Prior Period Adjustments (Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 23, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Net income/(loss)	$ 65,681	$ (24,287)	$ 20,138	$ 3,323	$ 178,388	$ 2,724	$ (87,649)	$ 42,550	$ 64,856	$ 136,013	$ (38,203)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments-gain/(loss)				(2,477)	1,684	3,251	(6,712)	2,313	2,613	536	(523)
Unrealized derivative gain on cash-flow hedge of equity method investment				0	0	0	0	1,143	0	1,143	839
Unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale security				(1,374)	(1,980)	(2,338)	(3,425)	7,014	729	(729)	0
Pension and postretirement benefits obligation				8,259	(28,578)	5,817	5,817	(10,278)	180,340	(27,222)	(211,289)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, before tax				4,408	(28,874)	6,730	(4,320)	192	183,682	(26,272)	(210,973)
Income tax expense(1)				1,780	(11,492)	2,539	(1,647)	(160)	73,165	(10,760)	(86,065)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax				2,628	(17,382)	4,191	(2,673)	352	110,517	(15,512)	(124,908)
Comprehensive income/(loss)				5,951	161,006	6,915	(90,322)	42,902	175,373	120,501	(163,111)
Comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest				249	(263)	21	27	53	(313)	(162)	1,000
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders				6,200	160,743	6,936	(90,295)	42,955	175,060	120,339	(162,111)
Adjustments [Member]
Net income/(loss)				434	1,211	463	527	473		2,674	2,021
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments-gain/(loss)				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 gain/(loss) 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 (loss)/income, before tax				(287)	(71)	(71)	(71)	(71)		(284)	8,301
Income tax expense(1)				(117)	(34)	(29)	(29)	(25)		(117)	3,437
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, 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 (income)/loss 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
As previously reported [Member]
Net income/(loss)				2,889	177,177	2,261	(88,176)	42,077		133,339	(40,224)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments-gain/(loss)				(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 gain/(loss) 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 (loss)/income, before tax				4,695	(28,803)	6,801	(4,249)	263		(25,988)	(219,274)
Income tax expense(1)				1,897	(11,458)	2,568	(1,618)	(135)		(10,643)	(89,502)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, 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 (income)/loss 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)