Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Summary of Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,		October 2,		September 30,		October 2,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)			2012		2011		2012		2011
Income from continuing operations attributable to The
	Washington Post Company common stockholders		$	44,742	$	12,580	$	93,480	$	83,281
Less: Amount attributable to participating securities				(888)		(190)		(1,830)		(835)
Basic income from continuing operations attributable to
	The Washington Post Company common stockholders		$	43,854	$	12,390	$	91,650	$	82,446
Plus: Amount attributable to participating securities				888		190		1,830		835
Diluted income from continuing operations attributable to
	The Washington Post Company common stockholders		$	44,742	$	12,580	$	93,480	$	83,281
Basic weighted average shares outstanding				7,272		7,802		7,405		7,900
Plus: Effect of dilutive shares related to stock options and restricted stock				104		81		103		79
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding				7,376		7,883		7,508		7,979
Income Per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable
	to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders:
		Basic	$	6.03	$	1.59	$	12.38	$	10.44
		Diluted	$	6.03	$	1.59	$	12.38	$	10.44