-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 JdtVD7CWRs+CIjD4UXr4AA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001189344-08-000004.txt : 20080626
<SEC-HEADER>0001189344-08-000004.hdr.sgml : 20080626
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080626194003
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001189344-08-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080625
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080626
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080626

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GOLDSTEIN STEVEN J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001192607

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11588
		FILM NUMBER:		08920452

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		365 GREENS FARMS RD
		CITY:			WESTPORT
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06880

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>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-25</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192607</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GOLDSTEIN STEVEN J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>365 GREENS FARMS RD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTPORT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06880</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>83826</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant of restricted stock which lapses in 20% increments on March 1, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 unless reporting person is not an employee on the applicable date.  Any restricted stock which has not lapsed is forfeited.  Notwithstanding the above, if reporting person is an employee on the occurrence or deemed occurrence of a change in control, all restricted stock shall lapse.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Fred B. Green as attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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