SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). Amounts as at December 31, 2011 included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 22, 2012 as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 20, 2012. Our significant accounting policies have not changed since December 31, 2011. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with US GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year. The terms the “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” are used in this Form 10-Q to refer collectively to the parent company, Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (“CME Ltd.”), and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are conducted. Unless otherwise noted, all statistical and financial information presented in this report has been converted into U.S. dollars using appropriate exchange rates. All references to “US$”, “USD” or “dollars” are to U.S. dollars, all references to “BGN” are to Bulgarian leva, all references to “HRK” are to Croatian kuna, all references to “CZK” are to Czech korunas, all references to “RON” are to the New Romanian lei, all references to “UAH” are to Ukrainian hryvna and all references to “Euro” or “EUR” are to the European Union Euro. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. Certain amounts included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been adjusted or reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. In the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, we increased disclosure to present amounts for the adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities relating to the amortization of program rights and the change in accrued interest and have presented the comparative amounts for all periods presented. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CME Ltd. and our subsidiaries, after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Entities in which we hold less than a majority voting interest but over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the equity method. Other investments are accounted for using the cost method. On January 1, 2012, we adopted guidance issued in June 2011, which gives entities the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. Our condensed consolidated financial statements already presented the components of net income and other comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, additional guidance was released deferring the requirement to present reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Program Rights Purchased program rights The costs incurred to acquire program rights are capitalized and amortized over their expected useful lives in a manner which reflects the pattern we expect to use and benefit from the programming. If the initial airing of content allowed by a license is expected to provide more value than subsequent airings, we apply an accelerated method of amortization. These accelerated methods of amortization depend on the estimated number of runs the content is expected to receive, and are determined based on a study of historical results for similar programming. For programming that is not advertising supported, each program's costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the license period. For content that is expected to be aired only once, the entire cost is recognized as an expense on the first run. During the third quarter of 2011, we concluded a comprehensive examination of the appropriateness of our program rights policy. This review included a study of the relative value generated by all runs of a license in past periods. We concluded that the existing allocation for films and series with an estimated two runs of 65% on showing the first run and 35% on showing the second run was still appropriate. However, past performance showed that content with an estimated three runs generated more relative value on the third run than our previous estimate. Consequently, from July 1, 2011 these titles were amortized 50% on showing the first run, 28% on showing the second run and 22% on showing the third run. The impact of this change is a lower amortization charge of approximately US$ 1.8 million and US$ 3.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Had we continued with our estimate to amortize content with an estimated three runs by 60% on the first run, 30% on the second run and 10% on the third run from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012 our net income attributable to CME Ltd., basic net income per common share and diluted net income per common share would have been US$ 2.2 million, US$ 0.03 and US$ 0.03 for the three months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and our net loss attributable to CME Ltd., basic net loss per common share and diluted net loss per common share would have been US$ (13.2) million, US$ (0.20) and US$ (0.20), respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Goodwill On January 1, 2012, we adopted guidance issued in September 2011 to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by providing an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is not necessary. The adoption of this guidance may impact how we perform our goodwill testing, but not the amount of impairment recognized in the financial statements if goodwill is found to be impaired. Financial Instruments On January 1, 2012, we adopted guidance issued in May 2011, which represents clarifications of common principles and requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. It also includes instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value has changed. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, but did result in additional disclosure. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Guidance was issued in July 2012, which is intended to simplify how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by providing an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. If an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then performing the two-step impairment test is not necessary. The guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance may impact how we perform our impairment testing, but not the amount of impairment recognized in the financial statements if indefinite-lived intangible assets are found to be impaired.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). Amounts as at December 31, 2011 included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 22, 2012 as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 20, 2012. Our significant accounting policies have not changed since December 31, 2011.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with US GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

The terms the “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” are used in this Form 10-Q to refer collectively to the parent company, Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (“CME Ltd.”), and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are conducted. Unless otherwise noted, all statistical and financial information presented in this report has been converted into U.S. dollars using appropriate exchange rates. All references to “US$”, “USD” or “dollars” are to U.S. dollars, all references to “BGN” are to Bulgarian leva, all references to “HRK” are to Croatian kuna, all references to “CZK” are to Czech korunas, all references to “RON” are to the New Romanian lei, all references to “UAH” are to Ukrainian hryvna and all references to “Euro” or “EUR” are to the European Union Euro.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. Certain amounts included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been adjusted or reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. In the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, we increased disclosure to present amounts for the adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities relating to the amortization of program rights and the change in accrued interest and have presented the comparative amounts for all periods presented.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CME Ltd. and our subsidiaries, after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Entities in which we hold less than a majority voting interest but over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the equity method. Other investments are accounted for using the cost method.

On January 1, 2012, we adopted guidance issued in June 2011, which gives entities the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. Our condensed consolidated financial statements already presented the components of net income and other comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, additional guidance was released deferring the requirement to present reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Program Rights

Purchased program rights

The costs incurred to acquire program rights are capitalized and amortized over their expected useful lives in a manner which reflects the pattern we expect to use and benefit from the programming. If the initial airing of content allowed by a license is expected to provide more value than subsequent airings, we apply an accelerated method of amortization. These accelerated methods of amortization depend on the estimated number of runs the content is expected to receive, and are determined based on a study of historical results for similar programming. For programming that is not advertising supported, each program's costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the license period. For content that is expected to be aired only once, the entire cost is recognized as an expense on the first run.

During the third quarter of 2011, we concluded a comprehensive examination of the appropriateness of our program rights policy. This review included a study of the relative value generated by all runs of a license in past periods. We concluded that the existing allocation for films and series with an estimated two runs of 65% on showing the first run and 35% on showing the second run was still appropriate. However, past performance showed that content with an estimated three runs generated more relative value on the third run than our previous estimate. Consequently, from July 1, 2011 these titles were amortized 50% on showing the first run, 28% on showing the second run and 22% on showing the third run. The impact of this change is a lower amortization charge of approximately US$ 1.8 million and US$ 3.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Had we continued with our estimate to amortize content with an estimated three runs by 60% on the first run, 30% on the second run and 10% on the third run from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012 our net income attributable to CME Ltd., basic net income per common share and diluted net income per common share would have been US$ 2.2 million, US$ 0.03 and US$ 0.03 for the three months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and our net loss attributable to CME Ltd., basic net loss per common share and diluted net loss per common share would have been US$ (13.2) million, US$ (0.20) and US$ (0.20), respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

Goodwill

On January 1, 2012, we adopted guidance issued in September 2011 to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by providing an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is not necessary. The adoption of this guidance may impact how we perform our goodwill testing, but not the amount of impairment recognized in the financial statements if goodwill is found to be impaired.

Financial Instruments

On January 1, 2012, we adopted guidance issued in May 2011, which represents clarifications of common principles and requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. It also includes instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value has changed. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, but did result in additional disclosure.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Guidance was issued in July 2012, which is intended to simplify how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by providing an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. If an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then performing the two-step impairment test is not necessary. The guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance may impact how we perform our impairment testing, but not the amount of impairment recognized in the financial statements if indefinite-lived intangible assets are found to be impaired.