Business Segment Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	$ 1,218,587	$ 1,251,261
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	135,658	178,616
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	52,370	57,583
Net Operating Revenues	(2.60%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(24.10%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(9.10%)
Publishing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	874,062	929,785
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	62,040	117,597
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	33,214	38,920
Net Operating Revenues	(6.00%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(47.20%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(14.70%)
Digital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	168,352	157,594
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	16,263	16,085
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	7,905	7,424
Net Operating Revenues	6.80%
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	1.10%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	6.50%
Broadcasting
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Operating Revenues	176,173	163,882
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	72,615	63,459
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	7,110	7,459
Net Operating Revenues	7.50%
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	14.40%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(4.70%)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(15,260)	(18,525)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	$ 4,141	$ 3,780
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(17.60%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	9.60%