STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended						3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2013	Aug. 02, 2013	Jun. 26, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Mar. 26, 2013	Mar. 05, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 04, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Open-market stock repurchase program, shares authorized for purchase											2,500,000
Number of shares repurchased									2,500,000
Shares repurchase average price (in dollars per share)									$ 11.9
Shares repurchased							$ 29,727		$ 29,727
Common stock issued (in shares)							158,210,719		158,210,719			158,160,719
Less: Common stock held in treasury (in shares)							(2,500,000)		(2,500,000)
Common stock outstanding (in shares)							155,710,719		155,710,719			158,160,719
Dividends declared and paid
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.16		$ 0.16		$ 0.15	$ 0.16	$ 0.13	$ 0.47	$ 0.39
Dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16		$ 0.16		$ 0.15
Dividends declared		24,914		25,216		23,724
Dividends paid	24,914		25,216		23,724				73,854	61,683
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period									762,926	697,208
Net Income (Loss)							48,092	(38,781)	111,349	30,270
Other comprehensive (loss)/ income							8,563	43,647	(47,922)	26,860
Comprehensive Income							56,655	4,866	63,427	57,130
Share capital										9
Additional paid-in-capital									3,326	8,850
Less: Common stock held in treasury							(29,727)		(29,727)
Dividends declared									(78,877)	(65,878)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period							721,075	697,319	721,075	697,319
CTC Media, Inc. stockholders
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Shares repurchased							29,727		29,727
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period									758,323	693,972
Net Income (Loss)									106,836	28,188
Other comprehensive (loss)/ income									(47,820)	26,739
Comprehensive Income									59,016	54,927
Share capital										9
Additional paid-in-capital									3,326	8,850
Less: Common stock held in treasury							(29,727)		(29,727)
Dividends declared									(73,854)	(61,683)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period							717,084	696,075	717,084	696,075
Noncontrolling interest
Changes in stockholders' equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period									4,603	3,236
Net Income (Loss)									4,513	2,082
Other comprehensive (loss)/ income									(102)	121
Comprehensive Income									4,411	2,203
Dividends declared									(5,023)	(4,195)
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period							$ 3,991	$ 1,244	$ 3,991	$ 1,244