Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 289,963	$ 381,704	$ 264,425
Loss from discontinued operations	0	0	3,448
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	84,778	83,031	69,048
Impairment charges	67,805	0	0
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	38,897	31,020	28,363
Amortization and write-off of program rights	862,302	748,545	629,846
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	16,990	16,018	11,362
Unrealized foreign currency transaction loss	37,770	26,775	23,292
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts, net	(1,920)	2,015	(1,780)
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	9,341	9,003	8,676
Loss on extinguishment of debt	50,639	0	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,924	1,705	1,028
Deferred income taxes	11,642	19,616	1,207
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	(789)	(4,610)	(6,798)
Gain on investments	0	(16,632)	(4,789)
Other, net	(6,383)	857	3,914
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade	(30,050)	(111,005)	(72,984)
Amounts due from related parties, net	(3,554)	(41)	(2,768)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(4,981)	(24,355)	(3,869)
Program rights and obligations, net	(973,193)	(839,123)	(690,237)
Income taxes payable	43,153	(4,796)	24,140
Deferred revenue	(9,836)	27,495	10,293
Deferred carriage fees, net	(10,396)	(19,616)	(13,063)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	33,115	42,351	87,472
Net cash provided by operating activities	514,325	370,039	375,762
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(79,220)	(68,321)	(39,739)
Investments in and loans to investees	(354)	(24,199)	(1,184,587)
Investments in and loans to investees	(95,000)	(24,250)	(5,375)
Proceeds from insurance settlements	0	0	654
Proceeds from the sale of an investment	0	0	5,837
Net cash used in investing activities	(174,574)	(116,770)	(1,223,210)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	982,500	0	600,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(848,000)	(74,000)	0
Payment of promissory note	0	(40,000)	0
Premium and fees paid on extinguishment of debt	(40,954)	0	0
Payments for financing costs	(2,070)	0	(9,266)
Deemed repurchase of restricted stock/units	(10,822)	(14,452)	(22,192)
Purchase of treasury stock	223,237	0	0
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,228	1,340	1,103
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	789	4,610	6,798
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(4,288)	(2,945)	(2,401)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(9,010)	(3,154)	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	0	1,322	835
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(153,864)	(127,279)	574,877
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	185,887	125,990	(272,571)
Cash flows from discontinued operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	0	0	(2,955)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations	0	0	(2,955)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(20,819)	(11,036)	(45,058)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	316,321	201,367	521,951
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 481,389	$ 316,321	$ 201,367