CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 157,285	$ 686,371
Accounts and notes receivable (less allowances)	590,154	619,619
Programs and program licenses	464,708	423,949
Deferred income taxes	53,092	41,140
Other current assets	49,442	90,231
Total current assets	1,314,681	1,861,310
Investments	488,628	488,198
Property and equipment, net	232,240	246,350
Goodwill and other intangible assets:
Goodwill	574,210	574,582
Other intangible assets, net	611,953	655,009
Other assets:
Programs and program licenses (less current portion)	475,530	413,057
Deferred income taxes	68,042	39,075
Other non-current assets	156,274	160,866
Total Assets	3,921,558	4,438,447
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	16,661	18,278
Current portion of debt	884,956	0
Program rights payable	37,042	30,412
Customer deposits and unearned revenue	47,336	70,427
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation and benefits	55,871	67,188
Accrued marketing and advertising costs	5,527	11,053
Other accrued liabilities	79,260	81,341
Total current liabilities	1,126,653	278,699
Debt (less current portion)	499,736	1,384,488
Other liabilities (less current portion)	220,051	223,368
Total liabilities	1,846,440	1,886,555
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	119,460	133,000
SNI shareholders' equity:
Total	1,371	1,462
Additional paid-in capital	1,404,831	1,447,496
Retained earnings	299,783	662,574
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(24,068)	(12,529)
Total SNI shareholders' equity	1,681,917	2,099,003
Noncontrolling interest	273,741	319,889
Total equity	1,955,658	2,418,892
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,921,558	4,438,447
Class A [Member]
SNI shareholders' equity:
Common stock	1,028	1,119
Voting Common Stock [Member]
SNI shareholders' equity:
Common stock	$ 343	$ 343