Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 133,435	$ 105,742	$ 343,756	$ 364,718
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(1,353)	(310)	(3,628)	(1,595)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,973)	(5,033)	(7,934)	(4,639)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items:
Recognition of previously deferred post-retirement benefit plan costs	1,763	3,818	6,085	33,990
Actuarial loss arising during period	0	(14,631)	0	(14,631)
Remeasurement of post-retirement benefits liability	0	79,184	0	79,184
Other	0	0	0	(4,398)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items	1,763	68,371	6,085	94,145
Unrealized loss on available for sale investments during the period	(3,743)	(518)	(8,017)	(518)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(3,953)	62,820	(9,866)	88,988
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(688)	(27,079)	(2,368)	(37,067)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(4,641)	35,741	(12,234)	51,921
Comprehensive income	127,441	141,173	327,894	415,044
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(12,470)	(14,806)	(32,813)	(41,530)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 114,971	$ 126,367	$ 295,081	$ 373,514