| **Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Basic EPS calculations) (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified** | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|-----------------|
||
| **Class of Stock [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                         |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Allocation of undistributed earnings                                                                                                                                    | $ 562          | $ 3,700         | $ 3,982 | $ 1,429 | $ (870) | $ 7,239 | $ (2,043) | $ 1,399 | $ 9,673 | $ 5,724 | $ 8,610 |
| Basic net income attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share                                                                                               | $ 0.01         | $ 0.09          | $ 0.10 | $ 0.03 | $ (0.02) | $ 0.16 | $ (0.04) | $ 0.03 |   |   |   |
| Common Stock - Class A [Member]                                                                                                                                         |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Class of Stock [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                         |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Allocation of undistributed earnings                                                                                                                                    |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 8,938 | 5,323 | 8,095 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                                                                                              |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 38,560 | 42,175 | 50,076 |
| Basic net income attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share                                                                                               |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | $ 0.23 | $ 0.13 | $ 0.16 |
| Common Stock - Class B [Member]                                                                                                                                         |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Class of Stock [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                         |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Allocation of undistributed earnings                                                                                                                                    |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | $ 735 | $ 401 | $ 515 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                                                                                              |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 3,170 | 3,175 | 3,183 |
| Basic net income attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share                                                                                               |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | $ 0.23 | $ 0.13 | $ 0.16 |

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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).
+ References
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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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