Note 2 - Acquisitions and Dispositions - Fair Value of Assets Acquired, Liabilities Assumed, and Goodwill from Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill	$ 611,100	$ 485,318	$ 423,236
Fairbanks Acquistion [Member]
Current assets	122
Property and equipment	2,650
Goodwill	471
Broadcast licenses	2,228
Other intangible assets	2,702
Other non-current assets	71
Current liabilities	(140)
Other long-term liabilities	(84)
Total	8,020
Media General Acquisition [Member]
Current assets	666
Property and equipment	20,181
Goodwill	86,287
Broadcast licenses	149,846
Other intangible assets	13,398
Other non-current assets	282
Current liabilities	(695)
Other long-term liabilities	0
Total	269,965
Clarksburg Acquisition [Member]
Current assets	462
Property and equipment	4,133
Goodwill	3,222
Broadcast licenses	17,003
Other intangible assets	2,234
Other non-current assets	51
Current liabilities	(554)
Other long-term liabilities	(51)
Total	26,500
Diversified Acquisition [Member]
Current assets	361
Property and equipment	12,329
Goodwill	35,486
Broadcast licenses	26,219
Other intangible assets	11,051
Other non-current assets	27
Current liabilities	(423)
Other long-term liabilities	(50)
Total	85,000
Vermont Acquisition [Member]
Current assets	312
Property and equipment	9,513
Goodwill	316
Broadcast licenses	7,592
Other intangible assets	8,268
Other non-current assets	3,310
Current liabilities	(311)
Other long-term liabilities	0
Total	29,000
2017 Acquisitions [Member]
Current assets	1,923
Property and equipment	48,806
Goodwill	125,782
Broadcast licenses	202,888
Other intangible assets	37,653
Other non-current assets	3,741
Current liabilities	(2,123)
Other long-term liabilities	(185)
Total	$ 418,485