SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Other Award Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 number	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 number	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding	754,300		754,300		876,025
Weighted average remaining contractual life options outstanding	6.3		6.3
Weighted average exercise price options outstanding	$ 2.36		$ 2.36		$ 2.84
Number of options exercisable	526,614		526,614
Weighted average exercise price options exercisable	$ 2.74		$ 2.74
Recognized Non-Cash Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Total Non cash compensation expense recognized	$ 908	$ 1,097	$ 2,864	$ 4,614
Station operating expenses [Member]
Recognized Non-Cash Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Total Non cash compensation expense recognized	169	224	433	551
Corporate general and administrative expenses [Member]
Recognized Non-Cash Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Total Non cash compensation expense recognized	1,097	1,337	3,551	5,676
Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses [Member]
Recognized Non-Cash Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Total Non cash compensation expense recognized	1,266	1,561	3,984	6,227
Income tax benefit (net of a fully reserved valuation allowance for prior year) [Member]
Recognized Non-Cash Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Total Non cash compensation expense recognized	$ 358	$ 464	$ 1,120	$ 1,613
Exercise prices from 1.34 to 1.34
Significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding	695,300		695,300
Weighted average remaining contractual life options outstanding	6.4		6.4
Weighted average exercise price options outstanding	$ 1.34		$ 1.34
Number of options exercisable	474,864		474,864
Weighted average exercise price options exercisable	$ 1.34		$ 1.34
Exercise prices from 2.02 to 6.62
Significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding	20,000		20,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life options outstanding	7.0		7.0
Weighted average exercise price options outstanding	$ 5.52		$ 5.52
Number of options exercisable	12,750		12,750
Weighted average exercise price options exercisable	$ 5.35		$ 5.35
Exercise prices from 10.90 to 11.69
Significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding	20,500		20,500
Weighted average remaining contractual life options outstanding	5.4		5.4
Weighted average exercise price options outstanding	$ 11.46		$ 11.46
Number of options exercisable	20,500		20,500
Weighted average exercise price options exercisable	$ 11.46		$ 11.46
Exercise prices from 11.78 to 48.21
Significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding	18,500		18,500
Weighted average remaining contractual life options outstanding	3.4		3.4
Weighted average exercise price options outstanding	$ 27.24		$ 27.24
Number of options exercisable	18,500		18,500
Weighted average exercise price options exercisable	$ 27.24		$ 27.24