Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Leases and Transponder Service Agreements (Details)

v3.20.4
Leases and Transponder Service Agreements (Details)
ft² in Millions, $ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
ft²
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]      
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 12 months    
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization $ 19 $ 20  
Finance Lease, Interest Expense 8 9  
Finance Lease, Total Cost 27 29  
Total Lease Cost 66 61  
Capital Leases, Income Statement, Amortization Expense     $ 14
Operating leases expense $ 39 32  
Operating leases      
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term 8 years 6 months    
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term 11 years    
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent 5.10%    
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent 6.00%    
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset $ 221 214  
Property and equipment, gross 2,722 2,553  
Finance Lease, Liability, Current 18 18  
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent 150 163  
Finance Lease, Liability 168 181  
Operating Lease, Payments 44 35  
Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability 8 9  
Finance Lease, Principal Payments 18 22  
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability 31 151  
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability 0 16  
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year 26    
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two 26    
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three 25    
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four 24    
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five 22    
Finance Lease Liability, Payments, Thereafter 89    
Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due 212    
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Remainder of Fiscal Year 38    
2021 32    
2022 27    
2023 24    
2024 21    
Thereafter 167    
Total 309    
Imputed interest of operating leases (89)    
Total Leases, Future Minimum Payments due remainder of the year 64    
Total Leases, Future Minimum Payments due in Two Years 58    
Total Leases, Future Minimum Payments due in Three Years 52    
Total Leases, Future Minimum Payments due in Four Years 48    
Total Leases, Future Minimum Payments due in Five Years 43    
Total Leases, Future Minimum Payments due Thereafter 256    
Total Lease Payments Due 521    
Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount (44)    
Imputed interest on lease liabilities (133)    
Lease Liability, Total 388    
Less: accumulated depreciation (1,544) (1,338)  
Operating leases expense     $ 34
Accrued Liabilities      
Operating leases      
Operating Lease, Liability, Current 25 28  
Operating Lease, Liability 220    
Other long-term liabilities      
Operating leases      
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent 195 190  
Other Liabilities      
Operating leases      
Operating Lease, Liability 220 218  
Transponders and terrestrial transmitter (note 9)      
Operating leases      
Property and equipment, gross 174 177  
Finance Leased Assets      
Operating leases      
Property and equipment, gross 278 282  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 137 153  
Less: accumulated depreciation $ (141) $ (129)  
ECDC [Member]      
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]      
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 15 years    
Operating leases      
Operating Lease, Liability $ 131    
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability $ 141    
Area of lease (in sqft) | ft² 1.7    
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Lease, Number of Five Year Extension Options 2    
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Lease, Number of Four Year Extension Options 1    
Lessee, Operating Lease, Final Renewal Term 4 years    
Operating Lease, Expense $ 10    
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term 5 years    
Minimum      
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]      
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 1 year    
Maximum      
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]      
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 14 years    
Maximum | ECDC [Member]      
Operating leases      
Operating Lease, Expense $ 14