CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 206,468	$ 175,151
Short-term investments	224,878	104,846
Restricted cash	27,341	27,628
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $19,714 in 2012 and $17,412 in 2011)	230,042	261,805
Inventories
Newsprint and magazine paper	16,643	14,567
Other inventory	3,144	3,213
Total inventories	19,787	17,780
Deferred income taxes	73,055	73,055
Other current assets	66,743	56,961
Assets held for sale	0	178,181
Total current assets	848,314	895,407
Other assets
Investments in joint ventures	45,138	82,019
Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $898,501 in 2012 and $868,798 in 2011)	912,338	938,903
Intangible assets acquired
Goodwill (less accumulated impairment losses of $805,218 in 2012 and 2011)	490,262	488,894
Other intangible assets acquired (less accumulated amortization of $71,373 in 2012 and $69,952 in 2011)	15,898	17,285
Total intangible assets acquired	506,160	506,179
Deferred income taxes	295,373	280,283
Miscellaneous assets	210,457	180,659
Total assets	2,817,780	2,883,450
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	93,126	98,385
Accrued payroll and other related liabilities	80,945	112,024
Unexpired subscriptions	67,863	63,103
Accrued expenses	131,059	165,564
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	74,934	74,900
Total current liabilities	447,927	513,976
Other liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	699,349	698,220
Pension benefits obligation	860,836	880,504
Postretirement benefits obligation	102,689	104,192
Other	151,048	177,049
Total other liabilities	1,813,922	1,859,965
Common stock of $.10 par value:
Additional paid-in capital	35,820	32,024
Retained earnings	1,128,755	1,086,625
Common stock held in treasury, at cost	(110,827)	(110,974)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,382	10,928
Unrealized derivative loss on cash-flow hedge of equity method investment	0	(652)
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale security	4,109	0
Funded status of benefit plans	(532,491)	(526,674)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(516,000)	(516,398)
Total New York Times Company stockholders' equity	552,835	506,360
Noncontrolling interest	3,096	3,149
Total stockholders' equity	555,931	509,509
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,817,780	2,883,450
Class A Common Stock
Common stock of $.10 par value:
Common stock value	15,005	15,001
Class B Common Stock
Common stock of $.10 par value:
Common stock value	$ 82	$ 82