Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.8
Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2012
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2013
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2012
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2013
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2013
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2009
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2013
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
directors
Jun. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Jan. 31, 2013
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Mar. 31, 2009
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
Jan. 31, 2013
Liberty Media [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Liberty Media [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Mar. 31, 2009
Liberty Media [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2012
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2013
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2012
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2005
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Jul. 31, 2008
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2013
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
8% Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures [Member]
CAD
Jun. 30, 2013
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Related Party Class A Stock [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Quarterly Dividend [Member]
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2013
Quarterly Dividend [Member]
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Related Party Class A Stock [Member]
CAD
Apr. 30, 2013
Quarterly Dividend [Member]
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Related Party Class B Stock [Member]
CAD
Related Party Transactions (Textual) [Abstract]                                                                
Maximum borrowing capacity from related party                   $ 530,000                                            
Preferred stock, shares issued           0 6,250,100                 12,500,000                                
Preferred stock Series B, liquidation preference           $ 0.001 $ 0.001                 $ 0.001                                
Converted preferred stock, percent of outstanding shares of common stock                                       40.00%                        
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock (in shares)           6,250,100               6,250,100 6,249,900   1,293,509,076 1,293,467,684                            
Purchase of additional common stock                                 50,000,000                              
Related party ownership percentage (greater than 50%)                                     50.00%                          
Number of related party members on the board of directors                     4                                          
Related party current liabilities 7,927   7,927   6,756     3,981     3,981   3,980               3,946   3,946     2,776            
Interest expense associated with debt 49,728 72,770 95,902 149,742       4,682 9,024   9,359 18,018                                        
Sirius XM Canada Class A shares owned on a converted basis (in shares)                                                         46,700,000      
Economic interest related parties                                         37.70%   37.70%                  
Voting interest                                         25.00%   25.00%                  
Face value of 8% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures (in CAD)                                                       4,000        
Interest rate on instrument                                                       8.00%        
Dividends declared (in CAD per share)                                                             0.0825 0.0275
Dividend received, amount     13,217 0                                                   3,730    
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          
The Company's share of related party net income (loss)     1,382 (3,469)                                 401 (1,576) 2,109 (3,221)                
Amortization expense related to equity method intangible assets $ 12,345 $ 13,651 $ 24,936 $ 27,577                                 $ 364 $ 421 $ 727 $ 248