CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS ( UNAUDITED ) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$ 377,212	$ 344,278	$ 1,150,663	$ 1,041,003
Network affiliate fees, net	175,308	148,185	514,866	441,750
Other	13,666	11,281	36,988	35,806
Total operating revenues	566,186	503,744	1,702,517	1,518,559
Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization of intangible assets	156,297	147,563	444,981	383,271
Selling, general and administrative	158,823	137,710	482,554	415,466
Depreciation, Amortization, and Losses (Gains):
Depreciation	15,181	12,166	43,499	34,997
Amortization of intangible assets	13,797	10,570	35,933	31,474
Losses (gains) on disposal of property and equipment	16	(82)	102	(63)
Costs and Expenses:
Total costs and expenses	344,114	307,927	1,007,069	865,145
Operating income	222,072	195,817	695,448	653,414
Interest expense	(12,518)	(9,157)	(37,945)	(26,348)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	11,240	7,035	46,267	29,717
Miscellaneous, net	1,667	(23,972)	12,689	(23,504)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	222,461	169,723	716,459	633,279
Provision for income taxes	65,653	33,183	211,277	174,866
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	156,808	136,540	505,182	458,413
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(6,552)		(61,252)
Net income	156,808	129,988	505,182	397,161
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	38,398	31,385	129,505	120,604
Net income attributable to SNI	118,410	98,603	375,677	276,557
Basic net income per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SNI common shareholders (in dollars per shares)	$ 0.79	$ 0.65	$ 2.46	$ 2.03
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to SNI common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ 0.00	$ (0.37)
Net income attributable to SNI common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 0.61	$ 2.46	$ 1.66
Diluted net income per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SNI common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.78	$ 0.65	$ 2.44	$ 2.02
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to SNI common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ 0.00	$ (0.37)
Net income attributable to SNI common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.78	$ 0.61	$ 2.44	$ 1.65
Amounts attributable to SNI:
Income from continuing operations	118,410	105,155	375,677	337,809
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(6,552)		(61,252)
Net income attributable to SNI	$ 118,410	$ 98,603	$ 375,677	$ 276,557
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	149,985	161,789	152,731	166,318
Diluted (in shares)	151,201	162,276	153,905	167,314