Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net operating revenue	$ 321,736	$ 160,224	$ 938,993	$ 458,253
Operating costs:
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense	143,492	54,679	403,537	156,112
Selling, general and administrative expenses	78,777	39,440	238,298	123,702
Amortization of program license rights	12,822	5,167	36,627	15,077
Corporate and other expenses	12,598	5,567	37,615	19,778
Depreciation and amortization	40,385	15,643	123,286	48,278
(Gain) loss related to property and equipment, net	96	676	(328)	897
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	52,862	0	52,862	0
Merger-related and restructuring expenses	10,014	3,596	18,907	13,173
Restructuring Charges	1,132	275	1,132	4,764
Total operating costs	352,178	125,043	911,936	381,781
Operating income	(30,442)	35,181	27,057	76,472
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	29,481	(9,826)	89,792	(29,432)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs	365	0	2,805	183
Other, net	27	19	5,939	19
Total other expense	(29,819)	(9,807)	(86,658)	(29,596)
Income before income taxes	(60,261)	25,374	(59,601)	46,876
Income tax expense	4,374	(11,525)	(3,915)	(20,696)
Net income	(55,887)	13,849	(55,686)	26,180
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (included above)	(7,394)	454	(1,395)	614
Net income (loss) attributable to Media General	(48,493)	13,395	(54,291)	25,566
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Media General	$ (48,493)	$ 13,395	$ (54,291)	$ 25,566
Earnings (loss) per common share (basic and diluted):
Net earnings (loss) per common share (basic) (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.38)	$ 0.15	$ (0.42)	$ 0.29
Net earnings per common share (assuming dilution) (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.38)	$ 0.15	$ (0.42)	$ 0.29