Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Amount before accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Amount of increase (decrease), classified as other, of an asset representing the future economic benefits from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by business segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	$ 1,441,126	$ 1,462,593	$ 1,054,154	$ 976,090
Accumulated impairment losses	(237,914)	(237,914)	(267,317)	(267,317)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	1,224,679	786,837	708,773
Balance, end of period	1,203,212	1,224,679	786,837
Cracked
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sales of business unit		(29,403)
Goodwill impairment reversal for sale		29,403
WPIX
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sales of business unit	(24,997)
Weathersphere
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sales of business unit	(633)
Local Media
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	1,122,408	1,143,859	708,133	708,133
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914)	(216,914)	(216,914)	(216,914)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	926,945	491,219	491,219
Balance, end of period	905,494	926,945	491,219
Local Media \| Cracked
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sales of business unit		0
Goodwill impairment reversal for sale		0
Local Media \| WPIX
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sales of business unit	(24,997)
Local Media \| Weathersphere
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sales of business unit	(633)
National Media
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	318,718	318,734	346,021	267,957
Accumulated impairment losses	(21,000)	(21,000)	(50,403)	$ (50,403)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	297,734	295,618	217,554
Balance, end of period	297,718	297,734	295,618
National Media \| Cracked
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sales of business unit		(29,403)
Goodwill impairment reversal for sale		29,403
National Media \| WPIX
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sales of business unit	0
National Media \| Weathersphere
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sales of business unit	0
Katz Broadcasting Group
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment			(5,812)
Katz Broadcasting Group \| Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment			0
Katz Broadcasting Group \| National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment			(5,812)
Triton Digital Canada, Inc.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment	(3,200)	(3,220)
Acquisitions			83,876
Triton Digital Canada, Inc. \| Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment		0
Acquisitions			0
Triton Digital Canada, Inc. \| National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment		(3,220)
Acquisitions			$ 83,876
Television Stations
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment	2,500
Acquisitions		435,726
Television Stations \| Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment	2,500
Acquisitions		435,726
Television Stations \| National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment	0
Acquisitions		0
Omny Studio
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment	(16)
Acquisitions		5,336
Omny Studio \| Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment	0
Acquisitions		0
Omny Studio \| National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment	(16)
Acquisitions		$ 5,336
KDCO
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions	1,679
KDCO \| Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions	1,679
KDCO \| National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions	$ 0