Note 11. Guarantor Financial Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Station revenue (less agency commissions)	$ 78,489	$ 93,752	$ 234,448	$ 251,064
Operating costs:
Station production expenses	31,973	31,458	95,388	92,359
Station selling, general, and administrative expenses	23,300	21,505	69,055	63,473
Corporate and other expenses	7,833	12,093	24,621	31,604
Depreciation and software amortization	5,516	5,533	16,673	17,124
Amortization of intangible assets	441	442	1,323	2,196
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net	10	218	78	(32)
Merger-related expenses	1,218		8,389
Total operating costs	70,291	71,249	215,527	206,724
Operating income (loss)	8,198	22,503	18,921	44,340
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(9,960)	(9,497)	(28,781)	(41,410)
Interest expense - related party	(10,379)	(10,723)	(30,297)	(15,618)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs		(17,318)		(35,415)
Other, net	42	40	(132)	452
Total other income (expense)	(20,297)	(37,498)	(59,210)	(91,991)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(12,099)	(14,995)	(40,289)	(47,651)
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,517	3,406	7,725	10,223
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(14,616)	(18,401)	(48,014)	(57,874)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(1,038)	(413)	(10,588)
Loss related to divestiture of operations		(10,894)	(30)	(142,591)
Net income (loss)	(14,616)	(30,333)	(48,457)	(211,053)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(13,416)	(30,333)	(44,685)	(211,053)
Media General Corporate [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Station revenue (less agency commissions)	6,414	7,622	18,402	23,443
Operating costs:
Corporate and other expenses	7,735	11,662	23,743	29,847
Depreciation and software amortization	450	564	1,331	2,062
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net	(22)	(120)	(95)	(613)
Merger-related expenses	1,218		8,389
Total operating costs	9,381	12,106	33,368	31,296
Operating income (loss)	(2,967)	(4,484)	(14,966)	(7,853)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(9,939)	(9,480)	(28,721)	(41,362)
Interest expense - related party	(10,379)	(10,723)	(30,297)	(15,618)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs		(17,318)		(35,415)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	20,637	21,699	62,103	57,270
Investment income (loss) - consolidated affiliates	(12,010)	(10,057)	(36,688)	(168,572)
Other, net	42	30	112	497
Total other income (expense)	(11,649)	(25,849)	(33,491)	(203,200)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(14,616)	(30,333)	(48,457)	(211,053)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(30,333)	(48,457)	(211,053)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Net income (loss)	(14,616)	(30,333)	(48,457)	(211,053)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(13,416)	(30,333)	(44,685)	(211,053)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Station revenue (less agency commissions)	78,489	93,789	234,448	251,559
Operating costs:
Station production expenses	31,973	31,459	95,388	92,832
Station selling, general, and administrative expenses	29,714	29,126	87,457	86,959
Corporate and other expenses		285		1,646
Depreciation and software amortization	5,066	4,969	15,342	15,062
Amortization of intangible assets	441	442	1,323	2,196
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net	32	338	173	581
Total operating costs	67,226	66,619	199,683	199,276
Operating income (loss)	11,263	27,170	34,765	52,283
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(21)	(17)	(60)	(48)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(20,637)	(21,699)	(62,103)	(57,270)
Other, net		10	(244)	(45)
Total other income (expense)	(20,658)	(21,706)	(62,407)	(57,363)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(9,395)	5,464	(27,642)	(5,080)
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,517	3,406	7,725	10,223
Income (loss) from continuing operations		2,058	(35,367)	(15,303)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(1,075)	(413)	(10,567)
Loss related to divestiture of operations		(10,894)	(30)	(142,591)
Net income (loss)	(11,912)	(9,911)	(35,810)	(168,461)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(11,912)	(9,911)	(35,810)	(168,461)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Operating costs:
Corporate and other expenses	98	146	878	111
Total operating costs	98	146	878	111
Operating income (loss)	(98)	(146)	(878)	(111)
Other income (expense):
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(98)	(146)	(878)	(111)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(146)	(878)	(111)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Net income (loss)	(98)	(146)	(878)	(111)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(98)	(146)	(878)	(111)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Station revenue (less agency commissions)	(6,414)	(7,659)	(18,402)	(23,938)
Operating costs:
Station production expenses		(1)		(473)
Station selling, general, and administrative expenses	(6,414)	(7,621)	(18,402)	(23,486)
Total operating costs	(6,414)	(7,622)	(18,402)	(23,959)
Operating income (loss)		(37)		21
Other income (expense):
Investment income (loss) - consolidated affiliates	12,010	10,057	36,688	168,572
Total other income (expense)	12,010	10,057	36,688	168,572
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	12,010	10,020	36,688	168,593
Income (loss) from continuing operations		10,020	36,688	168,593
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		37		(21)
Net income (loss)	12,010	10,057	36,688	168,572
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 12,010	$ 10,057	$ 36,688	$ 168,572