Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Cover Page

v3.20.1
Cover Page - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Mar. 05, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2019    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019    
Trading Symbol SALM    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Entity Registrant Name SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC. /DE/    
Entity Central Index Key 0001050606    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer    
Entity Shell Company false    
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 Annual Report true    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Public Float     $ 30,799,477
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