Note 9. Guarantor Financial Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 19,387	$ 36,802	$ 12,177	$ 23,108
Accounts receivable - net	55,057	58,486
Other	13,899	18,493
Total current assets	88,343	114,451
Assets of discontinued operations		670
Other assets	35,969	45,462
Property, plant and equipment - net	163,430	166,105
FCC licenses and other intangibles - net	199,813	200,254
Excess cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses	247,149	247,149
TOTAL ASSETS	734,704	773,421
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	9,548	11,669
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	40,666	64,362
Total current liabilities	50,214	76,498
Liabilities of discontinued operations		467
Long-term debt	295,964	295,721
Retirement, post-retirement and post-employment plans	240,146	242,309
Deferred income taxes	61,628	58,865
Other liabilities and deferred credits	19,527	18,786
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	138,880	138,819
Additional paid-in capital	23,227	23,024
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(217,731)	(219,656)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(136,106)	(118,411)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(191,730)	(176,224)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	734,704	773,421
Related Party [Member] | Media General Corporate [Member]
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt	258,955	257,466
Related Party [Member]
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt	258,955	257,466
Media General Corporate [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	18,534	36,414	10,735	21,674
Other	4,196	6,562
Total current assets	22,730	42,976
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	11,568	14,281
Intercompany note receivable	566,077	564,681
Other assets	29,522	38,469
Property, plant and equipment - net	19,423	19,647
TOTAL ASSETS	649,320	680,054
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,792	7,488
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	23,242	36,155
Total current liabilities	28,034	43,643
Long-term debt	295,960	295,714
Retirement, post-retirement and post-employment plans	240,146	242,309
Other liabilities and deferred credits	16,475	15,567
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	138,880	138,819
Additional paid-in capital	24,707	24,603
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(217,731)	(219,656)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(136,106)	(118,411)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(190,250)	(174,645)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	649,320	680,054
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	853	388	1,442	1,434
Accounts receivable - net	55,057	58,486
Other	9,703	11,931
Total current assets	65,613	71,475
Assets of discontinued operations		670
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	1,330,144	1,346,705
Other assets	6,286	6,795
Property, plant and equipment - net	144,007	146,458
FCC licenses and other intangibles - net	199,813	200,254
Excess cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses	247,149	247,149
TOTAL ASSETS	1,993,012	2,018,836
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,756	4,181
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	17,424	28,207
Total current liabilities	22,180	32,855
Liabilities of discontinued operations		467
Long-term debt	4	7
Intercompany loan	566,077	564,681
Deferred income taxes	61,628	58,865
Other liabilities and deferred credits	2,206	2,442
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	2,801	2,801
Additional paid-in capital	1,731,097	1,733,641
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(392,981)	(376,456)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	1,340,917	1,359,986
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	1,993,012	2,018,836
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Other assets	161	198
TOTAL ASSETS	161	198
Current liabilities:
Other liabilities and deferred credits	846	777
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	(1,893)	(1,977)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	1,208	1,398
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(685)	(579)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	161	198
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	(1,341,712)	(1,360,986)
Intercompany note receivable	(566,077)	(564,681)
TOTAL ASSETS	(1,907,789)	(1,925,667)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany loan	(566,077)	(564,681)
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	(2,801)	(2,801)
Additional paid-in capital	(1,730,684)	(1,733,243)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	391,773	375,058
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(1,341,712)	(1,360,986)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	$ (1,907,789)	$ (1,925,667)