<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>99</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>250</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>37</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedIncomeStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Supplemental Disclosures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsAndSupplementalDisclosures</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Supplemental Disclosures</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets and Goodwill</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/LongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/FinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/Segments</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Related Party Transaction (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/RelatedPartyTransactionNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transaction (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/VariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SubsequentEvent</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Event</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/LongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/VariableInterestEntitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Narratives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesNarrativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Narratives) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401404 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Business Acquisition) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesBusinessAcquisitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Business Acquisition) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401405 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Pro-Forma Information) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesProFormaInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Pro-Forma Information) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401406 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Surcharges reported gross) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesSurchargesReportedGrossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Surcharges reported gross) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures ( Changes in operating assets and liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresChangesInOperatingAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures ( Changes in operating assets and liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Net cash paid or received) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresNetCashPaidOrReceivedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Net cash paid or received) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures ( Non-cash investing and financing activities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresNonCashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures ( Non-cash investing and financing activities) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Narratives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsNarrativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Narratives) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Amortization expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Amortization expense) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403404 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (5 year Future Amortization ) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssets5YearFutureAmortizationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (5 year Future Amortization ) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Narratives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/LongTermDebtNarrativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Narratives) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Long Term Debt (Schedule of Long Term Debt Applicable Margin) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/LongTermDebtScheduleOfLongTermDebtApplicableMarginDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long Term Debt (Schedule of Long Term Debt Applicable Margin) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Narratives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/FinancialInstrumentsNarrativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Narratives) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Carrying amounts and fair value of the financial instruments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/FinancialInstrumentsCarryingAmountsAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Carrying amounts and fair value of the financial instruments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basics) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/FinancialInstrumentsAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasicsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basics) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Narratives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquityNarrativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Narratives) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Summary of nonvested restricted stock award activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquitySummaryOfNonvestedRestrictedStockAwardActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Summary of nonvested restricted stock award activity) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Summary of share-based compensation expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquitySummaryOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Summary of share-based compensation expense) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Segments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Segments (Reportable segment revenues) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsReportableSegmentRevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Reportable segment revenues) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Segments (Reconciliation of reportable segment adjusted EBITDA) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsReconciliationOfReportableSegmentAdjustedEbitdaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Reconciliation of reportable segment adjusted EBITDA) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408401 - Disclosure - Related Party Transaction (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/RelatedPartyTransactionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transaction (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities (Narratives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/VariableInterestEntitiesNarrativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities (Narratives) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities (Summary of the impact of the consolidated VIE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/VariableInterestEntitiesSummaryOfImpactOfConsolidatedVieDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities (Summary of the impact of the consolidated VIE) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event Subsequent Event (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SubsequentEventSubsequentEventDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Event Subsequent Event (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element gciinc_LineofCreditFacilityTotalLeverageRatio had a mix of decimals attribute values: 1 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 -2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1 had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_Goodwill had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1 had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2401403 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Narratives) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2406402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Narratives) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2410402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2411401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event Subsequent Event (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>gciinc-20130930.xml</File>
    <File>gciinc-20130930.xsd</File>
    <File>gciinc-20130930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>gciinc-20130930_def.xml</File>
    <File>gciinc-20130930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>gciinc-20130930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
