Stockholders' Equity (Details) - Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 1,500,421	$ 736,981
Net income attributable to Media General	$ 1,635	$ 6,786	(5,798)	12,171
Conversion of non-voting to voting common stock				0
Exercise of stock options			1,211	472
Stock-based compensation			6,860	1,889
Director deferred stock units				7,361
Revaluation of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(1,431)
Repurchases of Voting Common Stock			(18,747)
Other			(467)	(84)
Ending balance	1,482,049	758,790	1,482,049	758,790
Common stock | Voting common stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			1,322,284	557,754
Conversion of non-voting to voting common stock				2,102
Exercise of stock options			1,211	472
Stock-based compensation			6,860	1,889
Director deferred stock units				7,361
Repurchases of Voting Common Stock			(18,747)
Other			(467)	(84)
Ending balance	1,311,141	569,494	1,311,141	569,494
Common stock | Nonvoting common stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			0	12,483
Conversion of non-voting to voting common stock				(2,102)
Ending balance	0	10,381	0	10,381
AOCI attributable to parent
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(36,445)	5,668
Ending balance	(36,445)	5,668	(36,445)	5,668
Retained earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			214,582	161,076
Net income attributable to Media General			(5,798)	12,171
Revaluation of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(1,431)
Ending balance	$ 207,353	$ 173,247	$ 207,353	$ 173,247