NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Stock options excluded from the diluted net income per common share computation because their effect was antidilutive (in shares)	5,693,579	6,702,906	4,334,655	6,810,206
Components of basic and diluted net income per share
Net income attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders	$ 16,393	$ 24,299	$ 77,653	$ 70,402
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
Common stock (in shares)	157,306,064	155,938,598	157,192,671	155,247,783
Dilutive effect of:
Common stock options (in shares)	631,876	608,816	835,951	450,914
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	157,937,940	156,547,414	158,028,622	155,698,696
Net income per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.16	$ 0.49	$ 0.45
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.16	$ 0.49	$ 0.45