Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.19.3
Document and Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Nov. 01, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Trading Symbol SALM  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Entity Registrant Name SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC. /DE/  
Entity Central Index Key 0001050606  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business true  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Title of 12(b) Security Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share  
Entity File Number 000-26497  
Entity Tax Identification Number 77-0121400  
Entity Address, Address Line One 4880 SANTA ROSA ROAD  
Entity Address, City or Town CAMARILLO  
Entity Address, State or Province CA  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 93012  
City Area Code 805  
Local Phone Number 987-0400  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Common Class A [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   21,129,667
Common Class B [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   5,553,696