v2.4.0.6
Income Taxes Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]    
Net operating loss carryforward $ 604,402,000 $ 361,617,000
Deferred revenue 17,065,000 19,050,000
Allowance for uncollectible accounts 0 1,154,000
Deferred rent 38,963,000 33,420,000
Deferred compensation 57,594,000 56,157,000
Asset retirement obligation 6,479,000 4,770,000
Credit carryforwards 18,081,000 12,747,000
Other comprehensive loss 7,493,000 3,171,000
Capital loss limitation 7,388,000 7,410,000
Transaction taxes 3,896,000 5,498,000
Unrealized loss on investments 39,751,000 39,871,000
Other deferred tax assets 13,126,000 14,779,000
Gross deferred tax assets 814,238,000 559,644,000
Valuation allowance (47,810,000) (47,158,000)
Total deferred tax assets, net 766,428,000 512,486,000
Depreciation (1,030,016,000) (655,566,000)
Deferred costs (28,976,000) (32,332,000)
FCC licenses (370,082,000) (326,954,000)
Partnership interest (142,439,000) (130,679,000)
Other deferred tax liabilities (4,807,000) (3,723,000)
Deferred tax liabilities (1,576,320,000) (1,149,254,000)
Net deferred tax liability (809,892,000) (636,768,000)
Current deferred tax asset 7,214,000 6,290,000
Non-current deferred tax liability (817,106,000) (643,058,000)
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards 100,000  
Valuation allowance, amount 47,800,000 47,200,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
    
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]    
Current federal income tax liability 0  
Operating loss carryforwards 1,700,000,000 133,100,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
    
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]    
Operating loss carryforwards $ 344,600,000 $ 87,300,000