Note 11 - Guarantor Financial Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$ 36,389	$ 16,663	$ 85,706
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(17,886)	(19,053)	(26,482)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	(4,830)
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	135,642
Other, net	1,800	448	692
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	114,726	(18,605)	(25,790)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings	13,000	112,500	134,156
Repayment of borrowings	(377,298)	(118,786)	(476,653)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes			293,070
Increase in related party borrowings	382,500
Repayment of related party borrowings	(126,963)
Debt issuance costs	(28,868)		(12,078)
Other, net	208	(524)	217
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(137,421)	(6,810)	(61,288)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	13,694	(8,752)	(1,372)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	23,108	31,860	33,232
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	36,802	23,108	31,860
Media General Corporate [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(90,932)	3,402	(7,063)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,393)	(1,772)	(1,489)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	(4,830)
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	135,642
Net change in intercompany note receivable	112,788	(4,204)	68,954
Other, net	894	74	73
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	243,101	(5,902)	67,538
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings	13,000	112,500	134,156
Repayment of borrowings	(377,298)	(118,786)	(476,625)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes			293,070
Increase in related party borrowings	382,500
Repayment of related party borrowings	(126,963)
Debt issuance costs	(28,868)		(12,078)
Other, net	200	(433)	204
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(137,429)	(6,719)	(61,273)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14,740	(9,219)	(798)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	21,674	30,893	31,691
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	36,414	21,674	30,893
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	127,338	13,173	92,782
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(16,493)	(17,281)	(24,993)
Other, net	906	374	619
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(15,587)	(16,907)	(24,374)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowings			(28)
Net change in intercompany loan	(112,788)	4,204	(68,954)
Other, net	(9)	(3)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(112,797)	4,201	(68,982)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,046)	467	(574)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,434	967	1,541
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	388	1,434	967
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(17)	88	(13)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Other, net	17	(88)	13
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	17	(88)	13
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net change in intercompany note receivable	(112,788)	4,204	(68,954)
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(112,788)	4,204	(68,954)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	112,788	(4,204)	68,954
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	$ 112,788	$ (4,204)	$ 68,954