Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Summary of Reconciliation of Impact to Segment Information Due to Change in Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues	$ 776,122	$ 644,423	$ 2,166,474	$ 1,996,304
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)	312,327	269,963	927,760	859,982
ASSETS
Total assets	6,731,655		6,731,655		$ 4,667,632
As Reported [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues		644,423		1,996,304
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)		269,963		859,982
ASSETS
Total assets					4,667,632
U.S. Networks [Member] |
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues	660,862	622,512	2,014,866	1,938,838
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)	330,282	294,309	1,028,118	962,795
ASSETS
Total assets	2,921,627		2,921,627		2,864,089
U.S. Networks [Member] | | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues		622,512		1,938,838
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)		294,309		962,795
U.S. Networks [Member] | | As Reported [Member]
ASSETS
Total assets					2,864,089
U.S. Networks [Member] | | As Reported [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues		618,090		1,926,102
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)		296,639		970,104
U.S. Networks [Member] | | Amounts Reclassified [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues		4,422		12,736
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)		(2,330)		(7,309)
International Networks [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues	118,719	23,768	164,872	62,896
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)	10,896	(5,933)	(5,478)	(33,827)
ASSETS
Total assets	3,362,983		3,362,983		660,216
International Networks [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues		23,768		62,896
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)		(5,933)		(33,827)
International Networks [Member] | Amounts Reclassified [Member]
ASSETS
Total assets					660,216
International Networks [Member] | Amounts Reclassified [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues		23,768		62,896
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)		(5,933)		(33,827)
Corporate And Other [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues	(3,459)	(1,857)	(13,264)	(5,430)
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)	(28,851)	(18,413)	(94,880)	(68,986)
ASSETS
Total assets	$ 447,045		$ 447,045		1,143,327
Corporate And Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues		(1,857)		(5,430)
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)		(18,413)		(68,986)
Corporate And Other [Member] | As Reported [Member]
ASSETS
Total assets					1,803,543
Corporate And Other [Member] | As Reported [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues		26,333		70,202
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)		(26,676)		(110,122)
Corporate And Other [Member] | Amounts Reclassified [Member]
ASSETS
Total assets					$ (660,216)
Corporate And Other [Member] | Amounts Reclassified [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating revenues
Total operating revenues		(28,190)		(75,632)
Segment profit (loss):
Total segment profit (loss)		$ 8,263		$ 41,136