Earnings Per Share Calculation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$ 141,183	$ (101,212)
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	6	0
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Tribune Media Company	141,189	(101,212)
Less: Dividends distributed to Warrants	8	25
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to Warrants	42	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for basic EPS	141,139	(101,237)
Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to dilutive securities	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for diluted EPS	141,139	(101,237)
Income from discontinued operations, as reported	0	15,618
Net income (loss) attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for basic EPS	141,139	(85,619)
Net income (loss) attributable to Tribune Media Company’s common shareholders for diluted EPS	$ 141,139	$ (85,619)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (shares)	87,482	86,632
Impact of dilutive securities (shares)	910	0
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (shares)	88,392	86,632
Continuing Operations	$ 1.61	$ (1.17)
Discontinued Operations	0.00	0.18
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	1.61	(0.99)
Continuing Operations	1.60	(1.17)
Discontinued Operations	0.00	0.18
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	$ 1.60	$ (0.99)