Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.6
Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
attorneys
Satellites
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]  
Agreement term to repurchase certain products shipped to distributor from date of shipment 90 days
Number of owned satellites 9
Accrual related to contingent performance payments for XM-3 and XM-4 $ 27,613
Operating lease term, minimum 1 year
Operating lease term, maximum 15 years
Number of state attorneys general 32
FM-5, XM-5, XM-4 and XM-3 [Member]
  
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]  
Operating performance over design life 15 years
XM-4 [Member]
  
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]  
Additional payments required if XM-4 continues to operate above baseline specifications 10,000
Period beyond expected operating performance of design life for XM-4 5 years
SIRIUS FM-5 [Member]
  
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]  
Accrual related to contingent performance 8,120
XM-5 [Member]
  
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]  
Accrual related to contingent performance $ 21,820
Boeing Satellite Systems International [Member]
  
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]  
Number of owned satellites 4
Space Systems/Loral [Member]
  
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]  
Number of owned satellites 5
In-Orbit Satellite [Member] | Boeing Satellite Systems International [Member]
  
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]  
Number of owned satellites 4
Number of satellites entitled to future in-orbit performance payments 2