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

CONTINGENT EARN-OUT CONSIDERATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 3,285	$ 616
Acquisitions	300	2,047
Accretion of acquisition-related contingent earn-out consideration	109	188
Change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration	(1,715)	734	$ 0
Reclassification of payments due in next 12 months to short-term	0	0
Payments	(1,204)	(300)
Ending Balance	775	3,285	616
Short-Term Accrued Expenses [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	1,575	329
Acquisitions	176	692
Accretion of acquisition-related contingent earn-out consideration	60	68
Change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration	(1,269)	341
Reclassification of payments due in next 12 months to short-term	835	445
Payments	(1,204)	(300)
Ending Balance	173	1,575	329
Long-Term Other Liabilities [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	1,710	287
Acquisitions	124	1,355
Accretion of acquisition-related contingent earn-out consideration	49	120
Change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration	(446)	393
Reclassification of payments due in next 12 months to short-term	(835)	(445)
Payments	0	0
Ending Balance	$ 602	$ 1,710	$ 287