Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings [Abstract]
Net Operating Revenues	$ 166,379	$ 162,982	$ 317,849	$ 317,314
Operating Costs and Expenses
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits	54,525	51,911	108,361	103,135
Station programming and other operating costs	52,565	47,015	102,761	92,646
Corporate operating costs	6,692	7,855	12,991	17,464
Pension settlement charge and contribution reimbursements		(4,200)	20,466	(8,272)
Depreciation	7,707	8,770	15,631	18,013
Total operating costs and expenses	121,489	111,351	260,210	222,986
Earnings from operations	44,890	51,631	57,639	94,328
Other Income and (Expense)
Interest expense	(18,050)	(19,815)	(36,033)	(39,703)
Other income, net	649	375	829	108
Total other income and (expense)	(17,401)	(19,440)	(35,204)	(39,595)
Earnings before income taxes	27,489	32,191	22,435	54,733
Income taxes	9,402	12,666	8,662	21,666
Net earnings	$ 18,087	$ 19,525	$ 13,773	$ 33,067
Earnings Per Share
Basic	$ 0.17	$ 0.19	$ 0.13	$ 0.32
Diluted	$ 0.17	$ 0.19	$ 0.13	$ 0.31
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic	103,626	103,027	103,515	102,919
Diluted	104,022	103,456	103,917	103,342
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.05		$ 0.05