Earnings per share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc.	$ 208,467	$ 113,620	$ 267,626	$ 218,185
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	226,132	228,837	226,681	229,116
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	232,106	234,636	232,187	234,866
Net income per share – basic (In dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 0.50	$ 1.18	$ 0.95
Net income per share – diluted (In dollars per share)	$ 0.90	$ 0.48	$ 1.15	$ 0.93
Restricted Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	2,814	2,971	2,763	2,897
Performance Shares [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	2,212	1,734	1,725	1,797
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	948	1,094	1,018	1,056