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 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Numerator [Abstract]        
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 7,943 $ 17,631 $ 12,457 $ (17,265)
Common Stock - Class A [Member]        
Numerator [Abstract]        
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders 7,266 16,213 11,422 (15,838)
Less: Undistributed net income allocable to participating securities (386) (920) (588) 0
Undistributed net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders $ 6,880 $ 15,293 $ 10,834 $ (15,838)
Denominator [Abstract]        
Weighted average common shares outstanding 32,033 34,031 33,008 35,037
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share $ 0.21 $ 0.45 $ 0.33 $ (0.45)
Common Stock - Class B [Member]        
Numerator [Abstract]        
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 677 $ 1,418 $ 1,035 $ (1,427)
Less: Undistributed net income allocable to participating securities 0 0 0 0
Undistributed net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders $ 677 $ 1,418 $ 1,035 $ (1,427)
Denominator [Abstract]        
Weighted average common shares outstanding 3,154 3,155 3,154 3,158
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share $ 0.21 $ 0.45 $ 0.33 $ (0.45)