Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

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

v2.4.0.6
Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Diluted EPS calculations) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Class of Stock [Line Items]                      
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation $ 562 $ 3,700 $ 3,982 $ 1,429 $ (870) $ 7,239 $ (2,043) $ 1,399 $ 9,673 $ 5,724 $ 8,610
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share $ 0.01 $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.03 $ (0.02) $ 0.15 $ (0.04) $ 0.02      
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
                      
Class of Stock [Line Items]                      
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation                 8,938 5,323 8,095
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares                 735 401 515
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares                 (13) (367) 0
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares outstanding                 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                 9,660 5,357 8,610
Number of shares used in basic computation                 38,560 42,175 50,076
Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding                 3,170 3,175 3,183
Unexercised stock options                 231 322 167
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares                 158 217 0
Number of shares used in per share computations                 42,119 45,889 53,426
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                 $ 0.23 $ 0.12 $ 0.16
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
                      
Class of Stock [Line Items]                      
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation                 735 401 515
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares                 0 0 0
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares                 0 0 0
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares outstanding                 (8) (30) (2)
Net income adjusted for allocation of undistributed earnings and effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares                 $ 727 $ 371 $ 513
Number of shares used in basic computation                 3,170 3,175 3,183
Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding                 0 0 0
Unexercised stock options                 0 0 0
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares                 0 0 0
Number of shares used in per share computations                 3,170 3,175 3,183
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                 $ 0.23 $ 0.12 $ 0.16