Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 09, 2018 USD ($) retiree
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected amortization of actuarial loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs	$ 2,500
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2019	31,000
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2020	31,700
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2021	32,600
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2022	33,200
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2023	33,900
Total estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid for the five years ending 2028	$ 176,600
Target plan asset allocations range	100.00%
Fixed-income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan asset allocations range	45.00%
Equity and other return-seeking assets
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan asset allocations range	55.00%
Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlement losses	$ (11,713)	$ 0	$ 0
Current year actuarial gain (loss)	(7,765)	12,205	(9,379)
Expected contributions to benefit plans	18,600
SERPs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlement losses	(1,800)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(300)	(200)	(200)
Current year actuarial gain (loss)	(1,000)	$ (2,500)	$ (1,600)
Expected amortization of actuarial loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs	200
Expected contributions to benefit plans	$ 1,200
Journal Communications, Inc. Plan [Member] | Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension assets				$ 306,000
Pension obligations				419,000
Premium group annuity contract				$ 53,500
Number of eligble employees | retiree				1,500
Scripps Pension Plan [Member] | Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension obligations				$ 9,000
Number of eligble employees | retiree				600