Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Income Statements Immaterial Error Correction) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Depreciation and amortization expense									$ 130,452	$ 125,937	$ 126,699
Operating income	19,270	25,392	24,633	19,685	16,030	31,933	22,300	20,262	88,980	90,524	87,926
Income before income tax expense									21,250	12,891	17,858
Income tax expense									12,088	7,405	9,248
Net income									9,162	5,486	8,610
Net income attributable to GCI, Inc.	562	3,700	3,982	1,429	(870)	7,239	(2,043)	1,399	9,673	5,724	8,610
Scenario As Previously Reported [Member]
Depreciation and amortization expense										125,742	126,114
Operating income										90,719	88,511
Income before income tax expense										13,086	18,443
Income tax expense										7,485	9,488
Net income										5,601	8,955
Net income attributable to GCI, Inc.										5,839	8,955
Adjustment [Member]
Depreciation and amortization expense										195	585
Operating income										(195)	(585)
Income before income tax expense										(195)	(585)
Income tax expense										(80)	(240)
Net income										(115)	(345)
Net income attributable to GCI, Inc.										$ (115)	$ (345)