Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 1,447,970	$ 1,500,421
Net loss attributable to Media General	$ (68,707)	$ (48,493)	(76,399)	(54,291)
Exercise of stock options			1,935	1,848
Stock-based compensation			5,588	10,292
Revaluation of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(12,541)	(7,907)
Repurchases of voting common stock		(15,000)		(33,724)
Other			685	55
Ending balance	1,367,238	1,416,694	1,367,238	1,416,694
Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			1,305,155	1,322,284
Exercise of stock options			1,935	1,848
Stock-based compensation			5,588	10,292
Revaluation of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(12,094)	(6,920)
Repurchases of voting common stock				(33,724)
Other			685	55
Ending balance	1,301,269	1,293,835	1,301,269	1,293,835
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(31,224)	(36,445)
Ending balance	(31,224)	(36,445)	(31,224)	(36,445)
Retained Earnings [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			174,039	214,582
Net loss attributable to Media General			(76,399)	(54,291)
Revaluation of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(447)	(987)
Ending balance	$ 97,193	$ 159,304	$ 97,193	$ 159,304