Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events Chinese Joint Venture On April 3, 2013 ("ODW Closing Date"), the Company closed its previously announced transaction to form a Chinese Joint Venture, Oriental DreamWorks Holding Limited ("ODW" or the "Joint Venture") through the execution of a Transaction and Contribution Agreement, as amended, with its Chinese partners, China Media Capital (Shanghai) Center L.P. ("CMC"), Shanghai Media Group ("SMG") and Shanghai Alliance Investment Co., Ltd. ("SAIL", and together with CMC and SMG, the "CPE Holders"). In addition, in connection with the closing, the Company entered into a series of agreements governing the operation of the Joint Venture. On the ODW Closing Date, the Joint Venture was launched among DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., one of its wholly owned subsidiaries ("Company Subsidiary") and the CPE Holders, and equity was issued by ODW to Company Subsidiary and an entity controlled by the CPE Holders. The purpose of the Joint Venture is to create a leading China-focused family entertainment company engaged in the acquisition, production and distribution of original content originally produced, released or commercially exploited in the Chinese language. In exchange for 45.45% of the equity of ODW, Company Subsidiary has committed to making a total cash capital contribution to ODW of $50 million (of which $5.7 million was funded at the ODW Closing Date, with the balance to be funded over time) and non-cash contributions valued at approximately $100 million. Such non-cash contributions include licenses of technology and certain other intellectual property of the Company, rights in certain trademarks of the Company and film projects developed by the Company and consulting and training services, each to be provided to the Joint Venture. Acquisition of AwesomenessTV On May 1, 2013, the Company signed a merger agreement pursuant to which a newly formed subsidiary of the Company will merge with and into AwesomenessTV, Inc. (“ATV”), an online media production company. As a result of this transaction, ATV will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase, with the results of operations of ATV included in the Company's consolidated results from the date of acquisition. At the time of closing, the Company will pay approximately $33.5 million in cash to the equityholders of ATV. Additionally, the Company may be obligated to pay additional cash consideration of up to $117.0 million pursuant to the merger agreement should the acquired business achieve certain performance goals. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is currently expected to close in May 2013.

Subsequent Events

Chinese Joint Venture

On April 3, 2013 ("ODW Closing Date"), the Company closed its previously announced transaction to form a Chinese Joint Venture, Oriental DreamWorks Holding Limited ("ODW" or the "Joint Venture") through the execution of a Transaction and Contribution Agreement, as amended, with its Chinese partners, China Media Capital (Shanghai) Center L.P. ("CMC"), Shanghai Media Group ("SMG") and Shanghai Alliance Investment Co., Ltd. ("SAIL", and together with CMC and SMG, the "CPE Holders"). In addition, in connection with the closing, the Company entered into a series of agreements governing the operation of the Joint Venture. On the ODW Closing Date, the Joint Venture was launched among DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., one of its wholly owned subsidiaries ("Company Subsidiary") and the CPE Holders, and equity was issued by ODW to Company Subsidiary and an entity controlled by the CPE Holders. The purpose of the Joint Venture is to create a leading China-focused family entertainment company engaged in the acquisition, production and distribution of original content originally produced, released or commercially exploited in the Chinese language.

In exchange for 45.45% of the equity of ODW, Company Subsidiary has committed to making a total cash capital contribution to ODW of $50 million (of which $5.7 million was funded at the ODW Closing Date, with the balance to be funded over time) and non-cash contributions valued at approximately $100 million. Such non-cash contributions include licenses of technology and certain other intellectual property of the Company, rights in certain trademarks of the Company and film projects developed by the Company and consulting and training services, each to be provided to the Joint Venture.

Acquisition of AwesomenessTV

On May 1, 2013, the Company signed a merger agreement pursuant to which a newly formed subsidiary of the Company will merge with and into AwesomenessTV, Inc. (“ATV”), an online media production company. As a result of this transaction, ATV will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase, with the results of operations of ATV included in the Company's consolidated results from the date of acquisition.

At the time of closing, the Company will pay approximately $33.5 million in cash to the equityholders of ATV. Additionally, the Company may be obligated to pay additional cash consideration of up to $117.0 million pursuant to the merger agreement should the acquired business achieve certain performance goals. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is currently expected to close in May 2013.