Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 1,101,330
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(267,317)
Goodwill net, beginning balance	834,013
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,378,564
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(267,317)
Goodwill net, ending balance	1,111,247
Raycom Media, Inc. And Cordillera Communications, LLC
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	272,084
Goodwill net, ending balance	272,084
Omny Studio
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	5,150
Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	708,133
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(216,914)
Goodwill net, beginning balance	491,219
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	980,217
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(216,914)
Goodwill net, ending balance	763,303
Local Media | Raycom Media, Inc. And Cordillera Communications, LLC
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	272,084
National Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	393,197
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(50,403)
Goodwill net, beginning balance	342,794
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	398,347
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(50,403)
Goodwill net, ending balance	347,944
National Media | Omny Studio
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 5,150