Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (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 (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	143,303	52,443	9,098
Amortization of debt issuance costs/discounts	10,130	4,800	1,248
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,694	2,736	1,271
Loss (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-based compensation expense	11,893	5,855	2,451
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	2,432	4,366
Other		(1,318)
Gain on equity investment in Cumulus Media Partners, LLC		(11,636)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	28,904	(6,461)	(2,034)
Trade receivable	(653)	826	1,882
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(6,993)	7,734	306
Other assets	7,569	(2,803)	2,087
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(16,994)	30,667	5,879
Trade payable	(196)	(501)	(1,964)
Other liabilities	(19,414)	(1,375)	(1,058)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	179,490	71,751	42,553
Cash flows from investing activities:
Restricted cash	(2,067)	(394)	185
Purchase of intangible assets			(246)
Proceeds from sale of assets or stations	1,897		296
Capital expenditures	(6,607)	(6,690)	(2,475)
Proceeds from exchange of assets or stations	114,918
Acquisition less cash acquired	(9,998)	(2,024,172)
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 payments on behalf of employees	(1,952)	(935)	(343)
Preferred stock dividends	(15,017)	(521)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	142	171
Redemption of preferred stock	(49,233)	(41,565)
Financing costs paid in connection with sale of equity securities		(30,978)
Proceeds from borrowings under term loans and revolving credit facilities	21,000	2,315,145
Proceeds from issuance of 7.75% senior notes		610,000
Proceeds from sale of equity securities		475,000
Debt discount		(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
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	192,083	69,558	41,416
Income taxes paid	6,658	6,148	324
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash flow information:
Compensation held in trust	24,807
Trade revenue	27,732	21,184	16,748
Trade expense	26,112	20,810	16,546
Preferred stock dividends	$ 2,652	$ 3,125