Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 489,637	$ 289,963	$ 381,704
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	94,638	84,778	83,031
Impairment and related charges	17,112	67,805	0
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	53,545	38,897	31,020
Amortization and write-off of program rights	954,238	862,302	748,545
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	17,605	16,990	16,018
Unrealized foreign currency transaction (gain) loss	(15,258)	37,770	26,775
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts, net	(27,233)	(1,920)	2,015
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	8,436	9,341	9,003
Loss on extinguishment of debt	3,004	50,639	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,567	1,924	1,705
Deferred income taxes	(48,665)	11,642	19,616
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	0	(789)	(4,610)
Gain on investments	0	0	(16,632)
Other, net	(11,014)	(6,383)	857
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net)	(74,561)	(26,496)	(110,964)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(59,979)	(4,981)	(24,355)
Program rights and obligations, net	(996,816)	(973,193)	(839,123)
Income taxes payable	(21,966)	43,153	(4,796)
Deferred revenue	(11,553)	(9,836)	27,495
Deferred carriage fees, net	(4,617)	(10,396)	(19,616)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	15,609	33,115	42,351
Net cash provided by operating activities	385,729	514,325	370,039
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(80,049)	(79,220)	(68,321)
Return of capital from investees	2,447	0	0
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(354)	(24,199)
Investments in and loans to investees	(53,000)	(95,000)	(24,250)
Net cash used in investing activities	(130,602)	(174,574)	(116,770)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	1,536,000	982,500	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,257,965)	(848,000)	(74,000)
Payment of promissory note	0	0	(40,000)
Premium and fees paid on extinguishment of debt	0	(40,954)	0
Payments for financing costs	(10,405)	(2,070)	0
Deemed repurchase of restricted stock/units	(14,496)	(10,822)	(14,452)
Purchase of treasury stock	(434,210)	(223,237)	0
Proceeds from stock option exercises	0	1,228	1,340
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	0	789	4,610
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(4,573)	(4,288)	(2,945)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(18,561)	(9,010)	(3,154)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	0	0	1,322
Net cash used in financing activities	(204,210)	(153,864)	(127,279)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations	50,917	185,887	125,990
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	26,477	(20,819)	(11,036)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	481,389	316,321	201,367
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 558,783	$ 481,389	$ 316,321