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, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									$ 93,901		$ 200,888		$ 171,460
Asset write-down charges									14,863		15,548		22,285
Acquisition and integration costs									26,005		18,298		3,310
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									774,215		622,592		552,951
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments									15,473		14,166		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs									589,630		601,044		507,587
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	640	1	577	35,909	117,388	0	7,518	7,068	37,127	[1]	131,974	[2]	0
Interest income									(1,355)		(4,556)		(666)
Other income (expense)									3,872		5,392		5,577
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(110,374)	(33,959)	(36,587)	(17,708)	70,624	(32,300)	68,432	(6,695)	198,628		(100,061)		8,347
Stock-based compensation expense									41,788		47,382		35,991
Adjusted EBITDA									1,794,147		1,552,667		1,306,842
CCUSA [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									76,546		144,314		167,721
Asset write-down charges									13,595		15,226		21,986
Acquisition and integration costs									25,574		18,216		3,310
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									741,342		591,428		522,681
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments									15,473		14,166		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs									589,630		601,031		507,264
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations									37,127		131,974		0
Interest income									(956)		(4,089)		(187)
Other income (expense)									(12,643)		(13,954)		(17,048)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									191,000		(60,144)		6,126
Stock-based compensation expense									39,030		41,785		32,610
Adjusted EBITDA									1,715,718		1,479,953		1,244,463
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)									17,355		56,574		3,739
Asset write-down charges									1,268		322		299
Acquisition and integration costs									431		82		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									32,873		31,164		30,270
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments									0		0		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs									16,545		19,330		22,974
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations									0		0		0
Interest income									(399)		(467)		(479)
Other income (expense)									(30)		29		(26)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									7,628		(39,917)		2,221
Stock-based compensation expense									2,758		5,597		3,381
Adjusted EBITDA									78,429		72,714		62,379
Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Asset write-down charges									0		0		0
Acquisition and integration costs									0		0		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									0		0		0
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments									0		0		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs									(16,545)		(19,317)		(22,651)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations									0		0		0
Interest income									0		0		0
Other income (expense)									16,545		19,317		22,651
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									0		0		0
Stock-based compensation expense									0		0		0
Adjusted EBITDA									$ 0	[3]	$ 0	[3]	$ 0	[3]

[1] The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.

[2] 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.

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