Prior Period Adjustments - Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 23, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Net income/(loss)	$ 20,137	$ 3,323	$ 178,388	$ 2,724	$ (87,649)	$ 42,550	$ 23,460	$ (45,099)	$ 136,013	$ (38,203)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	713	(2,477)	1,684	3,251	(6,712)	2,313	(1,764)	(4,399)	536	(523)
Unrealized derivative gain on cash-flow hedge of equity method investment	0	0	0	0	0	1,143	0	1,143	1,143	839
Unrealized (loss)/gain on available-for-sale security	1,260	(1,374)	(1,980)	(2,338)	(3,425)	7,014	(114)	3,589	(729)	0
Pension and postretirement benefits obligation	6,598	8,259	(28,578)	5,817	5,817	(10,278)	14,857	(4,461)	(27,222)	(211,289)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax	8,571	4,408	(28,874)	6,730	(4,320)	192	12,979	(4,128)	(26,272)	(210,973)
Income tax expense/(benefit)	3,672	1,780	(11,492)	2,539	(1,647)	(160)	5,452	(1,807)	(10,760)	(86,065)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	4,899	2,628	(17,382)	4,191	(2,673)	352	7,527	(2,321)	(15,512)	(124,908)
Comprehensive income/(loss)	25,036	5,951	161,006	6,915	(90,322)	42,902	30,987	(47,420)	120,501	(163,111)
Comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(6)	249	(263)	21	27	53	243	80	(162)	1,000
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	25,030	6,200	160,743	6,936	(90,295)	42,955	31,230	(47,340)	120,339	(162,111)
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Net income/(loss)		434	1,211	463	527	473			2,674	2,021
Foreign currency translation adjustments		0	0	0	0	0			0	0
Unrealized derivative gain on cash-flow hedge of equity method investment		0	0	0	0	0			0	0
Unrealized (loss)/gain on available-for-sale security		0	0	0	0	0			0	0
Pension and postretirement benefits obligation		(287)	(71)	(71)	(71)	(71)			(284)	8,301
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax		(287)	(71)	(71)	(71)	(71)			(284)	8,301
Income tax expense/(benefit)		(117)	(34)	(29)	(29)	(25)			(117)	3,437
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax		(170)	(37)	(42)	(42)	(46)			(167)	4,864
Comprehensive income/(loss)		264	1,174	421	485	427			2,507	6,885
Comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest		0	0	0	0	0			0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders		264	1,174	421	485	427			2,507	6,885
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Net income/(loss)		2,889	177,177	2,261	(88,176)	42,077			133,339	(40,224)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(2,477)	1,684	3,251	(6,712)	2,313			536	(523)
Unrealized derivative gain on cash-flow hedge of equity method investment		0	0	0	0	1,143			1,143	839
Unrealized (loss)/gain on available-for-sale security		(1,374)	(1,980)	(2,338)	(3,425)	7,014			(729)	0
Pension and postretirement benefits obligation		8,546	(28,507)	5,888	5,888	(10,207)			(26,938)	(219,590)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax		4,695	(28,803)	6,801	(4,249)	263			(25,988)	(219,274)
Income tax expense/(benefit)		1,897	(11,458)	2,568	(1,618)	(135)			(10,643)	(89,502)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax		2,798	(17,345)	4,233	(2,631)	398			(15,345)	(129,772)
Comprehensive income/(loss)		5,687	159,832	6,494	(90,807)	42,475			117,994	(169,996)
Comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest		249	(263)	21	27	53			(162)	1,000
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders		$ 5,936	$ 159,569	$ 6,515	$ (90,780)	$ 42,528			$ 117,832	$ (168,996)