INCOME TAXES - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits	$ 678	$ 857
Deferred compensation	588	476
Provision for doubtful accounts	959	947
Deferred gain on tower transaction	236	236
Derivative financial instruments	0	0
Other	505us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther	567us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther
Total current deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	2,966us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGrossCurrent	3,083us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGrossCurrent
Valuation allowance	(620)	(195)
Total current deferred tax assets - net	2,346etm_DeferredTaxAssetsCurrent	2,888etm_DeferredTaxAssetsCurrent
Federal and state income tax loss carryforwards	130,074	115,130
Share-based compensation	2,648	2,136
Investments - impairments	498	490
Deferred gain on tower transaction, long term	3,281	3,525
Lease rental obligations	2,289	2,058
Deferred compensation	4,322	4,112
Other	1,154etm_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxOtherNoncurrent	1,086etm_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxOtherNoncurrent
Total non-current deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	144,266	128,537
Valuation allowance	(20,146)	(20,043)
Total non-current deferred tax assets - net	124,120us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	108,494us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent
Total deferred tax assets	126,466us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet	111,382us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet
Deferred tax liabilities:
Advertiser broadcasting obligations	(98)	(38)
Total current deferred tax liabilities	(98)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesCurrent	(38)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesCurrent
Deferral of gain recognition on the extinguishment of debt	(6,119)	(7,657)
Property, equipment and certain intangibles (other than broadcasting licenses and goodwill)	5,579	4,318
Broadcasting licenses and goodwill	(187,050)	(149,427)
Total non-current deferred tax liabilities	(187,590)	(152,766)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(187,688)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities	(152,804)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$ (61,222)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	$ (41,422)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet

The current portion of the aggregate tax effects as of the balance sheet date of all future tax deductions arising from temporary differences between tax basis and generally accepted accounting principles basis recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when permitted under enacted tax laws; after deducting the allocated valuation allowance, if any, to reduce such amount to net realizable value. This balnce is not presented net of current deferred tax liabilities.

No definition available.