PROGRAM RIGHTS Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Program Rights Policy	During the third quarter of 2011, we concluded a comprehensive examination of the appropriateness of our program rights policy. This review included a study of the relative value generated by all runs of a license in past periods. We concluded that the existing allocation for films and series with an estimated two runs of 65% on showing the first run and 35% on showing the second run was still appropriate. However, past performance showed that content with an estimated three runs generated more relative value on the third run than our previous estimate. Consequently, from July 1, 2011 these titles were amortized 50% on showing the first run, 28% on showing the second run and 22% on showing the third run. Had we amortized content with an estimated three runs by 60% on the first run, 30% on the second run and 10% on the third run during the first six months of 2012, the program rights amortization charge would have been approximately US$ 3.8 million higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, or US$ 0.05 and US$ 0.05 per basic common share and diluted common share, respectively.

During the third quarter of 2011, we concluded a comprehensive examination of the appropriateness of our program rights policy. This review included a study of the relative value generated by all runs of a license in past periods. We concluded that the existing allocation for films and series with an estimated two runs of 65% on showing the first run and 35% on showing the second run was still appropriate. However, past performance showed that content with an estimated three runs generated more relative value on the third run than our previous estimate. Consequently, from July 1, 2011 these titles were amortized 50% on showing the first run, 28% on showing the second run and 22% on showing the third run. Had we amortized content with an estimated three runs by 60% on the first run, 30% on the second run and 10% on the third run during the first six months of 2012, the program rights amortization charge would have been approximately US$ 3.8 million higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, or US$ 0.05 and US$ 0.05 per basic common share and diluted common share, respectively.