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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	LAMR
Entity Registrant Name	LAMAR ADVERTISING CO/NEW
Entity Central Index Key	0001090425
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	LAMAR MEDIA CORP/DE
Entity Central Index Key	0000899045
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,748,838
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,910,365
Class Units [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		100

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 38,448	$ 33,503
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,100 and $7,500 in 2012 and 2011, respectively	164,747	147,436
Prepaid expenses	55,428	39,514
Deferred income tax assets	10,783	9,812
Other current assets	27,706	26,360
Total current assets	297,112	256,625
Property, plant and equipment	2,911,267	2,860,592
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,765,716)	(1,666,975)
Net property, plant and equipment	1,145,551	1,193,617
Goodwill	1,435,111	1,426,848
Intangible assets	437,552	476,880
Deferred financing costs net of accumulated amortization	37,127	34,409
Other assets	40,741	38,974
Total assets	3,393,194	3,427,353
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	13,353	12,663
Current maturities of long-term debt	35,653	17,310
Accrued expenses	100,024	94,654
Deferred income	47,246	36,717
Total current liabilities	196,276	161,344
Long-term debt	2,039,955	2,141,218
Deferred income tax liabilities	95,385	92,317
Asset retirement obligation	185,841	180,662
Other liabilities	14,806	12,814
Total liabilities	2,532,263	2,588,355
Stockholder's equity:
Additional paid-in capital	2,425,347	2,405,679
Accumulated comprehensive income	6,374	5,326
Accumulated deficit	(681,270)	(683,599)
Stockholder's equity	860,931	838,998
Cost of shares held in treasury, 17,119,205 and 17,082,652 shares in 2012 and 2011, respectively	(889,631)	(888,518)
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	3,393,194	3,427,353
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	37,948	33,377
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,100 and $7,500 in 2012 and 2011, respectively	164,747	147,436
Prepaid expenses	55,428	39,514
Deferred income tax assets	10,783	9,812
Other current assets	27,925	26,578
Total current assets	296,831	256,717
Property, plant and equipment	2,911,267	2,860,592
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,765,716)	(1,666,975)
Net property, plant and equipment	1,145,551	1,193,617
Goodwill	1,424,959	1,416,696
Intangible assets	437,069	476,376
Deferred financing costs net of accumulated amortization	35,174	32,455
Other assets	35,456	33,689
Total assets	3,375,040	3,409,550
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	13,353	12,663
Current maturities of long-term debt	35,653	17,310
Accrued expenses	97,788	93,315
Deferred income	47,246	36,717
Total current liabilities	194,040	160,005
Long-term debt	2,039,955	2,141,218
Deferred income tax liabilities	128,652	125,462
Asset retirement obligation	185,841	180,662
Other liabilities	14,808	12,814
Total liabilities	2,563,296	2,620,161
Stockholder's equity:
Additional paid-in capital	2,598,986	2,579,318
Accumulated comprehensive income	6,374	5,326
Accumulated deficit	(1,793,616)	(1,795,255)
Stockholder's equity	811,744	789,389
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	3,375,040	3,409,550
Series AA Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholder's equity:
Preferred stock, value
Preferred Class A [Member]
Stockholder's equity:
Preferred stock, value
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholder's equity:
Common stock, value	96	95
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholder's equity:
Common stock, value	$ 15	$ 15

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 8,100	$ 7,500
Accumulated amortization	$ 27,328	$ 28,187
Shares held in treasury	17,119,205	17,082,652
Series AA Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, cumulative dividends	$ 63.80	$ 63.80
Preferred stock, authorized	5,720	5,720
Preferred stock, shares issued	5,720	5,720
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	5,720	5,720
Preferred Class A [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 638	$ 638
Preferred stock, cumulative dividends	$ 63.80	$ 63.80
Preferred stock, authorized	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	95,867,915	95,011,499
Common stock, shares outstanding	78,748,710	77,928,847
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	37,500,000	37,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	14,910,365	15,122,865
Common stock, shares outstanding	14,910,365	15,122,865
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 8,100	$ 7,500
Accumulated amortization	$ 18,039	$ 18,899
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,000	3,000
Common stock, shares issued	100	100
Common stock, shares outstanding	100	100

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net revenues	$ 306,286	$ 296,701	$ 877,396	$ 845,248
Operating expenses (income)
Direct advertising expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	103,845	103,200	312,339	305,809
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	52,153	51,866	157,275	151,505
Corporate expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	13,590	11,648	40,036	33,996
Depreciation and amortization	73,915	75,171	219,283	221,454
Gain on disposition of assets	(739)	(609)	(5,309)	(7,967)
Total Operating Expenses	242,764	241,276	723,624	704,797
Operating income	63,522	55,425	153,772	140,451
Other expense (income)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,984	451	31,956	451
Interest income	(147)	(428)	(270)	(511)
Interest expense	38,534	42,530	117,081	129,457
Non-operating (Income) Expenses	40,371	42,553	148,767	129,397
Income before income tax expense	23,151	12,872	5,005	11,054
Income tax expense	11,655	8,880	2,403	8,876
Net income	11,496	3,992	2,602	2,178
Preferred stock dividends	91	91	273	273
Net income applicable to common stock	$ 11,405	$ 3,901	$ 2,329	$ 1,905
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.12	$ 0.04	$ 0.02	$ 0.02
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.12	$ 0.04	$ 0.02	$ 0.02
Weighted average common shares used in computing earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	93,423,063	92,901,470	93,265,621	92,808,705
Incremental common shares from dilutive stock options	306,449	175,149	285,270	362,995
Weighted average common shares diluted	93,729,512	93,076,619	93,550,891	93,171,700
Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 11,496	$ 3,992	$ 2,602	$ 2,178
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,152	(1,704)	1,048	(1,303)
Comprehensive income	12,648	2,288	3,650	875
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Net revenues	306,286	296,701	877,396	845,248
Operating expenses (income)
Direct advertising expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	103,845	103,200	312,339	305,809
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	52,153	51,866	157,275	151,505
Corporate expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	13,516	11,570	39,763	33,720
Depreciation and amortization	73,915	75,171	219,283	221,454
Gain on disposition of assets	(739)	(609)	(5,309)	(7,967)
Total Operating Expenses	242,690	241,198	723,351	704,521
Operating income	63,596	55,503	154,045	140,727
Other expense (income)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,984	451	31,956	451
Interest income	(147)	(428)	(270)	(511)
Interest expense	38,534	42,530	117,081	129,457
Non-operating (Income) Expenses	40,371	42,553	148,767	129,397
Income before income tax expense	23,225	12,950	5,278	11,330
Income tax expense	11,640	8,835	2,526	8,943
Net income	11,585	4,115	2,752	2,387
Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	11,585	4,115	2,752	2,387
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,152	(1,704)	1,048	(1,303)
Comprehensive income	$ 12,737	$ 2,411	$ 3,800	$ 1,084

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 2,602	$ 2,178
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	219,283	221,454
Non-cash equity based compensation	10,902	7,338
Amortization included in interest expense	13,101	13,820
Gain on disposition of assets	(5,309)	(7,967)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	31,956	451
Deferred tax expense	1,099	7,027
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,308	4,546
(Increase) decrease in:
Receivables	(20,674)	(26,485)
Prepaid expenses	(14,325)	(16,128)
Other assets	(1,048)	4,510
Increase (decrease) in:
Trade accounts payable	8	(1,356)
Accrued expenses	4,312	4,015
Other liabilities	7,134	9,302
Net cash provided by operating activities	253,349	222,705
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions	(54,738)	(15,164)
Capital expenditures	(77,747)	(83,182)
Proceeds from disposition of assets	5,023	10,175
Payments received on notes receivable	118	179
Net cash used in investing activities	(127,344)	(87,992)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Debt issuance costs	(14,328)
Cash used for purchase of treasury stock	(1,113)	(3,481)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	9,809	3,650
Net proceeds received under revolving credit facility	15,000
Principal payments on long term debt	(8,381)	(168,488)
Proceeds received from note offering	500,000
Payment on senior subordinated notes	(722,296)	(15,835)
Proceeds received from senior credit facility term loan	100,000
Dividends	(273)	(273)
Net cash used in financing activities	(121,582)	(184,427)
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents	522	(449)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,945	(50,163)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	33,503	91,679
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	38,448	41,516
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	102,334	113,400
Cash paid for foreign, state and federal income taxes	1,906	1,368
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	2,752	2,387
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	219,283	221,454
Non-cash equity based compensation	10,902	7,338
Amortization included in interest expense	13,101	13,820
Gain on disposition of assets	(5,309)	(7,967)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	31,956	451
Deferred tax expense	1,221	7,101
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,308	4,546
(Increase) decrease in:
Receivables	(20,674)	(26,485)
Prepaid expenses	(14,325)	(16,128)
Other assets	(1,048)	4,593
Increase (decrease) in:
Trade accounts payable	8	(1,356)
Accrued expenses	4,312	4,015
Other liabilities	(3,644)	4,314
Net cash provided by operating activities	242,843	218,083
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions	(54,738)	(15,164)
Capital expenditures	(77,747)	(83,182)
Proceeds from disposition of assets	5,023	10,175
Payments received on notes receivable	118	179
Net cash used in investing activities	(127,344)	(87,992)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Debt issuance costs	(14,328)
Net proceeds received under revolving credit facility	15,000
Principal payments on long term debt	(8,381)	(168,488)
Proceeds received from note offering	500,000
Payment on senior subordinated notes	(722,296)	(15,835)
Proceeds received from senior credit facility term loan	100,000
Contributions from parent	19,668	10,987
Dividend to parent	(1,113)	(3,481)
Net cash used in financing activities	(111,450)	(176,817)
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents	522	(449)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,571	(47,175)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	33,377	88,565
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	37,948	41,390
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	102,334	113,400
Cash paid for foreign, state and federal income taxes	$ 1,906	$ 1,368

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 30, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies	1. Significant Accounting Policies The information included in the foregoing interim condensed consolidated financial statements is unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2011 Combined Form 10-K. Subsequent events, if any, are evaluated through the date on which the financial statements are issued.
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies	1. Significant Accounting Policies The information included in the foregoing interim condensed consolidated financial statements is unaudited. In the opinion of management all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of Lamar Media’s financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Lamar Media’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2011 Combined Form 10-K. Certain notes are not provided for the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as the information in notes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements of Lamar Advertising Company included elsewhere in this report is substantially equivalent to that required for the condensed consolidated financial statements of Lamar Media Corp. Earnings per share data is not provided for Lamar Media Corp., as it is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.

+ References + Details

Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation

2. Stock-Based Compensation

Equity Incentive Plan. Lamar Advertising’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan has reserved 13 million shares of Class A common stock for issuance to directors and employees, including shares underlying granted options and common stock reserved for issuance under its performance-based incentive program. Options granted under the plan expire ten years from the grant date with vesting terms ranging from three to five years and include 1) options that vest in one-fifth increments beginning on the grant date and continuing on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date and 2) options that cliff-vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. All grants are made at fair market value based on the closing price of our Class A common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of grant.

We use a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based awards. The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model incorporates various and highly subjective assumptions, including expected term and expected volatility. The Company granted options for an aggregate of 44,600 shares of its Class A common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Stock Purchase Plan. In 2009 our board of directors adopted a new employee stock purchase plan, the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or 2009 ESPP, which was approved by our shareholders on May 28, 2009. The 2009 ESPP reserved 588,154 shares of Class A common stock for issuance to our employees, which included 88,154 shares of Class A common stock that had been available for issuance under our 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or 2000 ESPP. The 2000 ESPP was terminated following the issuance of all shares that were subject to the offer that commenced under the 2000 ESPP on January 1, 2009 and ended June 30, 2009. The terms of the 2009 ESPP are substantially the same as the 2000 ESPP.

The number of shares of Class A common stock available under the 2009 ESPP was automatically increased by 77,928 shares on January 1, 2012 pursuant to the automatic increase provisions of the 2009 ESPP and further increased by 250,000 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to an amendment to the 2009 Plan adopted by our board of directors on February 22, 2012 and approved by our stockholders at the Company’s 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 24, 2012.

The following is a summary of the 2009 ESPP share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:


	Shares
Available for future purchases, January 1, 2012		253,294
Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP		250,000
Purchases		(110,014	)

Available for future purchases, September 30, 2012		393,280

Performance-based compensation. Unrestricted shares of our Class A common stock may be awarded to key officers, employees and directors under our 1996 Equity Incentive Plan. The number of shares to be issued, if any, will be dependent on the level of achievement of performance measures for key officers and employees, as determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee based on our 2012 results. Any shares issued based on the achievement of performance goals will be issued in the first quarter of 2013. The shares subject to these awards can range from a minimum of 0% to a maximum of 100% of the target number of shares depending on the level at which the goals are attained. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company has recorded $5,783 as non-cash compensation expense related to performance-based awards. In addition, each of our non-employee directors automatically receive upon election or re-election a restricted stock award of our Class A common stock. These awards vest 50% on grant date and 50% on the last day of each director’s one year term. The Company recorded $216 non-cash compensation expense related to these awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65, A240
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 93-6
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Acquisitions

3. Acquisitions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company completed several acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets for a total purchase price of approximately $57,836 of which $54,738 was in cash.

Each of these acquisitions was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of each acquired entity from the date of acquisition. The acquisition costs have been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on preliminary fair value estimates at the dates of acquisition. The allocations are pending final determination of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. The following is a summary of the preliminary allocation of the acquisition costs in the above transactions.


	Total
Property, plant and equipment	$	11,358
Goodwill		8,689
Site locations		30,554
Non-competition agreements		70
Customer lists and contracts		5,780
Other asset		1,913
Current liabilities		(528	)

	$	57,836

Summarized below are certain unaudited pro forma statements of operations data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011 as if each of the above acquisitions and the acquisitions occurring in 2011, which were fully described in the 2011 Combined Form 10-K, had been consummated as of January 1, 2011. This pro forma information does not purport to represent what the Company’s results of operations actually would have been had such transactions occurred on the date specified or to project the Company’s results of operations for any future periods.


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Pro forma net revenues	$	306,504	$	300,509	$	883,621	$	856,457

Pro forma net income applicable to common stock	$	11,430	$	4,024	$	2,903	$	2,011

Pro forma net income per common share—basic	$	0.12	$	0.04	$	0.03	$	0.02

Pro forma net income per common share—diluted	$	0.12	$	0.04	$	0.03	$	0.02

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

+ References

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-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4845-128472

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
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-Section 50
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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1383-128463

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 88-16
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph F4
-Subparagraph e
-Appendix F

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
-Paragraph 51, 52
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 67-73
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Depreciation and Amortization

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Depreciation and Amortization

4. Depreciation and Amortization

The Company includes all categories of depreciation and amortization on a separate line in its Statement of Operations. The amounts of depreciation and amortization expense excluded from the following operating expenses in its Statement of Operations are:


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Direct advertising expenses	$	68,507	$	71,384	$	205,450	$	209,630
General and administrative expenses		985		1,009		3,007		3,079
Corporate expenses		4,423		2,778		10,826		8,745

	$	73,915	$	75,171	$	219,283	$	221,454

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following is a summary of intangible assets at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.


	Estimated		September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Life (Years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer lists and contracts		7—10	$	474,225	$	457,157	$	468,371	$	451,524
Non-competition agreements		3—15		63,665		62,495		63,592		61,849
Site locations		15		1,414,227		995,396		1,383,076		925,291
Other		5—15		13,608		13,125		13,608		13,103

			$	1,965,725	$	1,528,173	$	1,928,647	$	1,451,767
Unamortizable intangible assets:
Goodwill			$	1,688,746	$	253,635	$	1,680,483	$	253,635

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Asset Retirement Obligations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Asset Retirement Obligations

6. Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company’s asset retirement obligations include the costs associated with the removal of its structures, resurfacing of the land and retirement cost, if applicable, related to the Company’s outdoor advertising portfolio. The following table reflects information related to our asset retirement obligations:


Balance at December 31, 2011	$	180,662
Additions to asset retirement obligations		649
Accretion expense		8,061
Liabilities settled		(3,531	)

Balance at September 30, 2012	$	185,841

Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries

7. Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries

Separate financial statements of each of the Company’s direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries that have guaranteed Lamar Media’s obligations with respect to its publicly issued notes (collectively, the “Guarantors”) are not included herein because the Company has no independent assets or operations, the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, and the only subsidiaries that are not guarantors are in the aggregate minor.

Lamar Media’s ability to make distributions to Lamar Advertising is restricted under both the terms of the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes and by the terms of its senior credit facility. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Lamar Media was permitted under the terms of its outstanding senior subordinated notes to make transfers to Lamar Advertising in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances in amounts up to $1,619,927 and $1,641,856, respectively. Transfers to Lamar Advertising are subject to additional restrictions if, (i) under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and as defined therein, (x) the total holdings debt ratio is greater than 5.75 to 1 or (y) the senior debt ratio is greater than 3.25 to 1.0, and (ii) if under the indenture for Lamar Media’s 9 3/4% senior notes and as defined therein, its senior leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 3.0 to 1. As of September 30, 2012, the total holdings debt ratio was less than 5.75 to 1 and Lamar Media’s senior debt ratio was less than 3.25 to 1 and its senior leverage ratio was less than 3.0 to 1; therefore, transfers to Lamar Advertising were not subject to any additional restrictions under the senior credit facility or pursuant to the indenture governing the 9 3/4% senior notes.

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share	8. Earnings Per Share The calculation of basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effect of stock options, while diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of options. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 there were no dilutive shares excluded from this calculation resulting from the antidilutive effect of options.

Long-term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Long-term Debt

9. Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:


	September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
Senior Credit Facility	$	702,164		$	595,477
7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes		400,000			400,000
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes		—			381,290
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes — Series B		35,068			191,544
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes — Series C		98,837			256,040
5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes		500,000			—
9 3/4% Senior Notes		337,140			331,553
Other notes with various rates and terms		2,399			2,624

		2,075,608			2,158,528
Less current maturities		(35,653	)		(17,310	)

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	2,039,955		$	2,141,218

6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes

On August 16, 2005, Lamar Media Corp., issued $400,000 aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015. These notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior debt, rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior subordinated debt and rank senior to all of our existing and any future subordinated debt of Lamar Media. These notes are redeemable at the company’s option anytime on or after August 15, 2010 in whole or part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the notes. The net proceeds for this issuance were used to reduce borrowings under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility.

On August 17, 2006, Lamar Media Corp. issued $216,000 aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015-Series B. These notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior debt, rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior subordinated debt and rank senior to all of our existing and any future subordinated debt of Lamar Media. These notes are redeemable at the company’s option anytime on or after August 15, 2010 in whole or part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the notes. The net proceeds from this issuance were used to reduce borrowings under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and repurchase the Company’s Class A common stock pursuant to its repurchase plan.

On October 11, 2007, Lamar Media Corp. issued $275,000 aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series C. These notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior debt, rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior subordinated debt and rank senior to all of the existing and any future subordinated debt of Lamar Media. These notes are redeemable at the company’s option anytime on or after August 15, 2010 in whole or part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the notes. A portion of the net proceeds from this issuance was used to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under Lamar Media’s revolving senior credit facility.

On January 26, 2012, Lamar Media commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash, up to $700,000 in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series B and 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series C (collectively, “the 6 5/8% Notes”). On February 9, 2012, Lamar Media accepted tenders for approximately $483,655 in aggregate principal amount of the 6 5/8% Notes, out of approximately $582,903 tendered, in connection with the early settlement date of the tender offer. On February 27, 2012, Lamar Media accepted tenders for approximately $99,248 previously tendered and not accepted for payment and an additional $220 tendered following the early settlement date. Lamar Media made aggregate cash payments (including early tender consideration and accrued but unpaid interest) in connection with the tender offer of approximately $613,887.

On July 30, 2012, Lamar Media provided notice of its intent to redeem in full all $122,760 of its 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated notes due 2015 at a redemption price equal to 101.104% of the principal amount outstanding, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date of August 29, 2012. The Company used cash on hand and borrowings under its senior credit facility to fund the redemption. Following the redemption, Lamar Media had approximately $137,217 in aggregate principal amount of its 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series B and 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series C outstanding.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized a loss of $31,956 in connection with the repurchase of a portion of its 6 5/8% Notes.

9 3/4% Senior Notes

On March 27, 2009, Lamar Media issued $350,000 in aggregate principal amount ($314,927 gross proceeds) of 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2014. The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $307,489. The senior notes mature on April 1, 2014 and have interest at a rate of 9 3/4% per annum, which is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning October 1, 2009. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The terms of the senior notes will, among other things, limit Lamar Media’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to (i) incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; (ii) make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create certain liens; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates; (v) have the restricted subsidiaries make payments to Lamar Media; (vi) merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of Lamar Media’s or the restricted subsidiaries’ assets; and (vii) sell assets. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications.

At any time prior to April 1, 2014, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the senior notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium. In addition, if the Company or Lamar Media undergoes a change of control, Lamar Media may be required to make an offer to purchase each holder’s senior notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the senior notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date.

7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes

On April 22, 2010, Lamar Media issued $400,000 in aggregate principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 (the “7 7/8% Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $392,000.

Lamar Media may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 7 7/8% Notes, at any time and from time to time, at a price equal to 107.875% of the aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including additional interest, if any), with the net cash proceeds of certain public equity offerings completed before April 15, 2013, provided that following the redemption at least 65% of the 7 7/8% Notes that were originally issued remain outstanding. At any time prior to April 15, 2014, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the 7 7/8% Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium. On or after April 15, 2014, Lamar Media may redeem the 7 7/8% Notes, in whole or part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the 7 7/8% Notes.

5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes

On February 9, 2012, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $500,000 aggregate principal amount of 5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2022 (the “5 7/8% Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $489,000.

Lamar Media may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5 7/8% Notes, at any time and from time to time, at a price equal to 105.875% of the aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, with the net cash proceeds of certain public equity offerings completed before February 1, 2015, provided that following the redemption, at least 65% of the 5 7/8% Notes that were originally issued remain outstanding. At any time prior to February 1, 2017, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the 5 7/8% Notes at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount plus a make-whole premium. On or after February 1, 2017, Lamar Media may redeem the 5 7/8% Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the 5 7/8% Notes. In addition, if the Company or Lamar Media undergoes a change of control, Lamar Media may be required to make an offer to purchase each holder’s 5 7/8% Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 5 7/8% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, up to but not including the repurchase date.

The Company used the proceeds of this offering, after payment and fees, to repurchase its tendered and accepted 6 5/8% Notes.

2010 Senior Credit Facility

On February 9, 2012, Lamar Media entered into a restatement agreement with respect to its existing senior credit facility in order to fund a new $100,000 Term loan A facility and to make certain covenant changes to the senior credit facility, which was entered into on April 28, 2010, as amended on June 11, 2010, November 18, 2010 and February 9, 2012 (the “senior credit facility”), for which JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. serves as administrative agent. The senior credit facility consists of a $250,000 revolving credit facility, a $270,000 term loan A-1 facility, a $30,000 term loan A-2 facility, a $100,000 term loan A-3 facility, a $575,000 term loan B facility and a $300,000 incremental facility, which may be increased by up to an additional $200,000 based upon our satisfaction of a senior debt ratio test (as described below), of less than or equal to 3.25 to 1. Lamar Media is the borrower under the senior credit facility, except with respect to the $30,000 term loan A-2 facility for which Lamar Media’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Advertising of Puerto Rico, Inc. is the borrower. We may also from time to time designate additional wholly owned subsidiaries as subsidiary borrowers under the incremental loan facility that can borrow up to $110,000 of the incremental facility. Incremental loans may be in the form of additional term loan tranches or increases in the revolving credit facility. Our lenders have no obligation to make additional loans to us, or any designated subsidiary borrower, under the incremental facility, but may enter into such commitments in their sole discretion.

The remaining quarterly amortizations of the Term facilities as of September 30, 2012 is as follows:


	Term A-1		Term A-2		Term A-3		Term B
December 31, 2012	$	6,750	$	750	$	—	$	813.2
March 31, 2013 — March 31, 2014	$	6,750	$	750	$	625	$	813.2
June 30, 2014 — December 31, 2014	$	13,500	$	1,500	$	625	$	813.2
March 31, 2015	$	13,500	$	1,500	$	1,250	$	813.2
June 30, 2015 — September 30, 2015	$	37,125	$	4,125	$	1,250	$	813.2
December 31, 2015	$	74,250	$	8,250	$	1,250	$	813.2
March 31, 2016 — September 30, 2016	$	—	$	—	$	1,250	$	813.2
December 31, 2016	$	—	$	—	$	1,250	$	304,151.9
March 31, 2017— June 30, 2017	$	—	$	—	$	21,250	$	—
August 9, 2017	$	—	$	—	$	42,500	$	—

In addition to the amortizations of our Term facilities, Lamar Media may be required to make certain mandatory prepayments on loans outstanding under the senior credit facility that would be applied first to any outstanding term loans. These payments, if any, will be calculated based on a percentage of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the senior credit facility) at the end of each fiscal year. For fiscal years ending or after December 31, 2012, this percentage is subject to reduction to 0% if the total holdings debt ratio (as defined in the senior credit facility) is less than or equal to 5.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of such fiscal year.

As of September 30, 2012, there was $15,000 outstanding under the revolving senior facility. The revolving facility terminates April 28, 2015. Availability under the revolving facility is reduced by the amount of any letters of credit outstanding. Lamar Media had $7,701 letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2012 resulting in $227,299 of availability under its revolving facility. Revolving credit loans may be requested under the revolving credit facility at any time prior to maturity. The loans bear interest, at Lamar Media’s option, at the LIBOR Rate or JPMorgan Chase Prime Rate plus applicable margins, such margins being set from time to time based on Lamar Media’s ratio of debt to trailing twelve month EBITDA, as defined in the senior credit facility.

The terms of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict, among other things, the ability of Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media to:

•

dispose of assets;

•

incur or repay debt;

•

create liens;

•

make investments; and

•

pay dividends.

Lamar Media’s ability to make distributions to Lamar Advertising is also restricted under the terms of these agreements. Under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility the Company must maintain specified financial ratios and levels including:

•

a fixed charges ratio;

•

a senior debt ratio; and

•

a total holdings debt ratio.

Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media were in compliance with all of the terms of their indentures and the applicable senior credit agreement provisions during the periods presented.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, investments, accounts payable and borrowings. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Investments are reported at fair values. Fair values for investments held at cost are not readily available, but are estimated to approximate fair value. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long term debt (including current maturities) was $2,209,366, which exceeded both the gross and carrying amounts of $2,091,780 and $2,075,608, respectively, as of September 30, 2012.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13537-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13504-108611

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15B
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44A, 44B
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 159
-Paragraph 17-22, 27, 28
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15A
-Subparagraph a-d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15C, 15D
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32, 33, 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 3, 10, 14, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities

11. Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities

For the period ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company had non-cash investing activity of $3,098 and $4,000 related to an acquisition of outdoor advertising assets and deposits paid in prior periods for the purchase of an aircraft, respectively.

Also, during the period ended September 30, 2011, the Company had non-cash financing activity of $9,463 for the net repurchase of the 6 5/8% Notes at 99.3% of their aggregate principal amount. These notes were under agreement for repurchase as of September 30, 2011 and pending settlement, which settled in October 2011.

Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Subsequent Events

12. Subsequent Events

On October 9, 2012, Lamar Media provided notice of its intent to redeem on November 8, 2012, an aggregate amount of approximately $66,099 of its 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 consisting of $36,099 of its 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series B and $30,000 of its 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series C at a redemption price equal to 101.104% of the principal amount of outstanding notes plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the redemption date.

On October 30, 2012, Lamar Media provided notice of its intent to redeem in full on November 29, 2012, the remaining $71,118 in aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018—Series C at a redemption price equal to 101.104% of the principal amount of outstanding Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the redemption date.

On October 30, 2012 the Company completed a private placement of $535,000 5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 (“the Notes”). Lamar Media intends to use the proceeds of this offering, after the payment of fees and expenses, (i) to redeem $137,217 in aggregate principal amount outstanding of Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series B and Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series C, (ii) to fund the acquisition of NextMedia Outdoor, Inc. (see below) and potential acquisitions that are currently being evaluated by Lamar or that it may pursue in the future or, to the extent not used to fund potential future acquisitions, to repay a portion of the indebtedness outstanding under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and (iii) for general corporate purposes.

On October 31, 2012, the Company purchased all of the outstanding common stock of NextMedia Outdoor, Inc. for $145,000 in cash.

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Summary of ESPP Share Activity

The following is a summary of the 2009 ESPP share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:


	Shares
Available for future purchases, January 1, 2012		253,294
Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP		250,000
Purchases		(110,014	)

Available for future purchases, September 30, 2012		393,280

Acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Summary of Preliminary Allocation of Acquisition Costs

The following is a summary of the preliminary allocation of the acquisition costs in the above transactions.


	Total
Property, plant and equipment	$	11,358
Goodwill		8,689
Site locations		30,554
Non-competition agreements		70
Customer lists and contracts		5,780
Other asset		1,913
Current liabilities		(528	)

	$	57,836

Summary of Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Pro forma net revenues	$	306,504	$	300,509	$	883,621	$	856,457

Pro forma net income applicable to common stock	$	11,430	$	4,024	$	2,903	$	2,011

Pro forma net income per common share—basic	$	0.12	$	0.04	$	0.03	$	0.02

Pro forma net income per common share—diluted	$	0.12	$	0.04	$	0.03	$	0.02

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of pro forma results of operations for a material business acquisition or series of individually immaterial business acquisitions that are material in the aggregate.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of a material business combination completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. This table does not include leveraged buyouts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1486-128463

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1392-128463

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
-Paragraph 51
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph F4
-Subparagraph e
-Appendix F

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
-Paragraph 52
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Depreciation and Amortization (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Depreciation and Amortization Expense Excluded from Operating Expenses

The amounts of depreciation and amortization expense excluded from the following operating expenses in its Statement of Operations are:


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Direct advertising expenses	$	68,507	$	71,384	$	205,450	$	209,630
General and administrative expenses		985		1,009		3,007		3,079
Corporate expenses		4,423		2,778		10,826		8,745

	$	73,915	$	75,171	$	219,283	$	221,454

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Summary of Intangible Assets

The following is a summary of intangible assets at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.


	Estimated		September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Life (Years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer lists and contracts		7—10	$	474,225	$	457,157	$	468,371	$	451,524
Non-competition agreements		3—15		63,665		62,495		63,592		61,849
Site locations		15		1,414,227		995,396		1,383,076		925,291
Other		5—15		13,608		13,125		13,608		13,103

			$	1,965,725	$	1,528,173	$	1,928,647	$	1,451,767
Unamortizable intangible assets:
Goodwill			$	1,688,746	$	253,635	$	1,680,483	$	253,635

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

The following table reflects information related to our asset retirement obligations:


Balance at December 31, 2011	$	180,662
Additions to asset retirement obligations		649
Accretion expense		8,061
Liabilities settled		(3,531	)

Balance at September 30, 2012	$	185,841

Long-term Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:


	September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
Senior Credit Facility	$	702,164		$	595,477
7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes		400,000			400,000
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes		—			381,290
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes — Series B		35,068			191,544
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes — Series C		98,837			256,040
5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes		500,000			—
9 3/4% Senior Notes		337,140			331,553
Other notes with various rates and terms		2,399			2,624

		2,075,608			2,158,528
Less current maturities		(35,653	)		(17,310	)

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	2,039,955		$	2,141,218

Remaining Quarterly Amortization of Term Facilities

The remaining quarterly amortizations of the Term facilities as of September 30, 2012 is as follows:


	Term A-1		Term A-2		Term A-3		Term B
December 31, 2012	$	6,750	$	750	$	—	$	813.2
March 31, 2013 — March 31, 2014	$	6,750	$	750	$	625	$	813.2
June 30, 2014 — December 31, 2014	$	13,500	$	1,500	$	625	$	813.2
March 31, 2015	$	13,500	$	1,500	$	1,250	$	813.2
June 30, 2015 — September 30, 2015	$	37,125	$	4,125	$	1,250	$	813.2
December 31, 2015	$	74,250	$	8,250	$	1,250	$	813.2
March 31, 2016 — September 30, 2016	$	—	$	—	$	1,250	$	813.2
December 31, 2016	$	—	$	—	$	1,250	$	304,151.9
March 31, 2017— June 30, 2017	$	—	$	—	$	21,250	$	—
August 9, 2017	$	—	$	—	$	42,500	$	—

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
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-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting terms	vesting terms ranging from three to five years and include 1) options that vest in one-fifth increments beginning on the grant date and continuing on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date and 2) options that cliff-vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.
Non cash compensation expense	$ 10,902	$ 7,338
Restricted Stock Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration date of options granted under equity incentive plan	10 years
Percentage of awards vesting on grant date	50.00%
Percentage of awards vesting on the last day of directors term	50.00%
Term of director	1 year
2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
New employee stock purchase plan, which reserved additional shares of common stock	588,154
Performance Based Compensation [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non cash compensation expense	$ 5,783
Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
The Company granted options for an aggregate shares of its Class A common stock	44,600
Common Class A [Member] \| 1996 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Incentive Plan has reserved shares of Class A common stock	13,000,000
Common Class A [Member] \| Restricted Stock Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non cash compensation expense	$ 216
Common Class A [Member] \| 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
New employee stock purchase plan, which available for issuance of common stock	88,154
Increase in the additional shares of Class A common stock	77,928
Addition to the increased number of shares of Class A common stock	250,000
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
Range of awards of target number of share	0.00%
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	5 years
Range of awards of target number of share	100.00%

Summary of ESPP Share Activity (Detail) - 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Available for future purchases, January 1, 2012	253,294
Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP	250,000
Purchases	(110,014)
Available for future purchases, September 30, 2012	393,280

- Definition

Number of shares issued during the period as a result of an employee stock purchase plan.

+ References + Details

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Total purchase price of outdoor advertising assets	$ 57,836
Total purchase price of outdoor advertising assets paid in cash	$ 54,738

Summary of Preliminary Allocation of Acquisition Costs (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 11,358
Goodwill	8,689
Other asset	1,913
Current liabilities	(528)
Total	57,836
Site locations [Member]
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Site locations, Non-competition agreements, Customer lists and contracts	30,554
Non-competition agreements [Member]
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Site locations, Non-competition agreements, Customer lists and contracts	70
Customer lists and contracts [Member]
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Site locations, Non-competition agreements, Customer lists and contracts	$ 5,780

Summary of Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Pro forma net revenues	$ 306,504	$ 300,509	$ 883,621	$ 856,457
Pro forma net income applicable to common stock	$ 11,430	$ 4,024	$ 2,903	$ 2,011
Pro forma net income per common share-basic	$ 0.12	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.02
Pro forma net income per common share-diluted	$ 0.12	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.02

- Definition

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References + Details

- Definition

The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References + Details

Depreciation and Amortization Expense Excluded from Operating Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 73,915	$ 75,171	$ 219,283	$ 221,454
Direct advertising expenses [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	68,507	71,384	205,450	209,630
General and administrative expense [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	985	1,009	3,007	3,079
Corporate expenses [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 4,423	$ 2,778	$ 10,826	$ 8,745

Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 1,965,725	$ 1,928,647
Accumulated Amortization	1,528,173	1,451,767
Goodwill gross carrying amount	1,688,746	1,680,483
Goodwill accumulated amortization	253,635	253,635
Customer lists and contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	474,225	468,371
Accumulated Amortization	$ 457,157	451,524
Customer lists and contracts [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	7 years
Customer lists and contracts [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	10 years
Non-competition agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 63,665	63,592
Accumulated Amortization	$ 62,495	61,849
Non-competition agreements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	3 years
Non-competition agreements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	15 years
Site locations [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 1,414,227	1,383,076
Accumulated Amortization	$ 995,396	925,291
Site locations [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	15 years
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 13,608	13,608
Accumulated Amortization	$ 13,125	$ 13,103
Other [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	5 years
Other [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	15 years

Information Related to Asset Retirement Obligation (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2011	$ 180,662
Additions to asset retirement obligations	649
Accretion expense	8,061
Liabilities settled	(3,531)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$ 185,841

Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011	Mar. 27, 2009
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance of permitted transfers to parent company	$ 1,619,927	$ 1,641,856
Description of provisions on senior credit facility transfers to Lamar Advertising subject to additional restrictions	The total holdings debt ratio is greater than 5.75 to 1 or (y) the senior debt ratio is greater than 3.25 to 1.0, and (ii) if under the indenture for Lamar Media's 9 3/4% senior notes and as defined therein, its senior leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 3.0 to 1.
Description of actual position on senior credit facility transfers to Lamar Advertising not subject to additional restrictions	The total holdings debt ratio was less than 5.75 to 1 and Lamar Media's senior debt ratio was less than 3.25 to 1 and its senior leverage ratio was less than 3.0 to 1; therefore, transfers to Lamar Advertising were not subject to any additional restrictions under the senior credit facility or pursuant to the indenture governing the 9 3/4% senior notes.
Holdings debt ratio	5.75
Senior debt ratio	3.25
Senior leverage ratio	3.0
Holdings debt ratio related to actual position on senior credit facility	5.75
Senior debt ratio related to actual position on senior credit facility	3.25
Senior leverage ratio related to actual position on senior credit facility	3.0
9 3/4% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	9.75%		9.75%	9.75%

Earnings Per Share (Detail) - shares	9 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Detail) - shares	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
The number of dilutive shares excluded from calculation of Basic Earning per share resulting from the antidilutive effect of options	0	0

Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	$ 2,075,608	$ 2,158,528
Less current maturities	(35,653)	(17,310)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	2,039,955	2,141,218
Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	702,164	595,477
7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	400,000	400,000
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt		381,290
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	35,068	191,544
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series C [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	98,837	256,040
5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	500,000
9 3/4% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	337,140	331,553
Other Notes With Various Rates And Terms [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	$ 2,399	$ 2,624

Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2012	Feb. 09, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Apr. 22, 2010	Mar. 27, 2009	Oct. 11, 2007	Aug. 17, 2006	Aug. 16, 2005
7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	7.875%			7.875%
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	6.625%							6.625%
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	6.625%						6.625%
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series C [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	6.625%					6.625%
5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	5.875%	5.875%
9 3/4% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	9.75%		9.75%		9.75%

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 09, 2012 USD ($)	Jul. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Feb. 27, 2012 USD ($)	Jan. 26, 2012 USD ($)	Apr. 22, 2010 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2009 USD ($)	Oct. 11, 2007 USD ($)	Aug. 17, 2006 USD ($)	Aug. 16, 2005 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Debt issued							$ 2,091,780		$ 2,091,780
Aggregate cash payment in connection with tender offer									613,887
Loss on extinguishment of debt							(1,984)	$ (451)	(31,956)	$ (451)
Gross proceeds from the issuance of debt									$ 500,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of debt					$ 392,000
Description of Interest Computation									360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months
Additional Senior credit facility	$ 200,000
Senior debt ratio	0.0325
Reduced percentage of consolidated excess cash flow to repay outstanding loan two									0.00%
Remaining borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility							$ 227,299		$ 227,299
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes							6.625%		6.625%								6.625%
Aggregate principal amount of Debt issued		$ 137,217															$ 400,000
Tender offer amount												$ 700,000
Tender accepted amount	$ 483,655
Repurchase tendered amount	582,903
Repurchase previous tender accepted amount											$ 99,248
Previous tendered amount											$ 220
Principal amount of debt redeemed		$ 122,760
Percentage of redemption price		101.104%
Redemption date		Aug. 29, 2012
Loss on extinguishment of debt									$ 31,956
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes							6.625%		6.625%							6.625%
Aggregate principal amount of Debt issued																$ 216,000
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series C [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes							6.625%		6.625%						6.625%
Aggregate principal amount of Debt issued															$ 275,000
9 3/4% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes							9.75%	9.75%	9.75%	9.75%				9.75%
Aggregate principal amount of Debt issued														$ 350,000
Gross proceeds from the issuance of debt						$ 314,927
Net proceeds from the issuance of debt						$ 307,489
Redemption percentage equal to principal amount include aggregate premium			100.00%
Redemption price percentage of the principal amount to be purchased			101.00%
Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility	$ 100,000
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital minimum									1.00
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital one									5.00
7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes							7.875%		7.875%				7.875%
Aggregate principal amount of Debt issued													$ 400,000
Redemption percentage equal to principal amount include aggregate premium					100.00%
Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount of senior notes					35.00%
Additional redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount					107.875%
Redemption percentage of issued notes which remain outstanding					65.00%
5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	5.875%						5.875%		5.875%
Aggregate principal amount of Debt issued	$ 500,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of debt				$ 489,000
Redemption percentage equal to principal amount include aggregate premium				100.00%
Redemption price percentage of the principal amount to be purchased				101.00%
Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount of senior notes				35.00%
Additional redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount				105.875%
Redemption percentage of issued notes which remain outstanding				65.00%
Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility	250,000
Outstanding revolving credit facility							$ 15,000		$ 15,000
Letter of credit outstanding							$ 7,701		$ 7,701
Term Loan A 1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility	270,000
Term Loan A 2 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility	30,000
Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility	100,000
Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility	575,000
Incremental Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility	300,000
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity available to subsidiaries	$ 110,000

Remaining Quarterly Amortization of Term Facilities (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)
September 30, 2012 - December 31, 2012 [Member] \| Term Loan A 1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$ 6,750,000
September 30, 2012 - December 31, 2012 [Member] \| Term Loan A 2 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	750,000
September 30, 2012 - December 31, 2012 [Member] \| Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	813,200
March 31, 2013 - March 31, 2014 [Member] \| Term Loan A 1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	6,750,000
March 31, 2013 - March 31, 2014 [Member] \| Term Loan A 2 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	750,000
March 31, 2013 - March 31, 2014 [Member] \| Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	625,000
March 31, 2013 - March 31, 2014 [Member] \| Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	813,200
June 30, 2014 - December 31, 2014 [Member] \| Term Loan A 1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	13,500,000
June 30, 2014 - December 31, 2014 [Member] \| Term Loan A 2 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	1,500,000
June 30, 2014 - December 31, 2014 [Member] \| Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	625,000
June 30, 2014 - December 31, 2014 [Member] \| Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	813,200
March 31, 2015 [Member] \| Term Loan A 1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	13,500,000
March 31, 2015 [Member] \| Term Loan A 2 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	1,500,000
March 31, 2015 [Member] \| Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	1,250,000
March 31, 2015 [Member] \| Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	813,200
June 30, 2015 - September 30, 2015 [Member] \| Term Loan A 1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	37,125,000
June 30, 2015 - September 30, 2015 [Member] \| Term Loan A 2 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	4,125,000
June 30, 2015 - September 30, 2015 [Member] \| Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	1,250,000
June 30, 2015 - September 30, 2015 [Member] \| Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	813,200
December 31, 2015 [Member] \| Term Loan A 1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	74,250,000
December 31, 2015 [Member] \| Term Loan A 2 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	8,250,000
December 31, 2015 [Member] \| Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	1,250,000
December 31, 2015 [Member] \| Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	813,200
March 31, 2016 - September 30, 2016 [Member] \| Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	1,250,000
March 31, 2016 - September 30, 2016 [Member] \| Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	813,200
December 31, 2016 [Member] \| Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	1,250,000
December 31, 2016 [Member] \| Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	304,151,900
March 31, 2017 - June 30, 2017 [Member] \| Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	21,250,000
August 9, 2017 [Member] \| Term Loan A 3 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$ 42,500,000

Remaining Quarterly Amortization of Term Facilities (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
September 30, 2012 - December 31, 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Dec. 31, 2012
March 31, 2013 - March 31, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Mar. NaN, 2013
June 30, 2014 - December 31, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Jun. NaN, 2014
March 31, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Mar. 31, 2015
June 30, 2015 - September 30, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Jun. NaN, 2015
December 31, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Dec. 31, 2015
March 31, 2016 - September 30, 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Mar. NaN, 2016
December 31, 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Dec. 31, 2016
March 31, 2017 - June 30, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Mar. NaN, 2017
August 9, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	Aug. 09, 2017

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)
Estimated fair value of Long-term debt (including current maturities)	$ 2,209,366
Gross amount of company long term debt	2,091,780
Carrying amount of company long term debt	$ 2,075,608

Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Non-cash acquisition of outdoor advertising assets	$ 3,098
Deposits paid in prior periods for the purchase of an aircraft		$ 4,000
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Non-cash financing activity		$ 9,463
Discount on repurchase of senior subordinated notes		99.30%

Subsequent Events (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
Subsequent Events (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 09, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 11, 2007	Aug. 17, 2006	Aug. 16, 2005
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt redeemed				$ 2,075,608	$ 2,158,528
Purchase of outstanding common stock				$ 54,738
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt redeemed					381,290
Interest rate on senior notes				6.625%				6.625%
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series B [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt redeemed				$ 35,068	191,544
Interest rate on senior notes				6.625%			6.625%
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series C [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt redeemed				$ 98,837	$ 256,040
Interest rate on senior notes				6.625%		6.625%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Purchase of outstanding common stock		$ 145,000
Subsequent Event [Member] \| 5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Principle amount received from private placement	$ 535,000
Subsequent Event [Member] \| 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt redeemed	$ 137,217		$ 66,099
Percentage of principal amount outstanding which is equal to redemption price	101.104%		101.104%
Interest rate on senior notes			6.625%
Subsequent Event [Member] \| 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series B [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt redeemed			$ 36,099
Subsequent Event [Member] \| 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes - Series C [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt redeemed	$ 71,118		$ 30,000