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Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Nov. 08, 2011 Class A common stock	Jun. 30, 2010 Class A common stock	Nov. 08, 2011 Class B common stock	Jun. 30, 2010 Class B common stock
Entity Registrant Name	SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000927720
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float		$ 47,100		$ 47,100		$ 4
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			4,166,991		2,340,353