Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Consolidated net loss	$ (268,029)	$ (462,853)	$ (4,049,036)
Reconciling Items:
Impairment charges	7,614	15,364	4,118,924
Depreciation and amortization	763,306	732,869	765,474
Deferred taxes	(143,944)	(211,180)	(417,191)
Provision for doubtful accounts	13,723	23,118	52,498
Amortization of deferred financing charges and note discounts, net	188,034	214,950	229,464
Share-based compensation	20,667	34,246	39,786
(Gain) loss on disposal of operating and fixed assets	(12,682)	16,710	50,837
Loss on marketable securities	4,827	6,490	13,371
Equity in (earnings) loss of nonconsolidated affiliates	(26,958)	(5,702)	20,689
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	1,447	(60,289)	(713,034)
Other reconciling items - net	16,120	26,090	46,166
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	(7,835)	(119,860)	99,225
Decrease in Federal income taxes receivable		132,309	75,939
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	(127,242)	117,432	(51,970)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities	(15,131)	(6,924)	24,036
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	39,170	87,053	33,047
Increase (decrease) in deferred income	(10,776)	796	2,168
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions	(68,353)	41,754	(159,218)
Net cash provided by operating activities	373,958	582,373	181,175
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of other investments	6,894	1,200	41,627
Purchases of businesses	(46,356)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(362,281)	(241,464)	(223,792)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	54,270	28,637	48,818
Purchases of other operating assets	(20,995)	(16,110)	(8,300)
Change in other - net	382	(12,460)	(102)
Net cash used for investing activities	(368,086)	(240,197)	(141,749)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Draws on credit facilities	55,000	198,670	1,708,625
Payments on credit facilities	(960,332)	(152,595)	(202,241)
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,731,266	145,639	500,000
Proceeds from issuance of subsidiary senior notes			2,500,000
Payments on long-term debt	(1,398,299)	(369,372)	(2,472,419)
Repurchases of long-term debt	(55,250)	(125,000)	(343,466)
Deferred financing charges	(46,659)		(60,330)
Change in other - net	(23,842)	(2,586)	(25,447)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(698,116)	(305,244)	1,604,722
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(692,244)	36,932	1,644,148
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,920,926	1,883,994	239,846
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,228,682	1,920,926	1,883,994
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Interest	1,260,767	1,235,755	1,240,322
Income taxes	$ 81,162