Debt and Other Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments
Trading securities	$ 410	$ 257
Long-term debt:
Other borrowings	433	950
Media General Credit Agreement [Member]
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	1,457,278	1,507,182
Long-term debt, fair value	1,527,858	1,529,229
Senior Notes 2022 [Member]
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	393,342	392,527
Long-term debt, fair value	419,000	404,344
Senior Notes 2021 [Member]
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	275,290	275,340
Long-term debt, fair value	285,725	288,228
Shield Media Credit Agreement [Member]
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, carrying amount	24,540	26,915
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 24,800	$ 27,200