Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 463,967	$ 489,637	$ 289,963
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	91,281	94,638	84,778
Impairment and related charges	4,486	17,112	67,805
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	60,979	53,545	38,897
Non-cash restructuring charges	7,440	0	0
Amortization and write-off of program rights	961,134	954,238	862,302
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	17,342	17,605	16,990
Unrealized foreign currency transaction (gain) loss	2,057	(15,258)	37,770
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts, net	(43,476)	(27,233)	(1,920)
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	7,715	8,436	9,341
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	3,004	50,639
Bad debt expense	7,399	3,567	1,924
Deferred income taxes	33,367	(48,665)	11,642
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	0	0	(789)
Other, net	5,311	(11,014)	(6,383)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net)	(52,106)	(74,561)	(26,496)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(2,789)	(59,979)	(4,981)
Program rights and obligations, net	(978,763)	(996,816)	(973,193)
Income taxes payable	(17,006)	(21,966)	43,153
Deferred revenue	(6,392)	(11,553)	(9,836)
Deferred carriage fees, net	(4,250)	(4,617)	(10,396)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	48,851	15,609	33,115
Net cash provided by operating activities	606,547	385,729	514,325
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(89,802)	(80,049)	(79,220)
Return of capital from investees	4,088	2,447	0
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(84,389)	0	(354)
Investments in and loans to investees	(90,081)	(53,000)	(95,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(260,184)	(130,602)	(174,574)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	289	1,536,000	982,500
Principal payments on long-term debt	0	(1,257,965)	(848,000)
Premium and fees paid on extinguishment of debt	0	0	(40,954)
Payments for financing costs	0	(10,405)	(2,070)
Deemed repurchase of restricted stock units	(16,836)	(14,496)	(10,822)
Purchase of treasury stock	(283,143)	(434,210)	(223,237)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	4,317	0	1,228
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	0	0	789
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(4,938)	(4,573)	(4,288)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(14,296)	(18,561)	(9,010)
Net cash used in financing activities	(314,607)	(204,210)	(153,864)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations	31,756	50,917	185,887
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(35,653)	26,477	(20,819)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	558,783	481,389	316,321
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 554,886	$ 558,783	$ 481,389