STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock outstanding (in shares)		158,160,719	158,160,719		158,160,719
Stock options exercised (in shares)			0	840,649
Aggregate consideration of common stock issued				$ 4,616
Dividends declared and paid
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.13
Dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Dividends declared		23,724
Dividends paid	23,724	23,724	17,786	20,561
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period	750,129		762,926	697,208
Net Income			29,434	33,612
Other comprehensive income			(17,856)	69,560
Comprehensive income			11,578	103,172
Share capital				9
Additional paid-in-capital			649	6,391
Dividends declared			(25,024)	(21,076)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period		750,129	750,129	785,704
CTC Media, Inc. stockholders
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period			758,323	693,972
Net Income			28,588	32,622
Other comprehensive income			(17,852)	69,207
Comprehensive income			10,736	101,829
Share capital				9
Additional paid-in-capital			649	6,391
Dividends declared			(23,724)	(20,561)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period		745,984	745,984	781,640
Noncontrolling interest
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period			4,603	3,236
Net Income			846	990
Other comprehensive income			(4)	353
Comprehensive income			842	1,343
Dividends declared			(1,300)	(515)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period		$ 4,145	$ 4,145	$ 4,064