Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Business & Basis of Presentation (Details)

v3.8.0.1
Business & Basis of Presentation (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Sep. 22, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
segment
satellite_radio_system
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]        
Number of satellite radio systems | satellite_radio_system   2    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]        
Investment in convertible preferred stock   $ 612,465 $ 0 $ 0
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]        
Number of reportable segments | segment   1    
Pandora | Investee        
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]        
Investment in convertible preferred stock $ 480,000 $ 480,000    
Liberty Media | Common Stock | Management        
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]        
Related party ownership percentage   70.00%    
Minimum        
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]        
Length of prepaid subscriptions, term   3 months    
Maximum        
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]        
Length of prepaid subscriptions, term   12 months