Earnings/(Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010
Earnings per share
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$ 15,685	$ (4,037)	$ (98,614)	$ 40,552
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(224)	0	13
Net income/(loss) attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	$ 15,685	$ (4,261)	$ (98,614)	$ 40,565
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic	147,355	145,803	147,103	145,533
Incremental shares for assumed exercise of securities	3,938	0	0	7,559
Average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	151,293	145,803	147,103	153,092
Earnings per share, basic
Income/(loss) from continuing operations, per basic share	$ 0.11	$ (0.03)	$ (0.67)	$ 0.28
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, per basic share	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Income/(loss) per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders–Basic	$ 0.11	$ (0.03)	$ (0.67)	$ 0.28
Earnings per share, diluted
Income/(loss) from continuing operations, per diluted share	$ 0.10	$ (0.03)	$ (0.67)	$ 0.26
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, per share diluted	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Income/(loss) per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders–Diluted	$ 0.10	$ (0.03)	$ (0.67)	$ 0.26
Warrants [Member]
Earnings per share, diluted
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share		15,900	15,900
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings per share, diluted
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	20,000	26,000	22,000	25,000