Goodwill and Other Asset Impairment (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) reporting_unit	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) reporting_unit	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Reporting units tested for impairment, number | reporting_unit				3
Reporting units to pass impairment test, number | reporting_unit				2
Reporting unit, percentage of fair value in excess of carrying amount (more than)		10.00%		10.00%
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment		$ 53,000
Goodwill	$ 1,451,036		$ 1,451,036		$ 1,544,624
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit			3
Goodwill and other intangible impairment	112,511	52,862	$ 112,511	$ 52,862
Definite lived intangible assets, net	788,000		788,000		$ 871,129
Digital [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	101,000	195,000	101,000	195,000
Definite lived intangible assets, net	23,000		$ 23,000
Weighted average useful life			3 years
LIN Digital [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 80,000		$ 80,000
New Federated Media [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	30,000		$ 30,000
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit			1
Goodwill and other intangible impairment	$ 113,000