Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations
Net operating revenues	$ 204,929,000	$ 176,273,000	$ 177,619,000	$ 155,898,000	$ 180,294,000	$ 151,999,000	$ 166,379,000	$ 151,470,000			$ 714,719,000	$ 650,142,000	$ 687,395,000
Operating costs and expenses
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits	57,436,000	54,776,000	56,437,000	55,699,000	54,033,000	52,467,000	54,525,000	53,836,000			224,348,000	214,861,000	209,945,000
Station programming and other operating costs	53,884,000	50,520,000	48,074,000	45,317,000	50,424,000	51,788,000	52,565,000	50,196,000			197,795	204,973,000	199,304,000
Corporate operating costs	9,610,000	7,501,000	8,550,000	7,732,000	7,235,000	5,112,000	6,692,000	6,299,000			33,393,000	25,338,000	36,487,000
Pension settlement charge and contribution reimbursements								20,466,000				20,466,000	(8,572,000)
Depreciation	7,641,000	7,528,000	7,472,000	7,462,000	7,551,000	7,614,000	7,707,000	7,924,000			30,103	30,796,000	34,693,000
Total operating costs and expenses	128,571,000	120,325,000	120,533,000	116,210,000	119,243,000	116,981,000	121,489,000	138,721,000			485,639	496,434,000	471,857,000
Other income (expense), net	(5,092,000)	497,000	1,378,000	501,000	4,726,000	986,000	649,000	180,000			(2,716)	6,541,000	1,377,000
Interest expense	(16,646,000)	(17,683,000)	(17,714,000)	(17,662,000)	(18,589,000)	(17,771,000)	(18,050,000)	(17,983,000)			(69,705,000)	(72,393,000)	(77,895,000)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(19,629,000)	(14,148,000)	(14,917,000)	(8,235,000)	(16,716,000)	(4,520,000)	(9,402,000)	740,000			56,929	29,898,000	52,114,000
Net earnings (loss)	34,991,000	24,614,000	25,833,000	14,292,000	30,472,000	13,713,000	18,087,000	(4,314,000)	13,773,000	27,486,000	99,730,000	57,958,000	86,906,000
Less: Net (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(139,000)	(203,000)	(98,000)								(440)
Net earnings attributable to Belo Corp.	$ 35,130,000	$ 24,817,000	$ 25,931,000	$ 14,292,000							$ 100,170,000	$ 57,958,000	$ 86,906,000
Basic earnings (loss) per share:	$ 0.34	$ 0.24	$ 0.24	$ 0.14	$ 0.29	$ 0.13	$ 0.17	$ (0.04)			$ 0.96	$ 0.55	$ 0.83
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:	$ 0.34	$ 0.24	$ 0.24	$ 0.14	$ 0.29	$ 0.13	$ 0.17	$ (0.04)			$ 0.95	$ 0.55	$ 0.83