Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 674,087	$ 621,337	$ 585,511	$ 551,745	$ 519,471	$ 513,883	$ 500,336	$ 499,039	$ 2,432,680		$ 2,032,729	$ 1,878,658
Operating income (loss)	208,708	220,768	202,977	202,228	176,846	181,889	167,142	166,428	834,681		692,305	575,365
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	70,624	(32,300)	68,432	(6,695)					(100,061)		8,347	(26,846)
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
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$ (19,505)	$ 42,045	$ 116,013	$ 50,031	$ 48,911	$ 51,278	$ 30,871	$ 40,017	$ 188,584		$ 171,077	$ (310,940)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock, per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ 0.14	$ 0.40	$ 0.17	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.09	$ 0.12	$ 0.64		$ 0.52	$ (1.16)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ 0.14	$ 0.40	$ 0.17	$ 0.16	$ 0.15	$ 0.09	$ 0.12	$ 0.64		$ 0.52	$ (1.16)

[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.