Supplemental Stockholders' Equity Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 14, 2015	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Jan. 13, 2015	Jan. 31, 2009
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		$ 828,455	$ 728,349
Net loss		(13,586)	(14,421)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		5,091	24,491
Effect of issuance of shares		(8,675)	99,828
Share repurchases		(15,056)	(3,800)
Dividends declared		(6,443)	(6,693)
Stock-based compensation		3,294	1,938
Balance, end of period		793,080	829,692
Proceeds from warrant exercises	$ 101,100
Class A Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Share repurchases		$ (84,900)
Warrants issued In connection with debt issuance					15,900,000
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (USD per warrant)					$ 6.3572
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount				$ 101,100
Shares repurchased		6,690,905
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount		$ 16,200
Carlos Slim Helu
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Class-A Common Stock ownership percentage					8.00%
Total New York Times Company Stockholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		826,751	726,328
Net loss		(8,271)	(14,262)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		5,091	24,491
Effect of issuance of shares		(8,675)	99,828
Share repurchases		(15,056)	(3,800)
Dividends declared		(6,443)	(6,693)
Stock-based compensation		3,294	1,938
Balance, end of period		796,691	827,830
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		1,704	2,021
Net loss		(5,315)	(159)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		0	0
Effect of issuance of shares		0	0
Share repurchases		0	0
Dividends declared		0	0
Stock-based compensation		0	0
Balance, end of period		$ (3,611)	$ 1,862