LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]
Senior debt	$ 1,045,325		$ 1,243,207
Total credit facilites and capital leases	170,703		81,162
Total long term debt and other financing arrangements	1,216,028	[1]	1,324,369
Current maturities	(111,583)		(1,058)
Total non current long-term debt and other financing arrangements	1,104,445		1,323,311
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]
2012	90,887	[2]
2013	20,725
2014	147,391
2015	297,868
2016	471,621
2017 and thereafter	216,197
Total Senior Debt And Credit Facilities	1,244,689
Net discount	(32,690)
Carrying value of Senior Debt and credit facilities	$ 1,211,999

[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.

[2] Reflects the TW Loans, which were repaid on July 3, 2012 (see Item 1, Note 20, "Subsequent Events").