Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating activities
Net income	$ 28,129	$ 9,035	$ 23,163
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	23,133	26,183	30,630
Amortization of intangible assets	75	125	479
Amortization of deferred loan costs	2,723	2,943	2,051
Amortization of original issue discount related to long-term debt	1,127	1,353	902
Amortization of restricted stock and stock option awards	878	136	332
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	12,664		349
(Payment) accrual of long-term accrued facility fee, net			(18,307)
Amortization of program broadcast rights	11,081	13,484	15,410
Payments on program broadcast obligations	(11,839)	(15,915)	(15,473)
Common stock contributed to 401(k) Plan	26	29	30
Deferred revenue, network compensation	(687)	(938)	(758)
Deferred income taxes	19,229	5,085	13,910
Gain on disposals of assets, net	(31)	(2,894)	(1,909)
Other	(1,806)	1,815	319
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(389)	2,401	(7,309)
Other current assets	(372)	934	(111)
Accounts payable	274	(3,666)	(438)
Employee compensation, benefits and pension costs	(1,775)	(743)	2,687
Accrued network fees and other expenses	5,716	191	(750)
Accrued interest	2,275	108	(5,700)
Income taxes payable	(883)	(1,008)	(404)
Deferred revenue, current portion	(176)	(485)	(977)
Net cash provided by operating activities	89,372	38,173	38,126
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(24,523)	(24,274)	(19,395)
Proceeds from asset sales	1,586	3,324	284
Equipment transactions related to spectrum reallocation, net			278
Payments on acquisition related liabilities	(129)	(587)	(670)
Other	(240)	(332)	(3)
Net cash used in investing activities	(23,306)	(21,869)	(19,506)
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt	855,798	25,500	358,010
Repayments of borrowings on long-term debt	(856,292)	(21,323)	(324,018)
Deferred and other loan costs	(17,042)	(741)	(13,114)
Series D perpetual preferred stock dividends paid	(16,731)	(6,596)	(14,892)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			25,518
Repurchase of Series D perpetual preferred stock	(25,922)	(13,385)	(60,693)
Net cash used in financing activities	(60,189)	(16,545)	(29,189)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	5,877	(241)	(10,569)
Cash at beginning of period	5,190	5,431	16,000
Cash at end of period	$ 11,067	$ 5,190	$ 5,431