Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 01, 2012
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Mar. 01, 2012
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
Document Type 10-K      
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2011      
Amendment Flag false      
Entity Registrant Name GENERAL COMMUNICATION INC      
Entity Central Index Key 0000808461      
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes      
Entity Voluntary Filers No      
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31      
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer      
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Yes      
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding     38,358,773 3,170,522
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2011      
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY      
Entity Public Float   $ 283,831,960