Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Income From Continuing Operations	$ 136,216	$ 126,362	$ 118,189
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	85,380	99,848	106,455
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	17,202	16,012	16,267
Amortization and write-off of program rights	355,477	278,728	219,859
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	9,211	23,962	25,213
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts, net	8,739	0	0
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	10,406	12,159	3,773
Loss On Extinguishment Of Debt	10,774	14,726	0
(Recovery of) provision for doubtful accounts	(1,265)	338	1,484
Deferred Income Taxes	(88,514)	69,160	80,744
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	(7,484)	0	0
Other, net	(100)	(240)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade	(11,717)	(44,750)	(36,422)
Amounts due from/to related parties, net	(6,001)	(9,602)	5,049
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(24,842)	(3,439)	3,962
Program rights and obligations, net	(412,493)	(358,929)	(288,319)
Income taxes payable	116,740	(52)	(164)
Deferred revenue and deferred litigation settlement proceeds	337,207	6,039	1,631
Deferred carriage fees and deferred carriage fees payable, net	(3,894)	(3,640)	(3,031)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	38,090	28,551	11,305
Net cash provided by operating activities	569,132	255,233	265,995
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital Expenditures	(18,557)	(15,371)	(17,243)
Acquisition of investment securities	(750)	0	0
Payment for acquisition of a business	(185)	(320)	(320)
Proceeds from sale of equipment, net of costs of disposal	100	0	406
Net cash used in investing activities	(19,392)	(15,691)	(17,157)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Capital contributions from related party	0	20,813	204,018
Capital distributions to related party	0	20,813	53,754
Repayment of credit facility debt	(742,025)	(877,975)	(105,000)
Redemption of senior notes	0	(300,000)	0
Redemption of senior subordinated notes, including tender premium and fees	0	(338,365)	0
Payments for financing costs	(1,421)	(27,414)	0
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	589,500	1,442,364	0
Purchase of treasury stock	(15,989)	(1,677)	0
Proceeds from stock option exercises	8,777	3,622	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	7,484	0	0
Repayment of note payable to related party	0	0	(190,000)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(1,413)	(4,612)	(4,080)
Net cash used in financing activities	(155,087)	(104,057)	(148,816)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	394,653	135,485	100,022
Cash flows from discontinued operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	(82)	(359)	(30,870)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	563	750	(10,183)
Effect of change in cash related to net assets distributed to Related Party	0	0	(8,837)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations	481	391	(49,890)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	215,836	79,960	29,828
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 610,970	$ 215,836	$ 79,960