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Benefit Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
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 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sep. 30, 2012
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Sep. 30, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2012
plans
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Sep. 30, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2012
Third Parties [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2011
Third Parties [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2012
Third Parties [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2011
Third Parties [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2011
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2011
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2012
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2011
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2012
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2011
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
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| Benefits Plans (Textual) [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | $ 17,492 | $ 13,983 | $ 46,361 | $ 36,006 | $ 16,660 | $ 13,201 | $ 43,350 | $ 33,098 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 543 | $ 832 | $ 782 | $ 3,011 | $ 2,365 | ||||||
| Stock-based awards expiration term | 10 years | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock available for future grants (in shares) | 142,977,000 | 142,977,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of other share-based benefit plans (in plans) | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted, options (in shares) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57,776,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share) | $ 1.08 | $ 1.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested awards outstanding (in shares) | 421,000 | 421,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Intrinsic value of stock options exercised | 237,521 | 10,011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ 1.46 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share based payment awards for restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures | $ 146,028 | $ 129,983 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average expected period for recognition of compensation expenses | 3 years | 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% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 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% | 50% of an employee’s voluntary contributions, up to 6% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting percentage of employer contributions for each year of employment | 33.33% | 33.33% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings plan, fully vested period | 3 years | |||||||||||||||||||||