Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
shares in Thousands
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Oct. 27, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name GENERAL COMMUNICATION INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000808461  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2017  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Amendment Flag false  
Common Stock Class A    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   33,046
Common Stock Class B    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   3,052