NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Shares excluded from the diluted net income per common share computation because their effect was antidilutive	3,229,904	4,233,472
Net income attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders	$ 28,588	$ 32,622
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	158,160,719	157,495,591
Dilutive effect of:
Common stock options and SARs (in shares)	10,070	309,893
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted	158,170,789	157,805,484
Net income per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.21
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.21