Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net operating revenue	$ 674,963	$ 269,912	$ 228,183
Operating costs:
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense	221,914	95,214	68,899
Selling, general and administrative expenses	171,484	71,243	55,000
Amortization of program license rights	21,630	11,362	9,022
Corporate and other expenses	33,007	19,016	23,531
Depreciation and amortization	66,557	25,772	16,179
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment, net	(8,935)	399	59
Merger-related and restructuring expenses	54,202	13,079
Total operating costs	559,859	236,085	172,690
Operating income	115,104	33,827	55,493
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense	(45,704)	(12,687)	(7,830)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs	(3,513)	(4,509)
Gain on sale of stations	42,957
Other, net	129	48	8,680
Total other (expense) income	(6,131)	(17,148)	850
Income before income taxes	108,973	16,679	56,343
Income tax expense	(52,453)	(12,325)	(20,380)
Net income	56,520	4,354	35,963
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (included above)	3,014	(1,786)	42
Net income attributable to Media General	53,506	6,140	35,921
Change in unrecognized amounts included in pension and postretirement obligations net of tax of $24,067 in 2014, $3,908 in 2013 and $318 in 2012	(42,113)	6,655	(500)
Total comprehensive income	14,407	11,009	35,463
Total comprehensive income attributable to Media General	$ 11,393	$ 12,795	$ 35,421
Net earnings per common share (basic) (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.11	$ 0.82
Net earnings per common share (diluted) (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.10	$ 0.53