CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 487,999	$ 522,686	$ 1,130,460
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(4,511)	(1,796)	(3,420)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(15,938)	(8,235)	(43,766)
Pension and other postretirement benefit items:
Recognition of previously deferred post-retirement benefit plan costs	8,068	32,533	42,407
Actuarial loss arising during the period	(21,337)	(40,069)	(428,496)
Interim remeasurement of post-retirement benefits liability	0	79,184	0
Other	0	(355)	(10,279)
Pension and other postretirement benefit items	(13,269)	71,293	(396,368)
Unrealized (losses) gains on available for sale investment during the period	(11,346)	3,311	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income before tax	(40,553)	66,369	(440,134)
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	5,066	(28,289)	147,718
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(35,487)	38,080	(292,416)
Comprehensive income	448,001	558,970	834,624
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(39,284)	(55,099)	(57,167)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 408,717	$ 503,871	$ 777,457