Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	In the three months ended March 29, 2015, the Company recorded income tax expense related to continuing operations of $22 million. The effective tax rate on pretax income from continuing operations was 38.0% in the three months ended March 29, 2015. These rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes (net of federal benefit), the domestic production activities deduction and other non-deductible expenses. In the three months ended March 30, 2014, the Company recorded income tax expense related to continuing operations of $18 million. The effective tax rate on pretax income from continuing operations was 38.3% for the three months ended March 30, 2014. These rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes (net of federal benefit), the domestic production activities deduction and other non-deductible expenses. Newsday and Chicago Cubs Transactions—As further described in Note 8 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company consummated the closing of the Newsday Transactions on July 29, 2008. As a result of these transactions, CSC, through NMG Holdings, Inc., owns approximately 97% and the Company owns approximately 3% of NHLLC. The fair market value of the contributed NMG net assets exceeded their tax basis and did not result in an immediate taxable gain because the transaction was structured to comply with the partnership provisions of the IRC and related regulations. In March 2013, the IRS issued its audit report on the Company’s federal income tax return for 2008 which concluded that the gain should have been included in the Company’s 2008 taxable income. Accordingly, the IRS has proposed a $190 million tax and a $38 million accuracy-related penalty. After-tax interest on the proposed tax through March 29, 2015 would be approximately $32 million. The Company disagrees with the IRS’s position and has timely filed its protest in response to the IRS’s proposed tax adjustments. The Company is contesting the IRS’s position in the IRS administrative appeals division. If the IRS position prevails, the Company would also be subject to approximately $31 million, net of tax benefits, of state income taxes and related interest through March 29, 2015. The Company does not maintain any tax reserves relating to the Newsday Transactions. In accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 29, 2015 includes a deferred tax liability of $106 million related to the future recognition of taxable income related to the Newsday Transactions. As further described in Note 8 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company consummated the closing of the Chicago Cubs Transactions on October 27, 2009. As a result of these transactions, Ricketts Acquisition LLC owns 95% and the Company owns 5% of the membership interests in New Cubs LLC. The fair market value of the contributed assets exceeded the tax basis and did not result in an immediate taxable gain because the transaction was structured to comply with the partnership provisions of the IRC and related regulations. The IRS is currently auditing the Company’s 2009 federal income tax return which includes the Chicago Cubs Transactions. The Company expects the IRS audit to be concluded during 2015. If the gain on the Chicago Cubs Transactions is deemed by the IRS to be taxable in 2009, the federal and state income taxes would be approximately $225 million before interest and penalties. The Company does not maintain any tax reserves relating to the Chicago Cubs Transactions. In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 29, 2015 includes a deferred tax liability of $171 million related to the future recognition of taxable income related to the Chicago Cubs Transactions. Other—Although management believes its estimates and judgments are reasonable, the resolutions of the Company’s tax issues are unpredictable and could result in tax liabilities that are significantly higher or lower than that which has been provided by the Company. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC Topic 740, which addresses the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits totaled $19 million at both March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $2 million within the next twelve months due to the resolution of tax examination issues and statute of limitations expirations.

In the three months ended March 29, 2015, the Company recorded income tax expense related to continuing operations of $22 million. The effective tax rate on pretax income from continuing operations was 38.0% in the three months ended March 29, 2015. These rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes (net of federal benefit), the domestic production activities deduction and other non-deductible expenses.

In the three months ended March 30, 2014, the Company recorded income tax expense related to continuing operations of $18 million. The effective tax rate on pretax income from continuing operations was 38.3% for the three months ended March 30, 2014. These rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes (net of federal benefit), the domestic production activities deduction and other non-deductible expenses.

Newsday and Chicago Cubs Transactions—As further described in Note 8 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company consummated the closing of the Newsday Transactions on July 29, 2008. As a result of these transactions, CSC, through NMG Holdings, Inc., owns approximately 97% and the Company owns approximately 3% of NHLLC. The fair market value of the contributed NMG net assets exceeded their tax basis and did not result in an immediate taxable gain because the transaction was structured to comply with the partnership provisions of the IRC and related regulations. In March 2013, the IRS issued its audit report on the Company’s federal income tax return for 2008 which concluded that the gain should have been included in the Company’s 2008 taxable income. Accordingly, the IRS has proposed a $190 million tax and a $38 million accuracy-related penalty. After-tax interest on the proposed tax through March 29, 2015 would be approximately $32 million. The Company disagrees with the IRS’s position and has timely filed its protest in response to the IRS’s proposed tax adjustments. The Company is contesting the IRS’s position in the IRS administrative appeals division. If the IRS position prevails, the Company would also be subject to approximately $31 million, net of tax benefits, of state income taxes and related interest through March 29, 2015. The Company does not maintain any tax reserves relating to the Newsday Transactions. In accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 29, 2015 includes a deferred tax liability of $106 million related to the future recognition of taxable income related to the Newsday Transactions.

As further described in Note 8 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company consummated the closing of the Chicago Cubs Transactions on October 27, 2009. As a result of these transactions, Ricketts Acquisition LLC owns 95% and the Company owns 5% of the membership interests in New Cubs LLC. The fair market value of the contributed assets exceeded the tax basis and did not result in an immediate taxable gain because the transaction was structured to comply with the partnership provisions of the IRC and related regulations. The IRS is currently auditing the Company’s 2009 federal income tax return which includes the Chicago Cubs Transactions. The Company expects the IRS audit to be concluded during 2015. If the gain on the Chicago Cubs Transactions is deemed by the IRS to be taxable in 2009, the federal and state income taxes would be approximately $225 million before interest and penalties. The Company does not maintain any tax reserves relating to the Chicago Cubs Transactions. In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 29, 2015 includes a deferred tax liability of $171 million related to the future recognition of taxable income related to the Chicago Cubs Transactions.

Other—Although management believes its estimates and judgments are reasonable, the resolutions of the Company’s tax issues are unpredictable and could result in tax liabilities that are significantly higher or lower than that which has been provided by the Company. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC Topic 740, which addresses the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits totaled $19 million at both March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $2 million within the next twelve months due to the resolution of tax examination issues and statute of limitations expirations.