Summary of the Change in Net Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	$ 11,106,277us-gaap_GoodwillGross	$ 10,096,342us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	(7,315,805)	(7,249,473)
Beginning Balance	3,790,472us-gaap_Goodwill	2,846,869us-gaap_Goodwill
Acquisitions & adjustments	789,097	974,222
Assets Held for Sale	(6,288)gci_GoodwillAssetsHeldforSale
Impairment	(45,581)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss	(20,044)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Dispositions		(19,000)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(27,773)us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments	8,425us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	11,729,283us-gaap_GoodwillGross	11,106,277us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	(7,229,356)	(7,315,805)
Ending Balance	4,499,927us-gaap_Goodwill	3,790,472us-gaap_Goodwill
Broadcasting
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	2,543,333	1,618,602
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	0	0
Beginning Balance	2,543,333	1,618,602
Acquisitions & adjustments	35,268	943,841
Assets Held for Sale	0
Impairment	0	0
Dispositions		(19,000)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0	(110)
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	2,578,601	2,543,333
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	0	0
Ending Balance	2,578,601	2,543,333
Publishing
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	7,807,416	7,754,959
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	(7,187,535)	(7,132,817)
Beginning Balance	619,881	622,142
Acquisitions & adjustments	4,579	2,266
Assets Held for Sale	(6,288)
Impairment	(21,881)	(8,430)
Dispositions		0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(11,134)	3,903
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	7,662,543	7,807,416
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	(7,077,386)	(7,187,535)
Ending Balance	585,157	619,881
Digital
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	755,528	722,781
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	(128,270)	(116,656)
Beginning Balance	627,258	606,125
Acquisitions & adjustments	749,250	28,115
Assets Held for Sale	0
Impairment	(23,700)	(11,614)
Dispositions		0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(16,639)	4,632
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	1,488,139	755,528
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	(151,970)	(128,270)
Ending Balance	$ 1,336,169	$ 627,258

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Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Amount of divestiture of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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