Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (76,000)	$ 455,000	$ 90,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	145,000	129,000	104,000
Amortization of intangible assets	194,000	207,000	117,000
Amortization of deferred loan costs	13,000	16,000	12,000
Accretion of original issue discount and premium related to long-term debt, net	(1,000)	(1,000)	(1,000)
Amortization of restricted stock awards	20,000	22,000	14,000
Amortization of program broadcast rights	37,000	48,000	38,000
Payments on program broadcast obligations	(38,000)	(49,000)	(38,000)
Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan	10,000	9,000	8,000
Deferred income taxes	(91,000)	(20,000)	(22,000)
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net	21,000	(2,000)	42,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	3,000	0	0
Impairment of investments	29,000	18,000	0
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	43,000	0	0
Other	14,000	0	(14,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	308,000	(26,000)	(30,000)
Income tax receivable or prepaid	26,000	(4,000)	(40,000)
Other current assets	7,000	0	10,000
Accounts payable	(32,000)	(5,000)	22,000
Employee compensation, benefits and pension costs	12,000	3,000	21,000
Accrued network fees and other expenses	(13,000)	6,000	(27,000)
Accrued interest	3,000	8,000	14,000
Income taxes payable	7,000	5,000	(8,000)
Deferred revenue	7,000	10,000	(12,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	648,000	829,000	300,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses and broadcast licenses, net of cash acquired	(6,000)	(58,000)	(3,765,000)
Proceeds from sale of television stations	6,000	0	473,000
Purchases of property and equipment	(348,000)	(436,000)	(207,000)
Proceeds from Repack reimbursement (Note 1)	0	7,000	11,000
Proceeds from asset sales	54,000	4,000	5,000
Reimbursement of development costs	18,000	0	0
Investments in broadcast, production and technology companies	(14,000)	(16,000)	(49,000)
Other	(1,000)	(4,000)	(2,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(291,000)	(503,000)	(3,534,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt	300,000	0	3,050,000
Repayments of borrowings on long-term debt	(610,000)	(315,000)	(250,000)
Repurchases of common stock	0	(50,000)	(30,000)
Payments of common stock dividends	(30,000)	(30,000)	(31,000)
Payments of preferred stock dividends	(52,000)	(52,000)	(52,000)
Deferred and other loan costs	0	0	(30,000)
Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards	(5,000)	(7,000)	(7,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(397,000)	(454,000)	2,650,000
Net decrease in cash	(40,000)	(128,000)	(584,000)
Cash at beginning of year	61,000	189,000	773,000
Cash at end of year	$ 21,000	$ 61,000	$ 189,000