Supplemental Stockholders' Equity Information (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 14, 2015	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Jan. 13, 2015	Jan. 31, 2009
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period				$ 828,455,000	$ 728,349,000
Net income/(loss)		$ 283,000	$ 9,365,000	(13,795,000)	11,163,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		4,244,000	5,049,000	13,273,000	36,333,000
Effect of issuance of shares				(9,298,000)	100,624,000
Share repurchases				(15,056,000)	(45,953,000)
Dividends declared				(19,414,000)	(19,926,000)
Stock-based compensation				9,006,000	7,930,000
Balance, end of period		793,171,000	818,520,000	793,171,000	818,520,000
Proceeds from warrant exercises	$ 101,100,000
Class A Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Share repurchases				$ (84,900,000)
Warrants issued In connection with debt issuance (in shares)							15,900,000
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (USD per warrant)							$ 6.3572
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount						$ 101,100,000
Shares repurchased (in shares)				6,690,905
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount		16,200,000		$ 16,200,000
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				826,751,000	726,328,000
Net income/(loss)				(8,076,000)	11,553,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				13,273,000	36,282,000
Effect of issuance of shares				(9,298,000)	100,624,000
Share repurchases				(15,056,000)	(45,953,000)
Dividends declared				(19,414,000)	(19,926,000)
Stock-based compensation				9,006,000	7,930,000
Balance, end of period		797,186,000	816,838,000	797,186,000	816,838,000
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period				1,704,000	2,021,000
Net income/(loss)				(5,719,000)	(390,000)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				0	51,000
Effect of issuance of shares				0	0
Share repurchases				0	0
Dividends declared				0	0
Stock-based compensation				0	0
Balance, end of period		$ (4,015,000)	$ 1,682,000	$ (4,015,000)	$ 1,682,000