Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	$ 63,973	$ (17,334)	$ 39,263	$ (14,856)
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	(166)	0	(166)
Income allocated to RSUs	1,748	0	921	0
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 62,225	$ (17,500)	$ 38,342	$ (15,022)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	81,522	80,877	81,340	80,791
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock units	566	0	279	0
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	82,088	80,877	81,619	80,791

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Amount after tax of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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