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 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation $ 3,700 $ 7,239 $ 9,111 $ 6,594
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
       
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation 3,419 6,728 8,420 6,140
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares 281 511 691 454
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares 0 (495) 0 (571)
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares outstanding 0 0 0 0
Net income adjusted for allocation of undistributed earnings and effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares 3,700 6,744 9,111 6,023
Number of shares used in basic computation 38,600 41,768 38,614 42,940
Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding 3,170 3,175 3,170 3,177
Unexercised stock options 230 304 235 348
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares 0 217 158 217
Number of shares used in per share computations 42,000 45,464 42,177 46,682
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share $ 0.09 $ 0.15 $ 0.22 $ 0.13
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
       
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation 281 511 691 454
Reallocation of undistributed earnings 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 as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares outstanding (2) (40) (6) (44)
Net income adjusted for allocation of undistributed earnings and effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares $ 279 $ 471 $ 685 $ 410
Number of shares used in basic computation 3,170 3,175 3,170 3,177
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 3,170 3,175 3,170 3,177
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share $ 0.09 $ 0.15 $ 0.22 $ 0.13