Note 9. Guarantor Financial Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 25, 2012
Station revenue (less agency commissions)	$ 73,939	$ 74,214
Operating costs:
Station production expenses	32,003	30,051
Station selling, general, and administrative expenses	22,547	20,594
Corporate and other expenses	7,704	11,876
Depreciation and software amortization	5,521	5,950
Amortization of intangible assets	441	1,313
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net	(43)	(71)
Total operating costs	68,173	69,713
Operating income (loss)	5,766	4,501
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(9,329)	(15,151)
Debt modification costs and extinguishment costs		(10,408)
Interest expense - related party	(9,913)
Other, net	51	182
Total other income (expense)	(19,191)	(25,377)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(13,425)	(20,876)
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,284	3,408
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(16,709)	(24,284)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(956)	(10,140)
Loss related to divestiture of operations	(30)
Net income (loss)	(17,695)	(34,424)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(15,770)	(34,424)
Media General Corporate [Member]
Station revenue (less agency commissions)	5,047	8,554
Operating costs:
Corporate and other expenses	7,514	11,009
Depreciation and software amortization	432	933
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net	(43)	(71)
Total operating costs	7,903	11,871
Operating income (loss)	(2,856)	(3,317)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(9,311)	(15,136)
Debt modification costs and extinguishment costs		(10,408)
Interest expense - related party	(9,913)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	21,071	14,705
Investment income (loss) - consolidated affiliates	(16,715)	(20,477)
Other, net	29	209
Total other income (expense)	(14,839)	(31,107)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(17,695)	(34,424)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(17,695)	(34,424)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Net income (loss)	(17,695)	(34,424)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(15,770)	(34,424)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Station revenue (less agency commissions)	73,939	74,268
Operating costs:
Station production expenses	32,003	30,110
Station selling, general, and administrative expenses	27,594	29,169
Corporate and other expenses		700
Depreciation and software amortization	5,089	5,017
Amortization of intangible assets	441	1,313
Total operating costs	65,127	66,309
Operating income (loss)	8,812	7,959
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(18)	(15)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(21,071)	(14,705)
Other, net	22	(27)
Total other income (expense)	(21,067)	(14,747)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(12,255)	(6,788)
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,284	3,408
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(15,539)	(10,196)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(956)	(10,114)
Loss related to divestiture of operations	(30)
Net income (loss)	(16,525)	(20,310)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(16,525)	(20,310)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Operating costs:
Corporate and other expenses	190	167
Total operating costs	190	167
Operating income (loss)	(190)	(167)
Other income (expense):
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(190)	(167)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(190)	(167)
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Net income (loss)	(190)	(167)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(190)	(167)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Station revenue (less agency commissions)	(5,047)	(8,608)
Operating costs:
Station production expenses		(59)
Station selling, general, and administrative expenses	(5,047)	(8,575)
Total operating costs	(5,047)	(8,634)
Operating income (loss)		26
Other income (expense):
Investment income (loss) - consolidated affiliates	16,715	20,477
Total other income (expense)	16,715	20,477
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	16,715	20,503
Income (loss) from continuing operations	16,715	20,503
Discontinued operations (net of tax):
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(26)
Net income (loss)	16,715	20,477
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 16,715	$ 20,477