Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
May 02, 2013
Class A Common Stock
May 02, 2013
Class B common stock
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-Q    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2013    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2013    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1    
Trading Symbol SALM    
Entity Registrant Name SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORP /DE/    
Entity Central Index Key 0001050606    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Smaller Reporting Company    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   19,127,086 5,553,696