Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 129,685	$ 197,248
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,482	0
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	337	0
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	31,925	36,653
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	13,839	9,941
Amortization and write-off of program rights	291,467	202,076
Amortization of Other Deferred Charges	5,501	5,158
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized	(1,338)	17
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts, net	(1,038)	(2,796)
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	4,205	3,665
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts	1,095	(32)
Deferred income taxes	5,300	138,479
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	(4,708)	(2,893)
Other, net	(339)	(657)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade	(4,326)	(15,295)
Amounts due from/to related parties, net	891	2,519
Prepaid expenses and other assets	35,989	(20,616)
Program rights and obligations, net	(336,284)	(241,658)
Income taxes payable	11,992	(113,025)
Deferred revenue and deferred litigation settlement proceeds	19,867	(318,806)
Deferred carriage fees and deferred carriage fees payable, net	(13,110)	(406)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(15,981)	(20,094)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	177,451	(140,522)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(18,755)	(13,670)
Payment for acquisition of a business	(993,210)	0
Proceeds from insurance settlements	654	657
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(1,011,311)	(13,013)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	600,000	0
Payments for financing costs	(9,266)	(532)
Purchase of treasury stock	(17,804)	(11,950)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	925	1,551
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	4,708	2,893
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(1,312)	(760)
Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests	835	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	578,086	(8,798)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	(255,774)	(162,333)
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	(2,719)	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations	(2,719)	0
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	20,534	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	521,951	610,970
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 283,992	$ 448,637