EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Jul. 03, 2012 T W Investor [Member]
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to CME Ltd.									$ (535,680)		$ (174,611)		$ (113,522)
Net income from discontinued operations attributable to CME Ltd.									0		0		213,697
Net (loss) / income attributable to CME Ltd.	$ (494,195)	$ (32,049)	$ 3,956	$ (13,392)	$ (72,391)	$ (82,074)	$ 968	$ (21,114)	$ (535,680)		$ (174,611)		$ 100,175
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic (in shares)									76,919,000	[1]	64,385,000	[1]	64,029,000	[1]
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and RSUs (in shares)									0		0		0
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted (in shares)									76,919,000		64,385,000		64,029,000
Net loss per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (5.59)	$ (0.36)	$ 0.06	$ (0.21)	$ (1.12)	$ (1.27)	$ 0.02	$ (0.33)	$ (6.96)		$ (2.71)		$ 1.57
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (5.59)	$ (0.36)	$ 0.06	$ (0.21)	$ (1.12)	$ (1.27)	$ 0.02	$ (0.33)	$ (6.96)		$ (2.71)		$ 1.57
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion															11,211,449
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									3,087,087		3,763,481

[1] For the purpose of computing basic earnings per share, the 11,211,449 shares of Class A common stock underlying the Preferred Share are included in the weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic, primarily because the holder of the Preferred Share is entitled to receive any dividends payable when dividends are declared by the Board of Directors with respect to any shares of the common stock.