COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Future Cash Payments Required Under Arrangements Pursuant to Contracts Entered into in the Normal Course of Business

Future cash payments and commitments required under arrangements pursuant to contracts entered into by the Company in the normal course of business as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

	Payments Due by Period
	Total		Year 1		Years 2-3		Years 4-5		More than 5 years
Off balance sheet arrangements:
Purchase obligations(1)	$	4,781,546	$	1,486,257	$	1,728,672	$	857,002	$	709,615
Guarantees(2)		26,151		22,685		3,466		-		-
Letters of credit(3)		60,948		7,087		1,711		52,150		-
Total	$	4,868,645	$	1,516,029	$	1,733,849	$	909,152	$	709,615

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(1) Purchase obligations primarily include contractual commitments with various programming vendors to provide video services to the Company's subscribers, minimum purchase obligations to purchase goods or services and contractual obligations under certain employment contracts.  Future fees payable under contracts with programming vendors are based on numerous factors, including the number of subscribers receiving the programming.  Amounts reflected above related to programming agreements are based on the number of subscribers receiving the programming as of December 2011 multiplied by the per subscriber rates or the stated annual fee, as applicable, contained in the executed agreements in effect as of December 31, 2011.

(2) Includes franchise and performance surety bonds primarily for the Company's Telecommunications Services segment.  Also includes outstanding guarantees primarily by CSC Holdings in favor of certain financial institutions in respect of ongoing interest expense obligations and potential early termination events in connection with the monetization of the Company's holdings of shares of Comcast Corporation common stock.  Does not include CSC Holdings' guarantee of Newsday LLC's obligations under its $650,000 senior secured loan facility.  Amounts due by period for this off-balance sheet arrangement represent the year in which the commitment expires.

(3) Consists primarily of letters of credit obtained by CSC Holdings in favor of insurance providers and certain governmental authorities for the Telecommunications Services segment.  Amounts due by period for this off-balance sheet arrangement represent the year in which the commitment expires.