CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 6,008,174	$ 5,161,362	$ 5,353,197
Operating expenses
Cost of sales and operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation	3,048,579	2,882,449	2,943,847
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation	1,539,476	1,291,858	1,303,427
Depreciation	185,868	153,203	160,746
Amortization of intangible assets	79,856	36,369	33,293
Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges (see Notes 3 and 4)	96,364	58,240	122,129
Total operating expenses	4,950,143	4,422,119	4,563,442
Operating income	1,058,031	739,243	789,755
Non-operating (expense) income
Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net (see Notes 3 and 5)	167,319	43,824	22,387
Interest expense	(273,244)	(176,064)	(150,469)
Other non-operating items	403,954	(47,890)	8,734
Total	298,029	(180,130)	(119,348)
Income before income taxes	1,356,060	559,113	670,407
Provision for income taxes	225,600	113,200	195,400
Net income	1,130,460	445,913	475,007
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(68,289)	(57,233)	(50,727)
Net income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc.	$ 1,062,171	$ 388,680	$ 424,280
Net income per share-basic (in dollars per share)	$ 4.69	$ 1.70	$ 1.83
Net income per share-diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.58	$ 1.66	$ 1.79