v3.3.1.900

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets- Schedule of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Other intangible assets |  |  |  |  |
Cash payment |  | $ 3,428 |  | $ 41,748 |
Cost |  | 721,042 | $ 724,542 |  |
Accumulated amortization |  | (588,389) | (528,880) |  |
Carrying amount |  | 132,653 | 195,662 |  |
Amortization expense |  | $ 75,900 | 92,100 | $ 88,400 |
Canadian regulatory authorization | DISH Network |  |  |  |  |
Other intangible assets |  |  |  |  |
Amount received from exchange of spectrum rights | $ 23,100 |  |  |  |
Cash payment |  |  |  |  | $ 20,000
Customer relationships |  |  |  |  |
Other intangible assets |  |  |  |  |
Weighted Average Useful life (in years) |  | 8 years |  |  |
Cost |  | $ 293,932 | 293,932 |  |
Accumulated amortization |  | (213,543) | (185,393) |  |
Carrying amount |  | $ 80,389 | 108,539 |  |
Contract-based |  |  |  |  |
Other intangible assets |  |  |  |  |
Weighted Average Useful life (in years) |  | 10 years |  |  |
Cost |  | $ 255,366 | 255,366 |  |
Accumulated amortization |  | (251,493) | (233,009) |  |
Carrying amount |  | $ 3,873 | 22,357 |  |
Technology-based |  |  |  |  |
Other intangible assets |  |  |  |  |
Weighted Average Useful life (in years) |  | 7 years |  |  |
Cost |  | $ 137,337 | 140,837 |  |
Accumulated amortization |  | (111,840) | (100,940) |  |
Carrying amount |  | $ 25,497 | 39,897 |  |
Trademark portfolio |  |  |  |  |
Other intangible assets |  |  |  |  |
Weighted Average Useful life (in years) |  | 20 years |  |  |
Cost |  | $ 29,700 | 29,700 |  |
Accumulated amortization |  | (6,806) | (5,321) |  |
Carrying amount |  | $ 22,894 | 24,379 |  |
Favorable leases |  |  |  |  |
Other intangible assets |  |  |  |  |
Weighted Average Useful life (in years) |  | 4 years |  |  |
Cost |  | $ 4,707 | 4,707 |  |
Accumulated amortization |  | $ (4,707) | (4,217) |  |
Carrying amount |  |  | $ 490 |  |

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- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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