NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Shares excluded from the diluted net income per common share computation because their effect was antidilutive	3,789,106	5,693,579	3,789,106	4,334,655
Components of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share
Net income (loss) attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders	$ (38,480)	$ 16,393	$ 28,188	$ 77,653
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
Common stock (in shares)	158,160,719	157,306,064	157,939,820	157,192,671
Dilutive effect of:
Common stock options (in shares)		631,876	355,912	835,951
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted	158,160,719	157,937,940	158,295,732	158,028,622
Net income (loss) per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.24)	$ 0.10	$ 0.18	$ 0.49
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.24)	$ 0.10	$ 0.18	$ 0.49