Note 11. Guarantor Financial Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 24, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 16,661	$ 23,108	$ 13,599	$ 31,860
Accounts receivable - net	60,702	59,260
Other	18,796	17,513
Assets of discontinued operations	183,615	337,853
Total current assets	279,774	437,734
Other assets	35,870	28,350
Property, plant and equipment - net	159,408	169,827
FCC licenses and other intangibles - net	201,250	203,023
Excess cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses	247,107	247,107
TOTAL ASSETS	923,409	1,086,041
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	19,334	16,631
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	54,644	46,815
Liabilities of discontinued operations	32,547	38,269
Total current liabilities	106,525	101,715
Long-term debt	651,911	658,199
Retirement, post-retirement and post-employment plans	218,820	223,132
Deferred income taxes	52,721	45,954
Other liabilities and deferred credits	22,694	23,088
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	116,760	115,487
Additional paid-in capital	44,922	28,711
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(185,116)	(185,116)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(105,828)	74,871
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(129,262)	33,953
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	923,409	1,086,041
Media General Corporate [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	15,419	21,674	11,940	30,893
Other	9,782	3,698
Total current assets	25,201	25,372
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	62,133	233,450
Intercompany note receivable	677,941	677,469
Other assets	29,244	19,694
Property, plant and equipment - net	22,445	25,813
TOTAL ASSETS	816,964	981,798
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	14,605	11,390
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	39,374	33,430
Total current liabilities	53,979	44,820
Long-term debt	651,904	658,199
Retirement, post-retirement and post-employment plans	218,820	223,132
Other liabilities and deferred credits	19,456	19,403
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	116,760	115,487
Additional paid-in capital	46,989	31,002
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(185,116)	(185,116)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(105,828)	74,871
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(127,195)	36,244
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	816,964	981,798
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,242	1,434	1,659	967
Accounts receivable - net	60,702	59,260
Other	9,014	13,815
Assets of discontinued operations	183,615	337,853
Total current assets	254,573	412,362
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	1,997,804	1,985,266
Other assets	6,446	8,451
Property, plant and equipment - net	136,963	144,014
FCC licenses and other intangibles - net	201,250	203,023
Excess cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses	247,107	247,107
TOTAL ASSETS	2,844,143	3,000,223
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,735	5,247
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	15,270	13,385
Liabilities of discontinued operations	32,547	38,269
Total current liabilities	52,552	56,901
Long-term debt	7
Intercompany loan	677,941	677,469
Deferred income taxes	52,721	45,954
Other liabilities and deferred credits	2,463	2,890
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	4,872	4,872
Additional paid-in capital	2,435,790	2,435,790
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(382,203)	(223,653)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	2,058,459	2,217,009
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	2,844,143	3,000,223
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Other assets	180	205
TOTAL ASSETS	180	205
Current liabilities:
Other liabilities and deferred credits	775	795
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	(2,034)	(1,994)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	1,439	1,404
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(595)	(590)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	180	205
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	(2,059,937)	(2,218,716)
Intercompany note receivable	(677,941)	(677,469)
TOTAL ASSETS	(2,737,878)	(2,896,185)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	(6)	(6)
Total current liabilities	(6)	(6)
Intercompany loan	(677,941)	(677,469)
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	(4,872)	(4,872)
Additional paid-in capital	(2,435,823)	(2,436,087)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	380,764	222,249
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(2,059,931)	(2,218,710)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	$ (2,737,878)	$ (2,896,185)