INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011 number	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009 number	Dec. 31, 2008 number
Changes in broadcasting licenses [Line Items]
Beginning of period balance	$ 707,852	$ 707,852	$ 768,646
Impairment loss	0	0	(60,794)
Acquisition	8,050	0	0
Ending period balance	715,902	707,852	707,852	768,646
Market approach for step one goodwill analysis [Abstract]
Income model years used for the discounted cash flow approach	10
Estimates of market multiples			6.0	6.0
Reporting units with goodwill balances	19
Reporting units with no goodwill balances	4
Changes in goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill before cumulative loss on impairment	163,783	163,783	163,783
Accumulated loss on impairment	(125,615)	(125,615)	(118,733)
Beginning balance after cumulative loss on impairment	38,168	38,168	45,050
Loss on impairment during the year	0	0	(6,882)
Acquisition	723	0	0
Ending balance	$ 38,891	$ 38,168	$ 38,168	$ 45,050
Maximum [Member]
Market approach for step one goodwill analysis [Abstract]
Estimates of market multiples	8.0	8.0
Minimum [Member]
Market approach for step one goodwill analysis [Abstract]
Estimates of market multiples	7.5	7.5
Broadcasting License Impairment Testing [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Discount rates	10.00%	10.00%	10.60%	10.60%
Broadcasting License Impairment Testing [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Operating profit margin ranges of the markets of the Company	41.50%	42.50%	44.00%	46.70%
Long-term revenue growth rate ranges of the markets of the Company	2.00%	2.00%	2.50%	2.00%
Broadcasting License Impairment Testing [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Operating profit margin ranges of the markets of the Company	19.50%	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
Long-term revenue growth rate ranges of the markets of the Company	1.50%	1.50%	1.00%	1.00%
Goodwill Impairment Testing [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Discount rates	10.00%	10.00%	10.60%	10.60%
Goodwill Impairment Testing [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Long-term revenue growth rate ranges of the markets of the Company	2.00%	2.00%	2.50%	2.00%
Goodwill Impairment Testing [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Long-term revenue growth rate ranges of the markets of the Company	1.50%	1.50%	1.00%	1.00%

The discount rate is estimated using required returns on debt and equity of publicly traded radio companies.

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