Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgements and assumptions that affect amounts and related disclosures reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes, including the selection of appropriate accounting principles that reflect the economic substance of the underlying transactions and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, judgment is applied based on analysis of the relevant circumstances, including historical experience, actuarial studies and other assumptions. Actual results could differ from estimates. Estimates, judgments, and assumptions inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include: accounting for business acquisitions and dispositions, asset impairments, equity method investments, revenue recognition, program assets, depreciation and amortization, defined benefit plans, share-based compensation, income taxes, fair value measurements and contingencies.
Concentration Risks	Concentration Risks The Company’s primary sources of revenues include adverting sales and distribution fees, with between approximately 70.3 percent and 71.0 percent of our consolidated total operating revenues derived from advertising sales during 2017 and 2016, respectively. Operating results can be affected by changes in the demand for such services both nationally and in individual markets. The four largest distributors in the United States provide service to approximately 78.6 percent of homes receiving HGTV, Food Network and Travel Channel. Combined, the eight largest distributors in the United States provide service to more than 97.8 percent of homes receiving HGTV, Food Network and Travel Channel. The loss of distribution of our networks by any of these cable or satellite television systems could adversely affect our business.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The reporting currency of the Company is the USD. The functional currency of most of the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and equity balances are translated at historical rates. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated at average exchange rates for the respective periods. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity, net of applicable taxes. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Changes in exchange rates with respect to amounts recorded in the consolidated balance sheets related to these items will result in unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses based upon period-end exchange rates. These unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recorded within miscellaneous, net in the consolidated statements of operations.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain amounts within operating activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows for 2016 and 2015 have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation. During 2017, amounts totaling $16.1 million and $22.4 million, previously reported within other, net, for 2016 and 2015, respectively, have been reclassified to (gain) loss on foreign currency transactions. These reclassifications did not have an impact on the reported cash provided by operating activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows for 2016 or 2015.