CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 286,235	$ 405,665	$ 215,046
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	0	0	(2,797)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(774)	362	34,563
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items:
Recognition of previously deferred post-retirement benefit plan costs	(5,764)	(5,141)	(8,837)
Actuarial (loss) gain arising during the period	(13,822)	(19,279)	20,373
Pension lump-sum payment charges	686	7,498	0
Pension and other postretirement benefit items	(7,372)	(6,640)	29,210
Unrealized gain on available for sale investment during the period	0	0	1,776
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax	(8,146)	(6,278)	65,549
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	2,060	1,535	(11,340)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(6,086)	(4,743)	54,209
Comprehensive income	280,149	400,922	266,458
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	0	0	55,676
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 280,149	$ 400,922	$ 322,134