Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net operating revenue	$ 1,304,943	$ 674,963	$ 269,912
Operating costs:
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense	556,242	221,914	95,214
Selling, general and administrative expenses	314,951	171,484	71,243
Amortization of program license rights	48,716	21,630	11,362
Corporate and other expenses	50,368	33,007	19,016
Depreciation and amortization	168,120	66,557	25,772
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment, net	(312)	(8,935)	399
Goodwill impairment	52,862	0	0
Merger-related expenses	30,444	49,362	13,079
Restructuring expenses	1,558	4,840	0
Total operating costs	1,222,949	559,859	236,085
Operating income (loss)	81,994	115,104	33,827
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense	(119,644)	(45,704)	(12,687)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs	(3,610)	(3,513)	(4,509)
Gain on sale of stations	0	42,957	0
Other, net	6,219	129	48
Total other expense	(117,035)	(6,131)	(17,148)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(35,041)	108,973	16,679
Income tax expense	(4,688)	(52,453)	(12,325)
Net income (loss)	(39,729)	56,520	4,354
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (included above)	(270)	3,014	(1,786)
Net income (loss) attributable to Media General	(39,459)	53,506	6,140
Change in unrecognized amounts included in pension and postretirement obligations net of tax of $2,983 in 2015, $24,067 in 2014, $3,908 and in 2013	5,221	(42,113)	6,655
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(34,508)	14,407	11,009
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Media General	$ (34,238)	$ 11,393	$ 12,795
Earnings per common share (basic and diluted):
Net earnings (loss) per common share (basic) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ 0.59	$ 0.11
Net earnings (loss) per common share (diluted) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ 0.58	$ 0.10