Note 6 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Media General	$ 6,786	$ 3,706	$ 12,171	$ 6,820
Undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities	(43)		(84)
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	6,743	3,706	12,087	6,820
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	88,473,000	47,803,000	88,399,000	47,803,000
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.14	$ 0.14
Effect of dilutive securities: stock options and warrants (in Shares)	519,000	12,390,000	512,000	12,390,000
Diluted EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$ 6,743	$ 3,706	$ 12,087	$ 6,820
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	88,992,000	60,193,000	88,911,000	60,193,351
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.06	$ 0.14	$ 0.11