Supplemental equity information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ 2,894,793	$ 2,539,912
Comprehensive income:
Net income	139,992	97,501	435,493	340,705
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(359)	(396)	(2,209)	(642)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(9,724)	28,954	26,850	28,461
Total comprehensive income	129,909	126,059	460,134	368,524
Dividends declared			(135,513)	(137,246)
Stock-based compensation			25,133	23,130
Treasury shares acquired			(75,815)	(78,786)
Other activity			9,103	12,523
Ending Balance	3,177,835	2,728,057	3,177,835	2,728,057
Gannett Co., Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			2,693,098	2,350,614
Comprehensive income:
Net income			386,142	297,933
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			30,701	27,659
Total comprehensive income			416,843	325,592
Dividends declared			(135,513)	(137,246)
Stock-based compensation			25,133	23,130
Treasury shares acquired			(75,815)	(78,786)
Other activity			11,621	13,576
Ending Balance	2,935,367	2,496,880	2,935,367	2,496,880
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			201,695	189,298
Comprehensive income:
Net income			49,351	42,772
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)			(2,209)	(642)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(3,851)	802
Total comprehensive income			43,291	42,932
Dividends declared			0	0
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Treasury shares acquired			0	0
Other activity			(2,518)	(1,053)
Ending Balance	$ 242,468	$ 231,177	$ 242,468	$ 231,177