Goodwill	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations. We perform an annual assessment as of October 1st of each year to determine if goodwill is impaired. An assessment is performed at other times if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying value. As of September 30, 2012, there were no indicators of impairment and no impairment loss was recorded for goodwill during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, with the release of the deferred income tax valuation allowance, we reduced goodwill by $19,183 related to the subsequent exercise of certain stock options and vesting of certain restricted stock units that were recorded at fair value in connection with the July 2008 merger between our wholly owned subsidiary, Vernon Merger Corporation, and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (the "Merger").

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations. We perform an annual assessment as of October 1st of each year to determine if goodwill is impaired. An assessment is performed at other times if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying value.

As of September 30, 2012, there were no indicators of impairment and no impairment loss was recorded for goodwill during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, with the release of the deferred income tax valuation allowance, we reduced goodwill by $19,183 related to the subsequent exercise of certain stock options and vesting of certain restricted stock units that were recorded at fair value in connection with the July 2008 merger between our wholly owned subsidiary, Vernon Merger Corporation, and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (the "Merger").