Operating Results of 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]
Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense	$ 41,938	$ 39,778	$ 79,650	$ 80,350
Depreciation and amortization	1,213	1,169	2,389	2,294
Interest expense	1,808	6,878	3,729	12,645
Other (income) expense, net	(33)	215	(40)	17
KXOS-FM (Radio)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues	0	1,581	0	3,331
Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense	0	7	0	27
Depreciation and amortization	0	65	0	169
Interest expense	0	1,591	0	3,358
Gain on sale of station	0	32,757	0	32,757
Benefit from income taxes	0	7,572	0	6,476
Emmis Interactive Inc. (Radio)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues	0	1,144	0	2,383
Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense	0	1,754	0	3,716
Depreciation and amortization	0	120	0	257
Impairment loss	0	737	0	737
Other income	0	1	0	134
Sampler Publications
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues	0	1,620	0	3,939
Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense	0	1,612	0	3,604
Depreciation and amortization	0	22	0	44
Interest expense	0	188	0	377
Benefit from income taxes	0	130	0	259
Slovakia Radio Network (Radio)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues	0	3,172	0	5,449
Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense	0	1,863	0	3,528
Depreciation and amortization	0	174	0	354
Interest expense	0	399	0	799
Other (income) expense, net	0	(20)	0	5
Provision for income taxes	0	283	0	365
Bulgaria Radio Network (Radio)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues	0	324	0	558
Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense	0	442	0	871
Depreciation and amortization	0	27	0	137
Other expense, net	$ 0	$ 1	$ 0	$ 3