Note 11 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Media General	$ 6,140	$ 35,921	$ 103,924
Undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities	(13)
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	6,127	35,921	103,924
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	53,337	43,590	54,532
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.82	$ 1.91
Effect of dilutive securities: warrants and other (in Shares)	10,764	24,489	36,796
Diluted EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$ 6,127	$ 35,921	$ 103,924
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	64,101	68,079	91,328
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.53	$ 1.14