Note 6 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Media General	$ 13,395	$ 4,477	$ 25,566	$ 11,297
Undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities	(75)		(165)
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	13,320	4,477	25,401	11,297
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	88,535,000	47,803,000	88,444,000	47,803,000
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.09	$ 0.29	$ 0.24
Effect of dilutive securities:
stock options and warrants (in Shares)	492,000	12,390,000	499,000	12,390,000
Diluted EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$ 13,320	$ 4,477	$ 25,401	$ 11,297
Income available to common stockholders (in Shares)	89,027,000	60,193,000	88,943,000	60,193,351
Income available to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.07	$ 0.29	$ 0.19