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, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)					$ 200,888		$ 171,460		$ (311,259)
Asset write-down charges					15,548		22,285		13,687
Acquisition and integration costs					18,298		3,310		2,102
Depreciation, amortization and accretion					622,592		552,951		540,771
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments					14,166		0		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs					601,044		507,587		490,269
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(117,388)	0	(7,518)	(7,068)	131,974	[1]	0		138,367	[2]
Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps					0		0		286,435
Interest income					(4,556)		(666)		(2,204)
Other income (expense)					5,392		5,577		603
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	70,624	(32,300)	68,432	(6,695)	(100,061)		8,347		(26,846)
Stock-based compensation expense					47,382		35,991		39,965
Adjusted EBITDA					1,552,667		1,306,842		1,171,890
CCUSA [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)					144,314		167,721		(310,208)
Asset write-down charges					15,226		21,986		13,243
Acquisition and integration costs					18,216		3,310		2,102
Depreciation, amortization and accretion					591,428		522,681		513,433
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments					14,166		0		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs					601,031		507,264		488,863
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations					131,974		0		138,367
Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps					0		0		286,435
Interest income					(4,089)		(187)		(1,888)
Other income (expense)					(13,954)		(17,048)		(19,151)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes					(60,144)		6,126		(28,808)
Stock-based compensation expense					41,785		32,610		36,540
Adjusted EBITDA					1,479,953		1,244,463		1,118,928
CCAL [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	22.40%				22.40%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	77.60%				77.60%
Net income (loss)					56,574		3,739		(1,051)
Asset write-down charges					322		299		444
Acquisition and integration costs					82		0		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion					31,164		30,270		27,338
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments					0		0		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs					19,330		22,974		21,381
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations					0		0		0
Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps					0		0		0
Interest income					(467)		(479)		(316)
Other income (expense)					29		(26)		(221)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes					(39,917)		2,221		1,962
Stock-based compensation expense					5,597		3,381		3,425
Adjusted EBITDA					72,714		62,379		52,962
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]
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments					0		0		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs					(19,317)	[3]	(22,651)	[3]	(19,975)	[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)					19,317		22,651		19,975
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 $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

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

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