Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Income from continuing operations	$ 255,198	$ 121,025
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	46,588	67,486
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	15,049	12,846
Amortization and write-off of program rights	313,140	234,894
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	7,793	6,550
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net	(2,602)	0
Amortization and write-off of financing and discounts on indebtedness	5,544	7,064
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts	1,478	(635)
Deferred income taxes	144,228	29,645
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	(4,920)	(7,259)
Other, net	(1,394)	(99)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade	(18,523)	32,550
Amounts due from/to related parties, net	2,817	(6,203)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(31,674)	(19,470)
Program rights and obligations, net	(358,129)	(283,566)
Income taxes payable	(112,341)	8,721
Deferred revenue and deferred litigation settlement proceeds	(329,358)	9,122
Deferred carriage fees and deferred carriage fees payable, net	(10,472)	(434)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	3,517	11,765
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(74,061)	224,002
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(18,336)	(13,673)
Acquisition of investment securities	(2,500)	(750)
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(185)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	0	100
Proceeds from insurance settlement, investing activities	657	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(20,179)	(14,508)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	0	(104,463)
Payments for financing costs	(542)	(393)
Purchase of treasury stock	(12,000)	(15,989)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,722	2,074
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	4,920	7,259
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(1,154)	(1,047)
Net cash used in financing activities	(7,054)	(112,559)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	(101,294)	96,935
Cash flows from discontinued operations:
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	481
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations	0	481
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	610,970	215,836
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 509,676	$ 313,252