Debt and Other Financial Instruments - Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 2,244,150	$ 2,422,711
Other borrowings	950	2,111
Less: net unamortized discount	(8,992)	(10,768)
Less: scheduled current maturities	(3,804)	(11,781)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	2,231,354	2,400,162
Media General Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	1,541,000	1,701,000
The 2022 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	400,000	400,000
The 2021 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	275,000	290,000
Shield Media Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 27,200	$ 29,600