Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - Schedule (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 245,728	$ 207,600	$ 211,946	$ 203,794	$ 220,830	$ 189,535	$ 207,853	$ 198,653	$ 869,068	$ 816,871	$ 903,458
Costs and expenses	(205,016)	(194,699)	(203,347)	(190,059)	(191,416)	(185,418)	(187,935)	(190,538)	(793,121)	(755,307)	(779,752)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(12,551)	(13,195)	(11,595)	(11,729)	(12,078)	(12,096)	(11,774)	(11,814)	(49,070)	(47,762)	(49,332)
(Losses) gains, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(601)	2,951	(22)	(68)	(26)	(177)	42	(5)	2,260	(166)	(474)
Interest expense	(2,147)	(2,050)	(2,043)	(2,254)	(2,524)	(2,655)	(2,656)	(2,613)	(8,494)	(10,448)	(12,246)
Miscellaneous, net	(7,328)	(216)	(400)	(445)	(7,735)	(1,087)	(1,634)	(1,304)	(8,389)	(11,760)	(4,747)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(2,373)	(1,835)	2,027	149	562	3,047	(711)	4,950	(2,032)	7,848	(16,985)
Net income (loss)	15,712	(1,444)	(3,434)	(612)	7,613	(8,851)	3,185	(2,671)	10,222	(724)	39,922
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5)	(103)	(199)	0	(250)	0	0	0	(307)	(250)	(266)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 15,717	$ (1,341)	$ (3,235)	$ (612)	$ 7,863	$ (8,851)	$ 3,185	$ (2,671)	$ 10,529	$ (474)	$ 40,188
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$ 0.27	$ (0.02)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.14	$ (0.16)	$ 0.05	$ (0.05)	$ 0.18	$ (0.01)	$ 0.70
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$ 0.27	$ (0.02)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.13	$ (0.16)	$ 0.05	$ (0.05)	$ 0.18	$ (0.01)	$ 0.69
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	56,763	56,469	56,043	56,084	55,980	56,177	57,448	56,330	56,342	56,516	54,907
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	57,474	56,469	56,043	56,084	57,272	56,177	58,747	56,330	57,239	56,516	55,381
Cash dividends per share of common stock (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00