Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Dreamcatcher Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		$ 440,295	$ 523,920
Broadcast rights		133,683	153,457
Other intangible assets, net		1,613,665	1,819,134
Other assets		139,015	80,098
Total Assets	[1]	8,169,328	9,401,051
Long-term debt		2,919,185	3,391,627
Other liabilities		163,899	62,700
Liabilities	[1]	4,952,148	5,855,368
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total Assets		81,000	97,000
Liabilities		29,000	3,000
Dreamcatcher Stations | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		0	91
Broadcast rights		2,622	2,634
Other intangible assets, net		71,914	82,442
Other assets		6,852	134
Total Assets		81,388	85,301
Debt due within one year		0	4,003
Contracts payable for broadcast rights		2,691	2,758
Long-term debt		0	10,767
Long-term deferred revenue		25,030	0
Other liabilities		1,017	85
Liabilities		$ 28,738	$ 17,613

[1] The Company’s consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 include total assets of variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of $81 million and $97 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. The Company’s consolidated total liabilities as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 include total liabilities of the VIEs of $29 million and $3 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the Company (see Note 1).