EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the Current Report on Form 8-K
of General Communication,  Inc. pertaining to the closing as of October 31, 1996
on the acquisition by General  Communication,  Inc. of seven cable companies and
the  issuance  of  16,723,077  shares of its Class A common  stock of our report
dated March 18, 1996,  except for the last  paragraph of Note 7, as to which the
date is September 9, 1996,  with respect to the  financial  statements  of Prime
Cable of Alaska, L.P.



                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP


                                                    /s/






Austin, Texas
November 8, 1996




                                          General Communication, Inc. - Form 8-K
                                                                         Page 36