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Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2011	Nov. 03, 2011 Class A Common Stock [Member]	Nov. 03, 2011 Class B Common Stock [Member]	Nov. 03, 2011 Total Common Stock [Member]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Entity Registrant Name	MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001091801
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,252,042	25,984,625	55,236,667