Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	ORGANIZATION, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Graham Holdings Company (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 comprise the ownership and operation of five television broadcasting stations. The Company's other business operations include home health and hospice services and manufacturing. Basis of Presentation – The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information; (ii) the instructions to Form 10-Q; and (iii) the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, including its domestic and foreign subsidiaries that are more than 50% owned or otherwise controlled by the Company. As permitted under such rules, certain notes and other financial information normally required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Management believes the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of and for the periods presented herein. The Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 may not be indicative of the Company’s future results. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes the reclassification of the results of operations of certain businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Out of Period Adjustment – In the second quarter of 2016, the Company benefited from a favorable $5.6 million out of period adjustment to the provision for deferred income taxes related to the $248.6 million goodwill impairment at the KHE reporting unit in the third quarter of 2015. With respect to this error, the Company has concluded that it was not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations for 2016 and 2015 and the related interim periods, based on its consideration of quantitative and qualitative factors. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported herein. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates. Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued comprehensive new guidance that supersedes all existing revenue recognition guidance. In August 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to the guidance that defers the effective date by one year. The new guidance requires revenue to be recognized when the Company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance also significantly expands the disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new guidance with a restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new guidance with disclosure of results under the old guidance. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and believes such evaluation will extend over several future periods because of the significance of the changes to the Company’s policies and business processes. In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance that requires management to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosures in certain circumstances. This guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have an impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires that debt issuance costs be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the gross amount of debt instead of classified as a deferred asset. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company adopted the new guidance retrospectively as of January 1, 2016. Therefore, prior periods have been adjusted to reflect this guidance which resulted in the reclassification of $0.1 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Company's 7.25% unsecured notes from deferred charges and other assets to long-term debt within its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that substantially revises the recognition, measurement and presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new guidance, among other things, requires, (i) equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, with some exceptions, (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iii) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (iv) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements, and (v) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that requires, among other things, a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset representing an entity's right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a liability for lease payments on its balance sheet, regardless of classification of a lease as operating or financing. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and liabilities and account for the lease similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. This new guidance supersedes all prior guidance. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The standard requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies the accounting for stock-based compensation. The new guidance (i) requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recognized in the income statement with the tax effects of vested or exercised awards treated as discrete items. Additionally, excess tax benefits will be recognized regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period, effectively eliminating the APIC pool, (ii) concludes excess tax benefits should be classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows, (iii) requires an entity to make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate a forfeiture rate for awards or account for forfeitures as they occur, (iv) changes the threshold for equity classification for cash settlements of awards for withholding requirements to the maximum statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction and (v) concludes cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ORGANIZATION, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Graham Holdings Company (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 comprise the ownership and operation of five television broadcasting stations. The Company's other business operations include home health and hospice services and manufacturing.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information; (ii) the instructions to Form 10-Q; and (iii) the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, including its domestic and foreign subsidiaries that are more than 50% owned or otherwise controlled by the Company. As permitted under such rules, certain notes and other financial information normally required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Management believes the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of and for the periods presented herein. The Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 may not be indicative of the Company’s future results. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes the reclassification of the results of operations of certain businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Out of Period Adjustment – In the second quarter of 2016, the Company benefited from a favorable $5.6 million out of period adjustment to the provision for deferred income taxes related to the $248.6 million goodwill impairment at the KHE reporting unit in the third quarter of 2015. With respect to this error, the Company has concluded that it was not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations for 2016 and 2015 and the related interim periods, based on its consideration of quantitative and qualitative factors.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported herein. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued comprehensive new guidance that supersedes all existing revenue recognition guidance. In August 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to the guidance that defers the effective date by one year. The new guidance requires revenue to be recognized when the Company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance also significantly expands the disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new guidance with a restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new guidance with disclosure of results under the old guidance. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and believes such evaluation will extend over several future periods because of the significance of the changes to the Company’s policies and business processes.

In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance that requires management to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosures in certain circumstances. This guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have an impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires that debt issuance costs be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the gross amount of debt instead of classified as a deferred asset. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company adopted the new guidance retrospectively as of January 1, 2016. Therefore, prior periods have been adjusted to reflect this guidance which resulted in the reclassification of $0.1 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Company's 7.25% unsecured notes from deferred charges and other assets to long-term debt within its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.

In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that substantially revises the recognition, measurement and presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new guidance, among other things, requires, (i) equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, with some exceptions, (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iii) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (iv) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements, and (v) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that requires, among other things, a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset representing an entity's right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a liability for lease payments on its balance sheet, regardless of classification of a lease as operating or financing. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and liabilities and account for the lease similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. This new guidance supersedes all prior guidance. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The standard requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies the accounting for stock-based compensation. The new guidance (i) requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recognized in the income statement with the tax effects of vested or exercised awards treated as discrete items. Additionally, excess tax benefits will be recognized regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period, effectively eliminating the APIC pool, (ii) concludes excess tax benefits should be classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows, (iii) requires an entity to make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate a forfeiture rate for awards or account for forfeitures as they occur, (iv) changes the threshold for equity classification for cash settlements of awards for withholding requirements to the maximum statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction and (v) concludes cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.