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

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Recent Transactions - Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail)

Recent Transactions - Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands																	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 14, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019	Sep. 27, 2019	Sep. 26, 2019	Sep. 18, 2019	Aug. 15, 2019	Jun. 27, 2019	May 14, 2019	Mar. 21, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Aug. 28, 2018	Aug. 06, 2018	Jun. 28, 2018	Jun. 20, 2018	May 24, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Oct. 23, 2019	Mar. 19, 2019
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of Other assets									$ 900
Gain (loss) on disposition of other assets									$ 100
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets																						$ 20,741	$ 9,894
Gain (loss) on disposition of intangible assets																$ 200
Pre-tax Gain (Loss) on Sale of land							$ 400
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment																800
Agreement to sell assets in cash																$ 1,000
Combination Of Nine Radio Station [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Pretax loss on sale of assets																			$ 9,400
Adjustments to Pretax Loss on sale of asset																			500
FM Translators [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets						$ 0
Radio Stations [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets	$ 8,700	$ 200		$ 8,200
Pretax loss on sale of assets			$ (1,300)	(4,700)															(1,500)	$ (9,900)
Cash received upon closing				$ 400
Cash Held In Escrow																								$ 7,800
Worl Am [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets					$ 1,600
Pretax loss on sale of assets					900
Cash received upon closing					$ 800
Disposal group including discontinued operation consideration																			$ 100			$ 100
KGBIFM [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets													$ 3,200
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets													$ (2,400)								$ (3,200)
WQVN-AM [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets												$ 3,500
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets												$ (4,700)
WBIX-AM [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets															$ 700
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets															$ (200)
Miami Florida [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from Sale of Land Held-for-use							900
Lakeside [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets														$ 300
Time Brokerage Agreement [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets							300
Gain (loss) on disposition of intangible assets							$ (200)
Payments to acquire businesses, gross																		$ 1,200
Fee for not exercising purchase option																		$ 100
Omaha KCRO-AM and KOTK-AM [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets											$ 1,400
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets											$ (100)						$ (1,600)
Turner Investment Products [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets										$ 0
Gain (loss) on disposition of intangible assets										$ (200)
Wspz Am Tower Site [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred								$ 800
Business Gross Estimated Gain Loss On Sale Assets																									$ 3,800
Business Combination Expected Additional Loss								$ 32,000
Local Marketing Agreements [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Agreement Termination Date			Mar. 30, 2018