Business & Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business & Basis of Presentation	Business & Basis of Presentation Business We broadcast our music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels, as well as infotainment services in the United States on a subscription fee basis through our two proprietary satellite radio systems. Subscribers can also receive music and other channels, plus new features such as SiriusXM On Demand and MySXM, over the Internet, including through applications for mobile devices. We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radios as factory or dealer-installed equipment in their vehicles from which we acquire a majority of our subscribers. We also acquire subscribers through marketing campaigns to owners of factory-installed satellite radios that are not currently subscribing to our services. Additionally, we distribute our satellite radios through retail locations nationwide and through our website. Satellite radio services are also offered to customers of certain daily rental car companies. Our primary source of revenue is subscription fees, with most of our customers subscribing on an annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis. We offer discounts for prepaid and long-term subscription plans, as well as discounts for multiple subscriptions. We also derive revenue from other subscription-related fees, the sale of advertising on select non-music channels, the direct sale of satellite radios, components and accessories, and other ancillary services, such as our Internet radio, Backseat TV, data, traffic, and weather services. In certain cases, automakers and dealers include a subscription to our radio services in the sale or lease price of new or previously owned vehicles. The length of these trial subscriptions varies, but is typically three to twelve months. In many cases, we receive subscription payments for these trials from automakers in advance of the activation of our service. We also reimburse various automakers for certain costs associated with satellite radios installed in their vehicles. Liberty Media Corporation beneficially owned as of March 31, 2013, directly and indirectly, over 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Liberty Media owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses, including its subsidiaries, Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. and TruePosition, Inc., its interests in Live Nation Entertainment, Barnes & Noble, and minority equity investments in Time Warner Inc. and Viacom. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Basis of Presentation Certain amounts in our prior period consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to our current period presentation. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2013 and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 have been made. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read together with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which was filed with the SEC on February 6, 2013. We have evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date and prior to the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and have determined that no events have occurred that would require adjustment to our unaudited consolidated financial statements. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include asset impairment, depreciable lives of our satellites, share-based payment expense, and income taxes.

Business & Basis of Presentation

Business

We broadcast our music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels, as well as infotainment services in the United States on a subscription fee basis through our two proprietary satellite radio systems. Subscribers can also receive music and other channels, plus new features such as SiriusXM On Demand and MySXM, over the Internet, including through applications for mobile devices. We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radios as factory or dealer-installed equipment in their vehicles from which we acquire a majority of our subscribers. We also acquire subscribers through marketing campaigns to owners of factory-installed satellite radios that are not currently subscribing to our services. Additionally, we distribute our satellite radios through retail locations nationwide and through our website. Satellite radio services are also offered to customers of certain daily rental car companies.

Our primary source of revenue is subscription fees, with most of our customers subscribing on an annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis. We offer discounts for prepaid and long-term subscription plans, as well as discounts for multiple subscriptions. We also derive revenue from other subscription-related fees, the sale of advertising on select non-music channels, the direct sale of satellite radios, components and accessories, and other ancillary services, such as our Internet radio, Backseat TV, data, traffic, and weather services.

In certain cases, automakers and dealers include a subscription to our radio services in the sale or lease price of new or previously owned vehicles. The length of these trial subscriptions varies, but is typically three to twelve months. In many cases, we receive subscription payments for these trials from automakers in advance of the activation of our service. We also reimburse various automakers for certain costs associated with satellite radios installed in their vehicles.

Liberty Media Corporation beneficially owned as of March 31, 2013, directly and indirectly, over 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Liberty Media owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses, including its subsidiaries, Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. and TruePosition, Inc., its interests in Live Nation Entertainment, Barnes & Noble, and minority equity investments in Time Warner Inc. and Viacom.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

Basis of Presentation

Certain amounts in our prior period consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to our current period presentation. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2013 and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 have been made.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read together with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which was filed with the SEC on February 6, 2013.

We have evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date and prior to the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and have determined that no events have occurred that would require adjustment to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include asset impairment, depreciable lives of our satellites, share-based payment expense, and income taxes.