Amortizable Intangible Assets and Unamortizable Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2012	Apr. 28, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Useful Life	3 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 315,666
Accumulated Amortization	72,245
Total	243,421
Unamortizable intangible assets	314,736
Total intangible assets	558,157	564,054	574,964
Trade Name
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Unamortizable intangible assets	293,400
Publishing Contracts
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Unamortizable intangible assets	21,336
Customer Relationships and Other Acquired Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	271,938
Accumulated Amortization	40,923
Total	231,015
Customer Relationships and Other Acquired Intangible Assets | Minimum
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Useful Life	3 years
Customer Relationships and Other Acquired Intangible Assets | Maximum
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Useful Life	25 years
Author Contracts
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Useful Life	10 years
Gross Carrying Amount	18,461
Accumulated Amortization	17,972
Total	489
Technology
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	10,710
Accumulated Amortization	3,179
Total	7,531
Technology | Minimum
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Useful Life	3 years
Technology | Maximum
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Useful Life	10 years
Distribution Contracts
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Useful Life	10 years
Gross Carrying Amount	8,325
Accumulated Amortization	5,245
Total	3,080
Other
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	6,232
Accumulated Amortization	4,926
Total	$ 1,306
Other | Minimum
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Useful Life	3 years
Other | Maximum
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Useful Life	10 years