GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Definite Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 2,726,624	$ 2,744,295
Accumulated Amortization	(924,954)	(799,892)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,801,670	1,944,403
Assets acquired in acquisition	4,476	25,806
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
For the year ended December 31, 2018	174,398
For the year ended December 31, 2019	173,594
For the year ended December 31, 2020	173,061
For the year ended December 31, 2021	172,043
For the year ended December 31, 2022	168,297
Thereafter	940,277
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,801,670	1,944,403
Network affiliations
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	1,451,663	1,398,451
Accumulated Amortization	(514,575)	(427,484)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	937,088	970,967
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	937,088	970,967
Customer relationships
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	1,229,006	1,102,591
Accumulated Amortization	(373,966)	(294,114)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	855,040	808,477
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	855,040	808,477
Other intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	45,955	243,253
Accumulated Amortization	(36,413)	(78,294)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	9,542	164,959
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 9,542	$ 164,959