Stockholders' Equity Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 25, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 25, 2016	$ 844,244	$ 828,455	$ 728,349
Income tax (benefit)/expense	41,545	19,096	16,988
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	57,901	29,239	24,788
Balance as of December 31, 2017	897,363	844,244	828,455
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 25, 2016	(1,822)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, before tax	10,810
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax	1,300
Income tax (benefit)/expense	3,960
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	8,150
Balance as of December 31, 2017	6,328	(1,822)
Funded Status of Benefit Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 25, 2016	(477,994)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, before tax	(7,895)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax	96,662
Income tax (benefit)/expense	38,592
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	50,175
Balance as of December 31, 2017	(427,819)	(477,994)
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 25, 2016	0
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, before tax	(2,545)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax	0
Income tax (benefit)/expense	(1,007)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(1,538)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	(1,538)	0
Total New York Times Company Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 25, 2016	847,815	826,751	726,328
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, before tax	370
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax	97,962
Income tax (benefit)/expense	41,545
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	56,787	29,278	24,701
Balance as of December 31, 2017	897,279	847,815	826,751
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 25, 2016	(479,816)	(509,094)	(533,795)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	56,787	29,278	24,701
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$ (423,029)	$ (479,816)	$ (509,094)