Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (74,039)	$ (55,686)
Deferred income tax benefit	(2,221)	(5,769)
Depreciation and amortization	121,220	123,286
Amortization of program license rights	36,808	36,627
Goodwill and other intangible impairment	112,511	52,862
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issue costs	5,554	5,571
(Gain) loss related to property and equipment, net	(538)	(328)
Gain on relocation of spectrum	0	(5,620)
Stock-based compensation	5,588	10,292
Debt modification and extinguishment costs	928	2,805
Change in assets and liabilities:
Program license rights, net of liabilities	(37,453)	(33,123)
Trade accounts receivable	(14,949)	6,698
Company owned life insurance (cash surrender value less policy loans including repayments)	(687)	(275)
Trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(4,308)	3,224
Retirement and postretirement plans	(10,388)	(14,759)
Other, net	3,630	9,691
Net cash provided by operating activities	141,656	135,496
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(33,939)	(40,583)
Release of restricted cash at qualified intermediary	0	119,903
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	6,167	1,279
Proceeds from spectrum relocation	0	3,120
Other, net	(165)	(78)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(27,937)	83,641
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under Media General Revolving Credit Facility	60,000	0
Repayments under Media General Revolving Credit Facility	(60,000)	0
Repayment of other borrowings	(517)	(873)
Repurchase of shares	0	(33,724)
Payment for acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(35,305)	(10,872)
Cash paid for debt modification	0	(3,425)
Exercise of stock options	1,935	1,848
Other, net	(701)	(546)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(96,988)	(225,255)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16,731	(6,118)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	41,091	43,920
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	57,822	37,802
Cash paid for interest	77,820	85,149
Cash paid for income taxes, net	2,921	4,883
Cash paid for Meredith termination fee	60,000	0
Senior Notes 2021 [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of borrowings	0	(15,863)
Media General Credit Agreement [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of borrowings	(60,000)	(160,000)
Shield Media Credit Agreement [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of borrowings	$ (2,400)	$ (1,800)