Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings [Abstract]
Net Operating Revenues	$ 151,999	$ 163,853	$ 469,848	$ 481,167
Operating Costs and Expenses
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits	52,467	53,273	160,828	156,408
Station programming and other operating costs	51,788	51,573	154,549	144,219
Corporate operating costs	5,112	8,738	18,103	26,202
Pension settlement charge and contribution reimbursements		(300)	20,466	(8,572)
Depreciation	7,614	8,449	23,245	26,462
Total operating costs and expenses	116,981	121,733	377,191	344,719
Earnings from operations	35,018	42,120	92,657	136,448
Other Income and (Expense)
Interest expense	(17,771)	(20,037)	(53,804)	(59,740)
Other income, net	986	21	1,815	129
Total other income and (expense)	(16,785)	(20,016)	(51,989)	(59,611)
Earnings before income taxes	18,233	22,104	40,668	76,837
Income taxes	4,520	8,159	13,182	29,825
Net earnings	$ 13,713	$ 13,945	$ 27,486	$ 47,012
Earnings Per Share
Basic	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.26	$ 0.45
Diluted	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.26	$ 0.45
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic	103,681	103,107	103,570	102,982
Diluted	104,039	103,502	103,959	103,397
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.05		$ 0.10