Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance			$ 1,377,255
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance			(359,742)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance			1,017,513
Measurement period adjustments	$ (20,200)		(19,711)
Acquisitions			181,228
Goodwill impairment		$ 248,600
Dispositions			(2,800)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			(25,784)
Goodwill, ending balance	1,507,378		1,507,378
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(356,932)		(356,932)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,150,446		1,150,446
Education [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance			1,006,096
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance			(350,850)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance			655,246
Measurement period adjustments			(2,781)
Acquisitions			160,894
Dispositions			0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			(25,784)
Goodwill, ending balance	1,138,425		1,138,425
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(350,850)		(350,850)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	787,575		787,575
Education [Member] | Higher Education [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance			392,457
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance			(248,591)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance			143,866
Measurement period adjustments			(2,781)
Acquisitions			0
Goodwill impairment		$ 248,600
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			104
Goodwill, ending balance	389,780		389,780
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(248,591)		(248,591)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	141,189		141,189
Education [Member] | Test Preparation [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance			166,098
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance			(102,259)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance			63,839
Measurement period adjustments			0
Acquisitions			0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			0
Goodwill, ending balance	166,098		166,098
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)		(102,259)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	63,839		63,839
Education [Member] | Kaplan International [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance			447,541
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance			0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance			447,541
Measurement period adjustments			0
Acquisitions			160,894
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			(25,888)
Goodwill, ending balance	582,547		582,547
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0		0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	582,547		582,547
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance			168,345
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance			0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance			168,345
Measurement period adjustments			0
Acquisitions			0
Dispositions			0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			0
Goodwill, ending balance	168,345		168,345
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0		0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	168,345		168,345
Other Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance			202,814
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance			(8,892)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance			193,922
Measurement period adjustments			(16,930)
Acquisitions			20,334
Dispositions			(2,800)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			0
Goodwill, ending balance	200,608		200,608
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(6,082)		(6,082)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 194,526		$ 194,526