Schedule II - STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 01, 2012	Apr. 01, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010 Harbinger Group Inc [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Harbinger Group Inc [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Harbinger Group Inc [Member]
Revenues	$ 1,196,853	$ 1,012,160	$ 1,105,654	$ 1,166,049	$ 888,541	$ 1,034,290	$ 693,885	$ 861,066	$ 4,480,716	$ 3,477,782	$ 2,567,011		[1]
Cost of revenues													[1]
Gross profit	279,925	291,696	260,031	284,026	280,496	293,694	255,439	299,238					[1]
Operating expenses:
General and administrative												1,438	[1]	48,377	13,883
Acquisition related charges												6,649	[1]	3,729	8,696
Total operating expenses												8,087	[1]	52,106	22,579
Operating income	120,364	81,403	95,893	111,831	(43,953)	120,516	22,429	64,694	409,491	163,686	160,454	(8,087)	[1]	(52,106)	(22,579)
Other income (expense):
Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries												(55,772)	[1]	354,628	75,014
Interest expense									(251,032)	(249,260)	(277,015)			(56,565)	(39,005)
(Increase) decrease in fair value of equity conversion feature of preferred stock									(156,600)	27,910				(156,600)	27,910
Other, net									(17,473)	(42,743)	(12,105)	195	[1]	190	723
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									25,386	57,934	(132,312)	(63,664)	[1]	89,547	42,063
Income tax (benefit) expense									(85,282)	50,555	63,195	6	[1]	(9)	4
Net income (loss)									89,556	42,059	(151,869)	(63,670)	[1]	89,556	42,059
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion									59,641	19,833				59,641	19,833
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	$ 159,091	$ (149,080)	$ (3,855)	$ 23,759	$ (107,095)	$ 211,341	$ (61,950)	$ (20,070)	$ 29,915	$ 22,226	$ (151,869)	$ (63,670)	[1]	$ 29,915	$ 22,226

[1] Date from which the registrant's results of operations are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, as discussed further in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.