Organization and Nature of Operations (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Organization And Nature Of Operations [Abstract]
Number of television broadcast stations	6

Number of television broadcast stations owned by the Company.

No definition available.

Name:	wpo_NumberOfTelevisionBroadcastStations
Namespace Prefix:	wpo_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration