INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Intangible assets
Total cost	$ 151,913	$ 217,042
Accumulated amortization	(32,574)	(19,570)
Amortization expense	14,806	10,024	8,266
Estimated future amortization expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2013	24,223
For the year ended December 31, 2014	23,961
For the year ended December 31, 2015	22,724
For the year ended December 31, 2016	18,585
For the year ended December 31, 2017	14,568
For the year ended December 31, 2018 and thereafter	9,570
Total	113,631
Trade names
Intangible assets
Cost - Indefinite-lived intangible assets	5,708	5,213
Trade names | DTV Network
Intangible assets
Non-cash impairment losses related to intangible assets		11,136
Broadcasting licenses
Intangible assets
Cost - Indefinite-lived intangible assets	86,840	158,794
Accumulated amortization	(4,564)
Non-cash impairment losses related to intangible assets	82,503	23,558
Cable network connections
Intangible assets
Cost - Finite-lived intangible assets	51,644	46,131
Accumulated amortization	(26,028)	(17,983)
Other intangible assets
Intangible assets
Cost - Finite-lived intangible assets	7,721	6,904
Accumulated amortization	$ (1,982)	$ (1,587)