CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 522,686	$ 1,130,460	$ 445,913
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (income not available to shareholders)	(1,796)	(3,420)	(1,997)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(8,235)	(43,766)	9,055
Pension and other postretirement benefit items:
Actuarial gain (loss) arising during the period	39,115	(466,482)	286,778
Amortization of actuarial loss	31,357	46,489	64,381
Change in prior service (costs) credit	0	37,986	319
Amortization of prior service credit	1,176	(4,082)	(1,599)
Settlement charge	0	0	3,077
Other	(355)	(10,279)	(10,158)
Pension and other postretirement benefit items	71,293	(396,368)	342,798
Unrealized gains on available for sale investments during the period	3,311	0	2,363
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	66,369	(440,134)	354,216
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(28,289)	147,718	(145,478)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	38,080	(292,416)	208,738
Comprehensive income	558,970	834,624	652,654
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(55,099)	(57,167)	(56,888)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 503,871	$ 777,457	$ 595,766