LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]
Senior debt	$ 1,278,663		$ 1,341,544
Total credit facilites and capital leases	63,848		18,240
Total long term debt and other financing arrangements	1,342,511	[1]	1,359,784
Current maturities	(4,070)		(13,562)
Total non current long-term debt and other financing arrangements	1,338,441		1,346,222
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]
2012	3,325
2013	44
2014	129,685
2015	213,918
2016	301,948
2017 and thereafter	738,126
Total Senior Debt And Credit Facilities	1,387,046
Net discount	(48,302)
Carrying value of Senior Debt and credit facilities	$ 1,338,744

[1] Third party debt is defined as credit facilities and capital leases or debt with entities that are not part of the CME Ltd. consolidated group.