SEGMENT INFORMATION, Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Segment		Mar. 31, 2012
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of reportable business segments	2
Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenues, net from continuing operations	$ 1,523,667		$ 1,535,225
Inter-segment revenues	5,357		5,576
Adjusted operating cash flow (deficit) from continuing operations	343,363		469,839
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) included in continuing operations	(236,382)		(212,364)
Share-based compensation expense included in continuing operations	(16,054)		(10,340)
Restructuring credits (expense) included in continuing operations	365		298
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	91,292		247,433
Telecommunications Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenues, net from continuing operations	1,433,490		1,439,843
Inter-segment revenues	482		482
Adjusted operating cash flow (deficit) from continuing operations	413,616		525,259
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) included in continuing operations	(210,113)		(195,281)
Share-based compensation expense included in continuing operations	(11,994)		(7,861)
Restructuring credits (expense) included in continuing operations	0		0
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	191,509		322,117
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenues, net from continuing operations	95,534		100,958
Inter-segment revenues	4,875		5,094
Adjusted operating cash flow (deficit) from continuing operations	(70,253)		(55,420)
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) included in continuing operations	(26,269)		(17,083)
Share-based compensation expense included in continuing operations	(4,060)		(2,479)
Restructuring credits (expense) included in continuing operations	365		298
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(100,217)		(74,684)
Inter-segment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenues, net from continuing operations	(5,357)	[1]	(5,576)	[1]
Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 91,292		$ 247,433

[1] Inter-segment eliminations relate primarily to revenues recognized from the sale of local programming services to our Telecommunications Services segment.