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Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sep. 30, 2012
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2011
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2011
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2011
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2011
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2011
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
|
Mar. 31, 2009
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2011
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2011
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
CAD
|
Dec. 31, 2011
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
8% Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2012
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2011
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Jun. 21, 2011
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2011
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2005
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2012
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2011
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Jun. 21, 2011
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Jun. 21, 2011
XM Canada [Member]
CAD
|
Jul. 31, 2008
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
|
Oct. 25, 2012
Common Stock [Member]
Liberty Media [Member]
|
|
| Related Party Transactions (Textual) [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) | 6,250,100 | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of preferred stock to common stock (in shares) | (6,249,900) | (6,249,900) | 1,293,467,684 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common shares owned by related party (in shares) | 1,904,291,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ 70,035 | $ 75,316 | $ 219,777 | $ 229,730 | $ 8,242 | $ 8,934 | $ 26,260 | $ 26,718 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A shares received from Sirius XM Canada (in shares) | 46,700,000 | 46,700,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Economic interest related parties | 38.00% | 38.00% | 49.00% | 21.50% | 21.50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Voting interest | 25.00% | 25.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non interest bearing note issued by CSR | 410 | 410 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Face value of 8% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures (in CAD) | 4,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate on instrument | 8.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related party current liabilities | 12,988 | 12,988 | 14,302 | 8,408 | 8,408 | 9,722 | 4,580 | 4,580 | 4,580 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying values of the host contract | 3,747 | 3,747 | 3,490 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying values of embedded derivative related to investment in debentures | 16 | 16 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment balance | 42,107 | 42,107 | 45,061 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment, equity method goodwill and intangible assets | 27,978 | 27,978 | 28,589 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts due for chip sets and other services | 5,046 | 5,046 | 7,404 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred programming costs and accrued interest attributable to Related party | 6,162 | 6,162 | 7,280 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred programming costs and accrued interest due from related parties reported as Related party long-term assets | 2,987 | 2,987 | 4,780 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other related party current liability | 1,804 | 1,804 | 1,804 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Company's share or related party net income (loss) | (182) | (4,214) | (3,403) | (4,214) | (9,717) | (6,045) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense related to equity method intangible assets | 13,198 | 14,570 | 40,775 | 44,833 | 363 | 611 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royalty percentage of gross revenue minimum | 5.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royalty percentage of gross revenue maximum | 15.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs that have been or will be reimbursed by Sirius Canada | 5,253 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment received from related party in excess of carrying value | 6,748 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Initial agreement period with XM Canada | 10 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of additional years XM Canada has to extend the agreements under unilateral option | 5 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royalty for all subscriber fees earned by related party | 15.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligation of XM Canada to pay us for the rights to broadcast and market National Hockey League games | 70,300 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term of obligation of XM Canada for the rights to broadcast and market the National Hockey League | 10 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated fair value of deferred revenue from XM Canada | 34,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying value of deferred revenue | 158,223 | 158,223 | 198,135 | 22,436 | 24,517 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit facility extended to XM Canada (in CAD) | 45,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount received as settlement for the standby credit facility | 38,815 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Valuation allowance related to absorption of our share of net loss from our investment in XM Canada | $ 15,649 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||