Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	$ 9.7	$ 10.8
Accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits	1.2	$ 1.5
Estimated decrease in gross unrecognized tax positions within the next 12 months, maximum	$ 3.5

Income taxes.

No definition available.

Name:	tgna_IncomeTaxesTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tgna_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of decrease reasonably possible in the next twelve months for the unrecognized tax benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (d)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32718-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DecreaseInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossible
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount accrued for interest on an underpayment of income taxes and penalties related to a tax position claimed or expected to be claimed in the tax return.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32718-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=SL6600010-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant