| **Stockholders' Equity**                 | 6 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
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| **Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Stockholders’ Equity              | Stockholders’ EquityShared-Based CompensationOur Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan ("Stock Option Plan"), provides for the grant of options and restricted stock awards (collectively "award") for a maximum of 15.7 million shares of GCI Class A common stock, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations or certain other changes in corporate structure or capitalization. If an award expires or terminates, the shares subject to the award will be available for further grants of awards under the Stock Option Plan. The Compensation Committee of GCI’s Board of Directors administers the Stock Option Plan. Substantially all restricted stock awards granted vest over periods of up to three years.  Substantially all options vest in equal installments over a period of five years and expire ten years from the date of grant.  The requisite service period of our awards is generally the same as the vesting period.  Options granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan are only exercisable if at the time of exercise the option holder is our employee, non-employee director, or a consultant or advisor working on our behalf.  New shares are issued when stock option agreements are exercised or restricted stock awards are granted.  We have 2.3 million shares available for grant under the Stock Option Plan at June 30, 2014.A summary of option activity under the Stock Option Plan as of June 30, 2014 and changes during the period then ended is presented below: Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)Outstanding at January 1, 2014620 $7.74    Exercised(19) $8.73    Options forfeited and retired(250) $8.40    Expired(12) $10.69    Outstanding at June 30, 2014339 $7.09 4.5 years $1,392Exercisable at June 30, 2014336 $7.10 4.4 years $1,373The total fair value of options vesting during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, was $50,000 and $23,000, respectively.  The total intrinsic values, determined as of the date of exercise, of options exercised in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, were $46,000 and $0.1 million, respectively. We received $0.2 million and $0.3 million in cash from stock option exercises in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.A summary of nonvested restricted stock award activity under the Stock Option Plan for the six months ended June 30, 2014, follows (share amounts in thousands): Shares WeightedAverageGrant DateFair ValueNonvested at January 1, 20141,209 $8.60Granted1,187 $9.89Vested(153) $10.82Forfeited(6) $9.38Nonvested at June 30, 20142,237 The weighted average grant date fair value of awards granted during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, were $9.89 and $8.22, respectively.  We have recorded share-based compensation expense of $4.0 million and $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Share-based compensation expense is classified as Selling, General and Administrative Expense in our Consolidated Income Statements.  Unrecognized share-based compensation expense was $12.5 million relating to 2.2 million restricted stock awards and $8,000 relating to 3,000 unvested stock options as of June 30, 2014.  We expect to recognize share-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of 0.6 year for stock options and 2.1 years for restricted stock awards. |

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| - Definition
The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.
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