INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (17,221)	$ 39,137
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)		38.00%
Tax benefit related to increase in research credits	(2,250)
Tax benefit resulting from nontaxable gain		(2,889)
Tax expense related to non-deductible expenses		677
Tax expense resulting from an increase in the valuation allowance		880
Effective tax rate absent certain items of tax expense or benefit (in hundredths)		41.00%
Federal net operating loss carry forward	1,700,000
CSC Holdings, LLC [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit)	13,268	65,381
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	40.00%
Tax benefit related to increase in research credits	(2,250)
Tax benefit resulting from nontaxable gain		(2,889)
Tax expense related to non-deductible expenses		677
Tax expense resulting from an increase in the valuation allowance		880
Effective tax rate absent certain items of tax expense or benefit (in hundredths)	41.00%	42.00%
Federal net operating loss carry forward	56,000
Excess tax benefit on share-based awards	$ 1,012