Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Investments in Charter Accounted for Using the Equity Method (Details)

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Investments in Charter Accounted for Using the Equity Method (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Jan. 01, 2019
Jan. 01, 2018
Dec. 31, 2016
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Share of earnings (loss) of affiliates, net $ 286,401 $ 166,146 $ 2,508,991      
Loss on dilution of investment in affiliate (79,329) (43,575) (17,872)      
Other assets 9,535 9,487        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 6,168 3,504        
Deferred income tax liabilities 999,757 965,829        
total shareholders' equity 10,667,946 10,598,618 10,486,901     $ 8,473,092
Adjustment | ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-16            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Deferred income tax liabilities         $ 400  
Charter            
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method            
Other Comprehensive Income Loss From Equity Method Investments 380 (172) 768      
Other Comprehensive Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Before Tax 500 (200) 1,200      
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Property and equipment 225,000 328,000        
Customer relationships 1,043,000 721,000        
Franchise fees 1,996,000 1,821,000        
Trademarks 29,000 29,000        
Goodwill 1,630,000 1,202,000        
Debt (9,000) (105,000)        
Deferred income tax liability (817,000) (698,000)        
Total 4,097,000 3,298,000        
Share of earnings (loss) of affiliates, net 286,000 166,000 2,509,000      
Amortization of Deferred Charges 124,000 119,000 277,000      
Loss on dilution of investment in affiliate $ (79,000) $ (44,000) $ (18,000)      
Charter | Customer relationships            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Remaining useful lives of customer relationships 10 years          
Charter | Property, Plant and Equipment            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Remaining useful lives of property and equipment 5 years          
Charter | Restatement Adjustment | ASU 2016-02            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Right-of-use asset       $ 1,100,000    
Operating lease liability       $ 1,200,000    
Charter | Adjustment | ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-16            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
total shareholders' equity         $ 69,000