Debt and Other Financial Instruments - Fair value of financial instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Trading securities	$ 449	$ 449
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	2,285,924	2,422,711
Other borrowings	1,524	2,111
Media General Credit Agreement
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	1,556,670	1,690,753
Long-term debt, fair value	1,555,388	1,686,000
Senior Notes 2022
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	398,163	398,038
Long-term debt, fair value	395,357	397,000
Senior Notes 2021
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	291,342	291,442
Long-term debt, fair value	300,875	289,000
Shield Media Credit Agreement
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	28,400	29,600
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 28,400	$ 29,600