Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Basic EPS calculations) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 17,631	$ 9,915	$ (17,265)	$ 16,982
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	16,213	9,161	(15,838)	15,686
Less: Undistributed income allocable to participating securities	(920)	(526)	0	(868)
Undistributed income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$ 15,293	$ 8,635	$ (15,838)	$ 14,818
Weighted average common shares outstanding	34,031	36,220	35,037	36,149
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share	$ 0.45	$ 0.24	$ (0.45)	$ 0.41
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 1,418	$ 754	$ (1,427)	$ 1,296
Less: Undistributed income allocable to participating securities	0	0	0	0
Undistributed income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$ 1,418	$ 754	$ (1,427)	$ 1,296
Weighted average common shares outstanding	3,155	3,162	3,158	3,162
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share	$ 0.45	$ 0.24	$ (0.45)	$ 0.41