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, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Jan. 01, 2018
Dec. 31, 2015
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method          
Carrying value of equity method investment $ 12,004,376 $ 11,835,613      
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts          
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments 166,146 2,508,991 $ 641,544    
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate (43,575) (17,872) 770,766    
Other assets 9,487 12,122      
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3,504 5,381      
Deferred income tax liabilities 965,829 932,593      
Total equity 10,598,618 10,486,901 8,473,092   $ 3,148,219
Charter          
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method          
Carrying value of equity method investment 12,004,000        
Market value of equity method investment $ 15,409,000        
Ownership percentage 24.00%        
Other Comprehensive Income Loss From Equity Method Investments $ 172 768 811    
Other Comprehensive Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Before Tax 200 1,200 1,300    
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts          
Property and equipment 328,000 361,000      
Customer relationships 721,000 689,000      
Franchise fees 1,821,000 1,670,000      
Trademarks 29,000 29,000      
Goodwill 1,202,000 986,000      
Debt (105,000) (98,000)      
Deferred income tax liability (698,000) (662,000)      
Total 3,298,000 2,975,000      
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments 166,000 2,509,000 642,000    
Amortization of Deferred Charges 119,000 277,000 42,000    
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate $ (44,000) $ (18,000) $ 771,000    
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          
Total equity $ 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