Description of Business, Interim Financial Data and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business, Interim Financial Data and Basis of Presentation	Description of Business, Interim Financial Data and Basis of Presentation: Description of Business Cumulus Media Inc. (and its consolidated subsidiaries, except as the context may otherwise require, “Cumulus,” “Cumulus Media,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation, organized in 2002, and successor by merger to an Illinois corporation with the same name that had been organized in 1997. Nature of Business The Company combines high-quality local programming with iconic, nationally syndicated media, sports and entertainment brands in order to deliver premium choices for listeners, provide substantial reach for advertisers and create opportunities for shareholders. As the largest pure-play radio broadcaster in the United States, the Company provides exclusive content that is fully distributed through approximately 460 owned and operated stations in 90 U.S. media markets, approximately 9,000 broadcast radio affiliates and numerous digital channels. The Company is well-positioned in the widening digital audio space through a significant stake in the Rdio digital music service, featuring over 30 million songs on-demand in addition to custom playlists and exclusive curated channels. The Company is also the leading provider of country music and lifestyle content through its NASH brand, which will serve country fans through radio programming, NASH magazine, concerts, licensed products and television/video. Interim Financial Data The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes related thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the condensed consolidated accounts of Cumulus and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, with all intercompany balances and transactions eliminated in consolidation. The December 31, 2013 condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations for, and financial condition as of the end of, the interim periods have been made. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the Company’s financial condition as of September 30, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or cash flows that can be expected for, or the Company’s financial condition that can be expected as of the end of, any other interim period or for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to bad debts, intangible assets, derivative financial instruments, income taxes, stock-based compensation, contingencies, litigation and purchase price allocations. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual amounts and results may differ materially from these estimates. Assets Held for Sale On September 16, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to sell certain land and buildings to a third party. The agreement is subject to various terms including a 60 day due diligence period. The carrying value of the identified assets have been classified as held for sale in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2014. The estimated fair value of the land and buildings is in excess of the carrying value. Sale of San Francisco Baseball Associates, LLC Interest On April 15, 2014, the Company sold its Class B Membership Interest of 1.59% in San Francisco Baseball Associates, LLC for $13.0 million, recognizing a gain on the sale of $3.2 million, which is included in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Reclassifications Certain account balances in the 2013 periods have been reclassified to conform with classifications currently in use. In the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations the Company separately presents content costs and other direct operating expenses as operating expense categories. In certain of the Company's historical disclosures, those line items were presented on a combined basis within the direct operating expenses line item in the statement of operations. Content costs consist of all costs related to the licensing, acquisition and development of the Company's programming. Other direct operating expenses consist of expenses related to the distribution and monetization of the Company's content across its platform and overhead expenses. There were no other costs included in direct operating expenses in 2013. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or retained earnings. Adoption of New Accounting Standards ASU 2012-02. In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2012-02. The amendments in this ASU give companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired rather than calculating the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. ASU 2013-01. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01. The amendments in this ASU require companies to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. ASU 2013-04. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements where the total obligation is fixed at the reporting date, and for which no specific guidance currently exists. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. ASU 2013-11. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11. The amendments in this ASU clarify when a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Standards Updates ASU 2014-08. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08. Under this ASU, only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s results and operations would qualify as discontinued operations. This ASU (1) expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation, (2) requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components, (3) defines “discontinued operations” similarly to how it is defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") 5, and (4) requires entities to expand their disclosures about discontinued operations to include more information about assets, liabilities, income and expenses. In addition, this ASU will also require entities to disclose the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of “an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation in the financial statements.” The ASU is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the expected impact, if any, that this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2014-09. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09. The amended guidance under this ASU outlines a single comprehensive revenue model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The guidance supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the single comprehensive revenue model is that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified approach to adopt the guidance. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016 (early adoption is not permitted). The Company is currently assessing the expected impact, if any, that this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2014-15. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15. The amendments in this update provide guidance in GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Management’s evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued. In doing so, the amendments should reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public and nonpublic entities for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the expected impact, if any, that this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements.

Description of Business, Interim Financial Data and Basis of Presentation:

Description of Business

Cumulus Media Inc. (and its consolidated subsidiaries, except as the context may otherwise require, “Cumulus,” “Cumulus Media,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation, organized in 2002, and successor by merger to an Illinois corporation with the same name that had been organized in 1997.

Nature of Business

The Company combines high-quality local programming with iconic, nationally syndicated media, sports and entertainment brands in order to deliver premium choices for listeners, provide substantial reach for advertisers and create opportunities for shareholders. As the largest pure-play radio broadcaster in the United States, the Company provides exclusive content that is fully distributed through approximately 460 owned and operated stations in 90 U.S. media markets, approximately 9,000 broadcast radio affiliates and numerous digital channels. The Company is well-positioned in the widening digital audio space through a significant stake in the Rdio digital music service, featuring over 30 million songs on-demand in addition to custom playlists and exclusive curated channels. The Company is also the leading provider of country music and lifestyle content through its NASH brand, which will serve country fans through radio programming, NASH magazine, concerts, licensed products and television/video.

Interim Financial Data

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes related thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the condensed consolidated accounts of Cumulus and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, with all intercompany balances and transactions eliminated in consolidation. The December 31, 2013 condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations for, and financial condition as of the end of, the interim periods have been made. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the Company’s financial condition as of September 30, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or cash flows that can be expected for, or the Company’s financial condition that can be expected as of the end of, any other interim period or for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to bad debts, intangible assets, derivative financial instruments, income taxes, stock-based compensation, contingencies, litigation and purchase price allocations. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual amounts and results may differ materially from these estimates.

Assets Held for Sale

On September 16, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to sell certain land and buildings to a third party. The agreement is subject to various terms including a 60 day due diligence period. The carrying value of the identified assets have been classified as held for sale in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2014. The estimated fair value of the land and buildings is in excess of the carrying value.

Sale of San Francisco Baseball Associates, LLC Interest

On April 15, 2014, the Company sold its Class B Membership Interest of 1.59% in San Francisco Baseball Associates, LLC for $13.0 million, recognizing a gain on the sale of $3.2 million, which is included in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Reclassifications

Certain account balances in the 2013 periods have been reclassified to conform with classifications currently in use.

In the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations the Company separately presents content costs and other direct operating expenses as operating expense categories. In certain of the Company's historical disclosures, those line items were presented on a combined basis within the direct operating expenses line item in the statement of operations. Content costs consist of all costs related to the licensing, acquisition and development of the Company's programming. Other direct operating expenses consist of expenses related to the distribution and monetization of the Company's content across its platform and overhead expenses. There were no other costs included in direct operating expenses in 2013.

These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or retained earnings.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

ASU 2012-02. In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2012-02. The amendments in this ASU give companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired rather than calculating the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2013-01. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01. The amendments in this ASU require companies to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2013-04. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements where the total obligation is fixed at the reporting date, and for which no specific guidance currently exists. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2013-11. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11. The amendments in this ASU clarify when a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Standards Updates

ASU 2014-08. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08. Under this ASU, only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s results and operations would qualify as discontinued operations. This ASU (1) expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation, (2) requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components, (3) defines “discontinued operations” similarly to how it is defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") 5, and (4) requires entities to expand their disclosures about discontinued operations to include more information about assets, liabilities, income and expenses. In addition, this ASU will also require entities to disclose the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of “an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation in the financial statements.” The ASU is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the expected impact, if any, that this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09. The amended guidance under this ASU outlines a single comprehensive revenue model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The guidance supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the single comprehensive revenue model is that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified approach to adopt the guidance. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016 (early adoption is not permitted). The Company is currently assessing the expected impact, if any, that this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-15. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15. The amendments in this update provide guidance in GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Management’s evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued. In doing so, the amendments should reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public and nonpublic entities for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the expected impact, if any, that this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements.