Business segment information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011
Business Segment Information
Net Operating Revenues	$ 1,307,040	$ 1,334,939	$ 2,525,627	$ 2,586,200
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	216,518	241,754	352,176	420,370
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	53,332	56,335	105,702	113,918
Net Operating Revenues	(2.10%)		(2.30%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(10.40%)		(16.20%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(5.30%)		(7.20%)
Publishing [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net Operating Revenues	920,333	977,139	1,794,395	1,906,924
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	104,211	138,646	166,251	256,243
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	33,736	37,271	66,950	76,191
Net Operating Revenues	(5.80%)		(5.90%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(24.80%)		(35.10%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(9.50%)		(12.10%)
Digital [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net Operating Revenues	181,326	173,447	349,678	331,041
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	36,531	36,173	52,794	52,258
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	8,330	7,648	16,235	15,072
Net Operating Revenues	4.50%		5.60%
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	1.00%		1.00%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	8.90%		7.70%
Broadcasting [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net Operating Revenues	205,381	184,353	381,554	348,235
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	94,586	80,405	167,201	143,864
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	7,124	7,465	14,234	14,924
Net Operating Revenues	11.40%		9.60%
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	17.60%		16.20%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(4.60%)		(4.60%)
Corporate [Member]
Business Segment Information
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(18,810)	(13,470)	(34,070)	(31,995)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	$ 4,142	$ 3,951	$ 8,283	$ 7,731
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	39.60%		6.50%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	4.80%		7.10%