Stockholders' Equity (Details) - Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 772,757	$ 1,500,421	$ 736,981
Net income attributable to Media General	$ (48,493)	13,395	(54,291)	25,566
Conversion of non-voting to voting common stock				0
Exercise of stock options			1,848	483
Stock-based compensation			10,292	2,431
Director deferred stock units				7,361
Revaluation of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(7,907)
Repurchases of Voting Common Stock			(33,724)
Other			55	(65)
Ending balance	1,416,694		1,416,694
Common stock | Voting common stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		574,269	1,322,284	557,754
Conversion of non-voting to voting common stock				6,305
Exercise of stock options			1,848	483
Stock-based compensation			10,292	2,431
Noncontrolling Interest, Change in Redemption Value			(6,920)
Director deferred stock units				7,361
Repurchases of Voting Common Stock	(14,977)		(33,724)
Other			55	(65)
Ending balance	1,293,835		1,293,835
Common stock | Nonvoting common stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		6,178	0	12,483
Conversion of non-voting to voting common stock				(6,305)
Ending balance	0		0
AOCI attributable to parent
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		5,668	(36,445)	5,668
Ending balance	(36,445)		(36,445)
Retained earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 186,642	214,582	161,076
Net income attributable to Media General			(54,291)	$ 25,566
Revaluation of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(987)
Ending balance	$ 159,304		$ 159,304