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, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 220,830	$ 189,535	$ 207,853	$ 198,653	$ 259,753	$ 219,644	$ 216,934	$ 207,127	$ 816,871	$ 903,458	$ 728,660
Costs and expenses	(191,416)	(185,418)	(187,935)	(190,538)	(201,674)	(189,090)	(189,752)	(199,236)	(755,307)	(779,752)	(703,088)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(12,078)	(12,096)	(11,774)	(11,814)	(12,287)	(12,136)	(12,603)	(12,306)	(47,762)	(49,332)	(40,069)
(Losses) gains, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(26)	(177)	42	(5)	(424)	(80)	(212)	242	(166)	(474)	124
Interest expense	(2,524)	(2,655)	(2,656)	(2,613)	(2,593)	(3,288)	(3,211)	(3,154)	(10,448)	(12,246)	(1,640)
Miscellaneous, net	(7,735)	(1,087)	(1,634)	(1,304)	(2,295)	(900)	(1,435)	(117)	(11,760)	(4,747)	(675)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	562	3,047	(711)	4,950	(13,561)	(2,148)	(4,305)	3,029	7,848	(16,985)	10,001
Net (loss) income	7,613	(8,851)	3,185	(2,671)	26,919	12,002	5,416	(4,415)	(724)	39,922	(15,687)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(250)	0	0	0	(266)	0	0	0	(250)	(266)	(150)
Net (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 7,863	$ (8,851)	$ 3,185	$ (2,671)	$ 27,185	$ 12,002	$ 5,416	$ (4,415)	$ (474)	$ 40,188	$ (15,537)
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$ 0.14	$ (0.16)	$ 0.05	$ (0.05)	$ 0.47	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.08)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.70	$ (0.27)
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$ 0.13	$ (0.16)	$ 0.05	$ (0.05)	$ 0.47	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.08)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.69	$ (0.27)
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	55,980	56,177	57,448	56,330	55,073	54,637	55,146	54,775	56,516	54,907	57,217
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	57,272	56,177	58,747	56,330	55,956	55,211	55,486	54,775	56,516	55,381	57,217
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