Description of Business, Interim Financial Data and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
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 8,500 broadcast radio affiliates and numerous digital channels. The Company believes it 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 serves 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, 2014. 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, 2014 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 months ended March 31, 2015, the cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the Company’s financial condition as of March 31, 2015, 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, 2015. 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, income taxes, stock-based compensation, contingencies, litigation, and purchase price allocation. 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 During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company finalized a plan to sell certain land. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to sell certain land and buildings to a third party. The Company expects these sales to close in the next twelve months and, therefore, the carrying value of the identified assets has been classified as held for sale in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The estimated fair value of the land and buildings is in excess of the carrying value. Adoption of New Accounting Standards ASU 2014-08. In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("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 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 Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Standards Updates 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. In April 2015, the FASB voted for a one-year deferral of the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard. Transition to the new guidance may be done using either a full or modified retrospective method. The Company is currently assessing the expected impact 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 adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2015-01. In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01. The amendments in this ASU eliminate the concept of an extraordinary item from GAAP. As a result, an entity will no longer be required to segregate extraordinary items from the results of ordinary operations, to separately present an extraordinary item on its income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations or to disclose income taxes and earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. However, the ASU will still retain the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature and occur infrequently. The ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and subsequent interim periods. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2015-02. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02. The amendments in this ASU provide modifications to the evaluation of variable interest entities that may impact consolidation of reporting entities. The ASU will be effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. 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 2015-03. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03. The amendments in this ASU requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of long-term debt, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. Presently, debt issuance costs are reported as an asset. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update. The ASU will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance would be applied retrospectively to all prior reporting periods presented. 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 8,500 broadcast radio affiliates and numerous digital channels. The Company believes it 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 serves 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, 2014. 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, 2014 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 months ended March 31, 2015, the cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the Company’s financial condition as of March 31, 2015, 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, 2015.

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, income taxes, stock-based compensation, contingencies, litigation, and purchase price allocation. 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

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company finalized a plan to sell certain land. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to sell certain land and buildings to a third party. The Company expects these sales to close in the next twelve months and, therefore, the carrying value of the identified assets has been classified as held for sale in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The estimated fair value of the land and buildings is in excess of the carrying value.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

ASU 2014-08. In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("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 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 Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Standards Updates

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. In April 2015, the FASB voted for a one-year deferral of the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard. Transition to the new guidance may be done using either a full or modified retrospective method. The Company is currently assessing the expected impact 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 adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2015-01. In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01. The amendments in this ASU eliminate the concept of an extraordinary item from GAAP. As a result, an entity will no longer be required to segregate extraordinary items from the results of ordinary operations, to separately present an extraordinary item on its income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations or to disclose income taxes and earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. However, the ASU will still retain the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature and occur infrequently. The ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and subsequent interim periods. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2015-02. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02. The amendments in this ASU provide modifications to the evaluation of variable interest entities that may impact consolidation of reporting entities. The ASU will be effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. 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 2015-03. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03. The amendments in this ASU requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of long-term debt, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. Presently, debt issuance costs are reported as an asset. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update. The ASU will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance would be applied retrospectively to all prior reporting periods presented. The Company is currently assessing the expected impact, if any, that this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements.