Discontinued Operations Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 04, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2013 renewal_term
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Cash dividends received	$ 275,000
Repayments of long‑term debt associated with the Spin-off				$ 1,107,302	$ 297,783
Professional Fees			$ 17,000		23,000
Transition Services Agreement
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Gross billing to Tribune Publishing under TSA		$ 500	6,000	2,000	6,000
Fees recognized from Transition Services Agreement		$ 200	1,000	$ 1,000	1,000
Term Loan Facility | Senior Secured Credit Agreement
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Repayments of long‑term debt associated with the Spin-off	275,000
Tribune Publishing Company | Other Income
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Reclassification of intercompany rental revenue into other revenue			$ 4,000		$ 24,000
Tribune Publishing Company | Land and Buildings
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Optional renewal terms for lease agreements | renewal_term						2
Tribune Publishing Company | Land and Buildings | Five Year Contractual Term
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Initial lease agreement term						5 years
Tribune Publishing Company | Land and Buildings | Ten Year Contractual Term
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Initial lease agreement term						10 years
Tribune Publishing Company | Secured Debt
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Borrowings under senior secured credit facility	$ 350,000