|
Property and Equipment (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sep. 30, 2012
|
Sep. 30, 2011
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Satellites
|
Sep. 30, 2011
|
|
| Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract] | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment | $ 53,373 | $ 50,833 | $ 158,706 | $ 156,032 |
| Number of owned satellites (in satellites) | 9 | |||
| Capitalized expenditures, including interest | $ 8,219 | $ 16,875 | $ 25,224 | $ 67,576 |
|
Sirius system [Member]
|
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| Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract] | ||||
| Number of owned satellites (in satellites) | 4 | |||
|
XM system [Member]
|
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| Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract] | ||||
| Number of owned satellites (in satellites) | 5 | |||
|
Boeing Satellite Systems International [Member]
|
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| Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract] | ||||
| Number of owned satellites (in satellites) | 4 | |||
|
Space Systems/Loral [Member]
|
||||
| Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract] | ||||
| Number of owned satellites (in satellites) | 5 | |||