Business segment information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	$ 1,460,004	$ 1,302,699	$ 2,864,070	$ 2,540,434
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges)	242,502	202,882	446,496	353,939
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges	88,096	52,333	165,423	105,172
Broadcasting [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television stations	40		40
Net Operating Revenues	398,258	211,962	780,526	403,542
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges)	171,322	98,092	325,871	181,768
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges	20,621	6,974	47,815	13,909
Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	867,365	904,231	1,709,428	1,775,464
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges)	53,239	85,192	96,227	145,329
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges	53,123	31,415	89,714	63,651
Digital [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	194,381	186,506	374,116	361,428
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges)	35,695	35,277	59,519	58,881
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges	9,603	9,383	17,891	18,490
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges)	(17,754)	(15,679)	(35,121)	(32,039)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges and asset impairment charges	$ 4,749	$ 4,561	$ 10,003	$ 9,122