Changes in Operations and Non-operating Items (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Changes in Operations and Non-Operating Items [Abstract]

Schedule of Severance and Related Activities [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes these severance and related charges included in income (loss) from continuing operations by business segment for 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

	2017		2016		2015
Television and Entertainment	$	4,367	$	9,228	$	2,317
Corporate and Other	372		1,178		2,959
Total	$	4,739	$	10,406	$	5,276

Schedule of Severance Accrual and Related Activities

Changes to the accrued liability for severance and related expenses were as follows (in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2015	$	3,595
Additions	10,406
Payments	(5,020		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	8,981
Additions	4,739
Payments	(9,144		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	4,576

Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)

Non-Operating Items—Non-operating items for 2017, 2016 and 2015 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	2017			2016		2015
Loss on extinguishments and modification of debt	$	(20,487	)	$	—	$	(37,040	)
Gain on investment transactions, net	8,131			—		12,173
Write-downs of investments	(193,494		)	—		—
Other non-operating gain, net	71			5,427		7,228
Total non-operating (loss) gain, net	$	(205,779	)	$	5,427	$	(17,639	)