Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.6
Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
Liberty Media [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2009
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
CAD
Dec. 31, 2011
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 21, 2011
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
SIRIUS XM Canada [Member]
8% Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
Mar. 31, 2011
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 21, 2011
SIRIUS Canada [Member]
Mar. 31, 2011
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2005
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
XM Canada [Member]
USD ($)
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 ($)
Related Party Transactions (Textual) [Abstract]                                                
Issuance of Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (in shares)       12,500,000 12,500,000       12,500,000                              
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)       $ 0.001 $ 0.001       $ 0.001                              
Number of shares of common stock into which Series B Preferred Stock is convertible (in shares)                 2,586,976,000                              
Accrued interest with Liberty Media to related party current liabilities $ 77,562   $ 70,405     $ 10,461   $ 9,722                                
Interest expense 76,971 78,218       8,994 8,933                                  
Class A shares received from Sirius XM Canada (in shares)                         46,700,000                      
Economic interest related parties                         38.00%       49.00%         21.50% 21.50%  
Voting interest                         25.00%                      
Non interest bearing note issued by CSR                         410                      
Face value of 8% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures (in CAD)                     4,000                          
Interest rate on instrument                           8.00%                    
Carrying values of the host contract                   3,638   3,490                        
Carrying values of embedded derivative related to investment in debentures                   13   0                        
Investment                   44,631   45,061                        
Equity Method Investment Goodwill and Intangible Assets                   28,763   28,589                        
Amounts due for chip sets and other services                   4,504   7,404                        
Deferred programming costs and accrued interest attributable to Related party                   6,414   7,280                        
Deferred programming costs and accrued interest due from related parties reported as Related party long-term assets                   4,415   4,780                        
Other related party current liability                   3,305   1,804                        
The Company's share or related party net income (loss)                   (1,645)           4,458   2,053            
Amortization expense related to equity method intangible assets                   (173)                            
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                               2,490                
Payment received from related party in excess of carrying value                               2,880                
Initial agreement period with XM Canada                                     10 years          
Number of additional years XM Canada has to extend the agreements under unilateral option                                     5 years          
Term of Obligation of XM Canada for the rights to broadcast and market the National Hockey League                                     10 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          
Estimated fair value of deferred revenue from XM Canada                                               34,000
Carrying value of deferred revenue 183,430   198,135                                 23,823 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