Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stockholders' Equity (Narratives) (Details)

v2.4.0.8
Stockholders' Equity (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Share-Based Compensation      
Number of shares available for grant 3,200,000    
Fair value assumptions, method used The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock.      
Fair value of options vested $ 78,000 $ 560,000 $ 379,000
Intrinsic value of options exercised 200,000 1,300,000 300,000
Cash received from exercise of stock options 600,000 2,100,000 900,000
Weighted average grant date fair value of awards granted $ 8.30 $ 9.23 $ 12.08
Share-based compensation expense 6,600,000 5,000,000 6,600,000
Unvested stock options 1,209,000 1,127,000  
GCI 401(k) Plan      
Matching contributions 8,200,000 7,500,000 7,100,000
Class A Common Stock [Member]
      
Common Stock      
Stock repurchased during period, shares 1,800,000 1,500,000 5,200,000
Stock repurchased during period, value 15,600,000 14,000,000 52,600,000
Shares retired 2,000,000 1,800,000 5,200,000
Share-Based Compensation      
Number of shares authorized 15,700,000.0    
Stock Options [Member]
      
Share-Based Compensation      
Vesting period 5 years    
Expiration period 10 years    
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense 27,000    
Unvested stock options 19,000    
Weighted average period for recognition of unvested shares 7 months 6 days    
Restricted Stock [Member]
      
Share-Based Compensation      
Vesting period 3 years    
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense $ 6,200,000    
Unvested restricted stock awards 1,200,000    
Weighted average period for recognition of unvested shares 2 years