Note 11. Guarantor Financial Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011
Revenues	$ 84,112	$ 71,722	$ 159,231	$ 139,010
Operating costs:
Employee compensation	32,302	30,220	69,186	66,738
Production	18,923	17,779	37,011	34,882
Selling, general and administrative	10,423	10,263	19,189	19,104
Depreciation and amortization	6,110	7,279	13,425	14,497
Total operating costs	67,758	65,541	138,811	135,221
Operating income (loss)	16,354	6,181	20,420	3,789
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(21,657)	(17,190)	(36,808)	(33,753)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs	(7,689)		(18,097)
Other, net	236	227	421	469
Total other income (expense)	(29,110)	(16,963)	(54,484)	(33,284)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(12,756)	(10,782)	(34,064)	(29,495)
Income tax expense	3,409	2,558	6,817	5,154
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(16,165)	(13,340)	(40,881)	(34,649)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Income from discontinued operations	1,566	(2,042)	(8,142)	(6,537)
Loss related to divestiture of discontinued operations	(131,697)		(131,697)
Net income (loss)	(146,296)	(15,382)	(180,720)	(41,186)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(146,296)	(13,822)	(180,720)	(38,128)
Media General Corporate [Member]
Revenues	7,267	7,891	15,821	17,219
Operating costs:
Employee compensation	5,299	3,466	14,846	12,300
Selling, general and administrative	1,455	1,902	2,846	3,628
Depreciation and amortization	565	659	1,498	1,279
Total operating costs	7,319	6,027	19,190	17,207
Operating income (loss)	(52)	1,864	(3,369)	12
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(21,641)	(17,180)	(36,777)	(33,733)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs	(7,689)		(18,097)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	20,866	17,210	35,571	34,364
Investment income (loss) - consolidated affiliates	(138,038)	(18,502)	(158,515)	(44,253)
Other, net	258	228	467	469
Total other income (expense)	(146,244)	(18,244)	(177,351)	(43,153)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(146,296)	(16,380)	(180,720)	(43,141)
Income tax expense		(998)		(1,955)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(146,296)	(15,382)	(180,720)	(41,186)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Net income (loss)	(146,296)	(15,382)	(180,720)	(41,186)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(146,296)	(13,822)	(180,720)	(38,128)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenues	84,355	72,004	159,695	139,427
Operating costs:
Employee compensation	27,205	27,043	54,375	54,617
Production	19,169	17,969	37,484	35,204
Selling, general and administrative	16,266	16,388	32,216	32,866
Depreciation and amortization	5,545	6,620	11,927	13,218
Total operating costs	68,185	68,020	136,002	135,905
Operating income (loss)	16,170	3,984	23,693	3,522
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(16)	(10)	(31)	(20)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(20,866)	(17,210)	(35,571)	(34,364)
Other, net	(22)	(1)	(46)
Total other income (expense)	(20,904)	(17,221)	(35,648)	(34,384)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(4,734)	(13,237)	(11,955)	(30,862)
Income tax expense	3,409	3,556	6,817	7,109
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(8,143)	(16,793)	(18,772)	(37,971)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Income from discontinued operations	1,600	(1,998)	(8,081)	(6,461)
Loss related to divestiture of discontinued operations	(131,697)		(131,697)
Net income (loss)	(138,240)	(18,791)	(158,550)	(44,432)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(138,240)	(18,791)	(158,550)	(44,432)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Operating costs:
Employee compensation	(202)	(289)	(35)	(179)
Total operating costs	(202)	(289)	(35)	(179)
Operating income (loss)	202	289	35	179
Other income (expense):
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	202	289	35	179
Income (loss) from continuing operations	202	289	35	179
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Net income (loss)	202	289	35	179
Comprehensive income (loss)	202	289	35	179
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Revenues	(7,510)	(8,173)	(16,285)	(17,636)
Operating costs:
Production	(246)	(190)	(473)	(322)
Selling, general and administrative	(7,298)	(8,027)	(15,873)	(17,390)
Total operating costs	(7,544)	(8,217)	(16,346)	(17,712)
Operating income (loss)	34	44	61	76
Other income (expense):
Investment income (loss) - consolidated affiliates	138,038	18,502	158,515	44,253
Total other income (expense)	138,038	18,502	158,515	44,253
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	138,072	18,546	158,576	44,329
Income (loss) from continuing operations	138,072	18,546	158,576	44,329
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Income from discontinued operations	(34)	(44)	(61)	(76)
Net income (loss)	138,038	18,502	158,515	44,253
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 138,038	$ 18,502	$ 158,515	$ 44,253