Fair Value Measurement - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 29, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	$ 77,880		$ 77,880		$ 77,199
Available for sale investment in Gannett's outstanding shares held by Tegna (as a percent of shares outstanding)						1.50%
Asset impairment charges and facility consolidation	3,728	$ 12,355	3,728	$ 17,079
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	77,880		77,880		77,199
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	0		0		0
Fair value of total long-term debt	$ 4,410,000		$ 4,410,000		$ 4,310,000
Available-for-sale Securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale investment in Gannett's outstanding shares held by Tegna (as a percent of shares outstanding)	1.50%		1.50%