Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net Operating Revenues	$ 650,142	$ 687,395	$ 590,267
Operating Costs and Expenses
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits	214,861	209,945	191,003
Station programming and other operating costs	204,973	199,304	200,215
Corporate operating costs	25,338	36,487	29,902
Pension settlement charge and contribution reimbursements	20,466	(8,572)
Depreciation	30,796	34,693	41,655
Impairment charge			242,144
Total operating costs and expenses	496,434	471,857	704,919
Earnings (loss) from operations	153,708	215,538	(114,652)
Other Income and (Expense)
Interest expense	(72,393)	(77,895)	(63,920)
Other income, net	6,541	1,377	12,441
Total other income and (expense)	(65,852)	(76,518)	(51,479)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	87,856	139,020	(166,131)
Income tax expense (benefit)	29,898	52,114	(57,070)
Net earnings (loss)	$ 57,958	$ 86,906	$ (109,061)
Net earnings (loss) per share
Basic	$ 0.55	$ 0.83	$ (1.06)
Diluted	$ 0.55	$ 0.83	$ (1.06)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	103,606	103,026	102,491
Diluted	103,980	103,437	102,491
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.15		$ 0.075