Discontinued operations - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pro rata distribution to stockholders (as a percent)	98.50%
Conversion ratio for every share of Tegna common stock owned by stockholders	0.5
Shares held by Tegna after distribution (as a percent)	1.50%
Tegna to own shares for a period, not to exceed	5 years
Gannett
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Transition services period		24 months
Minimum transition services period		90 days
Termination of transition services, minimum notice period		30 days
Other
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on disposal of other segment		$ 26.3
Loss on disposal of other segment, net of tax		$ 14.8