INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Other amortizable intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Other amortizable intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 367,914		$ 352,172
Other amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(115,043)		(60,028)
Other amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	252,871		292,144
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	55,895		66,895
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Other amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	252,871		292,144
Indefinite-lived cable television franchises	1,240,228		1,240,228
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets	55,895		66,895
Goodwill	442,773		442,067
Total intangible assets, net	1,991,767		2,041,334
Aggregate amortization expense [Abstract]
Amortization expense, excluding impairment charges	58,571		19,542
Impairment charges	11,000		7,800
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]
Year ending December 31, 2012	53,008
Year ending December 31, 2013	45,344
Year ending December 31, 2014	38,083
Year ending December 31, 2015	32,468
Year ending December 31, 2016	26,980
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill, beginning of period	776,125		609,095
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning of period	(334,058)		(334,058)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning of period	442,067		275,037
Preliminary purchase price allocation related to the Bresnan Cable acquisition			167,030
Adjustments to preliminary purchase price allocations	706	[1]
Gross goodwill, end of period	776,831		776,125
Accumulated impairment losses, end of period	(334,058)		(334,058)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, end of period	442,773		442,067
Telecommunications Services [Member]
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Goodwill	422,513		422,807
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill, beginning of period	422,807		255,777
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning of period	0		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning of period	422,807		255,777
Preliminary purchase price allocation related to the Bresnan Cable acquisition			167,030
Adjustments to preliminary purchase price allocations	706	[1]
Gross goodwill, end of period	422,513		422,807
Accumulated impairment losses, end of period	0		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, end of period	422,513		422,807
Others [Member]
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Goodwill	19,260		19,260
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill, beginning of period	353,318		353,318
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning of period	(334,058)	[2]	(334,058)	[2]
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning of period	19,260		19,260
Preliminary purchase price allocation related to the Bresnan Cable acquisition			0
Adjustments to preliminary purchase price allocations	0
Gross goodwill, end of period	353,318		353,318
Accumulated impairment losses, end of period	(334,058)	[2]	(334,058)	[2]
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, end of period	19,260		19,260
FCC Licenses and Other Intangibles [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	10,595		10,595
Trademarks [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	45,300		56,300
Customer Relationships [Member]
Other amortizable intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Other amortizable intangible assets, gross carrying amount	256,882		256,663
Other amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(63,783)		(16,677)
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	7
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	18
Advertiser Relationships [Member]
Other amortizable intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Other amortizable intangible assets, gross carrying amount	33,294		33,294
Other amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(14,656)		(10,174)
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	4
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	10
Other Amortizable Intangibles [Member]
Other amortizable intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Other amortizable intangible assets, gross carrying amount	77,738		62,215
Other amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ (36,604)		$ (33,177)
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	3
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	28

[1] Adjustment to purchase accounting related to the acquisition of Bresnan Cable which is included in the Telecommunications Services reporting unit.

[2] Relates primarily to the Newsday impairment charge recognized in 2008.