Business segment information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Business Segment Information
Net Operating Revenues	$ 1,309,261	$ 1,266,034	$ 3,834,888	$ 3,852,234
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	217,199	198,161	569,375	618,531
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	52,736	48,984	158,438	162,902
Net Operating Revenues	3.40%		(0.50%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	9.60%		(7.90%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	7.70%		(2.70%)
Publishing [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net Operating Revenues	890,200	917,764	2,684,595	2,824,688
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	73,731	107,942	239,982	364,185
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	33,276	30,186	100,226	106,377
Net Operating Revenues	(3.00%)		(5.00%)
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(31.70%)		(34.10%)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	10.20%		(5.80%)
Digital [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net Operating Revenues	182,022	173,930	531,700	504,971
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	39,912	34,350	92,706	86,608
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	8,391	7,729	24,626	22,801
Net Operating Revenues	4.70%		5.30%
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	16.20%		7.00%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	8.60%		8.00%
Broadcasting [Member]
Business Segment Information
Net Operating Revenues	237,039	174,340	618,593	522,575
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	118,672	68,552	285,873	212,416
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	6,879	7,118	21,113	22,042
Net Operating Revenues	36.00%		18.40%
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	73.10%		34.60%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	(3.40%)		(4.20%)
Corporate [Member]
Business Segment Information
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(15,116)	(12,683)	(49,186)	(44,678)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	$ 4,190	$ 3,951	$ 12,473	$ 11,682
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	19.20%		10.10%
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	6.00%		6.80%