Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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	1,590,629
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(267,317)
Goodwill net, ending balance	1,323,312
Raycom Media, Inc., Cordillera Communications, LLC And Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	484,149
Goodwill net, ending balance	484,149
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	1,192,282
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(216,914)
Goodwill net, ending balance	975,368
Local Media | Raycom Media, Inc., Cordillera Communications, LLC And Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	484,149
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