CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (10,032)	$ 59,244	$ 31,727
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	181,767	170,285	147,259
Loss on extinguishment of debt	27,700	0	103
Software impairment charge	29,839	0	0
Impairment of equity method investment	12,593	0	0
Share-based compensation expense	10,902	8,392	6,638
Deferred income tax expense	81	10,029	10,957
Other noncash income and expense items	14,672	9,933	5,128
Change in operating assets and liabilities	(13,567)	320	(42,178)
Net cash provided by operating activities	253,955	258,203	159,634
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(176,235)	(176,109)	(180,554)
Grant proceeds	14,007	1,136	2,405
Purchases of other assets and intangible assets	(13,955)	(11,018)	(6,027)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash received	(12,736)	(2,514)	(107,600)
Proceeds from the sale of investment	7,551	6,180	0
Note receivable issued to an equity method investee	(3,000)	0	0
Restricted cash	65	5,871	23,997
Purchase of investments	0	(25,735)	0
Other	(4,760)	49	1,428
Net cash used for investing activities	(189,063)	(202,140)	(266,351)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(494,982)	(118,585)	(98,152)
Issuance of 2025 Notes	445,973	0	0
Borrowing on Senior Credit Facility	295,000	89,000	261,000
Purchase of non-controlling interests	(282,505)	0	0
Net contribution from (distribution to) General Communication, Inc.	21,700	(6,384)	(12,680)
Payment of bond call premium	(20,244)	0	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	(13,979)	(84)	(2,990)
Distribution to non-controlling interest	(4,932)	(50,000)	(17,845)
Borrowing of other long-term debt	203	421	1,770
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(53,766)	(85,632)	131,103
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	11,126	(29,569)	24,386
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	15,402	44,971	20,585
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 26,528	$ 15,402	$ 44,971