Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2011		Jun. 27, 2010	Jun. 26, 2011		Jun. 27, 2010
Segment information
Number of daily newspapers at Regional Media Group				14
Segment reporting information
Revenues	$ 576,702		$ 589,587	$ 1,143,206		$ 1,177,454
Operating (loss)/profit	(114,077)		60,825	(83,003)		113,483
Gain on sale of investment	0		9,128	5,898		9,128
Income/(loss) from joint ventures	2,791		7,678	(2,958)		16,789
Interest expense, net	25,152		20,614	49,743		41,198
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes	(136,438)		57,017	(129,806)		98,202
Income tax (benefit)/expense	(16,615)		25,435	(15,209)		52,462
(Loss)/income from continuing operations	(119,823)		31,582	(114,597)		45,740
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0		237	0		237
Net (loss)/income	(119,823)		31,819	(114,597)		45,977
Net loss/(income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(105)		(214)	(298)		1,151
Net (loss)/income attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	(119,718)		32,033	(114,299)		44,826
Impairment of assets	161,318		0	161,318		0
Pension withdrawal expense	4,228		0	4,228		0
News Media Group [Member]
Segment reporting information
Revenues	548,858		555,898	1,084,220		1,109,067
Operating (loss)/profit	(116,625)	[1]	54,397	(85,960)	[1]	102,868
About Group [Member]
Segment reporting information
Revenues	27,844		33,689	58,986		68,387
Operating (loss)/profit	11,597		15,346	25,862		31,906
Corporate [Member]
Segment reporting information
Operating (loss)/profit	$ (9,049)		$ (8,918)	$ (22,905)		$ (21,291)

[1] In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded a $161.3 million impairment charge, primarily related to goodwill at the Regional Media Group, and a $4.2 million charge for a pension withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan at the Globe, which are both part of the News Media Group reportable segment.