Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Basic EPS calculations) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ (15,627)	$ 5,927	$ (34,896)	$ 7,067
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	(14,330)	5,476	(32,048)	6,526
Less: Undistributed income allocable to participating securities	0	(320)	0	(354)
Undistributed income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$ (14,330)	$ 5,156	$ (32,048)	$ 6,172
Weighted average common shares outstanding	34,887	36,143	35,548	36,112
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share	$ (0.41)	$ 0.14	$ (0.90)	$ 0.17
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ (1,297)	$ 451	$ (2,848)	$ 541
Less: Undistributed income allocable to participating securities	0	0	0	0
Undistributed income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$ (1,297)	$ 451	$ (2,848)	$ 541
Weighted average common shares outstanding	3,159	3,162	3,159	3,163
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share	$ (0.41)	$ 0.14	$ (0.90)	$ 0.17