Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue (less agency commissions)	$ 1,084,132	$ 882,728	$ 812,465
Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, and (gain) loss on disposals of assets, net:
Broadcast	596,403	557,563	474,994
Corporate and administrative	40,910	31,589	40,319
Depreciation	53,883	51,973	45,923
Amortization of intangible assets	20,570	25,072	16,596
(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net	(16,405)	(74,200)	329
Operating expenses	695,361	591,997	578,161
Operating income	388,771	290,731	234,304
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income, net	5,507	657	610
Interest expense	(106,628)	(95,259)	(97,236)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt		(2,851)	(31,987)
Income before income taxes	287,650	193,278	105,691
Income tax expense (benefit)	76,847	(68,674)	43,418
Net income	$ 210,803	$ 261,952	$ 62,273
Basic per share information:
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 2.39	$ 3.59	$ 0.87
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	88,084	73,061	71,848
Diluted per share information:
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 2.37	$ 3.55	$ 0.86
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	88,778	73,836	72,764
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0