Note 2 - Acquisitions and Dispositions - Purchase Consideration in Acquisition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Base purchase price		$ 472,500
Purchase price adjustment		574
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		473,074
Cash consideration received from sale of Schurz Radio Stations		(16,000)
Net adjusted purchase price allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed		457,074
Non-cash consideration received		(30,000)
Cash consideration received		(11,200)	$ 0
Net consideration - the Schurz Acquisition and Related Transactions		415,874
WBXX Acquisition [Member]
Base purchase price		30,000
Purchase price adjustment
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		30,000
Cash consideration received from sale of Schurz Radio Stations
Net adjusted purchase price allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed		30,000
Non-cash consideration received
Cash consideration received
Net consideration - the Schurz Acquisition and Related Transactions		30,000
Schurz Acquisition and the Acquisition of WLUC-TV [Member]
Base purchase price		442,500
Purchase price adjustment		574
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		443,074
Cash consideration received from sale of Schurz Radio Stations		(16,000)
Net adjusted purchase price allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed		427,074
Non-cash consideration received
Cash consideration received
Net consideration - the Schurz Acquisition and Related Transactions		427,074
KAKE-TV [Member]
Base purchase price
Purchase price adjustment
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred
Cash consideration received from sale of Schurz Radio Stations
Net adjusted purchase price allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Non-cash consideration received		(30,000)
Cash consideration received	$ (11,200)	(11,200)
Net consideration - the Schurz Acquisition and Related Transactions		$ (41,200)