Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share (Detail) (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
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations																	$ 157,123	$ 163,766	$ 158,363
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes									(841)	[1]	(107)	[1]	(198)	[1]	(110)	[1]	(362)	(1,256)	(1,170)
Net income	45,408		42,339		37,334		31,680		40,522		39,240		42,418		40,330		156,761	162,510	157,193
Weighted average shares and assumed conversions																	100,623	105,535	112,977
Income from continuing operations																	$ 1.58	$ 1.56	$ 1.41
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes																		$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Net income	$ 0.46	[2]	$ 0.42	[2]	$ 0.37	[2]	$ 0.32	[2]	$ 0.41	[2]	$ 0.38	[2]	$ 0.40	[2]	$ 0.37	[2]	$ 1.58	$ 1.55	$ 1.40
Income from continuing operations																	$ 1.56	$ 1.55	$ 1.40
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes																		$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Net income	$ 0.45	[2]	$ 0.42	[2]	$ 0.37	[2]	$ 0.32	[2]	$ 0.41	[2]	$ 0.37	[2]	$ 0.39	[2]	$ 0.37	[2]	$ 1.56	$ 1.54	$ 1.39
Earnings Per Share, Basic
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations																	157,123	163,766	158,363
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes																	(362)	(1,256)	(1,170)
Net income																	156,761	162,510	157,193
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic																	99,545	104,736	112,015
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations																	157,123	163,766	158,363
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes																	(362)	(1,256)	(1,170)
Net income																	$ 156,761	$ 162,510	$ 157,193
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted																	99,545	104,736	112,015
Stock options
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities																	864	603	769
Restricted stock-based compensation
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities																	214	196	193

[1] The amounts presented for the four quarters of 2011 are not equal to the same amounts previously reported in the respective reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K for each period as a result of discontinued operations. Below is a reconciliation to the previously reported amounts in Form 10-Q.

[2] The earnings per share amounts were favorably impacted by the reduction in CCA's weighted average shares outstanding resulting from share repurchases under CCA's share repurchase program.