Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Income From Continuing Operations	$ 290,160	$ 136,216	$ 126,362
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	54,667	85,380	99,848
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	20,299	17,202	16,012
Amortization and write-off of program rights	497,608	355,477	278,728
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	10,590	9,211	23,962
Foreign exchange gain	(6,543)	0	0
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts, net	(4,313)	8,739	0
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	11,124	10,406	12,159
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,087	10,774	14,726
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts	1,440	(1,265)	338
Deferred income taxes	171,504	(88,514)	69,160
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	(4,975)	(7,484)	0
Other, net	(1,452)	(100)	(240)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade	(80,083)	(11,717)	(44,750)
Amounts due from/to related parties, net	2,033	(6,001)	(9,602)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(52,836)	(24,842)	(3,439)
Program rights and obligations, net	(517,343)	(412,493)	(358,929)
Income taxes payable	(111,881)	116,740	(52)
Deferred revenue and deferred litigation settlement proceeds	(337,700)	337,207	6,039
Deferred carriage fees and deferred carriage fees payable, net	(10,638)	(3,894)	(3,640)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	17,789	38,090	28,551
Net cash provided by operating activities	(49,463)	569,132	255,233
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(24,303)	(18,557)	(15,371)
Acquisition of investment securities	(2,500)	(750)	0
Payment for acquisition of a business	0	(185)	(320)
Proceeds from sale of equipment, net of costs of disposal	0	100	0
Proceeds from insurance settlements	657	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(26,146)	(19,392)	(15,691)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Capital contributions from related party	0	0	20,813
Capital distributions to related party	0	0	20,813
Repayment of long-term debt	(880,000)	(742,025)	(1,516,340)
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	880,000	589,500	1,442,364
Payments for financing costs	(12,994)	(1,421)	(27,414)
Purchase of treasury stock	(12,135)	(15,989)	(1,677)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,759	8,777	3,622
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	4,975	7,484	0
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(1,558)	(1,413)	(4,612)
Net cash used in financing activities	(19,953)	(155,087)	(104,057)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	(95,562)	394,653	135,485
Cash flows from discontinued operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	0	(82)	(359)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	563	750
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations	0	481	391
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	6,543	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	610,970	215,836	79,960
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 521,951	$ 610,970	$ 215,836