DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE, Operating Results of Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 09, 2013 Litigation Settlement with DISH Network, LLC Pursuant to VOOM Litigation Agreement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Litigation Settlement with DISH Network, LLC Pursuant to VOOM Litigation Agreement [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Litigation Settlement with DISH Network, LLC Pursuant to VOOM Litigation Agreement [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Litigation Settlement with DISH Network, LLC Pursuant to VOOM Litigation Agreement [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Bresnan Cable [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Bresnan Cable [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Bresnan Cable [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Bresnan Cable [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Clearview Cinemas [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Clearview Cinemas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Clearview Cinemas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Clearview Cinemas [Member]		Jun. 30, 2012 Clearview Cinemas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member] Litigation Settlement with DISH Network, LLC Pursuant to VOOM Litigation Agreement [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member] Litigation Settlement with DISH Network, LLC Pursuant to VOOM Litigation Agreement [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member] Bresnan Cable [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member] Bresnan Cable [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member] Clearview Cinemas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 CSC Holdings, LLC [Member] Clearview Cinemas [Member]
Operating Results of Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash proceeds from settlement received						$ 175,000	$ 350,000	$ 175,000		$ 175,000
Revenues, net	146,909	140,670	289,630	278,997				0	[1]	0	[1]	132,041	125,333	262,323	248,865	14,868			15,337	27,307		30,132
Income (loss) before income taxes	180,279	(22,698)	164,646	(39,780)				174,001	[1]	173,687	[1]	29,274	(16,487)	30,050	(28,724)	(22,996)	[2]		(6,211)	(39,091)	[2],[3]	(11,056)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(72,784)	9,248	(66,416)	16,193				(70,181)	[1]	(70,052)	[1]	(11,996)	6,721	(12,335)	11,698	9,393			2,527	15,971		4,495
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	107,495	(13,450)	98,230	(23,587)				103,820	[1]	103,635	[1]	17,278	(9,766)	17,715	(17,026)	(13,603)			(3,684)	(23,120)		(6,561)	106,492	(13,450)	97,227	(23,587)		102,817	[1]	102,632	[1]	17,278	17,715	(13,603)	(23,120)
Income tax benefit recognized at Cablevision, not applicable to CSC Holdings	(1,003)		(1,003)					(1,003)	[1]	(1,003)	[1]	0		0		0				0
Pretax loss recognized in connection with Clearview Sale																(18,820)				(18,820)
Impairment loss relating to the Company's Clearview business																		10,347
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses	$ 264,690		$ 264,690		$ 264,690											$ 0				$ 0			$ 264,690		$ 264,690		$ 264,690

[1] Represents primarily the proceeds from the final allocation of the DISH Network, LLC litigation settlement. See Note 16 for additional information.

[2] Includes the pretax loss recognized in connection with the Clearview Sale of approximately $18,820.

[3] As a result of the Company's annual impairment test in the first quarter of 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $10,347, relating to goodwill of the Company's Clearview business which reduced the carrying value to zero. The Company determined the fair value of the Clearview business, which was a single reporting unit, assuming highest and best use, based on either an income or market approach on a theater by theater basis.