Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 224,182	$ 215,836
Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,840 and $3,092)	285,378	286,810
Amounts due from related parties, net	5,067	5,540
Program rights, net	240,545	235,171
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	40,921	67,370
Deferred tax asset, net	39,802	59,272
Total current assets	835,895	869,999
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $137,827 and $132,745	62,429	63,814
Program rights, net	768,820	765,609
Amounts due from related parties, net	3,454	3,214
Deferred carriage fees, net	45,122	47,304
Intangible assets, net	285,894	305,673
Goodwill	83,173	83,173
Other assets	41,022	45,148
Total assets	2,125,809	2,183,934
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	61,866	61,605
Accrued liabilities:
Interest	15,263	31,254
Employee related costs	41,100	57,160
Other accrued expenses	13,132	11,385
Amounts due to related parties, net	833	5,336
Program rights obligations	164,297	146,339
Deferred revenue	25,488	23,853
Credit facility debt	5,950	5,950
Capital lease obligations	1,573	1,314
Total current liabilities	329,502	344,196
Program rights obligations	449,731	472,690
Senior notes	686,671	686,434
Credit facility debt	1,548,147	1,598,896
Capital lease obligations	15,287	14,363
Deferred tax liability, net	50,999	51,905
Other liabilities	50,329	52,445
Total liabilities	3,130,666	3,220,929
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' deficiency:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
Paid-in capital	11,351	5,942
Accumulated deficit	(986,773)	(1,029,954)
Treasury stock, at cost (582,752 and 194,060 shares Class A Common Stock, respectively)	(17,614)	(1,677)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(12,544)	(12,027)
Total stockholders' deficiency	(1,004,857)	(1,036,995)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency	2,125,809	2,183,934
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' deficiency:
Common stock	588	586
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' deficiency:
Common stock	$ 135	$ 135