Note 6 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Media General	$ 5,385	$ 3,114
Undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities	(41)
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	5,344	3,114
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	88,324	47,803
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.07
Effect of dilutive securities: stock options and warrants (in Shares)	407	12,390
Diluted EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$ 5,344	$ 3,114
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	88,731	60,193
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.05