RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenues, net	$ 1,354		$ 553		$ 2,173		$ 1,254
Operating expenses (credits) [Abstract]
Technical expenses, net of credits	44,742		43,211		89,255		85,870
Selling, general and administrative expenses (credits) [Abstract]
Selling, general and administrative credits, subtotal	(5,473)		(6,736)		(10,170)		(14,486)
Madison Square Garden and AMC Networks [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenues, net	1,354	[1]	553	[1]	2,173	[1]	1,254	[1]
Operating expenses (credits) [Abstract]
Technical expenses, net of credits	44,742	[1]	43,211	[1]	89,255	[1]	85,870	[1]
Selling, general and administrative expenses (credits) [Abstract]
Corporate general and administrative expense allocations	(2,315)	[1]	(3,807)	[1]	(4,513)	[1]	(8,527)	[1]
Health and welfare plan allocations	(2,501)	[1]	(2,080)	[1]	(4,627)	[1]	(4,210)	[1]
Risk management and general insurance allocations	(415)	[1]	(458)	[1]	(836)	[1]	(1,610)	[1]
Other	(242)	[1]	(391)	[1]	(194)	[1]	(139)	[1]
Selling, general and administrative credits, subtotal	(5,473)	[1]	(6,736)	[1]	(10,170)	[1]	(14,486)	[1]
Operating expenses, net	39,269	[1]	36,475	[1]	79,085	[1]	71,384	[1]
Net charges	$ 37,915	[1]	$ 35,922		$ 76,912	[1]	$ 70,130	[1]

[1] Amounts relating to AMC Networks and Madison Square Garden for the period prior to the AMC Networks Distribution and the MSG Distribution are eliminated in consolidation. Operating results of AMC Networks and Madison Square Garden are reported in discontinued operations for all periods presented prior to the AMC Networks Distribution and the MSG Distribution. Corporate overhead costs previously allocated to AMC Networks and Madison Square Garden that were not eliminated as a result of the AMC Networks Distribution and MSG Distribution have been reclassified to continuing operations and are not reflected in the table above.