Summary of Income from Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations	$ 0	$ 31,617	$ 0	$ 30,565
Provision for income taxes	0	(7,159)	0	(5,852)
Total loss from operations, net of tax	0	38,776	0	36,417
KXOS-FM (Radio)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations	0	32,675	0	32,534
Emmis Interactive Inc. (Radio)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations	0	(1,466)	0	(2,193)
Slovakia Radio Network (Radio)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations	0	756	0	763
Bulgaria Radio Network (Radio)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations	0	(146)	0	(453)
Sampler Publications
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations	$ 0	$ (202)	$ 0	$ (86)