Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Earnings (Loss) per Common Share (Basic) (Details)

v3.6.0.2
Earnings (Loss) per Common Share (Basic) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Numerator [Abstract]                      
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic $ (16,124) $ 7,943 $ 3,415 $ 1,099 $ (8,760) $ 17,631 $ (15,627) $ (19,269) $ (3,667) $ (26,025) $ 7,557
Class A Common Stock                      
Numerator [Abstract]                      
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic                   (23,858) 6,980
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic                   0 385
Undistributed Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders                 $ (3,343) $ (23,858) $ 6,595
Denominator [Abstract]                      
Weighted average common shares outstanding                 32,526 34,764 36,112
Basic net income (loss) attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share (USD per share) $ (0.47) $ 0.21 $ 0.09 $ 0.03 $ (0.24) $ 0.45 $ (0.41) $ (0.49) $ (0.10) $ (0.69) $ 0.18
Class B Common Stock                      
Numerator [Abstract]                      
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic                   $ (2,167) $ 577
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic                   0 0
Undistributed Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders                 $ (324) $ (2,167) $ 577
Denominator [Abstract]                      
Weighted average common shares outstanding                 3,154 3,157 3,162
Basic net income (loss) attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share (USD per share)                 $ (0.10) $ (0.69) $ 0.18