Note 11 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - Intangible Assets and Related Accumulated Amortization (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Broadcast licenses	$ (76,442)	$ (68,145)
Broadcast licenses	1,023,580	838,982
Goodwill	472,986us-gaap_GoodwillGross	283,005us-gaap_GoodwillGross	269,118us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Goodwill	374,390us-gaap_Goodwill	184,409us-gaap_Goodwill	170,522us-gaap_Goodwill
Gross	1,522,214gtn_IntangibleAssetsGross	1,094,180gtn_IntangibleAssetsGross
Accumulated amortization	(76,442)	(68,145)
Net	1,445,772	1,026,035	990,347
Broadcast Licenses [Member]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Broadcast licenses	1,077,279	892,681
Broadcast licenses	(53,699)	(53,699)
Broadcast licenses	1,023,580	838,982	819,188
Accumulated amortization	(53,699)	(53,699)
Goodwill Not Amortizable [Member]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Goodwill	374,390	184,409
Goodwill	374,390	184,409
Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization [Member]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Broadcast licenses	(53,699)	(53,699)
Gross	1,451,669	1,077,090
Accumulated amortization	(53,699)	(53,699)
Net	1,397,970	1,023,391
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Broadcast licenses	(1,264)	(1,264)
Gross	1,264	1,264
Accumulated amortization	(1,264)	(1,264)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Broadcast licenses	(21,479)	(13,182)
Gross	69,281	15,826
Accumulated amortization	(21,479)	(13,182)
Net	47,802	2,644
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization [Member]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Broadcast licenses	(22,743)	(14,446)
Gross	70,545	17,090
Accumulated amortization	(22,743)	(14,446)
Net	$ 47,802	$ 2,644

The accumulated amount of amortization of intangible assets.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Gross amount (original costs before recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date for the capitalized costs to acquire rights under a license arrangement (for example, to sell specified products in a specified territory) having an indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Gross amount of finite-intangible assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a,h)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

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- Definition

Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date for the capitalized costs to acquire rights under a license arrangement (for example, to sell specified products in a specified territory) having an indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

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- Definition

Carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill. Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Intangible assets are assets, not including financial assets, lacking physical substance.

+ References

No definition available.

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