Salem Media Group, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

CONTINGENT EARN-OUT CONSIDERATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 775	$ 3,285
Acquisitions	0	158
Accretion of acquisition-related contingent earn-out consideration	10	25
Change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration	(128)	118
Reclassification of payments due in next 12 months to short-term	0	0
Payments	(83)	(300)
Ending Balance	574	3,286
Short-Term Accrued Expenses [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	173	1,575
Acquisitions	0	88
Accretion of acquisition-related contingent earn-out consideration	3	10
Change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration	(74)	80
Reclassification of payments due in next 12 months to short-term	522	798
Payments	(83)	(300)
Ending Balance	541	2,251
Long-Term Other Liabilities [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	602	1,710
Acquisitions	0	70
Accretion of acquisition-related contingent earn-out consideration	7	15
Change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration	(54)	38
Reclassification of payments due in next 12 months to short-term	(522)	(798)
Payments	0	0
Ending Balance	$ 33	$ 1,035