| **Intangible Assets (5 Year Future Amortization) (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified** | Jun. 30, 2012 |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|
| **Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]**                                   |          |
| 2012                                                                                                         | $ 4,722       |
| 2013                                                                                                         | 3,808         |
| 2014                                                                                                         | 3,036         |
| 2015                                                                                                         | 1,835         |
| 2016                                                                                                         | $ 670         |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
[2012] Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**gciinc_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths**Namespace Prefix:**gciinc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
[2012] Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**gciinc_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive**Namespace Prefix:**gciinc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
[2012] Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**gciinc_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour**Namespace Prefix:**gciinc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
[2012] Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**gciinc_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree**Namespace Prefix:**gciinc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
[2012] Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**gciinc_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo**Namespace Prefix:**gciinc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |