Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 95,936	$ 127,483
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(925)	(1,233)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,201	(32,309)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items:
Recognition of previously deferred post-retirement benefit plan costs	1,900	15,077
Other	0	18,539
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items	1,900	33,616
Unrealized loss on available for sale investments during the period	(1,983)	0
Other comprehensive income, before tax	1,118	1,307
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(738)	(9,141)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	380	(7,834)
Comprehensive income	95,391	118,416
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(10,133)	(7,791)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 85,258	$ 110,625