CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 6,170,994	$ 6,260,062	$ 6,241,516
Operating expenses:
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	2,461,722	2,398,776	2,471,113
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	1,851,646	1,725,899	1,704,352
Corporate expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	311,898	341,072	315,143
Depreciation and amortization	601,295	635,227	673,991
Impairment charges	10,199	8,000	21,631
Other operating income, net	35,704	353,556	94,001
Operating income (loss)	969,938	1,504,644	1,149,287
Interest expense	1,865,584	1,849,982	1,805,496
Loss on investments, net	(4,872)	(12,907)	(4,421)
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated affiliates	(2,855)	(16,733)	(902)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	1,271	157,556	(2,201)
Other income (expense), net	(15,322)	(73,102)	13,056
Income (loss) before income taxes	(917,424)	(290,524)	(650,677)
Income tax benefit (expense)	457,406	50,474	(86,957)
Consolidated net income (loss)	(460,018)	(240,050)	(737,634)
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest	(66,127)	56,312	17,140
Net income (loss)attributable to the Company	(393,891)	(296,362)	(754,774)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	45,661	21,983	(114,906)
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on marketable securities	(414)	(576)	553
Other adjustments to comprehensive income (loss)	6,720	(11,814)	(10,266)
Reclassification adjustments	5,441	46,730	808
Other comprehensive income (loss)	57,408	56,323	(123,811)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(336,483)	(240,039)	(878,585)
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest	14,092	(2,208)	(22,410)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company	$ (350,575)	$ (237,831)	$ (856,175)