9. INTEREST EXPENSE
| Years ended December 31, | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
| Interest on indebtedness | $ | 209,136 | $ | 195,523 | $ | 182,506 | ||||||
| Interest on derivative instruments | 3,071 | 2,303 | 3,721 | |||||||||
| Interest on satellite performance incentive payments | 4,750 | 5,548 | 4,362 | |||||||||
| Interest on employee benefit plans (Note 29) | 1,511 | 1,733 | 1,976 | |||||||||
| Capitalized interest (Note 16) | (18,324 | ) | (6,292 | ) | (9,268 | ) | ||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 200,144 | $ | 198,815 | $ | 183,297 | ||||||