Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details)

 v2.3.0.11
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2010
Share-based arrangements with employees and nonemployees [Abstract]        
Total stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations $ 7,650,000 $ 10,558,000 $ 42,957,000 $ 33,282,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Total unrecognized compensation cost 57,500,000   57,500,000  
Ticketmaster [Member] | Selling, general, and administrative expenses [Member]
       
Share-based arrangements with employees and nonemployees [Abstract]        
Total stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations   1,100,000   6,400,000
Front Line [Member] | Selling, general, and administrative expenses [Member]
       
Share-based arrangements with employees and nonemployees [Abstract]        
Stock-based compensation 24,400,000   24,400,000  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses [Member]
       
Share-based arrangements with employees and nonemployees [Abstract]        
Total stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations 3,099,000 6,696,000 33,571,000 16,309,000
Ticketmaster [Member] | Corporate expenses [Member]
       
Share-based arrangements with employees and nonemployees [Abstract]        
Total stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations   0   8,300,000
Corporate expenses [Member]
       
Share-based arrangements with employees and nonemployees [Abstract]        
Total stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations 4,551,000 3,862,000 9,386,000 16,973,000
Front Line [Member]
       
Share-based arrangements with employees and nonemployees [Abstract]        
Stock-based compensation 24,400,000   24,400,000  
Ticketmaster [Member]
       
Share-based arrangements with employees and nonemployees [Abstract]        
Total stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations   1,100,000   14,700,000
Ticketmaster [Member] | Stock Compensation Plan [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Shares accelerated and modified vesting (in shares)       1.2
Ticketmaster [Member] | Stock Compensation Plan [Member] | Employees with change in control provisions in employment contracts [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Shares accelerated and modified vesting (in shares)       1.1
Azoff Trust Note [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Interest rate of note issued (in hundredths) 3.00%   3.00%  
Payable in monthly installments     800,000  
Corporate expenses related to Azoff Trust note $ 1,600,000 $ 1,600,000 $ 3,200,000 $ 2,700,000