Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant - LIN TV (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income attributable to LIN TV Corp	$ (58,088)	$ 19,659	$ 27,118	$ 4,266	$ 42,962	$ 2,958	$ 1,071	$ 1,586	$ (7,045)	$ 48,577	$ 36,498
Net cash provided by operating activities, continuing operations									149,435	63,062	88,858
Net change in cash and cash equivalents									28,250	6,409	543
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period				18,057				11,648	18,057	11,648	11,105
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	46,307				18,057				46,307	18,057	11,648
LIN TV Corp.
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income attributable to LIN TV Corp									(7,045)	48,577	36,498
Equity in (loss) income from operations of consolidated subsidiaries									$ 7,045	$ (48,577)	$ (36,498)