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Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Policies)
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3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2013
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Principles of Consolidation Our consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of GCI and its wholly owned subsidiaries, as well as four variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which we are the primary beneficiary after providing certain loans and guarantees. These VIEs are Terra GCI Investment Fund, LLC (“TIF”), Terra GCI 2 Investment Fund, LLC (“TIF 2”), Terra GCI 2-USB Investment Fund, LLC (“TIF 2-USB”) and Terra GCI 3 Investment Fund, LLC (“TIF 3”). TIF became a VIE on August 30, 2011. TIF 2 and TIF 2-USB became VIEs on October 3, 2012. TIF 3 became a VIE on December 11, 2012. We also include in our consolidated financial statements non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries for which our ownership is less than 100 percent. All significant intercompany transactions between non-regulated affiliates of our company are eliminated. Intercompany transactions generated between regulated and non-regulated affiliates of our company are not eliminated in consolidation. |
| Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Non-controlling Interests Non-controlling interests represent the equity ownership interests in consolidated subsidiaries not owned by us. Non-controlling interests are adjusted for contributions, distributions, and loss attributable to the non-controlling interest partners of the consolidated entities. Income and loss is allocated to the non-controlling interests based on the respective governing documents. |
| New Accounting Pronouncements Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2012-02, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment” allows an entity to assess qualitative factors (such as changes in management, key personnel, strategy, key technology or customers) to determine if it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired and thus whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with GAAP. The adoption of ASU 2012-02 on January 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.
ASU 2012-04, “Technical Corrections and Improvements” includes amendments that cover a wide range of topics in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). These amendments include technical corrections and improvements to the ASC and conforming amendments related to fair value measurements. The amendments in this update will be effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2012-04 on January 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.
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| Regulatory Accounting Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Regulatory Accounting We account for our regulated operations in accordance with the accounting principles for regulated enterprises. This accounting recognizes the economic effects of rate regulation by recording cost and a return on investment as such amounts are recovered through rates authorized by regulatory authorities. Accordingly, plant and equipment is depreciated over lives approved by regulators and certain costs and obligations are deferred based upon approvals received from regulators to permit recovery of such amounts in future years. Our cost studies and depreciation rates for our regulated operations are subject to periodic audits that could result in a change to recorded revenues. |
| Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Earnings per Common Share We compute net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock using the “two class” method. Therefore, basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The computation of the dilutive net income per share of Class A common stock assumes the conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, while the dilutive net income per share of Class B common stock does not assume the conversion of those shares. Additionally, in applying the “two-class” method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities. Our restricted stock grants are entitled to dividends and meet the criteria of a participating security.
Undistributed earnings for each year are allocated based on the contractual participation rights of Class A and Class B common shares as if the earnings for the year had been distributed. In accordance with our Articles of Incorporation, if and when dividends are declared on our common stock in accordance with Alaska corporate law, equivalent dividends shall be paid with respect to the shares of Class A and Class B common stock. Both classes of common stock have identical dividend rights and would therefore share equally in our net assets in the event of liquidation. As such, we have allocated undistributed earnings on a proportionate basis. |
| Common Stock Share Repurchases, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
The cost of the repurchased common stock reduced Common Stock on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The repurchased stock was constructively retired as of March 31, 2013. |
| Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions include the allowance for doubtful receivables, unbilled revenues, accrual of the USF high cost remote area program support, share-based compensation, inventory at lower of cost or market, reserve for future customer credits, liability for incurred but not reported medical insurance claims, valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, depreciable and amortizable lives of assets, the carrying value of long-lived assets including goodwill, cable certificates and wireless licenses, our effective tax rate, purchase price allocations, deferred lease expense, asset retirement obligations, the accrual of cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense) (“Cost of Goods Sold”), depreciation and the accrual of contingencies and litigation. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
| Revenue Recognition of Excise and Sales Taxes, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
We report sales, use, excise, and value added taxes assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between us and a customer on a net basis in our Consolidated Income Statements. |