Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Future Commitments The radio broadcast industry's principal ratings service is Nielsen Audio ("Nielsen"), which publishes surveys for domestic radio markets. Certain of the Company's subsidiaries have agreements with Nielsen under which they receive programming ratings information. The remaining aggregate obligation under the agreements with Nielsen is approximately $101.6 million, as of December 31, 2019, and is expected to be paid in accordance with the agreements through December 2021. The Company engages Katz Media Group, Inc. ("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, based upon a formula set forth in the contract. The Company is committed under various contractual agreements to pay for broadcast rights that include sports and news services and to pay for talent, executives, research, weather information 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. As of December 31, 2019, the Company believes that it will meet all such material minimum obligations. Legal Proceedings We have been, and expect in the future to be, a party to various legal proceedings, investigations or claims. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we record accruals for certain of our outstanding legal proceedings when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, at least on a quarterly basis, developments in our legal proceedings or other claims that could affect the amount of any accrual, as well as any developments that would result in a loss contingency to become both probable and reasonably estimable. When a loss contingency is not both probable and reasonably estimable, we do not record a loss accrual. If the loss (or an additional loss in excess of any prior accrual) is reasonably possible and material, we disclose an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if such estimate can be made. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, involves a series of judgments about future events, which are often complex. Even if a loss is reasonably possible, we may not be able to estimate a range of possible loss, particularly where (i) the damages sought are substantial or indeterminate, (ii) the proceedings are in the early stages, (iii) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories or a large number of parties, or (iv) various factors outside of our control could lead to vastly different outcomes. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of such matters, including the amount of any possible loss. In August 2015, the Company was named as a defendant in two separate putative class action lawsuits relating to its 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 U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and alleged, among other things, copyright infringement under California state law, common law conversion, misappropriation and unfair business practices. On December 11, 2015, this suit was dismissed without prejudice. The second suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., v. Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and claimed, among other things, common law copyright infringement and unfair competition. The New York lawsuit was 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. On December 20, 2016, the New York Court of Appeals held that New York common law does not recognize a right of public performance for owners of pre-1972 Recordings. As a result of that case (to which Cumulus Media Inc. was not a party) the New York case against Cumulus Media Inc., was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs on April 3, 2017. On October 11, 2018, President Trump signed the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (the "Music Modernization Act") into law, which, among other things, provides new federal rights going forward for owners of pre-1972 Recordings. The question of whether public performance rights existed for Pre-1972 recordings under state law prior to the enactment of the new Music Modernization Act is still being litigated in the Ninth Circuit as a result of a case filed in California. Cumulus is not a party to that case, and the Company is not yet able to determine what effect that proceeding will have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The FCC staff has advised companies in the radio broadcast industry, including the Company, that it has been conducting an investigation into the timeliness of compliance with political file record keeping obligations by radio stations throughout the industry. The Company has been engaged in discussions with the FCC staff with respect to this investigation. The Company is in the process of assessing its compliance with these filing obligations and the underlying facts, is cooperating with the FCC and continues to engage in discussions regarding a potential resolution or settlement of the matter. Although the Company does not currently expect that the ultimate resolution would have a material effect on the Company, given its preliminary nature, the Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate what effect the ultimate outcome might have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. On May 17, 2018, after unsuccessful license fee negotiations between the Radio Music License Committee, Inc. ("RMLC") and Broadcast Music, Inc. ("BMI"), RMLC, on behalf of the FCC-licensed broadcast radio stations operating in the U.S. that it represents (the "Stations"), filed a petition for the determination of reasonable final license fees, case No. 18-cv-044420-LLS, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. In the petition, RMLC requested that the court determine reasonable final fees and terms for a blanket license, an adjustable-fee blanket license, and a per-program license for the Stations on a retroactive basis for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021, and for such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper. RMLC negotiates music licensing fees with performing rights organizations on behalf of many U.S. radio stations, including Cumulus. On January 24, 2020, RMLC and BMI agreed to basic terms in a provisional settlement. These terms are subject to further negotiation as the final agreement is reached. The final fees, as determined by the courts, will be retroactive to January 1, 2017 and the Company will be liable for its share. Based on the matters described above, coupled with the preliminary status of the settlement and historical experience with similar negotiations, we have determined that the loss contingency is not probable and reasonable estimable. In addition, given the early stage of the provisional settlement and the potential impacts of factors that are outside of our control and on which we have limited visibility, we are currently unable to reasonably estimate the range of possible loss.

Commitments and Contingencies

Future Commitments

The radio broadcast industry's principal ratings service is Nielsen Audio ("Nielsen"), which publishes surveys for domestic radio markets. Certain of the Company's subsidiaries have agreements with Nielsen under which they receive programming ratings information. The remaining aggregate obligation under the agreements with Nielsen is approximately $101.6 million, as of December 31, 2019, and is expected to be paid in accordance with the agreements through December 2021.

The Company engages Katz Media Group, Inc. ("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, based upon a formula set forth in the contract.

The Company is committed under various contractual agreements to pay for broadcast rights that include sports and news services and to pay for talent, executives, research, weather information 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. As of December 31, 2019, the Company believes that it will meet all such material minimum obligations.

Legal Proceedings

We have been, and expect in the future to be, a party to various legal proceedings, investigations or claims. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we record accruals for certain of our outstanding legal proceedings when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, at least on a quarterly basis, developments in our legal proceedings or other claims that could affect the amount of any accrual, as well as any developments that would result in a loss contingency to become both probable and reasonably estimable. When a loss contingency is not both probable and reasonably estimable, we do not record a loss accrual.

If the loss (or an additional loss in excess of any prior accrual) is reasonably possible and material, we disclose an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if such estimate can be made. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, involves a series of judgments about future events, which are often complex. Even if a loss is reasonably possible, we may not be able to estimate a range of possible loss, particularly where (i) the damages sought are substantial or indeterminate, (ii) the proceedings are in the early stages, (iii) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories or a large number of parties, or (iv) various factors outside of our control could lead to vastly different outcomes. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of such matters, including the amount of any possible loss.

In August 2015, the Company was named as a defendant in two separate putative class action lawsuits relating to its 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 U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and alleged, among other things, copyright infringement under California state law, common law conversion, misappropriation and unfair business practices. On December 11, 2015, this suit was dismissed without prejudice. The second suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., v. Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and claimed, among other things, common law copyright infringement and unfair competition. The New York lawsuit was 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. On December 20, 2016, the New York Court of Appeals held that New York common law does not recognize a right of public performance for owners of pre-1972 Recordings. As a result of that case (to which Cumulus Media Inc. was not a party) the New York case against Cumulus Media Inc., was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs on April 3, 2017. On October 11, 2018, President Trump signed the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (the "Music Modernization Act") into law, which, among other things, provides new federal rights going forward for owners of pre-1972 Recordings. The question of whether public performance rights existed for Pre-1972 recordings under state law prior to the enactment of the new Music Modernization Act is still being litigated in the Ninth Circuit as a result of a case filed in California. Cumulus is not a party to that case, and the Company is not yet able to determine what effect that proceeding will have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The FCC staff has advised companies in the radio broadcast industry, including the Company, that it has been conducting an investigation into the timeliness of compliance with political file record keeping obligations by radio stations throughout the industry. The Company has been engaged in discussions with the FCC staff with respect to this investigation. The Company is in the process of assessing its compliance with these filing obligations and the underlying facts, is cooperating with the FCC and continues to engage in discussions regarding a potential resolution or settlement of the matter. Although the Company does not currently expect that the ultimate resolution would have a material effect on the Company, given its preliminary nature, the Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate what effect the ultimate outcome might have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On May 17, 2018, after unsuccessful license fee negotiations between the Radio Music License Committee, Inc. ("RMLC") and Broadcast Music, Inc. ("BMI"), RMLC, on behalf of the FCC-licensed broadcast radio stations operating in the U.S. that it represents (the "Stations"), filed a petition for the determination of reasonable final license fees, case No. 18-cv-044420-LLS, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. In the petition, RMLC requested that the court determine reasonable final fees and terms for a blanket license, an adjustable-fee blanket license, and a per-program license for the Stations on a retroactive basis for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021, and for such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper. RMLC negotiates music licensing fees with performing rights organizations on behalf of many U.S. radio stations, including Cumulus. On January 24, 2020, RMLC and BMI agreed to basic terms in a provisional settlement. These terms are subject to further negotiation as the final agreement is reached. The final fees, as determined by the courts, will be retroactive to January 1, 2017 and the Company will be liable for its share. Based on the matters described above, coupled with the preliminary status of the settlement and historical experience with similar negotiations, we have determined that the loss contingency is not probable and reasonable estimable. In addition, given the early stage of the provisional settlement and the potential impacts of factors that are outside of our control and on which we have limited visibility, we are currently unable to reasonably estimate the range of possible loss.