NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Compensation and employee benefits	$ 99,884	$ 87,003
Interest	42,450	42,794
Deferred revenue	83,270	49,522	$ 31,700
Programming related obligations	79,685	89,728
Accounts payable and other accruals relating to operating expenses	107,938	101,356
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 413,227	$ 370,403