Note 9. Guarantor Financial Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 25, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$ (15,490)	$ 4,405
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(3,290)	(1,516)
Refund of collateral deposit related to letters of collateral	1,366
Other, net	(214)	78
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(2,138)	(1,438)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings		8,000
Repayment of borrowings		(8,000)
Debt issuance costs		(13,902)
Other, net	213	4
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	213	(13,898)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(17,415)	(10,931)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	36,802	23,108
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	19,387	12,177
Media General Corporate [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(17,528)	(13,930)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(204)	(382)
Refund of collateral deposit related to letters of collateral	1,366
Net change in intercompany note receivable	(1,396)	17,256
Other, net	(248)
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(482)	16,874
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings		8,000
Repayment of borrowings		(8,000)
Debt issuance costs		(13,902)
Other, net	130	19
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	130	(13,883)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(17,880)	(10,939)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	36,414	21,674
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	18,534	10,735
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	2,121	18,322
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(3,086)	(1,134)
Other, net	34	78
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(3,052)	(1,056)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	1,396	(17,256)
Other, net		(2)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	1,396	(17,258)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	465	8
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	388	1,434
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	853	1,442
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(83)	13
Cash flows from financing activities:
Other, net	83	(13)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	83	(13)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net change in intercompany note receivable	1,396	(17,256)
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	1,396	(17,256)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	(1,396)	17,256
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	$ (1,396)	$ 17,256