CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 215,046	$ 487,999	$ 522,686
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(2,797)	(4,511)	(1,796)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	34,563	(15,938)	(8,235)
Pension and other postretirement benefit items:
Recognition of previously deferred post-retirement benefit plan costs	8,837	8,068	32,533
Actuarial gain (loss) arising during the period	20,373	(21,337)	(40,069)
Interim remeasurement of post-retirement benefits liability	0	0	79,184
Other	0	0	(355)
Pension and other postretirement benefit items	29,210	(13,269)	71,293
Unrealized gain (losses) on available for sale investment during the period	1,776	(11,346)	3,311
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	65,549	(40,553)	66,369
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,340)	5,066	(28,289)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	54,209	(35,487)	38,080
Comprehensive income	266,458	448,001	558,970
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	55,676	(39,284)	(55,099)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 322,134	$ 408,717	$ 503,871