Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND OTHER INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Schedule of Percentage Within Range by which Prior Year Start-up Income Estimated Fair Value Exceeds Carrying Value of Broadcasting Licenses) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND OTHER INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Schedule of Percentage Within Range by which Prior Year Start-up Income Estimated Fair Value Exceeds Carrying Value of Broadcasting Licenses) (Details) (Broadcast licenses [Member], USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Entity
Less than or equal to 25% [Member]  
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]  
Number of market clusters 15salm_NumberOfBusinessReportingUnitsForMarketBasedServices
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioOneMember
Carrying value $ 255,883salm_ExcessOfEstimatedUndiscountedCashFlowsOverCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioOneMember
>26% to 50% [Member]  
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]  
Number of market clusters   
Carrying value   
>50% to 75% [Member]  
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]  
Number of market clusters   
Carrying value   
> than 75% [Member]  
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]  
Number of market clusters 4salm_NumberOfBusinessReportingUnitsForMarketBasedServices
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioFourMember
Carrying value 45,034salm_ExcessOfEstimatedUndiscountedCashFlowsOverCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioFourMember
Less than or equal 5% [Member] | Station Operating Income [Member]  
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]  
Number of market clusters 3salm_NumberOfBusinessReportingUnitsForMarketBasedServices
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= salm_StationOperatingIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioFiveMember
Carrying value 33,120salm_ExcessOfEstimatedUndiscountedCashFlowsOverCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= salm_StationOperatingIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioFiveMember
>6% To 10% [Member] | Station Operating Income [Member]  
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]  
Number of market clusters 3salm_NumberOfBusinessReportingUnitsForMarketBasedServices
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= salm_StationOperatingIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioSixMember
Carrying value 13,408salm_ExcessOfEstimatedUndiscountedCashFlowsOverCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= salm_StationOperatingIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioSixMember
>11% To 40 % [Member] | Station Operating Income [Member]  
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]  
Number of market clusters 3salm_NumberOfBusinessReportingUnitsForMarketBasedServices
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= salm_StationOperatingIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioSevenMember
Carrying value 20,214salm_ExcessOfEstimatedUndiscountedCashFlowsOverCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= salm_StationOperatingIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioSevenMember
> than 40% [Member] | Station Operating Income [Member]  
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]  
Number of market clusters 5salm_NumberOfBusinessReportingUnitsForMarketBasedServices
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= salm_StationOperatingIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioEightMember
Carrying value $ 18,040salm_ExcessOfEstimatedUndiscountedCashFlowsOverCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= salm_StationOperatingIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= salm_BroadcastLicensesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_ScenarioEightMember