Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Benefit Plans (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.6
Benefit Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
plans
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
Third Parties [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Third Parties [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Third Parties [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Third Parties [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Benefits Plans (Textual) [Abstract]                                            
Share-based compensation expense $ 13,918 $ 10,735 $ 28,869 $ 22,023         $ 13,047 $ 9,920 $ 26,690 $ 19,897 $ 0 $ 1 $ 0 $ 543     $ 871 $ 814 $ 2,179 $ 1,583
Stock-based awards expiration term     10 years                                      
Common stock available for future grants (in shares) 199,220,000   199,220,000                                      
Number of other share-based benefit plans (in plans)     4                                      
Granted, options (in shares)         0 0 0 0     1,120,000                      
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)                     $ 0.94 $ 1.17                    
Total Intrinsic value of stock options exercised                     107,560 7,393                    
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)                             $ 1.46              
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share based payment awards for restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures                                 $ 103,162 $ 129,983        
Weighted average expected period for recognition of compensation expenses                         3 years   3 years              
Minimum of employee contributions of pre-tax eligible earnings to Company 401(k) Savings Plan                                     1.00%   1.00%  
Maximum of employee contributions of pre-tax eligible earnings to Company 401(k) Savings Plan                                     50.00%   50.00%  
Percentage limit of an employee's pre-tax salary the Company will match in the form fo shares of common stock                                     50% of an employee’s voluntary contributions, up to 6%   50% of an employee’s voluntary contributions, up to 6%  
Vesting percentage of employer contributions for each year of employment                                     33.33%   33.33%  
Savings plan, fully vested period                                     3 years