NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Compensation and employee health insurance	$ 87,003	$ 78,682
Interest	42,794	41,979
Deferred revenue	41,287	25,692
Deferred barter revenue	8,235	6,040
Programming related obligations	89,728	76,962
Other accruals relating to operating expenses	101,356	99,190
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 370,403	$ 328,545