Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (612)		$ (2,671)
Less income allocated to RSUs	0		0
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share	$ (612)		$ (2,671)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	56,084		56,330
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	0		0
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	56,084		56,330
Anti-dilutive securities	3,985	[1]	8,111	[1]

[1] (1) Amount outstanding at balance sheet date, before application of the treasury stock method and not weighted for period outstanding