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Pension and Postretirement Plans (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plans [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet
The amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for its defined benefit pension plans are as follows:
 
Pension Plans
 
SERP
 
As of December 31
 
As of December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Noncurrent asset
$
1,056,777

 
$
881,593

 
$
—

 
$
—

Current liability
—

 
—

 
(5,838
)
 
(5,580
)
Noncurrent liability
—

 
—

 
(104,244
)
 
(100,946
)
Recognized Asset (Liability)
$
1,056,777

 
$
881,593

 
$
(110,082
)
 
$
(106,526
)
Schedule of Estimated Benefit Payments
At December 31, 2017, future estimated benefit payments, excluding charges for early retirement programs, are as follows:
(in thousands)
Pension Plans
 
SERP
2018
$
73,418

 
$
5,943

2019
$
74,433

 
$
6,320

2020
$
74,572

 
$
6,454

2021
$
75,661

 
$
6,591

2022
$
73,921

 
$
6,719

2023–2027
$
371,073

 
$
34,165
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) includes the following components of unrecognized net periodic cost for the defined benefit plans:
 
Pension Plans
 
SERP
 
As of December 31
 
As of December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss
$
(461,779
)
 
$
(285,304
)
 
$
27,225

 
$
24,958

Unrecognized prior service cost
270

 
365

 
320

 
775

Gross Amount
(461,509
)
 
(284,939
)
 
27,545

 
25,733

Deferred tax liability (asset)
124,607

 
113,976

 
(7,437
)
 
(10,293
)
Net Amount
$
(336,902
)
 
$
(170,963
)
 
$
20,108

 
$
15,440
Schedule of Expected Net Periodic Cost to be Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
During 2018, the Company expects to recognize the following amortization components of net periodic cost for the defined benefit plans:
 
2018
(in thousands)
Pension Plans
 
SERP
Actuarial (gain) loss recognition
$
(4,236
)
 
$
2,217

Prior service cost recognition
$
148

 
$
311
Defined Benefit Plans [Member] | Periodic Cost [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Schedule of Assumptions Used
The costs for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans are actuarially determined. Below are the key assumptions utilized to determine periodic cost:
 
Pension Plans
 
SERP
 
Year Ended December 31
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Discount rate (1)
4.1%
 
4.3%
 
4.4%/4.0%
 
4.1%
 
4.3%
 
4.4%/4.0%
Expected return on plan assets
6.25%
 
6.5%
 
6.5%
 
—
 
—
 
—
Rate of compensation increase
Age graded
(5.0%–1.0%)
 
4.0%
 
4.0%
 
Age graded
(5.0%–1.0%)
 
4.0%
 
4.0%

____________
(1)
As a result of the spin-off of Cable ONE and the sale of the KHE Campuses business, the Company remeasured the accumulated and projected benefit obligation of the pension plan as of July 1, 2015 and September 3, 2015, respectively. As a result of the spin-off of Cable ONE, the accumulated and projected benefit obligation of the SERP was remeasured as of July 1, 2015. The remeasurement changed the discount rate from 4.0% for the first six months to 4.4% for the second half of 2015.
Defined Benefit Plans [Member] | Benefit Obligation [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Schedule of Assumptions Used
Key assumptions utilized for determining the benefit obligation are as follows:
 
Pension Plans
 
SERP
 
As of December 31
 
As of December 31
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Discount rate
3.6%
 
4.1%
 
3.6%
 
4.1%
Rate of compensation increase - age graded
5.0%–1.0%
 
5.0%–1.0%
 
5.0%–1.0%
 
5.0%–1.0%
Pension Plans [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Schedule of Obligation, Asset and Funding Information
The following table sets forth obligation, asset and funding information for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans:
 
Pension Plans
 
As of December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
1,160,897

 
$
1,254,298

Service cost
18,687

 
20,461

Interest cost
47,925

 
51,608

Amendments
75

 
—

Actuarial loss (gain)
73,191

 
(32,203
)
Acquisitions
58,600

 
—

Benefits paid
(74,506
)
 
(60,076
)
Special termination benefits
1,825

 
—

Settlement
—

 
(73,191
)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year
$
1,286,694

 
$
1,160,897

Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
Fair value of assets at beginning of year
$
2,042,490

 
$
2,234,268

Actual return on plan assets
375,487

 
(58,511
)
Benefits paid
(74,506
)
 
(60,076
)
Settlement
—

 
(73,191
)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year
$
2,343,471

 
$
2,042,490

Funded Status
$
1,056,777

 
$
881,593
Schedule of Net (Benefit) Costs
The total (benefit) cost arising from the Company’s defined benefit pension plans, including the portion included in discontinued operations, consists of the following components:
 
Pension Plans
 
Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Service cost
$
18,687

 
$
20,461

 
$
26,294

Interest cost
47,925

 
51,608

 
52,613

Expected return on assets
(121,411
)
 
(121,470
)
 
(130,571
)
Amortization of prior service cost
170

 
297

 
320

Recognized actuarial gain
(4,410
)
 
—

 
(11,925
)
Net Periodic Benefit for the Year
(59,039
)
 
(49,104
)
 
(63,269
)
Curtailment
—

 
—

 
(3,267
)
Settlement
—

 
(17,993
)
 
—

Early retirement programs and special separation benefit expense
1,825

 
—

 
4,606

Total Benefit for the Year
$
(57,214
)
 
$
(67,097
)
 
$
(61,930
)
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
Current year actuarial (gain) loss
$
(180,885
)
 
$
147,779

 
$
222,894

Current year prior service cost
75

 
—

 
—

Amortization of prior service cost
(170
)
 
(297
)
 
(320
)
Recognized net actuarial gain
4,410

 
—

 
11,925

Curtailment and settlement
—

 
17,993

 
(51
)
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)
$
(176,570
)
 
$
165,475

 
$
234,448

Total Recognized in Total Benefit and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)
$
(233,784
)
 
$
98,378

 
$
172,518
Allocation of the Assets of the Company's Pension Plans
The assets of the Company’s pension plans were allocated as follows:
 
As of December 31
 
2017
 
2016
U.S. equities
53
%
 
53
%
U.S. stock index fund
30
%
 
30
%
U.S. fixed income
11
%
 
11
%
International equities
6
%
 
6
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis
The Company’s pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
 
As of December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments
$
73,877

 
$
181,638

 
$
—

 
$
255,515

Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. equities
1,242,139

 
—

 
—

 
1,242,139

International equities
138,640

 
—

 
—

 
138,640

U.S. stock index fund
—

 
—

 
706,202

 
706,202

Total Investments
$
1,454,656

 
$
181,638

 
$
706,202

 
$
2,342,496

Receivables
 
 
 
 
 
 
975

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
2,343,471

 
As of December 31, 2016
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments
$
61,438

 
$
162,010

 
$
—

 
$
223,448

Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. equities
1,074,528

 
—

 
—

 
1,074,528

International equities
120,735

 
—

 
—

 
120,735

U.S. stock index fund
—

 
—

 
622,865

 
622,865

Total Investments
$
1,256,701

 
$
162,010

 
$
622,865

 
$
2,041,576

Receivables
 
 
 
 
 
 
914

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
2,042,490
Schedule of Effect of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Changes in Plan Assets
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in pension assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, using Level 3 inputs:
 
U.S. Stock Index Fund
 
Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Balance at Beginning of Year
$
622,865

 
$
—

Purchases, sales, and settlements, net
(50,000
)
 
574,000

Actual return on plan assets:
 
 
 
Gains relating to assets sold
6,796

 
—

Gains relating to assets still held at year-end
126,541

 
48,865

Balance at End of Year
$
706,202

 
$
622,865
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Schedule of Obligation, Asset and Funding Information
 
SERP
 
As of December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
106,526

 
$
105,004

Service cost
858

 
985

Interest cost
4,233

 
4,384

Actuarial loss
4,041

 
1,120

Benefits paid
(5,576
)
 
(4,967
)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year
$
110,082

 
$
106,526

Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
Fair value of assets at beginning of year
$
—

 
$
—

Employer contributions
5,576

 
4,967

Benefits paid
(5,576
)
 
(4,967
)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year
$
—

 
$
—

Funded Status
$
(110,082
)
 
$
(106,526
)
Schedule of Net (Benefit) Costs
 
SERP
 
Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Service cost
$
858

 
$
985

 
$
1,946

Interest cost
4,233

 
4,384

 
4,550

Amortization of prior service cost
455

 
457

 
457

Recognized actuarial loss
1,774

 
2,659

 
3,015

Total Cost for the Year
$
7,320

 
$
8,485

 
$
9,968

Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
Current year actuarial loss (gain)
$
4,041

 
$
1,120

 
$
(6,544
)
Amortization of prior service cost
(455
)
 
(457
)
 
(457
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
(1,774
)
 
(2,659
)
 
(3,015
)
Curtailment and settlement
—

 
—

 
(834
)
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)
$
1,812

 
$
(1,996
)
 
$
(10,850
)
Total Recognized in Total Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)
$
9,132

 
$
6,489

 
$
(882
)
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]  
Schedule of Obligation, Asset and Funding Information
The following table sets forth obligation, asset and funding information for the Company’s other postretirement plans:
 
Postretirement Plans
 
As of December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
24,171

 
$
37,391

Service cost
1,028

 
1,386

Interest cost
779

 
1,230

Actuarial gain
(2,830
)
 
(14,984
)
Acquisitions
516

 
—

Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy
(879
)
 
(852
)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year
$
22,785

 
$
24,171

Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
Fair value of assets at beginning of year
$
—

 
$
—

Employer contributions
879

 
852

Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy
(879
)
 
(852
)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year
$
—

 
$
—

Funded Status
$
(22,785
)
 
$
(24,171
)
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet
The amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for its other postretirement plans are as follows:
 
Postretirement Plans
 
As of December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Current liability
$
(1,920
)
 
$
(2,312
)
Noncurrent liability
(20,865
)
 
(21,859
)
Recognized Liability
$
(22,785
)
 
$
(24,171
)
Schedule of Estimated Benefit Payments
At December 31, 2017, future estimated benefit payments are as follows:
(in thousands)
Postretirement
Plans
2018
$
1,920

2019
$
1,885

2020
$
2,054

2021
$
2,086

2022
$
2,153

2023–2027
$
10,178
Schedule of Net (Benefit) Costs
The total (benefit) cost arising from the Company’s other postretirement plans consists of the following components:
 
Postretirement Plans
 
Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Service cost
$
1,028

 
$
1,386

 
$
1,331

Interest cost
779

 
1,230

 
1,299

Amortization of prior service credit
(148
)
 
(335
)
 
(502
)
Recognized actuarial gain
(3,891
)
 
(1,502
)
 
(996
)
Total (Benefit) Cost for the Year
$
(2,232
)
 
$
779

 
$
1,132

Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
Current year actuarial gain
$
(2,830
)
 
$
(14,984
)
 
$
(5,296
)
Amortization of prior service credit
148

 
335

 
502

Recognized actuarial gain
3,891

 
1,502

 
996

Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)
$
1,209

 
$
(13,147
)
 
$
(3,798
)
Total Recognized in (Benefit) Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)
$
(1,023
)
 
$
(12,368
)
 
$
(2,666
)
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI included the following components of unrecognized net periodic benefit for the postretirement plans:
 
As of December 31
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Unrecognized actuarial gain
$
(24,125
)
 
$
(25,186
)
Unrecognized prior service credit
(178
)
 
(326
)
Gross Amount
(24,303
)
 
(25,512
)
Deferred tax liability
6,561

 
10,205

Net Amount
$
(17,742
)
 
$
(15,307
)
Schedule of Expected Net Periodic Cost to be Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
During 2018, the Company expects to recognize the following amortization components of net periodic cost for the other postretirement plans:
(in thousands)
2018
Actuarial gain recognition
$
(3,686
)
Prior service credit recognition
$
(175
)
Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
A change of one percentage point in the assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects:
 
1%
 
1%
(in thousands)
Increase
 
Decrease
Benefit obligation at end of year
$
1,304

 
$
(1,194
)
Service cost plus interest cost
$
177

 
$
(158
)