Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by business segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance		$ 1,022,280	$ 1,022,905		$ 994,314
Accumulated impairment losses		(994,314)	(994,314)		(994,314)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	28,591	28,591	0	27,966
Acquisition in 2011			28,591
Purchase accounting adjustments in 2012	(625)	(625)
Balance, end of period		27,966	28,591	27,966
Television
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance		243,380	244,005		215,414
Accumulated impairment losses		(215,414)	(215,414)		(215,414)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	28,591	28,591	0	27,966
Acquisition in 2011			28,591
Purchase accounting adjustments in 2012		(625)
Balance, end of period		27,966	28,591	27,966
Newspapers
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance		778,900	778,900		778,900
Accumulated impairment losses		(778,900)	(778,900)		(778,900)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	0	0	0	0
Acquisition in 2011			0
Purchase accounting adjustments in 2012		0
Balance, end of period		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0