Note 3 - Acquisitions and Dispositions - Fair Value of Assets Acquired, Liabilities Assumed, and Goodwill from Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 30, 2016
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 612,425	$ 611,100	$ 485,318	$ 485,318
Fairbanks Acquistion [Member]
Current assets		122
Property and equipment		2,650
Goodwill, Ending Balance		471
Broadcast licenses		2,228
Other intangible assets		2,702
Other non-current assets		71
Current liabilities		(140)
Other long-term liabilities		(84)
Total Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed		8,020
Media General Acquisition [Member]
Current assets		666
Property and equipment		20,181
Goodwill, Ending Balance		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 Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed		269,965
Clarksburg Acquisition [Member]
Current assets		462
Property and equipment		4,133
Goodwill, Ending Balance		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 Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed		26,500
Diversified Acquisition [Member]
Current assets		361
Property and equipment		12,329
Goodwill, Ending Balance		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 Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed		85,000
Vermont Acquisition [Member]
Current assets		312
Property and equipment		9,513
Goodwill, Ending Balance		3,393
Broadcast licenses		7,592
Other intangible assets		5,191
Other non-current assets		3,310
Current liabilities		(311)
Other long-term liabilities		0
Total Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed		29,000
2017 Acquisitions [Member]
Current assets		1,923
Property and equipment		48,806
Goodwill, Ending Balance		128,859
Broadcast licenses		202,888
Other intangible assets		34,576
Other non-current assets		3,741
Current liabilities		(2,123)
Other long-term liabilities		(185)
Total Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed		$ 418,485