Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 76,439	$ 30,424	$ 958,594	$ 80,817
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Translation adjustments arising during the period	(9,777)	5,639	(7,111)	(2,061)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains for the period, net	9,734	938	46,139	81,439
Reclassification adjustment for realization of (gain) loss on exchange, sale or write-down of available-for-sale securities included in net income	0	0	(265,274)	(884)
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, before tax	9,734	938	(219,135)	80,555
Pension and other postretirement plans:
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	(101)	(384)	(305)	(1,205)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	(7,425)	2,004	(22,032)	6,325
Settlement gain included in net income	0	0	0	(3,471)
Total pension and other postretirement plans, before tax	(7,526)	1,620	(22,337)	1,649
Cash flow hedge gain	230	15	641	259
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Before Tax	(7,339)	8,212	(247,942)	80,402
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive (loss) income	(975)	(1,028)	96,333	(32,985)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	(8,314)	7,184	(151,609)	47,417
Comprehensive Income	68,125	37,608	806,985	128,234
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	121	(75)	839	(447)
Total Comprehensive Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	$ 68,246	$ 37,533	$ 807,824	$ 127,787