CTC Media (CTCM) 10-Q 1 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CTC Media, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1354513
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		156,103,854
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 4)	$73,935	$37,836
Short-term investments (Note 4)	36,034	103,800
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (December 31,2014-$1,297; March 31,2015-$1,994)	21,794	25,738
Taxes reclaimable	17,944	14,544
Prepayments	35,935	42,798
Programming rights, net (Note 5)	101,336	112,793
Deferred tax assets	19,584	20,307
Other current assets	1,821	262
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	308,383	358,078
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	16,765	18,520
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net:
Broadcasting licenses	25,758	28,366
Cable network connections	10,254	11,345
Trade names	3,375	3,510
Other intangible assets	2,575	2,762
Net intangible assets	41,962	45,983
GOODWILL	51,608	53,627
PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, net (Note 5)	84,049	72,446
INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO INVESTEES	2,871	3,167
PREPAYMENTS	15,967	13,719
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS	8,443	8,526
OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS (Note 4)	42,558	34,987
TOTAL ASSETS	572,606	609,053
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Bank loans	2,019	2,192
Accounts payable	59,054	56,670
Accrued liabilities	13,392	17,044
Dividends blocked under sanctions (Note 4 and 6)	34,605	27,684
Taxes payable	8,082	15,632
Deferred revenue	6,808	6,652
Deferred tax liabilities	57,380	58,827
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	181,340	184,701
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES	6,166	6,910
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; shares authorized 175,772,173; shares issued December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015-158,210,719)	1,582	1,582
Additional paid-in capital	496,853	496,905
Retained earnings	366,583	385,643
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-458,581	-444,591
Less: Common stock held in treasury, at cost (December 31, 2014-2,448,553 shares; March 31, 2015-2,375,980 shares) (Note 6)	-28,252	-29,115
Non-controlling interest	6,915	7,018
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	385,100	417,442
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$572,606	$609,053

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Trade accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$1,994	$1,297
Common stock, shares authorized	175,772,173	175,772,173
Common stock, shares issued	158,210,719	158,210,719
Common stock held in treasury, at cost	2,375,980	2,448,553

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES:
Advertising	$77,356	$184,563
Sublicensing revenue and other revenues	1,782	1,684
Total operating revenues	79,138	186,247
EXPENSES:
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of programming expenses, shown below; exclusive of depreciation and amortization of $6,642 and $3,052 for the three months ended March 31,2014 and 2015, respectively; and exclusive of stock-based compensation (expenses) benefit of $1,149 and $(232) for the three months ended March 31,2014 and 2015, respectively)	-7,518	-11,653
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization of $1,190 and $482 for the three months ended March 31,2014 and 2015, respectively; and exclusive of stock-based compensation (expense) benefit of $358 and $(373) for the three months ended March 31,2014 and 2015, respectively)	-20,063	-41,552
Stock-based compensation (expense) benefit	-605	1,507
Programming expenses	-42,578	-78,578
Depreciation and amortization	-3,534	-7,832
Total operating expenses	-74,298	-138,108
OPERATING INCOME	4,840	48,139
FOREIGN CURRENCY GAINS (LOSSES)	1,120	-3,370
INTEREST INCOME	1,629	3,278
INTEREST EXPENSE	-80	-136
OTHER NON-OPERATING LOSS, net	-203	-1,058
EQUITY IN INCOME (LOSS) OF INVESTEE COMPANIES	2	-939
Income before income tax	7,308	45,914
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)	1,112	-14,179
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	8,420	31,735
LESS: INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	-3	-519
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CTC MEDIA, INC. STOCKHOLDERS	$8,417	$31,216
Net income per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders-basic (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.20
Net income per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders-diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.20
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	155,782,325	155,710,719
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	156,156,059	155,803,931
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.18	$0.18

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Direct operating expenses, depreciation and amortization	$3,052	$6,642
Direct operating expenses, stock-based compensation	-232	1,149
Selling, general and administrative, depreciation and amortization	482	1,190
Selling, general and administrative, stock-based compensation	($373)	$358

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Net Income	$8,420	$31,735
Other Comprehensive Loss, net of tax:
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	-14,080	-65,478
Other Comprehensive Loss	-14,080	-65,478
Comprehensive Loss	-5,660	-33,743
Less: Comprehensive Loss attributable to the non-controlling interest	87	245
Comprehensive Loss attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders	($5,573)	($33,498)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Consolidated net income	$8,420	$31,735
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred tax (benefit) expense	-2,152	3,279
Depreciation and amortization	3,534	7,832
Programming expenses	42,578	78,578
Stock- based compensation expense (benefit)	605	-1,507
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated investees	-2	939
Foreign currency (gains) losses	-1,120	3,370
Changes in provision for tax contingencies	-3,111	-892
Changes in provision for doubtful accounts	813
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	1,336	11,175
Prepayments	719	-1,173
Other assets	-833	1,345
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-3,982	-12,425
Deferred revenue	445	2,771
Other liabilities	-6,914	-7,968
Payments for multiplex	-1,195
Acquisition of programming and sublicensing rights	-42,467	-84,656
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	-3,326	32,403
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions of property and equipment and intangible assets	-587	-974
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	704
Receipts from deposits, net	68,463	4,522
Net cash provided by investing activities	68,580	3,548
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Settlement of loan	-220	-91
Increase in other non-current assets (Note 4)	-6,921	-6,916
Dividends paid to stockholders	-20,350	-20,333
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest	-16	-24
Net cash used in financing activities	-27,507	-27,364
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-1,648	-1,422
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	36,099	7,165
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	37,836	30,574
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$73,935	$37,739

ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
ORGANIZATION
ORGANIZATION
	1. ORGANIZATION
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CTC Media, Inc. and all consolidated subsidiaries (the "Company"). CTC Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation, operates the CTC, Domashny and Peretz television channels in Russia and Channel 31 in Kazakhstan. Each channel includes operating results of its network, which is responsible for broadcasting operations, including sales of its network's advertising, licensing and commissioning of programming, producing its programming schedule, managing its relationships with its independent affiliates, and the respective stations that distribute the network's signal. For financial reporting purposes the Company's other less significant operating segments are included along with the Company's headquarters' operations in the "All Other" category.
	The Company generates substantially all of its revenues from the sale of television advertising on both a national and regional basis.

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SUMM

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2015 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 5, 2015 (the "2014 Annual Report"). The Company's accounting policies are more fully described in the 2014 Annual Report. The preparation of the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make judgments in selecting appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates, which inherently contain some degree of uncertainty. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The following discussion addresses the Company's most critical accounting policies, which require management's most difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been recorded. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.
	The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for the complete financial statements.
	As fully described in 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, an amendment to the Russian law "On Mass Media" adopted in October 2014, which will reduce the permitted level of foreign ownership in Russian mass media companies, including television broadcasters, from 50% direct ownership to 20% beneficial ownership or control, direct or indirect, starting from January 1, 2016 (with a further one-year grace period for off-shore holding structures), may have an impact on the corporate or ownership structure of CTC Media Inc. Any decision regarding a potential transaction in this regard would require the approval of the Company's Board of Directors and, potentially, its stockholders.
	The Company's Board of Directors, through its Advisory Committee, and management team are continuing to work with external legal, financial and tax advisors to evaluate and implement an appropriate response that achieves compliance with the new law while safeguarding the interest of all of the Company's stockholders. Based on the input of the Company's external advisers, the Company has not to date identified an alternative that it believes would comply with the new law without a material change in the ownership of the group's Russian businesses or a sale or a buy back of a material portion of the common stock of the Company. Accordingly, as part of the Company's efforts in this regard, the Company's financial advisors have conducted an initial, formal process to identify and solicit offers from potential bidders; no offers have been received in that formal process. The Company's Board of Directors and management are therefore continuing to review strategic options to achieve compliance with the new law, including exploring potential sale transactions with a limited number of third parties. These discussions are at an early stage.
	There is significant uncertainty about the outcome of these efforts. A potential change in the ownership of the Group's Russian businesses could impact the presentation of the financial statements, if a sale becomes probable. The Company expects that the evaluation of possible options to address the changes in the new law will continue. As of March 31, 2015 and the date of these financial statements, the Company continues to manage and operate its businesses in Russia and Kazakhstan as continuing operations applying the going concern assumption. While there may be changes in management's assumptions in the near term, the Company believes that the accompanying financial statements fairly reflect the performance of the Company based on current information that is available. Should facts and circumstances change—in particular, if a transaction involving the sale of a material portion of the Company's Russian businesses becomes probable, the Company will be required to report certain, if not all, of its principal operations as discontinued operations in the period in which such transaction becomes probable.
	Further, a sale of the Company's Russian operations may also result in significant taxes, in particular in connection with complex corporate transactions in which the application of tax laws may be unclear.
	Principles of Consolidation
	Wholly owned subsidiaries and majority owned ventures where the Company has operating and financial control, as well as variable interest entities where the Company has been deemed the primary beneficiary with power and ability to control, are consolidated. Those ventures where the Company exercises significant influence, but does not exercise operating and financial control, are accounted for under the equity method. The Company uses the purchase method of accounting for all business combinations. Results of subsidiaries acquired and accounted for under the purchase method are included in operations from the date of acquisition. Non-controlling interests represent a non-controlling shareholder's proportionate share of the equity in certain of the Company's consolidated entities. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. Disposals are reflected at the time risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred.
	The Company is the primary beneficiary of the Channel 31 Group, a variable interest entity consisting of a 20% participation interest in Teleradiokompaniya 31st Kanal LLP ("Channel 31"), and a 70% and 60% interest in Prim LLP and Advertising and Marketing LLP, respectively, which provide programming content and the advertising sales function to Channel 31 (together, the "Channel 31 Group"). These interests provide the Company with a right to 60% of the economic interest of the Channel 31 Group. The Company consolidates the Channel 31 Group. As of March 31, 2015, the Channel 31 Group had assets (excluding intercompany assets) totaling $22,275 and liabilities (excluding intercompany liabilities) totaling $7,139. These assets and liabilities primarily relate to broadcasting licenses, trade payables for programming rights, loans and related deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company finances the Channel 31 Group's operations during the ordinary course of business. Channel 31 Group's net loss attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders excluding intercompany expenses totaled $389 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Seasonality
	The Company experiences seasonal fluctuations in overall television viewership and advertising revenues. Overall television viewership is lower during the summer months and highest in the first and fourth quarters. Seasonal fluctuations in consumer patterns also affect television advertising expenditures. In 2014, approximately 30% of the Company's total advertising revenues in ruble terms were generated in the fourth quarter.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates in the financial statements include, among others, the estimate of fair values in business combinations, estimates of the fair value of the Company's common stock in determining stock-based compensation, the amortization method and periods for programming rights, useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, impairment of goodwill, valuation of intangible assets and long-lived assets, estimates of contingencies, estimates of income taxes in relation to Company's interpretation of current tax laws, in particular, in determination of foreign tax credits, determination of valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, and possible outcomes of current and future audits conducted by foreign and domestic tax authorities. While the Company believes it has made, and continues to make, reasonable judgments in determining its tax filing positions in each jurisdiction in which it is subject to tax, views may differ as to the determination of its tax obligations. These judgments may ultimately be subjected to examination by the tax authorities and further revisions may be required in the Company's estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making changes in estimates from time to time, and evaluates the estimates on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the customers' inability to make payments. The Company recognizes advertising revenues at the moment when the advertising is broadcast and net of Value Added Taxes ("VAT").
	The Company's own sales house serves as the exclusive advertising sales agent for substantially all national and regional advertising sales, with the exception of advertising sales to local clients of a number of the Company's owned-and-operated regional stations. The Company recognizes its Russian advertising revenues, excluding regional advertising revenues from local clients, based on the gross amounts billed to the advertisers and their agencies under direct sales arrangements.
	The Company's cooperation model with Video International provides for the licensing of specialized advertising software by Video International to the Company's sales house, together with the provision by Video International of related software maintenance and analytical support and consulting services. Compensation expenses payable to Video International for the use of advertising software, related maintenance and analytical support and consulting services are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statement of income.
	In addition, a number of the Company's owned-and-operated regional stations and Channel 31 have signed agency agreements with local subsidiaries of Video International with respect to advertising sales to local clients, which is recognized net of agency commissions.
	Sublicensing revenues primarily represent revenues the Company earns from sublicensing its rights to programming and from the licensing of internally-produced programming. Sublicensing revenue is recognized at such time as there is persuasive evidence that a sale or arrangement with a customer exists, the underlying programming is complete and has been transferred to the customer, the licensing period has commenced and the customer can begin use, the arrangement fee is fixed or determinable, and collection of the arrangement fee is reasonably assured. Given the recent uncertainties in Ukraine, in 2014, the Company commenced to use the instalment method for sublicensing arrangements with Ukrainian counterparties.
	Payments received in advance for advertising and other revenue are recorded as deferred revenue until earned.
	Programming rights
	Programming rights are stated at the lower of their unamortized cost or net realizable value. The Company reports an asset and liability for the rights acquired and obligations incurred at the commencement of the licensing period when the cost of the programming is known or reasonably determinable, the program material has been accepted and the programming is available for airing.
	Purchased program rights are classified as current or non-current assets based on anticipated usage and the licensing period. Internally produced and purchased programming with unlimited rights are classified as non-current.
	The Company amortizes programming based on expected revenue generation patterns, based on the proportion that current estimated revenues bear to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues. If the initial airing of content allowed by a license is expected to provide more value than subsequent airings, the Company applies an accelerated method of amortization. These accelerated methods of amortization depend on the estimated number of runs the content is expected to receive, and are determined based on a study of historical results for similar programming. For content that is expected to be aired only once, the entire cost is recognized as an expense on the first run. To the extent that the revenues the Company expects to earn from broadcasting a program are lower than the book value, the program rights are written down to their net realizable value by way of recording an additional amortization charge. Such write-downs establish a new cost basis for programming rights.
	Amortizable Long-Lived Assets
	Amortizable assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Definite-lived intangible assets primarily represent broadcast licenses and cable network connections that are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated period of future economic benefit ranging from 2018 to 2022.
	The estimated useful lives of broadcasting licenses is subject to the availability of further information about the transition to digital broadcasting which could require the Company to revise amortization expense on a prospective basis. Amortizable assets, including property and equipment and definite-lived intangibles, are reviewed periodically to determine whether an event or change in circumstances indicates that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets to be held and used, the Company bases its evaluation on such impairment indicators as the nature of the assets, the future economic benefit of the assets and any historical or future profitability measurements, as well as other external market conditions or factors that may be present. If such impairment indicators are present or other factors exist that indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, the Company determines whether impairment has occurred through the use of an undiscounted cash flows analysis of assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. If the carrying value of the asset or group of assets exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, impairment is deemed to have occurred, and the Company recognizes an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the asset. The fair value of the asset is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation techniques.
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy contains three levels as follows:
	Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
	Level 2—Other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including: (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets; (3) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and (4) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.
	Level 3—Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management's estimates of market participant assumptions.
	There were no transfers between categories during the periods presented.
	The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair value as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015, respectively.
	Goodwill Impairment Test
	The Company assesses the carrying value of its goodwill on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying value may not be recoverable. Other than its annual review, factors the Company considers important which could trigger an impairment review include under-performance of reporting units or changes in projected results, changes in the manner of utilization of the asset, a severe and sustained decline in the price of the Company's shares and negative market conditions or economic trends; and specific events, such as new legislation, new market entrants, changes in technology or adverse legal judgments that the Company believes could have a negative impact on its business. For a discussion of methodology and major assumptions regarding the Company's impairment test refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 5, 2015.
	Stock-based compensation expense
	The Company estimates the fair value of equity awards at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes pricing model was originally developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have different characteristics than the Company's employee equity awards. The model is also sensitive to changes in subjective assumptions, which can materially affect the fair value estimate. These subjective assumptions include expected volatility, the expected life of the awards, future employee turnover rates, and future employee award exercise behavior. The Company determines the fair value of its common stock by using closing prices as quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Performance-based nonvested share awards require management to make assumptions regarding the likelihood of achieving the set goals.
	Once the Company has estimated the fair value of the equity instruments, it recognizes this estimated cost as stock-based compensation expense over the service period. Equity-based incentive awards that meet liability accounting criteria are remeasured at each reporting date at their fair value until settlement. The fair value of such unsettled equity-based incentive awards is recognized in liabilities.
	Tax provisions and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
	Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and the bases as reported in the consolidated financial statements, as well as the tax benefits of net operating loss carry forwards which are expected to be realized. The Company records valuation allowances related to the tax effects of deductible temporary differences and loss carry forwards when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the respective tax assets will not be realized. Changes in the Company's assessment of the probability of realization of deferred tax assets may affect the Company's effective income tax rate.
	The Company records temporary differences related to investments in its Russian subsidiaries. These temporary differences consist primarily of undistributed earnings that the Company does not plan to permanently reinvest in operations outside the U.S.
	The level of sophistication and expertise with respect to complex tax laws is continually evolving both on the part of tax professionals and the taxing authorities. The Company is a U.S. legal entity with substantially all of its operations outside the U.S., primarily in Russia. As a result, the Company's tax filing positions in the U.S. are substantially impacted by the Company's interpretation of tax law and how the Company applies it in determining US taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities. While the Company believes it has, and continues, to make reasonable judgments in determining its tax filing positions in each jurisdiction in which the Company is subject to tax, views may differ as to the determination of its tax obligations. These judgments may ultimately be subjected to examination by the tax authorities and further revisions may be required in the Company's estimates.
	New and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	There have been no developments to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company's consolidated financial statements, from those disclosed in the Company's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for the noted below.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 820): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"). ASU 2015-02 provides a revised consolidation model for all reporting entities to use in evaluating whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The amendments, among other things, (1) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities, (2) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and (3) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. These amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact that these amendments will have on its consolidated financial statements.

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE

NET INCOME PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
NET INCOME PER SHARE
NET INCOME PER SHARE
	3. NET INCOME PER SHARE
	Basic net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015 is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares are calculated using the "treasury stock" method and consist of shares underlying outstanding equity awards. The number of shares excluded from the diluted net income per common share computation because their effect was antidilutive, was 2,279,166 and 349,584 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
	The components of basic and diluted net income per share were as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014		2015
	Net income attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders	$	31,216	$	8,417
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic
	Common stock		155,710,719		155,782,325
	Dilutive effect of:
	Stock-based awards		93,212		373,734
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted		155,803,931		156,156,059
	Net income per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.20	$	0.05
	Diluted	$	0.20	$	0.05
	The numerator used to calculate diluted net income per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015 was net income attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders.

CASH_AND_CASH_EQUIVALENTS_AND_

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
	4. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
	The Company's cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments comprise bank accounts and term deposits. Deposits with an original maturity ranging from 91 to 365 days are classified in short-term investments. Below are breakdowns of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments:
		December 31,			March 31,
		2014			2015
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Russian ruble bank accounts	$	30,672		$	22,272
	U.S. dollar bank accounts		5,861			49,407
	Other		1,303			2,256
	Total cash and cash equivalents	$	37,836		$	73,935
		December 31, 2014
							March 31, 2015
		Annual interest rate
				Amount			Annual interest rate	Amount
	Short-term investments:
	Ruble-denominated deposits			$	—		14.75% - 16%	$	9,544
	U.S. dollar-denominated deposits	0.55% - 3.9%		$	103,800		0.74% - 5.16%	$	26,490
	Total Short-term investments			$	103,800			$	36,034
	Other non-current assets—On March 20, 2014, the United States imposed sanctions on Bank Rossiya, a Russian open joint stock company, and Bank Rossiya was placed on the Specially Designated Nationals ("SDN") and Blocked Persons List of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"). On April 28, 2014, LLC IC Abros, a holding company related to Bank Rossiya, was also designated an SDN. More than 50% of the voting capital of Telcrest Investments Limited ("Telcrest"), one of the Company's principal stockholders, is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by Bank Rossiya and LLC IC Abros, and therefore Telcrest is also considered to be a target of sanctions.
	In 2014, dividends totaling $27,684 otherwise payable to Telcrest were blocked pursuant to the U.S. sanctions described above and paid into a separate interest-bearing bank account for the benefit of Telcrest, but to which Telcrest will not have access while Telcrest continued to be a deemed remain an SDN.
	On March 4, 2015, the Company's Board declared a dividend to stockholders of record as of March 16, 2015. The Company paid the declared dividends on March 26, 2015, however, dividends of $6,921 otherwise payable to Telcrest were blocked pursuant to the U.S. sanctions described above.
	In addition, as of March 31, 2015, other non-current assets included advance payments to RTRS towards the construction of the digital infrastructure in the 50– coverage regions of approximately $7.6 million. See Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies "—Purchase Commitments".

PROGRAMMING_RIGHTS_NET

PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, NET	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, NET
PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, NET
	5. PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, NET
	Programming rights as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015 comprise the following:
		December 31,			March 31,
		2014			2015
	Internally produced—TV broadcasting:
	Released:
	Historical cost	$	100,845		$	97,438
	Accumulated amortization		(96,746	)		(93,503	)
	Released, net book value		4,099			3,935
	Completed and not released		1,252			1,388
	Total		5,351			5,323
	Acquired rights:
	Historical cost		517,401			505,202
	Accumulated amortization		(337,513	)		(325,140	)
	Net book value		179,888			180,062
	Total programming rights	$	185,239		$	185,385
	Current portion	$	112,793		$	101,336
	Non-current portion	$	72,446		$	84,049
	The Company expects to amortize approximately $1,818 of internally produced TV programming for its completed and released programs and completed but not yet released programs during the twelve months ending March 31, 2016. In addition, the Company expects to amortize all of its unamortized internally produced programming rights within the three years following March 31, 2015.

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	6. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	As of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015, the Company's issued and outstanding share capital was as follows:
	Type	December 31,			March 31,
		2014			2015
	Common stock issued		158,210,719			158,210,719
	Less: Common stock held in treasury		(2,448,553	)		(2,375,980	)
	Common stock outstanding		155,762,166			155,834,739
	Stock repurchase program
	On March 4, 2013, the Board of Directors approved an open market stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to 2.5 million shares of common stock in the market for use under the Company's 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). During the period ended December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased 2,500,000 shares of its common stock at an average price of $11.89 per share for a total of $29,727. Treasury stock is accounted for under the cost method. In 2014 and in the first quarter of 2015, the Company issued 51,447 and 72,573 shares of common stock from treasury upon the exercise of RSUs under the 2013 and 2014 sub-tranche of the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, respectively.
	The Company's certificate of incorporation authorizes the Company to issue 175,772,173 shares of common stock. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote.
	Dividends
	In 2015, the following dividends were declared and paid:
	Declaration date	Per Share Dividend			Aggregate			Record Date			Payment Date
					Dividend
	March 4, 2015	$	0.175		$	27,271			March 16, 2015			March 26, 2015
	Dividends declared to Telcrest of $6,921 were blocked pursuant to the U.S. sanctions imposed on Bank Rossyia described above in Note 4. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company declared and paid dividends to MTG of $10,502.
	The following table summarizes the changes in stockholders' equity during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015:
		Total			CTC Media, Inc.			Non-controlling
					stockholders			interest
	Stockholders' equity, December 31, 2013	$	734,116		$	728,213		$	5,903
	Net income		31,735			31,216			519
	Other comprehensive loss		(65,478	)		(64,714	)		(764	)
	Comprehensive loss		(33,743	)		(33,498	)		(245	)
	Additional paid-in capital		503			503			—
	Disposals of non-controlling interests		820			—			820
	Dividends declared		(27,273	)		(27,249	)		(24	)
	Stockholders' equity, March 31, 2014	$	674,423		$	667,969		$	6,454
		Total			CTC Media, Inc.			Non-controlling
					stockholders			interest
	Stockholders' equity, December 31, 2014	$	417,442		$	410,424		$	7,018
	Net Income		8,420			8,417			3
	Other comprehensive loss		(14,080	)		(13,990	)		(90	)
	Comprehensive loss		(5,660	)		(5,573	)		(87	)
	Common stock issued from treasury stock upon RSU exercised, net		605			605			—
	Dividends declared		(27,287	)		(27,271	)		(16	)
	Stockholders' equity, March 31, 2015	$	385,100		$	378,185		$	6,915

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	7. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	The Company has several stock-based compensation programs. See the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 5, 2015—"Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 15, Stock-based compensation" for a discussion of these programs.
	In 2013 and 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved performance criteria for the 2013 and 2014 sub-tranches under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan in respect of 637,800 and 783,584 RSUs, respectively, with a weighted average per unit grant date fair value of $10.53 and $8.36, respectively. In the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized $605 of expense attributable to these RSUs related to 2013 and 2014 sub-tranches. The Company's Board of Directors has not yet determined performance criteria for the 2015 sub-tranche under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. The grant date will be the date when the key terms of these awards are determined and agreed with employees.
	The Company estimates that the total compensation expense related to awards approved under the 2013 Plan not yet recognized as of March 31, 2015 approximates $1.3 million, which is expected to be expensed over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

INCOME_TAX

INCOME TAX	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
INCOME TAX
INCOME TAX
	8. INCOME TAX
	The Company is subject to U.S. (domestic), Russian and Kazakh income taxes, based on U.S. legislation, Russian tax legislation, Kazakh legislation and the Double Tax Treaty of 1992 between the United States and Russia ("Treaty"). U.S. taxable income or losses recorded are reported on CTC Media, Inc.'s U.S. income tax return. CTC Media, Inc.'s taxable revenues consist predominantly of dividends paid by its owned-and-operated affiliate stations and networks and interest on deposits. Dividends distributed to CTC Media, Inc. are subject to a Russian withholding tax of 5% under the Treaty. Dividends distributed within Russia are subject to a withholding tax of 0% for Russian companies holding (1) more than 50% in a Russian distributing subsidiary or (2) less than 50% in a Russian distributing subsidiary for more than 365 days. The statutory income tax rate in Russia and Kazakhstan in 2014 and the three months ended March 31, 2015 was 20%.
	The Company's effective income tax rate was 31% and (15)% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in effective income tax rate was due to one-off income tax refund confirmed and reclaimed from Russian tax authorities based on the Company's interpretation of certain positions taken in the historical income tax filings. Excluding this effect, our effective tax rate would have been 31% and 28% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
	The tax years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 remain subject to examination by the Russian and U.S. tax authorities. The tax years ended December 31, 2011 through 2014 remain subject to examination by the Kazakh tax authorities.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Amendment to Mass Media law
	On October 14, 2014, President Putin signed into law an amendment to the Russian law "On Mass Media", which will reduce the permitted level of foreign ownership in Russian mass media companies, including television broadcasters, from 50% direct ownership to 20% beneficial ownership or control, direct or indirect. The law does not provide for "grandfathering" of existing foreign ownership interests. The law will come into force on January 1, 2016, by which time each Russian mass media entity, including television broadcasters, must comply with the requirement that non-Russian entities and individuals in the aggregate beneficially own no greater than 20% of the relevant mass media entity. Russian entities and individuals that beneficially own interests in Russian mass media businesses greater than 20% through off-shore holding structures will have an additional year in which to restructure such foreign holding structures.
	CTC Media is a Delaware corporation that directly and indirectly owns 100% of the shares of a series of Russian legal entities that operate the CTC business in Russia. CTC Media's Russian operations have historically contributed more than 96% of the group's revenues and net income. CTC Media's stockholders include MTG Russia AB, a Swedish company that is 100% indirectly owned by Modern Times Group MTG AB, a Swedish listed company, which holds approximately 39% of CTCM's outstanding common stock; Telcrest Investments Limited, a Cypriot limited company that we understand is indirectly beneficially owned by Russian entities and individuals, which holds approximately 25% of CTCM's outstanding common stock; and a number of public stockholders, which we understand include numerous US and European investors, which together hold the remaining approximately 36% of CTCM's outstanding common stock. As a consequence, neither the Company nor the current beneficial ownership structure of the group would currently comply with the requirements of the new law. In the event of non-compliance by the stated deadline, the Russian government would have the authority to revoke the mass media registration and broadcasting licenses of our business, and the Company would be unable to exercise its voting rights in its Russian subsidiaries. The enactment of this law therefore creates significant uncertainty regarding the Company's ownership, and may materially adversely affect the value of its common stock.
	Our Board of Directors, through its Advisory Committee, is continuing to work with the Company's management and with external legal, financial and tax advisors to identify, evaluate and implement an appropriate response that achieves compliance with the requirements of the new law while safeguarding the interest of all of the Company' stockholders. The Board continues to consider a variety of potential alternatives. These alternatives include a potential sale transaction of the group's Russian businesses or of the shares of common stock of the Company, along with a redomiciliation of the parent company to Russia.
	As of the date these financial statements are publicly released, no affirmative decision on the alternatives has been made. Depending on further developments and Board decisions, if the Board were to pursue a sale of the business, there can be no assurance that it would be successful in negotiating a transaction on acceptable terms or at all. In particular, any disposal may not result in proceeds at a level that reflects the underlying value of the Company's business, particularly in light of ongoing volatility of Russian economy and contraction of the advertising market, as well as the limitation of the pool of potential purchasers to Russian persons that are not subject to applicable international sanctions. As a result, the value of the common stock of the Company could further decline.
	In addition, the Company's response to this new law will require significant Board and management time and attention, which will continue to distract from the normal operations of the Company's business. A sale or restructuring of the Company's Russian operations may also result in significant taxes, in particular in connection with complex corporate transactions in which the application of tax laws may be unclear.
	Operating environment
	Economic environment—Significant uncertainty exists surrounding the current geopolitical situation in Ukraine. The United States, the European Union and other countries have imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian government officials, other individuals and certain Russian companies in connection with recent developments in Ukraine and Crimea. Neither the Company, nor any of its Russian subsidiaries or other operations or assets, are a target of current sanctions and the Company does not appear on the United States and European Union lists of sanctioned parties. However, there is significant uncertainty regarding the extent or timing of any potential further economic or trade sanctions, or the ultimate outcome of the Ukrainian crisis. The current situation in Ukraine has negatively affected the Company's sublicensing sales of certain programming in that country and has also had a broader impact on the macroeconomic environment of the region. These factors in conjunction with global macroeconomic weakness, may adversely affect the Company's business.
	In 2014 and early 2015, Russia has experienced significant economic instability, characterized by substantial depreciation of its currency, sharp fluctuations of interest rates and a steep decline in the value of shares traded on its stock exchanges. Any continuing economic and political instability, potentially including continued or additional international economic sanctions, could have negative impact on television advertising spending in future periods. If overall spending by the largest multinational advertisers in the Russian television advertising market falls substantially, the Company's advertising revenues may be significantly reduced, materially adversely affecting its results of operations.
	Exchange Rate—Although the Company's reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, it generates almost all of its revenues through the sale of advertising, which in Russia is sold primarily in rubles. The ruble is also the functional currency of the Company's principal operating subsidiaries. As a result, the Company's reported revenues and results of operations are impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Russian ruble. In the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Russian ruble depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 4%, and was on average 44% lower than the average value of the Russian ruble compared to the U.S. dollar during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Additionally, given that substantially all of the Company's revenues are generated in Russian rubles, the Company faces exchange rate risk relating to payments that the Company must make in currencies other than the Russian ruble. The Company generally pays for non-Russian produced programming in U.S. dollars. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had U.S. dollar denominated contractual commitments for the acquisition of approximately $39.3 million in programming rights for the remaining of 2015 and $20.3 million in 2016. As of March 31, 2015, U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash deposits comprised approximately $75.9 million; in addition, as of March 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding foreign exchange forward contract to purchase $3.0 million at an exchange rate of RUR 48.2 to $1, to reduce a portion of its foreign exchange risk related to U.S.-dollar denominated payments. The Company has not entered into any arrangements to reduce the foreign exchange risk with respect to the remaining future U.S.—dollar denominated payments.
	The prevailing exchange rate as of March 31, 2015 was RUR 58.46 to $1.00. If the exchange rate between the ruble and the U.S. dollar were further to depreciate, the revenues and operating results of the Company, as reported in U.S. dollars, would be adversely affected.
	Transition to Digital Broadcasting—The Company believes that the introduction of digitalization will not adversely affect its ability to broadcast in the medium term, as its channels will continue to broadcast in the analog format under existing analog licenses until the transition to the digital format is completed. However, there is currently great uncertainty regarding the effect of the implementation of digital broadcasting on the Company's business models, as it is difficult to predict accurately how the digitalization of broadcasting may affect the market. While digital broadcasting would increase CTC's and Domashny's overall technical penetration, the necessary investments for digital migration may not be fully monetized. Also, uncertainty exists about Peretz's technical penetration and its impact on advertising revenues. Subject to the availability of further information from the government and market participants, and the Company's ability to make further assessments of the government's plans.
	On an ongoing basis, the Company meets key participants of the media industry and governmental representatives for discussion and analysis of the transition to digital broadcasting, as well as the development of current business and industry initiatives.
	Derivative Financial instruments
	As part of its risk management strategy, the Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily foreign exchange forward contracts, to mitigate its exposure to currency exchange risk related to U.S.-dollar denominated payments. The Company's objective is to offset gains and losses resulting from these exposures with losses and gains on the derivative contracts used to hedge them, thereby reducing volatility of earnings or protecting fair values of assets and liabilities. It is the Company's policy to enter into foreign currency derivative transactions only to the extent considered necessary to meet its objectives as stated above.
	The Company entered into certain foreign exchange forward contracts designated as fair value hedges to protect the value of its existing foreign currency liabilities and firm commitments. For derivative instruments with the notional amount of $6.5 million that were designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the Company recognized loss on the derivative instruments of $0.1 million, as well as offsetting foreign currency gain on the hedged item in its condensed consolidated statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 2015. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company entered into short-term non-designated hedges with the notional amount of $6.0 million to mitigate its exposure related to U.S.-dollar denominated payments and recognized foreign currency loss of $0.4 million on derivative instruments in its condensed consolidated statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Purchase commitments
	The table below summarizes information with respect to the Company's commitments as of March 31, 2015:
		Total		Through		2016		2017		2018		2019		2020
				2015
		(in thousands)
	Acquisition of programming rights	$	127,738	$	96,096	$	31,403	$	239	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Transmission and satellite fees		73,062		10,541		14,762		15,593		16,386		7,893		7,887
	Leasehold obligations		30,781		3,860		5,444		5,760		5,016		5,451		5,250
	Network affiliation agreements		8,100		1,301		1,835		1,912		2,007		510		535
	Payments for intellectual rights		13,090		1,500		2,093		2,209		2,323		2,435		2,530
	Other contractual obligations		22,104		2,774		3,580		3,777		3,951		4,128		3,894
	Total	$	274,875	$	116,072	$	59,117	$	29,490	$	29,683	$	20,417	$	20,096
	In addition, in connection with the planned digitalization in Russia and Kazakhstan, the Company will incur additional costs. In March 2013, the Company entered into 10-year transmission agreements with the Russian Television and Radio Network ("RTRS"). Under the terms of these agreements, RTRS will provide to CTC and Domashny all services required for the channels to broadcast their signals in digital format throughout Russia to approximately 140 million viewers, once the rollout of digital broadcasting is complete throughout the territory of the Russian Federation. In July 2014, the Company amended the agreements to specify service fees for 2014 and cash payments for the period from 2014 to 2018. The Company's digital transmission expense related to broadcasting in the cities with populations more than 50,000 ("50+ coverage") will be approximately $4.1 million in 2015 for CTC and Domashny channels in aggregate; the expense for 2016 and beyond will be calculated on an annual basis according to rates that RTRS will set by October 1st of the prior year. In addition, RTRS will construct the digital broadcasting infrastructure in smaller cities with populations less than 50,000 ("50– coverage") until 2018. It is expected that this infrastructure will be put into operation in 2019. Starting from 2014, in addition to the transmission services in the 50+ coverage cities described above, the Company made advance payments of 444 million rubles or $7.6 million towards the construction of the digital infrastructure in the 50– coverage regions for CTC and Domashny channels as of March 31, 2015. In aggregate the Company expects to advance approximately 644 million rubles in 2015, 271 million rubles in 2016, 68 million rubles in 2017 and 51 million rubles in 2018 resulting in total advances of approximately 1,424 million rubles or $24.4 million by the end of 2018 (at an exchange rate of RUR 58.5 to $1.00 as of March 31, 2015). Under the amended terms, these advances will be offset against service payments otherwise required for digital transmission services subsequent to 2018.
	In addition, the Company expects to continue incurring analog transmission costs during the analog-to-digital transition period. In 2014, the Company incurred approximately $24 million of such expenses.
	Compliance with Licenses terms
	All broadcast television stations in Russia are required to have broadcasting and other operating licenses. Only a limited number of such licenses are available in each locality. These licenses currently have a standard term of ten years. In addition, the Company holds universal licenses, permitting each of its channels to broadcast through free-to-air, cable and satellite broadcasting, in either digital or analog format.
	A broadcaster must conform its programming to the programming concept outlined in the broadcasting license. In particular, the broadcaster is obliged to ensure the compliance of its programming with the declared genres of the channel and to sustain the volume-genre ratio of broadcasted materials prescribed in the license.
	The broadcasting license of Channel 31 in Kazakhstan contains various restrictions and obligations. Kazakh law currently requires that broadcasters broadcast at least 50% of their programming in the Kazakh language during every six-hour slot.
	The Company may not always be in full compliance with these requirements. Also, the Company's independent affiliates have not always been in full compliance with all the requirements of their licenses or obtained all the licenses necessary for broadcasting. If the terms of a license are not complied with, or if a television station otherwise violates applicable Russian legislation or regulations, the license, after a warning notice from the regulator, may be suspended or terminated (which decision may be appealed in court). If an independent affiliate were to broadcast without all the necessary licenses, broadcasting may be terminated and fines could be imposed. Management believes that the probability of initiation of action against any material owned-and operated station or independent affiliate is remote.
	Legal and Tax Proceedings
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company may be party to various legal and tax proceedings, including tax audits, and subject to claims, certain of which relate to the developing markets and evolving fiscal and regulatory environments in which the Company operates. In the opinion of management, the Company's liability, if any, in all pending litigation, other legal proceedings or other matters, will not have a material effect upon the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
SEGMENT INFORMATION
SEGMENT INFORMATION
	10. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company's three Russia-based television channels (CTC, Domashny and Peretz) and Channel 31 in Kazakhstan represent the Company's reportable segments. Each channel includes operating results of its network, which is responsible for broadcasting operations, including sales of its network's advertising, licensing and commissioning of programming, producing its programming schedule and managing its relationships with its independent affiliates, and the respective owned-and-operated stations that distribute the network's signal.
	The Company's other less significant operating segments are included along with headquarters' operations in the "All Other" category for financial reporting purposes. The Company evaluates performance based on the operating results of each segment, among other performance measures.
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
		Operating		Intersegment			Operating			Identifiable			Depreciation			Programming
		revenue		revenue			income/			assets			and			expenses
		from					(loss)						amortization
		external
		customers
	CTC Channel	$	132,884	$	276		$	39,690		$	626,906		$	(2,309	)	$	(58,166	)
	Domashny Channel		28,080		29			6,521			100,311			(1,823	)		(11,881	)
	Peretz Channel		18,956		2			3,625			131,270			(2,676	)		(6,272	)
	Channel 31		3,812		—			(28	)		21,170			(658	)		(2,141	)
	All Other		2,515		23			(1,669	)		70,705			(366	)		(118	)
	Business segment results	$	186,247	$	330		$	48,139		$	950,362		$	(7,832	)	$	(78,578	)
	Eliminations		—		(330	)		—			(45,912	)		—			—
	Consolidated results	$	186,247	$	—		$	48,139		$	904,450		$	(7,832	)	$	(78,578	)
		Three months ended March 31, 2015
		Operating		Intersegment			Operating			Identifiable			Depreciation			Programming
		revenue		revenue			income/			assets			and			expenses
		from					(loss)						amortization
		external
		customers
	CTC Channel	$	51,078	$	162		$	5,038		$	352,884		$	(895	)	$	(31,134	)
	Domashny Channel		14,041		27			2,799			66,648			(717	)		(6,318	)
	Peretz Channel		7,274		1			781			48,933			(706	)		(2,748	)
	Channel 31		3,639		—			(666	)		22,443			(756	)		(2,304	)
	All Other		3,106		15			(3,112	)		120,895			(460	)		(74	)
	Business segment results	$	79,138	$	205		$	4,840		$	611,803		$	(3,534	)	$	(42,578	)
	Eliminations				(205	)					(39,197	)
	Consolidated results	$	79,138	$	—		$	4,840		$	572,606		$	(3,534	)	$	(42,578	)

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	In light of the challenging market circumstances, the Board has decided not to declare or pay dividends in the second quarter of 2015. The Board believes that the interests of stockholders are best served by ensuring the strong financial position of the Company both operationally and strategically. The Board will consider potential future dividends in light of market developments.

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SUMM1

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been recorded. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.
	The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for the complete financial statements.
	As fully described in 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, an amendment to the Russian law "On Mass Media" adopted in October 2014, which will reduce the permitted level of foreign ownership in Russian mass media companies, including television broadcasters, from 50% direct ownership to 20% beneficial ownership or control, direct or indirect, starting from January 1, 2016 (with a further one-year grace period for off-shore holding structures), may have an impact on the corporate or ownership structure of CTC Media Inc. Any decision regarding a potential transaction in this regard would require the approval of the Company's Board of Directors and, potentially, its stockholders.
	The Company's Board of Directors, through its Advisory Committee, and management team are continuing to work with external legal, financial and tax advisors to evaluate and implement an appropriate response that achieves compliance with the new law while safeguarding the interest of all of the Company's stockholders. Based on the input of the Company's external advisers, the Company has not to date identified an alternative that it believes would comply with the new law without a material change in the ownership of the group's Russian businesses or a sale or a buy back of a material portion of the common stock of the Company. Accordingly, as part of the Company's efforts in this regard, the Company's financial advisors have conducted an initial, formal process to identify and solicit offers from potential bidders; no offers have been received in that formal process. The Company's Board of Directors and management are therefore continuing to review strategic options to achieve compliance with the new law, including exploring potential sale transactions with a limited number of third parties. These discussions are at an early stage.
	There is significant uncertainty about the outcome of these efforts. A potential change in the ownership of the Group's Russian businesses could impact the presentation of the financial statements, if a sale becomes probable. The Company expects that the evaluation of possible options to address the changes in the new law will continue. As of March 31, 2015 and the date of these financial statements, the Company continues to manage and operate its businesses in Russia and Kazakhstan as continuing operations applying the going concern assumption. While there may be changes in management's assumptions in the near term, the Company believes that the accompanying financial statements fairly reflect the performance of the Company based on current information that is available. Should facts and circumstances change—in particular, if a transaction involving the sale of a material portion of the Company's Russian businesses becomes probable, the Company will be required to report certain, if not all, of its principal operations as discontinued operations in the period in which such transaction becomes probable.
	Further, a sale of the Company's Russian operations may also result in significant taxes, in particular in connection with complex corporate transactions in which the application of tax laws may be unclear.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	Wholly owned subsidiaries and majority owned ventures where the Company has operating and financial control, as well as variable interest entities where the Company has been deemed the primary beneficiary with power and ability to control, are consolidated. Those ventures where the Company exercises significant influence, but does not exercise operating and financial control, are accounted for under the equity method. The Company uses the purchase method of accounting for all business combinations. Results of subsidiaries acquired and accounted for under the purchase method are included in operations from the date of acquisition. Non-controlling interests represent a non-controlling shareholder's proportionate share of the equity in certain of the Company's consolidated entities. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. Disposals are reflected at the time risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred.
	The Company is the primary beneficiary of the Channel 31 Group, a variable interest entity consisting of a 20% participation interest in Teleradiokompaniya 31st Kanal LLP ("Channel 31"), and a 70% and 60% interest in Prim LLP and Advertising and Marketing LLP, respectively, which provide programming content and the advertising sales function to Channel 31 (together, the "Channel 31 Group"). These interests provide the Company with a right to 60% of the economic interest of the Channel 31 Group. The Company consolidates the Channel 31 Group. As of March 31, 2015, the Channel 31 Group had assets (excluding intercompany assets) totaling $22,275 and liabilities (excluding intercompany liabilities) totaling $7,139. These assets and liabilities primarily relate to broadcasting licenses, trade payables for programming rights, loans and related deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company finances the Channel 31 Group's operations during the ordinary course of business. Channel 31 Group's net loss attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders excluding intercompany expenses totaled $389 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Seasonality	Seasonality
	The Company experiences seasonal fluctuations in overall television viewership and advertising revenues. Overall television viewership is lower during the summer months and highest in the first and fourth quarters. Seasonal fluctuations in consumer patterns also affect television advertising expenditures. In 2014, approximately 30% of the Company's total advertising revenues in ruble terms were generated in the fourth quarter.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates in the financial statements include, among others, the estimate of fair values in business combinations, estimates of the fair value of the Company's common stock in determining stock-based compensation, the amortization method and periods for programming rights, useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, impairment of goodwill, valuation of intangible assets and long-lived assets, estimates of contingencies, estimates of income taxes in relation to Company's interpretation of current tax laws, in particular, in determination of foreign tax credits, determination of valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, and possible outcomes of current and future audits conducted by foreign and domestic tax authorities. While the Company believes it has made, and continues to make, reasonable judgments in determining its tax filing positions in each jurisdiction in which it is subject to tax, views may differ as to the determination of its tax obligations. These judgments may ultimately be subjected to examination by the tax authorities and further revisions may be required in the Company's estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making changes in estimates from time to time, and evaluates the estimates on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the customers' inability to make payments. The Company recognizes advertising revenues at the moment when the advertising is broadcast and net of Value Added Taxes ("VAT").
	The Company's own sales house serves as the exclusive advertising sales agent for substantially all national and regional advertising sales, with the exception of advertising sales to local clients of a number of the Company's owned-and-operated regional stations. The Company recognizes its Russian advertising revenues, excluding regional advertising revenues from local clients, based on the gross amounts billed to the advertisers and their agencies under direct sales arrangements.
	The Company's cooperation model with Video International provides for the licensing of specialized advertising software by Video International to the Company's sales house, together with the provision by Video International of related software maintenance and analytical support and consulting services. Compensation expenses payable to Video International for the use of advertising software, related maintenance and analytical support and consulting services are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statement of income.
	In addition, a number of the Company's owned-and-operated regional stations and Channel 31 have signed agency agreements with local subsidiaries of Video International with respect to advertising sales to local clients, which is recognized net of agency commissions.
	Sublicensing revenues primarily represent revenues the Company earns from sublicensing its rights to programming and from the licensing of internally-produced programming. Sublicensing revenue is recognized at such time as there is persuasive evidence that a sale or arrangement with a customer exists, the underlying programming is complete and has been transferred to the customer, the licensing period has commenced and the customer can begin use, the arrangement fee is fixed or determinable, and collection of the arrangement fee is reasonably assured. Given the recent uncertainties in Ukraine, in 2014, the Company commenced to use the instalment method for sublicensing arrangements with Ukrainian counterparties.
	Payments received in advance for advertising and other revenue are recorded as deferred revenue until earned.
Programming rights	Programming rights
	Programming rights are stated at the lower of their unamortized cost or net realizable value. The Company reports an asset and liability for the rights acquired and obligations incurred at the commencement of the licensing period when the cost of the programming is known or reasonably determinable, the program material has been accepted and the programming is available for airing.
	Purchased program rights are classified as current or non-current assets based on anticipated usage and the licensing period. Internally produced and purchased programming with unlimited rights are classified as non-current.
	The Company amortizes programming based on expected revenue generation patterns, based on the proportion that current estimated revenues bear to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues. If the initial airing of content allowed by a license is expected to provide more value than subsequent airings, the Company applies an accelerated method of amortization. These accelerated methods of amortization depend on the estimated number of runs the content is expected to receive, and are determined based on a study of historical results for similar programming. For content that is expected to be aired only once, the entire cost is recognized as an expense on the first run. To the extent that the revenues the Company expects to earn from broadcasting a program are lower than the book value, the program rights are written down to their net realizable value by way of recording an additional amortization charge. Such write-downs establish a new cost basis for programming rights.
Amortizable Long-Lived Assets	Amortizable Long-Lived Assets
	Amortizable assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Definite-lived intangible assets primarily represent broadcast licenses and cable network connections that are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated period of future economic benefit ranging from 2018 to 2022.
	The estimated useful lives of broadcasting licenses is subject to the availability of further information about the transition to digital broadcasting which could require the Company to revise amortization expense on a prospective basis. Amortizable assets, including property and equipment and definite-lived intangibles, are reviewed periodically to determine whether an event or change in circumstances indicates that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets to be held and used, the Company bases its evaluation on such impairment indicators as the nature of the assets, the future economic benefit of the assets and any historical or future profitability measurements, as well as other external market conditions or factors that may be present. If such impairment indicators are present or other factors exist that indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, the Company determines whether impairment has occurred through the use of an undiscounted cash flows analysis of assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. If the carrying value of the asset or group of assets exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, impairment is deemed to have occurred, and the Company recognizes an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the asset. The fair value of the asset is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation techniques.
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy contains three levels as follows:
	Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
	Level 2—Other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including: (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets; (3) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and (4) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.
	Level 3—Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management's estimates of market participant assumptions.
	There were no transfers between categories during the periods presented.
	The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair value as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015, respectively.
Goodwill Impairment Test	Goodwill Impairment Test
	The Company assesses the carrying value of its goodwill on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying value may not be recoverable. Other than its annual review, factors the Company considers important which could trigger an impairment review include under-performance of reporting units or changes in projected results, changes in the manner of utilization of the asset, a severe and sustained decline in the price of the Company's shares and negative market conditions or economic trends; and specific events, such as new legislation, new market entrants, changes in technology or adverse legal judgments that the Company believes could have a negative impact on its business. For a discussion of methodology and major assumptions regarding the Company's impairment test refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 5, 2015.
Stock-based compensation expense	Stock-based compensation expense
	The Company estimates the fair value of equity awards at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes pricing model was originally developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have different characteristics than the Company's employee equity awards. The model is also sensitive to changes in subjective assumptions, which can materially affect the fair value estimate. These subjective assumptions include expected volatility, the expected life of the awards, future employee turnover rates, and future employee award exercise behavior. The Company determines the fair value of its common stock by using closing prices as quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Performance-based nonvested share awards require management to make assumptions regarding the likelihood of achieving the set goals.
	Once the Company has estimated the fair value of the equity instruments, it recognizes this estimated cost as stock-based compensation expense over the service period. Equity-based incentive awards that meet liability accounting criteria are remeasured at each reporting date at their fair value until settlement. The fair value of such unsettled equity-based incentive awards is recognized in liabilities.
Tax provisions and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	Tax provisions and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
	Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and the bases as reported in the consolidated financial statements, as well as the tax benefits of net operating loss carry forwards which are expected to be realized. The Company records valuation allowances related to the tax effects of deductible temporary differences and loss carry forwards when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the respective tax assets will not be realized. Changes in the Company's assessment of the probability of realization of deferred tax assets may affect the Company's effective income tax rate.
	The Company records temporary differences related to investments in its Russian subsidiaries. These temporary differences consist primarily of undistributed earnings that the Company does not plan to permanently reinvest in operations outside the U.S.
	The level of sophistication and expertise with respect to complex tax laws is continually evolving both on the part of tax professionals and the taxing authorities. The Company is a U.S. legal entity with substantially all of its operations outside the U.S., primarily in Russia. As a result, the Company's tax filing positions in the U.S. are substantially impacted by the Company's interpretation of tax law and how the Company applies it in determining US taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities. While the Company believes it has, and continues, to make reasonable judgments in determining its tax filing positions in each jurisdiction in which the Company is subject to tax, views may differ as to the determination of its tax obligations. These judgments may ultimately be subjected to examination by the tax authorities and further revisions may be required in the Company's estimates.
New and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	New and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	There have been no developments to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company's consolidated financial statements, from those disclosed in the Company's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for the noted below.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 820): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"). ASU 2015-02 provides a revised consolidation model for all reporting entities to use in evaluating whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The amendments, among other things, (1) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities, (2) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and (3) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. These amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact that these amendments will have on its consolidated financial statements.

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE_Tables

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Components of basic and diluted net income per share
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014		2015
	Net income attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders	$	31,216	$	8,417
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic
	Common stock		155,710,719		155,782,325
	Dilutive effect of:
	Stock-based awards		93,212		373,734
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted		155,803,931		156,156,059
	Net income per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.20	$	0.05
	Diluted	$	0.20	$	0.05

CASH_AND_CASH_EQUIVALENTS_AND_1

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Schedule of cash and cash equivalents
		December 31,			March 31,
		2014			2015
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Russian ruble bank accounts	$	30,672		$	22,272
	U.S. dollar bank accounts		5,861			49,407
	Other		1,303			2,256
	Total cash and cash equivalents	$	37,836		$	73,935
Schedule of short-term investments
		December 31, 2014
							March 31, 2015
		Annual interest rate
				Amount			Annual interest rate	Amount
	Short-term investments:
	Ruble-denominated deposits			$	—		14.75% - 16%	$	9,544
	U.S. dollar-denominated deposits	0.55% - 3.9%		$	103,800		0.74% - 5.16%	$	26,490
	Total Short-term investments			$	103,800			$	36,034

PROGRAMMING_RIGHTS_NET_Tables

PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, NET (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, NET
Schedule of programming rights
		December 31,			March 31,
		2014			2015
	Internally produced—TV broadcasting:
	Released:
	Historical cost	$	100,845		$	97,438
	Accumulated amortization		(96,746	)		(93,503	)
	Released, net book value		4,099			3,935
	Completed and not released		1,252			1,388
	Total		5,351			5,323
	Acquired rights:
	Historical cost		517,401			505,202
	Accumulated amortization		(337,513	)		(325,140	)
	Net book value		179,888			180,062
	Total programming rights	$	185,239		$	185,385
	Current portion	$	112,793		$	101,336
	Non-current portion	$	72,446		$	84,049

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Tables

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Schedule of issued and outstanding share capital
	Type	December 31,			March 31,
		2014			2015
	Common stock issued		158,210,719			158,210,719
	Less: Common stock held in treasury		(2,448,553	)		(2,375,980	)
	Common stock outstanding		155,762,166			155,834,739
Schedule of dividends declared and paid
	Declaration date	Per Share Dividend			Aggregate			Record Date			Payment Date
					Dividend
	March 4, 2015	$	0.175		$	27,271			March 16, 2015			March 26, 2015
Summary of changes in stockholders' equity
		Total			CTC Media, Inc.			Non-controlling
					stockholders			interest
	Stockholders' equity, December 31, 2013	$	734,116		$	728,213		$	5,903
	Net income		31,735			31,216			519
	Other comprehensive loss		(65,478	)		(64,714	)		(764	)
	Comprehensive loss		(33,743	)		(33,498	)		(245	)
	Additional paid-in capital		503			503			—
	Disposals of non-controlling interests		820			—			820
	Dividends declared		(27,273	)		(27,249	)		(24	)
	Stockholders' equity, March 31, 2014	$	674,423		$	667,969		$	6,454
		Total			CTC Media, Inc.			Non-controlling
					stockholders			interest
	Stockholders' equity, December 31, 2014	$	417,442		$	410,424		$	7,018
	Net Income		8,420			8,417			3
	Other comprehensive loss		(14,080	)		(13,990	)		(90	)
	Comprehensive loss		(5,660	)		(5,573	)		(87	)
	Common stock issued from treasury stock upon RSU exercised, net		605			605			—
	Dividends declared		(27,287	)		(27,271	)		(16	)
	Stockholders' equity, March 31, 2015	$	385,100		$	378,185		$	6,915

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Summary of commitments
		Total		Through		2016		2017		2018		2019		2020
				2015
		(in thousands)
	Acquisition of programming rights	$	127,738	$	96,096	$	31,403	$	239	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Transmission and satellite fees		73,062		10,541		14,762		15,593		16,386		7,893		7,887
	Leasehold obligations		30,781		3,860		5,444		5,760		5,016		5,451		5,250
	Network affiliation agreements		8,100		1,301		1,835		1,912		2,007		510		535
	Payments for intellectual rights		13,090		1,500		2,093		2,209		2,323		2,435		2,530
	Other contractual obligations		22,104		2,774		3,580		3,777		3,951		4,128		3,894
	Total	$	274,875	$	116,072	$	59,117	$	29,490	$	29,683	$	20,417	$	20,096

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Schedule of segment information
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
		Operating		Intersegment			Operating			Identifiable			Depreciation			Programming
		revenue		revenue			income/			assets			and			expenses
		from					(loss)						amortization
		external
		customers
	CTC Channel	$	132,884	$	276		$	39,690		$	626,906		$	(2,309	)	$	(58,166	)
	Domashny Channel		28,080		29			6,521			100,311			(1,823	)		(11,881	)
	Peretz Channel		18,956		2			3,625			131,270			(2,676	)		(6,272	)
	Channel 31		3,812		—			(28	)		21,170			(658	)		(2,141	)
	All Other		2,515		23			(1,669	)		70,705			(366	)		(118	)
	Business segment results	$	186,247	$	330		$	48,139		$	950,362		$	(7,832	)	$	(78,578	)
	Eliminations		—		(330	)		—			(45,912	)		—			—
	Consolidated results	$	186,247	$	—		$	48,139		$	904,450		$	(7,832	)	$	(78,578	)
		Three months ended March 31, 2015
		Operating		Intersegment			Operating			Identifiable			Depreciation			Programming
		revenue		revenue			income/			assets			and			expenses
		from					(loss)						amortization
		external
		customers
	CTC Channel	$	51,078	$	162		$	5,038		$	352,884		$	(895	)	$	(31,134	)
	Domashny Channel		14,041		27			2,799			66,648			(717	)		(6,318	)
	Peretz Channel		7,274		1			781			48,933			(706	)		(2,748	)
	Channel 31		3,639		—			(666	)		22,443			(756	)		(2,304	)
	All Other		3,106		15			(3,112	)		120,895			(460	)		(74	)
	Business segment results	$	79,138	$	205		$	4,840		$	611,803		$	(3,534	)	$	(42,578	)
	Eliminations				(205	)					(39,197	)
	Consolidated results	$	79,138	$	—		$	4,840		$	572,606		$	(3,534	)	$	(42,578	)

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SUMM2

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2016
Basis Of Presentation
Permitted foreign direct ownership	50.00%
Principles of Consolidation
Net loss attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders excluding intercompany expenses	$8,417		$31,216
Seasonality
Percentage of advertising revenue generated		30.00%
Forecast
Basis Of Presentation
Permitted foreign beneficial ownership				20.00%
Grace period				1 year
Channel 31 Group
Principles of Consolidation
Percentage of economic interest owned	60.00%
Assets (excluding intercompany assets)	22,275
Liabilities (excluding intercompany liabilities)	7,139
Net loss attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders excluding intercompany expenses	$389
Channel 31
Principles of Consolidation
Percentage of participation interest owned	20.00%
Prim LLP
Principles of Consolidation
Percentage of participation interest owned	70.00%
Advertising and Marketing LLP
Principles of Consolidation
Percentage of participation interest owned	60.00%

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SUMM3

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Transfers between levels of fair value hierarchy	$0

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE_Details

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Shares excluded from the diluted net income per common share computation because their effect was antidilutive	349,584	2,279,166
Net income attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders	$8,417	$31,216
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
Common stock (in shares)	155,782,325	155,710,719
Dilutive effect of:
Stock-based awards (in shares)	373,734	93,212
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted	156,156,059	155,803,931
Net income per share attributable to CTC Media, Inc. stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.20
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.20

CASH_AND_CASH_EQUIVALENTS_AND_2

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Other	2,256	1,303
Total cash and cash equivalents	73,935	37,836	37,739	30,574
Short-term investments	36,034	103,800
Ruble-denominated cash and cash equivalents
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Bank accounts	22,272	30,672
Short-term investments	9,544
U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Bank accounts	49,407	5,861
Short-term investments	26,490	103,800
Minimum
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Deposits in banks with original maturity period for classification as short-term investments	91 days
Minimum | Ruble-denominated cash and cash equivalents
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Annual interest rate (as a percent)	14.75%
Minimum | U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Annual interest rate (as a percent)	0.74%	0.55%
Maximum
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Deposits in banks with original maturity period for classification as short-term investments	365 days
Maximum | Ruble-denominated cash and cash equivalents
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Annual interest rate (as a percent)	16.00%
Maximum | U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Annual interest rate (as a percent)	5.16%	3.90%

CASH_AND_CASH_EQUIVALENTS_AND_3

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS; OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS (Details 2)	Mar. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 20, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
	Telcrest Investments Limited	Telcrest Investments Limited	Telcrest Investments Limited	CTC and Domashny Networks	CTC and Domashny Networks
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Minimum	Advance Towards Construction of Digital Infrastructure	Advance Towards Construction of Digital Infrastructure
				Digital Broadcasting in Cities Populations Less than 50000	Digital Broadcasting in Cities Populations Less than 50000
				USD ($)	RUB
Other non-current assets
Ownership interest (as a percent)			50.00%
Amount of dividends payable blocked	$6,921,000	$27,684,000
Advance payments				$7,600,000	444,000,000

PROGRAMMING_RIGHTS_NET_Details

PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, NET (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Programming rights, net
Net book value	$185,385	$185,239
Current portion	101,336	112,793
Non-current portion	84,049	72,446
Internally produced-TV broadcasting:
Programming rights, net
Historical cost	97,438	100,845
Accumulated amortization	-93,503	-96,746
Net book value	3,935	4,099
Completed and not released	1,388	1,252
Total programming rights	5,323	5,351
Expected amortization expense during the next twelve months	1,818
Remaining amortization period	3 years
Acquired rights:
Programming rights, net
Historical cost	505,202	517,401
Accumulated amortization	-325,140	-337,513
Net book value	$180,062	$179,888

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Details

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 26, 2015	Mar. 04, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 04, 2013
Common stock issued (in shares)			158,210,719			158,210,719
Less: Common stock held in treasury (in shares)			-2,375,980			-2,448,553
Common stock outstanding (in shares)			155,834,739			155,762,166
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)					$11.89
Number of shares of common stock authorized			175,772,173			175,772,173
Number of votes per common share			1
Dividends declared and paid
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)		$0.18	$0.18	$0.18
Dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$0.18
Dividends declared		$27,271
Dividends paid	27,271		20,350	20,333
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period			417,442	734,116		734,116
Net Income			8,420	31,735
Other comprehensive loss			-14,080	-65,478
Comprehensive loss			-5,660	-33,743
Additional paid-in-capital				503	29,727
Disposal of non-controlling interests				820
Common stock issued from treasury stock upon RSU exercised, net			605
Dividends declared			-27,287	-27,273
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period			385,100	674,423	734,116
2013 Sub-tranche
Treasury stock issued upon RSU exercise (in shares)						51,447
2014 Sub-tranche
Treasury stock issued upon RSU exercise (in shares)			72,573
Telcrest
Dividends declared and paid
Amount of dividends payable blocked	6,921
MTG
Dividends declared and paid
Dividends declared			10,502
CTC Media, Inc. stockholders
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period			410,424	728,213		728,213
Net Income			8,417	31,216
Other comprehensive loss			-13,990	-64,714
Comprehensive loss			-5,573	-33,498
Additional paid-in-capital				503
Common stock issued from treasury stock upon RSU exercised, net			605
Dividends declared			-27,271	-27,249
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period			378,185	667,969
Non-controlling interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity balance at the beginning of the period			7,018	5,903		5,903
Net Income			3	519
Other comprehensive loss			-90	-764
Comprehensive loss			-87	-245
Disposal of non-controlling interests				820
Dividends declared			-16	-24
Stockholders' equity balance at the end of the period			$6,915	$6,454

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Detail

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense (benefit) recognized	$605,000	($1,507,000)
Restricted stock units | 2013 Sub-tranche
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense (benefit) recognized	605,000
Shares granted during the period with approved performance criteria			637,800
Weighted average per unit grant date fair value (in dollars per share)			$10.53
Restricted stock units | 2014 Sub-tranche
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense (benefit) recognized	605,000
Shares granted during the period with approved performance criteria				783,584
Weighted average per unit grant date fair value (in dollars per share)				$8.36
Restricted stock units | 2014 Equity Incentive Plan
Stock-based compensation
Compensation cost related to unvested granted awards not yet recognized	$1,300,000
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards	2 years 3 months 18 days

INCOME_TAX_Details

INCOME TAX (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Russian withholding tax under the Treaty, on dividends distributed to CTC Media, Inc. (as a percent)	5.00%
Russian withholding tax on dividends distributed within the country (as a percent)	0.00%
Maximum percentage of ownership interest in subsidiary which Russian companies are required to hold to qualify for withholding tax exemption	50.00%
Minimum percentage of ownership interest in subsidiary which Russian companies are required to hold to qualify for withholding tax exemption	50.00%
Minimum period for which Russian companies are required to hold ownership interest in subsidiary to qualify for withholding tax exemption	365 days
Russian statutory income tax rate (as a percent)	20.00%		20.00%
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	-15.00%	31.00%
Pro Forma
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	28.00%

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_1

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Foreign currency exchange forward transactions
Direct foreign ownership percentage threshold	50.00%
Beneficial foreign ownership percentage threshold	20.00%
Ownership percentage in principal subsidiaries	100.00%
Exchange rate
Percentage of appreciation or depreciation of Russian ruble against US dollar	4.00%
Change in average percentage of the average value of the Russian Ruble against the US Dollar against corresponding prior period		44.00%
US dollar-denominated cash and cash deposits	$75.90
Exchange rate (in ruble)	58.46
Programming Rights In 2015
Exchange rate
US dollar-denominated contractual commitments	39.3
Programming Rights In 2016
Exchange rate
US dollar-denominated contractual commitments	20.3
Modern Times Group MTG AB
Foreign currency exchange forward transactions
Ownership interest in MTG Russia AB	100.00%
Modern Times Group MTG AB | Minimum
Foreign currency exchange forward transactions
Percentage of contribution in group's revenues and net income by CTC Media's Russian operations	96.00%
MTG
Foreign currency exchange forward transactions
Stockholder's ownership (as a percent)	39.00%
Telcrest Investments Limited
Foreign currency exchange forward transactions
Stockholder's ownership (as a percent)	25.00%
Other Public Stockholders
Foreign currency exchange forward transactions
Stockholder's ownership (as a percent)	36.00%
Foreign exchange forward Contracts
Exchange rate
Average exchange rate (in ruble)	48.2
Derivative financial instruments
Notional amount	3
Nondesignated hedges | Foreign exchange forward Contracts
Derivative financial instruments
Notional amount	6
Nondesignated hedges | Foreign exchange forward Contracts | Foreign currency
Effect of outstanding economic hedges
Foreign currency gains (losses) not designated as hedging instruments	-0.4
Designated hedges | Foreign exchange forward Contracts
Derivative financial instruments
Notional amount	6.5
Designated hedges | Foreign exchange forward Contracts | Foreign currency
Effect of derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedges on consolidated statement of income
Foreign currency gains (losses) designated as hedging instruments	($0.10)

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_2

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details 2)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
	USD ($)	USD ($)	CTC and Domashny Networks	Broadcasting licenses	Broadcasting licenses	Minimum	Acquisition of programming rights	Transmission and satellite fees	Leasehold improvements	Network affiliation agreements	Payments for intellectual rights	Other contractual obligations	Advance Towards Construction of Digital Infrastructure	Advance Towards Construction of Digital Infrastructure	Advance Towards Construction of Digital Infrastructure	Advance Towards Construction of Digital Infrastructure
			Forecast	item	CTC and Domashny Networks		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	CTC and Domashny Networks	CTC and Domashny Networks	Broadcasting licenses	Broadcasting licenses
			USD ($)		Digital Broadcasting in Cities Populations More than 50000								Digital Broadcasting in Cities Populations Less than 50000	Digital Broadcasting in Cities Populations Less than 50000	Digital Broadcasting in Cities Populations Less than 50000	Digital Broadcasting in Cities Populations Less than 50000
					item								USD ($)	RUB	USD ($)	RUB
Purchase commitments
Total	$274,875,000						$127,738,000	$73,062,000	$30,781,000	$8,100,000	$13,090,000	$22,104,000			$24,400,000	1,424,000,000
Through 2015	116,072,000						96,096,000	10,541,000	3,860,000	1,301,000	1,500,000	2,774,000
2015																644,000,000
2016	59,117,000						31,403,000	14,762,000	5,444,000	1,835,000	2,093,000	3,580,000				271,000,000
2017	29,490,000						239,000	15,593,000	5,760,000	1,912,000	2,209,000	3,777,000				68,000,000
2018	29,683,000							16,386,000	5,016,000	2,007,000	2,323,000	3,951,000				51,000,000
2019	20,417,000							7,893,000	5,451,000	510,000	2,435,000	4,128,000
2020	20,096,000							7,887,000	5,250,000	535,000	2,530,000	3,894,000
Period of transmission agreements with the Russian television and radio network (RTRS), a transmission provider				10 years
Number of viewers in Russia				140,000,000
Threshold population of cities for digital broadcasting					50,000
Digital transmission expenses			4,100,000
Advance payments													7,600,000	444,000,000
Analog-to-digital transmission expenses		24,000,000
Other non-current assets	$42,558,000	$34,987,000
Exchange rate (in ruble)	58.46
Compliance with Licenses terms
Broadcast Licenses term	10 years
Percentage of programming in the Kazakh language during every six-hour slot						50.00%

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	item
Segment information
Number of Russian-based television channels	3
Operating revenue from external customers	$79,138	$186,247
Operating income / (loss)	4,840	48,139
Identifiable assets	572,606	904,450	609,053
Depreciation and amortization	-3,534	-7,832
Programming expenses	-42,578	-78,578
Operating
Segment information
Operating revenue from external customers	79,138	186,247
Intersegment revenue	205	330
Operating income / (loss)	4,840	48,139
Identifiable assets	611,803	950,362
Depreciation and amortization	-3,534	-7,832
Programming expenses	-42,578	-78,578
Operating | CTC Channel
Segment information
Operating revenue from external customers	51,078	132,884
Intersegment revenue	162	276
Operating income / (loss)	5,038	39,690
Identifiable assets	352,884	626,906
Depreciation and amortization	-895	-2,309
Programming expenses	-31,134	-58,166
Operating | Domashny Channel
Segment information
Operating revenue from external customers	14,041	28,080
Intersegment revenue	27	29
Operating income / (loss)	2,799	6,521
Identifiable assets	66,648	100,311
Depreciation and amortization	-717	-1,823
Programming expenses	-6,318	-11,881
Operating | Peretz
Segment information
Operating revenue from external customers	7,274	18,956
Intersegment revenue	1	2
Operating income / (loss)	781	3,625
Identifiable assets	48,933	131,270
Depreciation and amortization	-706	-2,676
Programming expenses	-2,748	-6,272
Operating | Channel 31
Segment information
Operating revenue from external customers	3,639	3,812
Operating income / (loss)	-666	-28
Identifiable assets	22,443	21,170
Depreciation and amortization	-756	-658
Programming expenses	-2,304	-2,141
Operating | All Other
Segment information
Operating revenue from external customers	3,106	2,515
Intersegment revenue	15	23
Operating income / (loss)	-3,112	-1,669
Identifiable assets	120,895	70,705
Depreciation and amortization	-460	-366
Programming expenses	-74	-118
Eliminations
Segment information
Intersegment revenue	-205	-330
Identifiable assets	($39,197)	($45,912)