CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue (including revenue from affiliates of $478, $3,035, $1,116, and $6,441, respectively) (See Note 13)	$ 2,463,014	$ 2,516,008	$ 4,884,911	$ 4,994,829
Operating expenses:
Programming and other direct costs (including charges from affiliates of $2,715, $4,504, $7,333 and $6,732, respectively) (See Note 13)	819,011	849,872	1,647,804	1,701,736
Other operating expenses (including charges from affiliates of $3,037, $2,696, $6,132 and $5,875, respectively) (See Note 13)	673,464	589,180	1,315,370	1,169,613
Restructuring and other expense	2,673	5,864	6,051	9,073
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)	446,125	444,327	881,474	879,184
Total operating expenses	1,941,273	1,889,243	3,850,699	3,759,606
Operating income	521,741	626,765	1,034,212	1,235,223
Other income (expense):
Interest Income (Expense), Net	(310,213)	(319,371)	(613,575)	(635,683)
Gain (loss) on investments	(325,601)	125,019	(476,374)	198,472
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net	219,114	(98,840)	320,188	(152,405)
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, net	39,868	(21,574)	163,015	54,079
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs	0	(51,712)	0	(51,712)
Other income, net	2,521	2,467	4,951	5,326
Total other income (expense)	(374,311)	(364,011)	(601,795)	(581,923)
Income before income taxes	147,430	262,754	432,417	653,300
Income tax expense	(33,890)	(61,820)	(116,736)	(173,827)
Net income	113,540	200,934	315,681	479,473
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(7,366)	(3,274)	(12,956)	(7,677)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	$ 106,174	$ 197,660	$ 302,725	$ 471,796
Income per share:
Basic income per share	$ 0.23	$ 0.43	$ 0.67	$ 1.02
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	453,230	456,955	453,230	463,060
Diluted income per share	$ 0.23	$ 0.43	$ 0.67	$ 1.00
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	453,230	463,637	453,230	469,510
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0