Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by business segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	$ 1,050,996		$ 1,022,280
Accumulated impairment losses	(994,314)		(994,314)
Goodwill	56,682	28,716	27,966
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	28,716
Television
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	243,380		243,380
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414)		(215,414)
Goodwill	27,966		27,966
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Newspapers
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	778,900		778,900
Accumulated impairment losses	(778,900)		(778,900)
Goodwill	0		0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Syndication and Other [Member]
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance			0
Accumulated impairment losses	0		0
Goodwill	28,716		0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 28,716