Supplemental Equity Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 3,489,273	$ 2,894,793
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 105,742	$ 139,992	364,717	435,493
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(310)	(359)	(1,595)	(2,209)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	35,741	(9,724)	51,922	26,850
Comprehensive income	141,173	129,909	415,044	460,134
Dividends declared			(122,480)	(135,513)
Stock-based compensation			17,112	25,133
Treasury shares acquired			(200,569)	(75,815)
Spin-off of Publishing businesses			(1,209,782)
Other activity			(4,579)	9,103
Ending Balance	2,384,019	3,177,835	2,384,019	3,177,835
TEGNA Inc. Shareholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			3,254,914	2,693,098
Comprehensive income:
Net income			317,017	386,142
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			56,498	30,701
Comprehensive income			373,515	416,843
Dividends declared			(122,480)	(135,513)
Stock-based compensation			17,112	25,133
Treasury shares acquired			(200,569)	(75,815)
Spin-off of Publishing businesses			(1,209,782)
Other activity			20,192	11,621
Ending Balance	2,132,902	2,935,367	2,132,902	2,935,367
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			234,359	201,695
Comprehensive income:
Net income			47,700	49,351
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)			(1,595)	(2,209)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(4,576)	(3,851)
Comprehensive income			41,529	43,291
Dividends declared			0	0
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Treasury shares acquired			0	0
Spin-off of Publishing businesses			0
Other activity			(24,771)	(2,518)
Ending Balance	$ 251,117	$ 242,468	$ 251,117	$ 242,468