Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc.	$ 68,223	$ 90,493
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-basic	236,280	239,712
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options	1,139	1,446
Restricted stock	2,632	2,150
Performance Share Units	360
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-diluted	240,411	243,308
Net income per share-basic	$ 0.29	$ 0.38
Net income per share-diluted	$ 0.28	$ 0.37