Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 36,435	$ 9,746	$ (9,330)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	9,564	14,392	13,670
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of senior notes, net	466	160	(2,965)
Deferred income taxes, net	(3,960)	4,933	7,190
Amortization of deferred financing fees	296	407	469
Amortization of deferred gain on sale of Fisher Plaza	(30)
Amortization of non-cash contract termination fee	(1,461)	(1,461)	(1,461)
Amortization of short-term investment discount			(303)
Amortization of broadcast rights	10,808	11,877	10,056
Payments for broadcast rights	(11,069)	(11,963)	(10,038)
Gain on exchange of assets, net	(32)	(2,054)	(2,569)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets destroyed in Fisher Plaza fire			1,482
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	274	284	558
Gain on sale of radio station, net	(1,062)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	(4,089)
Gain on sale of Fisher Plaza, net	(40,454)
Loss in operations of equity investees	250	86	133
Stock-based compensation	1,580	1,342	1,015
Other			205
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net
Receivables	(1,596)	(2,964)	(2,026)
Prepaid expenses and other	(198)	2,023	(2,260)
Cash surrender value of life insurance and annuity contracts	1,617	(962)	(912)
Other assets	1,605	8	24
Accounts payable, accrued payroll and related benefits and other current liabilities	(4,095)	4,170	(2,259)
Interest payable	(996)	(606)	(615)
Income taxes receivable and payable	22,703	10,571	(8,983)
Accrued retirement benefits	654	365	(511)
Other liabilities	(3,770)	(686)	(759)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	13,440	39,668	(10,189)
Investing activities
Restricted cash	(3,594)
Investment in equity investee	(147)	(48)
Net cash in consolidation of equity investee		75
Purchase of short-term investments	(33,481)
Purchase of radio stations	(185)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(8,135)	(9,990)	(11,581)
Purchase of investment in DataSphere			(1,500)
Proceeds from sale of radio station	1,807
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities and short-term investments			60,000
Proceeds from sale of real estate	4,164
Proceeds from sale of Fisher Plaza	156,111
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	116,540	(9,963)	46,919
Financing activities
Repurchase of senior notes	(39,606)	(20,453)	(24,428)
Shares settled upon vesting of stock rights	(292)	(121)
Payments on capital lease obligations	(181)	(168)	(155)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	75
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock awards	96
Net cash used in financing activities	(39,908)	(20,742)	(24,583)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	90,072	8,963	12,147
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	52,945	43,982	31,835
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	143,017	52,945	43,982
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash received for income taxes, net	626	10,013	2,173
Cash paid for interest	$ 7,896	$ 10,089	$ 11,716