Note 11. Guarantor Financial Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 23, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 15,415	$ 36,802	$ 28,450	$ 23,108
Accounts receivable - net	58,667	58,486
Other	18,798	18,493
Total current assets	92,880	114,451
Assets of discontinued operations		670
Other assets	50,563	45,462
Property, plant and equipment - net	160,353	166,105
FCC licenses and other intangibles - net	198,931	200,254
Excess cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses	247,149	247,149
TOTAL ASSETS	749,876	773,421
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	11,920	11,669
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	44,200	64,362
Total current liabilities	56,120	76,498
Liabilities of discontinued operations		467
Long-term debt	296,459	295,721
Retirement, post-retirement and post-employment plans	232,650	242,309
Deferred income taxes	68,091	58,865
Other liabilities and deferred credits	21,811	18,786
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	140,769	138,819
Additional paid-in capital	24,794	23,024
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(215,884)	(219,656)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(166,868)	(118,411)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(217,189)	(176,224)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	749,876	773,421
Related Party [Member] | Media General Corporate [Member]
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt	291,934	257,466
Related Party [Member]
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt	291,934	257,466
Media General Corporate [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	15,084	36,414	27,765	21,674
Other	4,026	6,562
Total current assets	19,110	42,976
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	(18,960)	14,281
Intercompany note receivable	588,739	564,681
Other assets	44,725	38,469
Property, plant and equipment - net	19,088	19,647
TOTAL ASSETS	652,702	680,054
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,531	7,488
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	21,390	36,155
Total current liabilities	29,921	43,643
Long-term debt	296,454	295,714
Retirement, post-retirement and post-employment plans	232,650	242,309
Other liabilities and deferred credits	18,383	15,567
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	140,769	138,819
Additional paid-in capital	25,343	24,603
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(215,884)	(219,656)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(166,868)	(118,411)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(216,640)	(174,645)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	652,702	680,054
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	331	388	685	1,434
Accounts receivable - net	58,667	58,486
Other	14,772	11,931
Total current assets	73,770	71,475
Assets of discontinued operations		670
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	1,340,699	1,346,705
Other assets	5,602	6,795
Property, plant and equipment - net	141,265	146,458
FCC licenses and other intangibles - net	198,931	200,254
Excess cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses	247,149	247,149
TOTAL ASSETS	2,007,416	2,018,836
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,389	4,181
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	22,810	28,207
Total current liabilities	26,199	32,855
Liabilities of discontinued operations		467
Long-term debt	5	7
Intercompany loan	588,739	564,681
Deferred income taxes	68,091	58,865
Other liabilities and deferred credits	2,747	2,442
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock	2,801	2,801
Additional paid-in capital	1,731,100	1,733,641
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(412,266)	(376,456)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	1,321,635	1,359,986
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	2,007,416	2,018,836
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Other assets	236	198
TOTAL ASSETS	236	198
Current liabilities:
Other liabilities and deferred credits	681	777
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	(965)	(1,977)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	520	1,398
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(445)	(579)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	236	198
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	(1,321,739)	(1,360,986)
Intercompany note receivable	(588,739)	(564,681)
TOTAL ASSETS	(1,910,478)	(1,925,667)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany loan	(588,739)	(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)	411,746	375,058
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(1,321,739)	(1,360,986)
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	$ (1,910,478)	$ (1,925,667)