Note 5 - Debt and Other Financial Instruments (Details) - Long-term Debt (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 5 - Debt and Other Financial Instruments (Details) - Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 2,386,815us-gaap_LongTermDebt	$ 2,422,711us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Less: net unamortized discount	(10,460)	(10,768)
Less: scheduled current maturities	(3,555)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent	(11,781)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
Long-term debt excluding current maturities	2,372,800us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent	2,400,162us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Other borrowings	1,815us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt	2,111us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
Media General Credit Agreement [Member]
Note 5 - Debt and Other Financial Instruments (Details) - Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	1,666,000	1,701,000
The 2022 Notes [Member]
Note 5 - Debt and Other Financial Instruments (Details) - Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	400,000	400,000
The 2021 Notes [Member]
Note 5 - Debt and Other Financial Instruments (Details) - Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	290,000	290,000
Shield Media Credit Agreement [Member]
Note 5 - Debt and Other Financial Instruments (Details) - Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 29,000	$ 29,600

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The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

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Amount of long-term debt, after unamortized discount or premium, scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Including both current and noncurrent portions, carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of other forms of debt not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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