v2.4.0.8
Stock-based Compensation (Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefits $ 14,500,000 $ 14,700,000 $ 11,400,000
Stock-based compensation expense 41,788,000 47,541,000 35,991,000
CCUSA [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 39,030,000 41,944,000 32,610,000
CCAL [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 2,758,000 5,597,000 3,381,000
Site Rental Cost of Operations [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 1,193,000 3,401,000 942,000
Site Rental Cost of Operations [Member] | CCUSA [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 1,193,000 3,401,000 942,000
Site Rental Cost of Operations [Member] | CCAL [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 0 0 0
Network Services and Other Costs of Operations [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 1,799,000 2,721,000 1,555,000
Network Services and Other Costs of Operations [Member] | CCUSA [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 1,799,000 2,721,000 1,555,000
Network Services and Other Costs of Operations [Member] | CCAL [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 0 0 0
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 38,796,000 41,419,000 33,494,000
General and Administrative Expense [Member] | CCUSA [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 36,038,000 35,822,000 30,113,000
General and Administrative Expense [Member] | CCAL [Member]
      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense $ 2,758,000 $ 5,597,000 $ 3,381,000