Debt and Other Financial Instruments - Fair value of financial instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Trading securities	$ 232	$ 449
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	2,245,040	2,422,711
Other borrowings	1,240	2,111
Media General Credit Agreement
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	1,532,129	1,690,753
Long-term debt, fair value	1,519,513	1,686,000
Senior Notes 2022
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	398,225	398,038
Long-term debt, fair value	398,659	397,000
Senior Notes 2021
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	275,420	291,442
Long-term debt, fair value	286,000	289,000
Shield Media Credit Agreement
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	27,800	29,600
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 27,800	$ 29,600