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Benefit Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sep. 30, 2013
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Sep. 30, 2012
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Sep. 30, 2013
plans
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Sep. 30, 2012
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Sep. 30, 2013
Third Parties [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Third Parties [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2013
Third Parties [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2012
Third Parties [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Stock Option [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Stock Option [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2013
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2013
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
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| Benefits Plans (Textual) [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | $ 19,762 | $ 17,492 | $ 49,774 | $ 46,361 | $ 18,860 | $ 16,660 | $ 48,661 | $ 43,350 | $ 902 | $ 1,113 | $ 832 | $ 3,011 | ||||||||
| Stock-based awards expiration term | 10 years | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock conversion to common stock | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock available for future grants | 85,319,000 | 85,319,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of other share-based benefit plans | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Granted, options (in shares) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54,368,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share) | $ 1.48 | $ 1.08 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised | 104,785 | 237,521 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures | 27,313,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted (in dollars per share) | $ 3.58 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total intrinsic value of restricted stock units that vested | 605 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock units granted in period to third parties (in shares) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6,475,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share based payment awards for restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures | 178,345 | 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% | 1.00% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum of employee contributions of pre-tax eligible earnings to Company 401(k) Savings Plan | 50.00% | 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 | $ 944 | $ 3,331 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting percentage of employer contributions for each year of employment | 33.33% | 33.33% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Savings plan, fully vested period | 3 years | |||||||||||||||||||