CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY ( UNAUDITED ) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Temporary Equity) [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1,922,146	$ 1,676	$ 1,371,050	$ 414,972	$ (11,525)	$ 145,973	$ 158,148
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Comprehensive income (loss)	384,869			276,557	(1,580)	109,892	10,818
Redemption of noncontrolling interest							(3,400)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(58,676)					(58,676)
Contribution by noncontrolling interest to Food Network Partnership	52,804					52,804
Effect of capital contributions to Food Network Partnership			25,368			(25,368)
Dividends: declared and paid - per share	(45,778)			(45,778)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(400,000)	(88)	(74,828)	(325,084)
Stock-based compensation expense	18,912		18,912
Exercise of employee stock options	18,667	6	18,661
Other stock-based compensation, net	(9,108)		(9,108)
Tax benefits of compensation plans	4,984		4,984
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	1,888,820	1,594	1,355,039	320,667	(13,105)	224,625	165,566
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,933,645	1,571	1,346,429	364,073	(33,347)	254,919	162,750
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Comprehensive income (loss)	508,464			375,677	8,646	124,141	5,472
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(95,681)					(95,681)	(52,500)
Dividends: declared and paid - per share	(55,032)			(55,032)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(500,251)	(101)	(88,182)	(411,968)
Stock-based compensation expense	25,305		25,305
Exercise of employee stock options	89,019	25	88,994
Other stock-based compensation, net	(1,767)	3	(1,770)
Tax benefits of compensation plans	10,586		10,586
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 1,914,288	$ 1,498	$ 1,381,362	$ 272,750	$ (24,701)	$ 283,379	$ 115,722