Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Equity and cost method investments
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 154,431,000		$ 138,096,000
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	21,614,000	20,891,000
Summarized results of operations, equity method investments
Revenues	1,431,372,000	1,324,459,000
Operating expenses	1,071,887,000	1,031,355,000
Operating income	359,485,000	293,104,000
Other income (expense)	916,000	1,427,000
Net income	360,401,000	294,531,000
Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership
Equity and cost method investments
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	$ 17,100,000	$ 13,000,000
Ownership interest in equity method investment	5.50%	5.50%