Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 381,704	$ 264,425	$ 290,160
Loss from discontinued operations	0	3,448	0
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	83,031	69,048	54,667
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	31,020	28,363	20,299
Amortization and write-off of program rights	748,545	629,846	497,608
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	16,018	11,362	10,590
Unrealized foreign currency transaction loss (gain)	26,775	23,292	(6,543)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net	2,015	(1,780)	(4,313)
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	9,003	8,676	11,124
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	1,087
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,705	1,028	1,440
Deferred income taxes	19,616	1,207	171,504
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	(4,610)	(6,798)	(4,975)
Gain on investments	(16,632)	(4,789)	0
Other, net	857	3,914	(1,452)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade	(111,005)	(72,984)	(80,083)
Amounts due from related parties, net	(41)	(2,768)	(2,033)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(24,355)	(3,869)	(52,836)
Program rights and obligations, net	(839,123)	(690,237)	(517,343)
Income taxes payable	(4,796)	24,140	(111,881)
Deferred revenue and deferred litigation settlement proceeds	27,495	10,293	(337,700)
Deferred carriage fees, net	(19,616)	(13,063)	(10,638)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	42,351	87,472	17,789
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	370,039	375,762	(49,463)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(68,321)	(39,739)	(24,303)
Purchases of investments	(24,199)	(1,184,587)	0
Purchases of investments	(24,250)	(5,375)	(2,500)
Proceeds from insurance settlements	0	654	657
Proceeds from the sale of an investment	0	5,837	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(116,770)	(1,223,210)	(26,146)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	(74,000)	0	(880,000)
Payment of promissory note	0	600,000	880,000
Payment of promissory note	(40,000)	0	0
Payments for financing costs	0	(9,266)	(12,994)
Deemed repurchase of restricted stock/units	(14,452)	(22,192)	(12,135)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,340	1,103	1,759
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	4,610	6,798	4,975
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(2,945)	(2,401)	(1,558)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(3,154)	0	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	1,322	835	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(127,279)	574,877	(19,953)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	125,990	(272,571)	(95,562)
Cash flows from discontinued operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	0	(2,955)	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations	0	(2,955)	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(11,036)	(45,058)	6,543
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	201,367	521,951	610,970
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 316,321	$ 201,367	$ 521,951