Note 7 - 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, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Media General	$ (7,433)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 5,385us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities		(41)
Basic EPS
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	(7,433)	5,344
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (in Shares)	129,384	88,324
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.06us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Effect of dilutive securities:
stock options and warrants (in Shares)		407
Diluted EPS
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ (7,433)	$ 5,344
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (in Shares)	129,384	88,731
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.06us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of call options and warrants using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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Net Income or Loss Available to Common Stockholders plus adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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Amount of undistributed earnings (loss) allocated to participating securities for the basic earnings (loss) per share or per unit calculation under the two-class method.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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