CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS ( UNAUDITED ) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 505,182	$ 397,161
Loss (income) from discontinued operations		61,252
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	505,182	458,413
Depreciation and intangible assets amortization	79,432	66,471
Amortization of network distribution costs	18,397	31,634
Program amortization	355,850	313,349
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(46,267)	(29,717)
Program payments	(478,931)	(375,485)
Capitalized network distribution incentives	(2,948)	(6,752)
Dividends received from equity investments	45,096	28,299
Deferred income taxes	(53,164)	(1,357)
Stock and deferred compensation plans	30,838	19,347
Changes in certain working capital accounts (excluding the effects of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable	30,837	(9,090)
Other assets	(10,619)	(1,643)
Accounts payable	(5,381)	(1,104)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	417	(5,271)
Accrued income taxes	(11,660)	25,221
Other liabilities	(19,727)	12,077
Other, net	(3,755)	7,800
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operating activities	433,597	532,192
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operating activities		13,253
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	433,597	545,445
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(34,058)	(37,355)
Purchase of long-term investments		(410,759)
Purchase of note receivable due from UKTV		(134,077)
Collections (funds advanced) on note receivable	13,613
Purchase of subsidiary companies, net of cash acquired	(119,036)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(3,400)
Other, net	(15,777)	2,854
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing investing activities	(155,258)	(582,737)
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued investing activities	10,000	141,786
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(145,258)	(440,951)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increase in long-term debt		100,000
Dividends: declared and paid - per share	(55,032)	(45,778)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(148,181)	(58,676)
Noncontrolling interest capital contribution		52,804
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(500,251)	(400,000)
Proceeds from stock options	89,019	18,667
Other, net	5,190	(6,505)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(609,255)	(339,488)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	62	399
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(320,854)	(234,595)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	760,092	549,897
End of year	439,238	315,302
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
Interest paid, excluding amounts capitalized	39,599	32,689
Income taxes paid	254,746	137,382
Non-Cash transactions [Abstract]
Obligations incurred for purchase of intangible assets	50,428
Contingent consideration liability	$ 8,323