No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	nxst_
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- Definition

Guarantee obligations maturity month and year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of television stations in which certain employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nxst_NumberOfStationsCoveredUnderCollectiveBargainingAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	nxst_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The current carrying amount of the liability for the freestanding or embedded guarantor's obligations under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913245&loc=d3e12069-110248

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913245&loc=d3e12069-110248

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Rental expense for the reporting period incurred under operating leases, including minimum and any contingent rent expense, net of related sublease income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77902758&loc=d3e41499-112717

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis=nxst_FinancialGuaranteeMissionDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis=nxst_FinancialGuaranteeMarshallDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis=nxst_FinancialGuaranteeShieldDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Station	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Operating Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease expense	$ 24.6	$ 12.7	$ 12.0
Collective Bargaining Agreements [Abstract]
Number of stations covered under collective bargaining agreements \| Station	13
Nexstar [Member] \| Financial Guarantee of Mission Debt [Member]
Guarantees of Mission, Marshall and Shield Debt [Abstract]
Maximum commitment under senior secured credit facility	$ 228.7
Commitment under senior secured credit facility at carrying value	225.7
Nexstar [Member] \| Financial Guarantee of Marshall Debt [Member]
Guarantees of Mission, Marshall and Shield Debt [Abstract]
Commitment under senior secured credit facility at carrying value	$ 52.6
Debt due	2018-06
Nexstar [Member] \| Financial Guarantee Shield Debt [Member]
Guarantees of Mission, Marshall and Shield Debt [Abstract]
Commitment under senior secured credit facility at carrying value	$ 23.8