Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant - LIN TV (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Total assets	$ 1,241,414	[1]	$ 1,081,944	[1]
Common stock, other disclosures
Treasury stock	(21,984)		(10,598)
Treasury stock, other disclosures
Treasury stock, shares	4,947,659		1,637,818
Additional paid-in capital	1,129,691		1,121,589
Accumulated deficit	(1,164,435)		(1,157,390)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(35,384)		(38,777)
Total deficit	(91,564)		(84,632)
Total liabilities and deficit	1,241,414		1,081,944
Class A common stock
Stockholders' deficit:
Common stock	313		309
Common stock, other disclosures
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000		100,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	35,672,528		34,650,169
Common stock, outstanding shares	30,724,869		33,012,351
Class B common stock
Stockholders' deficit:
Common stock	235		235
Common stock, other disclosures
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000		50,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	23,401,726		23,401,726
Common stock, outstanding shares	23,401,726		23,401,726
Class C common stock
Stockholders' deficit:
Common stock
Common stock, other disclosures
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000		50,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	2		2
Common stock, outstanding shares	2		2
LIN TV Corp.
Liabilities:
Accumulated losses in excess of investment in consolidated subsidiaries	91,564		84,632
Common stock, other disclosures
Treasury stock	(21,984)		(10,598)
Treasury stock, other disclosures
Treasury stock, shares	4,947,659		1,637,818
Additional paid-in capital	1,129,691		1,121,589
Accumulated deficit	(1,164,435)		(1,157,390)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(35,384)		(38,777)
Total deficit	(91,564)		(84,632)
LIN TV Corp. | Class A common stock
Stockholders' deficit:
Common stock	313		309
Common stock, other disclosures
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000		100,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	35,672,528		34,650,169
Common stock, outstanding shares	30,724,869		33,012,351
LIN TV Corp. | Class B common stock
Stockholders' deficit:
Common stock	$ 235		$ 235
Common stock, other disclosures
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000		50,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	23,401,726		23,401,726
Common stock, outstanding shares	23,401,726		23,401,726
LIN TV Corp. | Class C common stock
Common stock, other disclosures
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000		50,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	2		2
Common stock, outstanding shares	2		2

[1] Our consolidated assets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 include total assets of $60,380 and $10,688, respectively, of variable interest entities ("VIEs") that can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. These assets include broadcast licenses and other intangible assets of $46,604 and $7,815 and program rights of $2,060 and $1,574 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our consolidated liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 include $5,440 and $2,490, respectively, of total liabilities of the VIEs for which the VIE's creditors have no recourse to the Company, including $1,967 and $1,884, respectively, of program obligations. See further description in Note 1-"Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies".