Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES In the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded income tax expense of $210 million and $223 million, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2016, the rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes (net of federal benefit), a $102 million charge to establish a reserve net of federal and state tax benefit for interest on the Newsday transaction, and a related $91 million charge to adjust the Company’s deferred taxes, as described below, the domestic production activities deduction, other non-deductible expenses, and a $2 million benefit related to certain state income tax matters and other adjustments. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the rate was also impacted by a $4 million charge related to the write-off of unrealized deferred tax assets related to stock-based compensation. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded income tax benefit of less than $1 million and income tax expense of $22 million, respectively. The rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes (net of federal benefit), the domestic production activities deduction, and other non-deductible expenses. The non-deductible items in the three months ended June 30, 2015 had a greater impact on the effective tax rate due to the pretax loss. Newsday and Chicago Cubs Transactions—As further described in Note 9 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Company consummated the closing of the Newsday Transactions on July 29, 2008. As a result of these transactions, CSC, through NMG Holdings, Inc., owned approximately 97% and the Company owned approximately 3% of NHLLC. The fair market value of the contributed Newsday Media Group business (“NMG”) net assets exceeded their tax basis and did not result in an immediate taxable gain because the transaction was structured to comply with the partnership provisions of the IRC and related regulations. In March 2013, the IRS issued its audit report on the Company’s federal income tax return for 2008 which concluded that the gain should have been included in the Company’s 2008 taxable income. Accordingly, the IRS has proposed a $190 million tax and a $38 million accuracy-related penalty. After-tax interest on the proposed tax and penalty through June 30, 2016 would be approximately $47 million. The Company disagrees with the IRS’s position and has timely filed a protest in response to the IRS’s proposed tax adjustments. The Company is contesting the IRS’s position in the IRS administrative appeals division. If the IRS position prevails, the Company would also be subject to approximately $22 million, net of tax benefits, of state income taxes, interest and penalties through June 30, 2016. If the IRS prevails, the tax, interest and penalty due will be offset by any tax payments made relating to this transaction subsequent to 2008. Through December 31, 2015, the Company has made approximately $136 million of federal and state tax payments through its regular tax reporting process which included $101 million that became payable upon closing of the sale of the Newsday partnership interest as further described in Note 5. The sale of its partnership interest does not impact the IRS audit, nor does it change the Company’s view on the tax position(s) taken on the original transaction. During the second quarter of 2016, as a result of extensive discussions with the IRS administrative appeals division, the Company reevaluated its tax litigation position related to the Newsday transaction and re-measured the cumulative most probable outcome of such proceedings. As a result, the Company recorded a $102 million charge which is included in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as a $125 million current income tax reserve and a $23 million reduction in deferred income tax liabilities. The income tax reserve includes federal and state taxes, interest and penalties while the deferred income tax benefit is primarily related to deductible interest expense. The Company expects to reach a resolution of the tax dispute in the second half of 2016. In connection with the potential resolution of the matter, the Company also recorded $91 million of income tax expense to increase the Company’s deferred income tax liability to reflect a reduction in the tax basis of the Company’s assets. The reduction in tax basis is required to reflect the expected negotiated reduction in the amount of the Company’s guarantee of the Newsday partnership debt which was included in the reported tax basis previously determined upon emergence from bankruptcy. As further described in Note 9 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Company consummated the closing of the Chicago Cubs Transactions on October 27, 2009. As a result of these transactions, Ricketts Acquisition LLC owns 95% and the Company owns 5% of the membership interests in New Cubs LLC. The fair market value of the contributed assets exceeded the tax basis and did not result in an immediate taxable gain because the transaction was structured to comply with the partnership provisions of the IRC and related regulations. On June 28, 2016, the IRS issued the Company a Notice of Deficiency (“Notice”) which presents the IRS’s position that the gain should have been included in the Company’s 2009 taxable income. Accordingly, the IRS has proposed a $182 million tax and a $73 million gross valuation misstatement penalty. After-tax interest on the proposed tax and penalty through June 30, 2016 would be approximately $35 million. The Company continues to disagree with the IRS’s position that the transaction generated a taxable gain in 2009, the proposed penalty and the IRS’s calculation of the gain. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company expects to file a petition in U.S. Tax Court to contest the IRS’s determination. If the gain on the Chicago Cubs Transactions is deemed to be taxable in 2009, the Company estimates that the federal and state income taxes would be approximately $225 million before interest and penalties. However, if the IRS prevails in their position, any tax, interest and penalty due will be offset by any tax payments made relating to this transaction subsequent to 2009. Through June 30, 2016, the Company has paid approximately $36 million through its regular tax reporting process. The Company does not maintain any tax reserves relating to the Chicago Cubs Transactions. In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2016 includes a deferred tax liability of $163 million related to the future recognition of taxable income related to the Chicago Cubs Transactions. Other—Although management believes its estimates and judgments are reasonable, the resolutions of the Company’s tax issues are unpredictable and could result in tax liabilities that are significantly higher or lower than that which has been provided by the Company. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC Topic 740, which addresses the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits totaled $156 million at June 30, 2016, which includes a $125 million reserve related to the Newsday transaction, and $34 million at December 31, 2015. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $136 million within the next twelve months due to the resolution of tax examination issues, including the Newsday dispute, and statute of limitations expirations.

NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES

In the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded income tax expense of $210 million and $223 million, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2016, the rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes (net of federal benefit), a $102 million charge to establish a reserve net of federal and state tax benefit for interest on the Newsday transaction, and a related $91 million charge to adjust the Company’s deferred taxes, as described below, the domestic production activities deduction, other non-deductible expenses, and a $2 million benefit related to certain state income tax matters and other adjustments. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the rate was also impacted by a $4 million charge related to the write-off of unrealized deferred tax assets related to stock-based compensation.

In the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded income tax benefit of less than $1 million and income tax expense of $22 million, respectively. The rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes (net of federal benefit), the domestic production activities deduction, and other non-deductible expenses. The non-deductible items in the three months ended June 30, 2015 had a greater impact on the effective tax rate due to the pretax loss.

Newsday and Chicago Cubs Transactions—As further described in Note 9 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Company consummated the closing of the Newsday Transactions on July 29, 2008. As a result of these transactions, CSC, through NMG Holdings, Inc., owned approximately 97% and the Company owned approximately 3% of NHLLC. The fair market value of the contributed Newsday Media Group business (“NMG”) net assets exceeded their tax basis and did not result in an immediate taxable gain because the transaction was structured to comply with the partnership provisions of the IRC and related regulations. In March 2013, the IRS issued its audit report on the Company’s federal income tax return for 2008 which concluded that the gain should have been included in the Company’s 2008 taxable income. Accordingly, the IRS has proposed a $190 million tax and a $38 million accuracy-related penalty. After-tax interest on the proposed tax and penalty through June 30, 2016 would be approximately $47 million. The Company disagrees with the IRS’s position and has timely filed a protest in response to the IRS’s proposed tax adjustments. The Company is contesting the IRS’s position in the IRS administrative appeals division. If the IRS position prevails, the Company would also be subject to approximately $22 million, net of tax benefits, of state income taxes, interest and penalties through June 30, 2016. If the IRS prevails, the tax, interest and penalty due will be offset by any tax payments made relating to this transaction subsequent to 2008. Through December 31, 2015, the Company has made approximately $136 million of federal and state tax payments through its regular tax reporting process which included $101 million that became payable upon closing of the sale of the Newsday partnership interest as further described in Note 5. The sale of its partnership interest does not impact the IRS audit, nor does it change the Company’s view on the tax position(s) taken on the original transaction.

During the second quarter of 2016, as a result of extensive discussions with the IRS administrative appeals division, the Company reevaluated its tax litigation position related to the Newsday transaction and re-measured the cumulative most probable outcome of such proceedings. As a result, the Company recorded a $102 million charge which is included in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as a $125 million current income tax reserve and a $23 million reduction in deferred income tax liabilities. The income tax reserve includes federal and state taxes, interest and penalties while the deferred income tax benefit is primarily related to deductible interest expense. The Company expects to reach a resolution of the tax dispute in the second half of 2016. In connection with the potential resolution of the matter, the Company also recorded $91 million of income tax expense to increase the Company’s deferred income tax liability to reflect a reduction in the tax basis of the Company’s assets. The reduction in tax basis is required to reflect the expected negotiated reduction in the amount of the Company’s guarantee of the Newsday partnership debt which was included in the reported tax basis previously determined upon emergence from bankruptcy.

As further described in Note 9 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Company consummated the closing of the Chicago Cubs Transactions on October 27, 2009. As a result of these transactions, Ricketts Acquisition LLC owns 95% and the Company owns 5% of the membership interests in New Cubs LLC. The fair market value of the contributed assets exceeded the tax basis and did not result in an immediate taxable gain because the transaction was structured to comply with the partnership provisions of the IRC and related regulations. On June 28, 2016, the IRS issued the Company a Notice of Deficiency (“Notice”) which presents the IRS’s position that the gain should have been included in the Company’s 2009 taxable income. Accordingly, the IRS has proposed a $182 million tax and a $73 million gross valuation misstatement penalty. After-tax interest on the proposed tax and penalty through June 30, 2016 would be approximately $35 million. The Company continues to disagree with the IRS’s position that the transaction generated a taxable gain in 2009, the proposed penalty and the IRS’s calculation of the gain. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company expects to file a petition in U.S. Tax Court to contest the IRS’s determination. If the gain on the Chicago Cubs Transactions is deemed to be taxable in 2009, the Company estimates that the federal and state income taxes would be approximately $225 million before interest and penalties. However, if the IRS prevails in their position, any tax, interest and penalty due will be offset by any tax payments made relating to this transaction subsequent to 2009. Through June 30, 2016, the Company has paid approximately $36 million through its regular tax reporting process. The Company does not maintain any tax reserves relating to the Chicago Cubs Transactions. In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2016 includes a deferred tax liability of $163 million related to the future recognition of taxable income related to the Chicago Cubs Transactions.

Other—Although management believes its estimates and judgments are reasonable, the resolutions of the Company’s tax issues are unpredictable and could result in tax liabilities that are significantly higher or lower than that which has been provided by the Company. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC Topic 740, which addresses the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits totaled $156 million at June 30, 2016, which includes a $125 million reserve related to the Newsday transaction, and $34 million at December 31, 2015. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $136 million within the next twelve months due to the resolution of tax examination issues, including the Newsday dispute, and statute of limitations expirations.