Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net operating revenue	$ 377,356	$ 321,736	$ 1,083,525	$ 938,993
Operating costs:
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense	154,815	143,492	459,557	403,537
Selling, general and administrative expenses	74,623	78,777	229,102	238,298
Amortization of program license rights	12,666	12,822	36,808	36,627
Corporate and other expenses	8,671	12,598	37,124	37,615
Depreciation and amortization	40,762	40,385	121,220	123,286
(Gain) loss related to property and equipment, net	143	96	(538)	(328)
Goodwill and other intangible impairment	112,511	52,862	112,511	52,862
Merger-related expenses	1,360	10,014	68,803	18,907
Restructuring (income) expenses	(45)	1,132	4,933	1,132
Total operating costs	405,506	352,178	1,069,520	911,936
Operating income (loss)	(28,150)	(30,442)	14,005	27,057
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(28,526)	(29,481)	(85,611)	(89,792)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs	(928)	(365)	(928)	(2,805)
Other, net	79	27	275	5,939
Total other income (expense)	(29,375)	(29,819)	(86,264)	(86,658)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(57,525)	(60,261)	(72,259)	(59,601)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(10,029)	4,374	(1,780)	3,915
Net income (loss)	(67,554)	(55,887)	(74,039)	(55,686)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (included above)	1,153	(7,394)	2,360	(1,395)
Net income (loss) attributable to Media General	(68,707)	(48,493)	(76,399)	(54,291)
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Media General	$ (68,707)	$ (48,493)	$ (76,399)	$ (54,291)
Loss per common share (basic and diluted):
Net earnings (loss) per common share (basic) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.53)	$ (0.38)	$ (0.59)	$ (0.42)
Net earnings (loss) per common share (assuming dilution) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.53)	$ (0.38)	$ (0.59)	$ (0.42)