Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 9,035	$ 23,163	$ (23,047)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	26,183	30,630	32,595
Amortization of intangible assets	125	479	577
Amortization of deferred loan costs	2,943	2,051	329
Amortization of Notes' original issue discount	1,353	902
Amortization of restricted stock and stock option awards	136	332	1,388
Loss from early extinguishment of debt		349	8,352
(Payment) accrual of long-term accrued facility fee, net		(18,307)	18,307
Amortization of program broadcast rights	13,484	15,410	15,130
Payments on program broadcast obligations	(15,915)	(15,473)	(15,287)
Common stock contributed to 401(k) Plan	29	30	147
Deferred revenue, network compensation	(938)	(758)	(617)
Deferred income taxes	5,085	13,910	(11,219)
Gain on disposals of assets, net	(2,894)	(1,909)	(7,628)
Other	1,815	319	2,574
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	2,401	(7,309)	(2,483)
Other current assets	934	(111)	3,208
Accounts payable	(3,666)	(438)	(4,238)
Employee compensation, benefits and pension costs	(743)	2,687	72
Accrued expenses	191	(750)	(2,288)
Accrued interest	108	(5,700)	3,654
Income taxes payable	(1,008)	(404)	(168)
Deferred revenue, including current portion	(485)	(977)	(455)
Net cash provided by operating activities	38,173	38,126	18,903
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(24,274)	(19,395)	(17,756)
Proceeds from asset sales	3,324	284	104
Equipment transactions related to spectrum reallocation, net		278	697
Payments on acquisition related liabilities	(587)	(670)	(805)
Other	(332)	(3)	229
Net cash used in investing activities	(21,869)	(19,506)	(17,531)
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt	25,500	358,010
Repayments of borrowings on long-term debt	(21,323)	(324,018)	(8,571)
Deferred and other loan costs	(741)	(13,114)	(7,450)
Dividends paid, net of accreted preferred stock dividend	(6,596)	(14,892)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		25,518
Repurchase of preferred stock	(13,385)	(60,693)
Net cash used in financing activities	(16,545)	(29,189)	(16,021)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(241)	(10,569)	(14,649)
Cash at beginning of period	5,431	16,000	30,649
Cash at end of period	$ 5,190	$ 5,431	$ 16,000