CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 138,608	$ (193,214)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)	1,695,685	1,827,285
Equity in net loss of affiliates	0	10,849
Loss (gain) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net	(478,124)	182,031
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net	303,986	(130,883)
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs	159,599	41,616
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts (premiums) on indebtedness	82,398	60,526
Settlement loss related to pension plan	1,629	929
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	47,891	46,176
Deferred income taxes	55,694	14,399
Provision for doubtful accounts	61,054	50,643
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable, trade	(46,849)	(111,446)
Other receivables	3,306	(138)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(44,942)	(41,890)
Amounts due from and due to affiliates	(6,189)	7,203
Accounts payable	27,018	85,497
Increase (Decrease) in Interest Payable, Net	(107,969)	(76,095)
Accrued employee related costs and other liabilities	(78,796)	(122,101)
Deferred revenue	(30,020)	56,326
Liabilities related to interest rate swap and derivative contracts	50,008	62,549
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,833,987	1,770,262
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,032,555)	(832,824)
Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(172,659)	(10,753)
Sale of affiliate interest	1,958	(3,537)
Proceeds related to sale of equipment, including costs of disposal	4,484	7,802
Increase in other investments	0	(2,500)
Additions to other intangible assets	3,969	584
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,202,741)	(842,396)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facility debt, net of discounts	2,040,000	2,217,500
Repayment of credit facility debt	(1,342,625)	(635,738)
Issuance of senior notes and debentures, including premiums	2,754,375	2,050,000
Redemption of senior notes, including premiums and fees	(2,471,578)	(2,623,756)
Proceeds from collateralized indebtedness, net	0	516,513
Repayment of collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net	0	516,513
Dividends to stockholders	0	1,499,935
Proceeds from notes payable	67,187	15,955
Repayment of notes payable	(90,210)	(14,089)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations	(6,736)	(8,581)
Purchase of shares of Class A common stock, pursuant to a share repurchase program	(1,686,873)	(226,803)
Additions to deferred financing costs	(16,007)	(21,570)
Contingent payment for acquisition	(500)	(30,000)
Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests	(1,000)	5,995
Other	0	(859)
Net cash used in financing activities	(753,967)	(771,881)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(965)	376
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(123,686)	156,361
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	299,038	330,100
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 175,352	$ 486,461