Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$ 711,144	$ 550,305	$ 601,411
Circulation	117,700	120,569	121,283
Other	74,614	57,786	54,196
Total operating revenues	903,458	728,660	776,890
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	396,241	348,178	344,648
Programs and program licenses	56,783	57,713	59,949
Newsprint and press supplies	51,266	51,226	47,235
Newspaper distribution	50,379	51,091	48,166
Other expenses	201,302	174,023	179,659
Pension expense	8,620	8,135	6,865
Acquisition and related integration costs	5,826	2,787	0
Separation and restructuring costs	9,335	9,935	12,678
Total costs and expenses	779,752	703,088	699,200
Depreciation, Amortization, and Losses (Gains):
Depreciation	42,258	38,822	43,517
Amortization of intangible assets	7,074	1,247	1,377
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	9,000	0
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	474	(124)	1,218
Net depreciation, amortization, and losses (gains)	49,806	48,945	46,112
Operating income (loss)	73,900	(23,373)	31,578
Interest expense	(12,246)	(1,640)	(3,666)
Miscellaneous, net	(4,747)	(675)	1,798
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	56,907	(25,688)	29,710
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	16,985	(10,001)	840
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	39,922	(15,687)	28,870
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	101,536
Net income (loss)	39,922	(15,687)	130,406
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(266)	(150)	(103)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 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:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (USD per share)	$ 0.70	$ (0.27)	$ 0.45
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 1.59
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock (USD per share)	$ 0.70	$ (0.27)	$ 2.04
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (USD per share)	$ 0.69	$ (0.27)	$ 0.45
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 1.58
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock (USD per share)	$ 0.69	$ (0.27)	$ 2.03
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	54,907	57,217	56,857
Diluted	55,381	57,217	56,998