Investments - Summary of Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net revenue		$ 1,118,203	$ 663,575	$ 3,124,658	$ 1,939,234
Costs and expenses		774,606	541,960	2,279,793	1,540,601
Income from operations		343,597	121,615	844,865	398,633
Net income		189,313	(5,178)	445,148	122,444
Net income attributable to Nexstar Media Group, Inc.		190,684	$ (5,847)	447,194	$ 117,047
TV Food Network [Member] | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee or Group of Investees [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 46,437	306,390		933,929
Costs and expenses	16,852	137,156		448,760
Income from operations	29,585	169,233		485,169
Net income	24,991	170,543		491,957
Net income attributable to Nexstar Media Group, Inc.	$ 7,822	$ 53,370		$ 153,953