Business & Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business & Basis of Presentation	Business & Basis of Presentation Business We broadcast 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 features such as SiriusXM On Demand and MySXM, over the Internet, including through applications for mobile devices. We are also a leader in providing connected vehicle applications and services. Our connected vehicle services are designed to enhance the safety, security and driving experience for vehicle owners while providing marketing and operational benefits to automakers and their dealers. Subscribers to our connected vehicle services are not included in our subscriber count. We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radios in their vehicles from which we acquire a majority of our subscribers. We also acquire subscribers through marketing 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 longer term subscription plans as well as discounts for multiple subscriptions. We also derive revenue from activation and other fees, the sale of advertising on select non-music channels, the direct sale of satellite radios and accessories, and other ancillary services, such as our weather, traffic, data and Backseat TV 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. We receive subscription payments for these trials from certain automakers. We also reimburse various automakers for certain costs associated with satellite radios installed in new vehicles. Liberty Media Corporation ("Liberty Media") beneficially owns, directly and indirectly, over 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. As a result, we are a "controlled company" for the purposes of the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements. Liberty Media owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses. Basis of Presentation This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q presents information for Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (“Holdings”). Holdings has no operations independent of its wholly-owned subsidiary Sirius XM Radio Inc. ("Sirius XM"). The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its 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. 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 September 30, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 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, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 4, 2014. 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and have determined that no events have occurred that would require adjustment to our unaudited consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of subsequent events that do not require adjustment to our unaudited consolidated financial statements refer to Note 18. 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 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 features such as SiriusXM On Demand and MySXM, over the Internet, including through applications for mobile devices. We are also a leader in providing connected vehicle applications and services. Our connected vehicle services are designed to enhance the safety, security and driving experience for vehicle owners while providing marketing and operational benefits to automakers and their dealers. Subscribers to our connected vehicle services are not included in our subscriber count.

We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radios in their vehicles from which we acquire a majority of our subscribers. We also acquire subscribers through marketing 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 longer term subscription plans as well as discounts for multiple subscriptions. We also derive revenue from activation and other fees, the sale of advertising on select non-music channels, the direct sale of satellite radios and accessories, and other ancillary services, such as our weather, traffic, data and Backseat TV 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. We receive subscription payments for these trials from certain automakers. We also reimburse various automakers for certain costs associated with satellite radios installed in new vehicles.

Liberty Media Corporation ("Liberty Media") beneficially owns, directly and indirectly, over 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. As a result, we are a "controlled company" for the purposes of the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements. Liberty Media owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses.

Basis of Presentation

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q presents information for Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (“Holdings”). Holdings has no operations independent of its wholly-owned subsidiary Sirius XM Radio Inc. ("Sirius XM").

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its 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.

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 September 30, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 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, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 4, 2014.

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 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and have determined that no events have occurred that would require adjustment to our unaudited consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of subsequent events that do not require adjustment to our unaudited consolidated financial statements refer to Note 18.

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.