STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended						3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock outstanding (in shares)	158,160,719						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		$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.22	$ 0.39	$ 0.60
Dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13		$ 0.13		$ 0.13
Dividends declared		20,561		20,561		20,561
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period									697,208	794,641
Net Income (Loss)							(38,781)	17,277	30,270	81,259
Other comprehensive income (loss)									26,860	(37,818)
Comprehensive income							4,866	(88,530)	57,130	43,441
Share capital									9	3
Additional paid-in-capital									8,850	22,236
Dividends declared									(65,878)	(99,133)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period	697,319						697,319	761,829	697,319	761,829
CTC Media, Inc. stockholders
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period									693,972	793,024
Net Income (Loss)									28,188	77,653
Other comprehensive income (loss)									26,739	(37,923)
Comprehensive income									54,927	39,728
Share capital									9	3
Additional paid-in-capital									8,850	22,236
Dividends declared									(61,683)	(94,320)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period	696,075						696,075	760,671	696,075	760,671
Noncontrolling interest
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period									3,236	1,617
Net Income (Loss)									2,082	3,606
Other comprehensive income (loss)									121	107
Comprehensive income									2,203	3,713
Dividends declared									(4,195)	(4,813)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period	$ 1,244						$ 1,244	$ 1,158	$ 1,244	$ 1,158