INCOME TAX (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
INCOME TAX
Russian statutory income tax rate (as a percent)	20.00%		20.00%
Kazhakh statutory income tax rate (as a percent)	20.00%		20.00%
Russian withholding tax under the Treaty, on dividends distributed to CTC Media, Inc. (as a percent)	5.00%
Russian withholding tax on dividends distributed within the country (as a percent)	9.00%
Minimum percentage of ownership interest in subsidiary which Russian companies are required to hold to qualify for withholding tax exemption	50.00%
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	34.00%	39.00%
Unrecognized income tax benefits and related interest and penalties accrued	$ 3,781		$ 3,819
Unrecognized income tax benefits and related interest and penalties accrued relating to pre-acquisition operations of the Channel 31 Group	2,100		2,091
Expected increase in total unrecognized tax benefits due to income tax positions	2,596
Portion of expected increase in total unrecognized tax benefits, expected to increase in next twelve months	417
Portion of significant change in unrecognized tax benefit within 12 months, decrease due to lapse of statutory limitation	$ 518