NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, 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	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Stock options excluded from the diluted net income per common share computation because their effect was antidilutive									5,180,905	6,041,964	10,068,631
Components of basic and diluted net income per share
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
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
Common stock (in shares)									157,224,782	155,576,658	152,223,165
Dilutive effect of:
Common stock options and SARs (in shares)									786,877	515,380	5,229,598
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)									158,011,659	156,092,038	157,452,763
Net income per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.10	$ 0.24	$ 0.15	$ 0.48	$ 0.16	$ 0.13	$ 0.16	$ 0.34	$ 0.94	$ 0.66
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.10	$ 0.24	$ 0.14	$ 0.48	$ 0.16	$ 0.13	$ 0.16	$ 0.34	$ 0.93	$ 0.64