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

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details)

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 17, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 12, 2012	May 21, 2012
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Minimum ownership percentage	5.00%
Minimum ownership interest	10.00%salm_RelatedPartyOwnershipPercentage
Rental Expenses	$ 17,900,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense	$ 16,900,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense	$ 15,700,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Life insurance premium	386,000	386,000	193,000
Net assets	1,900,000us-gaap_AssetsNet	1,600,000us-gaap_AssetsNet	1,300,000us-gaap_AssetsNet
Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0		15,000,000		9,000,000
Debt, interest rate terms	Outstanding amounts under each subordinated line of credit bore interest at a rate equal to the lesser of (1) 5% per annum and (2) the maximum rate permitted for subordinated debt under the Terminated Revolver referred to above plus 2% per annum. Interest was payable at the time of any repayment of principal. In addition, outstanding amounts under each subordinated line of credit were required to be repaid within three (3) months from the time that such amounts were borrowed, with the exception of the subordinated line of credit with Mr. Hinz, which was to be repaid within six (6) months from the time that such amounts were borrowed.			Outstanding amounts under each subordinated line of credit bore interest at a rate equal to the lesser of (1) 5% per annum and (2) the maximum rate permitted for subordinated debt under the Revolver referred to above plus 2% per annum.
Edward G. Atsinger III, Chief Executive Officer and Director [Member] \| Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity				6,000,000
Edward G. Atsinger III, Chief Executive Officer and Director [Member] \| Aircraft [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Rental Expenses	274,000	239,000	386,000
Edward G. Atsinger III, Chief Executive Officer and Director [Member] \| Trust [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Rental Expenses	175,000	170,000	165,000
Know the Truth [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount received from non-profit organization for airtime	500,000	400,000	400,000
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer [Member] \| Land and Building [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Rental Expenses	1,300,000	1,200,000	1,200,000
Stuart W. Epperson, Board of Directors Chairman [Member] \| Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity				3,000,000
Roland S. Hinz, a Salem board member [Member] \| Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity						12,000,000	6,000,000
Truth For Life [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount received from non-profit organization for airtime	$ 2,200,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 2,100,000