CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,537,416	$ 1,566,582	$ 4,457,106	$ 4,542,852
Operating expenses:
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	621,895	591,740	1,807,534	1,771,590
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	438,654	421,700	1,336,563	1,281,849
Corporate expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	77,967	86,832	233,487	252,348
Depreciation and amortization	149,749	158,453	443,650	476,053
Impairment charges	7,631	8,000	7,631	8,000
Other operating income (expense), net	(13,215)	(505)	24,785	219,768
Operating income (loss)	228,305	299,352	653,026	972,780
Interest expense	470,250	459,852	1,388,747	1,389,793
Loss on investments, net	(2,173)	(13,767)	(2,433)	(13,767)
Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates	(2,238)	1,117	(2,240)	(926)
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0	157,556	0	157,556
Other income (expense), net	2,223	(7,323)	(11,244)	(47,054)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(244,133)	(22,917)	(751,638)	(321,204)
Income tax expense	(2,051)	(5,613)	(50,143)	(42,243)
Consolidated net loss	(246,184)	(28,530)	(801,781)	(363,447)
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,993	6,471	8,648	38,950
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	(248,177)	(35,001)	(810,429)	(402,397)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	13,010	7,356	44,665	43,797
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities	(320)	(290)	(218)	(635)
Reclassification adjustments	6,207	0	4,563	32,823
Other adjustments to comprehensive income (loss)	0	193	0	(3,551)
Other comprehensive income	18,897	7,259	49,010	72,434
Comprehensive loss	(229,280)	(27,742)	(761,419)	(329,963)
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest	4,289	1,235	10,342	6,365
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company	$ (233,569)	$ (28,977)	$ (771,761)	$ (336,328)