Note 11. Guarantor Financial Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 20,211	$ (2,938)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(4,253)	(10,579)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	(5,441)
Other, net	1,836	259
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(7,858)	(10,320)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings	395,500	45,000
Repayment of borrowings	(387,098)	(50,000)
Debt issuance costs	(27,172)
Other, net	(30)	(3)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(18,800)	(5,003)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(6,447)	(18,261)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	23,108	31,860
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	16,661	13,599
Media General Corporate [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	17,928	(7,596)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(412)	(936)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	(5,441)
Net change in intercompany note receivable	(472)	(5,495)
Other, net	894	53
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(5,431)	(6,378)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings	395,500	45,000
Repayment of borrowings	(387,098)	(50,000)
Debt issuance costs	(27,172)
Other, net	18	21
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(18,752)	(4,979)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(6,255)	(18,953)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	21,674	30,893
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	15,419	11,940
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,243	4,634
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(3,841)	(9,643)
Other, net	942	206
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(2,899)	(9,437)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	472	5,495
Other, net	(8)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	464	5,495
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(192)	692
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,434	967
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,242	1,659
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	40	24
Cash flows from financing activities:
Other, net	(40)	(24)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(40)	(24)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net change in intercompany note receivable	472	5,495
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	472	5,495
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	(472)	(5,495)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	$ (472)	$ (5,495)