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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 4atJED+jHYADVQuRj2g7tA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001189344-05-000004.txt : 20051222
<SEC-HEADER>0001189344-05-000004.hdr.sgml : 20051222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051222212647
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001189344-05-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051222
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051222

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LOBAITO MARCIA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001189344

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11588
		FILM NUMBER:		051283646

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		42331 ARCADIA
		CITY:			STERLING HEIGHTS
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48313

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SAGA COMMUNICATIONS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000886136
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS [4832]
		IRS NUMBER:				383042953
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		73 KERCHEVAL AVE
		CITY:			GROSSE POINTE FARMS
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48236
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3138867070

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		73 KERCHEVAL AVE
		CITY:			GROSSE POINTE FARMS
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48236
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-12-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000886136</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SAGA COMMUNICATIONS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SGA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001189344</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LOBAITO MARCIA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>73 KERCHEVAL AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GROSSE POINTE FARMS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48236</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior VP and Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.22</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-12-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>53213</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.1</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-03-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-06-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>53213</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options become exercisable in 20% increments on March 1, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; provided that the fair market value of Class A Common Stock attains $30.95 (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends or other similar change in the common stock) on or before June 2, 2008 and either (i) remains at or above such value for 10 consecutive tradings days, or (ii) averages at or above such value for a period of 20 consecutive trading days.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Fred B. Green as attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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