Supplemental Equity Information - Equity Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 2,553,005	$ 2,456,744
Comprehensive income:
Net income	63,899	95,936
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(1,815)	(925)
Other comprehensive income	1,247	380
Comprehensive income	63,331	95,391
Dividends declared	(30,065)	(30,524)
Stock-based compensation	5,103	4,757
Treasury shares acquired	(7,252)	(75,411)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits	(9,300)	(19,306)
Ending Balance	2,574,822	2,431,651
TEGNA Inc. Shareholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2,271,418	2,191,971
Comprehensive income:
Net income	57,714	85,444
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	0	0
Other comprehensive income	182	(186)
Comprehensive income	57,896	85,258
Dividends declared	(30,065)	(30,524)
Stock-based compensation	5,103	4,757
Treasury shares acquired	(7,252)	(75,411)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits	(7,963)	(18,470)
Ending Balance	2,289,137	2,157,581
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	281,587	264,773
Comprehensive income:
Net income	6,185	10,492
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(1,815)	(925)
Other comprehensive income	1,065	566
Comprehensive income	5,435	10,133
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	(1,337)	(836)
Ending Balance	$ 285,685	$ 274,070