Supplemental Stockholders' Equity Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2018	Mar. 26, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 897,363	$ 844,244
Adjustments to retained earnings	96,707
AOCI reclassification to Retained Earnings	(94,135)
Net income/(loss)	21,914	13,115
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	7,842	5,565
Effect of issuance of shares	(31,692)	(3,281)
Dividends declared	(6,632)	(6,495)
Stock-based compensation	3,326	3,815
Balance, end of period	958,077	856,963
Curtailment recorded	2,600
Total New York Times Company Stockholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	897,279	847,815
Adjustments to retained earnings	96,707
AOCI reclassification to Retained Earnings	(94,135)
Net income/(loss)	21,912
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	7,842	5,565
Effect of issuance of shares	(31,692)	(3,281)
Dividends declared	(6,632)	(6,495)
Stock-based compensation	3,326	3,815
Balance, end of period	957,991	860,600
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	84	(3,571)
Adjustments to retained earnings	0
AOCI reclassification to Retained Earnings	0
Net income/(loss)	2	(66)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0
Effect of issuance of shares	0	0
Dividends declared	0	0
Stock-based compensation	0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 86	$ (3,637)
Stock Options | Class A Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Class A shares issued, vesting of performance awards (in shares)	2,177,326
Performance Based Awards | Class A Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Class A shares issued, vesting of performance awards (in shares)	271,841
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Class A Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Class A shares issued, vesting of performance awards (in shares)	191,817