Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 14, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 30, 2013
Jun. 28, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Mar. 14, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Nov. 15, 2011
Jun. 03, 2013
Dec. 12, 2011
Dec. 31, 2009
Sep. 15, 2012
May 21, 2012
Nov. 17, 2011
Nov. 28, 2014
Sep. 29, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Nov. 01, 2010
Dec. 01, 2009
Jun. 30, 2013
Dec. 12, 2012
Jun. 01, 2012
Sep. 06, 2011
Jun. 01, 2011
Dec. 01, 2010
Jun. 01, 2010
Sep. 12, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Bank loan fees written off in conjunction with the early retirement of debt   $ 643,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts $ 853,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts $ 1,291,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts                                                    
Credit facility, quarterly consecutive principal payments   0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal                                                        
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                                                    
Debt, accrued interest   48,000us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent 37,000us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent                                                      
Debt, interest rate   9.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage 9.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage 9.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage                                                    
Debt outstanding 0us-gaap_LongTermDebt             0us-gaap_LongTermDebt                                            
FCB loan termination date   Mar. 14, 2013                                                        
Standby letters of credit [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Credit facility, borrowing capacity   5,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember
                                                       
Swingline Credit Facility [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Credit facility, borrowing capacity   5,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= salm_SwinglineLoansMember
                                                       
Term Loan B [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Credit facility, borrowing capacity 300,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
276,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
          300,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                           
Interest expense   200,000us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
200,000us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                     
Bank loan fees written off in conjunction with the early retirement of debt   300,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
300,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                     
Debt, issued at discount 298,500,000us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
            298,500,000us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                           
Term loan maturity year             7 years 7 years                                            
Additional term loan amount increased               60,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                           
Credit facility, quarterly consecutive principal payments             750,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
  750,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ 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
                                       
Floor percentage on Term Loan   1.00%salm_FloorRateOnTermLoan
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                       
Debt, interest rate over LIBOR   3.50%salm_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                       
Debt, interest rate above base rate   2.50%salm_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveBaseRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                       
Debt, increase in interest rate if default occurs   2.00%salm_LineOfCreditDefaultRateAboveApplicableInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                       
Blended interest rate on amounts outstanding   5.05%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                       
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
                                                 
Unamortized Discount   16,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
    3,000us-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
  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
                   
Credit facility, floating rate, interest above prime rate   2.50%salm_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAbovePrimeRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                       
Debt, interest rate above LIBOR   3.50%salm_DebtInstrumentInterestOverLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_TermBLoanMember
                                                       
Revolver [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [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
          25,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_RevolverMember
                                           
Term loan maturity year               5 years                                            
Debt, interest rate over LIBOR   3.00%salm_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_RevolverMember
                                                       
Debt, interest rate above base rate   2.00%salm_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveBaseRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_RevolverMember
                                                       
Revolver under senior credit facility [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Loss on early retirement of long-term debt 900,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                                         
Debt, interest rate over LIBOR                     3.00%salm_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                     
Debt, interest rate above base rate                     1.25%salm_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveBaseRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                     
Debt, increase in interest rate if default occurs                     2.00%salm_LineOfCreditDefaultRateAboveApplicableInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                     
Revolving credit facility, covenant description  
With respect to financial covenants, the credit agreement includes a minimum interest coverage ratio, which started at 1.50 to 1.0 and steps up to 2.50 to 1.0 by 2016 and a maximum leverage ratio, which started at 6.75 to 1.0 and steps down to 5.75 to 1.0 by 2017.  The credit agreement also includes other negative covenants that are customary for credit facilities of this type, including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the credit agreement, restrict the ability of Salem and its subsidiary guarantors
                                                       
Interest coverage ratio   3.24%salm_InterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
2.00%salm_InterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                                     
Leverage ratio   5.45%salm_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                    5.00%salm_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                 
Debt outstanding 0us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
            0us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                           
Increase borrowing capacity                                         40,000,000salm_LineOfCreditFacilityIncreaseInBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
30,000,000salm_LineOfCreditFacilityIncreaseInBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
               
Debt, amendment fees                     500,000salm_CreditFacilityAmendmentFee
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                     
Revolving credit facility, second amendment description                    
On November 15, 2011, we completed the Second Amendment of the Terminated Revolver to, among other things, (1) extend the maturity date from December 1, 2012 to December 1, 2014, (2) change the interest rate applicable to LIBOR or the Wells Fargo base rate plus a spread to be determined based on our leverage ratio, (3) allow us to borrow and repay unsecured indebtedness provided certain conditions are met and (4) include step-downs related to our leverage ratio covenant.
                                     
Revolving credit facility extend maturity date                     December 1, 2014                                      
Revolver under senior credit facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Leverage ratio   5.75%salm_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
                                                       
Revolver under senior credit facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Leverage ratio   6.50%salm_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
6.75%salm_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
                                                     
Revolver under senior credit facility [Member] | Covenant requirement [Member] | Minimum [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Interest coverage ratio   1.50%salm_InterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= salm_CovenantRequirementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
                                                       
Revolver under senior credit facility [Member] | Covenant requirement [Member] | Maximum [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Interest coverage ratio   2.50%salm_InterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= salm_CovenantRequirementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
                                                       
Terminated 95/8% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Interest expense     37,000us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                                     
Debt, issued at discount                           298,100,000us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ 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
                                 
Debt, accrued interest       900,000us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                                   
Debt, issuance of principal amount                           300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                               
Debt, effective yield                           9.75%salm_DebtInstrumentYieldToMaturity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                               
Debt, interest payment terms                          
Interest was due and payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2010 until maturity.
                               
Debt, annual interest payment                           28,900,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentInterest
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                               
Principal repurchased or redeemed 212,597,000salm_DebtInstrumentPrincipalAmountRepurchasedOrRedeemed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
            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
 
Notes, aggregate purchase price 240,300,000salm_DebtInstrumentTenderedAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
            240,300,000salm_DebtInstrumentTenderedAmount
/ 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
            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
            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
 
Carrying value of notes       212,600,000salm_NotesPayableCarryingValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                                   
Debt, interest rate                                             9.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
             
Debt outstanding 0us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
            0us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_SeniorSecuredSecondLienNotesMember
                                           
Terminated Subordinated debt [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Credit facility, quarterly consecutive principal payments                             1,250,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
                             
Credit facility, principal amount                               10,000,000us-gaap_LongTermNotesAndLoans
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
                           
Debt, maturity date                             Jun. 15, 2014 Jun. 15, 2014                            
Credit facility, interest at a floating rate                               4.25%us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
                           
Credit facility, floating rate, interest above prime rate                               1.00%salm_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAbovePrimeRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
                           
Debt, interest rate terms                              
The interest rate for the FCB Loan (“Interest Rate”) was variable and was equal to the greater of: (a) 4.250% or (b) the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal and reported by FCB plus 1%.
                           
Credit facility, term                             23 years                              
Credit facility, interest charge                             50salm_DebtInstrumentInterestPayableAdjustment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
                             
Credit facility, increased interest rate                             5.00%salm_DebtInstrumentIncrementalInterestRateDueToDefault
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
                             
Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
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.
                         
Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties [Member] | Stuart W. Epperson, Board of Directors Chairman [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Credit facility, borrowing capacity                                 3,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_LineOfCreditDueToRelatedPartyMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_BoardOfDirectorsChairmanMember
                         
Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties [Member] | Edward G. Atsinger III, Chief Executive Officer and Director [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Credit facility, borrowing capacity                                 6,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_LineOfCreditDueToRelatedPartyMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember
                         
Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties [Member] | Roland S. Hinz, a Salem board member [Member]                                                            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                            
Credit facility, borrowing capacity                               $ 6,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_LineOfCreditDueToRelatedPartyMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= salm_BoardMembersMember
                          $ 12,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= salm_LineOfCreditDueToRelatedPartyMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= salm_BoardMembersMember