CASH FLOWS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities - Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Settlement of collateralized indebtedness with related equity derivative contracts	$ 52,720	$ 23,226
Capital lease obligations	5,081	450
Intangible asset obligations	7,617
Satisfaction and discharge of debt with AMC Networks debt	1,250,000	0
Dividends payable on unvested restricted share awards	3,332	3,135
Supplemental Data [Abstract]
Cash interest paid - continuing operations	533,999	490,772
Income taxes paid, net - continuing operations	28,036	14,427
Cash interest paid - discontinued operations	51,629	70,138
Income taxes paid, net - discontinued operations	5,573	3,866
CSC Holdings, LLC [Member] \| AMC Networks Inc. [Member]
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities - Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Distribution of assets and liabilities	1,177,782	0
AMC Networks Inc. [Member]
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities - Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Distribution of assets and liabilities	1,103,553	0
CSC Holdings, LLC [Member] \| Madison Square Garden [Member]
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities - Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Distribution of assets and liabilities	0	1,116,416
Madison Square Garden [Member]
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities - Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Distribution of assets and liabilities	0	1,116,416
CSC Holdings, LLC [Member]
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities - Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Settlement of collateralized indebtedness with related equity derivative contracts	52,720	23,226
Capital lease obligations	5,081	450
Intangible asset obligations	7,617
Satisfaction and discharge of debt with AMC Networks debt	1,250,000	0
Gain on redemption of Cablevision notes held by Newsday Holdings LLC recognized in equity	0	87,090
Supplemental Data [Abstract]
Cash interest paid - continuing operations	406,221	372,248
Income taxes paid, net - continuing operations	28,036	14,427
Cash interest paid - discontinued operations	51,629	70,138
Income taxes paid, net - discontinued operations	$ 5,573	$ 3,866

Distribution of all outstanding common stock to Cablevision stockholders.

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