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 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
plans
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2013
Third Parties [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Third Parties [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Director [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Director [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Benefits Plans (Textual) [Abstract]                          
Share-based compensation expense $ 14,518 $ 14,951     $ 14,518 $ 13,643             $ 1,308
Stock-based awards expiration term 10 years                        
Restricted stock conversion to common stock 1                        
Common stock available for future grants 144,184,000                        
Number of other share-based benefit plans 4                        
Granted, options (in shares)     0 0 0   0 0          
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted           $ 1.02              
Total Intrinsic value of stock options exercised         13,616                
Total intrinsic value of restricted stock units that vested                 605        
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share based payment awards for restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures                   114,074 129,010    
Weighted average expected period for recognition of compensation expenses                 3 years        
Minimum of employee contributions of pre-tax eligible earnings to Company 401(k) Savings Plan                       1.00%  
Maximum of employee contributions of pre-tax eligible earnings to Company 401(k) Savings Plan                       50.00%  
Percent of Company match of employee's voluntary contributions                       50.00%  
Percent of employee's pre-tax salary                       6.00%  
Contributions by employer                       $ 1,419  
Vesting percentage of employer contributions for each year of employment                       33.33%  
Savings plan, fully vested period                       3 years