Earnings Per Share Calculation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$ 113,204	$ 141,183
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	6
Net income attributable to Tribune Media Company	113,208	141,189
Less: Dividends distributed to Warrants	8	8
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to Warrants	32	42
Net income attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for basic EPS	113,168	141,139
Net income attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for diluted EPS	$ 113,164	$ 141,139
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (shares)	87,923	87,482
Impact of dilutive securities (shares)	1,043	910
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (shares)	88,966	88,392
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 1.29	$ 1.61
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 1.27	$ 1.60