Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Pension Benefits - Schedule of Multiemployer Plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2011 Withdrawal from Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension withdrawal expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 4,228	$ 4,228

The expense for the present value of future payments related to the withdrawal from multi-employer pension plan(s).

No definition available.

Name:	nyt_PensionWithdrawalExpense
Namespace Prefix:	nyt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration