Leases and Other Commitments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Leases And Other Commitments [Abstract]

Leases and Other Commitments [Text Block]

15. LEASES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS

The Company leases real property under operating agreements. Many of the leases contain renewal options and escalation clauses that require payments of additional rent to the extent of increases in the related operating costs.

At December 31, 2011, future minimum rental payments under noncancelable operating leases approximate the following:

(in thousands)
2012	$	135,911
2013		116,435
2014		99,335
2015		78,955
2016		69,597
Thereafter		243,736
	$	743,969

Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $14.5 million due in the future under noncancelable subleases.

Rent expense under operating leases,including a portion reported in discontinued operations,was approximately $127.8 million, $134.0 million and $131.7 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Sublease income was approximately $2.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.7 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company's broadcast subsidiaries are parties to certain agreements that commit them to purchase programming to be produced in future years. At December 31, 2011, such commitments amounted to approximately $33.7 million. If such programs are not produced, the Company's commitment would expire without obligation.