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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 segment Y	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Principles of Consolidation
Net income attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders	$ (24,535)	$ 16,393	$ 38,468	$ 22,792	$ 75,329	$ 24,299	$ 20,904	$ 25,199	$ 53,118	$ 145,731	$ 100,389
Business Segments
Number of business segments									8
Property and Equipment
Minimum useful life (in years)									3
Maximum useful life (in years)									25
Channel 31 Group
Principles of Consolidation
Percentage of economic interest owned									60.00%
Assets (excluding intercompany assets)	23,411								23,411
Liabilities (excluding intercompany liabilities)	10,896								10,896
Intercompany payables	4,956								4,956
Net income attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders									3,578
Intercompany expenses									$ 747
Teleradiokompaniya 31st Kanal LLP (Channel 31)
Principles of Consolidation
Percentage of participation interest owned									20.00%
Prim LLP
Principles of Consolidation
Percentage of participation interest owned									70.00%
Advertising and Marketing LLP
Principles of Consolidation
Percentage of participation interest owned									60.00%