Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Selected Financial Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Selected Financial Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                        
Deferred income taxes $ 187,872us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent $ 166,605us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent $ 169,874us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent $ 159,085us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent $ 161,476us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent       $ 187,872us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent $ 161,476us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent    
Total liabilities 1,591,276us-gaap_Liabilities 1,562,200us-gaap_Liabilities 1,598,892us-gaap_Liabilities 1,551,970us-gaap_Liabilities 1,554,453us-gaap_Liabilities       1,591,276us-gaap_Liabilities 1,554,453us-gaap_Liabilities    
Retained earnings 124,547us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit 133,972us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit 124,057us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit 118,130us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit 116,990us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit       124,547us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit 116,990us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit    
Total General Communication, Inc. stockholders' equity 167,356us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 179,344us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 168,539us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 160,399us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 157,144us-gaap_StockholdersEquity       167,356us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 157,144us-gaap_StockholdersEquity    
Total stockholders’ equity 467,222us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 476,489us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 462,252us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 457,830us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 457,354us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest       467,222us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 457,354us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 189,436us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 173,647us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Total revenues 228,791us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 240,725us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 224,399us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 216,283us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 217,828us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 217,943us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 189,661us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 186,216us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 910,198us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 811,648us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 710,181us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet  
Operating income 25,547us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 49,336us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 38,414us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 30,265us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 25,423us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 38,684us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 25,695us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 23,060us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 143,562us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 112,862us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 88,980us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss  
Income tax expense (1,400)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit (5,078)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit (2,355)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit (1,196)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit         (10,029)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit (10,957)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit (12,088)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit  
Net income (loss) 5,796us-gaap_ProfitLoss 25,847us-gaap_ProfitLoss 16,840us-gaap_ProfitLoss 10,761us-gaap_ProfitLoss         59,244us-gaap_ProfitLoss 31,727us-gaap_ProfitLoss 9,162us-gaap_ProfitLoss  
Net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. (9,425)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic 9,915us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic 5,927us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic 1,140us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic (6,923)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic 8,905us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic 4,180us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic 3,244us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic 7,557us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic 9,406us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic 9,673us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic  
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share (USD per share) $ (0.24)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.24us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.14us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ (0.17)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.22us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.10us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.08us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic        
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share (USD per share) $ (0.24)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.24us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.14us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ (0.17)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.22us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.10us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.08us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted        
Scenario, Previously Reported                        
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                        
Deferred income taxes   160,799us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
166,665us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
158,104us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Total liabilities   1,556,394us-gaap_Liabilities
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,595,683us-gaap_Liabilities
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,550,989us-gaap_Liabilities
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Retained earnings   139,778us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
127,266us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
119,111us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Total General Communication, Inc. stockholders' equity   185,150us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
171,748us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
161,380us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Total stockholders’ equity   482,295us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
465,461us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
458,811us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Total revenues   240,725us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
224,399us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
216,283us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Operating income   49,336us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
38,414us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
30,265us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Income tax expense   (2,481)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
(127)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
(215)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Net income (loss)   28,444us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
19,068us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
11,742us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Net income attributable to General Communication, Inc.   12,512us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
8,155us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
2,121us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share (USD per share)   $ 0.30us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
$ 0.20us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
$ 0.05us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share (USD per share)   $ 0.30us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
$ 0.20us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
$ 0.05us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
               
Restatement Adjustment                        
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                        
Deferred income taxes   5,806us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
3,209us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
981us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Total liabilities   5,806us-gaap_Liabilities
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
3,209us-gaap_Liabilities
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
981us-gaap_Liabilities
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Retained earnings   (5,806)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(3,209)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(981)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Total General Communication, Inc. stockholders' equity   (5,806)us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(3,209)us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(981)us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Total stockholders’ equity   (5,806)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(3,209)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(981)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Total revenues   0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Operating income   0us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
0us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
0us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Income tax expense   (2,597)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(2,228)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(981)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Net income (loss)   (2,597)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(2,228)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
(981)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Net income attributable to General Communication, Inc.   $ (2,597)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
$ (2,228)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
$ (981)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Basic net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share (USD per share)   $ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
$ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
$ (0.02)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
               
Diluted net income attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share (USD per share)   $ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
$ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember
$ (0.02)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember