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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 T8AHbPpkEq4lit+vCckqv5azvec+tskS+PVBdwfuAh2QsVRy3u5B9Mr0ALZer0VP
 CdXopydNuX4/xt26H67mAQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001166789-10-000037.txt : 20100518
<SEC-HEADER>0001166789-10-000037.hdr.sgml : 20100518
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100518133509
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001166789-10-000037
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100517
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100518
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100518

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Mohamed Nicholas N
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001459619

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31311
		FILM NUMBER:		10841878

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O LIN TV CORP,
		STREET 2:		ONE WEST EXCHANGE STREET, SUITE 5A
		CITY:			PROVIDENCE
		STATE:			RI
		ZIP:			02903

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LIN TV CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001166789
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS [4833]
		IRS NUMBER:				050501252
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE WEST EXCHANGE STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 5A
		CITY:			PROVIDENCE
		STATE:			RI
		ZIP:			02903
		BUSINESS PHONE:		401.454.2880

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE WEST EXCHANGE STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 5A
		CITY:			PROVIDENCE
		STATE:			RI
		ZIP:			02903
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-05-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001166789</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LIN TV CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TVL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001459619</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Mohamed Nicholas N</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LIN TV CORP,</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE WEST EXCHANGE STREET, SUITE 5A</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PROVIDENCE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>RI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02903</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock  (Restricted Stock)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-05-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>65681</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>71281</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted shares were awarded pursuant to the amended and restated 2002 Stock Plan. The shares are subject to forfeiture and are non-transferable until vested. The shares vest in four (4) equal annual installments from the date of grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">This number includes 70,781 restricted shares awarded pursuant to the amended and restated 2002 Stock Plan. These shares remain subject to forfeiture and are nontransferable until vested. The shares vest over four (4) years from the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Katherine M. Whalen, Attorney-in-fact for Nicholas N. Mohamed</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-05-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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