Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Marketable equity securities	$ 487,156		$ 380,087
7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]
Liabilities
7.25% unsecured notes	475,200		481,400
Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Money market investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Marketable equity securities	487,156	[2]	380,087	[2]
Other current investments	11,826	[3]	14,134	[3]
Total Financial Assets	498,982		394,221
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	0	[4]	0	[4]
Interest rate swap	0	[5]	0	[5]
Total Financial Liabilities	0		0
Level 1 [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]
Liabilities
7.25% unsecured notes	0	[6]	0	[6]
Level 1 [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]
Liabilities
AUD revolving credit borrowing	0	[6]	0	[6]
Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Money market investments	431,836	[1]	432,670	[1]
Marketable equity securities	0	[2]	0	[2]
Other current investments	23,336	[3]	24,717	[3]
Total Financial Assets	455,172		457,387
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	67,603	[4]	62,297	[4]
Interest rate swap	1,047	[5]	1,567	[5]
Total Financial Liabilities	588,499		597,203
Level 2 [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]
Liabilities
7.25% unsecured notes	475,224	[6]	481,424	[6]
Level 2 [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]
Liabilities
AUD revolving credit borrowing	44,625	[6]	51,915	[6]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Assets
Money market investments	431,836	[1]	432,670	[1]
Marketable equity securities	487,156	[2]	380,087	[2]
Other current investments	35,162	[3]	38,851	[3]
Total Financial Assets	954,154		851,608
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	67,603	[4]	62,297	[4]
Interest rate swap	1,047	[5]	1,567	[5]
Total Financial Liabilities	588,499		597,203
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]
Liabilities
7.25% unsecured notes	475,224	[6]	481,424	[6]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]
Liabilities
AUD revolving credit borrowing	$ 44,625	[6]	$ 51,915	[6]

[1] The Company’s money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

[2] The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale

[3] Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits (with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year).

[4] Includes Graham Holdings Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan and supplemental savings plan benefits under the Graham Holdings Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which are included in accrued compensation and related benefits.

[5] Included in Other liabilities. The Company utilized a market approach model using the notional amount of the interest rate swap multiplied by the observable inputs of time to maturity and market interest rates.

[6] See Note 10 for carrying amount of these notes and borrowing.