Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)

v3.8.0.1
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]                      
Total revenues $ 235,529 $ 231,214 $ 224,346 $ 228,115 $ 232,293 $ 236,655 $ 233,766 $ 231,098 $ 919,204 $ 933,812 $ 978,534
Operating income 20,699 24,174 11,031 15,346 13,185 26,368 19,531 20,019 71,250 79,103 106,211
Net income (loss) 48,373 (8,849) (9,000) (55,246) (16,243) 7,827 3,298 982 (24,722) (4,136) (25,866)
Net income (loss) attributable to GCI $ 48,496 $ (8,731) $ (8,882) $ (55,129) $ (16,124) $ 7,943 $ 3,415 $ 1,099 $ (24,246) $ (3,667) $ (26,025)
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI per common share (USD per share) $ 1.35 $ (0.25) $ (0.26) $ (1.60) $ (0.47) $ 0.21 $ 0.09 $ 0.03      
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to GCI per common share (USD per share) $ 1.19 $ (0.25) $ (0.26) $ (1.60) $ (0.47) $ 0.14 $ (0.01) $ (0.04)