Earnings Per Share (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$ 83,331	$ 54,132	$ 588,645	$ 121,857
Less: Dividends-common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	(14,773)	0	(67,267)	0
Undistributed earnings	68,558	54,132	521,378	121,857
Percent allocated to common stockholders	97.89%	97.42%	97.89%	97.42%
Undistributed Earnings Allocated To Common Stockholders	67,112	52,736	510,384	118,714
Add: Dividends-common stock outstanding	14,462	0	66,021	0
Numerator for basic earnings per share	81,574	52,736	576,405	118,714
Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	6	3	48	4
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 81,580	$ 52,739	$ 576,453	$ 118,718
Weighted average shares outstanding	5,671	7,231	6,737	7,229
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	5,696	7,246	6,762	7,237
Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:
Basic income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$ 14.38	$ 7.29	$ 85.55	$ 16.42
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$ 14.32	$ 7.28	$ 85.24	$ 16.41
Stock Option Plan [Member]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	25	15	25	8