
Intangibles             $ 3,800,000           3,800,000        
Content library                                  
Impairment of Long-lived Assets                                  
Asset impairment charges                       3,100,000 $ 900,000 $ 0      
Subsequent Event                                  
Restricted Cash:                                  
Decrease in restricted cash                     $ 17,100,000            
ASU 2017-04 | Maritime & Land Connectivity                                  
Intangible Assets and Liabilities and Goodwill                                  
Goodwill impairment                       $ 91,100,000          
ASU 2017-04 | Subsequent Event | Minimum | Maritime & Land Connectivity                                  
Intangible Assets and Liabilities and Goodwill                                  
Goodwill impairment   $ 75,000,000                              
ASU 2017-04 | Subsequent Event | Maximum | Maritime & Land Connectivity                                  
Intangible Assets and Liabilities and Goodwill                                  
Goodwill impairment   $ 80,000,000                              
Convertible senior notes                                  
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                  
Stated interest rate                                 2.75%