Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$ 332,799	$ (18,687)	$ (29,823)	$ (101,212)	$ 70,727	$ 153,839	$ (152,628)	$ 15,102	$ 183,077	$ 87,040	$ (315,337)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,378)	0	0	0					(3,378)	0	0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent									179,699	87,040	(315,337)
Less: Dividends distributed to Warrants									69	161	325
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to Warrants									81	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for basic EPS									179,549	86,879	(315,662)
Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to dilutive securities									1	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for diluted EPS									179,550	86,879	(315,662)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes	$ (619)	$ 0	$ (579)	$ 15,618	$ (51,776)	$ (8,074)	$ (8,935)	$ (4,009)	14,420	(72,794)	(4,581)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to Warrants									7	0	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders for basic and diluted EPS									14,413	(72,794)	(4,581)
Net income (loss) attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for basic EPS									193,962	14,085	(320,243)
Net income (loss) attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for diluted EPS									$ 193,963	$ 14,085	$ (320,243)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic									87,066	90,244	94,686
Impact of dilutive securities									935	392	0
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted									88,001	90,636	94,686
Continuing Operations	$ 3.77	$ (0.21)	$ (0.34)	$ (1.17)	$ 0.81	$ 1.71	$ (1.66)	$ 0.16	$ 2.06	$ 0.96	$ (3.33)
Discontinued Operations	(0.01)	0.00	(0.01)	0.18	(0.59)	(0.09)	(0.10)	(0.04)	0.17	(0.80)	(0.05)
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	3.76	(0.21)	(0.35)	(0.99)	0.22	1.62	(1.76)	0.12	2.23	0.16	(3.38)
Continuing Operations	3.73	(0.21)	(0.34)	(1.17)	0.81	1.70	(1.66)	0.16	2.04	0.96	(3.33)
Discontinued Operations	(0.01)	0.00	(0.01)	0.18	(0.59)	(0.09)	(0.10)	(0.04)	0.16	(0.80)	(0.05)
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$ 3.72	$ (0.21)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.99)	$ 0.22	$ 1.61	$ (1.76)	$ 0.12	$ 2.20	$ 0.16	$ (3.38)