Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - Schedule (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 259,753	$ 219,644	$ 216,934	$ 207,127	$ 197,397	$ 167,871	$ 183,034	$ 180,358	$ 903,458	$ 728,660	$ 776,890
Costs and expenses	(201,674)	(189,090)	(189,752)	(199,236)	(180,431)	(167,238)	(175,019)	(180,400)	(779,752)	(703,088)	(699,200)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(12,287)	(12,136)	(12,603)	(12,306)	(9,568)	(10,052)	(10,029)	(10,420)	(49,332)	(40,069)	(44,894)
Impairment of long-lived assets					0	(9,000)	0	0	0	(9,000)	0
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(424)	(80)	(212)	242	(110)	476	(205)	(37)	(474)	124	(1,218)
Interest expense	(2,593)	(3,288)	(3,211)	(3,154)	(473)	(362)	(412)	(393)	(12,246)	(1,640)	(3,666)
Miscellaneous, net	(2,295)	(900)	(1,435)	(117)	(53)	110	(43)	(689)	(4,747)	(675)	1,798
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(13,561)	(2,148)	(4,305)	3,029	(620)	7,473	462	2,686	(16,985)	10,001	(840)
Net income (loss)	26,919	12,002	5,416	(4,415)	6,142	(10,722)	(2,212)	(8,895)	39,922	(15,687)	130,406
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(266)	0	0	0	(150)	0	0	0	(266)	(150)	(103)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 27,185	$ 12,002	$ 5,416	$ (4,415)	$ 6,292	$ (10,722)	$ (2,212)	$ (8,895)	$ 40,188	$ (15,537)	$ 130,509
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company (USD per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.08)	$ 0.11	$ (0.19)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.15)	$ 0.70	$ (0.27)	$ 0.45
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company (USD per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.08)	$ 0.11	$ (0.19)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.15)	$ 0.69	$ (0.27)	$ 0.45
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	55,073	54,637	55,146	54,775	54,683	56,834	58,707	58,689	54,907	57,217	56,857
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	55,956	55,211	55,486	54,775	54,683	56,834	58,707	58,689	55,381	57,217	56,998
Cash dividends per share of common stock (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00