Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 407,716	$ 463,967	$ 489,637
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	101,098	91,281	94,638
Impairment and related charges	106,603	4,486	17,112
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	64,133	60,979	53,545
Non-cash restructuring and other related charges	14,098	7,440	0
Amortization and write-off of program rights	974,835	961,134	954,238
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	21,587	17,342	17,605
Unrealized foreign currency transaction (gain) loss	(16,325)	2,057	(15,258)
Unrealized (gain) on derivative contracts, net	0	(43,476)	(27,233)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	8,007	7,715	8,436
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	3,004
Bad debt expense	12,641	7,399	3,567
Deferred income taxes	(38,916)	33,367	(48,665)
Write-down of non-marketable equity securities and note receivable	20,206	0	0
Other, net	(2,832)	5,311	(11,014)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net)	(43,345)	(52,106)	(74,561)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(142,303)	(2,789)	(59,979)
Program rights and obligations, net	(969,900)	(978,763)	(996,816)
Income taxes payable	1,219	(17,006)	(21,966)
Deferred revenue	8,667	(6,392)	(11,553)
Deferred carriage fees, net	(15,033)	(4,250)	(4,617)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	(28,408)	48,851	15,609
Net cash provided by operating activities	483,748	606,547	385,729
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(91,604)	(89,802)	(80,049)
Return of capital from investees	5,380	4,088	2,447
Investments in and loans to investees	(3,483)	(90,081)	(53,000)
Payments for acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired	0	(84,389)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(89,707)	(260,184)	(130,602)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	1,521	289	1,536,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(22,988)	0	(1,257,965)
Payments for financing costs	0	0	(10,405)
Deemed repurchase of restricted stock units	(23,018)	(16,836)	(14,496)
Purchase of treasury stock	(70,598)	(283,143)	(434,210)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	4,630	4,317	0
Principal payments on finance lease obligations	(5,115)	(4,938)	(4,573)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(15,558)	(14,296)	(18,561)
Net cash used in financing activities	(131,126)	(314,607)	(204,210)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations	262,915	31,756	50,917
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,631)	(35,653)	26,477
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	554,886	558,783	481,389
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 816,170	$ 554,886	$ 558,783