Discontinued Operations - Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 13, 2017
Carrying amount of major classes of assets included in discontinued operations:
Assets related to discontinued operations and real estate assets held for sale, net	$ 163,999	$ 213,167
Carrying amount of major classes of liabilities included in discontinued operations:
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	15,881	11,344
Held-for-sale of Disposed of by Sale [Member] | Cole Capital [Member]
Carrying amount of major classes of assets included in discontinued operations:
Assets related to discontinued operations and real estate assets held for sale, net	163,999	213,167
Carrying amount of major classes of liabilities included in discontinued operations:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	14,269	11,276
Other liabilities	1,512	68
Due to Cole REITs	100	0
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	15,881	11,344
Accumulated amortization	44,100	29,600
Consideration paid at closing				$ 120,000
Loss recognized on classification as held for sale	20,027	0	$ 0
Estimated costs to sell	500
Disposed of by Sale [Member]
Carrying amount of major classes of liabilities included in discontinued operations:
Program development costs	3,300	3,200
Program development costs, reserves for uncollectible receivables	7,600	31,700
Disposed of by Sale [Member] | Cole Capital [Member]
Carrying amount of major classes of assets included in discontinued operations:
Cash	2,198	2,973
Intangible assets, net	9,892	24,383
Other assets, net	6,975	16,626
Goodwill	124,812	124,812
Due from Cole REITs, net	1,284	5,445
Loss recognized on classification as held for sale	(19,509)	0
Assets related to discontinued operations and real estate assets held for sale, net	125,652	174,239
Held-for-sale [Member] | Cole Capital [Member]
Carrying amount of major classes of assets included in discontinued operations:
Assets related to discontinued operations and real estate assets held for sale, net	$ 38,347	$ 38,928