GAIN FROM LITIGATION SETTLEMENT - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Feb. 04, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Payment received as per settlement agreement	$ 500,000,000
Shared mail distribution agreement between Valassis Direct Mail, Inc. and News America	10 years
Lawsuit settlement, related payment		9,900,000
Gain from litigation settlement, net		490,085,000
Special Bonus Payment to Employees
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Lawsuit settlement, related payment		$ 8,100,000

The net proceeds or assets obtained in excess of (less than) the net carrying amount of assets recorded, or assets distributed and liabilities assumed less than (in excess of) estimated litigation liability extinguished, in settlement of a litigation matter. Represents (for other than an insurance entity in its normal claims settlement process), the amount of income (expense) recognized in the period to settle pending or threatened litigation and insurance claims.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration