Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment operating revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	$ 566,186	$ 503,744	$ 1,702,517	$ 1,518,559
No single customer constitute concentration risk (in hundredths)	10.00%		10.00%
Segment profit (loss) [Abstract]
Total segment profit	251,066	218,471	774,982	719,822
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets	(28,978)	(22,736)	(79,432)	(66,471)
Gains (losses) on disposal of property and equipment	(16)	82	(102)	63
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
Assets [Abstract]
Total Assets	3,899,973		3,899,973		3,961,670
Lifestyle Media [Member]
Segment operating revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	551,917	496,257	1,671,516	1,497,163
Segment profit (loss) [Abstract]
Segment Profit (Loss)	273,033	235,741	848,089	769,205
Assets [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Information, Assets	2,736,795		2,736,795		2,794,040
Corporate [Member]
Segment operating revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	14,269	7,487	31,001	21,396
Segment profit (loss) [Abstract]
Segment Profit (Loss)	(21,967)	(17,270)	(73,107)	(49,383)
Assets [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Information, Assets	$ 1,163,178		$ 1,163,178		$ 1,167,630