Employee and Contract Termination Costs - Summary of Rollforward of the Liability Related to Restructuring Plan By Segment (Details) - Voluntary Early Retirement Program, Employee Termination and Contract Termination Costs [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance		$ 14,072
Net accruals		17,922	$ 14,352
Payments		(22,074)	(280)
Non-cash	[1]	(4,001)
Liability, ending balance		5,919	14,072
U.S. Networks [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance		12,041
Net accruals		7,403	12,041
Payments		(17,265)
Non-cash	[1]	(1,574)
Liability, ending balance		605	12,041
Corporate and Other Segments [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance		2,031
Net accruals		10,519	2,311
Payments		(4,809)	(280)
Non-cash	[1]	(2,427)
Liability, ending balance		$ 5,314	$ 2,031

[1] Primarily represents the reclassification of accelerated depreciation, pension payments made from the pension plan and share-based compensation included in current period charges.