Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Benefit Plans (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.8
Benefit Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
plans
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2014
Third Parties [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Third Parties [Member]
Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Mar. 31, 2014
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Benefits Plans (Textual) [Abstract]                        
Share-based compensation expense $ 18,240 $ 14,518         $ 16,615 $ 14,518 $ 1,625      
Stock-based awards expiration term 10 years                      
Restricted stock conversion to common stock 1                      
Common stock available for future grants 78,552,000                      
Number of other share-based benefit plans 4                      
Granted, options (in shares)     0 0     4,614,000          
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)             $ 1.08          
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised             11,528 13,616        
Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)             2,070,816          
Total intrinsic value of restricted stock units that vested                 0 605    
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted (in dollars per share)                 $ 3.70      
Granted, shares     0 0         270,000      
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share based payment awards for restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures         152,199 164,292            
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%  
Maximum annual contributions per employee, percent 3.00%                      
Vesting percentage of employer contributions for each year of employment                     33.33%  
Savings plan, fully vested period                     3 years  
Contributions by employer                     $ 1,879 $ 1,419