Pensions and other postretirement benefit plans - Narrative (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) plan	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Accumulated pension benefit obligations	$ 3,000,000	$ 3,200,000
Net periodic expense (benefit)	93,200	69,400	$ 8,100
Employee retirement income security act contributions deferred	$ 11,000
Number of multiemployer pension plans | plan	6
Other current and non-current liabilities, withdrawal liabilities for multi-employer pension plans	$ 39,600
Penalties amortization period	17 years 2 months 12 days
Compensation expense related to 401(k) contributions	$ 8,200	16,000	4,900
Pension benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic expense (benefit)	(94,963)	(71,781)	(8,433)
Employer contributions	52,161	41,018
Employer contributions expected to be paid during the next fiscal year	29,500
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Employer contributions	5,500
Postretirement benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic expense (benefit)	1,759	2,355	$ 364
Employer contributions	5,459	$ 7,078
Employer contributions expected to be paid during the next fiscal year	$ 29,500
Gannett Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Maximum annual contributions per employee, percent	75.00%
First 4% of employee contributions | Gannett Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Employer matching contribution, percent of match	100.00%
Contributions per employee subject to employer match (as a percent)	4.00%
Next 2% of employee contributions | Gannett Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Employer matching contribution, percent of match	50.00%
Contributions per employee subject to employer match (as a percent)	2.00%