Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Dolan Family [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Dolan Family [Member] Common Class A [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Dolan Family [Member] Common Class B [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Dish Network Contract Dispute [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Dish Network Contract Dispute [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Dish Network Contract Dispute [Member] Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transactions [Line Items]
Percentage of common stock owned by related party						2.00%	100.00%
Aggregate voting power held by related party					66.00%
Net revenues from related parties	$ 6,475	$ 7,545	$ 21,689	$ 23,813
Technical and operating charges from related parties	0	14	0	324
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	928	510	2,477	2,732
Proceeds from Legal Settlements									175,000	700,000
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	0	0	0	132,944				132,944
Deferred Litigation Settlement Proceeds									$ 307,944