Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Basic Net Income (Loss) per Share) (Details)

v3.5.0.2
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Basic Net Income (Loss) per Share) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2015
Numerator [Abstract]        
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 3,415 $ (15,627) $ 4,514 $ (34,896)
Common Stock - Class A [Member]        
Numerator [Abstract]        
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders 3,134 (14,330) 4,144 (32,048)
Less: Undistributed net income allocable to participating securities (167) 0 (210) 0
Undistributed net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders $ 2,967 $ (14,330) $ 3,934 $ (32,048)
Denominator [Abstract]        
Weighted average common shares outstanding 33,308 34,887 33,502 35,548
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share $ 0.09 $ (0.41) $ 0.12 $ (0.90)
Common Stock - Class B [Member]        
Numerator [Abstract]        
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 281 $ (1,297) $ 370 $ (2,848)
Less: Undistributed net income allocable to participating securities 0 0 0 0
Undistributed net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders $ 281 $ (1,297) $ 370 $ (2,848)
Denominator [Abstract]        
Weighted average common shares outstanding 3,155 3,159 3,155 3,159
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share $ 0.09 $ (0.41) $ 0.12 $ (0.90)