Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Diluted EPS calculations) (Details)

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Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Diluted EPS calculations) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Allocation of undistributed earnings (loss) for basic computation $ 3,982 $ (2,044) $ 5,411 $ (645)
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
       
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Allocation of undistributed earnings (loss) for basic computation 3,679 (1,904) 5,001 (601)
Reallocation of undistributed earnings (loss) as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares 303 (140) 410 (44)
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares (33) 0 (118) (75)
Reallocation of undistributed earnings (loss) as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares outstanding 0 0 0 0
Net income (loss) adjusted for allocation of undistributed earnings (loss) and effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares 3,949 (2,044) 5,293 (720)
Number of shares used in basic computation 38,516 43,098 38,629 43,536
Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding 3,171 3,178 3,171 3,178
Unexercised stock options 304 0 272 0
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares 158 0 158 0
Number of shares used in per share computations 42,149 46,276 42,230 46,714
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share $ 0.09 $ (0.04) $ 0.13 $ (0.02)
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
       
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Allocation of undistributed earnings (loss) for basic computation 303 (140) 410 (44)
Reallocation of undistributed earnings (loss) as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares 0 0 0 0
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares 0 0 0 0
Reallocation of undistributed earnings (loss) as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares outstanding (4) 1 (10) (5)
Net income (loss) adjusted for allocation of undistributed earnings (loss) and effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares $ 299 $ (139) $ 400 $ (49)
Number of shares used in basic computation 3,171 3,178 3,171 3,178
Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding 0 0 0 0
Unexercised stock options 0 0 0 0
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares 0 0 0 0
Number of shares used in per share computations 3,171 3,178 3,171 3,178
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share $ 0.09 $ (0.04) $ 0.13 $ (0.02)