CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 150,032	$ 186,386
Accounts receivable, net (Note 6)	186,187	192,157
Program rights, net (Note 5)	112,710	101,741
Other current assets (Note 7)	64,278	58,005
Total current assets	513,207	538,289
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 8)	219,877	217,367
Program rights, net (Note 5)	295,868	266,217
Goodwill (Note 3)	1,167,538	1,095,193
Broadcast licenses and other intangible assets, net (Note 3)	548,744	538,195
Other non-current assets (Note 7)	28,018	26,508
Total non-current assets	2,260,045	2,143,480
Total assets	2,773,252	2,681,769
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 9)	230,642	240,048
Current portion of long-term debt and other financing arrangements (Note 4)	123,918	1,058
Other current liabilities (Note 10)	22,313	14,469
Total current liabilities	376,873	255,575
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and other financing arrangements (Note 4)	1,239,637	1,323,311
Other non-current liabilities (Note 10)	85,150	84,941
Total non-current liabilities	1,324,787	1,408,252
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)	0	0
CME Ltd. shareholders' equity:
Nil shares of Preferred Stock of $0.08 each (December 31, 2011 - nil)	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	1,405,508	1,404,648
Accumulated deficit	(439,094)	(425,702)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	84,691	17,595
Total CME Ltd. shareholders' equity	1,056,256	1,001,692
Noncontrolling interests	15,336	16,250
Total equity	1,071,592	1,017,942
Total liabilities and equity	2,773,252	2,681,769
Class A Common Stock [Member]
CME Ltd. shareholders' equity:
Common Stock, Value, Issued	4,551	4,551
Class B Common Stock [Member]
CME Ltd. shareholders' equity:
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 600	$ 600