Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Future Commitments The radio broadcast industry’s principal ratings service is Nielsen Audio, which publishes surveys for domestic radio markets. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have agreements with Nielsen Audio under which they receive programming ratings materials in a majority of their respective markets. The remaining aggregate obligation under the agreements with Nielsen Audio is approximately $99.7 million and is expected to be paid in accordance with the agreements through December 2017. The Company engages Katz as its national advertising sales agent. The national advertising agency contract with Katz contains termination provisions that, if exercised by the Company during the term of the contract, would obligate the Company to pay a termination fee to Katz, calculated based upon a formula set forth in the contract. The Company is committed under various contractual agreements to pay for broadcast rights that include news services and to pay for executives, talent, research, weather and other services. The Company from time to time enters into radio network contractual obligations to guarantee a minimum amount of revenue share to contractual counterparties on certain programming in future years. Generally, these guarantees are subject to decreases dependent on clearance targets achieved. As of December 31, 2015, the Company believes that it will meet such minimum obligations. On January 2, 2014 (the "Commencement Date”), Merlin Media, LLC (“Merlin”) and the Company entered into an LMA. Under this LMA, the Company is responsible for operating two FM radio stations in Chicago, Illinois, for monthly fees payable to Merlin of approximately $0.3 million, $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.6 million in the first, second, third and fourth years following the Commencement Date, respectively, in exchange for the Company retaining the operating profits from these radio stations. In connection therewith, the Company and Merlin also entered into an agreement pursuant to which the Company has the right to purchase these two FM radio stations until October 4, 2017, for an amount in cash equal to the greater of (i) $70.0 million minus the aggregate amount of monthly fees paid by the Company on or prior to the earlier of the closing date or the date that is four years after the Commencement Date; or (ii) $50.0 million, and Merlin has the right to require the Company to purchase these two FM radio stations at any time during a ten-day period commencing October 4, 2017 for $71.0 million, minus the aggregate amount of monthly fees paid by the Company on or prior to the earlier of the closing date and January 2, 2018. The Company determined through its review of the requirements of ASC 810 that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the LMA with Merlin, and, therefore consolidation of the stations is not required. On April 1, 2014, the Company initiated an exit plan for a lease due to a restructuring in connection with the acquisition of WestwoodOne (the "Exit Plan"), which includes charges related to terminated contract costs. In connection with the Exit Plan, the Company recorded restructuring costs of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which costs are included in corporate expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2015, liabilities related to the Exit Plan of $0.5 million were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and are expected to be paid within one year and $3.9 million of non-current liabilities are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. We anticipate no additional future charges for the Exit Plan other than true-ups to closed facilities lease charges and accretion expense. On April 25, 2014, the Company entered into an LMA with Universal Media Access, LLC “(Universal”) pursuant to which the Company is responsible for operating one FM radio station serving San Jose and San Francisco, California for a fixed fee to Universal of approximately $1.4 million each year for two years in exchange for the Company retaining the operating profits from this radio station. In connection therewith, the Company and Universal also entered into an agreement (the "Put and Call Agreement")pursuant to which the Company had the right to elect to purchase the radio station at any time until May 5, 2016 for $14.8 million minus the aggregate amount of monthly LMA fees paid by the Company on or prior to the earlier of the closing date or April 25, 2015. In addition, Universal had the right to elect to require the Company to purchase the station at any time during a ten-day period commencing May 5, 2016 for $14.8 million, minus the aggregate amount of fees paid by the Company on or prior to the earlier of the closing date and April 25, 2016. Effective February 29, 2016, the Company and Universal have terminated the LMA and the Put and Call Agreement and the Company has agreed to pay a net termination fee of $2.5 million to Universal. The Company determined through its review of the requirements of ASC 810 that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the LMA with Universal, and, therefore consolidation of the station at December 31, 2015 is not required. In connection with the departures of executives as disclosed in Note 12, "Stock-Based Compensation Expense", the Company recorded restructuring costs of $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 which are included in corporate expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2015, related liabilities of $9.8 million were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet and are expected to be paid within one year. The Company may be required to pay additional cash consideration in connection with the WFME Asset Exchange in New York and the Wise Brothers Acquisition. In addition, as a component of the Country Weekly Acquisition, the Company entered into an agreement with one of the sellers to collaborate on the production, publication and distribution of Country Weekly for a fee of $1.0 million for a period of 6 years from date of the Country Weekly Acquisition. Legal Proceedings In March 2011, the Company and certain of our subsidiaries were named as defendants along with other radio companies, including Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., CBS Radio, Inc., Entercom Communications, Greater Media, Inc. and Townsquare Media, LLC in a patent infringement suit. The case, Mission Abstract Data L.L.C., d/b/a Digimedia v. Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., et. al., Civil Action Case No: 1:99-mc-09999, U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (filed March 1, 2011), alleges that the defendants are infringing or have infringed on plaintiff’s patents entitled “Selection and Retrieval of Music from a Digital Database.” Plaintiff is seeking injunctive relief and unspecified damages. In August 2015, the Company was named as a defendant in two separate putative class action lawsuits relating to our use and public performance of certain sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972 (the "Pre-1972 Recordings"). The first suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., et. al. v, Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and alleges, among other things, violation of California rights of publicity, common law conversion, misappropriation and unfair business practices. On December 11, 2015, the first suit was dismissed without prejudice. The second suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., v. Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and alleges, among other things, common law copyright infringement and unfair competition. The New York lawsuit has been stayed pending an appeal before the Second Circuit involving unrelated third-parties over whether the owner of a Pre-1972 Recording holds an exclusive right to publicly perform that recording under New York common law. Each suit seeks unspecified damages. The Company is evaluating each suit, and intends to defend itself vigorously, the Company is not yet able to determine what effect the lawsuits will have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company currently, and expects that from time to time in the future will be, party to, or a defendant in, various claims or lawsuits that are generally incidental to its business. The Company expects that it will vigorously contest any such claims or lawsuits and believe that the ultimate resolution of any known claim or lawsuit will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Commitments and Contingencies

Future Commitments

The radio broadcast industry’s principal ratings service is Nielsen Audio, which publishes surveys for domestic radio markets. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have agreements with Nielsen Audio under which they receive programming ratings materials in a majority of their respective markets. The remaining aggregate obligation under the agreements with Nielsen Audio is approximately $99.7 million and is expected to be paid in accordance with the agreements through December 2017.

The Company engages Katz as its national advertising sales agent. The national advertising agency contract with Katz contains termination provisions that, if exercised by the Company during the term of the contract, would obligate the Company to pay a termination fee to Katz, calculated based upon a formula set forth in the contract.

The Company is committed under various contractual agreements to pay for broadcast rights that include news services and to pay for executives, talent, research, weather and other services.

The Company from time to time enters into radio network contractual obligations to guarantee a minimum amount of revenue share to contractual counterparties on certain programming in future years. Generally, these guarantees are subject to decreases dependent on clearance targets achieved. As of December 31, 2015, the Company believes that it will meet such minimum obligations.

On January 2, 2014 (the "Commencement Date”), Merlin Media, LLC (“Merlin”) and the Company entered into an LMA. Under this LMA, the Company is responsible for operating two FM radio stations in Chicago, Illinois, for monthly fees payable to Merlin of approximately $0.3 million, $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.6 million in the first, second, third and fourth years following the Commencement Date, respectively, in exchange for the Company retaining the operating profits from these radio stations.

In connection therewith, the Company and Merlin also entered into an agreement pursuant to which the Company has the right to purchase these two FM radio stations until October 4, 2017, for an amount in cash equal to the greater of (i) $70.0 million minus the aggregate amount of monthly fees paid by the Company on or prior to the earlier of the closing date or the date that is four years after the Commencement Date; or (ii) $50.0 million, and Merlin has the right to require the Company to purchase these two FM radio stations at any time during a ten-day period commencing October 4, 2017 for $71.0 million, minus the aggregate amount of monthly fees paid by the Company on or prior to the earlier of the closing date and January 2, 2018.

The Company determined through its review of the requirements of ASC 810 that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the LMA with Merlin, and, therefore consolidation of the stations is not required.

On April 1, 2014, the Company initiated an exit plan for a lease due to a restructuring in connection with the acquisition of WestwoodOne (the "Exit Plan"), which includes charges related to terminated contract costs. In connection with the Exit Plan, the Company recorded restructuring costs of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which costs are included in corporate expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2015, liabilities related to the Exit Plan of $0.5 million were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and are expected to be paid within one year and $3.9 million of non-current liabilities are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. We anticipate no additional future charges for the Exit Plan other than true-ups to closed facilities lease charges and accretion expense.

On April 25, 2014, the Company entered into an LMA with Universal Media Access, LLC “(Universal”) pursuant to which the Company is responsible for operating one FM radio station serving San Jose and San Francisco, California for a fixed fee to Universal of approximately $1.4 million each year for two years in exchange for the Company retaining the operating profits from this radio station.

In connection therewith, the Company and Universal also entered into an agreement (the "Put and Call Agreement")pursuant to which the Company had the right to elect to purchase the radio station at any time until May 5, 2016 for $14.8 million minus the aggregate amount of monthly LMA fees paid by the Company on or prior to the earlier of the closing date or April 25, 2015. In addition, Universal had the right to elect to require the Company to purchase the station at any time during a ten-day period commencing May 5, 2016 for $14.8 million, minus the aggregate amount of fees paid by the Company on or prior to the earlier of the closing date and April 25, 2016. Effective February 29, 2016, the Company and Universal have terminated the LMA and the Put and Call Agreement and the Company has agreed to pay a net termination fee of $2.5 million to Universal.

The Company determined through its review of the requirements of ASC 810 that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the LMA with Universal, and, therefore consolidation of the station at December 31, 2015 is not required.

In connection with the departures of executives as disclosed in Note 12, "Stock-Based Compensation Expense", the Company recorded restructuring costs of $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 which are included in corporate expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2015, related liabilities of $9.8 million were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet and are expected to be paid within one year.

The Company may be required to pay additional cash consideration in connection with the WFME Asset Exchange in New York and the Wise Brothers Acquisition. In addition, as a component of the Country Weekly Acquisition, the Company entered into an agreement with one of the sellers to collaborate on the production, publication and distribution of Country Weekly for a fee of $1.0 million for a period of 6 years from date of the Country Weekly Acquisition.

Legal Proceedings

In March 2011, the Company and certain of our subsidiaries were named as defendants along with other radio companies, including Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., CBS Radio, Inc., Entercom Communications, Greater Media, Inc. and Townsquare Media, LLC in a patent infringement suit. The case, Mission Abstract Data L.L.C., d/b/a Digimedia v. Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., et. al., Civil Action Case No: 1:99-mc-09999, U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (filed March 1, 2011), alleges that the defendants are infringing or have infringed on plaintiff’s patents entitled “Selection and Retrieval of Music from a Digital Database.” Plaintiff is seeking injunctive relief and unspecified damages.

In August 2015, the Company was named as a defendant in two separate putative class action lawsuits relating to our use and public performance of certain sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972 (the "Pre-1972 Recordings"). The first suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., et. al. v, Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and alleges, among other things, violation of California rights of publicity, common law conversion, misappropriation and unfair business practices. On December 11, 2015, the first suit was dismissed without prejudice. The second suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., v. Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and alleges, among other things, common law copyright infringement and unfair competition. The New York lawsuit has been stayed pending an appeal before the Second Circuit involving unrelated third-parties over whether the owner of a Pre-1972 Recording holds an exclusive right to publicly perform that recording under New York common law.

Each suit seeks unspecified damages. The Company is evaluating each suit, and intends to defend itself vigorously, the Company is not yet able to determine what effect the lawsuits will have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company currently, and expects that from time to time in the future will be, party to, or a defendant in, various claims or lawsuits that are generally incidental to its business. The Company expects that it will vigorously contest any such claims or lawsuits and believe that the ultimate resolution of any known claim or lawsuit will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.