Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)

v3.6.0.2
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ 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
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Total revenues $ 232,293 $ 236,655 $ 233,766 $ 231,098 $ 241,344 $ 258,573 $ 247,528 $ 231,089 $ 933,812 $ 978,534 $ 910,198
Operating income 13,185 26,368 19,531 20,019 20,794 45,473 39,203 741 79,103 106,211 143,562
Net income (loss) (16,243) 7,827 3,298 982 (8,879) 17,495 (15,757) (18,725) (4,136) (25,866) 59,244
Net income (loss) attributable to GCI $ (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                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net income (loss) attributable to GCI                   $ (23,858) $ 6,980
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
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to General Communication, Inc. common stockholders per common share (USD per share) $ (0.47) $ 0.14 $ (0.01) $ (0.04) $ (0.24) $ 0.44 $ (0.41) $ (0.49) $ (0.15) $ (0.69) $ 0.18