Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012		Mar. 27, 2011
Segment reporting information
Revenues	$ 499,376		$ 500,664
Operating profit	19,616		25,919
Gain on sale of investment	17,848		5,898
Impairment of investments	4,900		0
Loss from joint ventures	29		5,749
Interest expense, net	15,452		24,591
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	17,083		1,477
Income tax expense/(benefit)	4,076		(596)
Income from continuing operations	13,007		2,073
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	29,070		3,153
Net income	42,077		5,226
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	53		193
Net income attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	42,130		5,419
Accelerated depreciation	6,700
News Media Group [Member]
Segment reporting information
Revenues	475,432		469,522
Operating profit	23,074	[1]	25,876
About Group [Member]
Segment reporting information
Revenues	23,944		31,142
Operating profit	6,996		14,147
Corporate [Member]
Segment reporting information
Operating profit	$ (10,454)		$ (14,104)

[1] In the first quarter of 2012, we recorded a $6.7 million charge for accelerated depreciation for certain assets at the T&G’s facility in Millbury, Mass., associated with the consolidation of most of T&G’s printing into the Globe’s facility in Boston, Mass., which was completed early in the second quarter of 2012.