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
1 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 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
May 31, 2009
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
plan
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Third Parties [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Third Parties [Member]
Sep. 30, 2014
Third Parties [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Third Parties [Member]
Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Sep. 30, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Sep. 30, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Sep. 30, 2014
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Sep. 30, 2014
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Benefits Plans (Textual) [Abstract]                                              
Share-based compensation expense   $ 21,805 $ 19,762 $ 57,832 $ 49,774             $ 19,318 $ 18,860 $ 52,126 $ 48,661 $ 2,487 $ 902 $ 5,706 $ 1,113        
Stock-based awards expiration term 10 years                                            
Restricted stock conversion to common stock 1                                            
Common stock available for future grants   20,896,000   20,896,000                                      
Number of other share-based benefit plans       4                                      
Granted, options (in shares)           0 0 0 0         59,534,000                  
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)                           $ 1.05 $ 1.48                
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised                           62,650 104,785                
Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)                           11,212,077       710,728          
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted (in dollars per share)                                   $ 3.39 $ 3.58        
Total intrinsic value of restricted stock units that vested                                   3,924 605        
Granted, shares                                   5,883,000          
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share based payment awards for restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures                   182,649 164,292                        
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%   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%  
Maximum annual contributions per employee, percent       3.00%                                      
Vesting percentage of employer contributions for each year of employment                                       33.33%   33.33%  
Savings plan, fully vested period                                           3 years  
Contributions by employer                                       $ 1,190 $ 944 $ 4,323 $ 3,331