CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement Abstract
NET REVENUES	$ 382,727	$ 391,447	$ 372,432
OPERATING EXPENSE:
Station operating expenses, including non-cash compensation expense	263,420	258,896	254,042
Depreciation and amortization expense	11,276	12,660	16,600
Corporate general and administrative expenses, including non-cash compensation expense	26,609	21,954	22,875
Impairment loss	0	0	67,676
Merger and acquisition costs	1,542	0	0
Net time brokerage agreement (income) fees	244	0	(2)
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	163	228	420
Total operating expense	303,254	293,738	361,611
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	79,473	97,709	10,821
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Net interest expense	24,919	30,491	31,171
Net (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	1,144	62	(20,805)
Net (gain) loss on derivative instruments	1,346	0	0
Net (gain) loss on investments	30	174	966
Other income	(32)	(49)	(380)
TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE	27,407	30,678	10,952
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	52,066	67,031	(131)
INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)	(16,444)	20,595	(5,529)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 68,510	$ 46,436	$ 5,398
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE - BASIC	$ 1.88	$ 1.30	$ 0.15
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE - DILUTED	$ 1.81	$ 1.23	$ 0.15
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:
Basic	36,369,410	35,712,026	35,321,431
Diluted	37,763,965	37,679,386	36,402,800