Business Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010	Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	$ 1,334,939	$ 1,365,143	$ 2,586,200	$ 2,664,728
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	241,754	272,609	420,370	489,639
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	56,335	54,354	113,918	109,667
Net Operating Revenues	(2.20%)		(2.90%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(11.30%)		(14.10%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	3.60%		3.90%
Publishing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	977,139	1,027,023	1,906,924	2,018,482
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	138,646	180,330	256,243	344,763
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	37,271	34,251	76,191	69,279
Net Operating Revenues	(4.90%)		(5.50%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(23.10%)		(25.70%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	8.80%		10.00%
Digital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	173,447	154,104	331,041	294,742
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	36,173	27,493	52,258	30,843
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	7,648	7,964	15,072	16,041
Net Operating Revenues	12.60%		12.30%
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	31.60%		69.40%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(4.00%)		(6.00%)
Broadcasting
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	184,353	184,016	348,235	351,504
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	80,405	78,387	143,864	146,882
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	7,465	8,159	14,924	16,352
Net Operating Revenues	0.20%		(0.90%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	2.60%		(2.10%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(8.50%)		(8.70%)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(13,470)	(13,601)	(31,995)	(32,849)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	$ 3,951	$ 3,980	$ 7,731	$ 7,995
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(1.00%)		(2.60%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(0.70%)		(3.30%)