Organization and Nature of Operations	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Organization And Nature Of Operations [Abstract]
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS The Washington Post Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is a diversified education and media company. The Company's Kaplan subsidiary provides a wide variety of educational services, both domestically and outside the United States. The Company's media operations consist of the ownership and operation of cable television systems, newspaper publishing (principally The Washington Post), and television broadcasting (through the ownership and operation of six television broadcast stations). Education—Kaplan, Inc. provides an extensive range of educational services for students and professionals. Kaplan's various businesses comprise four categories: Higher Education, Test Preparation, Kaplan International and Kaplan Ventures. Media—The Company's diversified media operations consist of cable television operations, newspaper publishing and television broadcasting. Cable television. Cable ONE provides cable services that include basic video, digital video, high-speed data and telephone service in the midwestern, western and southern states of the United States. Newspaper publishing. Washington Post Media publishes The Washington Post (the Post), which is the largest and most widely circulated morning daily and Sunday newspaper, primarily distributed by home delivery in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area (including large portions of Maryland and northern Virginia). Washington Post Media also produces washingtonpost.com, an Internet site that features news and information products, as well as the full editorial content of the Post. Through the Company's other newspaper publishing businesses, the Company also publishes weekly publications and tabloids distributed within the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and elsewhere, and produces other websites. Television broadcasting. The Company owns six VHF television stations located in Houston, TX; Detroit, MI; Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; San Antonio, TX; and Jacksonville, FL. Other than the Company's Jacksonville station, WJXT, the Company's television stations are affiliated with one of the major national networks.

Organization and Nature of Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Organization And Nature Of Operations [Abstract]

1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

The Washington Post Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is a diversified education and media company. The Company's Kaplan subsidiary provides a wide variety of educational services, both domestically and outside the United States. The Company's media operations consist of the ownership and operation of cable television systems, newspaper publishing (principally The Washington Post), and television broadcasting (through the ownership and operation of six television broadcast stations).

Education—Kaplan, Inc. provides an extensive range of educational services for students and professionals. Kaplan's various businesses comprise four categories: Higher Education, Test Preparation, Kaplan International and Kaplan Ventures.

Media—The Company's diversified media operations consist of cable television operations, newspaper publishing and television broadcasting.

Cable television. Cable ONE provides cable services that include basic video, digital video, high-speed data and telephone service in the midwestern, western and southern states of the United States.

Newspaper publishing. Washington Post Media publishes The Washington Post (the Post), which is the largest and most widely circulated morning daily and Sunday newspaper, primarily distributed by home delivery in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area (including large portions of Maryland and northern Virginia). Washington Post Media also produces washingtonpost.com, an Internet site that features news and information products, as well as the full editorial content of the Post. Through the Company's other newspaper publishing businesses, the Company also publishes weekly publications and tabloids distributed within the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and elsewhere, and produces other websites.

Television broadcasting. The Company owns six VHF television stations located in Houston, TX; Detroit, MI; Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; San Antonio, TX; and Jacksonville, FL. Other than the Company's Jacksonville station, WJXT, the Company's television stations are affiliated with one of the major national networks.