| **Financial Instruments**             | 6 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
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| **Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Financial Instruments                 | Financial InstrumentsFair Value of Financial InstrumentsThe fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, net receivables, inventories, accounts payable, accrued payroll and payroll related obligations, accrued interest, accrued liabilities, and subscriber deposits approximate their carrying value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The carrying amounts and approximate fair values of our financial instruments at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 follow (amounts in thousands): June 30, 2014 December 31, 2013 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair ValueCurrent and long-term debt$1,085,859 1,118,227 1,047,980 1,058,431The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair values:Current and long-term debt:  The fair values of the 6.75% Senior Notes due 2021 and the 8.63% Senior Notes due 2019 both issued by GCI, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar issues (Level 2).  The fair value of our Rural Utilities Service debt is based on the current rates offered to us for the same remaining maturities (Level 3).  The fair value of our Senior Credit Facility is estimated to approximate the carrying value because this instrument is subject to variable interest rates (Level 2).Fair Value MeasurementsAssets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows (amounts in thousands): Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date UsingJune 30, 2014 AssetsQuoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Deferred compensation plan assets  (mutual funds)$1,882 — —Total assets at fair value$1,882 — —      December 31, 2013 Assets     Deferred compensation plan assets  (mutual funds)$2,183 — —Total assets at fair value$2,183 — —The valuation of our mutual funds is determined using quoted market prices in active markets utilizing market observable inputs. |

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| - Definition
The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.
+ References
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