STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock outstanding (in shares)	158,160,719		158,160,719		157,320,070
Stock options exercised (in shares)			840,649
Aggregate consideration of common stock issued			$ 4,615
Dividends declared and paid
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.16
Dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13
Dividends declared		20,561
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period			697,208	794,641
Net Income			33,612	23,694
Other comprehensive income			69,560	58,031
Comprehensive income			103,172	81,725
Share capital			9	3
Additional paid-in-capital			6,391	9,538
Dividends declared			(21,076)	(25,301)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period	785,704		785,704	860,606
CTC Media, Inc. stockholders
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period			693,972	793,024
Net Income			32,622	22,792
Other comprehensive income			69,207	57,897
Comprehensive income			101,829	80,689
Share capital			9	3
Additional paid-in-capital			6,391	9,538
Dividends declared			(20,561)	(25,115)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period	781,640		781,640	858,139
Non-controlling interest
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period			3,236	1,617
Net Income			990	902
Other comprehensive income			353	134
Comprehensive income			1,343	1,036
Dividends declared			(515)	(186)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period	$ 4,064		$ 4,064	$ 2,467