CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 594,025	$ 381,840	$ 373,606
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	644,276	555,517	460,726
Stock-based compensation expense	51,983	47,437	52,555
Income taxes related to discontinued operations	0	0	(19)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(26,500)	11,867	(4,941)
Loss (gain) on investments, unrealized foreign currency (gain) loss and other non-cash (income) expense	60,002	149,191	5,085
Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, non-cash restructuring and merger related expenses	34,280	17,412	16,652
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations	0	0	0
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and other non-cash interest	11,090	13,092	9,408
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	(4,155)	7,101	4,188
Deferred income taxes	29,300	56,852	188,327
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(43,679)	(28,857)	(18,974)
Prepaid and other assets	84,640	(43,659)	(48,834)
Deferred rent asset	(164,219)	(143,994)	(105,226)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	21,880	84,699	1,603
Accrued interest	25,031	23,360	16,633
Unearned revenue	68,015	(6,351)	44,382
Deferred rent liability	33,707	30,952	22,269
Other non-current liabilities	(5,285)	9,483	3,537
Cash provided by operating activities	1,414,391	1,165,942	1,020,977
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities	(568,048)	(523,015)	(346,664)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,997,955)	(2,320,673)	(899,606)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments, available-for-sale securities and other long-term assets	374,682	69,971	21,722
Payments for short-term investments	(352,306)	(42,590)	(52,197)
Deposits, restricted cash and other	(14,758)	25,495	(24,157)
Cash used for investing activities	(2,558,385)	(2,790,812)	(1,300,902)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term borrowings	(55,264)	128,121	0
Borrowings under credit facilities	2,582,000	1,005,014	500,562
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	698,670	499,290	1,698,370
Procceds from term loan credit facility	750,000	0	0
Proceeds from other long-term borrowings	177,299	212,783	0
Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities and capital leases	(2,658,566)	(395,384)	(983,737)
Contribution from (distribution to) noncontrolling interest holders, net	52,761	140,880	(599)
Purchases of common stock	(62,728)	(437,402)	(430,618)
Proceeds from stock options, warrants and Stock Purchase Plan	55,441	85,642	138,508
Distributions	(355,574)	(137,765)	0
Deferred financing costs and other financing activities	(13,673)	(15,084)	(12,156)
Cash provided by financing activities	1,170,366	1,086,095	910,330
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	12,055	(14,997)	6,265
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	38,427	(553,772)	636,670
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	330,191	883,963	247,293
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	$ 368,618	$ 330,191	$ 883,963