Consolidated Statements of Equity And Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Treasury stock
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 1,340,924	$ 324,419	$ 301,352	$ 6,429,512	$ (136,511)	$ (5,577,848)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	153,934			153,934
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	2,317				2,317
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	156,251
Dividends declared: $0.07 per share	(30,297)			(30,297)
Company stock 401(k) contribution	3,244		(7,259)			10,503
Stock-based awards activity	(447)		(48,136)			47,689
Stock-based compensation	9,442		9,442
Other activity	625		625
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	1,479,742	324,419	256,024	6,553,149	(134,194)	(5,519,656)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	0
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest	0
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	0
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019	1,405,251	324,419	262,823	6,488,352	(135,432)	(5,534,911)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	79,955			79,955
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,238				1,238
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	81,193
Dividends declared: $0.07 per share	(15,158)			(15,158)
Company stock 401(k) contribution	3,244		(7,259)			10,503
Stock-based awards activity	(109)		(4,861)			4,752
Stock-based compensation	5,008		5,008
Other activity	313		313
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	1,479,742	324,419	256,024	6,553,149	(134,194)	(5,519,656)
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019	0
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest	0
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	0
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	1,590,377	324,419	247,497	6,655,088	(142,597)	(5,494,030)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	106,255			106,255
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	2,418				2,418
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	108,673
Dividends declared: $0.07 per share	(30,590)			(30,590)
Company stock 401(k) contribution	8,566		(35,719)			44,285
Stock-based awards activity	(9,095)		(79,756)			70,661
Stock-based compensation	7,568		7,568
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(373)			(373)
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value	(484)
Other activity	665		665
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	1,675,307	324,419	140,255	6,729,896	(140,179)	(5,379,084)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	0
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(484)
Sale of minority ownership interest in Premion	14,000
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest	373
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value	484
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	14,373
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020	1,658,256	324,419	152,106	6,725,911	(141,175)	(5,403,005)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	19,947			19,947
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	996				996
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	20,943
Dividends declared: $0.07 per share	(15,308)			(15,308)
Company stock 401(k) contribution	3,428		(17,888)			21,316
Stock-based awards activity	(22)		(2,627)			2,605
Stock-based compensation	8,325		8,325
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(280)			(280)
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value	(374)			(374)
Other activity	339		339
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	1,675,307	$ 324,419	$ 140,255	$ 6,729,896	$ (140,179)	$ (5,379,084)
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020	14,093
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(374)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest	280
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value	374
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 14,373