CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 970,359	$ 672,007	$ 803,199
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax expense (benefit) of $0, $73 and $(151), respectively	(449)	948	(1,931)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax expense (benefit) of $0, $84 and $(158), respectively	(291)	2,440	3,448
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $3,782, $(24,857) and $(14,247), respectively	(202,819)	(1,078,950)	(526,890)
Other comprehensive loss	(203,559)	(1,075,562)	(525,373)
Comprehensive income (loss)	766,800	(403,555)	277,826
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	18,218	45,854	64,083
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders	$ 785,018	$ (357,701)	$ 341,909