Summary of Equity Account Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010	Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ 2,334,073	$ 1,747,475
Comprehensive income:
Net income	165,527	205,901	263,669	325,215
Less: Redeemable noncontrolling interest accretion (income not available to shareholders)		(1,458)	(973)	(2,838)
Other comprehensive income	(6,728)	(6,663)	15,478	(37,531)
Dividends declared			(19,202)	(19,053)
Stock option and restricted stock compensation			14,953	17,181
401(k) match			12,236	11,050
Dispositions				378
Other activity			1,874	1,443
Ending Balance	2,622,108	2,043,320	2,622,108	2,043,320
Gannett Co., Inc. Shareholders' Equity
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			2,163,754	1,603,925
Comprehensive income:
Net income			242,020	312,657
Other comprehensive income			13,554	(29,855)
Dividends declared			(19,202)	(19,053)
Stock option and restricted stock compensation			14,953	17,181
401(k) match			12,236	11,050
Other activity			1,811	1,443
Ending Balance	2,429,126	1,897,348	2,429,126	1,897,348
Noncontrolling Interest
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			170,319	143,550
Comprehensive income:
Net income			21,649	12,558
Less: Redeemable noncontrolling interest accretion (income not available to shareholders)			(973)	(2,838)
Other comprehensive income			1,924	(7,676)
Dispositions				378
Other activity			63
Ending Balance	$ 192,982	$ 145,972	$ 192,982	$ 145,972

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Equity impact of common stock cash dividends declared by an entity during the period. This element includes paid and unpaid dividends declared during the period.

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Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

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Value of shares issued during the period to an employee benefit plan, such as a defined contribution or defined benefit plan.

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