Supplemental Equity Information - Equity Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 2,456,744	$ 3,489,273
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 114,385	$ 131,493	210,321	258,976
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(1,350)	(52)	(2,275)	(1,285)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,974)	24,014	(7,594)	16,180
Comprehensive income	105,061	155,455	200,452	273,871
Dividends declared			(60,747)	(90,840)
Stock-based compensation			9,055	11,875
Treasury shares acquired			(150,917)	(75,090)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits			(20,401)	18,223
Ending Balance	2,434,186	3,627,312	2,434,186	3,627,312
TEGNA Inc. Shareholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			2,191,971	3,254,914
Comprehensive income:
Net income			184,895	228,762
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(4,786)	18,385
Comprehensive income			180,109	247,147
Dividends declared			(60,747)	(90,840)
Stock-based compensation			9,055	11,875
Treasury shares acquired			(150,917)	(75,090)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits			(18,479)	19,139
Ending Balance	2,150,992	3,367,145	2,150,992	3,367,145
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			264,773	234,359
Comprehensive income:
Net income			25,426	30,214
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)			(2,275)	(1,285)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(2,808)	(2,205)
Comprehensive income			20,343	26,724
Dividends declared			0	0
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Treasury shares acquired			0	0
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits			(1,922)	(916)
Ending Balance	$ 283,194	$ 260,167	$ 283,194	$ 260,167