CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 6,273,573	$ 6,241,516	$ 6,318,533
Operating expenses:
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	2,412,287	2,471,113	2,540,035
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	1,725,899	1,704,352	1,680,938
Corporate expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	341,025	314,999	320,931
Depreciation and amortization	635,227	673,991	710,898
Impairment charges	8,000	21,631	24,176
Other operating income, net	353,556	94,001	40,031
Operating income (loss)	1,504,691	1,149,431	1,081,586
Interest expense	1,849,982	1,805,496	1,741,596
Loss on investments, net	(12,907)	(4,421)	0
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated affiliates	(16,733)	(902)	(9,416)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	157,556	(2,201)	(43,347)
Other income (expense), net	(73,102)	13,056	9,104
Income (loss) before income taxes	(290,477)	(650,533)	(703,669)
Income tax benefit (expense)	50,474	(86,957)	(58,489)
Consolidated net income (loss)	(240,003)	(737,490)	(762,158)
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest	56,315	17,131	31,603
Net income (loss)attributable to the Company	(296,318)	(754,621)	(793,761)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	21,983	(114,906)	(121,878)
Unrealized gain on securities and derivatives:
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on marketable securities	(576)	553	327
Other adjustments to comprehensive income (loss)	(11,814)	(10,266)	(11,438)
Reclassification adjustments	46,730	808	3,317
Other comprehensive income (loss)	56,323	(123,811)	(129,672)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(239,995)	(878,432)	(923,433)
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest	(2,208)	(22,410)	(21,080)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company	$ (237,787)	$ (856,022)	$ (902,353)
Net loss attributable to the Company per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (3.50)	$ (8.95)	$ (9.46)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic (in shares)	84,569	84,278	83,941
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (3.50)	$ (8.95)	$ (9.46)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	84,569	84,278	83,941