Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Revenues:
Advertising					$ 548,205	$ 421,546	$ 370,733
Retransmission					136,571	56,185	42,505
Other					30,880	21,021	19,119
Total operating revenues	$ 204,808	$ 189,691	$ 198,134	$ 123,023	715,656	498,752	432,357
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits					340,042	257,870	225,644
Programs and program licenses					121,479	55,487	53,826
Other expenses					163,297	115,175	114,164
Defined benefit pension plan expense					58,674	5,671	8,110
Acquisition and related integration costs					37,988	9,708	0
Total costs and expenses	223,095	173,962	200,209	124,214	721,480	443,911	401,744
Depreciation, Amortization, and Losses (Gains):
Depreciation					34,178	24,168	24,144
Amortization of intangible assets					17,774	8,012	6,378
Asset impairment charges					24,613	0	0
Losses (gains), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(96)	200	215	164	483	(2,872)	296
Net depreciation, amortization, and losses (gains)					77,048	29,308	30,818
Operating (loss) income					(82,872)	25,533	(205)
Interest expense	(4,576)	(4,246)	(4,225)	(2,052)	(15,099)	(8,494)	(10,437)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,433)	1,061	387	(1,436)	(1,421)	(7,693)	(11,350)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(38,218)	(28,542)	(19,494)		(99,392)	9,346	(21,992)
Expense (benefit) for income taxes	(17,094)	(4,099)	(6,539)	(5,023)	(32,755)	(111)	(11,907)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent					(66,637)	9,457	(10,085)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	(407)	0	(18,448)	3,015	(15,840)	1,072	9,611
Net (loss) income	$ (21,531)	$ (24,443)	$ (31,403)	$ (5,100)	$ (82,477)	$ 10,529	$ (474)
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E. W. Scripps Company:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ (0.25)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.86)	$ 0.16	$ (0.18)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	0.00	0.00	(0.22)	0.05	(0.20)	0.02	0.17
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock (USD per share)	(0.25)	(0.29)	(0.15)	(0.14)	(1.06)	0.18	(0.01)
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share					(0.86)	0.16	(0.18)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share					(0.20)	0.02	0.17
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per diluted share of common stock	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.22)	$ 0.05	$ (1.06)	$ 0.18	$ (0.01)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	83,775	84,107	83,903	57,335	77,373	56,342	56,516
Diluted (in shares)	83,775	84,107	83,903	57,335	77,373	57,239	56,516