GOODWILL, INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Definite Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 2,598,151	$ 2,726,624
Accumulated Amortization	(971,271)	(924,954)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,626,880	1,801,670
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
For the year ended December 31, 2019	173,508
For the year ended December 31, 2020	172,945
For the year ended December 31, 2021	171,902
For the year ended December 31, 2022	168,135
For the year ended December 31, 2023	159,236
Thereafter	781,154
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,626,880	1,801,670
Network affiliations
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	1,451,600	1,451,663
Accumulated Amortization	(604,470)	(514,575)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	847,130	937,088
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	847,130	937,088
Customer relationships
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	1,113,134	1,229,006
Accumulated Amortization	(340,805)	(373,966)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	772,329	855,040
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	772,329	855,040
Other intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	33,417	45,955
Accumulated Amortization	(25,996)	(36,413)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	7,421	9,542
Estimated amortization expense of the definite-lived intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 7,421	$ 9,542