CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,570,418	$ 1,579,514	$ 4,552,455	$ 4,523,937
Operating expenses:
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	595,576	627,150	1,781,193	1,820,005
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	421,700	429,426	1,281,849	1,270,869
Corporate expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization)	86,779	74,775	252,308	232,492
Depreciation and amortization	158,453	166,320	476,053	505,167
Impairment charges	8,000	21,631	8,000	21,631
Other operating income (expense), net	(505)	6,914	219,768	98,694
Operating income (loss)	299,405	267,126	972,820	772,467
Interest expense	459,852	453,921	1,389,793	1,348,649
Loss on investments, net	(13,767)	(5,000)	(13,767)	(4,421)
Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates	1,117	(857)	(926)	(1,216)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	157,556	0	157,556	(2,201)
Other income (expense), net	(7,323)	(17,976)	(47,054)	18,126
Loss before income taxes	(22,864)	(210,628)	(321,164)	(565,894)
Income tax expense	(5,613)	(2,841)	(42,243)	(81,523)
Consolidated net loss	(28,477)	(213,469)	(363,407)	(647,417)
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest	6,474	8,448	38,953	13,932
Net loss attributable to the Company	(34,951)	(221,917)	(402,360)	(661,349)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	7,356	(22,102)	43,797	(101,983)
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on marketable securities	(290)	(149)	(635)	540
Reclassification adjustments	0	0	32,823	0
Other adjustments to comprehensive income (loss)	193	0	(3,551)	(1,154)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,259	(22,251)	72,434	(102,597)
Comprehensive loss	(27,692)	(244,168)	(329,926)	(763,946)
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,235	(8,540)	6,365	(19,180)
Comprehensive loss attributable to the Company	$ (28,927)	$ (235,628)	$ (336,291)	$ (744,766)