Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 61,199	$ 58,427	$ 99,414	$ 80,227
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Translation adjustments arising during the period	(5,121)	5,249	(1,276)	(6,839)
Adjustment for sales of businesses with foreign operations	0	(484)	0	(525)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments, before tax	(5,121)	4,765	(1,276)	(7,364)
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized losses for the period, net	(5,307)	(11,455)	(4,964)	(20,333)
Reclassification of realized gain on sale of available-for-sale securities included in net income	(4,502)	0	(6,256)	0
Total unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, before tax	(9,809)	(11,455)	(11,220)	(20,333)
Pension and other postretirement plans:
Amortization of net prior service cost included in net income	105	70	209	139
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net income	289	628	579	1,257
Total pension and other postretirement plans, before tax	394	698	788	1,396
Cash flow hedge gain	0	0	0	179
Other Comprehensive Loss, Before Tax	(14,536)	(5,992)	(11,708)	(26,122)
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss	3,766	4,303	4,173	7,505
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax	(10,770)	(1,689)	(7,535)	(18,617)
Comprehensive Income	50,429	56,738	91,879	61,610
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(433)	(434)	(868)	(1,208)
Total Comprehensive Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	$ 49,996	$ 56,304	$ 91,011	$ 60,402