Segment Information - Disclosure (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010	Dec. 27, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of daily newspapers at regional media group	16
Depreciation and amortization	$ 116,454	$ 120,950	$ 133,696
Capital expenditures	44,527	34,696	45,440
Assets	2,883,450	3,285,741	3,088,557
Investments in joint ventures	82,019	134,641	131,357
News Media Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	105,934	109,341	122,609
Capital expenditures	34,576	26,417	38,136
Assets	1,619,950	1,869,798	1,993,482
About Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	10,520	11,609	11,087
Capital expenditures	4,809	4,856	4,339
Assets	417,321	429,509	437,597
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	5,142	3,423	2,965
Assets	764,160	851,793	526,066
WQXR-FM [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
WQXR-FM - Discontinued Operation	$ 0	$ 0	$ 55

Number of Daily Newspapers at Regional Media Group.

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- Definition

The current period depreciation expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets used, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives (includes production and non-production related depreciation); or to record the amortization expense on the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is used.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets other than financial instruments, long-term customer relationships of a financial institution, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred tax assets of the reportable segment; if the amount: (a) is included in the determination of segment assets reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in the determination of segment assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 131

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph b

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 7

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Publisher FASB

-Paragraph 1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON)

-Number 6

-Paragraph 25

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

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- Definition

The aggregate value (measured at the lower of net carrying value or fair value less cost of disposal) for current assets (assets with expected useful life shorter than one year or one operating cycle, whichever is longer) of a disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), to be sold or that has subsequently been disposed of through sale, as of the financial statement date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 46

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

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- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

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