Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (15,687)	$ 130,406	$ (209,647)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		101,536	(10,695)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(15,687)	28,870	(198,952)
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	40,069	44,894	44,360
Impairment of goodwill, indefinite and long-lived assets	9,000		216,413
(Gains) losses, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(124)	1,218	(444)
(Gain)/loss on sale of investments		(2,275)	(752)
Deferred income taxes	9,786	25,822	45,271
Excess tax benefits of share-based compensation plans	(5,814)	(9,559)	(372)
Stock and deferred compensation plans	7,197	8,892	7,131
Pension expense, net of payments	4,840	(62,774)	1,253
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net	(41,779)	32,388	(31,530)
Miscellaneous, net	7,299	(8,196)	4,802
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	14,787	59,280	87,180
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operating activities		6,691	(8,522)
Net operating activities	14,787	65,971	78,658
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of McGraw-Hill Broadcasting	(216,143)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,738	766	101
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(12,183)	(18,241)	(39,453)
Changes in restricted cash	(7,510)
Purchase of intangibles		(850)
Decrease in short-term investments		12,180	8,950
Proceeds from sale of long-term investments	2,650		472
Purchase of investments	(9,045)	(1,673)	(3,366)
Net cash used in continuing investing activities	(240,493)	(7,818)	(33,296)
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued investing activities		162,895	(297)
Net investing activities	(240,493)	155,077	(33,593)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increases in long-term debt	212,000
Payments on long-term debt		(34,900)	(25,250)
Payments of financing costs	(8,871)	(330)	(3,062)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		(623)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(51,383)
Proceeds from employee stock options	2,514	8,394	2,876
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs	(9,596)	(12,071)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation plans	5,814	9,559	372
Miscellaneous, net	(1,807)	937	(10,972)
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing financing activities	148,671	(29,034)	(36,036)
Change in cash - discontinued operations		5,229	(5,217)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(77,035)	197,243	3,812
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	204,924	7,681	3,869
End of year	$ 127,889	$ 204,924	$ 7,681