Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Activity Related to Goodwill and Amortizable Intangible Assets by Business Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning of period	$ 573,119	[1]	$ 574,582
Additions - business acquisitions	1,259,447
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(27,818)		(1,463)
Balance as of end of period	1,804,748	[1]	573,119	[1]	$ 574,582
Balance as of beginning of period	595,881		655,009
Additions - business acquisitions	761,362
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(25,932)		(3,525)
Amortization	(68,647)		(55,603)		(54,570)
Balance as of end of period	1,262,664		595,881		655,009
U.S. Networks [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning of period	510,484		510,484
Balance as of end of period	510,484		510,484		510,484
Balance as of beginning of period	524,765		573,083
Amortization	(40,166)		(48,318)		(48,655)
Balance as of end of period	484,599		524,765		573,083
International Networks
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning of period	62,635		64,098
Additions - business acquisitions	1,259,447
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(27,818)		(1,463)
Balance as of end of period	1,294,264		62,635		64,098
Balance as of beginning of period	71,116		81,926
Additions - business acquisitions	761,362
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(25,932)		(3,525)
Amortization	(28,481)		(7,285)		(5,914)
Balance as of end of period	$ 778,065		$ 71,116		$ 81,926

[1] Includes accumulated impairments of $44,386 in 2015 and 2014