Consolidated and Combined Statement of Equity Current Year - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	JRN Newspapers [Member]	Unconsolidated Company [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member] JRN Newspapers [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Scripps Shareholders [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] JRN Newspapers [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Scripps Shareholders [Member]	Parent Company Equity [Member]	Parent Company Equity [Member] Scripps Shareholders [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Unconsolidated Company [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 195,781									$ 209,931		$ (16,934)			$ 2,784
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Transfers to Parent, net	5,153									5,153
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	187,844									198,381		(13,195)			2,658
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Transfers to Parent, net	3,465									3,465
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	169,247									169,575		(2,782)			2,454
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	3,029									(3,542)				$ 6,669	(98)
Transfer unrecognized loss for defined benefit pension plan for an unconsolidated company to other	886		$ (691)									886	$ (691)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(3,997)													(3,997)
Conversion of Parent equity							$ 31,609			(31,609)
Transfers to Parent, net	$ (7,262)									$ (7,262)
Distribution of JMG stock (in shares)					9,928	14,450
Distribution of JMG stock		$ 87,362			$ 99	$ 145		$ 87,263	$ 127,017		$ (127,162)
Shares issued under equity incentive plan	272			30			272
Stock-based compensation	$ 853						$ 853
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 249,699			$ 244			$ 247,014					$ (2,587)		$ 2,672	$ 2,356
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares outstanding, ending balance				24,408