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Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2011
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2010
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
|
Mar. 31, 2009
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
CAD
|
Jun. 21, 2011
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
8% Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2010
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Jun. 21, 2011
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2010
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2005
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Jun. 21, 2011
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Jun. 21, 2011
XM Canada [Member]
CAD
|
Jul. 31, 2008
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Nov. 30, 2012
Special Cash Dividend [Member]
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Related Party Class A Stock [Member]
CAD
|
Nov. 30, 2012
Special Cash Dividend [Member]
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Related Party Class B Stock [Member]
CAD
|
Nov. 30, 2012
Quarterly Dividend [Member]
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Related Party Class A Stock [Member]
CAD
|
Nov. 30, 2012
Quarterly Dividend [Member]
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Related Party Class B Stock [Member]
CAD
|
||||||
| Related Party Transactions (Textual) [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, shares issued | 6,250,100 | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock Series B, liquidation preference | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of preferred stock to common stock (in shares) | (6,249,900) | 6,249,900 | 1,293,467,684 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related party current liabilities | $ 6,756 | $ 14,302 | $ 3,980 | $ 9,722 | $ 2,776 | $ 2,776 | $ 4,580 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense associated with debt | 265,321 | 304,938 | 295,643 | 30,931 | 35,681 | 40,169 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A shares received from Sirius XM Canada (in shares) | 46,700,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Economic interest related parties | 37.90% | 37.90% | 49.00% | 21.50% | 21.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Voting interest | 25.00% | 25.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregate principal amount issued | 211,000 | 337,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Face value of 8% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures (in CAD) | 4,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate on instrument | 8.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment balance | 37,983 | [1] | 37,983 | [1] | 45,061 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment, equity method goodwill and intangible assets | 27,615 | 27,615 | 28,589 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends received (in CAD per share) | 0.0825 | 0.0275 | 0.0825 | 0.0275 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend received, amount | 1,185 | 0 | 0 | 1,185 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends receivable | 6,176 | 6,176 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Company's share or related party net income (loss) | 554 | 1,081 | (9,717) | (10,257) | (6,045) | (12,147) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense related to equity method intangible assets | 53,620 | 59,050 | 66,324 | 974 | 1,556 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royalty percentage of gross revenue minimum | 5.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royalty percentage of gross revenue maximum | 15.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs that have been or will be reimbursed by Sirius Canada | 5,253 | 12,185 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment received from related party in excess of carrying value | 6,748 | 10,281 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Initial agreement period with XM Canada | 10 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of additional years XM Canada has to extend the agreements under unilateral option | 5 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royalty for all subscriber fees earned by related party | 15.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligation of XM Canada to pay us for the rights to broadcast and market National Hockey League games | 70,300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term of obligation of XM Canada for the rights to broadcast and market the National Hockey League | 10 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated fair value of deferred revenue from XM Canada | 34,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying value of deferred revenue | 159,501 | 198,135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit facility extended to XM Canada (in CAD) | 45,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount received as settlement for the standby credit facility | 38,815 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Valuation allowance related to absorption of our share of net loss from our investment in XM Canada | $ 15,649 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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