INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Intangible assets
Total cost	$ 248,874,000		$ 248,874,000		$ 258,426,000
Accumulated amortization	(32,777,000)		(32,777,000)		(31,739,000)
Noncash impairment loss (before tax effect)	16,843,000		16,843,000
Amortization expense	2,552,000	2,072,000	7,419,000	6,112,000
Broadcasting licenses
Intangible assets
Cost - Indefinite-lived intangible assets	177,416,000		177,416,000		172,469,000
Trade names
Intangible assets
Cost - Indefinite-lived intangible assets	5,263,000		5,263,000		16,956,000
Trade names | DTV Network
Intangible assets
Noncash impairment loss (before tax effect)	11,136,000		11,136,000
Cable network connections
Intangible assets
Cost - Finite-lived intangible assets	44,114,000		44,114,000		42,245,000
Accumulated amortization	(16,433,000)		(16,433,000)		(12,771,000)
Network affiliation agreements
Intangible assets
Cost - Finite-lived intangible assets	15,801,000		15,801,000		20,762,000
Accumulated amortization	(13,125,000)		(13,125,000)		(16,283,000)
Other intangible assets
Intangible assets
Cost - Finite-lived intangible assets	6,280,000		6,280,000		5,994,000
Accumulated amortization	(3,219,000)		(3,219,000)		(2,685,000)
Regional broadcasting licenses
Intangible assets
Noncash impairment loss (before tax effect)	$ 5,707,000		$ 5,707,000