CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ( UNAUDITED ) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 156,808	$ 129,988	$ 505,182	$ 397,161
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	19,673	(2,222)	7,003	(1,558)
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax	561	(23)	1,751	84
Comprehensive income	177,042	127,743	513,936	395,687
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	38,528	31,201	129,613	120,710
Comprehensive income attributable to SNI	$ 138,514	$ 96,542	$ 384,323	$ 274,977

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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- Definition

Change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity for the period being reported, net of tax. If an entity's functional currency is a foreign currency, translation adjustments result from the process of translating that entity's financial statements into the reporting currency. Includes gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Includes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. Includes the gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) and that have been designated and have qualified as hedging instruments for hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

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+ Details

- Definition

The after-tax amount of the change in the additional pension liability not yet recognized pursuant to FAS 87 par 37 and 38 as a net periodic pension cost. If the additional pension liability required to be recognized exceeds the unrecognized prior service costs, then the excess (which is the net loss not yet recognized as net periodic pension cost) is to be recorded as a reduction of other comprehensive income, before adjusting for tax effects. If in a subsequent measurement, the amount of minimum liability is eliminated or adjusted, this adjustment is offset against other comprehensive income in Accumulated Comprehensive Income. This line also includes changes in an entity's share of an equity investee's Increase or Decrease in additional pension liability not yet recognized as a net periodic pension cost. Eliminated upon adoption of FAS 158.

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