COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule

Future cash payments and commitments required under arrangements pursuant to contracts entered into by the Company in the normal course of business as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:

	Payments Due by Period
	Total		Year 1		Years 2-3		Years 4-5		More than 5 years
Off balance sheet arrangements:
Purchase obligations (a)	$	8,427,609	$	3,072,083	$	4,181,199	$	1,094,508	$	79,819
Guarantees (b)	36,224		34,716		1,508		—		—
Letters of credit (c)	129,473		200		120		129,153		—
Total	$	8,593,306	$	3,106,999	$	4,182,827	$	1,223,661	$	79,819

(a) Purchase obligations primarily include contractual commitments with various programming vendors to provide video services to customers and minimum purchase obligations to purchase goods or services.  Future fees payable under contracts with programming vendors are based on numerous factors, including the number of customers receiving the programming.  Amounts reflected above related to programming agreements are based on the number of customers receiving the programming as of December 31, 2017 multiplied by the per customer rates or the stated annual fee, as applicable, contained in the executed agreements in effect as of December 31, 2017. 

(b) Includes franchise and performance surety bonds primarily for the Company's cable television systems. 

(c) Represent letters of credit guaranteeing performance to municipalities and public utilities and payment of insurance premiums. Payments due by period for these arrangements represent the year in which the commitment expires although payments under these arrangements are required only in the event of nonperformance.