Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

ACQUISITIONS AND RECENT TRANSACTIONS (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
ACQUISITIONS AND RECENT TRANSACTIONS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 14, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Mar. 05, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Nov. 28, 2014
Sep. 29, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 28, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 03, 2013
Dec. 12, 2011
Feb. 15, 2013
Aug. 10, 2013
Dec. 10, 2013
Dec. 10, 2013
Mar. 13, 2015
Dec. 09, 2013
Installment
Feb. 07, 2014
Feb. 05, 2013
Jan. 10, 2014
Jun. 06, 2014
Apr. 15, 2014
May 06, 2014
May 22, 2014
Oct. 03, 2014
Nov. 24, 2014
Dec. 22, 2014
Dec. 23, 2014
Feb. 20, 2015
Dec. 20, 2013
Dec. 12, 2012
Jun. 01, 2012
Sep. 06, 2011
Jun. 01, 2011
Dec. 01, 2010
Jun. 01, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Sep. 11, 2013
Sep. 23, 2013
Oct. 01, 2014
Dec. 10, 2014
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Loss on early retirement of long-term debt $ 33,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt $ (391,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt $ (27,795,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt $ (1,088,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt                                                                                  
Class A and Class B common stock, dividend paid   6,183,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock 5,158,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock 3,412,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock                                                                                  
Class A and Class B common stock, dividend declared per share, paid   $ 0.24us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.21us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.14us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid                                                                                  
Amount due on close of Transaction   12,682,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionInitialPurchasePrice 7,477,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionInitialPurchasePrice     12,682,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionInitialPurchasePrice                                                                              
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount   24,684,000us-gaap_Goodwill 22,374,000us-gaap_Goodwill     24,684,000us-gaap_Goodwill                                                                              
Business acquisition purchase price                                                                   500,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet                      
Discount on advertising credits     600,000salm_AllowanceNetPresentValueAdvertiserCredits                                                                                    
Fair value of advertising credits payable over ten years     2,427,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionAdvertisingCreditsPayable                                                                                    
Advertising credits payable term    
ten
                                                                                   
Amortization period of interest expense     10 years                                                                                    
Amortization of bond issue costs and bank loan fees   643,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts 853,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts 1,291,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts                                                                                  
Purchase price   18,656,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1 12,820,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1                                                                                    
Payments   (300,000)salm_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsPayment                                                                                      
Acquisition-related expenses   500,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 200,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts                                                                                    
Third-party valuation fees   100,000salm_BusinessCombinationThirdPartyValuationFees       100,000salm_BusinessCombinationThirdPartyValuationFees                                                                              
Brokerage fees   100,000salm_BusinessCombinationBrokerageFees 100,000salm_BusinessCombinationBrokerageFees     100,000salm_BusinessCombinationBrokerageFees                                                                              
Subsequent Event [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Class A and Class B common stock, dividend declared per share         $ 0.0650us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                                                                               
Revolver under senior credit facility [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Loss on early retirement of long-term debt 900,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                                                                       
Term Loan B [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Debt, issuance of principal amount   300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
      300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
      300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                                     
Repayment of Term Loan B   15,300,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
      4,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
4,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
5,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
2,250,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
750,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
4,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
4,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
4,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                               
Loss on early retirement of long-term debt   100,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
              3,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
  14,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
16,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                               
Credit facility, borrowing capacity 300,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
276,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
      276,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                                             
Unamortized Discount   16,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
      16,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
15,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
18,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
8,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
3,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
16,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
14,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
16,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                               
Amortization of bond issue costs and bank loan fees   300,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
300,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                                                   
Revolver [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Credit facility, borrowing capacity 25,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_RevolverMember
1,800,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_RevolverMember
      1,800,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_RevolverMember
                                                                             
Terminated 95/8% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Debt, issuance of principal amount                                                                                 300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
       
Loss on early retirement of long-term debt 26,900,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
900,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                      900,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
800,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                                           
Principal repurchased or redeemed 212,597,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                        903,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
12,500,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                      4,000,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
17,500,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
5,000,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
17,500,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
12,500,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
17,500,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
         
Debt, aggregate purchase price 240,300,000salm_DebtInstrumentPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                                                                       
Percent of debt purchase price 110.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                                                                       
Amount paid for redemption 22,700,000salm_DebtInstrumentRedemptionAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                                                                       
Unamortized Discount 837,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                        3,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
62,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                      17,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
80,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
26,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
93,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
70,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
105,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
         
Bond Issue Costs 2,867,000salm_DebtInstrumentIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                           337,000salm_DebtInstrumentIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                      57,000salm_DebtInstrumentIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
287,000salm_DebtInstrumentIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
135,000salm_DebtInstrumentIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
472,000salm_DebtInstrumentIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
334,000salm_DebtInstrumentIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
417,000salm_DebtInstrumentIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
         
GodUpdates Facebook page [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                                                   300,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionFiveMember
     
WTOH-FM, Columbus, Ohio (business acquisition) [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Purchase price                               4,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThreeMember
                                                         
Acquisition date                               Feb. 15, 2013                                                          
Christnotes.org (business acquisition) [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                 500,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionSixMember
                                                       
Business acquisition, goodwill                                 20,755us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionSixMember
                                                       
Purchase price                                 500,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionSixMember
                                                       
Acquisition date                                 Aug. 10, 2013                                                        
Twitchy.com (business acquisition) [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Amount due on close of Transaction                                   900,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionInitialPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
900,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionInitialPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
                                                   
Contingent earn-out consideration                                   1,200,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationAsset
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
1,200,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationAsset
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
                                                   
Contingent earn-out consideration achievement of milestone period                                     2 years                                                    
Contingent earn-out consideration estimated fair value                                   600,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAssetsArisingFromContingenciesAmountRecognized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
600,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAssetsArisingFromContingenciesAmountRecognized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
                                                   
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount                                   400,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
400,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
                                                   
Advertising cost                                   1,200,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
1,200,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
                                                   
Purchase price                                   1,536,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
                                                     
Estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration   400,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationLiabilitiesArisingFromContingenciesAmountRecognized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
      400,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationLiabilitiesArisingFromContingenciesAmountRecognized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
                      600,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationLiabilitiesArisingFromContingenciesAmountRecognized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
600,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationLiabilitiesArisingFromContingenciesAmountRecognized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
                                                   
Acquisition date                                   Dec. 10, 2013                                                      
Twitchy.com (business acquisition) [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Payments                                       600,000salm_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsPayment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                                                 
Additional contingent earn-out consideration to be paid over remaining earn-out period                                       700,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirteenMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                                                 
EverythingInspirational.com (asset purchases) [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Amount due on close of Transaction                                         100,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionInitialPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyTwoMember
                                               
Business acquisition purchase price                                         400,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyTwoMember
                                               
Amount payable   300,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionFutureFixedCashPayment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyTwoMember
                                                                                     
Deferred cash payment, number of installments                                         3salm_BusinessAcquisitionNumberOfConsiderationInstallments
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyTwoMember
                                               
Purchase price                                         400,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyTwoMember
                                               
Acquisition date                                         Dec. 09, 2013                                                
KDIS-FM, Little Rock, Arkansas and KRDY-AM, San Antonio, Texas [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount                                           18,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionEightMember
                                             
Business acquisition purchase price                                           2,000,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionEightMember
                                        2,500,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionEightMember
   
Purchase price                                           1,984,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionEightMember
                                             
Acquisition date                                           Feb. 07, 2014                                              
KRDY-AM tower site in San Antonio, Texas [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                                                     500,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyFourMember
   
WJKR-FM, Columbus, Ohio [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                               4,000,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionOneMember
                                                         
WGTK-FM, Greenville, South Carolina [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Amount due on close of Transaction                                             1,000,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionInitialPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwoMember
                                           
Amount payable                                             2,000,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionFutureFixedCashPayment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwoMember
                                           
Business acquisition purchase price                                             5,400,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwoMember
                                           
Advertising cost                                             3,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwoMember
                                           
Acquisition payment date                                             2014-04                                            
Purchase of various intangible Internet assets (asset purchases) [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price     200,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionSevenMember
                                                                                   
Purchase price     207,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionSevenMember
                                                                                   
Eagle Publishing (business acquisition) [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Amount due on close of Transaction                                               3,500,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionInitialPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
                                         
Contingent earn-out consideration                                               8,500,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationAsset
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
                                         
Contingent earn-out consideration achievement of milestone period                                               3 years                                          
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount                                               2,300,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
                                         
Advertising cost                                               8,500,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
                                         
Purchase price                                               10,628,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
                                         
Estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration   1,700,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationLiabilitiesArisingFromContingenciesAmountRecognized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
      1,700,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationLiabilitiesArisingFromContingenciesAmountRecognized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
                                  2,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationLiabilitiesArisingFromContingenciesAmountRecognized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
                                         
Payments   900,000salm_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsPayment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
                                                                                     
Additional contingent earn-out consideration to be paid over remaining earn-out period   5,900,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
      5,900,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
                                                                             
Acquisition date                                               Jan. 10, 2014                                          
Eagle Publishing (business acquisition) [Member] | January 2015 [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Amount payable   2,500,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionFutureFixedCashPayment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_JanuaryTwoThousandFifteenMember
                                                                                     
Acquisition payment date   2015-01                                                                                      
Early payment made                                                 1,500,000salm_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsCashPaymentMade
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_JanuaryTwoThousandFifteenMember
                                       
Deferred payments, present value                                               900,000salm_BusinessCombinationUndiscountedAmountOfDeferredPaymentDueInFuture
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_JanuaryTwoThousandFifteenMember
                                         
Eagle Publishing (business acquisition) [Member] | January 2016 [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Amount payable   2,500,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionFutureFixedCashPayment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_JanuaryTwoThousandSixteenMember
                                                                                     
Acquisition payment date   2015-01                                                                                      
Additional costs associate associated with liabilities incurred by the seller                                               400,000salm_AdditionalPurchasePriceAdjustmentPayments
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_JanuaryTwoThousandSixteenMember
                                         
Deferred payments, present value                                               2,300,000salm_BusinessCombinationUndiscountedAmountOfDeferredPaymentDueInFuture
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyEightMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= salm_JanuaryTwoThousandSixteenMember
                                         
FM Translators, Orlando, Florida, Tampa, Florida, Omaha, Nebraska (asset purchase)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                   400,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyTwoMember
                                     
Purchase price                                                   357,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyTwoMember
                                     
Acquisition date                                                   Apr. 15, 2014                                      
WRTH-FM (formerly WOLT-FM), Greenville, South Carolina (business acquisition)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount                                                     6,400us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyOneMember
                                   
Business acquisition purchase price                                                     1,100,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyOneMember
                                   
Purchase price                                                     1,125,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyOneMember
                                   
Acquisition date                                                     May 06, 2014                                    
WOCN-AM Miami, Florida (business acquisition)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount                                                       12,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyMember
                                 
Business acquisition purchase price                                                       2,500,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyMember
                                 
Purchase price                                                       2,450,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyMember
                                 
Acquisition date                                                       May 22, 2014                                  
KXXT-AM Phoenix, Arizona (business acquisition)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount                                                                                       1,400us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyThreeMember
 
Business acquisition purchase price                                                                                       600,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyThreeMember
 
Purchase price                                                         575,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyThreeMember
                               
Acquisition date                                                         Oct. 01, 2014                                
FM Translator, Traveler's Rest, South Carolina (asset acquisition)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                           200,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyFourMember
                             
Purchase price                                                           200,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyFourMember
                             
Acquisition date                                                           Nov. 24, 2014                              
Radio station, WDYZ-FM in Orlando, Florida (asset acquisition)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                                                         1,300,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyFiveMember
FM Translator, Bayshore Gardens, Florida (asset acquisition)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                             100,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtySixMember
                           
Purchase price                                                             140,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtySixMember
                           
Acquisition date                                                             Dec. 22, 2014                            
FM Translator, Pickens, South Carolina (asset acquisition)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                               200,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtySevenMember
                         
Purchase price                                                               185,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtySevenMember
                         
Acquisition date                                                               Dec. 23, 2014                          
WLTE-FM Pendleton, South Carolina (asset acquisition)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                               500,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyEightMember
                         
Purchase price                                                               525,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyEightMember
                         
Acquisition date                                                               Dec. 23, 2014                          
Radio station, WDDZ-AM in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania | Subsequent Event [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                                 1,000,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyNineMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                       
Purchase price                                                                 1,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionThirtyNineMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                       
Acquisition date                                                                 Feb. 20, 2015                        
Radio station WDWD-AM in Atlanta, Georgia | Subsequent Event [Member]                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price                                                                 2,800,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionFortyMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                       
Purchase price                                                                 2,800,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionFortyMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                       
Acquisition date                                                                 Feb. 20, 2015                        
Purchases of domain names (asset purchases)                                                                                          
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]                                                                                          
Business acquisition purchase price   400,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyNineMember
      400,000salm_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaidNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyNineMember
                                                                             
Purchase price   $ 487,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= salm_BusinessAcquisitionTwentyNineMember