BENEFIT PLANS, Defined Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Defined benefit plan, accumulated benefit obligation		$ 403,963	$ 430,846
Net funded status relating to defined benefit plans [Abstract]
Long-term defined benefit plan obligations		(99,228)	(120,644)
Cablevision Defined Benefit Plans
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		430,846	433,916
Service cost		344	774	$ 45,346
Interest cost		15,523	18,040	14,128
Actuarial (gain) loss		(14,912)	9,006
Benefits paid		(27,838)	(30,890)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year		403,963	430,846	433,916
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		303,676	268,610
Actual return (loss) on plan assets, net		(3,921)	11,687
Employer contributions		25,929	54,269
Benefits paid		(27,838)	(30,890)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		297,846	303,676	268,610
Unfunded status at end of year		(106,117)	(127,170)
Approximate amount expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the next fiscal year		1,950
Net funded status relating to defined benefit plans [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plans		(106,117)	(127,170)
Long-term defined benefit plan obligations		(99,228)	(120,644)
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost		344	774	45,346
Interest cost		15,523	18,040	14,128
Expected return on plan assets, net		(8,297)	(9,548)	(7,866)
Recognized actuarial loss (reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss)		1,294	2,364	1,645
Settlement loss (reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss)	[1]	3,822	5,348	0
Net periodic benefit cost		$ 12,686	16,978	$ 53,253
CSC Supplemental Benefit Plan
Cablevision Defined Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Vesting percentage (in hundredths)		100.00%
Excess Cash Balance Plan and CSC Supplemental Benefit Plan [Member]
Net funded status relating to defined benefit plans [Abstract]
Less: Current portion related to nonqualified plans		$ 6,889	$ 6,526

[1] As a result of benefit payments to terminated or retired individuals exceeding the service and interest costs for the Pension Plan and the Excess Cash Balance Pension Plan during 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized a non-cash settlement loss that represented the acceleration of the recognition of a portion of the previously unrecognized actuarial losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets relating to these plans.