CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue (including revenue from affiliates of $214, $459 and $1,471, respectively) (See Note 16)	$ 8,590,467	$ 8,954,417	$ 9,237,064
Costs and Expenses [Abstract]
Programming and other direct costs (including charges from affiliates of $6,491, $11,645 and $13,794, respectively) (See Note 16)	2,637,181	2,896,570	3,029,842
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	2,681,740	2,711,828	2,646,258
Restructuring, impairments and other operating items	1,687,130	23,696	214,727
Depreciation and amortization	1,696,974	1,642,231	1,644,297
Total operating expenses	8,703,025	7,274,325	7,535,124
Operating Income (Loss), Total	(112,558)	1,680,092	1,701,940
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense, net	(1,791,462)	(1,763,166)	(1,639,120)
Gain on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net	5	670	180,237
Loss on derivative contracts, net	0	0	(166,489)
Gain on interest rate swap contracts, net	613	18,632	32,664
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs	(23,502)	(12,901)	4,393
Other income (expense), net	(3,051)	(5,675)	4,940
Total other income (expense)	(1,817,397)	(1,762,440)	(1,583,375)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,929,955)	(82,348)	118,565
Income tax benefit (expense)	96,908	4,071	(39,528)
Net income (loss)	(1,833,047)	(78,277)	79,037
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(35,977)	(24,641)	(25,839)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	$ (1,869,024)	$ (102,918)	$ 53,198
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic income (loss) per share	$ (4.00)	$ (0.22)	$ 0.12
Basic weighted average common shares (in thousands)	467,782	459,888	454,723
Diluted income (loss) per share	$ (4.00)	$ (0.22)	$ 0.12
Diluted weighted average common shares (in thousands)	467,782	459,888	455,034
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0