Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Intersegment Eliminations Intersegment Eliminations [Member] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Wireless Wireless [Member] The Wireless segment provides digital wireless service to a portion of a four-state area covering the region from Harrisburg, York and Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Harrisonburg, Virginia, as a Sprint PCS Affiliate of Sprint Nextel. This segment also owns cell site towers built on leased land, and leases space on these towers to both affiliates and non-affiliated service providers. Cable Cable [Member] The Cable segment provides video, internet and voice services in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. It includes the operations acquired from Jet Broadband, LLC, since July 30, 2010, and the operations acquired from Sudden link since November 30, 2010. Wireline Wireline [Member] The Wireline segment provides regulated and unregulated voice services, dial-up and DSL internet access, and long distance access services throughout Shenandoah County and portions of northwestern Augusta County, Virginia, and leases fiber optic facilities throughout the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, northern Virginia and adjacent areas along the Interstate 81 corridor, including portions of West Virginia and Maryland. Other Other Segments [Member] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] External revenues [Abstract] External revenues [Abstract] Service revenues Sales Revenue, Services, Net Equipment revenues Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Equipment revenues Other Revenue, Net Total operating revenues Revenue, Net Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Costs of services Cost of Goods and Services Sold Cost of goods sold Cost of Goods Sold Selling, general & administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense Acquisition, integration & migration expenses Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs Depreciation & amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Operating income (loss) Operating Income (Loss) Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Awards excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Shares of Common Stock (no par value) Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Beginning balance (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Beginning balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Change in accounting principle - adoption of accounting standard (Note 2) Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax of $1.1 million Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive income (loss), tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Stock based compensation (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock based compensation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock options exercised (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Stock options exercised Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Common stock issued (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Common stock issued Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Shares retired for settlement of employee taxes upon issuance of vested equity awards (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross Shares retired for settlement of employee taxes upon issuance of vested equity awards Adjustments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos (in shares) Business Acquisition Noncontrolling Interest Issued Or Issuable Shares Assigned Number of shares (such as common shares, preferred shares, or partnership interest) issued or issuable to acquire the entity attributable to noncontrolling interests. Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos Business Acquisition Equity Interest Issued or Issuable to Noncontrolling, Value Assigned Value of noncontrolling interests (such as common shares, preferred shares, or partnership interest) issued or issuable to acquire the entity. Ending balance (in shares) Ending balance Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation Depreciation Amortization reflected as operating expense Amortization Reflected as Operating Expense The aggregate amount of recurring noncash operating expense charged against earnings in the period to allocate the cost of assets over their estimated remaining economic lives. Amortization reflected as rent expense Amortization Reflected as Rent Expense Amortization Reflected as Rent Expense Bad debt expense Provision for Doubtful Accounts Stock based compensation expense, net of amount capitalized Share-based Compensation Waived Management Fee Management Fee, Amount Waived Management Fee, Amount Waived Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits Net (gain) loss on disposal of equipment Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment (Gain) loss on investments Gain (Loss) on Investments Net (gain) loss from patronage and equity investments Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Amortization of long-term debt issuance costs Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs Accrued interest on long-term debt Non-cash Adjustment, Accrued Interest Non-cash Adjustment, Accrued Interest Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Inventory, net Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Income taxes receivable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable Deferred lease Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Liabilities Other deferrals and accruals Increase (Decrease) in Other Accrued Liabilities Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Acquisition of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds from Sale of Machinery and Equipment Cash distributions (contributions) from investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Investments Sprint expansion Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash Flows From Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Principal payments on long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Amounts borrowed under debt agreements Proceeds from (Repayments of) Long-term Debt and Capital Securities Proceeds from revolving credit facility borrowings Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit Principal payments on revolving credit facility Repayments of Long-term Lines of Credit Taxes paid for equity award issuances Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Proceeds from issuance of common stock Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Excluding Stock Options Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash payments for: Cash payments for: [Abstract] Interest, net of capitalized interest of $309 and $577, respectively Interest Paid, Net Income taxes paid, net of refunds received Income Taxes Paid, Net Capital expenditures payable Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Deferred charges and other assets, net Deferred Charges and Other Assets, Net [Member] Line item in the statement of financial position in which the fair value amounts of the derivative instruments are included. Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Interest rate swap Interest Rate Swap [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Interest rate swaps Derivative Asset Deferred contract and other costs Deferred Contract and Other Costs, Non-Current Deferred Contract and Other Costs, Non-Current Deferred charges and other assets, net Deferred Costs, Noncurrent Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Investments carried at fair value Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Common stock, par value (in usd per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Wireless Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill beginning balance Goodwill Goodwill ending balance Business Combinations [Abstract] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Operating Segments Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Domain] Products and Services [Domain] Wireless service Wireless Service [Member] Wireless Service [Member] Wireless equipment Wireless Equipment [Member] Wireless Equipment [Member] Business, residential and enterprise Business, Residential, Enterprise [Member] Business, Residential, Enterprise [Member] Tower Tower [Member] Tower [Member] Other Other [Member] Other [Member] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Revenue from contract with customer Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Selected Financial Data for Segments Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Prepaid rent Prepaid Rent Prepaid maintenance expenses Prepaid Maintenance Expense, Current Prepaid Maintenance Expense, Current Derivative Asset, Current Derivative Asset, Current Deferred contract and other costs Deferred Contract and Other Costs, Current Deferred Contract and Other Costs, Current Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Document Type Document Type Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Cable franchise rights Franchise Rights [Member] Railroad crossing rights Railroad Crossing Rights [Member] Railroad Crossing Rights [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Affiliate Contract Expansion Affiliate Contract Expansion - Wireless [Member] Affiliate Contract Expansion - Wireless [Member] Favorable leases - wireless Favorable Leases Wireless [Member] Refers to favorable leases wireless. Acquired subscribers - cable Acquired Subscribers Cable [Member] Refers to acquired subscribers cable. Other intangibles Other Intangible Assets [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Non-amortizing intangibles: Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Gross Carrying Amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Accumulated Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Total intangible assets, gross Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Waived management fees under affiliate agreement Waived Management Fees Under Affiliate Agreement Waived Management Fees Under Affiliate Agreement Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Option to acquire tangible assets Option to Acquire Intangible Assets [Member] Option to Acquire Intangible Assets [Member] Off-market leases - favorable Off-market leases - unfavorable Unfavorable Leases Wireless [Member] Unfavorable Leases Wireless [Member] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Maximum Maximum [Member] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] One-time payment for expansion of service area One-time Payment for Expansion of Service Area One-time Payment for Expansion of Service Area One-time payment for expansion of service area, additional payment One-time Payment for Expansion of Service Area, Additional Payment One-time Payment for Expansion of Service Area, Additional Payment Estimated useful life, finite lived intangible assets Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Finite-lived intangible assets New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Table] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Table] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Cost of Goods and Services Sold Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Member] Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Member] Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] Enterprise Enterprise [Member] Enterprise [Member] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] Percentage of consolidated revenue Concentration Risk, Percentage Management fee, percentage Management Fee, Percent Fee Postpaid wireless service fee as a deduction from gross revenues. Service fee retained by Sprint Net Service Fee, Percent Fee Post paid service fee percentage retained by Sprint. Management fee on prepaid wireless revenues and costs Management Fee Retained, Percent Fee Prepaid wireless service fee percentage retained by Sprint. Reimbursement payments, cost of equipment and commissions Reimbursement Payments, Cost of Equipment and Commissions Reimbursement Payments, Cost of Equipment and Commissions Wireless contract asset balance Contract with Customer, Asset, Net Payments to increase wireless contract asset balance Contract with Customer, Assets, Payments Contract with Customer, Assets, Payments Amortization to reduce revenue Contract with Customer, Reduction in Revenue, Amortization Contract with Customer, Reduction in Revenue, Amortization Revenue recorded from equipment financing transactions Revenues, Equipment Financing Transactions Revenues, Equipment Financing Transactions Installation revenue, recognition period Revenue Recognition, Period Revenue Recognition, Period Estimated customer life (in months) Useful Life, Customer Useful Life, Customer Commissions and other costs, recognition period (in months) Revenue, Commissions and Other Costs, Recognition Period Revenue, Commissions and Other Costs, Recognition Period Cost to fulfill contract Capitalized Contract Cost, Gross Amortization of capitalized costs to fulfill contracts Capitalized Contract Cost, Accumulated Amortization Impairment loss recognized, capitalized cost to fulfill contracts Capitalized Contract Cost, Accumulated Impairment Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Balance, beginning of period Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value Option to acquire tangible assets Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases Balance, end of period Option to acquire tangible asset, period exercisable Option to Acquire Tangible Asset, Expiration Period Option to Acquire Tangible Asset, Expiration Period Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Fair Value Hierarchy, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Significant Contractual Relationship [Abstract] Customer Concentration Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block] Calculation of net income (loss) per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic income (loss) per share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Effect of stock options outstanding: Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Effect from dilutive shares and options outstanding (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Diluted weighted average shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Non-current portion of deferred revenues Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Other Other Accrued Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Table] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Table] Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Axis] Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Axis] Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Domain] Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Domain] Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Assets [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Prepaid expenses and other Deferred charges and other assets, net Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities [Abstract] Advanced billings and customer deposits Customer Advances and Deposits, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Other long-term liabilities Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Operating revenues Cost of services Cost of Services Selling, general and administrative Schedule of Other Current Assets Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block] Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Table Text Block] Summary of Accrued Liabilities and Other Other Current Liabilities [Table Text Block] Summary of Other Liabilities Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Table Text Block] Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Schedule of Intangible Assets Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of long term debt Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Financial covenants in credit agreements Financial Covenants In Credit Agreements [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of financial covenants in credit agreements. Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Term loan A-1 Term loan A-1 [Member] Loan from a bank/financial institution for a specific amount that has a specified repayment schedule and a fixed/floating interest rate. Term loan A-2 Term loan A-2 [Member] Loan from a bank/financial institution for a specific amount that has a specified repayment schedule and a fixed/floating interest rate. Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Long-term debt Long-term Debt Less: unamortized loan fees Unamortized Loan Fees, Net Represents the net unamortized loan fees. Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees Amount after unamortized loan fees of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Current maturities of long term debt, net of unamortized loan fees Current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees Amount, after unamortized loan fees classified as current. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees Long-term debt, net of unamortized loan fees Amount after unamortized loan fees of long-term debt classified as noncurrent and excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Domain] London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] Minimum Minimum [Member] Unamortized loan fees Effective interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Variable interest rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Periodic payment of principal Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal Debt instrument, Principal Balance of Term Loans Outstanding, Hedged, Percentage Debt instrument, Principal Balance of Term Loans Outstanding, Hedged, Percentage Debt instrument, Principal Balance of Term Loans Outstanding, Hedged, Percentage Periodic payment principal, period two Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Principal, Period Two Amount of the required periodic payments applied to principal period two. Periodic payment principal, period three Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Principal, Period Three Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Principal, Period Three Fixed rate to pay Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate Leverage ratio one Leverage Ratio One Represents total leverage ratio. Leverage ratio two Leverage Ratio Two Represents total leverage ratio. Leverage ratio three Leverage Ratio Three Represents total leverage ratio. Debt service coverage ratio, actual Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Actual Represents actual debt service coverage ratio. Debt instrument covenants minimum liquidity amount Debt Instrument Covenants Minimum Liquidity Amount Represents the minimum liquidity balance, defined as availability under the revolver facility plus unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on deposit in a deposit account for which a control agreement has been delivered to the administrative agent. Reduction in interest rate paid, in basis points Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage Credit facility modification, charitable contributions Line of Credit, Charitable Contributions Allowed Under Credit Agreement Line of Credit, Charitable Contributions Allowed Under Credit Agreement ASSETS Current Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Income taxes receivable Income Taxes Receivable, Current Inventory, net Inventory, Net Total current assets Assets, Current Investments, including $3,268 and $3,279 carried at fair value Long-term Investments Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other Assets: Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Intangible assets, net Goodwill Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current maturities of long-term debt, net of unamortized loan fees Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued compensation Accrued Salaries, Current Accrued liabilities and other Accrued Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Other Long-Term Liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Deferred income taxes Deferred lease Deferred Rent Credit Asset retirement obligations Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent Retirement plan obligations Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent Other liabilities Total other long-term liabilities Liabilities, Other than Long-term Debt, Noncurrent Shareholders’ Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Sales and property taxes payable Taxes Payable, Current Severance accrual Accrued Severance, Current Accrued Severance, Current Asset retirement obligations Asset Retirement Obligation, Current Accrued programming costs Accrued Programming Costs, Current Accrued Programming Costs, Current Other current liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued liabilities and other Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] Service revenues and other Sales Revenue, Services and Other, Net Sales Revenue, Services and Other, Net Acquisition, integration and migration expenses Depreciation and amortization Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest expense Interest Expense Gain (loss) on investments, net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Non-operating income (loss), net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income (loss) before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Income tax expense (benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedge, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Earnings (loss) per share: Basic (in dollars per share) Diluted (in dollars per share) Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares) Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares) Revenue Recognition Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Reconciliation of income from continuing operations from segments to consolidated [Abstract] Total consolidated operating income (loss) Interest expense Non-operating income, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Net The aggregate amount of income or expense from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business). Earnings (Loss) per share (EPS) Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Other cash flow information: Other Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Capitalized interest Interest Paid, Capitalized Long-Term Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Leverage ratio, actual Leverage Ratio, Actual Represents actual leverage ratio. Covenant requirement, total leverage ratio Ratio of Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio of indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Minimum debt service coverage ratio Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio Ratio of EBITDA divided by sum of all scheduled principal payments on Term Loans and regularly scheduled principal payments on other indebtedness plus cash interest. Covenant, liquidity balance, actual Debt Instrument, Covenant, Liquidity Balance, Actual Debt Instrument, Covenant, Liquidity Balance, Actual Acquisitions Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Money Market Funds Money Market Funds [Member] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Money market funds Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Interest rate swaps Finite-lived intangible assets Total Assets Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] Remaining performance obligations Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation Remaining performance obligations, period Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Plant in service Other Plant in Service [Member] Plant under construction Asset under Construction [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, plant and equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract] Total property, plant and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Less accumulated amortization and depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Net property, plant and equipment