Pension Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 25, 2011

Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Pension Benefits

Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost

The components of net periodic pension cost/(income) were as follows:

	December 25, 2011								December 26, 2010								December 27, 2009
(In thousands)	Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans			Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans			Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans
Service cost	$	12,079		$	1,660	$	13,739		$	12,045		$	1,896	$	13,941		$	28,266		$	1,687	$	29,953
Interest cost	99,991			13,293		113,284			102,523			13,602		116,125			102,757			14,431		117,188
Expected return on plan assets	(111,813		)	—		(111,813		)	(113,625		)	—		(113,625		)	(113,359		)	—		(113,359		)
Recognized actuarial loss	25,781			3,214		28,995			16,496			4,103		20,599			21,901			4,061		25,962
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	803			—		803			803			—		803			(4,728		)	562		(4,166		)
Curtailment (gain)/loss	—			—		—			—			—		—			(58,283		)	4,318		(53,965		)
Net periodic pension cost/(income)	$	26,841		$	18,167	$	45,008		$	18,242		$	19,601	$	37,843		$	(23,446	)	$	25,059	$	1,613

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income/loss were as follows:

(In thousands)	December 25, 2011			December 26, 2010			December 27, 2009
Net loss/(gain)	$	255,907		$	122,879		$	(69,416	)
Prior service cost	—			—			2,115
Amortization of loss	(28,995		)	(20,599		)	(25,962		)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit	(803		)	(803		)	4,166
Effect of curtailment	—			(1,083		)	(2,375		)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income/loss	226,109			100,394			(91,472		)
Net periodic pension cost	45,008			37,843			1,613
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income/loss	$	271,117		$	138,237		$	(89,859	)

Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The changes in the benefit obligation and plan assets and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income/loss were as follows:

	December 25, 2011									December 26, 2010
(In thousands)	Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans			All Plans			Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans			All Plans
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	1,823,625		$	253,743		$	2,077,368		$	1,671,244		$	230,602		$	1,901,846
Service cost	12,079			1,660			13,739			12,045			1,896			13,941
Interest cost	99,991			13,293			113,284			102,523			13,602			116,125
Plan participants’ contributions	34			—			34			32			—			32
Actuarial loss	140,186			25,621			165,807			131,759			25,333			157,092
Curtailments	—			—			—			(1,083		)	—			(1,083		)
Benefits paid	(89,413		)	(17,224		)	(106,637		)	(92,895		)	(17,367		)	(110,262		)
Effects of change in currency conversion	—			(33		)	(33		)	—			(323		)	(323		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	1,986,502			277,060			2,263,562			1,823,625			253,743			2,077,368
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	1,381,811			—			1,381,811			1,150,915			—			1,150,915
Actual return on plan assets	21,712			—			21,712			147,837			—			147,837
Employer contributions	150,585			17,224			167,809			175,922			17,367			193,289
Plan participants’ contributions	34			—			34			32			—			32
Benefits paid	(89,413		)	(17,224		)	(106,637		)	(92,895		)	(17,367		)	(110,262		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,464,729			—			1,464,729			1,381,811			—			1,381,811
Net amount recognized	$	(521,773	)	$	(277,060	)	$	(798,833	)	$	(441,814	)	$	(253,743	)	$	(695,557	)
Amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Current liabilities	$	—		$	(18,784	)	$	(18,784	)	$	—		$	(16,436	)	$	(16,436	)
Noncurrent liabilities	(521,773		)	(258,276		)	(780,049		)	(441,814		)	(237,307		)	(679,121		)
Net amount recognized	$	(521,773	)	$	(277,060	)	$	(798,833	)	$	(441,814	)	$	(253,743	)	$	(695,557	)
Amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Actuarial loss	$	904,214		$	99,130		$	1,003,344		$	699,709		$	76,723		$	776,432
Prior service cost	1,959			—			1,959			2,762			—			2,762
Total	$	906,173		$	99,130		$	1,005,303		$	702,471		$	76,723		$	779,194

The accumulated benefit obligation for all pension plans was $2.22 billion and $2.04 billion as of December 25, 2011 and December 26, 2010, respectively.

Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets was as follows:

(In thousands)	December 25, 2011		December 26, 2010
Projected benefit obligation	$	2,263,562	$	2,077,368
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	2,223,755	$	2,035,644
Fair value of plan assets	$	1,464,729	$	1,381,811

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine benefit obligations for qualified pension plans were as follows:

(Percent)	December 25, 2011		December 26, 2010
Discount rate	5.05	%	5.60	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.00	%	4.00	%

The rate of increase in compensation levels is applicable only for qualified pension plans that have not been frozen.

Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine net periodic pension cost for qualified plans were as follows:

(Percent)	December 25, 2011		December 26, 2010		December 27, 2009
Discount rate	5.60	%	6.30	%	6.45	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	4.00	%	4.00	%	3.50	%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	8.25	%	8.75	%	8.75	%

Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine benefit obligations for non-qualified plans were as follows:

(Percent)	December 25, 2011		December 26, 2010
Discount rate	4.80	%	5.45	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.50	%	3.50	%

The rate of increase in compensation levels is applicable only for the non-qualified pension plans that have not been frozen.

Weighted-average assumptions used in the actuarial computations to determine net periodic pension cost for non-qualified plans were as follows:

(Percent)	December 25, 2011		December 26, 2010		December 27, 2009
Discount rate	5.45	%	6.00	%	6.55	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%

We determined our discount rate using a Ryan ALM, Inc. Curve (the “Ryan Curve”). The Ryan Curve provides the bonds included in the curve and allows adjustments for certain outliers (e.g., bonds on “watch”). We believe the Ryan Curve allows us to calculate an appropriate discount rate.

Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Table Text Block]

The fair value of the assets underlying our Company-sponsored qualified pension plans and The New York Times Newspaper Guild pension plan by asset category are as follows:

	Fair Value Measurement at December 25, 2011
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Asset Category	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Equity Securities:
U.S. Equities	$	173,988	$	—	$	—	$	173,988
International Equities	74,426		—		—		74,426
Common/Collective Funds(1)	—		714,300		—		714,300
Fixed Income Securities:
Corporate Bonds	—		266,510		—		266,510
U.S. Treasury and Other Government Securities	—		98,531		—		98,531
Insurance Contracts	—		31,847		—		31,847
Municipal and Provincial Bonds	—		16,850		—		16,850
Government Sponsored Enterprises(2)	—		15,394		—		15,394
Other	—		7,268		—		7,268
Cash and Cash Equivalents	—		22,865		—		22,865
Private Equity	—		—		37,393		37,393
Assets at Fair Value	$	248,414	$	1,173,565	$	37,393	$	1,459,372
Other Assets							5,357
Total							$	1,464,729

(1) The underlying assets of the common/collective funds are primarily comprised of equity and fixed income securities. The fair value in the above table represents our ownership share of the net asset value of the underlying funds.

(2) Represents investments that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

	Fair Value Measurement at December 26, 2010
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Asset Category	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Equity Securities:
U.S. Equities	$	191,559	$	—	$	—	$	191,559
International Equities	95,880		—		—		95,880
Common/Collective Funds(1)	—		570,244		—		570,244
Fixed Income Securities:
Corporate Bonds	—		309,223		—		309,223
Insurance Contracts	—		55,235		—		55,235
U.S. Treasury and Other Government Securities	—		35,924		—		35,924
Government Sponsored Enterprises(2)	—		19,799		—		19,799
Municipal and Provincial Bonds	—		12,551		—		12,551
Other	—		8,208		—		8,208
Cash and Cash Equivalents	—		9,207		—		9,207
Real Estate	—		—		37,471		37,471
Private Equity	—		—		31,187		31,187
Assets at Fair Value	$	287,439	$	1,020,391	$	68,658	$	1,376,488
Other Assets							5,323
Total							$	1,381,811

(1) The underlying assets of the common/collective funds are primarily comprised of equity and fixed income securities. The fair value in the above table represents our ownership share of the net asset value of the underlying funds.

(2) Represents investments that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of December 25, 2011 is as follows:

	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
(In thousands)	Real Estate			Private Equity			Total
Balance at beginning of year	$	37,471		$	31,187		$	68,658
Actual gain on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held	—			4,021			4,021
Related to assets sold during the period	541			—			541
Capital contribution	—			5,196			5,196
Sales	(38,012		)	(3,011		)	(41,023		)
Balance at end of year	$	—		$	37,393		$	37,393

The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of December 26, 2010 is as follows:

	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
(In thousands)	Real Estate		Private Equity		Total
Balance at beginning of year	$	33,938	$	20,564	$	54,502
Actual loss on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held	3,533		4,503		8,036
Related to assets sold during the period	—		—		—
Capital contribution	—		6,120		6,120
Sales	—		—		—
Balance at end of year	$	37,471	$	31,187	$	68,658

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]

The following benefit payments under our pension plans, which reflect expected future services, are expected to be paid:

	Plans
(In thousands)	Qualified		Non- Qualified		Total
2012	$	95,978	$	19,858	$	115,836
2013	97,043		18,860		115,903
2014	98,806		18,917		117,723
2015	103,391		19,583		122,974
2016	106,758		20,407		127,165
2017-2021	594,463		101,577		696,040

Schedule of Multi Employer Plans [Table Text Block]

Our participation in significant plans for the fiscal period ended December 25, 2011, is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three digit plan number. The zone status is based on the latest information that we received from the plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The “Surcharge Imposed” column includes plans in a red zone status that are required to pay a surcharge in excess of regular contributions. The last column lists the expiration date(s) of the collective bargaining agreement(s) to which the plans are subject.

	EIN/Pension Plan Number	Pension Protection Act Zone Status		FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	(In thousands)Contributions of the Company						Surcharge Imposed	Collective Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date
Pension Fund		2011	2010		2011		2010		2009
CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan	13-6212879-001	Red as of 12/31/11	Red as of 12/31/10	Implemented	$	776	$	862	$	1,417	Yes	3/30/2011 & 3/30/2016	(1) (2)
Newspaper and Mail Deliverers'-Publishers' Pension Fund	13-6122251-001	Green as of 5/31/12	Yellow as of 5/31/11	No	1,298		1,242		1,475		No	3/30/2020	(3)
GCIU-Employer Retirement Benefit Plan	91-6024903-001	Red as of 12/31/11	Red as of 12/31/10	Implemented	116		116		433		No	11/30/2016 & 3/30/2017	(2) (4)
Pressmen's Publishers' Pension Fund	13-6121627-001	Green as of 3/31/12	Green as of 3/31/11	No	1,113		1,132		1,335		No	3/30/2017	(3)
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension	04-6372430-001	Red as of 9/30/12	Red as of 9/30/11	Yes	46		205		1,380		No	12/31/2015	(2)
Paper-Handlers'-Publishers' Pension Fund	13-6104795-001	Green as of 3/31/12	Green as of 3/31/11	No	153		151		202		No	3/30/2014	(3)
	Contributions for individually significant plans				$	3,502	$	3,708	$	6,242
	Contributions to other multiemployer plans				2,250		2,127		3,385
	Total Contributions				$	5,752	$	5,835	$	9,627

(1) There are two collective bargaining agreements requiring contributions to this plan. These agreements cover approximately 220 employees, with the majority covered by the agreement that expired on March 30, 2011. A new agreement is currently being negotiated.

(2) In 2009, employees of the Globe represented by various unions ratified amendments to their collective bargaining agreements that allowed us to partially withdraw from these plans. These actions resulted in lower contributions to these plans in years after 2009.

(3) Board of Trustees elected funding relief as allowed under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.

(4) There are two collective bargaining agreements requiring contributions to this plan. These agreements cover approximately 40 employees, with the majority covered by the agreement that expires on March 30, 2017.

The rehabilitation plan for the GCIU-Employer Retirement Benefit Plan includes minimum annual contributions no less than the total annual contribution made by us from September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009.

The Company was listed in its plans’ Forms 5500 as providing more than 5% of the total contributions for the following plans and plan years:

Pension Fund	Year Contributions to Plan Exceeded More Than 5 Percent of Total Contributions (as of Plan's Year-End)
CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan	12/31/2010 & 12/31/2009(1)
Newspaper and Mail Deliverers'-Publishers' Pension Fund	5/31/2010 & 5/31/2009(1)
Pressmen's Publisher's Pension Fund	3/31/2011, 3/31/2010 & 3/31/2009
Paper-Handlers'-Publishers' Pension Fund	3/31/2011, 3/31/2010 & 3/31/2009

(1) Form 5500 for the plan year 12/31/11 and 5/31/11 was not available as of the date we filed our financial statements.

New York Times Newspaper Guild Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Benefits

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The following asset allocations guidelines apply to the assets of The New York Times Newspaper Guild pension plan:

Asset Category	Percentage Range
U.S. Equities	50%	-	60	%
International Equities	5%	-	15	%
Total Equity	50%	-	75	%
Fixed Income	25%	-	45	%

The specified target allocation of assets and ranges set forth above are maintained and reviewed on a regular basis by the Trustees. If any strategic target allocation is outside the specified target asset allocation range, assets shall be shifted, in a prudent manner and over a reasonable time period, to return the strategy to within the target range. The Trustees have the responsibility for taking the necessary actions to rebalance The New York Times Newspaper Guild pension plan within the established targets.

The New York Times Newspaper Guild pension plan’s weighted-average asset allocations by asset category, as of December 25, 2011, were as follows:

Asset Category	Percentage
U.S. Equities	56	%
International Equities	8	%
Total Equity	64	%
Fixed Income	29	%
Cash Equivalents	7	%

Company Sponsored Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Benefits

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The following asset allocation guidelines apply to the Return-Seeking Assets:

Asset Category	Percentage Range
U.S. Equities	55%	-	70	%
International Equities	20%	-	30	%
Total Equity	75%	-	95	%
Fixed Income	0%	-	5	%
Fixed Income Alternative Investments	0%	-	5	%
Equity Alternative Investments	0%	-	5	%
Cash Reserves	0%	-	5	%

The weighted-average asset allocations of our Company-sponsored pension plans by asset category for both Long Duration and Return-Seeking Assets, as of December 25, 2011, were as follows:

Asset Category	Percentage
U.S. Equities	43	%
International Equities	17	%
Total Equity	60	%
Fixed Income	37	%
Fixed Income Alternative Investments	0	%
Equity Alternative Investments	3	%
Cash Reserves	0	%