Note 11 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Media General	$ 53,506	$ 6,140	$ 35,921
Undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities	(339)	(13)
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	53,167	6,127	35,921
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	89,912	53,337	43,590
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.11	$ 0.82
Effect of dilutive securities: warrants and other (in Shares)	1,140	10,764	24,489
Diluted EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$ 53,167	$ 6,127	$ 35,921
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	91,052	64,101	68,079
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.10	$ 0.53