Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Income Statements Immaterial Error Correction) (Details)

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Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Income Statements Immaterial Error Correction) (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
Depreciation and amortization expense                 $ 130,452 $ 125,937 $ 126,699
Operating income 19,270 25,392 24,633 19,685 16,030 31,933 22,300 20,262 88,980 90,524 87,926
Income before income tax expense                 21,250 12,891 17,858
Income tax expense                 12,088 7,405 9,248
Net income                 9,162 5,486 8,610
Net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. 562 3,700 3,982 1,429 (870) 7,239 (2,043) 1,399 9,673 5,724 8,610
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share $ 0.01 $ 0.09 $ 0.10 $ 0.03 $ (0.02) $ 0.16 $ (0.04) $ 0.03      
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]
                      
Net income attributable to General Communication, Inc.                 8,938 5,323 8,095
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                 $ 0.23 $ 0.13 $ 0.16
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                 $ 0.23 $ 0.12 $ 0.16
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
                      
Net income attributable to General Communication, Inc.                 735 401 515
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                 $ 0.23 $ 0.13 $ 0.16
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                 $ 0.23 $ 0.12 $ 0.16
Scenario As Previously Reported [Member]
                      
Depreciation and amortization expense                   125,742 126,114
Operating income                   90,719 88,511
Income before income tax expense                   13,086 18,443
Income tax expense                   7,485 9,488
Net income                   5,601 8,955
Net income attributable to General Communication, Inc.                   5,839 8,955
Scenario As Previously Reported [Member] | Common Stock - Class A [Member]
                      
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                     $ 0.17
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                     $ 0.17
Scenario As Previously Reported [Member] | Common Stock - Class B [Member]
                      
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                     $ 0.17
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                     $ 0.17
Adjustment [Member]
                      
Depreciation and amortization expense                   195 585
Operating income                   (195) (585)
Income before income tax expense                   (195) (585)
Income tax expense                   (80) (240)
Net income                   (115) (345)
Net income attributable to General Communication, Inc.                   $ (115) $ (345)
Adjustment [Member] | Common Stock - Class A [Member]
                      
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                     $ (0.01)
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                     $ (0.01)
Adjustment [Member] | Common Stock - Class B [Member]
                      
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                     $ (0.01)
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share                     $ (0.01)