The discount rate is estimated using required returns on debt and equity of publicly traded radio companies.

Name:	etm_DiscountRates
Namespace Prefix:	etm
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	etm_EstimatesAndAssumptionsUsedForImpairmentTestLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	etm
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Estimates of market multiples for use in the market approach for step one goodwill analysis

+ Details

Name:	etm_EstimatesOfMarketMultiples
Namespace Prefix:	etm
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Income model years used for the discounted cash flow approach

+ Details

Name:	etm_IncomeModelYearsUsedForTheDiscountedCashFlowApproach
Namespace Prefix:	etm
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Long-term revenue growth rate ranges of the markets of the Company

+ Details

Name:	etm_LongTermRevenueGrowthRateRangesOfTheMarketsOfTheCompany
Namespace Prefix:	etm
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	etm_MarketApproachForStepOneGoodwillAnalysisAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	etm
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Operating profit margin ranges of the markets of the Company

+ Details

Name:	etm_OperatingProfitMarginRangesOfTheMarketsOfTheCompany
Namespace Prefix:	etm
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reporting units with goodwill balances for use in the market approach for step one goodwill analysis

+ Details

Name:	etm_ReportingUnitsWithGoodwillBalances
Namespace Prefix:	etm
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reporting units with no goodwill balances for use in the market approach for step one goodwill analysis

+ Details

Name:	etm_ReportingUnitsWithNoGoodwillBalances
Namespace Prefix:	etm
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Goodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 2

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable), in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The accumulated impairment losses related to goodwill as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, which have a projected indefinite period of benefit (hence are not amortized), allocated to the reportable segment. These assets, acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in either an asset acquisition or business combination, are assessed at least annually for impairment. Examples may include trade secrets, contractual rights, trade names, and licensing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate amount of indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 number	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009 number	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Changes in broadcasting licenses [Line Items]
Beginning of period balance	$ 707,852	$ 707,852
Acquisition	8,050	0
Ending period balance	715,902	707,852
Market approach for step one goodwill analysis [Abstract]
Income model years used for the discounted cash flow approach	10
Estimates of market multiples			6.0
Reporting units with goodwill balances	4
Reporting units with no goodwill balances	19
Changes in goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill before cumulative loss on impairment				163,783	163,783
Accumulated loss on impairment				(125,615)	(125,615)
Beginning balance after cumulative loss on impairment	38,168	38,168
Acquisition	723	0
Ending balance	$ 38,891	$ 38,168
Broadcasting License Impairment Testing [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Discount rates	10.00%	10.00%	10.60%
Broadcasting License Impairment Testing [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Operating profit margin ranges of the markets of the Company	41.50%	42.50%	44.00%
Long-term revenue growth rate ranges of the markets of the Company	2.00%	2.00%	2.50%
Broadcasting License Impairment Testing [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Operating profit margin ranges of the markets of the Company	19.50%	21.00%	21.00%
Long-term revenue growth rate ranges of the markets of the Company	1.50%	1.50%	1.00%
Goodwill Impairment Testing [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Discount rates	10.00%	10.00%	10.60%
Goodwill Impairment Testing [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Operating profit margin ranges of the markets of the Company	46.60%	39.00%	41.00%
Long-term revenue growth rate ranges of the markets of the Company	2.00%	2.00%	2.50%
Goodwill Impairment Testing [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Estimates and assumptions used for impairment test [Line Items]
Operating profit margin ranges of the markets of the Company	25.00%	26.00%	21.00%
Long-term revenue growth rate ranges of the markets of the Company	1.50%	1.50%	1.00%
Maximum [Member]
Market approach for step one goodwill analysis [Abstract]
Estimates of market multiples	8.0	8.0
Minimum [Member]
Market approach for step one goodwill analysis [Abstract]
Estimates of market multiples	7.5	7.5