NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Accrued Liabilities and Post-retirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Compensation and employee health insurance	$ 78,682	$ 65,364
Interest	41,979	32,788
Deferred revenue	25,692	24,837
Programming related obligations	76,962	54,381
Other accruals relating to operating expenses	99,190	73,943
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 322,505	$ 251,313