Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Basic Net Income (Loss) per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Numerator [Abstract]
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 1,099	$ (19,269)
Common Stock - Class A [Member]
Numerator [Abstract]
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	1,009	(17,723)
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic	48	0
Undistributed income (loss) allocable to common stockholders for basic computation	$ 961	$ (17,723)
Denominator [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	33,696	36,217
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share	$ 0.03	$ (0.49)
Common Stock - Class B [Member]
Numerator [Abstract]
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 90	$ (1,546)
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic	0	0
Undistributed income (loss) allocable to common stockholders for basic computation	$ 90	$ (1,546)
Denominator [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	3,155	3,159
Basic net income (loss) attributable to GCI common stockholders per common share	$ 0.03	$ (0.49)