Note 11. Guarantor Financial Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$ 18,435	$ (7,653)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(7,263)	(15,681)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	(10,271)
Proceeds from dispositions	139,902
Other, net	1,986	408
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	124,354	(15,273)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings	395,500	88,500
Repayment of borrowings	(504,261)	(87,286)
Debt issuance costs	(28,772)
Other, net	86	(49)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(137,447)	1,165
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,342	(21,761)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	23,108	31,860
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	28,450	10,099
Media General Corporate [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(99,462)	(5,342)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,604)	(1,735)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	(10,271)
Net change in intercompany note receivable	114,110	(16,742)
Proceeds from dispositions	139,902
Other, net	894	74
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	243,031	(18,403)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings	395,500	88,500
Repayment of borrowings	(504,261)	(87,286)
Debt issuance costs	(28,772)
Other, net	55	10
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(137,478)	1,224
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6,091	(22,521)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	21,674	30,893
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	27,765	8,372
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	117,937	(2,370)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(5,659)	(13,946)
Other, net	1,092	334
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(4,567)	(13,612)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	(114,110)	16,742
Other, net	(9)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(114,119)	16,742
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(749)	760
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,434	967
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	685	1,727
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(40)	59
Cash flows from financing activities:
Other, net	40	(59)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	40	(59)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net change in intercompany note receivable	(114,110)	16,742
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(114,110)	16,742
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	114,110	(16,742)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	$ 114,110	$ (16,742)