v2.4.0.6
Debt and Other Obligations (Debt Purchases and Repayments) (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010
Sep. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal Amount           $ 3,426,324,000 [1] $ 2,324,289,000 [2]
Cash Paid           3,541,312,000 [1],[3] 2,411,119,000 [2],[3]
Gains (losses) 0 (71,933,000) 0 (66,434,000) 0 (138,367,000) [1] (91,079,000) [2]
Write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts           23,400,000 4,200,000
2004 Mortgage Loan [Member]
              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal Amount             293,505,000 [4]
Cash Paid             293,716,000 [3],[4]
Gains (losses)             (2,128,000) [4]
2006 Mortgage Loan [Member]
              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal Amount             1,550,000,000 [4]
Cash Paid             1,634,184,000 [3],[4]
Gains (losses)             (85,659,000) [4]
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2005 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal Amount           1,638,616,000 261,384,000
Cash Paid           1,651,255,000 [3] 263,819,000 [3]
Gains (losses)           (15,718,000) (3,292,000)
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2006 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal Amount           1,550,000,000  
Cash Paid           1,629,920,000 [3]  
Gains (losses)           (87,755,000)  
Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes [Member]
              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal Amount           5,000,000 [5]  
Cash Paid           5,250,000 [3],[5]  
Gains (losses)           (393,000) [5]  
Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 9% Senior Notes [Member]
              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal Amount           33,115,000  
Cash Paid           36,116,000 [3]  
Gains (losses)           (6,425,000)  
Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]
              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal Amount           199,593,000 [5]  
Cash Paid           218,771,000 [3],[5]  
Gains (losses)           (28,076,000) [5]  
Variable Rate Revolver [Member]
              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal Amount             219,400,000
Cash Paid             219,400,000 [3]
Gains (losses)             $ 0
[1] Inclusive of $23.4 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts.
[2] Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and other non-cash adjustments.
[3] Exclusive of accrued interest.
[4] Includes purchases and repayments.
[5] These debt purchases were made by CCIC, rather than by the subsidiaries issuing the debt, because of restrictions upon the subsidiaries issuing the debt; as a result, the debt remains outstanding at the Company's subsidiaries.