Note 11. Guarantor Financial Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$ (27,823)	$ 18,435
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(11,788)	(7,263)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	1,366	(10,271)
Proceeds from dispositions		139,902
Other, net	(68)	1,986
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(10,490)	124,354
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings		13,000
Increase in related party borrowings	40,000	382,500
Repayment of borrowings		(377,298)
Repayment of related party borrrowings	(10,000)	(126,963)
Debt issuance costs	(16,243)	(28,772)
Other, net	3,169	86
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	16,926	(137,447)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(21,387)	5,342
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	36,802	23,108
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	15,415	28,450
Media General Corporate [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(13,579)	(99,462)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(795)	(1,604)
Collateral deposit related to letters of credit	1,366	(10,271)
Net change in intercompany note receivable	(24,058)	114,110
Proceeds from dispositions		139,902
Other, net	(181)	894
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(23,668)	243,031
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in borrowings		13,000
Increase in related party borrowings	40,000	382,500
Repayment of borrowings		(377,298)
Repayment of related party borrrowings	(10,000)	(126,963)
Debt issuance costs	(16,243)	(28,772)
Other, net	2,160	55
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	15,917	(137,478)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(21,330)	6,091
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	36,414	21,674
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	15,084	27,765
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(13,233)	117,937
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(10,993)	(5,659)
Other, net	113	1,092
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(10,880)	(4,567)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	24,058	(114,110)
Other, net	(2)	(9)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	24,056	(114,119)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(57)	(749)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	388	1,434
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	331	685
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(1,011)	(40)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Other, net	1,011	40
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	1,011	40
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net change in intercompany note receivable	24,058	(114,110)
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	24,058	(114,110)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany loan	(24,058)	114,110
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	$ (24,058)	$ 114,110