Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (510,720)	$ (546,494)	$ 11,769
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	87,267	102,105	115,275
Amortization of debt issuance costs/discounts	9,961	9,541	9,493
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,103	4,501	4,302
(Gain) loss on sale of assets or stations	(95,695)	2,856	(1,342)
Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill	604,965	565,584	0
Impairment charges - equity interest in Pulser Media Inc.	0	19,364	0
Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments	0	0	21
Deferred income taxes	(27,831)	(48,262)	6,902
Stock-based compensation expense	2,948	21,033	17,638
Gain on early extinguishment of debt	(8,017)	(13,222)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding acquisitions and dispositions):
Accounts receivable	10,740	371	12,195
Trade receivable	(839)	(1,691)	1,964
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(7,017)	16,983	(14,750)
Other assets	(1,106)	(6,208)	(6,716)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(16,816)	(34,122)	7,074
Trade payable	176	410	118
Other liabilities	(13,374)	(10,317)	(27,147)
Net cash provided by operating activities	35,745	82,432	136,796
Cash flows from investing activities:
Restricted cash	(44)	2,074	(3,909)
Proceeds from sale of assets or stations	106,935	9,201	15,843
Capital expenditures	(23,037)	(19,236)	(19,006)
Acquisitions less cash acquired	0	0	(8,500)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	83,854	(7,961)	(15,572)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowings under term loans and revolving credit facilities	(20,000)	(50,000)	(156,125)
Proceeds from borrowings under term loans and revolving credit facilities	0	0	10,000
Tax withholding payments on behalf of employees	0	(93)	(1,332)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	3	8	113
Proceeds from exercise of options	0	0	620
Deferred financing costs	0	0	(21)
Net cash used in financing activities	(19,997)	(50,085)	(146,745)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	99,602	24,386	(25,521)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	31,657	7,271	32,792
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	131,259	31,657	7,271
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	126,515	129,314	135,392
Income taxes paid	4,451	2,620	9,633
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash flow information:
Trade revenue	37,691	39,237	34,876
Trade expense	36,158	40,427	36,753
Transfer of deposit from escrow - Los Angeles land and building sale	6,000	0	0
Equity Interest in Pulser Media Inc
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash flow information:
Equity interest in Pulser Media, Inc.	$ 0	$ 2,025	$ 17,235