CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 509,137	$ 686,371
Accounts and notes receivable (less allowances)	592,205	619,619
Programs and program licenses	453,286	423,949
Deferred income taxes	53,260	41,140
Other current assets	37,010	90,231
Total current assets	1,644,898	1,861,310
Investments	501,542	488,198
Property and equipment, net	242,812	246,350
Goodwill and other intangible assets:
Goodwill	574,849	574,582
Other intangible assets, net	641,819	655,009
Other assets:
Programs and program licenses (less current portion)	436,948	413,057
Deferred income taxes	52,701	39,075
Other non-current assets	161,261	160,866
Total Assets	4,256,830	4,438,447
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	24,594	18,278
Current portion of debt	884,881	0
Program rights payable	38,986	30,412
Customer deposits and unearned revenue	51,558	70,427
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation and benefits	47,530	67,188
Accrued marketing and advertising costs	6,833	11,053
Other accrued liabilities	113,304	81,341
Total current liabilities	1,167,686	278,699
Debt (less current portion)	499,675	1,384,488
Other liabilities (less current portion)	229,211	223,368
Total liabilities	1,896,572	1,886,555
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	131,670	133,000
SNI shareholders' equity:
Total	1,439	1,462
Additional paid-in capital	1,452,184	1,447,496
Retained earnings	543,724	662,574
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(8,828)	(12,529)
Total SNI shareholders' equity	1,988,519	2,099,003
Noncontrolling interest	240,069	319,889
Total equity	2,228,588	2,418,892
Total Liabilities and Equity	4,256,830	4,438,447
Class A [Member]
SNI shareholders' equity:
Common stock	1,096	1,119
Voting Common Stock [Member]
SNI shareholders' equity:
Common stock	$ 343	$ 343