Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by business segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	$ 3,158,488		$ 3,158,488	$ 3,158,488	$ 3,151,298	$ 1,441,126
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,189,914)		(1,189,914)	(237,914)	(237,914)	(237,914)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			2,920,574	2,913,384	1,203,212
Impairment of goodwill	(266,000)	$ (686,000)	(952,000)	0	0
Balance, end of period	1,968,574		1,968,574	2,920,574	2,913,384
Triton
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sale of Triton					(85,976)
Local Media
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	1,122,408		1,122,408	1,122,408	1,122,408	1,122,408
Accumulated impairment losses	(216,914)		(216,914)	(216,914)	(216,914)	(216,914)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			905,494	905,494	905,494
Impairment of goodwill			0
Balance, end of period	905,494		905,494	905,494	905,494
Local Media | Triton
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sale of Triton					0
Scripps Networks
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	2,028,890		2,028,890	2,028,890	2,028,890	232,742
Accumulated impairment losses	(973,000)		(973,000)	(21,000)	(21,000)	(21,000)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			2,007,890	2,007,890	211,742
Impairment of goodwill			(952,000)
Balance, end of period	1,055,890		1,055,890	2,007,890	2,007,890
Scripps Networks | Triton
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sale of Triton					0
Other
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	7,190		7,190	7,190	0	85,976
Accumulated impairment losses	0		0	0	0	$ 0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			7,190	0	85,976
Impairment of goodwill			0
Balance, end of period	$ 7,190		$ 7,190	7,190	0
Other | Triton
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Sale of Triton					(85,976)
ION Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment					1,796,148
ION Media | Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment					0
ION Media | Scripps Networks
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment					1,796,148
ION Media | Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment					$ 0
Nuvyyo
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment				7,190
Nuvyyo | Local Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment				0
Nuvyyo | Scripps Networks
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment				0
Nuvyyo | Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition adjustment				$ 7,190