Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Investments Marketable Securities, Current Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $33,596,096 and $21,088,503 in 2009 and 2010, respectively Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for doubtful accounts Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Deposits Paid For Acquisition Of Subsidiaries Current Deposits paid for acquisition of subsidiaries Deposits paid for acquisition of subsidiaries Amounts due from related parties Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current Rental deposits Deposits Assets, Current Assets, Current, Total Total current assets Total current assets Rental deposits Deposits Assets, Noncurrent Equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Acquired intangible assets, net Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Amount Goodwill Goodwill Other long-term assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets, Total Total assets Liabilities and equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable of the consolidated VIEs Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts payable (including accounts payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of $4,410,602 and $4,340,424 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively) Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIEs Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of $7,234,408 and $10,635,394 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively) Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income taxes payable of the consolidated VIEs Income taxes payable (including income taxes payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of $2,976,916 and $2,914,969 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively) Amounts due to related parties Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated VIEs Deferred tax liabilities Deferred tax liabilities (including deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of $277,406 and $1,820,531 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively) Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred tax liabilities (Noncurrent) of the consolidated VIEs Deferred tax liabilities Deferred tax liabilities (including deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of $1,406,095 and $710,252 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively) Total liabilities Liabilities, Total Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 17) Equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Common Stock, Value, Issued Ordinary shares ($0.00005 par value; 19,800,000,000 shares authorized in 2009 and 2010; 725,278,005 and 677,934,625 shares issued and outstanding in 2009 and 2010, respectively) Ordinary shares, par value Ordinary shares, par value Ordinary shares, shares authorized Ordinary shares, shares authorized Ordinary shares, shares issued Ordinary shares, shares issued Ordinary shares, shares outstanding Ordinary shares, shares outstanding Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Common Stock, Share Subscribed but Unissued, Subscriptions Receivable Subscription receivable Subscription receivable Retained earnings (deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Total Focus Media Holdings Limited shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Balance Balance Total equity Total equity Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total Total liabilities and equity Net revenues: Sales Revenue, Net [Abstract] Advertising service revenue Advertising Revenue Other Sales Revenue, Net Other revenues Total net revenues Sales Revenue, Net, Total Total net revenues Cost of revenues: Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Advertising service cost Advertising Revenue Cost Other Cost of Operating Revenue Other costs Total cost of revenues Cost of Revenue, Total Total cost of revenues Gross profit Gross Profit Gross profit Operating Expenses Income Abstract Operating expenses: General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Selling and marketing Selling and Marketing Expense Impairment loss Asset Impairment Charges Other Cost and Expense, Operating Other operating expenses (income), net Operating Expenses Net Total operating expenses Total operating expenses Total operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Income (loss) from operations Interest income Investment Income, Interest Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income (loss) attributable to Focus Media Holdings Limited Shareholders Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income (loss) attributable to Focus Media Holdings Limited Shareholders Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Income (loss) per share from continuing operations - basic Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Income (loss) per share from continuing operations - diluted Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations - basic Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations - diluted Earnings Per Share, Basic Income (loss) per share - basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Income (loss) per share - diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Shares used in calculating basic income (loss) per share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Shares used in calculating diluted income (loss) per share Ordinary shares Shares, Issued Balance, shares Balance, shares Balance at December 31, 2009, shares Additional paid-in capital Subscription Receivable [Member] Subscription receivables Retained earning (accumulated deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive income Noncontrolling interests Comprehensive income (loss) Issuance of ordinary shares, shares Issuance of ordinary shares, shares Issuance of ordinary shares Issuance of ordinary shares Issuance of ordinary shares in connection with acquisitions, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions Issuance of ordinary shares in connection with acquisitions Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Issuance of ordinary shares pursuant to share option plans, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options Exercised Issuance of ordinary shares pursuant to share option plans Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Share-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities Cumulative translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Capital injection from noncontrolling interest holders Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Stock Issuance or Sale of Parent Equity Interest Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Stock repurchase, shares Stock repurchase, shares Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Stock repurchase Changes In Equity Ownership On Partial Disposal Of Subsidiaries Changes in equity ownership on partial disposal of subsidiaries Changes in equity ownership on partial disposal of subsidiaries Disposal Of Subsidiaries Disposal of subsidiaries Disposal of subsidiaries Operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Bad debt expenses Provision for Doubtful Accounts Share-based compensation Share-based Compensation Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities Loss from equity method investees Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Loss from equity method investees Loss On Disposal of Equity Interest of Subsidiaries And Impairment of Other Long Lived Assets (Gain)/loss on disposal of equity interest of subsidiaries and impairment of other long-lived assets Loss on disposal of equity interest of subsidiaries and impairment of other long-lived assets Loss on disposal of equipment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss on disposal of equipment Impairment loss for goodwill Goodwill, Impairment Loss Impairment loss for acquired intangible assets Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived Impairment loss for equipment Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Amounts due from related parties Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable, Related Parties Amounts due from related parties Rental deposits Increase (Decrease) in Deposits Outstanding Rental deposits Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Amounts due to related parties Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Related Parties Income tax payable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Income Taxes Payable Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes Deferred taxes Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Purchase of equipment and other long-term assets Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchase of equipment and other long-term assets Cash of disposed subsidiary Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries Acquisition of intangible assets Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets Acquisition of intangible assets Purchase of subsidiaries and earn-out payment paid to acquire subsidiaries, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Purchase of subsidiaries and earn-out payment paid to acquire subsidiaries, net of cash acquired Investment in a joint venture Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture Investment in a joint venture Payments For Proceeds From Deposit To Acquire Subsidiaries Deposit (paid)/refunded to acquire subsidiaries Deposit (paid)/refunded to acquire subsidiaries Deposit (paid)/refunded to acquire subsidiaries Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Cash paid for purchases of debt and equity securities Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Cash paid for purchases of debt and equity securities Cash received from sale of debt and equity securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares pursuant to share option plans Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options Proceeds from short-term loans Proceeds from Short-term Debt Repayment of short-term loans Repayments of Short-term Debt Repayment of short-term loans Capital injection from minority shareholders Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Share repurchase Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Cash and Cash Equivalents Add/(less): cash and cash equivalents in assets held-for-sale Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Income Taxes Paid Income taxes paid Interest Paid Interest paid SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Non-cash investing activities: Other Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Acquisition of subsidiaries: Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Net Nonmonetary Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed) [Abstract] Value of ordinary shares issued Stock Issued Accounts payable Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Payables Assumed Liabilities recorded as a result of contingent consideration Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, at Fair Value Organization and Principal Activities Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Organization and Principal Activities [Abstract] Organization and Principal Activities [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Acquisitions Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions [Abstract] Acquisitions [Abstract] Disposition Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Disposition [Abstract] Disposition [Abstract] Fair Value Measurement Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurement [Abstract] Fair Value Measurement [Abstract] Accounts Receivable, Net Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract] Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract] Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Equipment, Net [Abstract] Equipment, Net [Abstract] Acquired Intangible Assets, Net Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Acquired Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Acquired Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Text Block] Goodwill [Abstract] Goodwill [Abstract] Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Abstract] Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Abstract] Other operating (income) expenses, net Schedule of Other Operating Cost and Expense, by Component [Text Block] Other operating (income) expenses, net [Abstract] Other operating (income) expenses, net [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Share-based Compensation [Abstract] Share-based Compensation [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Net Income (loss) per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net Income (loss) per Share [Abstract] Net Income (loss) per Share [Abstract] Mainland China Contribution Plan and Profit Appropriation Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Mainland China Contribution Plan and Profit Appropriation [Abstract] Mainland China Contribution Plan and Profit Appropriation [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Information [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Subsequent Events Schedule of Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Amendment Flag Amendment Description Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type