Commitments and Contingencies (Legal Proceedings) (Details) - USD ($)	24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 1996	Jan. 29, 1999
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]
Shares of Adelphia common stock purchased (in shares)	1,091,524
Shares of Adelphia preferred stock purchased (in shares)	20,000
Shares of Adelphia common stock if Adelphia preferred stock converted to Adelphia common stock (in shares)	2,358,490
Aggregate price paid for Adelphia common and preferred stock	$ 35,900,000
Cash paid by Adelphia for repurchase of Adelphia acquired shares		$ 149,213,130