Supplemental Stockholders' Equity Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2017	Jun. 26, 2016	Jun. 25, 2017	Jun. 26, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			$ 844,244	$ 828,455
Net income/(loss)	$ 15,559	$ (492)	28,674	(14,078)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	5,990	3,938	11,555	9,029
Effect of issuance of shares			(1,096)	(9,194)
Share repurchases				(15,056)
Dividends declared			(6,496)	(6,445)
Stock-based compensation			7,145	6,440
Balance, end of period	884,026	799,151	884,026	799,151
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)			28,780	(8,482)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax			11,555	9,029
Effect of issuance of shares			(1,096)	(9,194)
Share repurchases				(15,056)
Dividends declared			(6,496)	(6,445)
Stock-based compensation			7,145	6,440
Balance, end of period	887,703	803,043	887,703	803,043
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			(3,571)	1,704
Net income/(loss)			(106)	(5,596)
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	$ (3,677)	$ (3,892)	$ (3,677)	$ (3,892)