NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Shares excluded from the diluted net income per common share computation because their effect was antidilutive	3,859,419	4,385,592	3,859,419	4,385,592
Components of basic and diluted net income per share
Net income attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders	$ 34,046	$ 38,468	$ 66,668	$ 61,260
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
Common stock (in shares)	158,160,719	157,266,697	157,648,016	157,135,034
Dilutive effect of:
Common stock options (in shares)		897,652	232,202	951,971
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted	158,160,719	158,164,349	157,880,218	158,087,005
Net income per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.24	$ 0.42	$ 0.39
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.24	$ 0.42	$ 0.39