Note 11. Guarantor Financial Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 25,244	$ 36,802	$ 16,661	$ 23,108
Accounts receivable - net	60,152	58,486
Other	11,179	18,493
Total current assets	96,575	114,451
Assets of discontinued operations		670
Other assets	33,961	45,462
Property, plant and equipment - net	162,580	166,105
FCC licenses and other intangibles - net	199,372	200,254
Excess cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses	247,149	247,149
TOTAL ASSETS	739,637	773,421
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	14,983	11,669
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	50,996	64,362
Total current liabilities	65,979	76,498
Liabilities of discontinued operations		467
Long-term debt	296,210	295,721
Retirement, post-retirement and post-employment plans	236,987	242,309
Deferred income taxes	65,545	58,865
Other liabilities and deferred credits	20,842	18,786
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	139,506	138,819
Additional paid-in capital	23,459	23,024
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(217,084)	(219,656)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(152,252)	(118,411)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(206,371)	(176,224)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	739,637	773,421
Related Party [Member] | Media General Corporate [Member]
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt	260,445	257,466
Related Party [Member]
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt	260,445	257,466
Media General Corporate [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	24,439	36,414	15,419	21,674
Other	3,754	6,562
Total current assets	28,193	42,976
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	10,276	14,281
Intercompany note receivable	567,408	564,681
Other assets	28,342	38,469
Property, plant and equipment - net	19,158	19,647
TOTAL ASSETS	653,377	680,054
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	11,772	7,488
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	35,927	36,155
Total current liabilities	47,699	43,643
Long-term debt	296,206	295,714
Retirement, post-retirement and post-employment plans	236,987	242,309
Other liabilities and deferred credits	17,171	15,567
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	139,506	138,819
Additional paid-in capital	24,699	24,603
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(217,084)	(219,656)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(152,252)	(118,411)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(205,131)	(174,645)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	653,377	680,054
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	805	388	1,242	1,434
Accounts receivable - net	60,152	58,486
Other	7,425	11,931
Total current assets	68,382	71,475
Assets of discontinued operations		670
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	1,323,228	1,346,705
Other assets	5,425	6,795
Property, plant and equipment - net	143,422	146,458
FCC licenses and other intangibles - net	199,372	200,254
Excess cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses	247,149	247,149
TOTAL ASSETS	1,986,978	2,018,836
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,211	4,181
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	15,069	28,207
Total current liabilities	18,280	32,855
Liabilities of discontinued operations		467
Long-term debt	4	7
Intercompany loan	567,408	564,681
Deferred income taxes	65,545	58,865
Other liabilities and deferred credits	2,196	2,442
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	2,801	2,801
Additional paid-in capital	1,731,098	1,733,641
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(400,354)	(376,456)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	1,333,545	1,359,986
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	1,986,978	2,018,836
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Other assets	194	198
TOTAL ASSETS	194	198
Current liabilities:
Other liabilities and deferred credits	1,475	777
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	(1,899)	(1,977)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	618	1,398
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(1,281)	(579)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	194	198
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	(1,333,504)	(1,360,986)
Intercompany note receivable	(567,408)	(564,681)
TOTAL ASSETS	(1,900,912)	(1,925,667)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany loan	(567,408)	(564,681)
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	(2,801)	(2,801)
Additional paid-in capital	(1,730,439)	(1,733,243)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	399,736	375,058
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(1,333,504)	(1,360,986)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	$ (1,900,912)	$ (1,925,667)