Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue (less agency commissions)	$ 80,674	$ 69,742
Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net:
Broadcast	50,772	48,179
Corporate and administrative	3,106	3,038
Depreciation	5,891	6,998
Amortization of intangible assets	19	34
Loss (gain) on disposals of assets, net	65	(13)
Operating expenses	59,853	58,236
Operating income	20,821	11,506
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income, net	2
Interest expense	(15,163)	(16,000)
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,660	(4,494)
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,289	(1,411)
Net income (loss)	3,371	(3,083)
Preferred stock dividends (includes accretion of issuance cost of $77 and $118, respectively)	1,179	1,789
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 2,192	$ (4,872)
Basic and diluted per share information:
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 0.04	$ (0.09)
Weighted average shares outstanding	57,148	57,112
Dividends declared per common share

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.