Note 11. Guarantor Financial Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$ (6,274)	$ 20,211
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(7,377)	(4,253)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	1,366	(5,441)
Other, net	(88)	1,836
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(6,099)	(7,858)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings		13,000
Repayment of borrowings		(377,098)
Increase in related party borrowings		382,500
Repayment of related party borrowings		(10,000)
Debt issuance costs		(27,172)
Other, net	815	(30)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	815	(18,800)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(11,558)	(6,447)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	36,802	23,108
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	25,244	16,661
Media General Corporate [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(10,658)	17,928
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(514)	(412)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	1,366	(5,441)
Net change in intercompany note receivable	(2,727)	(472)
Other, net	(179)	894
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(2,054)	(5,431)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings		13,000
Repayment of borrowings		(377,098)
Increase in related party borrowings		382,500
Repayment of related party borrowings		(10,000)
Debt issuance costs		(27,172)
Other, net	737	18
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	737	(18,752)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(11,975)	(6,255)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	36,414	21,674
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	24,439	15,419
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	4,462	2,243
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(6,863)	(3,841)
Other, net	91	942
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(6,772)	(2,899)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	2,727	472
Other, net		(8)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	2,727	464
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	417	(192)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	388	1,434
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	805	1,242
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(78)	40
Cash flows from financing activities:
Other, net	78	(40)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	78	(40)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net change in intercompany note receivable	2,727	472
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	2,727	472
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	(2,727)	(472)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	$ (2,727)	$ (472)