DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Discontinued Operations, Operating Results Information [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 130,282
Income (loss) before income taxes	462
Income tax benefit (expense)	(210)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	252		(7,260)
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	35,245			31,670
Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,107			14,486
Accounts receivable from affiliates	0			1,881
Deferred tax asset	1,541			1,766
Total current assets	50,893			49,803
Property and equipment, net	405,496			418,884
Amortizable intangible assets	123,064			131,305
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	512,612			512,612
Goodwill	167,736			167,736
Other assets	18,765			20,065
Total long-term assets	1,227,673			1,250,602
Total assets held for sale	1,278,566			1,300,405
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	59,058			51,948
Credit facility debt	7,292	[1]		7,650	[1]
Other current liabilities	5,505			5,255
Accounts payable to affiliates	9,910			2,506
Total current liabilities	81,765			67,359
Credit facility debt	700,403	[1]		736,455	[1]
Senior notes	250,000	[1]		250,000	[1]
Deferred tax liability	73,191			71,483
Other long-term liabilities	4,125			4,092
Total long-term liabilities	1,027,719			1,062,030
Total liabilities held for sale	1,109,484			1,129,389
Montana Department of Revenue [Member]
Bresnan Cable Legal Matters [Abstract]
Property tax assessment on cable companies (in hundredths)	3.00%
Property tax assessment on telephone companies (in hundredths)	6.00%
Montana Dept. of Revenue Property Tax Assessment [Member] | Montana Department of Revenue [Member]
Bresnan Cable Legal Matters [Abstract]
Disputed property tax protest payments held in escrow	20,903
Montana Dept. of Revenue Property Tax Assessment, 2007 - 2009 [Member] | Montana Department of Revenue [Member]
Bresnan Cable Legal Matters [Abstract]
Maximum proposed assessment	15,000
Montana Dept. of Revenue Property Tax Assessment, 2010 [Member] | Montana Department of Revenue [Member]
Bresnan Cable Legal Matters [Abstract]
Disputed property tax protest payments held in escrow	5,384
Montana Dept. of Revenue Property Tax Assessment, 2011 [Member] | Montana Department of Revenue [Member]
Bresnan Cable Legal Matters [Abstract]
Disputed property tax protest payments held in escrow	10,912
Montana Dept. of Revenue Property Tax Assessment, 2012 [Member] | Montana Department of Revenue [Member]
Bresnan Cable Legal Matters [Abstract]
Disputed property tax protest payments held in escrow	4,607
Second half payment of 2012 property tax protest assessment	4,600
Bresnan Cable [Member]
Discontinued Operations, Operating Results Information [Abstract]
Revenues, net	130,282		123,532
Income (loss) before income taxes	776		(12,237)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(339)		4,977
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	437		(7,260)
Other [Member]
Discontinued Operations, Operating Results Information [Abstract]
Revenues, net	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	(314)
Income tax benefit (expense)	129
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$ (185)

[1] The credit facility debt will be repaid from the proceeds of the Bresnan Sale and the amount of the senior notes outstanding on the closing date of the Bresnan Sale will reduce the sale proceeds.