NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Accrued Liabilities and Post-retirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Compensation and employee health insurance	$ 65,364	$ 56,871
Interest	32,788	33,347
Deferred revenue	24,837	27,037
Programming related obligations	54,381	70,344
Other accruals relating to operating expenses	73,943	73,249
Total accrued liabilities	$ 251,313	$ 260,848