Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk (Adjusted for EBITDA) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)					$ 171,460		$ (311,259)		$ (114,123)
Asset write-down charges					22,285		13,687		19,237
Acquisition and integration costs					3,310		2,102		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion					552,951		540,771		529,739
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs					507,587		490,269		445,882
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	0	71,933	0	66,434	0		138,367	[1]	91,079	[2]
Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	5,860	(104,421)	(114,598)	(73,276)	0		286,435		92,966
Interest income					(666)		(2,204)		(2,967)
Other income (expense)					5,577		603		(2,446)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes					8,347		(26,846)		(76,400)
Stock-based compensation expense					35,991		39,965		30,305
Adjusted EBITDA					1,306,842		1,171,890		1,013,272
CCUSA [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)					167,721		(310,208)		(115,412)
Asset write-down charges					21,986		13,243		18,611
Acquisition and integration costs					3,310		2,102		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion					522,681		513,433		502,017
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs					507,264		488,863		443,960
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations					0		138,367		91,079
Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps					0		286,435		92,966
Interest income					(187)		(1,888)		(2,810)
Other income (expense)					(17,048)		(19,151)		(14,619)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes					6,126		(28,808)		(77,718)
Stock-based compensation expense					32,610		36,540		29,225
Adjusted EBITDA					1,244,463		1,118,928		967,299
CCAL [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners					22.40%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent					77.60%
Net income (loss)					3,739		(1,051)		1,289
Asset write-down charges					299		444		626
Acquisition and integration costs					0		0		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion					30,270		27,338		27,722
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs					22,974		21,381		15,403
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations					0		0		0
Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps					0		0		0
Interest income					(479)		(316)		(157)
Other income (expense)					(26)		(221)		(1,308)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes					2,221		1,962		1,318
Stock-based compensation expense					3,381		3,425		1,080
Adjusted EBITDA					62,379		52,962		45,973
Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)					0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Asset write-down charges					0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Acquisition and integration costs					0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion					0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs					(22,651)	[3]	(19,975)	[3]	(13,481)	[3]
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations					0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps					0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Interest income					0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Other income (expense)					22,651		19,975		13,481
Benefit (provision) for income taxes					0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Stock-based compensation expense					0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Adjusted EBITDA					$ 0	[3]	$ 0	[3]	$ 0	[3]

[1] Inclusive of $23.4 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts.

[2] Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and other non-cash adjustments.

[3] Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.