v2.4.0.6
INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]      
Schedule of the changes in broadcasting license
  Broadcasting Licenses
  Carrying Amount
  2011 2010 2009
  (amounts in thousands)
          
Beginning of period balance as of January 1, $ 707,852 $ 707,852 $ 768,646
Impairment loss  0  0  (60,794)
Acquisition (Note ##AcqN)  8,050  0  0
Ending period balance as of December 31, $ 715,902 $ 707,852 $ 707,852
   
Schedule of assumptions and estimates for broadcasting licences impairment testing
 Estimates And Assumptions
 Second Second
 Quarter Quarter
 2011 2010
Discount rate10.0% 10.0%
Operating profit margin ranges expected for average stations in the same markets where the Company operates19.5% to 41.5% 21.0% to 42.5%
Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company's markets 1.5% to 2.0% 1.5% to 2.0%
 Estimates And Assumptions
 Second Second
 Quarter Quarter
 2010 2009
Discount rate10.0% 10.6%
Operating profit margin ranges expected for average stations in the same markets where the Company operates21.0% to 42.5% 21.0% to 44.0%
Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company's markets 1.5% to 2.0% 1.0% to 2.5%
 Estimates And Assumptions
 Second Fourth
 Quarter Quarter
 2009 2008
Discount rate10.6% 10.6%
Operating profit margin ranges expected for average stations in the same markets where the Company operates21.0% to 44.0% 21.0% to 46.7%
Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company's markets 1.0% to 2.5% 1.0% to 2.0%
Schedule of changes in goodwill
   Goodwill Carrying Amount
   2011 2010 2009
   (amounts in thousands)
Goodwill balance before cumulative loss        
on impairment as of January 1,$163,783 $163,783 $163,783
Accumulated loss on impairment as of January 1, (125,615)  (125,615)  (118,733)
Goodwill beginning balance after cumulative loss        
on impairment as of January 1, 38,168  38,168  45,050
Loss on impairment during year 0  0  (6,882)
Acquisition (Note ##AcqN) 723  0  0
Goodwill ending balance as of December 31,$38,891 $38,168 $38,168
           
Goodwill balance before cumulative loss        
on impairment as of December 31,$164,506 $163,783 $163,783
Accumulated loss on impairment as of December 31, (125,615)  (125,615)  (125,615)
Goodwill ending balance as of December 31,$38,891 $38,168 $38,168
   
Schedule of assumptions and estimates for goodwill impairment testing
 Estimates And Assumptions
 Second Second
 Quarter Quarter
 2011 2010
Discount rate10.0% 10.0%
Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company's markets 1.5% to 2.0% 1.5% to 2.0%
Market multiple used in step one of the market valuation approach7.5x to 8.0x 7.5x to 8.0x
 Estimates And Assumptions
 Second Second
 Quarter Quarter
 2010 2009
Discount rate10.0% 10.6%
Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company's markets 1.5% to 2.0% 1.0% to 2.5%
Market multiple used in step one of the market valuation approach7.5x to 8.0x 6.0x
 Estimates And Assumptions
 Second Fourth
 Quarter Quarter
 2009 2008
Discount rate10.6% 10.6%
Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company's markets 1.0% to 2.5% 1.0% to 2.0%
Market multiple used in step one of the market valuation approach6.0x 6.0x