Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net operating revenue	$ 343,463	$ 296,734
Operating costs:
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense	151,143	125,876
Selling, general and administrative expenses	78,321	80,470
Amortization of program license rights	12,066	11,758
Corporate and other expenses	10,352	12,651
Depreciation and amortization	40,121	40,283
Gain related to property and equipment, net	(768)	(228)
Merger-related expenses	65,882	5,277
Restructuring expenses	3,982	0
Total operating costs	361,099	276,087
Operating income (loss)	(17,636)	20,647
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(28,556)	(31,023)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs	0	(613)
Other, net	74	3,290
Total other income (expense)	(28,482)	(28,346)
Loss before income taxes	(46,118)	(7,699)
Income tax benefit	20,405	3,157
Net income (loss)	(25,713)	(4,542)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (included above)	477	2,891
Net loss attributable to Media General	(26,190)	(7,433)
Other comprehensive income	0	0
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Media General	$ (26,190)	$ (7,433)
Earnings (loss) per common share (basic and diluted):
Net loss per common share (basic) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.06)
Net loss per common share (assuming dilution) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.06)