Business & Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business & Basis of Presentation	Business & Basis of Presentation Business We transmit 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 our Internet radio service, including through applications for mobile devices. We are also a leader in providing connected vehicle services. Our connected vehicle services are designed to enhance the safety, security and driving experience for vehicle operators while providing marketing and operational benefits to automakers and their dealers. We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radio in their vehicles. We also acquire subscribers through marketing to owners and lessees of previously owned vehicles that include factory-installed satellite radios that are not currently subscribing to our services. Additionally, we distribute our satellite radios through retailers online and at locations nationwide and through our website. Satellite radio services are also offered to customers of certain 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 plan. We offer discounts for prepaid, longer term subscription plans, as well as a multiple subscription discount. 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 and data services. In certain cases, a subscription to our radio services is included in the sale or lease price of new or previously owned vehicles. The length of these subscriptions varies but is typically three to twelve months. We receive payments for these subscriptions from certain automakers. We also reimburse various automakers for certain costs associated with satellite radios installed in new vehicles. As of September 30, 2016, Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) beneficially owned, directly and indirectly, approximately 65% 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 range of media, communications and entertainment businesses. Recent Development Recapitalization of Sirius XM Canada On May 12, 2016, our subsidiary, Sirius XM Radio Inc. (“Sirius XM”), entered into an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc. ("Sirius XM Canada"), an entity in which Sirius XM currently holds an approximate 37% economic interest and 25% voting interest. Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, Sirius XM and certain Canadian shareholders will form a new company to acquire shares of Sirius XM Canada not already owned by them pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the “Transaction”). In connection with the Transaction, Sirius XM Canada’s shareholders will be entitled to elect to receive, for each share of Sirius XM Canada held, C$4.50 (U.S. $3.50 as of May 12, 2016) in (i) cash, (ii) shares of our common stock, (iii) a security exchangeable for shares of our common stock, or (iv) a combination thereof; provided that no more than 50% of the total consideration in the Transaction (or up to 35,000 shares) will be issued in our common stock and exchangeable shares. All of the obligations of Sirius XM under the Arrangement Agreement are guaranteed by us. Following the Transaction, Sirius XM is expected to hold a 70% economic interest and 33% voting interest in Sirius XM Canada, with the remainder of the voting power and economic interest held by Slaight Communications and Obelysk Media, two of Sirius XM Canada’s current Canadian shareholders. Sirius XM expects to contribute to Sirius XM Canada approximately U.S. $275,000 in connection with the Transaction (assuming that all shareholders elect to receive cash in connection with the Transaction), which amount is expected to be used to pay the cash consideration to Sirius XM Canada’s shareholders and will be decreased proportionately if shareholders elect to receive consideration in shares of our common stock or securities exchangeable for our common stock. The Transaction has been approved by the stockholders of Sirius XM Canada and has received the required court approval. The Transaction remains subject to receipt of Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission approval. Pending receipt of this approval, the Transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016. 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. 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. Certain numbers 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 our management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 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, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February 2, 2016. Public companies are required to disclose certain information about their reportable operating segments. Operating segments are defined as significant components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision makers in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance of the segment. We have determined that we have one reportable segment as our chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer, assesses performance and allocates resources based on the consolidated results of operations of our business. 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, 2016 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 15. 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 transmit 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 our Internet radio service, including through applications for mobile devices. We are also a leader in providing connected vehicle services. Our connected vehicle services are designed to enhance the safety, security and driving experience for vehicle operators while providing marketing and operational benefits to automakers and their dealers.

We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radio in their vehicles. We also acquire subscribers through marketing to owners and lessees of previously owned vehicles that include factory-installed satellite radios that are not currently subscribing to our services. Additionally, we distribute our satellite radios through retailers online and at locations nationwide and through our website. Satellite radio services are also offered to customers of certain 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 plan. We offer discounts for prepaid, longer term subscription plans, as well as a multiple subscription discount. 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 and data services.

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

As of September 30, 2016, Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) beneficially owned, directly and indirectly, approximately 65% 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 range of media, communications and entertainment businesses.

Recent Development

Recapitalization of Sirius XM Canada

On May 12, 2016, our subsidiary, Sirius XM Radio Inc. (“Sirius XM”), entered into an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc. ("Sirius XM Canada"), an entity in which Sirius XM currently holds an approximate 37% economic interest and 25% voting interest. Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, Sirius XM and certain Canadian shareholders will form a new company to acquire shares of Sirius XM Canada not already owned by them pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the “Transaction”). In connection with the Transaction, Sirius XM Canada’s shareholders will be entitled to elect to receive, for each share of Sirius XM Canada held, C$4.50 (U.S. $3.50 as of May 12, 2016) in (i) cash, (ii) shares of our common stock, (iii) a security exchangeable for shares of our common stock, or (iv) a combination thereof; provided that no more than 50% of the total consideration in the Transaction (or up to 35,000 shares) will be issued in our common stock and exchangeable shares. All of the obligations of Sirius XM under the Arrangement Agreement are guaranteed by us.

Following the Transaction, Sirius XM is expected to hold a 70% economic interest and 33% voting interest in Sirius XM Canada, with the remainder of the voting power and economic interest held by Slaight Communications and Obelysk Media, two of Sirius XM Canada’s current Canadian shareholders. Sirius XM expects to contribute to Sirius XM Canada approximately U.S. $275,000 in connection with the Transaction (assuming that all shareholders elect to receive cash in connection with the Transaction), which amount is expected to be used to pay the cash consideration to Sirius XM Canada’s shareholders and will be decreased proportionately if shareholders elect to receive consideration in shares of our common stock or securities exchangeable for our common stock.

The Transaction has been approved by the stockholders of Sirius XM Canada and has received the required court approval. The Transaction remains subject to receipt of Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission approval. Pending receipt of this approval, the Transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016.

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.

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.

Certain numbers 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 our management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 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, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February 2, 2016.

Public companies are required to disclose certain information about their reportable operating segments. Operating segments are defined as significant components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision makers in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance of the segment. We have determined that we have one reportable segment as our chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer, assesses performance and allocates resources based on the consolidated results of operations of our business.

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, 2016 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 15.

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.