Journal Broadcast Merger and Newspaper Spin-off (Discontinued Operations) - Operating Results of Discontinued Operations and Net Assets Distributed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 01, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (407)	$ 0	$ (18,448)	$ 3,015	$ 0	$ (15,840)	$ 1,072
Spinoff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues										91,478	370,316
Total costs and expenses										(79,869)	(349,210)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles										(3,608)	(16,890)
Other, net										(3,298)	(1,308)
Loss on disposal of Scripps Newspapers										(30,000)	0
(Loss) income on discontinued operations before income taxes										(25,297)	2,908
Benefit (provision) for income taxes										9,457	(2,143)
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations										(15,840)	765
Noncontrolling interest										0	(307)
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations										$ (15,840)	$ 1,072
Assets:
Total current assets												$ 43,322
Property, plant and equipment												155,047
Other assets												3,829
Total assets included in the disposal group												202,198
Liabilities:
Total current liabilities												47,664
Deferred income taxes												1,966
Other liabilities												9,057
Total liabilities included in the disposal group												58,687
Net assets included in the disposal group												$ 143,511