Note 2 - Acquisitions and Dispositions - Fair Value of Assets Acquired, Liabilities Assumed, and Goodwill from 2016 Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill	$ 485,318	$ 423,236	$ 374,390
KYES-TV Acquisition [Member]
Accounts receivable
Other current assets
Property and equipment	176
Goodwill	28
Broadcast licenses	254
Other intangible assets	42
Other non-current assets
Current liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
Total	500
WBXX Acquisition [Member]
Accounts receivable
Other current assets	429
Property and equipment	1,633
Goodwill	10,288
Broadcast licenses	18,199
Other intangible assets
Other non-current assets	408
Current liabilities	(460)
Other long-term liabilities	(497)
Total	30,000
Schurz Acquisition and the Acquisition of WLUC-TV [Member]
Accounts receivable	19,226
Other current assets	4,606
Property and equipment	97,814
Goodwill	61,981
Broadcast licenses	231,391
Other intangible assets	19,523
Other non-current assets	3,028
Current liabilities	(8,903)
Other long-term liabilities	(1,592)
Total	427,074
2016 Acquisitions [Member]
Accounts receivable	19,226
Other current assets	5,035
Property and equipment	99,623
Goodwill	72,297
Broadcast licenses	249,844
Other intangible assets	19,565
Other non-current assets	3,436
Current liabilities	(9,363)
Other long-term liabilities	(2,089)
Total	$ 457,574