Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

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

v3.10.0.1
Investments in Charter Accounted for Using the Equity Method (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Sep. 30, 2017
Sep. 30, 2018
Sep. 30, 2017
Jan. 01, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method            
Carrying value of equity method investment $ 11,977,368   $ 11,977,368     $ 11,835,613
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments 84,739 $ (5,280) 126,952 $ 25,109    
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate (3,203) (3,718) (35,165) (42,515)    
Other assets 49   49     49
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3,091   3,091     5,381
Deferred income tax liabilities 961,835   961,835     932,593
Total equity 10,585,295   10,585,295     10,486,901
Charter            
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method            
Carrying value of equity method investment 11,977,000   11,977,000      
Market value of equity method investment $ 17,621,000   $ 17,621,000      
Ownership percentage 23.60%   23.60%      
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Property and equipment $ 336,000   $ 336,000     361,000
Customer relationships 713,000   713,000     689,000
Franchise fees 1,782,000   1,782,000     1,670,000
Trademarks 29,000   29,000     29,000
Goodwill 1,145,000   1,145,000     986,000
Debt (103,000)   (103,000)     (98,000)
Deferred income tax liability (689,000)   (689,000)     (662,000)
Total 3,213,000   3,213,000     $ 2,975,000
Excess basis amortization of debt and intangible assets 30,200 15,300 88,100 44,000    
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate (3,200) $ (3,700) $ (35,200) $ (42,500)    
Charter | Customer relationships            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Useful lives of customer relationships     13 years      
Charter | Property, Plant and Equipment            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Useful lives of property and equipment     7 years      
ASU 2016-16 | Charter            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Deferred income tax assets 31,000   $ 31,000      
Total equity $ 31,000   $ 31,000      
Adjustment | ASU 2014-09            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Deferred income tax liabilities         $ 400  
Adjustment | ASU 2014-09 | Charter            
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts            
Other assets         120,000  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities         71,000  
Deferred income tax liabilities         11,000  
Total equity         $ 38,000