Supplemental Stockholders' Equity Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2017	Mar. 27, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 844,244	$ 828,455
Net income/(loss)	13,115	(13,586)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	5,565	5,091
Effect of issuance of shares	(3,281)	(8,675)
Share repurchases		(15,056)
Dividends declared	(6,495)	(6,443)
Stock-based compensation	3,815	3,294
Balance, end of period	856,963	793,080
Total New York Times Company Stockholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	847,815	826,751
Net income/(loss)	13,181	(8,271)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	5,565	5,091
Effect of issuance of shares	(3,281)	(8,675)
Share repurchases		(15,056)
Dividends declared	(6,495)	(6,443)
Stock-based compensation	3,815	3,294
Balance, end of period	860,600	796,691
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	(3,571)	1,704
Net income/(loss)	(66)	(5,315)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0
Effect of issuance of shares	0	0
Share repurchases		0
Dividends declared	0	0
Stock-based compensation	0	0
Balance, end of period	$ (3,637)	$ (3,611)