Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Benefits Plans (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.6
Benefits Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
plans
Year
Mar. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Employees and Members of the Board of Directors [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Mar. 31, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Mar. 31, 2011
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Mar. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Third Parties [Member]
Mar. 31, 2011
Third Parties [Member]
Benefits Plans (Textual) [Abstract]                          
Share-based compensation expense $ 14,951 $ 11,288   $ 13,643 $ 9,977 $ 1,308 $ 769 $ 0 $ 542        
Stock-based awards expiration term (in years) 10 years                        
Common stock available for future grants (in shares) 199,061,000                        
Number of other share-based benefit plans (in plans) 4                        
Granted, options (in shares)     0 275,000               0 0
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)       $ 1.02                  
Total Intrinsic value of stock options exercised       52,274 2,099                
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted (in dollars per share)   $ 0           $ 0.00          
Total intrinsic value of restricted stock and restricted stock units that vested               0 3,085        
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share based payment awards for restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures                   $ 115,786 $ 129,983    
Weighted average expected period for recognition of compensation expenses (in years)               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%              
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%              
Vesting percentage of Employer contributions for each year of employment           33.33%              
Defined Contribution Plan, Fully vested period (in years) 3