Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Marketable equity securities	$ 193,793		$ 487,156
7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]
Liabilities
7.25% unsecured notes	450,300		475,200
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets
Money market investments	368,131	[1]	431,836	[1]
Commercial paper	226,197	[2]
Marketable equity securities	193,793	[3]	487,156	[3]
Other current investments	32,959	[4]	35,162	[4]
Total Financial Assets	821,080		954,154
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	70,661	[5]	67,603	[5]
Interest rate swap	179	[6]	1,047	[6]
Total Financial Liabilities	562,111		588,499
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]
Liabilities
7.25% unsecured notes	450,344	[7]	475,224	[7]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]
Liabilities
AUD revolving credit borrowing	40,927	[7]	44,625	[7]
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets
Money market investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Commercial paper	226,197	[2]
Marketable equity securities	193,793	[3]	487,156	[3]
Other current investments	11,788	[4]	11,826	[4]
Total Financial Assets	431,778		498,982
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	0	[5]	0	[5]
Interest rate swap	0	[6]	0	[6]
Total Financial Liabilities	0		0
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]
Liabilities
7.25% unsecured notes	0	[7]	0	[7]
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]
Liabilities
AUD revolving credit borrowing	0	[7]	0	[7]
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets
Money market investments	368,131	[1]	431,836	[1]
Commercial paper	0	[2]
Marketable equity securities	0	[3]	0	[3]
Other current investments	21,171	[4]	23,336	[4]
Total Financial Assets	389,302		455,172
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	70,661	[5]	67,603	[5]
Interest rate swap	179	[6]	1,047	[6]
Total Financial Liabilities	562,111		588,499
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]
Liabilities
7.25% unsecured notes	450,344	[7]	475,224	[7]
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]
Liabilities
AUD revolving credit borrowing	$ 40,927	[7]	$ 44,625	[7]

[1] The Company’s money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

[2] The Company’s commercial paper investments with original maturities of 90 days or less are included in cash and cash equivalents.

[3] The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.

[4] Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits.

[5] Includes Graham Holdings Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan and supplemental savings plan benefits under the Graham Holdings Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which are included in accrued compensation and related benefits. These plans measure the market value of a participant’s balance in a notional investment account that is comprised primarily of mutual funds, which are based on observable market prices. However, since the deferred compensation obligations are not exchanged in an active market, they are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on deferred compensation are included in operating income.

[6] Included in Other liabilities. The Company utilized a market approach model using the notional amount of the interest rate swap multiplied by the observable inputs of time to maturity and market interest rates.

[7] See Note 10 for carrying amount of these notes and borrowing.