Supplemental equity information - Restricted Stock Grants (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
RSU's & PSU's \| Legacy Gannett
Number of Units
Outstanding and unvested at beginning of year (in shares)	7,368
Granted (in shares)	282
Vested (in shares)	(4,100)
Forfeited (in shares)	(401)
Outstanding and unvested at end of year (in shares)	3,149
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding and unvested at beginning (in dollars per shares)	$ 6.28
Granted (in dollars per share)	0.90
Vested (in dollars per shares)	6.27
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	2.61
Outstanding and unvested at end of year (in dollars per shares)	$ 6.28
Restricted Stock Grants (RSGs)
Number of Units
Outstanding and unvested at beginning of year (in shares)	317	384
Granted (in shares)	5,277	300
Vested (in shares)	(1,157)	(167)
Forfeited (in shares)	(456)	(71)
Outstanding and unvested at end of year (in shares)	3,981	446
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding and unvested at beginning (in dollars per shares)	$ 14.61	$ 16.11
Granted (in dollars per share)	3.89	13.64
Vested (in dollars per shares)	5.86	15.95
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	3.36	15.26
Outstanding and unvested at end of year (in dollars per shares)	$ 4.24	$ 14.65

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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- Definition

Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

+ References

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The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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Per share or unit weighted-average fair value of nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes share and unit options.

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-Publisher FASB
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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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- Definition

The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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