Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)
Sep. 30, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Level 2 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Level 2 [Member]
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Level 1 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Level 1 [Member]
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Level 3 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
Level 3 [Member]
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Current Liabilities [Member]
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Current Liabilities [Member]
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Current Liabilities [Member]
Liberty Media [Member]
Level 2 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Current Liabilities [Member]
Liberty Media [Member]
Level 2 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
8% Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
CAD
Assets                              
Investment balance, fair value         $ 303,500,000 [1] $ 432,200,000 [1] $ 303,500,000 [1] $ 432,200,000 [1]              
Fair value of host contract of debenture         0 [2] 3,641,000 [2]     0 [2] 3,641,000 [2]          
Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Related to Investment in Debenture, Current         0 [2] 57,000 [2]     0 [2] 57,000 [2]          
Liabilities                              
Debt, fair value 5,270,623,000 [3] 4,066,755,000 [3] 5,270,623,000 [3] 4,066,755,000 [3]                      
Derivatives asset (liability), fair value                     0 [4] 15,702,000 [4] 0 [4] 15,702,000 [4]  
Investment balance, carrying value         1,292,000 26,972,000                  
Investment in related party debt                             4,000,000
Interest rate on instrument                             8.00%
[1] This amount approximates fair value. The carrying value of our investment in Sirius XM Canada was $1,292 and $26,972 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
[2] As of December 31, 2013, we held an investment in CAD $4,000 face value of 8% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures issued by Sirius XM Canada for which the embedded conversion feature was bifurcated from the host contract. Sirius XM Canada redeemed and converted the debentures during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
[3] The fair value for non-publicly traded instruments is based upon estimates from a market maker and brokerage firm. Refer to Note 13 for information related to the carrying value of our debt as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
[4] The final installment under the share repurchase agreement with Liberty Media was settled on April 25, 2014. The fair value of the derivative associated with the share repurchase agreement was determined using observable inputs, including the U.S. spot LIBOR curve and other available market data and was recorded in our unaudited consolidated balance sheets in Related party current liabilities, with changes in fair value recorded to our unaudited statements of comprehensive income