Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by business segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Jan. 02, 2014 Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Jun. 30, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Jun. 30, 2014 Television	Dec. 31, 2013 Television	Jun. 30, 2014 Television Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Jun. 30, 2014 Television Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Jun. 30, 2014 Newspapers	Dec. 31, 2013 Newspapers	Jun. 30, 2014 Newspapers Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Jun. 30, 2014 Newspapers Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate	Jun. 30, 2014 Syndication and other	Dec. 31, 2013 Syndication and other	Jun. 30, 2014 Syndication and other Media Convergence Group (Newsy)	Jun. 30, 2014 Syndication and other Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate and Buffalo ABC affiliate
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	$ 1,099,885	$ 1,022,280					$ 292,047	$ 243,380			$ 778,900	$ 778,900			$ 28,938	$ 0
Accumulated impairment losses	(994,314)	(994,314)					(215,414)	(215,414)			(778,900)	(778,900)			0	0
Goodwill	105,571	27,966		28,938		48,667	76,633	27,966			0	0			28,938	0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			$ 28,938		$ 48,667				$ 0	$ 48,667			$ 0	$ 0			$ 28,938	$ 0