| **Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Basic EPS calculations) (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified** | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
||
| **Class of Stock [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                         |           |           |   |   |
| Allocation of undistributed earnings                                                                                                                                    | $ 3,700        | $ 7,239        | $ 9,111 | $ 6,594 |
| Common Stock - Class A [Member]                                                                                                                                         |           |           |   |   |
| **Class of Stock [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                         |           |           |   |   |
| Allocation of undistributed earnings                                                                                                                                    | 3,419          | 6,728          | 8,420 | 6,140 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                                                                                              | 38,600         | 41,768         | 38,614 | 42,940 |
| Basic net income attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share                                                                                               | $ 0.09         | $ 0.16         | $ 0.22 | $ 0.14 |
| Common Stock - Class B [Member]                                                                                                                                         |           |           |   |   |
| **Class of Stock [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                         |           |           |   |   |
| Allocation of undistributed earnings                                                                                                                                    | $ 281          | $ 511          | $ 691 | $ 454 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                                                                                              | 3,170          | 3,175          | 3,170 | 3,177 |
| Basic net income attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share                                                                                               | $ 0.09         | $ 0.16         | $ 0.22 | $ 0.14 |

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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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