Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$ 613,093	$ 711,144	$ 550,305
Subscriptions	117,762	117,700	120,569
Retransmission	42,505	30,867	15,687
Other	43,511	43,747	42,099
Total operating revenues	816,871	903,458	728,660
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	391,207	396,241	348,178
Programs and program licenses	53,826	56,783	57,713
Newsprint, press supplies and other printing costs	46,965	51,266	51,226
Newspaper distribution	48,490	50,379	51,091
Other expenses	201,089	201,302	174,023
Defined benefit pension plan expense	8,837	8,620	8,135
Acquisition and related integration costs	0	5,826	2,787
Separation and restructuring costs	4,893	9,335	9,935
Total costs and expenses	755,307	779,752	703,088
Depreciation, Amortization, and Losses (Gains):
Depreciation	40,839	42,258	38,822
Amortization of intangible assets	6,923	7,074	1,247
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	0	9,000
Losses (gains), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	166	474	(124)
Net depreciation, amortization, and losses (gains)	47,928	49,806	48,945
Operating income (loss)	13,636	73,900	(23,373)
Interest expense	(10,448)	(12,246)	(1,640)
Miscellaneous, net	(11,760)	(4,747)	(675)
(Loss) income from operations before income taxes	(8,572)	56,907	(25,688)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(7,848)	16,985	(10,001)
Net (loss) income	(724)	39,922	(15,687)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(250)	(266)	(150)
Net (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (474)	$ 40,188	$ (15,537)
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E. W. Scripps Company:
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock (USD per share)	$ (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:
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$ (0.01)	$ 0.69	$ (0.27)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	56,516	54,907	57,217
Diluted (in shares)	56,516	55,381	57,217