INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May. 07, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross
Balance at the beginning of the period				$ 833,254	$ 835,461
Acquired Assets					3,100
Disposition Adjustment					(5,307)
Balance at the end of the period		$ 833,254	$ 833,254	833,254	833,254	$ 835,461
Accumulated amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period				(615,378)	(567,737)
Disposition Adjustment					5,307
Amortization Expense				(48,357)	(52,948)	(57,200)
Balance at the end of the period		(663,735)	(615,378)	(663,735)	(615,378)	(567,737)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net
Balance at the beginning of the period				217,876	267,724
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired					3,100
Amortization Expense				(48,357)	(52,948)	(57,200)
Intangible assets, net		169,519	217,876	217,876	267,724	267,724
Mastheads
Balance at the beginning of the period				193,039	198,242
Impairment Charges			(5,200)	(13,907)	(5,203)	0
Balance at the end of the period		179,132	193,039	179,132	193,039	198,242
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period				996,115	1,013,002
Goodwill impairment charge				(290,941)	0	0	$ 0
Disposition Adjustment					(16,887)
Balance at the end of the period		705,174	996,115	705,174	996,115	1,013,002
Total
Balance at the beginning of the period				1,407,030	1,478,968
Acquired Assets					3,100
Impairment Charges				(304,848)	(5,203)
Amortization Expense				(48,357)	(52,948)	(57,200)
Balance at the end of the period		$ 1,053,825	$ 1,407,030	1,053,825	$ 1,407,030	$ 1,478,968
McClatchy Tribune Information Services Member | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 3,100
Total
Term of Agreement	10 years
Newswire Content Cost				$ 0