Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
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, before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(28,412)	30,471	(10,951)	(2,402)
Pension and other postretirement benefit items:
Amortization of prior service credit, net	(1,191)	(403)	(2,891)	(1,209)
Amortization of actuarial loss	11,668	16,071	34,901	48,206
Remeasurement of post-retirement benefits liability	0	0	33,907	0
Other	18,068	(18,202)	2,656	729
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items	28,545	(2,534)	68,573	47,726
Other	(4,912)	2,665	(3,851)	802
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(4,779)	30,602	53,771	46,126
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income	(4,945)	(1,648)	(26,921)	(17,665)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(9,724)	28,954	26,850	28,461
Comprehensive income	129,909	126,059	460,134	368,524
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(16,205)	(20,022)	(43,291)	(42,932)
Comprehensive income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc.	$ 113,704	$ 106,037	$ 416,843	$ 325,592