| **Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Basic EPS calculations) (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified** | 3 Months Ended |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|
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| **Class of Stock [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                         |           |   |
| Allocation of undistributed earnings                                                                                                                                    | $ 3,244        | $ 1,429 |
| Common Stock - Class A [Member]                                                                                                                                         |           |   |
| **Class of Stock [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                         |           |   |
| Allocation of undistributed earnings                                                                                                                                    | 2,996          | 1,321 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                                                                                              | 38,264         | 38,741 |
| Basic net income attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share                                                                                               | $ 0.08         | $ 0.03 |
| Common Stock - Class B [Member]                                                                                                                                         |           |   |
| **Class of Stock [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                         |           |   |
| Allocation of undistributed earnings                                                                                                                                    | $ 248          | $ 108 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                                                                                              | 3,167          | 3,171 |
| Basic net income attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share                                                                                               | $ 0.08         | $ 0.03 |

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| - Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.
+ References
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| - Definition
Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).
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|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.
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