Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 123,408	$ 110,306	$ 115,814	$ 91,478	$ 95,102	$ 84,543	$ 92,228	$ 98,459	$ 441,006	$ 370,332	$ 384,199
Total operating costs and expenses	113,517	110,904	112,070	95,196	97,037	92,984	102,342	102,057	431,687	394,420	402,805
Operating income (loss)	9,891	(598)	3,744	(3,718)	(1,935)	(8,441)	(10,114)	(3,598)	9,319	(24,088)	(18,606)
Income (loss) before income taxes	9,721	(1,148)	3,619	(3,442)	(2,322)	(8,856)	(10,446)	(3,933)	8,750	(25,557)	(18,899)
Net income (loss) attributable to Journal Media Group	$ 3,834	$ (488)	$ 3,323	$ (3,542)	$ (2,318)	$ (9,053)	$ (10,456)	$ (3,939)	$ 3,127	$ (25,766)	$ (16,703)
Earnings per share, basic (in USD per share)	$ 0.15	$ (0.02)	$ 0.13	$ (0.14)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.63)	$ (0.72)	$ (0.27)	$ 0.12	$ (1.78)	$ (1.16)
Earnings per share, diluted (in USD per share)	$ 0.15	$ (0.02)	$ 0.13	$ (0.14)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.63)	$ (0.72)	$ (0.27)	$ 0.12	$ (1.78)	$ (1.16)