Salem Media Group, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Impairment of Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 Networks	Dec. 31, 2011 Networks	Dec. 31, 2010 Networks	Dec. 31, 2012 Mastheads	Dec. 31, 2012 Mastheads Publishing segment	Dec. 31, 2012 Broadcast licenses
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible assets out of total assets			71.00%
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible assets							6.00%		94.00%
Broadcast licenses renewal period			8 years
Impairment charges	$ 1.2	$ 5.6						$ 0.1
Excess of estimated fair value over carrying value, percentage				120.00%	101.60%	98.60%

The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.