Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013 Reportable_Segments		Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments					2
Revenues (see Note 7 for related party amounts)	$ 213,436		$ 162,803		$ 348,084		$ 298,887
Gross Profit	80,160	[1]	48,556	[1]	129,287	[1]	88,140	[1]
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	93,841				93,841				109,102
Receivable from distributors, net	285,118				285,118				266,185
Film and other inventory costs, net	875,070				875,070				820,482
Intangible assets, net	153,514				153,514				148,234
Goodwill	181,983				181,983				71,406
Total assets	2,111,890				2,111,890				1,944,892
Film and TV Specials or Series [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (see Note 7 for related party amounts)	200,680		156,317		297,600		286,284
Gross Profit	76,801		56,499		108,747		98,972
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	68,844				68,844				84,213
Receivable from distributors, net	285,118				285,118				263,754
Film and other inventory costs, net	827,256				827,256				772,338
Intangible assets, net	11,900				11,900				11,900
Goodwill	34,216				34,216				34,216
Total assets	1,227,334				1,227,334				1,166,421
Classic Media [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (see Note 7 for related party amounts)	8,971		0		36,849		0
Gross Profit	3,040		0		19,766		0
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	20,121				20,121				22,876
Film and other inventory costs, net	12,397	[2]			12,397	[2]			10,379	[2]
Intangible assets, net	129,746				129,746				136,334
Goodwill	28,649				28,649				37,190
Total assets	190,913				190,913				206,779
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (see Note 7 for related party amounts)	3,785	[3]	6,486	[3]	13,635	[3]	12,603	[3]
Gross Profit	319	[3]	(7,943)	[3]	774	[3]	(10,832)	[3]
Other Including Unallocated Assets [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 693,643	[4]			$ 693,643	[4]			$ 571,692	[4]

[1] The Company defines segment profit as segment revenues less segment costs of revenues ("segment gross profit"). The Company's segment gross profit is equivalent to total gross profit as presented on the consolidated statements of income, which includes a reconciliation to consolidated income before income taxes.

[2] Consists primarily of programs in release, programs in development and physical inventory.

[3] Includes all other activities that are not a part of the Company's reportable segments (e.g., ATV, live performances).

[4] "Other" includes unallocated assets (primarily working capital and property, plant and equipment), as well as assets related to segments that are not reportable.