PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, NET (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Programming rights, net
Total programming rights	$ 239,739	$ 199,081
Current portion	132,494	106,947
Non-current portion	107,245	92,134
Internally produced-TV broadcasting and theatrical
Programming rights, net
Historical cost	147,223	122,454
Accumulated amortization	(136,947)	(111,999)
Net book value	10,276	10,455
Completed and not released	1,215	1,528
In production	717	521
Total programming rights	12,208	12,504
Expected amortization expense during the next twelve months	12,198
Remaining amortization period	3 years
Acquired rights
Programming rights, net
Historical cost	659,477	554,310
Accumulated amortization	(431,946)	(367,733)
Net book value	$ 227,531	$ 186,577

The accumulated amount of amortization related to programming rights.

No definition available.

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- Details

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- Definition

Acquired and internal development costs of programming rights (including format costs), net of amortization.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of direct negative costs incurred as well as allocations of production overhead and capitalized interest related to the completion of a theatrical and direct-to-television film not yet released. Examples of direct negative costs include costs of story and scenario; compensation of cast, directors, producers, extras, and miscellaneous staff; costs of set construction and operations, wardrobe, and accessories; costs of sound synchronization; rental facilities on location; and postproduction costs such as music, special effects, and editing.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The historical cost, after impairment charges but before amortization, of acquired and internal development costs of programming rights (including format costs).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The historical cost, net of amortization, of acquired and internal development costs of programming rights (including format costs).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of direct negative costs incurred in the production of a theatrical and direct-to-television film, as well as allocations of production overhead and capitalized interest. Examples of direct negative costs include costs of story and scenario; compensation of cast, directors, producers, extras, and miscellaneous staff; costs of set construction and operations, wardrobe, and accessories; costs of sound synchronization; rental facilities on location; and postproduction costs such as music, special effects, and editing.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The aggregate sum of gross carrying value, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges, of non-current portion of rights to acquired programming, and internally produced programming, which will be amortized in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ctcm_ProgrammingRightsNoncurrentNet
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- Definition

Remaining amortization period of the unamortized portion of internally produced programming rights.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The aggregate sum of gross carrying value, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges, of rights to programming, acquired from third parties (including format costs) which will be amortized within the next twelve months.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ctcm_ProgramRightsCurrentNet
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of film costs related to completed films that are expected to be amortized during the upcoming operating cycle.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 926

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6473108&loc=d3e54406-107959

+ Details

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