Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (32,729)	$ 63,860	$ 29,402
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	143,303	52,443	9,098
Amortization of debt issuance costs/discount	10,130	4,800	1,248
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,694	2,736	1,271
Gain on sale of assets or stations	2,277	43	(116)
Gain on exchange of assets or stations	(62,967)	(15,278)
Impairment of intangible assets	127,141		671
Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments	320	(214)	(9,999)
Deferred income taxes	(18,227)	(61,993)	3,429
Non-cash stock compensation	11,893	5,855	2,451
Other		(1,318)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	2,432	4,366
Gain on equity investment in Cumulus Media Partners, LLC		(11,636)
Changes in assets and liabilities	(7,777)	28,087	5,283
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	179,490	71,751	42,553
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			42,738
Cash flows from investing activities:
Restricted cash	(2,067)	(394)	185
Acquisitions less cash acquired	(9,998)	(2,024,172)
Proceeds from sale of assets or radio stations	1,897		296
Purchases of intangible assets			(246)
Capital expenditures	(6,607)	(6,690)	(2,475)
Proceeds from exchange of assets or stations	114,918
Net cash used in investing activities			(2,425)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	98,143	(2,031,256)	(2,240)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowings under term loans and revolving credit facilities	(174,313)	(1,264,676)	(43,136)
Tax withholding paid on behalf of employees	(1,952)	(935)	(343)
Preferred stock dividends	(15,017)	(521)
Other			(244)
Proceeds from issuance of 7.75% senior notes due 2019		610,000
Proceeds from borrowings under term loans and revolving credit facilities	21,000	2,315,145
Proceeds from sale of equity securities		475,000
Financing costs paid in connection with the sale of equity securities		(30,978)
Redemption of preferred stock	(49,233)	(41,565)
Exercise of warrants	142	171
Debt discount fees		(25,460)	(244)
Deferred financing costs	(802)	(58,898)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(220,175)	1,977,283	(43,723)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	57,458	17,778	(3,410)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	30,592	12,814	16,224
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	88,050	30,592	12,814
Cumulus Media Inc. (Parent Guarantor)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	(32,729)	63,860	29,402
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,671	1,300	1,614
Amortization of debt issuance costs/discount		434	1,248
Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments	332	(3,582)	(11,956)
Non-cash stock compensation	11,893	5,855	2,451
Other		(1,318)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		4,366
Gain on equity investment in Cumulus Media Partners, LLC		(11,636)
(Loss) earnings from consolidated subsidiaries	(28,407)	(156,994)	(83,548)
Changes in assets and liabilities	(80,084)	(58,976)	10,479
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(126,324)	(156,691)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(50,310)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Restricted cash	(2,067)	(394)
Acquisitions less cash acquired		(2,024,172)
Proceeds from sale of assets or radio stations	1,897
Capital expenditures	(722)	(1,655)	(925)
Net cash used in investing activities			(925)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(892)	(2,026,221)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany transactions, net	263,963	3,044,971	95,922
Repayment of borrowings under term loans and revolving credit facilities		(1,264,676)	(43,136)
Tax withholding paid on behalf of employees	(1,952)	(935)	(343)
Preferred stock dividends	(15,017)
Other			(244)
Proceeds from sale of equity securities		475,000
Financing costs paid in connection with the sale of equity securities		(30,978)
Redemption of preferred stock	(49,233)	(41,565)
Exercise of warrants	142	171
Deferred financing costs	(802)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	197,101	2,181,988	52,199
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	69,885	(924)	964
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	11,714	12,638	11,674
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	81,599	11,714	12,638
Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. (Subsidiary Issuer)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	28,407	156,994
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of debt issuance costs/discount	10,130	4,366
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	2,432
(Loss) earnings from consolidated subsidiaries	(226,875)	(235,106)
Changes in assets and liabilities	3,075	16,218
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(182,831)	(57,528)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany transactions, net	336,144	(2,782,738)
Repayment of borrowings under term loans and revolving credit facilities	(174,313)
Preferred stock dividends		(521)
Proceeds from issuance of 7.75% senior notes due 2019		610,000
Proceeds from borrowings under term loans and revolving credit facilities	21,000	2,315,145
Debt discount fees		(25,460)
Deferred financing costs		(58,898)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	182,831	57,528
Subsidiary Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	226,875	235,106	83,548
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	140,632	51,143	7,484
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,694	2,736	1,271
Gain on sale of assets or stations	2,277	43	(116)
Gain on exchange of assets or stations	(37,990)	(15,278)
Impairment of intangible assets	127,141
Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments	(12)	3,368	1,957
Deferred income taxes	(28,681)	(79,327)	(727)
(Loss) earnings from consolidated subsidiaries	(1,555)	18,713	3,728
Changes in assets and liabilities	68,496	70,978	(5,191)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	500,877	287,482
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			91,954
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions less cash acquired	(9,998)
Proceeds from sale of assets or radio stations			296
Purchases of intangible assets			(246)
Capital expenditures	(5,885)	(5,035)	(1,550)
Proceeds from exchange of assets or stations	114,918
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,500)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	99,035	(5,035)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany transactions, net	(612,339)	(263,745)	(94,828)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(612,339)	(263,745)	(94,828)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(12,427)	18,702	(4,374)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	18,878	176	4,550
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6,451	18,878	176
Subsidiary Non-guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	1,555	(18,713)	(3,728)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on exchange of assets or stations	(24,977)
Impairment of intangible assets			671
Deferred income taxes	10,454	17,334	4,156
Changes in assets and liabilities	736	(133)	(5)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(12,232)	(1,512)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			1,094
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany transactions, net	12,232	1,512	(1,094)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	12,232	1,512	(1,094)
Eliminations
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	(256,837)	(373,387)	(79,820)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
(Loss) earnings from consolidated subsidiaries	$ 256,837	$ 373,387	$ 79,820