Business Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	$ 1,266,034	$ 1,312,335	$ 3,852,234	$ 3,977,063
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)	198,161	200,288	618,531	689,927
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	48,984	75,188	162,902	184,855
Net Operating Revenues	(3.50%)		(3.10%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)	(1.10%)		(10.30%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	(34.90%)		(11.90%)
Publishing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	917,764	969,369	2,824,688	2,987,851
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)	107,942	130,886	364,185	475,649
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	30,186	35,137	106,377	104,416
Net Operating Revenues	(5.30%)		(5.50%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)	(17.50%)		(23.40%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	(14.10%)		1.90%
Digital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	173,930	157,669	504,971	452,411
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)	34,350	15,728	86,608	46,571
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	7,729	19,883	22,801	35,924
Net Operating Revenues	10.30%		11.60%
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)			86.00%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	(61.10%)		(36.50%)
Broadcasting
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	174,340	185,297	522,575	536,801
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)	68,552	66,606	212,416	213,488
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	7,118	16,228	22,042	32,580
Net Operating Revenues	(5.90%)		(2.70%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)	2.90%		(0.50%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	(56.10%)		(32.30%)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)	(12,683)	(12,932)	(44,678)	(45,781)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	$ 3,951	$ 3,940	$ 11,682	$ 11,935
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges)	(1.90%)		(2.40%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges	0.30%		(2.10%)