Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations (Basic and Diluted)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011	Oct. 03, 2010	Jul. 04, 2010	Apr. 04, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010	Jan. 02, 2011	Jan. 03, 2010
Earnings Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders	$ 46,987	$ 16,967	$ 78,091	$ 85,753	$ 101,496	$ 53,767	$ 63,954	$ 155,263	$ 319,107	$ 145,956
Less: Amount attributable to participating securities	(480)				(717)		(631)	(1,118)
Basic income from continuing operations attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders	46,507				100,779		63,323	154,145
Plus: Amount attributable to participating securities	480				717		631	1,118
Diluted income from continuing operations attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders	$ 46,987				$ 101,496		$ 63,954	$ 155,263
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	7,852				9,126		7,949	9,150
Stock options and restricted stock	81				67		77	67
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	7,933				9,193		8,026	9,217
Basic	$ 5.92	$ 2.09	$ 9.31	$ 9.64	$ 11.04	$ 5.82	$ 7.97	$ 16.86	$ 35.76	$ 15.54
Diluted	$ 5.92	$ 2.09	$ 9.31	$ 9.63	$ 11.04	$ 5.82	$ 7.97	$ 16.86	$ 35.74	$ 15.54

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the parent which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any.

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The amount of net income (loss) from continuing operations per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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