Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (39,729)	$ 56,520	$ 4,354
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss):
Deferred income tax expense	2,380	44,285	11,584
Depreciation and amortization	168,120	66,557	25,772
Amortization of program license rights	48,716	21,630	11,362
Goodwill impairment	52,862	0	0
Non-cash interest expense	7,405	3,721	844
Gain on sale of stations	0	(42,957)	0
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment, net	(312)	(8,935)	399
Gain on relocation of spectrum	(5,620)	0	0
Stock-based compensation	14,045	4,071	6,101
Debt modification and extinguishment costs	3,610	3,513	4,509
Change in assets and liabilities:
Program license rights, net of liabilities	(44,727)	(21,834)	(12,015)
Trade accounts receivable	(19,649)	(2,658)	(9,262)
Trade accounts payable	(3,614)	9,189	(6,401)
Accrued salaries, wages, other accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(21,120)	(13,786)	(28,350)
Contributions to retirement plans	(5,499)	(49,879)	(6,225)
Other, net	80	(915)	5,128
Net cash provided by operating activities	156,948	68,522	7,800
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(59,126)	(36,615)	(15,166)
Payments for acquisition of station assets	0	(175,662)	(14,324)
Proceeds from station sales	0	357,315	0
Cash and cash equivalents acquired in merger transaction	0	25,507	17,327
Cash consideration LIN Merger	0	(763,075)	0
Collateral refunds related to letters of credit	0	980	2,498
Proceeds from the sale of PP&E	2,060	25,914	0
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash at qualified intermediary	119,903	(119,903)	0
Proceeds from spectrum relocation	3,120	0	0
Other, net	(28)	(283)	126
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	65,929	(685,822)	(9,539)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	0	10,000	0
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility	0	(10,000)	0
Other borrowings	0	0	10,000
Repayment of other borrowings	(1,161)	0	(868,405)
Cash paid for debt modification	(4,288)	(35,198)	(11,896)
Repurchase of common stock	(33,724)	0	0
Payment for the acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(10,872)	0	0
Other, net	1,739	1,123	2,414
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(225,706)	589,602	49,113
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(2,829)	(27,698)	47,374
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	43,920	71,618	24,244
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	41,091	43,920	71,618
Cash paid:
Interest	113,140	45,172	26,461
Income taxes, net	5,073	1,741	1,047
Non cash investing activity: Merger transactions	0	(736,289)	(434,186)
LIN Merger [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowings	0	(577,610)	0
Media General Credit Agreement [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal borrowings	0	889,687	885,000
Repayment of borrowings	(160,000)	(84,000)	0
2022 Senior Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal borrowings	0	398,000	0
Shield Media Credit Agreement [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal borrowings	0	0	32,000
Repayment of borrowings	(2,400)	(2,400)	0
2021 Senior Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowings	(15,000)	$ 0	$ 0
2021 Senior Notes [Member] | LIN Merger [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowings	$ (15,000)