Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Benefits Plans (Details Textuals)

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Benefits Plans (Details Textuals) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Sirius XM Savings Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Restricted Stock Units RSU and Stock Options [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Profit Sharing [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Profit Sharing [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Profit Sharing [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Profit Sharing [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Third Parties [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Third Parties [Member]
Jun. 30, 2011
Third Parties [Member]
Jun. 30, 2010
Third Parties [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]                                                      
Share-based compensation expense $ 10,735 $ 15,682 $ 22,023 $ 31,223 $ 9,920 $ 10,254 $ 19,897 $ 20,780 $ 814 $ 718 $ 1,583 $ 1,925   $ 1 $ 2,116 $ 543 $ 4,674     $ 0 $ 2,594 $ 0 $ 3,844        
Common stock available for future grants                         271,986,000                            
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted             $ 1.17 $ 0.47                                      
Granted, options             719,000                                 0 0 0 0
Total Intrinsic value of stock options exercised             7,393 221                                      
Total intrinsic value of restricted stock and restricted stock units that vested                               $ 3,178,000 $ 3,885,000                    
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share based payment awards for restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures                                   $ 84,971 $ 108,170                
Weighted average expected period for recognition of compensation expenses                                   3 years                  
Percentage limit of an employee's pre-tax salary the Company will match in the form of shares of common stock                 50% of employees voluntary contributions, up to 6%   50% of employees voluntary contributions, up to 6%                                
Limit of employee contributions of pre-tax eligible earnings to Company 401(k) Savings Plan                 50.00%   50.00%                                
Minimum of employee contributions of pre-tax eligible earnings to Company 401(k) Savings Plan                 1.00%   1.00%                                
Vesting percentage of Employer contributions for each year of employment                 33.33%   33.33%                                
Percentage of weighting of observable historical volatility in 2010   100.00%   100.00%