CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (193,214)	$ (748,561)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)	1,827,285	2,138,800
Equity in net loss of affiliates	10,849	5,697
Loss (gain) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net	182,031	(169,888)
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net	(130,883)	154,270
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs	41,616	600,240
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts (premiums) on indebtedness	60,526	18,517
Settlement loss included in other expense, net	929	1,403
Share-based compensation expense	46,176	40,932
Deferred income taxes	14,399	(470,841)
Provision for doubtful accounts	50,643	54,501
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable, trade	(111,446)	(45,493)
Other receivables	(138)	(5,520)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(41,890)	(816)
Amounts due from and due to affiliates	7,203	(40,355)
Accounts payable	85,497	53,433
Accrued liabilities	(198,196)	(303,717)
Deferred revenue	56,326	9,382
Liabilities related to interest rate swap contracts	62,549	(9,552)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,770,262	1,282,432
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(832,824)	(718,919)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(10,753)	(43,608)
Sale of affiliate interests	(3,537)	0
Payments for Derivative Instrument, Investing Activities	0	(24,039)
Proceeds related to sale of equipment, including costs of disposal	7,802	3,398
Increase in other investments	(2,500)	(4,800)
Additions to other intangible assets	(584)	(1,700)
Net cash used in investing activities	(842,396)	(789,668)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facility debt, net of discounts	2,217,500	5,602,425
Repayment of credit facility debt	(635,738)	(3,684,668)
Issuance of senior notes and debentures	2,050,000	0
Redemption of senior notes, including premiums and fees	(2,623,756)	(1,729,400)
Proceeds from collateralized indebtedness, net	516,513	662,724
Net Cash Receipt Payment on Collateralized Indebtedness Settlement	(516,513)	(654,989)
Payments of Dividends	(1,499,935)	(919,317)
Proceeds from notes payable	15,955	24,649
Repayments of Notes Payable	(14,089)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(8,581)	(11,518)
Cash Payments for the Repurchase of Common Shares	(226,803)	0
Additions to deferred financing costs	(21,570)	(9,486)
Other	(859)	0
Payment for Contingent Consideration Liability, Financing Activities	(30,000)	0
Proceeds from Partnership Contribution	5,995
Proceeds from Contributed Capital		50,800
Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering	0	348,460
Net cash used in financing activities	(771,881)	(320,320)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	155,985	172,444
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	376	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)	156,361	172,444
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	330,100	503,093
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	486,461	$ 675,537
Non-controlling Interest
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Partnership Contribution	$ 5,995