Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 135,559	$ 165,527	$ 211,393	$ 263,669
Redeemable noncontrolling interest accretion (income not available to shareholders)				(973)
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(12,297)	(3,176)	(1,290)	21,377
Pension and other postretirement benefit items:
Amortization of prior service credit, net	(2,878)	(3,021)	(5,750)	(6,021)
Amortization of actuarial loss	13,241	11,030	27,396	21,511
Other	(1,701)		(1,701)
Pension and other postretirement benefit items	8,662	8,009	19,945	15,490
Other	94	(3,552)	(992)	(5,899)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax	(3,541)	1,281	17,663	30,968
Income tax expense related to components of other comprehensive income	(3,157)	(2,908)	(7,354)	(5,863)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(6,698)	(1,627)	10,309	25,105
Comprehensive income	128,861	163,900	221,702	287,801
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(12,921)	(12,422)	(22,319)	(22,600)
Comprehensive income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc.	$ 115,940	$ 151,478	$ 199,383	$ 265,201