Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015 Common Class A	Jan. 31, 2015 Voting common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SCRIPPS E W CO /DE
Entity Central Index Key	0000832428
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			45,293,298	11,932,722
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float		$ 640,490,000

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 158,459	$ 221,255
Restricted cash	6,810	8,210
Accounts and notes receivable (less allowances - 2014, $2,136; 2013, $2,027)	136,567	139,703
Inventory	6,183	6,543
Deferred income taxes	12,836	17,861
Income taxes receivable	0	436
Miscellaneous	7,805	8,046
Total current assets	328,660	402,054
Investments	9,530	16,567
Property, plant and equipment	343,389	353,797
Goodwill	106,261	27,966
Other intangible assets	189,260	137,862
Deferred income taxes	37,946	8,733
Miscellaneous	17,685	19,151
Total Assets	1,032,731	966,130
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	21,004	16,529
Customer deposits and unearned revenue	29,948	28,633
Current portion of long-term debt	2,000	2,000
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation and benefits	33,305	26,986
Miscellaneous	38,123	28,930
Other current liabilities	10,158	10,043
Total current liabilities	134,538	113,121
Long-term debt (less current portion)	196,000	198,000
Other liabilities (less current portion)	182,260	107,272
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par — authorized: 25,000,000 shares; none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 2014 - 45,062,522 shares; 2013 - 44,094,501 shares. Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 2014 - 11,932,722 shares; 2013 - 11,932,722 shares	570	560
Additional paid-in capital	525,456	509,243
Retained earnings	118,693	116,893
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(126,443)	(80,923)
Total The E.W. Scripps Company shareholders’ equity	518,276	545,773
Noncontrolling interest	1,657	1,964
Total equity	519,933	547,737
Total Liabilities and Equity	1,032,731	966,130
Common stock, Class A
Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 2014 - 45,062,522 shares; 2013 - 44,094,501 shares. Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 2014 - 11,932,722 shares; 2013 - 11,932,722 shares	451	441
Voting common stock
Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par: Class A - authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 2014 - 45,062,522 shares; 2013 - 44,094,501 shares. Voting - authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 2014 - 11,932,722 shares; 2013 - 11,932,722 shares	$ 119	$ 119

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowances for accounts and notes receivable	$ 2,136	$ 2,027
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, Class A
Common stock, shares authorized	240,000,000	240,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	45,062,522	44,904,501
Common stock, shares outstanding	45,062,522	44,904,501
Voting common stock
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	11,932,722	11,932,722
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,932,722	11,932,722

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Revenues:
Advertising	$ 646,407	$ 613,093	$ 711,144
Subscriptions	121,565	117,762	117,700
Retransmission	56,185	42,505	30,867
Other	44,911	43,511	43,747
Total operating revenues	869,068	816,871	903,458
Costs and Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	415,595	391,207	396,241
Programs and program licenses	55,487	53,826	56,783
Newsprint, press supplies and other printing costs	45,362	46,965	51,266
Newspaper distribution	46,948	48,490	50,379
Other expenses	205,755	201,089	201,302
Defined benefit pension plan expense	10,000	8,837	8,620
Acquisition and related integration costs	13,974	0	5,826
Restructuring costs	0	4,893	9,335
Total costs and expenses	793,121	755,307	779,752
Depreciation, Amortization, and (Gains) Losses:
Depreciation	40,668	40,839	42,258
Amortization of intangible assets	8,402	6,923	7,074
(Gains) losses, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(2,260)	166	474
Net depreciation, amortization, and (gains) losses	46,810	47,928	49,806
Operating income	29,137	13,636	73,900
Interest expense	(8,494)	(10,448)	(12,246)
Miscellaneous, net	(8,389)	(11,760)	(4,747)
Income (loss) before income taxes	12,254	(8,572)	56,907
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	2,032	(7,848)	16,985
Net income (loss)	10,222	(724)	39,922
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(307)	(250)	(266)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 10,529	$ (474)	$ 40,188
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E. W. Scripps Company:
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock (USD per share)	$ 0.18	$ (0.01)	$ 0.70
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$ 0.18	$ (0.01)	$ 0.69
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	56,342	56,516	54,907
Diluted (in shares)	57,239	56,516	55,381

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net income (loss)	$ 10,222	$ (724)	$ 39,922
Changes in fair value of derivative, net of tax of $145, $175 and $(610)	239	291	(1,009)
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, net of tax of $(27,516), $21,662 and $(10,893)	(45,500)	35,811	(18,009)
Other	(259)	(185)	(274)
Total comprehensive (loss) income	(35,298)	35,193	20,630
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(307)	(250)	(266)
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ (34,991)	$ 35,443	$ 20,896

- Definition

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

+ References+ Details

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in fair value of derivative, tax amount	$ 145	$ 175	$ (610)
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, tax amount	$ (27,516)	$ 21,662	$ (10,893)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 10,222	$ (724)	$ 39,922
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from operations to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	49,070	47,762	49,332
Contract termination fees	0	0	5,663
(Gains)/losses on sale of property, plant and equipment	(2,260)	166	474
Loss on sale of investments	64	3,000	0
Deferred income taxes	7,499	(5,065)	8,297
Excess tax benefits of share-based compensation plans	(8,352)	0	(4,206)
Stock and deferred compensation plans	7,966	7,148	8,223
Pension expense, net of payments	4,520	6,331	5,903
Liability for withdrawal from GCIU employer retirement fund	4,100	0	0
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net	28,240	(30,069)	60,594
Miscellaneous, net	986	4,956	(1,620)
Net cash provided by operating activities	102,055	33,505	172,582
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions	(149,284)	0	(266)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	7,001	345	511
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(19,008)	(20,522)	(30,210)
Changes in restricted cash	1,400	1,800	0
Purchase of investments	(2,653)	(1,575)	(5,066)
Miscellaneous, net	2,007	69	2,607
Net cash used in investing activities	(160,537)	(19,883)	(32,424)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Increases in long-term debt	0	200,000	0
Payments on long-term debt	(2,000)	(196,100)	(15,900)
Payments of financing costs	(483)	(2,470)	(993)
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	(21,237)	(74,199)	(23,564)
Proceeds from employee stock options	16,579	46,624	18,215
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs	(4,261)	(6,270)	(7,658)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation plans	8,352	0	4,206
Miscellaneous, net	(1,264)	(2,594)	289
Net cash used in financing activities	(4,314)	(35,009)	(25,405)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(62,796)	(21,387)	114,753
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	221,255	242,642	127,889
End of year	$ 158,459	$ 221,255	$ 242,642

Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)

Total

Common Stock

Additional Paid-in Capital

Retained Earnings

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Noncontrolling Interests

Balance at Dec. 31, 2011

$ 517,001,000

$ 543,000

$ 515,421,000

$ 96,105,000

$ (97,548,000)

$ 2,480,000

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

Net income (loss)

39,922,000

40,188,000

(266,000)

Changes in defined benefit pension plans

(18,009,000)

Change in fair value of derivative

(1,009,000)

Repurchase of Class A Common shares

(23,564,000)

(25,000)

(23,539,000)

Compensation plans: net share issued

^[1]

18,290,000

37,000

18,253,000

Excess tax expense of compensation plans

7,553,000

Other

(274,000)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2012

539,910,000

555,000

517,688,000

136,293,000

(116,840,000)

2,214,000

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

Net income (loss)

(724,000)

(474,000)

(250,000)

Changes in defined benefit pension plans

35,811,000

Change in fair value of derivative

291,000

Repurchase of Class A Common shares

(74,199,000)

(51,000)

(55,222,000)

(18,926,000)

Compensation plans: net share issued

^[1]

46,833,000

56,000

46,777,000

Other

(185,000)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2013

547,737,000

560,000

509,243,000

116,893,000

(80,923,000)

1,964,000

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

Net income (loss)

10,222,000

10,529,000

(307,000)

Changes in defined benefit pension plans

(45,500,000)

Change in fair value of derivative

239,000

Repurchase of Class A Common shares

(21,237,000)

(12,000)

(12,496,000)

(8,729,000)

Compensation plans: net share issued

^[1]

20,160,000

22,000

20,138,000

Excess tax expense of compensation plans

8,571,000

Other

(259,000)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2014

$ 519,933,000

$ 570,000

$ 525,456,000

$ 118,693,000

$ (126,443,000)

$ 1,657,000

[1]	* Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs of $4,261 in 2014, $6,270 in 2013, and $7,658 in 2012.

- Definition

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of stock value of such awards forfeited. Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

+ References+ Details

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shares issued on compensation plan	2,149,581	5,565,932	3,718,800
Repurchase of Class A Common shares	1,181,560	5,065,660	2,478,453
Adjustments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	$ 4,261	$ 6,270	$ 7,658

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As used in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the terms “Scripps,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” may, depending on the context, refer to The E. W. Scripps Company, to one or more of its consolidated subsidiary companies or to all of them taken as a whole.

Nature of Operations — We are a diverse media enterprise with a portfolio of television, print and digital media brands. All of our media businesses provide content and advertising services via digital platforms, including the web, smartphones and tablets. Our media businesses are organized into the following reportable business segments: television, newspapers and syndication and other.

Basis of Presentation — Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

Concentration Risks — Our operations are geographically dispersed and we have a diverse customer base. We believe bad debt losses resulting from default by a single customer, or defaults by customers in any depressed region or business sector, would not have material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We derive approximately 74% of our operating revenues from marketing services, including advertising. Changes in the demand for such services, both nationally and in individual markets, can affect operating results.

Use of Estimates — Preparing financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make a variety of decisions that affect the reported amounts and the related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of accounting principles that reflect the economic substance of the underlying transactions and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, we apply judgment based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, including our historical experience, actuarial studies and other assumptions.

Our financial statements include estimates and assumptions used in accounting for our defined benefit pension plans; the periods over which long-lived assets are depreciated or amortized; the fair value of long-lived assets, goodwill and indefinite lived assets; the liability for uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances against deferred income tax assets; the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations; and self-insured risks.

While we re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis, actual results could differ from those estimated at the time of preparation of the financial statements.

Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The E. W. Scripps Company and its majority-owned subsidiary companies. Investments in 20%-to-50%-owned companies where we exert significant influence and all 50%-or-less-owned partnerships and limited liability companies are accounted for using the equity method. We do not hold any interests in variable interest entities. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiary companies is included in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, delivery occurs or services are rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. When a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, such as the sale of advertising and other services, we allocate revenue to each element based upon its relative fair value. We report revenue net of sales and other taxes collected from our customers.

Our primary sources of revenue are from the sale of print, broadcast and digital advertising, retransmission fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers and newspaper subscription fees.

Revenue recognition policies for each source of revenue are as follows.

Advertising — Print and broadcast advertising revenue is recognized, net of agency commissions, when we display the advertisements. Digital advertising includes time-based, impression-based, and click-through campaigns. We recognize digital advertising revenue from fixed duration campaigns over the period in which the advertising appears. We recognize digital advertising revenue that is based upon the number of impressions delivered or the number of click-throughs as impressions are delivered or as click-throughs occur.

Advertising arrangements, which generally have a term of one year or less, may provide rebates, discounts and bonus advertisements based upon the volume of advertising purchased during the terms of the contracts. This requires us to make certain estimates regarding future advertising volumes. We record estimated rebates, discounts and bonus advertisements as a reduction of revenue in the period the advertisement is displayed.

Broadcast advertising arrangements may guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience. We provide the advertiser with additional advertising time if we do not deliver the guaranteed audience size. We recognize broadcast advertising revenue as the guaranteed minimum audience is delivered.

Newspaper Subscriptions — We recognize newspaper subscription revenue upon the publication date of the newspaper. We defer revenues from prepaid newspaper subscriptions and recognize subscription revenue on a pro-rata basis over the term of the subscription.

We base subscription revenue for newspapers sold directly to subscribers on the retail rate. We base subscription revenue for newspapers sold to independent newspaper distributors, which are subject to returns, upon the wholesale rate. We estimate returns based on historical return rates and adjust our estimates based on the actual returns.

Retransmission — We derive revenues from cable and satellite retransmission of our broadcast signal. We recognize retransmission revenues based on the contractual terms and rates.

Other Revenues — We also derive revenues from printing and distribution of other publications. We recognize printing revenues and third-party distribution revenue when the product is delivered in accordance with the customer’s instructions.

Cash Equivalents — Cash-equivalents represent highly liquid investments with an original maturity of less than three months.

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. We determine the cost of inventories using the first in, first out (“FIFO”) method.

Trade Receivables — We extend credit to customers based upon our assessment of the customer’s financial condition. Collateral is generally not required from customers. We base allowances for credit losses upon trends, economic conditions, review of aging categories, specific identification of customers at risk of default and historical experience. We require advance payment from political advertisers and certain transient advertisers.

A rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:



(in thousands)

January 1, 2012	$	1,885
Charged to revenues, costs and expenses	1,717
Amounts charged off, net	(1,111		)
Balance as of December 31, 2012	2,491
Charged to revenues, costs and expenses	1,043
Amounts charged off, net	(1,507		)
Balance as of December 31, 2013	2,027
Charged to revenues, costs and expenses	1,705
Amounts charged off, net	(1,596		)
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	2,136

Investments — We make investments in private companies. Investment securities can be impacted by various market risks, including interest rate risk, credit risk and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term. Such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in our financial statements.

We record investments in private companies not accounted for under the equity method at cost, net of impairment write-downs, because no readily determinable market price is available.

We regularly review our investments to determine if there has been any other-than-temporary decline in value. These reviews require management judgments that often include estimating the outcome of future events and determining whether factors exist that indicate impairment has occurred. We evaluate, among other factors, the extent to which cost exceeds fair value; the duration of the decline in fair value below cost; and the current cash position, earnings and cash forecasts and near term prospects of the investee. We reduce the cost basis when a decline in fair value below cost is determined to be other than temporary, with the resulting adjustment charged against earnings.

Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less depreciation. Property, plant and equipment includes internal use software, mobile app development and digital site development cost, which is carried at cost less amortization. We expense costs incurred in the preliminary project stage to develop or acquire internal use software, and to develop mobile apps or digital sites. Upon completion of the preliminary project stage and upon management authorization of the project, we capitalize costs to acquire or develop internal use software or digital sites, which primarily include coding, designing system interfaces, and installation and testing, if it is probable the project will be completed and the software will be used for its intended function. We expense costs incurred after implementation, such as maintenance and training.

We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and improvements	35 to 45 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of term of lease or useful life
Printing presses	20 to 30 years
Other newspaper production equipment	5 to 15 years
Television transmission towers and related equipment	15 to 35 years
Other television and program production equipment	3 to 15 years
Computer hardware and software	3 to 5 years
Office and other equipment	3 to 10 years

Programs and Program Licenses — Programs and program licenses include the cost of national television network programming, programming produced by us or for us by independent production companies and programs licensed under agreements with independent producers.

Our network affiliation agreements require the payment of affiliation fees to the network. Network affiliation fees include both pre-determined fixed fees and variable payments based on other factors, including a share of retransmission revenues above a threshold. Network fees are based on the greater of a minimum amount or percentage of retransmission revenues and we base our expense on the greater of the two.

Program licenses generally have fixed terms, limit the number of times we can air the programs and require payments over the terms of the licenses. We record licensed program assets and liabilities when the programs become available for broadcast. We do not discount program licenses for imputed interest. We amortize program licenses based upon expected cash flows over the term of the license agreement. We classify the portion of the unamortized balance expected to be amortized within one year as a current asset.

The costs of programming produced by us or for us by independent production companies are expensed over the course of the television season. Internal costs, including employee compensation and benefits, to produce daily or live broadcast shows, such as news, sports or daily magazine shows, are expensed as incurred and are not classified in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as program costs.

We review the net realizable value of programs and program licenses for impairment using a day-part methodology, whereby programs broadcast during a particular time period, such as prime time, are evaluated on an aggregate basis.

Program rights liabilities payable within the next twelve months are included in accounts payable. Noncurrent program rights liabilities are included in other noncurrent liabilities.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets — Goodwill represents the cost of acquisitions in excess of the acquired businesses’ tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets.

FCC licenses represent the value assigned to the broadcast licenses of acquired broadcast television stations. Broadcast television stations are subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) which prohibits the operation of stations except in accordance with an FCC license. FCC licenses stipulate each station’s operating parameters as defined by channels, effective radiated power and antenna height. FCC licenses are granted for a term of up to eight years, and are renewable upon request. We have never had a renewal request denied and all previous renewals have been for the maximum term.

We do not amortize goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, but we review them for impairment at least annually. We perform our annual impairment review during the fourth quarter of each year in conjunction with our annual planning cycle. We also assess, at least annually, whether assets classified as indefinite-lived intangible assets continue to have indefinite lives.

We review goodwill for impairment based upon reporting units, which are defined as operating segments or groupings of businesses one level below the operating segment level. Reporting units with similar economic characteristics are aggregated into a single unit when testing goodwill for impairment. Our reporting units are our television group and Newsy.

Amortizable Intangible Assets — Television network affiliations represents the value assigned to an acquired broadcast television station’s relationship with a national television network. Television stations affiliated with national television networks typically have greater profit margins than independent television stations, primarily due to audience recognition of the television station as a network affiliate. We amortize these network affiliation relationships on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of 20 years.

We amortize customer lists and other intangible assets in relation to their expected future cash flows over estimated useful lives of up to 20 years.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — We review long-lived assets (primarily property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is determined by comparing the forecasted undiscounted cash flows of the operation to which the assets relate to the carrying amount of the assets. If the undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, then amortizable intangible assets are written down first, followed by other long-lived assets, to fair value. We determine fair value based on discounted cash flows or appraisals. We report long-lived assets to be disposed of at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Self-Insured Risks — We are self-insured, up to certain limits, for general and automobile liability, employee health, disability and workers’ compensation claims and certain other risks. Estimated liabilities for unpaid claims totaled $14.3 million and $16.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We estimate liabilities for unpaid claims using actuarial methodologies and our historical claims experience. While we re-evaluate our assumptions and review our claims experience on an ongoing basis, actual claims paid could vary significantly from estimated claims, which would require adjustments to expense.

Income Taxes — We recognize deferred income taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and reported amounts of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. We establish a valuation allowance if we believe that it is more likely than not that we will not realize some or all of the deferred tax assets.

We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or that we expect to take in a tax return. Interest and penalties associated with such tax positions are included in the tax provision. The liability for additional taxes and interest is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Newsprint, Press Supplies and Other Printing Costs — Newsprint, press supplies and other printing costs include costs incurred to print and produce our newspapers and other publications. We expense these costs as incurred.

Risk Management Contracts — We do not hold derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and we do not hold leveraged contracts. From time to time, we may use derivative financial instruments to limit the impact of interest rate fluctuations on our earnings and cash flows.

Stock-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in Note 20. The Plan provides for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs), restricted and unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.

We recognize compensation cost based on the grant-date fair value of the award. We determine the fair value of awards that grant the employee the underlying shares by the fair value of a Class A Common share on the date of the award.

Certain awards of Class A Common shares or RSUs have performance conditions under which the number of shares granted is determined by the extent to which such performance conditions are met (“Performance Shares”). Compensation costs for such awards are measured by the grant-date fair value of a Class A Common share and the number of shares earned. In periods prior to completion of the performance period, compensation costs are based upon estimates of the number of shares that will be earned.

Compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures due to termination of employment or failure to meet performance targets, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The requisite service period is generally the vesting period stated in the award. Grants to retirement-eligible employees are expensed immediately and grants to employees who will become retirement eligible prior to the end of the stated vesting period are expensed over such shorter period because stock compensation grants vest upon the retirement of the employee.

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) — Unvested awards of share-based payments with rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, such as our RSUs, are considered participating securities for purposes of calculating EPS. Under the two-class method, we allocate a portion of net income to these participating securities and therefore exclude that income from the calculation of EPS for common stock. We do not allocate losses to the participating securities.

The following table presents information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	10,529		$	(474	)	$	40,188
Less income allocated to RSUs	(240		)	—			(1,845		)
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	10,289		$	(474	)	$	38,343
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	56,342			56,516			54,907
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	897			—			474
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	57,239			56,516			55,381
Anti-dilutive securities⁽¹⁾	—			4,957			176


⁽¹⁾	Amount outstanding at Balance Sheet date, before application of the treasury stock method and not weighted for period outstanding.

For 2014 and 2012, in the determination of dilutive securities, the inclusion of RSUs as participating securities is more dilutive, and therefore, the dilutive EPS calculation excludes them. For 2013, we incurred a net loss and the inclusion of RSUs and stock options held by employees and directors were anti-dilutive, and accordingly the diluted EPS calculation excludes those common share equivalents.

Derivative Financial Instruments — It is our policy that derivative transactions are executed only to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business and not for the purpose of creating speculative positions or trading. Derivative financial instruments are utilized to manage interest rate risks. We do not hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. All derivatives must be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Each derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge or remains undesignated. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified to the Consolidated Statement of Operations when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in the statement of operations. These changes are offset in earnings to the extent the hedge was effective by fair value changes related to the risk being hedged on the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. All ineffective changes in derivative fair values are recognized currently in earnings.

All designated hedges are formally documented as to the relationship with the hedged item as well as the risk-management strategy. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis, the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness, when applicable. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, or the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, the hedge accounting discussed above is discontinued.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity.

+ References+ Details

Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards Recently Adopted Accounting Standards — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance on revenue recognition. Under this new standard, an entity shall recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step process that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) and all relevant facts and circumstances. This standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and will be effective for us beginning in 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently assessing the impact this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined a transition method. In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the disclosures around going concern. The new standard provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 01

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-Subparagraph 6

-Article 10

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+ Details

Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

On June 16, 2014, we closed our acquisition of two television stations owned by Granite Broadcasting Corporation — the Detroit MyNetworkTV affiliate WMYD-TV and the Buffalo, N.Y. ABC affiliate WKBW-TV ("Acquired Granite Stations") — for $110 million in cash. The acquisition of WMYD-TV creates a duopoly with our Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV.

We finalized the determination of fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the fourth quarter of 2014. There were no material changes in the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed from the preliminary amounts. The following table summarizes the final fair values.



(in thousands)

Assets:
Property, plant and equipment	$	12,025
Intangible assets	53,500
Goodwill	44,715
Total assets acquired	110,240
Current liabilities	240
Net purchase price	$	110,000

Of the $54 million allocated to intangible assets, $34 million was for FCC licenses which we have determined to have an indefinite life and therefore will not be amortized. The remaining balance of $19 million was allocated to television network affiliation relationships and advertiser relationships with estimated amortization periods of 10 to 20 years.

The goodwill of $45 million arising from the transaction consists largely of synergies and economies of scale and other benefits of a larger broadcast footprint, as well as synergies from being able to create a duopoly in our Detroit market. We have allocated the goodwill to our television segment. We will treat this purchase as an asset acquisition for income tax purposes resulting in a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

Pro forma results of operations, assuming the transaction had taken place at the beginning of 2013, are included in the following table. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps and the Acquired Granite Stations and adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired. The pro forma information does not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the period.



	For the year ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2014		2013

Operating revenues	$	883,307	$	847,890
Income from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	12,062		4,441
Income per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic	$	0.21	$	0.08
Diluted	0.21		0.07

On January 1, 2014 we completed our acquisition of Media Convergence Group, Inc., which operates as Newsy, a digital video news provider, for $35 million in cash, plus a working capital adjustment of $0.2 million.



(in thousands)

Assets:
Accounts receivable	$	640
Other assets	74
Equipment and software	631
Intangible assets	5,900
Goodwill	28,983
Total assets acquired	36,228
Current liabilities	116
Long-term deferred tax liability	890
Net purchase price	$	35,222

Of the $6 million allocated to intangible assets, $4 million was allocated to customer relationships with an estimated amortization period of 5 years and the balance of $2 million was allocated to various other intangible assets.

The goodwill of $29 million arising from the transaction consists largely of the benefit we will derive from being able to enter the digital video market with an established business. We have allocated the goodwill to our syndication and other segment. We will treat the transaction as a purchase of stock for income tax purposes resulting in no step-up in the basis of the assets acquired. The goodwill will not be deductible for income tax purposes. We are not presenting any pro forma results of operations since the impact of the acquisition is not material to prior year results of operations.

On September 16, 2014, we completed our acquisition of Geoterrestrial, Inc. ("WeatherSphere") for $4 million. WeatherSphere is a provider of weather-related mobile apps. The stock purchase agreement includes an earnout provision, whereby up to an additional $2.5 million may be payable over a three year period. We have estimated the fair value of the earnout to be $1.2 million. We are not presenting any pro forma results of operations since the impact of the acquisition is not material to prior periods results of operations.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

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+ Details

Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits	12 Months Ended
Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits	Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits [Abstract]
Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits	Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits Income (loss) from operations was affected by the following: 2014 — Acquisition and related integration costs of $14.0 million include costs associated with the acquisition of two television stations from Granite Broadcasting, as well as costs for spinning off our newspaper operations and the acquisition of Journal's broadcast business. We recorded a $3.0 million gain from the sale of excess land in our newspaper business. We recorded a $5.9 million non-cash charge to reduce the carrying value of investments. In 2014, we were in the final stages of the system implementations for our newspaper division and any remaining restructuring costs are now included in segment operating results. 2013 — Restructuring costs, primarily at our newspaper operations, totaled $4.9 million. Restructuring costs primarily include costs associated with efforts to simplify and standardize advertising and circulation systems and other processes in our newspaper division. We recorded a $4.5 million non-cash loss on the disposition of an investment and to reduce the carrying value of investments. We recorded a $4.6 million non-cash charge to write-off unamortized deferred loan fees and costs as a result of the debt refinance in the fourth quarter of 2013. 2012 — Restructuring costs, primarily at our newspaper operations, totaled $9.3 million. Restructuring costs primarily include costs associated with efforts to simplify and standardize advertising and circulation systems and other processes in our newspaper division. We incurred a $5.7 million non-cash charge to terminate the McGraw-Hill stations' national representation agreement. We decided to use our existing national representative in all Scripps markets. As an inducement, our existing national representative firm agreed to pay the $5.7 million termination fee on our behalf. We recorded a $1.4 million non-cash charge to reduce the carrying value of investments.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated federal income tax return, consolidated unitary returns in certain states, and other separate state income tax returns for certain of our subsidiary companies.

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Current:
Federal	$	2,358		$	319		$	8,171
State and local	(7,825		)	(3,102		)	517
Total current income tax provision	(5,467		)	(2,783		)	8,688
Deferred:
Federal	7,904			(4,842		)	7,185
Other	(405		)	(223		)	1,112
Total deferred income tax provision	7,499			(5,065		)	8,297
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	2,032		$	(7,848	)	$	16,985

The difference between the statutory rate for federal income tax and the effective income tax rate was as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012

Statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Effect of:
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	5.1		4.4		2.1
Nondeductible expenses	19.4		(9.6	)	0.4
Reserve for uncertain tax positions	(48.7	)	35.7		(7.3	)
Amended returns and settlements	—		16.6		—
Other	5.8		9.5		(0.4	)
Effective income tax rate	16.6	%	91.6	%	29.8	%

Nondeductible expenses in 2014 includes amounts for transaction costs related to the Journal Transactions.

The approximate effect of the temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013

Temporary differences:
Property, plant and equipment	$	(42,418	)	$	(44,448	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(9,803		)	(2,684		)
Investments, primarily gains and losses not yet recognized for tax purposes	7,162			4,750
Accrued expenses not deductible until paid	13,011			11,865
Deferred compensation and retiree benefits not deductible until paid	66,002			37,041
Other temporary differences, net	4,135			25
Total temporary differences	38,089			6,549
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	13,605			21,123
Valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets	(912		)	(1,078		)
Net deferred tax asset	$	50,782		$	26,594

Total federal operating loss carryforwards were $37 million and state operating loss carryforwards were $246 million at December 31, 2014. Our federal tax loss carryforwards and our state tax loss carryforwards expire through 2034. Because we file separate state income tax returns for certain of our subsidiary companies, we are not able to use state tax losses of a subsidiary company to offset state taxable income of another subsidiary company.

Deferred tax assets totaled $51 million at December 31, 2014. Management believes that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of our federal deferred tax assets and therefore has not recorded a valuation allowance for our federal deferred tax assets. If economic conditions worsen, future estimates of taxable income could be lower than our current estimates, which may require valuation allowances to be recorded in future reporting periods.

We recognize state net operating loss carryforwards as deferred tax assets, subject to valuation allowances. At each balance sheet date, we estimate the amount of carryforwards that are not expected to be used prior to expiration of the carryforward period. The tax effect of the carryforwards that are not expected to be used prior to their expiration is included in the valuation allowance.

During 2013, deferred tax assets relating to employee share-based compensation from the vesting of RSU's and the exercise of stock options have not been recognized since we were in a net tax loss position in 2013. The additional tax benefits were reflected as net operating loss carryforwards when we filed our 2013 tax return, but the additional tax benefits are not recorded under GAAP until the tax deduction reduces taxes payable. When the tax benefit is recognized, it will be recorded as additional paid-in capital. The amount of unrecognized tax deductions for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $23 million. Tax deductions of $22.9 million related to share-based compensation for exercises of grants in 2014 have been recognized in accordance with the ordering method in GAAP resulting in a $8.6 million adjustment to additional paid-in capital.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	14,824		$	16,386		$	21,240
Increases in tax positions for prior years	—			2,692			623
Decreases in tax positions for prior years	(525		)	—			(1,287		)
Decreases from lapse in statute of limitations	(7,275		)	(2,670		)	(4,190		)
Settlements	—			(1,584		)	—
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	7,024		$	14,824		$	16,386

The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $3 million at December 31, 2014. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits of $1.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. and in various state and local jurisdictions. We are routinely examined by tax authorities in these jurisdictions. At December 31, 2014, we are no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for years prior to 2012. For state and local jurisdictions, we are generally no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2010.

In 2014 and 2013, we recognized $6.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively, of previously unrecognized net tax benefits primarily due to the lapse of the statute of limitations in certain tax jurisdictions.

Due to the potential for resolution of federal and state examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitation, it is reasonably possible that our gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may change within the next twelve months by as much as $2.6 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References+ Details

Restricted Cash	12 Months Ended
Restricted Cash	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $6.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, in a restricted cash account on deposit with our insurance carrier. This account serves as collateral, in place of an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, to provide financial assurance that we will fulfill our obligations with respect to cash requirements associated with our workers compensation self-insurance. This cash is to remain on deposit with the carrier until all claims have been paid or we provide a letter of credit in lieu of the cash deposit.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for cash and cash equivalent footnotes, which may include the types of deposits and money market instruments, applicable carrying amounts, restricted amounts and compensating balance arrangements. Cash and equivalents include: (1) currency on hand (2) demand deposits with banks or financial institutions (3) other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits (4) short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments maturing within three months from the date of acquisition qualify.

+ References+ Details

Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013

Land and improvements	$	74,510	$	73,980
Buildings and improvements	234,272		231,219
Equipment	482,241		472,407
Computer software	35,961		36,155
Total	826,984		813,761
Accumulated depreciation	483,595		459,964
Net property, plant and equipment	$	343,389	$	353,797

- Definition

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Includes, but is not limited to, accounting policies and methodology, roll forwards, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including composite depreciation, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, useful lives and method used, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

+ References+ Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill by business segment was as follows:



(in thousands)	Television			Newspapers			Syndication and other		Total

Gross balance as of December 31, 2011	$	244,005		$	778,900		$	—	$	1,022,905
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2011	28,591			—			—		28,591
Purchase accounting adjustments in 2012	(625		)	—			—		(625		)
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	27,966		$	—		$	—	$	27,966

Gross balance as of December 31, 2012	$	243,380		$	778,900		$	—	$	1,022,280
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	27,966		$	—		$	—	$	27,966

Gross balance as of December 31, 2013	$	243,380		$	778,900		$	—	$	1,022,280
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2013	27,966			—			—		27,966
2014 Newsy acquisition	—			—			28,983		28,983
2014 Granite Stations acquisitions	44,715			—			—		44,715
2014 WeatherSphere acquisition	—			—			4,597		4,597
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	72,681		$	—		$	33,580	$	106,261

Gross balance as of December 31, 2014	$	288,095		$	778,900		$	33,580	$	1,100,575
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2014	$	72,681		$	—		$	33,580	$	106,261

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013

Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	93,944		$	78,844
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	30,404			22,304
Other	5,761			3,561
Total carrying amount	130,109			104,709
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(14,092		)	(9,691		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(16,416		)	(13,138		)
Other	(2,556		)	(1,833		)
Total accumulated amortization	(33,064		)	(24,662		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	97,045			80,047
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	92,215			57,815
Total other intangible assets	$	189,260		$	137,862

Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the next five years is $9.0 million in 2015, $9.0 million in 2016, $6.5 million in 2017, $6.5 million in 2018, $5.5 million in 2019 and $60.5 million in later years.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References+ Details

Long-Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013

Variable rate credit facility	$	—	$	—
Term loan	198,000		200,000
Long-term debt	198,000		200,000
Current portion of long-term debt	2,000		2,000
Long-term debt (less current portion)	$	196,000	$	198,000
Fair value of long-term debt *	$	194,000	$	200,000

* Fair value of the term loan was estimated based on quoted private market transactions and is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

On November 26, 2013, we entered into a $275 million revolving credit and term loan agreement (“Financing Agreement”) to provide liquidity for ongoing operations. The Financing Agreement includes a $200 million term loan B maturing in November 2020 and a $75 million revolving credit facility maturing in November 2018.

The Financing Agreement includes the maintenance of a net leverage ratio if we borrow more than 20% on the revolving credit facility. The term loan B requires that if we borrow additional amounts or make a permitted acquisition that we cannot exceed a stated net leverage ratio on a pro forma basis at the date of the transaction.

Interest is payable on the term loan B at rates based on LIBOR, with a 0.75% LIBOR floor, plus a fixed margin of 2.50%. Interest is payable on the revolving credit facility at rates based on LIBOR plus a margin based on our leverage ratio ranging from 2.25% to 2.75%. As of December 31, 2014, the interest rate was 3.25% on the term loan B. The Financing Agreement also includes a provision that in certain circumstances we must use a portion of excess cash flow to repay debt. As of December 31, 2014, we were not required to make additional principal payments based on excess cash flow. The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings was 3.25% and 3.66% during December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt at December 31, 2014 are: $2.0 million in 2015, $2.0 million in 2016 $2.0 million in 2017, $2.0 million in 2018, $2.0 million in 2019 and $188.0 million thereafter.

Under the terms of the Financing Agreement, we granted the lenders mortgages on certain of our real property, pledges of our equity interests in our subsidiaries and security interests in substantially all other personal property, including cash, accounts receivables, inventories and equipment.

The Financing Agreement allows us to make restricted payments (dividends and stock repurchases) up to $50 million plus additional amounts based on our financial results and condition. We can make additional stock repurchases equal to the amount of proceeds that we receive from the exercise of stock options held by our employees. We can also make acquisitions as long as the pro forma net leverage ratio is less than 4.5 to 1.0.

Commitment fees of 0.30% to 0.50% per annum, based on our leverage ratio, of the total unused commitment are payable under the revolving credit facility.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.2 million.

Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates. To manage risks associated with the volatility of changes in interest rates, we may enter into interest rate management instruments.

We may utilize interest rate swaps to manage our interest expense exposure by fixing our interest rate on portions of our floating rate term loan. We have entered into a $75 million notional value interest rate swap expiring in December 2016 which provides for a fixed interest rate of 1.08%. We did not provide or receive any collateral for this contract. The fair value of this financial derivative, which was designated as and qualified as a cash flow hedge through November 2013, is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based the expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observed market interest rate curves and implied volatilities. In addition, credit valuation adjustments, which consider the impact of any credit enhancements to the contracts, are incorporated in the fair values to account for potential nonperformance risk.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments are shown in the table below:



	December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Notional amount		Fair value				Notional amount		Fair value
(in thousands)	Notional amount		Asset		Liability ⁽¹⁾		Notional amount		Asset		Liability ⁽¹⁾

Undesignated derivatives:
Interest rate swap	$	75,000	$	—	$	471	$	75,000	$	—	$	723

⁽¹⁾ Balance recorded as other liabilities in Consolidated Balance Sheets

Through November 2013, the above derivative instrument was designated as and qualified as a cash flow hedge and the effective portion of the unrealized gains and losses on the derivative was reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transactions affected earnings. Upon refinancing our term loan B in November 2013, this hedge no longer qualified as a cash flow hedge and gains and losses on the derivative are recognized in current period earnings. The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the date of discontinuance of hedge accounting is being amortized into earnings on a straight-line basis through December 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately $0.4 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, was amortized into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss and is included in the reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss) line in the table below.



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014	2013

Effective portion recognized in accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	—	(182	)
Reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	384	649
Gain/(loss) on derivative	252	468

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

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+ Details

Fair Value Measurement

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement

We measure certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis, such as cash equivalents and derivatives. The fair value of these financial assets and liabilities were determined based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. These levels of input are as follows:


•	Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2 — Inputs, other than quoted market prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.


•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions.

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014 and 2013:



	December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3

Assets/(liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	10,000		$	10,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(471		)	—		(471		)	—



	December 31, 2013
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3

Assets/(liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	30,000		$	30,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(723		)	—		(723		)	—

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References+ Details

Noncontrolling Interests	12 Months Ended
Noncontrolling Interests	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interests	Noncontrolling Interest Individuals and other entities own a 4% noncontrolling interest in the capital stock of the subsidiary company that publishes our Memphis newspaper and a 6% noncontrolling interest in the capital stock of the subsidiary company that publishes our Evansville newspaper. We are not required to redeem the noncontrolling interests in these subsidiary companies.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries, which could include the name of the subsidiary, the ownership percentage held by the parent, the ownership percentage held by the noncontrolling owners, the amount of the noncontrolling interest, the location of this amount on the balance sheet (when not reported separately), an explanation of the increase or decrease in the amount of the noncontrolling interest, the noncontrolling interest share of the net Income or Loss of the subsidiary, the location of this amount on the income statement (when not reported separately), the nature of the noncontrolling interest such as background information and terms, the amount of the noncontrolling interest represented by preferred stock, a description of the preferred stock, and the dividend requirements of the preferred stock.

+ References+ Details

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table presents additional information about the change in certain working capital accounts:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net
Accounts and notes receivable	$	3,855		$	(14,064	)	$	10,181
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	4,692			2,490			34,412
Accounts payable	4,248			(6,800		)	5,631
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	6,064			(10,132		)	2,049
Other accrued liabilities	9,938			2,326			673
Other, net	(557		)	(3,889		)	7,648
Total	$	28,240		$	(30,069	)	$	60,594

Information regarding supplemental cash flow disclosures is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Interest paid, excluding amounts capitalized	$	7,244	$	8,067	$	9,339
Income taxes paid	$	455	$	417	$	7,088

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor various noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all full-time employees that began employment prior to June 30, 2008. Benefits earned by employees are generally based upon employee compensation and years of service credits. We also have a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"). Effective June 30, 2009, we froze the accrual of benefits under our defined benefit pension plans and our SERP that cover the majority of our employees.

We sponsor a defined contribution plan covering substantially all non-union and certain union employees. We match a portion of employees' voluntary contributions to this plan. In connection with freezing the accrual of service credits under certain of our defined benefit pension plans, we began contributing additional amounts (transition credits) to certain employees' defined contribution retirement accounts in 2011. These transition credits, which we will make through 2015, are determined based upon the employee’s age, compensation and years of service.

Other union-represented employees are covered by defined benefit pension plans jointly sponsored by us and the union, or by union-sponsored multi-employer plans.

We use a December 31 measurement date for our retirement plans. Retirement plans expense is based on valuations as of the beginning of each fiscal year.

The components of the expense consisted of the following:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Service cost	$	85		$	79		$	104
Interest cost	25,539			23,732			25,830
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(23,481		)	(21,501		)	(22,520		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,861			4,192			3,586
Curtailment/Settlement losses	—			—			664
Total for defined benefit plans	5,004			6,502			7,664
Multi-employer plans	393			407			467
Withdrawal from GCIU multi-employer plan	4,100			—			—
SERP	896			2,335			956
Defined contribution plans	11,739			11,379			10,538
Net periodic benefit cost	22,132			20,623			19,625

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013		2012

Current year actuarial gain/(loss)	$	(75,527	)	$	52,063	$	(30,761	)
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,861			4,192		4,246
Amortization of prior service cost	—			—		4
Total	$	(72,666	)	$	56,255	$	(26,511	)

In addition to the amounts summarized above, amortization of actuarial losses of $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million were recorded through other comprehensive income in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to our SERP plan. A current year actuarial loss of $0.6 million, $0.7 million and $2.3 million was recognized in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to our SERP plan. In 2013, a settlement charge of $1.1 million was recorded for our SERP plan.

Assumptions used in determining the annual retirement plans expense were as follows:



	2014		2013		2012

Discount rate	5.08	%	4.27	%	5.29	%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	5.25	%	4.65	%	5.30	%
Increase in compensation levels	2.0	%	3.3	%	3.3	%

The discount rate used to determine our future pension obligations is based on a dedicated bond portfolio approach that includes securities rated Aa or better with maturities matching our expected benefit payments from the plans. The increase in compensation levels assumption is based on actual past experience and our near-term outlook.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based upon the weighted-average expected rate of return and capital market forecasts for each asset class employed. Our expected rate of return on plan assets also considers our historical compounded return on plan assets for 10- and 15-year periods.

Changes in other key actuarial assumptions affect the determination of the benefit obligations as of the measurement date and the calculation of net periodic benefit costs in subsequent periods. Recent actuarial studies indicate life expectancies are longer and thus increase the total expected benefit payments to plan participants. Our benefit obligations at December 31, 2014 reflect the new life expectancy assumptions which increased our pension obligations by approximately $45 million in 2014.

Obligations and Funded Status — The defined benefit pension plan obligations and funded status are actuarially valued as of the end of each year. The following table presents information about our employee benefit plan assets and obligations:



	For the years ended December 31,
	Defined Benefit Plans						SERP
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013

Accumulated benefit obligation	$	620,623		$	503,500		$	15,261		$	14,593
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	504,571		$	570,219		$	14,872		$	15,920
Service cost	85			79			—			—
Interest cost	25,539			23,732			638			749
Benefits paid	(24,708		)	(24,806		)	(810		)	(804		)
Actuarial (gains)/losses	115,136			(64,653		)	561			662
Curtailments/Settlements	—			—			—			(1,655		)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	620,623			504,571			15,261			14,872
Plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year	456,591			472,417			—			—
Actual return on plan assets	63,090			8,911			—			—
Company contributions	74			69			810			2,459
Benefits paid	(24,708		)	(24,806		)	(810		)	(804		)
Curtailments/Settlements	—			—			—			(1,655		)
Fair value at end of year	495,047			456,591			—			—
Funded status	$	(125,576	)	$	(47,980	)	$	(15,261	)	$	(14,872	)
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	(1,048	)	$	(832	)
Noncurrent liabilities	(125,576		)	(47,980		)	(14,213		)	(14,040		)
Total	$	(125,576	)	$	(47,980	)	$	(15,261	)	$	(14,872	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	191,757		$	119,091		$	9,632		$	9,343

In 2015, for our defined benefit pension plans, we expect to recognize amortization of actuarial loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs of $4.9 million (including $0.3 million for the SERP).

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets was as follows:



	As of December 31,
	Defined Benefit Plans				SERP
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2014		2013

Accumulated benefit obligation	$	620,623	$	503,500	$	15,261	$	14,593
Projected benefit obligation	620,623		504,571		15,261		14,872
Fair value of plan assets	495,047		456,591		—		—

Assumptions used to determine the defined benefit pension plans benefit obligations were as follows:



	2014		2013		2012

Weighted average discount rate	4.23	%	5.08	%	4.27	%
Increase in compensation levels	N/A		2.0	%	3.3	%

We expect to contribute $1.0 million in 2015 to fund SERP benefits. We have met the minimum funding requirements for our qualified defined benefit pension plans and do not expect to make contributions in 2015.

Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid from the plans for the next ten years are $22.8 million in 2015, $24.0 million in 2016, $25.6 million in 2017, $27.6 million in 2018, $29.2 million in 2019 and a total of $167.9 million for the five years ending 2024.

Plan Assets and Investment Strategy

Our long-term investment strategy for pension assets is to earn a rate of return over time that minimizes future contributions to the plan while reducing the volatility of pension assets relative to pension liabilities. The strategy reflects the fact that we have frozen the accrual of service credits under defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of employees. We evaluate our asset allocation target ranges for equity, fixed income and other investments annually. We monitor actual asset allocations monthly and adjust as necessary. We control risk through diversification among multiple asset classes, managers and styles. Risk is further monitored at the manager and asset class level by evaluating performance against appropriate benchmarks.

Information related to our pension plan asset allocations by asset category were as follows:



	Target allocation		Percentage of plan assets as of December 31,
	2015		2014		2013

US equity securities	10	%	11	%	10	%
Non-US equity securities	15	%	15	%	16	%
Fixed-income securities	70	%	70	%	69	%
Other	5	%	4	%	5	%
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%

U.S. equity securities include common stocks of large, medium and small capitalization companies, which are predominantly U.S. based. Non-U.S. equity securities include companies domiciled outside of the U.S. and American depository receipts. Fixed-income securities include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, mortgage backed securities and corporate debt obligations. Other investments include real estate funds.

We have target asset allocations to invest plan assets in securities that match the timing of the payment of plan obligations. As a result, approximately 70% of plan assets are invested in a portfolio of fixed income securities with a duration approximately that of the projected payment of benefit obligations. The remaining 30% of plan assets are invested in equity securities and other return-seeking assets. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based primarily upon the target asset allocation for plan assets and capital markets forecasts for each asset class employed. Our expected rate of return on plan assets also considers our historical compound rate of return on plan assets for 10- and 15 year periods.

The following tables present our plan assets using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:



	December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Equity securities
Common/collective trust funds	$	128,189	$	—	$	128,189	$	—
Fixed income
Common/collective trust funds	343,462		—		343,462		—
Real estate fund	21,661		—		—		21,661
Cash equivalents	1,735		1,735		—		—
Fair value of plan assets	$	495,047	$	1,735	$	471,651	$	21,661



	December 31, 2013
(in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Equity securities
Common/collective trust funds	$	122,851	$	—	$	122,851	$	—
Fixed income
Common/collective trust funds	312,626		—		312,626		—
Real estate fund	19,534		—		—		19,534
Cash equivalents	1,580		1,580		—		—
Fair value of plan assets	$	456,591	$	1,580	$	435,477	$	19,534

Equity securities-common/collective trust funds and fixed income-common/collective trust funds are comprised of shares or units in commingled funds that are not publicly traded. The underlying assets in these funds (equity securities and fixed income securities) are publicly traded on exchanges and price quotes for the assets held by these funds are readily available. Common/collective trust funds are typically valued at their net asset values that are calculated by the investment manager or sponsor of the fund and have daily or monthly liquidity.

Real estate pertains to an investment in a real estate fund which invests in limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, real estate investment trusts, other funds and insurance company group annuity contracts. The valuations for these holdings are based on property appraisals using cash flow analysis and market transactions.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Level 3 assets held during 2014 and 2013:



(in thousands)	Real Estate Fund

As of December 31, 2012	$	17,766
Unrealized gains/(losses)	1,768
As of December 31, 2013	19,534
Unrealized gains/(losses)	2,127
As of December 31, 2014	$	21,661

Multi-employer plans

We participate in four multi-employer pension plans that cover certain employees that are members of unions or trade associations that have a collective bargaining agreement with us. We represent fewer than 5% of the total contributions made to the four plans and deem only two of the four plans we participate in to be significant. The following table summarizes the two plans we deem significant:



		Pension Protection Act Zone Status			Contributions of the Company
Pension Fund	EIN/Pension Plan Number	2014	2013	FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	2014		2013		2012		Surcharge Imposed	Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement

CWA/ITU	13-6212879	Red	Red	Implemented	$	126,453	$	116,295	$	126,205	NA	2015
GCIU	91-6024903	Red	Red	Implemented	$	80,972	$	99,594	$	117,131	Yes	2016

The CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan has a withdrawal liability of approximately $4.8 million. Contribution rates are scheduled to remain consistent with current rates for the foreseeable future. A rehabilitation plan was adopted in 2010 related to pension vesting and early retirement, however, mandatory increases in contributions or surcharges were not implemented.

The GCIU-Employer Retirement Fund has a withdrawal liability of approximately $6.5 million. A rehabilitation plan was adopted in 2009, which increased employer contributions beginning in 2013 and continued through 2014. In the second quarter of 2014, unions ratified our plan to withdraw from the GCIU Employer Retirement Fund. Upon ratification of the agreement, we recorded $4.1 million for the present value of the liability. Once we reach a final agreement with the GCIU, we either will pay the liability in a lump sum or make equal monthly installments over 20 years beginning in 2015.

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

We determine our business segments based upon our management and internal reporting structure. Our reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer different products and services.

Our television segment includes 11 ABC affiliates, three NBC affiliates and two independent stations, which we operate as duopolies with our Kansas City NBC affiliate and our Detroit ABC affiliate. We also own five Azteca America affiliates. Our television stations reach approximately 14% of the nation’s households. Television stations earn revenue primarily from the sale of advertising time to local and national advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers.

Our newspaper segment includes daily and community newspapers in 13 markets across the United States. Newspapers earn revenue primarily from the sale of advertising space to local and national advertisers and newspaper subscription fees.

Syndication and other primarily includes certain digital operations outside our television and newspaper markets and syndication of news features and comics and other features for the newspaper industry. Newsy, a digital video news service, and WeatherSphere, a provider of weather-related mobile apps, are also included in syndication and other.

We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits, digital operation services and other shared services, to our business segments. The allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount. Corporate assets are primarily cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, property and equipment primarily used for corporate purposes, and deferred income taxes. A portion of our digital operations, which are not allocated to our television and newspaper segments, is included in shared services and corporate.

Our chief operating decision maker evaluates the operating performance of our business segments and makes decisions about the allocation of resources to our business segments using a measure called segment profit. Segment profit excludes interest, defined benefit pension plan expense (other than current service cost), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, divested operating units, restructuring activities, investment results and certain other items that are included in net income (loss) determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Information regarding our business segments is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Segment operating revenues:
Television	$	486,322		$	422,763		$	493,896
Newspapers	370,316			384,514			399,091
Syndication and other	12,430			9,594			10,471
Total operating revenues	$	869,068		$	816,871		$	903,458
Segment profit (loss):
Television	$	134,885		$	99,790		$	159,917
Newspapers	20,783			27,965			27,595
Syndication and other	(1,871		)	102			(347		)
Shared services and corporate	(53,876		)	(52,563		)	(39,678		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(10,000		)	(8,837		)	(8,620		)
Acquisition and related integration costs	(13,974		)	—			(5,826		)
Restructuring costs	—			(4,893		)	(9,335		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(49,070		)	(47,762		)	(49,332		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	2,260			(166		)	(474		)
Interest expense	(8,494		)	(10,448		)	(12,246		)
Miscellaneous, net	(8,389		)	(11,760		)	(4,747		)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	12,254		$	(8,572	)	$	56,907
Depreciation:
Television	$	21,676		$	22,561		$	23,022
Newspapers	15,933			16,204			18,186
Syndication and other	495			78			55
Shared services and corporate	2,564			1,996			995
Total depreciation	$	40,668		$	40,839		$	42,258
Amortization of intangibles:
Television	$	7,092		$	6,378		$	6,413
Newspapers	390			545			661
Syndication and other	920			—			—
Total amortization of intangibles	$	8,402		$	6,923		$	7,074

The following table presents additions to property, plant and equipment by segment:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Television	$	13,039	$	12,595	$	19,947
Newspapers	2,206		2,399		2,771
Syndication and other	1,335		—		780
Shared services and corporate	2,428		6,361		6,712
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	$	19,008	$	21,355	$	30,210

Total assets by segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Assets:
Television	$	509,569	$	410,529	$	415,174
Newspapers	232,420		261,974		278,110
Syndication and other	44,178		2,017		3,837
Shared services and corporate	246,564		291,610		333,647
Total assets	$	1,032,731	$	966,130	$	1,030,768

No single customer provides more than 10% of our revenue.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

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+ Details

Spin-Off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc	12 Months Ended
Spin-Off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc	Dec. 31, 2014
Spin Off of Company [Abstract]
Spin-off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.	Spin-off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. On July 1, 2008, we distributed all of the shares of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (“SNI”) to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 16, 2008. SNI owned and operated our national lifestyle cable television networks and interactive media businesses. In connection with the separation, we entered into several agreements, including a Tax Allocation Agreement. This agreement sets forth the allocations between us and SNI with regards to liabilities for federal, state and local taxes for periods prior to the separation. Pursuant to this agreement, we paid SNI $0.4 million 2012 for its share of the tax refund claims we received from the tax authorities. In addition, under the terms of the Tax Allocation Agreement, we receive any tax deductions for share-based compensation awards held by our employees in SNI. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, we took deductions upon the exercise of those awards that totaled approximately $8.1 million, $14.3 million and $17.8 million, respectively. These benefits are recorded as additional paid-in-capital at the time they are realized. At December 31, 2014, our employees held approximately 0.2 million SNI options which expire through 2017.

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Minimum payments on noncancelable leases at December 31, 2014 were: $4.2 million in 2015, $3.4 million in 2016, $3.2 million in 2017, $2.4 million in 2018, $2.3 million in 2019 and $9.5 million in later years. We expect our operating leases will be replaced with leases for similar facilities upon their expiration. Rental expense for cancelable and noncancelable leases was $10.1 million in 2014, $8.7 million in 2013 and $10.3 million in 2012. We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, such as defamation actions, and governmental proceedings primarily relating to renewal of broadcast licenses, none of which is expected to result in material loss. Members of the Board of Directors of Journal Communications, Inc. ("Journal"), and the parties to the Master Transaction Agreement, including Journal and Scripps, were defendants in a class action lawsuit filed in Circuit Court, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (Howard Goldfinger v. Journal Communications, Inc., et al.). The plaintiff in the lawsuit alleged that the directors of Journal breached their fiduciary duties to Journal shareholders in connection with the Journal Transactions and that the other parties to the lawsuit aided and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The plaintiff alleged that the directors of Journal breached their fiduciary duties by, among other things, (i) agreeing to enter into the Master Transaction Agreement for inadequate consideration, (ii) having certain conflicts of interest, (iii) not negotiating a “collar” mechanism on the share exchange ratio, and (iv) agreeing to certain deal protection provisions, such as a termination fee, a “no-shop” provision, and a “matching rights” provision. The plaintiff also challenged the qualifications of Journal's financial advisor, Methuselah Advisors LLC ("Methuselah"), and asserted that Methuselah has a conflict because the founder and managing partner of Methuselah, who is the lead investment banker at Methuselah for Journal in the Journal Transactions, was employed by Lazard Fréres & Co. LLC (“Lazard”) prior to 2010 as a managing director, where he had responsibility for Lazard’s relationship with Scripps. On August 29, 2014, the defendants filed Motions to Dismiss asking the Circuit Court to dismiss the lawsuit. On November 12, 2014, the Circuit Court entered an Order granting the defendants’ Motions to Dismiss and dismissing the lawsuit. On January 6, 2015, the plaintiff in the above-referenced lawsuit filed a putative class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (Howard Goldfinger v. Journal Communications, Inc., et al. (Case No. 2:15-cv-00012-JPS)), naming Journal, the Board of Directors of Journal, Scripps, and the other parties to the Master Transaction Agreement as defendants. The plaintiff asserts disclosure claims under Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as state common law claims for breaches of fiduciary duty and aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty. The complaint seeks, among other remedies, injunctive relief enjoining the Journal Transactions and damages. The outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain. An adverse judgment for monetary damages could have an adverse effect on the operations and liquidity of Journal and Scripps. A preliminary injunction could delay or jeopardize the completion of the Journal Transactions, and an adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin completion of the Journal Transactions. Journal, Scripps, and the other defendants named in the lawsuit believe the claims asserted are without merit and intend to continue to vigorously defend against them.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References+ Details

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans

Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation Plans

Capital Stock — We have two classes of common shares, Common Voting shares and Class A Common shares. The Class A Common shares are only entitled to vote on the election of the greater of three or one-third of the directors and other matters as required by Ohio law.

Share Repurchase Plan — In November 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2014. Under the authorization, we repurchased a total of $95 million of shares at prices ranging from $10.83 to $19.99 per share. No additional shares may be repurchased pursuant to this authorization.

In May 2014, our Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through December 2016. No shares have been repurchased under this program as of December 31, 2014.

Under the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement with Journal Communications, Inc., we are precluded from repurchasing shares prior to the closing of the Journal Transactions.

Incentive Plans — On May 13, 2010, we adopted The E.W. Scripps Company 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which terminates on February 15, 2020. The Plan permits the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs), restricted and unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors. Any shares previously granted under the 1997 Plan that are subsequently forfeited, terminated, settled in cash or used to satisfy tax withholding obligations become available for issuance under the 2010 Plan.

We satisfy stock option exercises and vested stock awards with newly issued shares. As of December 31, 2014, 4.2 million shares were available for future stock compensation awards.

Stock Options — Stock options grant the recipient the right to purchase Class A Common shares at not less than 100% of the fair market value on the date the option is granted. We have not issued any new stock options since 2008.

The following table summarizes information about stock option transactions:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Range of Exercise Prices

Outstanding at December 31, 2011	10,094,622		$	9.62	$7-11
Exercised in 2012	(2,046,309	)	9.03		8-10
Forfeited in 2012	(36,933	)	9.12		8-11
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	8,011,380		9.77		7-11
Exercised in 2013	(4,635,148	)	10.00		7-11
Forfeited in 2013	(6,184	)	10.23		9-11
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	3,370,048		9.46		7-11
Exercised in 2014	(1,662,055	)	10.01		9-11
Forfeited in 2014	(4,117	)	10.45		10-11
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,703,876		8.92		7-11

The following table presents additional information about exercises of stock options:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Cash received upon exercise	$	16,579	$	46,624	$	18,215
Intrinsic value (market value on date of exercise less exercise price)	16,036		18,468		2,378
Tax benefits realized ⁽¹⁾	6,013		6,926		892

⁽¹⁾Benefits for 2013 to be recognized in future years when realizable.

Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant is as follows:



			Options Outstanding and Exercisable
Year of Grant	Range of Exercise Prices	Average Remaining Term (in years)	Options on Shares Outstanding	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)

2005 – expire in 2015	$10-11	0.28	33,799	$	10.89	$	0.4
2006 – expire in 2016	10	1.34	42,250	9.96		0.5
2007 – expire in 2015	9-10	0.18	190,679	10.15		2.3
2008 – expire in 2016	7-10	1.26	1,437,148	8.68		19.7
Total	$7-11	1.12	1,703,876	$	8.92	$	22.9

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units — Awards of Class A Common shares (restricted stock) and restricted stock units generally require no payment by the employee. RSUs are converted into an equal number of Class A Common shares when vested. These awards generally vest over a three or four year period, conditioned upon the individual’s continued employment through that period. Awards vest immediately upon the retirement, death or disability of the employee or upon a change in control of Scripps or in the business in which the individual is employed. Unvested awards may be forfeited if employment is terminated for other reasons. Awards are nontransferable during the vesting period, but the awards are entitled to all the rights of an outstanding share. There are no post-vesting restrictions on awards granted to employees and non-employee directors.

Long-term incentive compensation includes performance share awards. Performance share awards represent the right to receive an award of RSUs if certain performance measures are met. Each award specifies a target number of shares to be issued and the specific performance criteria that must be met. The number of shares that an employee receives may be less or more than the target number of shares depending on the extent to which the specified performance measures are met or exceeded.

Information and activity for our restricted stock and RSUs is presented below:



			Grant Date Fair Value
	Number of Shares		Weighted Average		Range of Prices

Unvested at December 31, 2011	3,982,532		$	3.53	$1-11
Awarded in 2012	877,349		9.77		8-11
Vested in 2012	(2,506,232	)	2.68		9-11
Forfeited in 2012	(24,247	)	8.19		1-10
Unvested at December 31, 2012	2,329,402		6.75		1-11
Awarded in 2013	757,229		11.71		11-20
Vested in 2013	(1,452,719	)	5.01		1-12
Forfeited in 2013	(47,071	)	10.35		9-12
Unvested at December 31, 2013	1,586,841		10.59		7-20
Awarded in 2014	567,695		16.52		16-22
Vested in 2014	(704,528	)	10.40		7-20
Forfeited in 2014	(225,487	)	11.75		9-18
Unvested at December 31, 2014	1,224,521		13.24		7-22

The following table presents additional information about restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Fair value of shares and units vested	$	12,906	$	16,565	$	23,326
Tax benefits realized on vesting ⁽¹⁾	4,840		6,212		8,747

⁽¹⁾ Benefits for 2013 to be recognized in future years when realizable.

Share-based Compensation Costs

Share-based compensation costs were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

RSUs	$	7,631	$	6,078	$	7,549
Share-based compensation, net of tax	4,769		3,799		4,718

As of December 31, 2014, $5.2 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to RSUs and performance shares is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") by component, including items reclassified out of AOCL, were as follows:



(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total

As of December 31, 2012	$	(1,009	)	$	(116,188	)	$	357		$	(116,840	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(113		)	—			—			(113		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap ^(a), net of tax of $245	404			—			—			404
Actuarial gain (loss) ^(b), net of tax of $21,927	—			35,811			(185		)	35,626
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	291			35,811			(185		)	35,917
As of December 31, 2013	(718		)	(80,377		)	172			(80,923		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap ^(a), net of tax of $145	239			—			—			239
Actuarial gain (loss) ^(b), net of tax of $(27,672)	—			(45,500		)	(259		)	(45,759		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	239			(45,500		)	(259		)	(45,520		)
As of December 31, 2014	$	(479	)	$	(125,877	)	$	(87	)	$	(126,443	)

^(a) Included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

^(b) Included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

Summarized quarterly financial information is as follows:



2014	1st			2nd			3rd			4th
(in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Total

Operating revenues	$	203,794		$	211,946		$	207,600		$	245,728		$	869,068
Costs and expenses	(190,059		)	(203,347		)	(194,699		)	(205,016		)	(793,121		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(11,729		)	(11,595		)	(13,195		)	(12,551		)	(49,070		)
(Losses) gains, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(68		)	(22		)	2,951			(601		)	2,260
Interest expense	(2,254		)	(2,043		)	(2,050		)	(2,147		)	(8,494		)
Miscellaneous, net	(445		)	(400		)	(216		)	(7,328		)	(8,389		)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	149			2,027			(1,835		)	(2,373		)	(2,032		)
Net (loss) income	(612		)	(3,434		)	(1,444		)	15,712			10,222
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			(199		)	(103		)	(5		)	(307		)
Net (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(612	)	$	(3,235	)	$	(1,341	)	$	15,717		$	10,529
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.02	)	$	0.27		$	0.18
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.02	)	$	0.27		$	0.18
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	56,084			56,043			56,469			56,763			56,342
Diluted	56,084			56,043			56,469			57,474			57,239
Cash dividends per share of common stock	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—



2013	1st			2nd			3rd			4th
(in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Total

Operating revenues	$	198,653		$	207,853		$	189,535		$	220,830		$	816,871
Costs and expenses	(190,538		)	(187,935		)	(185,418		)	(191,416		)	(755,307		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(11,814		)	(11,774		)	(12,096		)	(12,078		)	(47,762		)
(Losses) gains, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(5		)	42			(177		)	(26		)	(166		)
Interest expense	(2,613		)	(2,656		)	(2,655		)	(2,524		)	(10,448		)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,304		)	(1,634		)	(1,087		)	(7,735		)	(11,760		)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	4,950			(711		)	3,047			562			7,848
Net (loss) income	(2,671		)	3,185			(8,851		)	7,613			(724		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(250		)	(250		)
Net (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(2,671	)	$	3,185		$	(8,851	)	$	7,863		$	(474	)
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$	(0.05	)	$	0.05		$	(0.16	)	$	0.14		$	(0.01	)
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$	(0.05	)	$	0.05		$	(0.16	)	$	0.13		$	(0.01	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	56,330			57,448			56,177			55,980			56,516
Diluted	56,330			58,747			56,177			57,272			56,516
Cash dividends per share of common stock	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

The sum of the quarterly net income per share amounts may not equal the reported annual amount because each amount is computed independently based upon the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished.

+ References+ Details

Pending Broadcast Acquisition and Newspaper Spin-off (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Pending Broadcast Merger and Newspaper Spin-off

Acquisitions



(in thousands)

Assets:
Property, plant and equipment	$	12,025
Intangible assets	53,500
Goodwill	44,715
Total assets acquired	110,240
Current liabilities	240
Net purchase price	$	110,000



	For the year ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2014		2013

Operating revenues	$	883,307	$	847,890
Income from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	12,062		4,441
Income per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic	$	0.21	$	0.08
Diluted	0.21		0.07



(in thousands)

Assets:
Accounts receivable	$	640
Other assets	74
Equipment and software	631
Intangible assets	5,900
Goodwill	28,983
Total assets acquired	36,228
Current liabilities	116
Long-term deferred tax liability	890
Net purchase price	$	35,222

Broadcast Operations and Newspaper Business

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Pending Broadcast Merger and Newspaper Spin-off

Pending Broadcast Acquisition and Newspaper Spin-off

On July 30, 2014, Scripps and Journal Communications, Inc. ("Journal") agreed to spin-off their newspaper businesses into a separate publicly traded company and for Scripps to acquire Journal's broadcast business (the “Journal Transactions”). The closing date of the Journal Transactions is currently scheduled for April 1, 2015.

The merged broadcast and digital media company, to be based in Cincinnati, will retain The E. W. Scripps Company name and continue to be controlled by the Scripps family. The company’s television operations will reach approximately 18% of all U.S. households and will have approximately 4,000 employees across its television, radio and digital media operations.

The newspaper company will be named Journal Media Group, combining the 13 Scripps newspapers with Journal's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The company will have approximately 3,600 employees and will be headquartered in Milwaukee.

The Board of Directors of both companies have approved the Journal Transactions, which are subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals. Scripps and Journal shareholders voted to approve the Journal Transactions on March 11, 2015. As part of the Journal Transactions, Scripps shareholders will receive a $60 million special cash dividend. Under the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement with Journal Communications, Inc., we are precluded from repurchasing shares prior to the closing of the Journal Transactions.

In order to carry out the Journal Transactions, we will incur $25 to $30 million in costs, of which we have incurred approximately $10 million to date. With the Journal Transactions, we will also assume Journal's outstanding liabilities, including any employee benefit obligations ($95 million as of December 31, 2014). Journal also has outstanding debt of $131 million as of December 31, 2014, of which we will refinance $120 million and assume the remainder. We expect to increase our term loan B by $200 million to refinance Journal's debt and pay costs, taxes and the dividend associated with the Journal Transactions. We expect to have a $398 million term loan B after closing the Journal Transactions.

In the case that Scripps breaches its obligation to consummate the Journal Transactions, the Master Transaction Agreement may require Scripps to pay liquidated damages of $15.8 million plus expenses, subject to an overall limit of $23.5 million.

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation — Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

Concentration Risks

Use of Estimates

While we re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis, actual results could differ from those estimated at the time of preparation of the financial statements.

Consolidation

Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiary companies is included in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revenue Recognition

Our primary sources of revenue are from the sale of print, broadcast and digital advertising, retransmission fees received from cable operators and satellite carriers and newspaper subscription fees.

Revenue recognition policies for each source of revenue are as follows.

Retransmission — We derive revenues from cable and satellite retransmission of our broadcast signal. We recognize retransmission revenues based on the contractual terms and rates.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents — Cash-equivalents represent highly liquid investments with an original maturity of less than three months.

Inventories

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. We determine the cost of inventories using the first in, first out (“FIFO”) method.

Trade Receivables

A rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:



(in thousands)

January 1, 2012	$	1,885
Charged to revenues, costs and expenses	1,717
Amounts charged off, net	(1,111		)
Balance as of December 31, 2012	2,491
Charged to revenues, costs and expenses	1,043
Amounts charged off, net	(1,507		)
Balance as of December 31, 2013	2,027
Charged to revenues, costs and expenses	1,705
Amounts charged off, net	(1,596		)
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	2,136

Investments

We record investments in private companies not accounted for under the equity method at cost, net of impairment write-downs, because no readily determinable market price is available.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Programs and Program Licenses

Program rights liabilities payable within the next twelve months are included in accounts payable. Noncurrent program rights liabilities are included in other noncurrent liabilities.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets — Goodwill represents the cost of acquisitions in excess of the acquired businesses’ tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets.

Amortizable Intangible Assets

We amortize customer lists and other intangible assets in relation to their expected future cash flows over estimated useful lives of up to 20 years.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Self-Insured Risks

Income Taxes

Newsprint, Press Supplies and Other Printing Costs

Derivative Financial Instruments

Share-Based Compensation

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment

We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and improvements	35 to 45 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of term of lease or useful life
Printing presses	20 to 30 years
Other newspaper production equipment	5 to 15 years
Television transmission towers and related equipment	15 to 35 years
Other television and program production equipment	3 to 15 years
Computer hardware and software	3 to 5 years
Office and other equipment	3 to 10 years

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013

Land and improvements	$	74,510	$	73,980
Buildings and improvements	234,272		231,219
Equipment	482,241		472,407
Computer software	35,961		36,155
Total	826,984		813,761
Accumulated depreciation	483,595		459,964
Net property, plant and equipment	$	343,389	$	353,797

Components of basic and diluted weighted-average shares

The following table presents information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	10,529		$	(474	)	$	40,188
Less income allocated to RSUs	(240		)	—			(1,845		)
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	10,289		$	(474	)	$	38,343
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	56,342			56,516			54,907
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options held by employees and directors	897			—			474
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	57,239			56,516			55,381
Anti-dilutive securities⁽¹⁾	—			4,957			176


⁽¹⁾	Amount outstanding at Balance Sheet date, before application of the treasury stock method and not weighted for period outstanding.

Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following table summarizes the final fair values.



(in thousands)

Assets:
Accounts receivable	$	640
Other assets	74
Equipment and software	631
Intangible assets	5,900
Goodwill	28,983
Total assets acquired	36,228
Current liabilities	116
Long-term deferred tax liability	890
Net purchase price	$	35,222

The following table summarizes the final fair values.



(in thousands)

Assets:
Property, plant and equipment	$	12,025
Intangible assets	53,500
Goodwill	44,715
Total assets acquired	110,240
Current liabilities	240
Net purchase price	$	110,000

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information



	For the year ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)	2014		2013

Operating revenues	$	883,307	$	847,890
Income from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	12,062		4,441
Income per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic	$	0.21	$	0.08
Diluted	0.21		0.07

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Provision for income taxes

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Current:
Federal	$	2,358		$	319		$	8,171
State and local	(7,825		)	(3,102		)	517
Total current income tax provision	(5,467		)	(2,783		)	8,688
Deferred:
Federal	7,904			(4,842		)	7,185
Other	(405		)	(223		)	1,112
Total deferred income tax provision	7,499			(5,065		)	8,297
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	2,032		$	(7,848	)	$	16,985

Effective income tax rate reconciliation

The difference between the statutory rate for federal income tax and the effective income tax rate was as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012

Statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Effect of:
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	5.1		4.4		2.1
Nondeductible expenses	19.4		(9.6	)	0.4
Reserve for uncertain tax positions	(48.7	)	35.7		(7.3	)
Amended returns and settlements	—		16.6		—
Other	5.8		9.5		(0.4	)
Effective income tax rate	16.6	%	91.6	%	29.8	%

Schedule of deferred income tax (liabilities) assets

The approximate effect of the temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013

Temporary differences:
Property, plant and equipment	$	(42,418	)	$	(44,448	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(9,803		)	(2,684		)
Investments, primarily gains and losses not yet recognized for tax purposes	7,162			4,750
Accrued expenses not deductible until paid	13,011			11,865
Deferred compensation and retiree benefits not deductible until paid	66,002			37,041
Other temporary differences, net	4,135			25
Total temporary differences	38,089			6,549
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	13,605			21,123
Valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets	(912		)	(1,078		)
Net deferred tax asset	$	50,782		$	26,594

Gross unrecognized tax benefit reconciliation

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	14,824		$	16,386		$	21,240
Increases in tax positions for prior years	—			2,692			623
Decreases in tax positions for prior years	(525		)	—			(1,287		)
Decreases from lapse in statute of limitations	(7,275		)	(2,670		)	(4,190		)
Settlements	—			(1,584		)	—
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	7,024		$	14,824		$	16,386

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and improvements	35 to 45 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of term of lease or useful life
Printing presses	20 to 30 years
Other newspaper production equipment	5 to 15 years
Television transmission towers and related equipment	15 to 35 years
Other television and program production equipment	3 to 15 years
Computer hardware and software	3 to 5 years
Office and other equipment	3 to 10 years

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013

Land and improvements	$	74,510	$	73,980
Buildings and improvements	234,272		231,219
Equipment	482,241		472,407
Computer software	35,961		36,155
Total	826,984		813,761
Accumulated depreciation	483,595		459,964
Net property, plant and equipment	$	343,389	$	353,797

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of other intangible assets

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013

Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Television network affiliation relationships	$	93,944		$	78,844
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	30,404			22,304
Other	5,761			3,561
Total carrying amount	130,109			104,709
Accumulated amortization:
Television network affiliation relationships	(14,092		)	(9,691		)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships	(16,416		)	(13,138		)
Other	(2,556		)	(1,833		)
Total accumulated amortization	(33,064		)	(24,662		)
Net amortizable intangible assets	97,045			80,047
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses	92,215			57,815
Total other intangible assets	$	189,260		$	137,862

Goodwill by business segment

Goodwill by business segment was as follows:



(in thousands)	Television			Newspapers			Syndication and other		Total

Gross balance as of December 31, 2011	$	244,005		$	778,900		$	—	$	1,022,905
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2011	28,591			—			—		28,591
Purchase accounting adjustments in 2012	(625		)	—			—		(625		)
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	27,966		$	—		$	—	$	27,966

Gross balance as of December 31, 2012	$	243,380		$	778,900		$	—	$	1,022,280
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	27,966		$	—		$	—	$	27,966

Gross balance as of December 31, 2013	$	243,380		$	778,900		$	—	$	1,022,280
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2013	27,966			—			—		27,966
2014 Newsy acquisition	—			—			28,983		28,983
2014 Granite Stations acquisitions	44,715			—			—		44,715
2014 WeatherSphere acquisition	—			—			4,597		4,597
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	72,681		$	—		$	33,580	$	106,261

Gross balance as of December 31, 2014	$	288,095		$	778,900		$	33,580	$	1,100,575
Accumulated impairment losses	(215,414		)	(778,900		)	—		(994,314		)
Net balance as of December 31, 2014	$	72,681		$	—		$	33,580	$	106,261

Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Notional amounts and fair values of derivatives designated as and not designated as cash flow hedges

The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments are shown in the table below:



	December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Notional amount		Fair value				Notional amount		Fair value
(in thousands)	Notional amount		Asset		Liability ⁽¹⁾		Notional amount		Asset		Liability ⁽¹⁾

Undesignated derivatives:
Interest rate swap	$	75,000	$	—	$	471	$	75,000	$	—	$	723

⁽¹⁾ Balance recorded as other liabilities in Consolidated Balance Sheets

Effective portion of the unrealized gain and loss on the derivative



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014	2013

Effective portion recognized in accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	—	(182	)
Reclassified from accumulated OCL, gain/(loss)	384	649
Gain/(loss) on derivative	252	468

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014 and 2013:



	December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3

Assets/(liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	10,000		$	10,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(471		)	—		(471		)	—



	December 31, 2013
(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3

Assets/(liabilities):
Cash equivalents	$	30,000		$	30,000	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap	(723		)	—		(723		)	—

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Change in certain working capital accounts

The following table presents additional information about the change in certain working capital accounts:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net
Accounts and notes receivable	$	3,855		$	(14,064	)	$	10,181
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	4,692			2,490			34,412
Accounts payable	4,248			(6,800		)	5,631
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	6,064			(10,132		)	2,049
Other accrued liabilities	9,938			2,326			673
Other, net	(557		)	(3,889		)	7,648
Total	$	28,240		$	(30,069	)	$	60,594

Information regarding supplemental cash flow disclosures

Information regarding supplemental cash flow disclosures is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Interest paid, excluding amounts capitalized	$	7,244	$	8,067	$	9,339
Income taxes paid	$	455	$	417	$	7,088

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of benefit expense

The components of the expense consisted of the following:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Service cost	$	85		$	79		$	104
Interest cost	25,539			23,732			25,830
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(23,481		)	(21,501		)	(22,520		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,861			4,192			3,586
Curtailment/Settlement losses	—			—			664
Total for defined benefit plans	5,004			6,502			7,664
Multi-employer plans	393			407			467
Withdrawal from GCIU multi-employer plan	4,100			—			—
SERP	896			2,335			956
Defined contribution plans	11,739			11,379			10,538
Net periodic benefit cost	22,132			20,623			19,625

Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013		2012

Current year actuarial gain/(loss)	$	(75,527	)	$	52,063	$	(30,761	)
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,861			4,192		4,246
Amortization of prior service cost	—			—		4
Total	$	(72,666	)	$	56,255	$	(26,511	)

Schedule of assumptions used

Assumptions used in determining the annual retirement plans expense were as follows:



	2014		2013		2012

Discount rate	5.08	%	4.27	%	5.29	%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	5.25	%	4.65	%	5.30	%
Increase in compensation levels	2.0	%	3.3	%	3.3	%

Assumptions used to determine the defined benefit pension plans benefit obligations were as follows:



	2014		2013		2012

Weighted average discount rate	4.23	%	5.08	%	4.27	%
Increase in compensation levels	N/A		2.0	%	3.3	%

Schedule of employee benefit plan assets and obligations

The following table presents information about our employee benefit plan assets and obligations:



	For the years ended December 31,
	Defined Benefit Plans						SERP
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013

Accumulated benefit obligation	$	620,623		$	503,500		$	15,261		$	14,593
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	504,571		$	570,219		$	14,872		$	15,920
Service cost	85			79			—			—
Interest cost	25,539			23,732			638			749
Benefits paid	(24,708		)	(24,806		)	(810		)	(804		)
Actuarial (gains)/losses	115,136			(64,653		)	561			662
Curtailments/Settlements	—			—			—			(1,655		)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	620,623			504,571			15,261			14,872
Plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year	456,591			472,417			—			—
Actual return on plan assets	63,090			8,911			—			—
Company contributions	74			69			810			2,459
Benefits paid	(24,708		)	(24,806		)	(810		)	(804		)
Curtailments/Settlements	—			—			—			(1,655		)
Fair value at end of year	495,047			456,591			—			—
Funded status	$	(125,576	)	$	(47,980	)	$	(15,261	)	$	(14,872	)
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	(1,048	)	$	(832	)
Noncurrent liabilities	(125,576		)	(47,980		)	(14,213		)	(14,040		)
Total	$	(125,576	)	$	(47,980	)	$	(15,261	)	$	(14,872	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	191,757		$	119,091		$	9,632		$	9,343

Schedule of pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets was as follows:



	As of December 31,
	Defined Benefit Plans				SERP
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2014		2013

Accumulated benefit obligation	$	620,623	$	503,500	$	15,261	$	14,593
Projected benefit obligation	620,623		504,571		15,261		14,872
Fair value of plan assets	495,047		456,591		—		—

Schedule of allocation of pension plan assets by asset category

Information related to our pension plan asset allocations by asset category were as follows:



	Target allocation		Percentage of plan assets as of December 31,
	2015		2014		2013

US equity securities	10	%	11	%	10	%
Non-US equity securities	15	%	15	%	16	%
Fixed-income securities	70	%	70	%	69	%
Other	5	%	4	%	5	%
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%

Plan assets measured using the fair value hierarchy

The following tables present our plan assets using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:



	December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Equity securities
Common/collective trust funds	$	128,189	$	—	$	128,189	$	—
Fixed income
Common/collective trust funds	343,462		—		343,462		—
Real estate fund	21,661		—		—		21,661
Cash equivalents	1,735		1,735		—		—
Fair value of plan assets	$	495,047	$	1,735	$	471,651	$	21,661



	December 31, 2013
(in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Equity securities
Common/collective trust funds	$	122,851	$	—	$	122,851	$	—
Fixed income
Common/collective trust funds	312,626		—		312,626		—
Real estate fund	19,534		—		—		19,534
Cash equivalents	1,580		1,580		—		—
Fair value of plan assets	$	456,591	$	1,580	$	435,477	$	19,534

Reconciliation of Level 3 assets

The following table presents a reconciliation of Level 3 assets held during 2014 and 2013:



(in thousands)	Real Estate Fund

As of December 31, 2012	$	17,766
Unrealized gains/(losses)	1,768
As of December 31, 2013	19,534
Unrealized gains/(losses)	2,127
As of December 31, 2014	$	21,661

Schedule of multi-employer plans

The following table summarizes the two plans we deem significant:



		Pension Protection Act Zone Status			Contributions of the Company
Pension Fund	EIN/Pension Plan Number	2014	2013	FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	2014		2013		2012		Surcharge Imposed	Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement

CWA/ITU	13-6212879	Red	Red	Implemented	$	126,453	$	116,295	$	126,205	NA	2015
GCIU	91-6024903	Red	Red	Implemented	$	80,972	$	99,594	$	117,131	Yes	2016

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Information regarding business segments

The following table presents additions to property, plant and equipment by segment:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Television	$	13,039	$	12,595	$	19,947
Newspapers	2,206		2,399		2,771
Syndication and other	1,335		—		780
Shared services and corporate	2,428		6,361		6,712
Total additions to property, plant and equipment	$	19,008	$	21,355	$	30,210

Total assets by segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows:



	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Assets:
Television	$	509,569	$	410,529	$	415,174
Newspapers	232,420		261,974		278,110
Syndication and other	44,178		2,017		3,837
Shared services and corporate	246,564		291,610		333,647
Total assets	$	1,032,731	$	966,130	$	1,030,768

Information regarding our business segments is as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012

Segment operating revenues:
Television	$	486,322		$	422,763		$	493,896
Newspapers	370,316			384,514			399,091
Syndication and other	12,430			9,594			10,471
Total operating revenues	$	869,068		$	816,871		$	903,458
Segment profit (loss):
Television	$	134,885		$	99,790		$	159,917
Newspapers	20,783			27,965			27,595
Syndication and other	(1,871		)	102			(347		)
Shared services and corporate	(53,876		)	(52,563		)	(39,678		)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	(10,000		)	(8,837		)	(8,620		)
Acquisition and related integration costs	(13,974		)	—			(5,826		)
Restructuring costs	—			(4,893		)	(9,335		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(49,070		)	(47,762		)	(49,332		)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	2,260			(166		)	(474		)
Interest expense	(8,494		)	(10,448		)	(12,246		)
Miscellaneous, net	(8,389		)	(11,760		)	(4,747		)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	12,254		$	(8,572	)	$	56,907
Depreciation:
Television	$	21,676		$	22,561		$	23,022
Newspapers	15,933			16,204			18,186
Syndication and other	495			78			55
Shared services and corporate	2,564			1,996			995
Total depreciation	$	40,668		$	40,839		$	42,258
Amortization of intangibles:
Television	$	7,092		$	6,378		$	6,413
Newspapers	390			545			661
Syndication and other	920			—			—
Total amortization of intangibles	$	8,402		$	6,923		$	7,074

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

+ References+ Details

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of options outstanding and exercisable

Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant is as follows:



			Options Outstanding and Exercisable
Year of Grant	Range of Exercise Prices	Average Remaining Term (in years)	Options on Shares Outstanding	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)

2005 – expire in 2015	$10-11	0.28	33,799	$	10.89	$	0.4
2006 – expire in 2016	10	1.34	42,250	9.96		0.5
2007 – expire in 2015	9-10	0.18	190,679	10.15		2.3
2008 – expire in 2016	7-10	1.26	1,437,148	8.68		19.7
Total	$7-11	1.12	1,703,876	$	8.92	$	22.9

The following table summarizes information about stock option transactions:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Range of Exercise Prices

Outstanding at December 31, 2011	10,094,622		$	9.62	$7-11
Exercised in 2012	(2,046,309	)	9.03		8-10
Forfeited in 2012	(36,933	)	9.12		8-11
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	8,011,380		9.77		7-11
Exercised in 2013	(4,635,148	)	10.00		7-11
Forfeited in 2013	(6,184	)	10.23		9-11
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	3,370,048		9.46		7-11
Exercised in 2014	(1,662,055	)	10.01		9-11
Forfeited in 2014	(4,117	)	10.45		10-11
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,703,876		8.92		7-11

Schedule of cash proceeds received from exercises of stock options

The following table presents additional information about exercises of stock options:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Cash received upon exercise	$	16,579	$	46,624	$	18,215
Intrinsic value (market value on date of exercise less exercise price)	16,036		18,468		2,378
Tax benefits realized ⁽¹⁾	6,013		6,926		892

⁽¹⁾Benefits for 2013 to be recognized in future years when realizable.

Restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting activity

Information and activity for our restricted stock and RSUs is presented below:



			Grant Date Fair Value
	Number of Shares		Weighted Average		Range of Prices

Unvested at December 31, 2011	3,982,532		$	3.53	$1-11
Awarded in 2012	877,349		9.77		8-11
Vested in 2012	(2,506,232	)	2.68		9-11
Forfeited in 2012	(24,247	)	8.19		1-10
Unvested at December 31, 2012	2,329,402		6.75		1-11
Awarded in 2013	757,229		11.71		11-20
Vested in 2013	(1,452,719	)	5.01		1-12
Forfeited in 2013	(47,071	)	10.35		9-12
Unvested at December 31, 2013	1,586,841		10.59		7-20
Awarded in 2014	567,695		16.52		16-22
Vested in 2014	(704,528	)	10.40		7-20
Forfeited in 2014	(225,487	)	11.75		9-18
Unvested at December 31, 2014	1,224,521		13.24		7-22

Additional information about restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting

The following table presents additional information about restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Fair value of shares and units vested	$	12,906	$	16,565	$	23,326
Tax benefits realized on vesting ⁽¹⁾	4,840		6,212		8,747

⁽¹⁾ Benefits for 2013 to be recognized in future years when realizable.

Schedule of stock compensation costs

Share-based compensation costs were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012

RSUs	$	7,631	$	6,078	$	7,549
Share-based compensation, net of tax	4,769		3,799		4,718

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") by component, including items reclassified out of AOCL, were as follows:



(in thousands)	Gains and Losses on Derivatives			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Other			Total

As of December 31, 2012	$	(1,009	)	$	(116,188	)	$	357		$	(116,840	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(113		)	—			—			(113		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap ^(a), net of tax of $245	404			—			—			404
Actuarial gain (loss) ^(b), net of tax of $21,927	—			35,811			(185		)	35,626
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	291			35,811			(185		)	35,917
As of December 31, 2013	(718		)	(80,377		)	172			(80,923		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Interest rate swap ^(a), net of tax of $145	239			—			—			239
Actuarial gain (loss) ^(b), net of tax of $(27,672)	—			(45,500		)	(259		)	(45,759		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	239			(45,500		)	(259		)	(45,520		)
As of December 31, 2014	$	(479	)	$	(125,877	)	$	(87	)	$	(126,443	)

^(a) Included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

^(b) Included in defined benefit pension plan expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of quarterly financial information

Summarized quarterly financial information is as follows:



2014	1st			2nd			3rd			4th
(in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Total

Operating revenues	$	203,794		$	211,946		$	207,600		$	245,728		$	869,068
Costs and expenses	(190,059		)	(203,347		)	(194,699		)	(205,016		)	(793,121		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(11,729		)	(11,595		)	(13,195		)	(12,551		)	(49,070		)
(Losses) gains, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(68		)	(22		)	2,951			(601		)	2,260
Interest expense	(2,254		)	(2,043		)	(2,050		)	(2,147		)	(8,494		)
Miscellaneous, net	(445		)	(400		)	(216		)	(7,328		)	(8,389		)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	149			2,027			(1,835		)	(2,373		)	(2,032		)
Net (loss) income	(612		)	(3,434		)	(1,444		)	15,712			10,222
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			(199		)	(103		)	(5		)	(307		)
Net (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(612	)	$	(3,235	)	$	(1,341	)	$	15,717		$	10,529
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.02	)	$	0.27		$	0.18
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.02	)	$	0.27		$	0.18
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	56,084			56,043			56,469			56,763			56,342
Diluted	56,084			56,043			56,469			57,474			57,239
Cash dividends per share of common stock	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—



2013	1st			2nd			3rd			4th
(in thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Total

Operating revenues	$	198,653		$	207,853		$	189,535		$	220,830		$	816,871
Costs and expenses	(190,538		)	(187,935		)	(185,418		)	(191,416		)	(755,307		)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(11,814		)	(11,774		)	(12,096		)	(12,078		)	(47,762		)
(Losses) gains, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(5		)	42			(177		)	(26		)	(166		)
Interest expense	(2,613		)	(2,656		)	(2,655		)	(2,524		)	(10,448		)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,304		)	(1,634		)	(1,087		)	(7,735		)	(11,760		)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	4,950			(711		)	3,047			562			7,848
Net (loss) income	(2,671		)	3,185			(8,851		)	7,613			(724		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(250		)	(250		)
Net (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$	(2,671	)	$	3,185		$	(8,851	)	$	7,863		$	(474	)
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$	(0.05	)	$	0.05		$	(0.16	)	$	0.14		$	(0.01	)
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$	(0.05	)	$	0.05		$	(0.16	)	$	0.13		$	(0.01	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	56,330			57,448			56,177			55,980			56,516
Diluted	56,330			58,747			56,177			57,272			56,516
Cash dividends per share of common stock	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014 Television network affiliation relationships	Dec. 31, 2014 Customer lists and other intangible assets	Dec. 31, 2014 Licensing Agreements [Member] Maximum	Dec. 31, 2014 Operating revenue Marketing services, including advertising
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage						74.00%
FCC license term					8 years
Estimated useful life			20 years	20 years
Estimated liabilities for unpaid claims	$ 14.3	$ 16.3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Trade Receivables (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance	$ 2,027	$ 2,491	$ 1,885
Charged to revenues, costs and expenses	1,705	1,043	1,717
Amounts charged off, net	(1,596)	(1,507)	(1,111)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance	$ 2,136	$ 2,027	$ 2,491

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated useful lives (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Buildings and Improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	35 years
Buildings and Improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	45 years
Printing Press \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	20 years
Printing Press \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years
Other Newspaper Production Equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Other Newspaper Production Equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Television Transmission Towers and Related Equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Television Transmission Towers and Related Equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	35 years
Other Television and Program Production Equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Other Television and Program Production Equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Computer Hardware and Software \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Computer Hardware and Software \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Office and Other Equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Office and Other Equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)

Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company

$ 15,717

$ (1,341)

$ (3,235)

$ (612)

$ 7,863

$ (8,851)

$ 3,185

$ (2,671)

$ 10,529

$ (474)

$ 40,188

Less income allocated to unvested restricted stock and RSUs

(240)

(1,845)

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share

$ 10,289

$ (474)

$ 38,343

Denominator

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

56,763

56,469

56,043

56,084

55,980

56,177

57,448

56,330

56,342

56,516

54,907

Effect of dilutive securities:

Stock options held by employees and directors

897

474

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

57,474

56,469

56,043

56,084

57,272

56,177

58,747

56,330

57,239

56,516

55,381

Anti-dilutive securities

^[1]

4,957

^[1]

176

^[1]

[1]	Amount outstanding at Balance Sheet date, before application of the treasury stock method and not weighted for period outstanding.

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 16, 2014 station	Dec. 31, 2014 television_station	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2014 Customer Relationships [Member]	Jan. 01, 2014 Customer Relationships [Member]	Jan. 01, 2014 Other Intangible Assets [Member]	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV Affiliate and Buffalo ABC Affiliate [Member]	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV Affiliate and Buffalo ABC Affiliate [Member] Retransmission Agreements, Television Network Affiliate Relationships, Advertiser Relationships [Member]	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV Affiliate and Buffalo ABC Affiliate [Member] Retransmission Agreements, Television Network Affiliate Relationships, Advertiser Relationships [Member] Minimum	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV Affiliate and Buffalo ABC Affiliate [Member] Retransmission Agreements, Television Network Affiliate Relationships, Advertiser Relationships [Member] Maximum	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV Affiliate and Buffalo ABC Affiliate [Member] Licensing Agreements [Member]	Jan. 01, 2014 Media Convergence Group (Newsy) [Member]	Jan. 01, 2014 Media Convergence Group (Newsy) [Member]	Sep. 16, 2014 WeatherSphere [Member]	Sep. 16, 2014 WeatherSphere [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of television stations acquired	2	2
Payments to acquire business									$ 110,000,000					$ 35,000,000
Intangible assets acquired							4,000,000	2,000,000	53,500,000	19,000,000			34,000,000		5,900,000
Estimated useful life						5 years					10 years	20 years
Goodwill		106,261,000	27,966,000	27,966,000	28,591,000				44,715,000						28,983,000
Business acquisition, working capital adjustment														200,000
Business combination, purchase price									110,000,000						35,222,000		4,000,000
Business combination, contingent consideration, maximum																	2,500,000
Business combination, contingent consideration, payment term																3 years
Business combination, earn-out provision																	$ 1,200,000

Acquisitions - Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 16, 2014 Detroit MyNetworkTV Affiliate and Buffalo ABC Affiliate [Member]	Jan. 01, 2014 Media Convergence Group (Newsy) [Member]
Fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed
Accounts receivable						$ 640
Other assets						74
Equipment and software					12,025	631
Intangible assets					53,500	5,900
Goodwill	106,261	27,966	27,966	28,591	44,715	28,983
Total assets acquired					110,240	36,228
Current liabilities					240	116
Long-term deferred tax liability						890
Net purchase price					$ 110,000	$ 35,222

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Results of Operations (Details) (Detroit MyNetworkTV Affiliate and Buffalo ABC Affiliate [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Detroit MyNetworkTV Affiliate and Buffalo ABC Affiliate [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 883,307	$ 847,890
Income from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 12,062	$ 4,441
Income per share from operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.08
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.07

Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 16, 2014 station	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014 television_station	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 26, 2013 Financing Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Land [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stations Acquired	2									2
(Losses) gains, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment		$ (601,000)	$ 2,951,000	$ (22,000)	$ (68,000)	$ (26,000)	$ (177,000)	$ 42,000	$ (5,000)	$ 2,260,000	$ (166,000)	$ (474,000)		$ 3,000,000
Non-cash charge to investments										5,900,000		1,400,000
Restructuring charges										0	4,893,000	9,335,000
Non-cash charge for loss on disposition of investments and impairments											4,500,000
Non-cash charge to write off unamortized deferred loan fees													4,600,000
Contract termination fee												5,663,000
Acquisition and related integration costs										$ 13,974,000	$ 0	$ 5,826,000

- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References+ Details

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	$ 50,782,000	$ 26,594,000
Potential affect of unrecognized tax benefits on effective tax rate	3,000,000
Interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits	1,200,000	2,400,000
Income Tax Benefit, Recognition of Previously Unrecognized Tax Benefits	6,000,000	3,100,000
Potential change in unrecognized tax benefits	2,600,000
Unrecognized tax deductions, share-based compensation		23,000,000
Tax benefit from share-based compensation expense	22,900,000
Excess tax expense of compensation plans	8,571,000		7,553,000
Federal
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	37,000,000
State
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 246,000,000

Income Taxes - Provision for income taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal									$ 2,358	$ 319	$ 8,171
State and local									(7,825)	(3,102)	517
Total current income tax provision									(5,467)	(2,783)	8,688
Deferred federal									7,904	(4,842)	7,185
Deferred other									(405)	(223)	1,112
Total deferred income tax provision									7,499	(5,065)	8,297
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	$ 2,373	$ 1,835	$ (2,027)	$ (149)	$ (562)	$ (3,047)	$ 711	$ (4,950)	$ 2,032	$ (7,848)	$ 16,985

- Definition

Amount of current federal tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of current state and local tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of deferred federal income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of deferred state and local tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.

+ References+ Details

Income Taxes - Effective income tax reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Effective Income Tax Rate, Tax Rate Reconciliation
Statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effect of:
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	5.10%	4.40%	2.10%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Percent	19.40%	(9.60%)	0.40%
Reserve for uncertain tax positions	(48.70%)	35.70%	(7.30%)
Amended returns and settlements	0.00%	16.60%	0.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation,Other Reconciling Items, Percent	5.80%	9.50%	(0.40%)
Effective income tax rate	16.60%	91.60%	29.80%

Income Taxes - Deferred tax (liabilities) assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Temporary differences [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	$ (42,418)	$ (44,448)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(9,803)	(2,684)
Investments, primarily gains and losses not yet recognized for tax purposes	7,162	4,750
Accrued expenses not deductible until paid	13,011	11,865
Deferred compensation and retiree benefits not deductible until paid	66,002	37,041
Other temporary differences, net	4,135	25
Total temporary differences	38,089	6,549
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	13,605	21,123
Valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets	(912)	(1,078)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 50,782	$ 26,594

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefit (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$ 14,824	$ 16,386	$ 21,240
Increases in tax positions for prior years	0	2,692	623
Decreases in tax positions for prior years	(525)	0	(1,287)
Decreases from lapse in statute of limitations	(7,275)	(2,670)	(4,190)
Settlements	0	(1,584)	0
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$ 7,024	$ 14,824	$ 16,386

Restricted Cash - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 6,810	$ 8,210

- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

+ References+ Details

Investments - Schedule (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments [Abstract]
Investments held at cost	$ 5,503	$ 11,724
Equity method investments	4,027	4,843
Total investments	$ 9,530	$ 16,567

Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 826,984	$ 813,761
Accumulated depreciation	483,595	459,964
Net property, plant and equipment	343,389	353,797
Land and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	74,510	73,980
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	234,272	231,219
Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	482,241	472,407
Computer software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 35,961	$ 36,155

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of other intangible assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	$ 130,109	$ 104,709
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(33,064)	(24,662)
Net amortizable intangible assets	97,045	80,047
Total other intangible assets	189,260	137,862
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Accumulated amortization:
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses	92,215	57,815
Television network affiliation relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	93,944	78,844
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(14,092)	(9,691)
Customer lists and advertiser relationships
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	30,404	22,304
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	(16,416)	(13,138)
Other
Carrying amount:
Total carrying amount	5,761	3,561
Accumulated amortization:
Total accumulated amortization	$ (2,556)	$ (1,833)

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by business segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Television	Dec. 31, 2014 Television	Dec. 31, 2013 Television	Dec. 31, 2011 Television	Dec. 31, 2012 Newspapers	Dec. 31, 2014 Newspapers	Dec. 31, 2013 Newspapers	Dec. 31, 2011 Newspapers	Dec. 31, 2012 Syndication and other	Dec. 31, 2014 Syndication and other	Dec. 31, 2013 Syndication and other	Dec. 31, 2011 Syndication and other	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Newsy acquisition	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Newsy acquisition Television	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Newsy acquisition Newspapers	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Newsy acquisition Syndication and other	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Granite Stations acquisitions	Jun. 16, 2014 2014 Granite Stations acquisitions	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Granite Stations acquisitions Television	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Granite Stations acquisitions Newspapers	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Granite Stations acquisitions Syndication and other	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 WeatherSphere acquisition	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 WeatherSphere acquisition Television	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 WeatherSphere acquisition Newspapers	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 WeatherSphere acquisition Syndication and other
Summary of activity related to goodwill by business segment
Gross balance	$ 1,022,280	$ 1,100,575	$ 1,022,280	$ 1,022,905	$ 243,380	$ 288,095	$ 243,380	$ 244,005	$ 778,900		$ 778,900	$ 778,900	$ 0	$ 33,580	$ 0	$ 0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	28,591	106,261	27,966		28,591	72,681	27,966		0	0	0		0	33,580	0		28,983					44,715
Accumulated impairment losses	(994,314)	(994,314)	(994,314)	(994,314)	(215,414)		(215,414)	(215,414)	(778,900)		(778,900)	(778,900)	0		0	0
Acquisitions	(625)				(625)				0				0				28,983	0	0	28,983	44,715		44,715	0	0	4,597	0	0	4,597
Balance, end of period	$ 27,966	$ 106,261	$ 27,966		$ 27,966	$ 72,681	$ 27,966		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0	$ 33,580	$ 0							$ 44,715

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2015	$ 9.0
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2016	9.0
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2017	6.5
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2018	6.5
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for 2019	5.5
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for later years	$ 60.5

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Components of Long-term debt

Long-term debt

$ 198,000

$ 200,000

Current portion of long-term debt

2,000

Long-term debt (less current portion)

196,000

198,000

Fair value of long-term debt

194,000

^[1]

200,000

^[1]

Revolving Credit Facility

Components of Long-term debt

Long-term debt

Term loan

Components of Long-term debt

Long-term debt

$ 198,000

$ 200,000

[1]	Fair value of the term loan was estimated based on quoted private market transactions and is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References+ Details

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 26, 2013
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2015	$ 2.0
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2016	2.0
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2017	2.0
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2018	2.0
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt in 2019	2.0
Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt 2020 and thereafter	188.0
Letters of credit outstanding amount	0.2	0.2
Minimum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage of commitment fees of total unused commitment under revolving credit facility	0.30%
Maximum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage of commitment fees of total unused commitment under revolving credit facility	0.50%
Financing Agreement
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement			275
Restricted payment for dividend and share repurchase, maximum	50
Pro forma net leverage ratio	4.5
Financing Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement			75
Financing Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility, amount outstanding that triggers net leverage ratio (percent)	20.00%
LIBOR plus margin range	2.25%
Financing Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Maximum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
LIBOR plus margin range	2.75%
Financing Agreement \| Term loan
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Revolving credit and term loan agreement			$ 200
Variable interest rate, floor	3.25%
LIBOR plus margin range	2.50%
Weighted average interest rate	3.25%	3.66%
Financing Agreement \| Term loan \| Minimum
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Variable interest rate, floor	0.75%

Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details) (Interest rate swaps, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest rate swaps
Financial Instruments (Textual) [Abstract]
Notional Amount	$ 75,000
Fixed LIBOR interest rate	1.08%
Derivative instrument, amortized into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss (less than)	$ 400	$ 100

Financial Instruments - Notional Amounts (Details) (Interest rate swaps, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives designated as and not designated as cash flow hedges:
Notional Amount	$ 75,000
Not designated as cash flow hedge
Derivatives designated as and not designated as cash flow hedges:
Notional Amount	75,000	75,000
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	0	0
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	$ 471	$ 723

Financial Instruments - Effective Portion of Unrealized Gain and Loss (Details) (Interest rate swaps, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest rate swaps
Derivatives designated as and not designated as cash flow hedges:
Effective portion recognized in Accumulated OCL, Gain/(Loss)	$ 0	$ (182)
Reclassified from Accumulated OCL, Gain/(Loss)	384	649
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ 252	$ 468

Fair Value Measurement - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) (Recurring Measurements, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	$ 10,000	$ 30,000
Level 1
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	10,000	30,000
Level 2
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	0	0
Level 3
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	0	0
Interest rate swaps
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	(471)	(723)
Interest rate swaps \| Level 1
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	0	0
Interest rate swaps \| Level 2
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	(471)	(723)
Interest rate swaps \| Level 3
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	$ 0	$ 0

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References+ Details

Other Liabilities - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other liabilities
Employee compensation and benefits	$ 19,537	$ 19,756
Liability for pension benefits	139,789	62,020
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	6,741	10,670
Other	16,193	14,826
Other liabilities (less current portion)	$ 182,260	$ 107,272

- Definition

This represents the noncurrent liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans.

+ References+ Details

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Change in Certain Working Capital Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net
Accounts and notes receivable	$ 3,855	$ (14,064)	$ 10,181
Income taxes receivable/payable — net	4,692	2,490	34,412
Accounts payable	4,248	(6,800)	5,631
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	6,064	(10,132)	2,049
Other accrued liabilities	9,938	2,326	673
Other, net	(557)	(3,889)	7,648
Total	$ 28,240	$ (30,069)	$ 60,594

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest paid, excluding amounts capitalized	$ 7,244	$ 8,067	$ 9,339
Income taxes paid	$ 455	$ 417	$ 7,088

Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014 plan	Dec. 31, 2014 CWA/ITU	Dec. 31, 2014 GCIU	Jun. 30, 2014 GCIU	Dec. 31, 2014 SERP	Dec. 31, 2013 SERP	Dec. 31, 2012 SERP	Dec. 31, 2014 Defined Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2013 Defined Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2012 Defined Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2014 Minimum	Dec. 31, 2014 Maximum	Dec. 31, 2014 Fixed-income securities	Dec. 31, 2014 Equity securities	Dec. 31, 2014 Forecast [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Forecast [Member] SERP	Dec. 31, 2014 Forecast [Member] Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)					$ (300,000)	$ (400,000)	$ (300,000)	$ (2,861,000)	$ (4,192,000)	$ (4,246,000)
Current year actuarial gain (loss)					600,000	700,000	2,300,000	(75,527,000)	52,063,000	(30,761,000)
Settlement charge						1,100,000
Period of consideration for historical plan asset rate of return											10 years	15 years
Increase in defined benefit plan, benefit obligation	45,000,000							5,004,000	6,502,000	7,664,000
Expected amortization of actuarial loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs															4,900,000	300,000
Expected contributions to benefit plans																1,000,000	0
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2015	22,800,000
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2016	24,000,000
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2017	25,600,000
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2018	27,600,000
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid in 2019	29,200,000
Total estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid for the five years ending 2024	167,900,000
Target plan asset allocations range													70.00%	30.00%
Historical period considered											10 years	15 years
Percentage of total contributions made to multi-employer plans	5.00%
Number of multi-employer pension plans	4
Number of multi-employer plans deemed significant	2
Multi-employer plan withdrawal liability		4,800,000	6,500,000
Multi-employer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Present Value				$ 4,100,000
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Period of Repayment			20 years

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Expense (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Total for defined benefit plans	$ 45,000
Net periodic benefit cost	22,132	20,623	19,625
Defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost	85	79	104
Interest cost	25,539	23,732	25,830
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses	(23,481)	(21,501)	(22,520)
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,861	4,192	3,586
Curtailments/Settlement losses	0	0	664
Total for defined benefit plans	5,004	6,502	7,664
Multi-employer plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	393	407	467
Withdrawal from GCIU multi-employer plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	4,100	0	0
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost	0	0
Interest cost	638	749
Net periodic benefit cost	896	2,335	956
Defined contribution plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 11,739	$ 11,379	$ 10,538

- Definition

The amount of pension and other (such as medical, dental and life insurance) postretirement benefit costs recognized during the period for (1) defined benefit plans (periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss) on assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments) and for (2) defined contribution plans (to the extent that a plan's defined contributions to an individual's account are to be made for periods in which that individual renders services, the net cost for a period is the contribution called for in that period; if a plan calls for contributions for periods after an individual retires or terminates, the estimated cost is accrued during the employee's service period).

+ References+ Details

Employee Benefit Plans - Changes Recognized in OCI (Details) (Defined Benefit Plans, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current year actuarial gain/(loss)	$ (75,527)	$ 52,063	$ (30,761)
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,861	4,192	4,246
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0	4
Total	$ (72,666)	$ 56,255	$ (26,511)

Employee Benefit Plans - Annual Retirement Plan Expense Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Discount rate	5.08%	4.27%	5.29%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	5.25%	4.65%	5.30%
Increase in compensation levels	2.00%	3.30%	3.30%

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 620,623	$ 503,500
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	504,571	570,219
Service cost	85	79	104
Interest cost	25,539	23,732	25,830
Benefits paid	(24,708)	(24,806)
Actuarial (gains)/losses	115,136	(64,653)
Curtailments/Settlements	0	0
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	620,623	504,571	570,219
Plan Assets:
Fair value at beginning of year	456,591	472,417
Actual return on plan assets	63,090	8,911
Company contributions	74	69
Benefits paid	(24,708)	(24,806)
Curtailments/Settlements	0	0
Fair value at end of year	495,047	456,591	472,417
Funded status	(125,576)	(47,980)
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	0	0
Noncurrent liabilities	(125,576)	(47,980)
Total	(125,576)	(47,980)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	191,757	119,091
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	15,261	14,593
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	14,872	15,920
Service cost	0	0
Interest cost	638	749
Benefits paid	(810)	(804)
Actuarial (gains)/losses	561	662
Curtailments/Settlements	0	(1,655)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	15,261	14,872
Plan Assets:
Fair value at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Company contributions	810	2,459
Benefits paid	(810)	(804)
Curtailments/Settlements	0	(1,655)
Fair value at end of year	0	0
Funded status	(15,261)	(14,872)
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	(1,048)	(832)
Noncurrent liabilities	(14,213)	(14,040)
Total	(15,261)	(14,872)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$ 9,632	$ 9,343

Employee Benefit Plans - Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 620,623	$ 503,500
Projected benefit obligation	620,623	504,571	570,219
Fair value of plan assets	495,047	456,591	472,417
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	15,261	14,593
Projected benefit obligation	15,261	14,872	15,920
Fair value of plan assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Employee Benefit Plans - Defined Benefit Plan Obligations Assumptions (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in compensation levels		2.00%	3.30%
Weighted Average [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average discount rate	4.23%	5.08%	4.27%

Employee Benefit Plans - Allocation of Plan Assets (Details)											12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014 US equity securities	Dec. 31, 2013 US equity securities	Dec. 31, 2014 Non-US equity securities	Dec. 31, 2013 Non-US equity securities	Dec. 31, 2014 Fixed-income securities	Dec. 31, 2013 Fixed-income securities	Dec. 31, 2014 Other	Dec. 31, 2013 Other	Dec. 31, 2014 Forecast [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Forecast [Member] US equity securities	Dec. 31, 2014 Forecast [Member] Non-US equity securities	Dec. 31, 2014 Forecast [Member] Fixed-income securities	Dec. 31, 2014 Forecast [Member] Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation											100.00%	10.00%	15.00%	70.00%	5.00%
Percentage of plan assets as of December 31,	100.00%	100.00%	11.00%	10.00%	15.00%	16.00%	70.00%	69.00%	4.00%	5.00%

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of plan assets by fair value hierarchy (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Estimate of fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 495,047	$ 456,591
Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,735	1,580
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	471,651	435,477
Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	21,661	19,534
Equity securities, Common/collective trust funds \| Estimate of fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	128,189	122,851
Equity securities, Common/collective trust funds \| Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Equity securities, Common/collective trust funds \| Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	128,189	122,851
Equity securities, Common/collective trust funds \| Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Fixed income, Common/collective trust funds \| Estimate of fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	343,462	312,626
Fixed income, Common/collective trust funds \| Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Fixed income, Common/collective trust funds \| Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	343,462	312,626
Fixed income, Common/collective trust funds \| Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Real Estate Fund \| Estimate of fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	21,661	19,534
Real Estate Fund \| Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Real Estate Fund \| Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Real Estate Fund \| Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	21,661	19,534
Cash equivalents \| Estimate of fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,735	1,580
Cash equivalents \| Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,735	1,580
Cash equivalents \| Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Cash equivalents \| Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 0	$ 0

Employee Benefit Plans - Reconciliation of level 3 assets (Details) (Defined Benefit Plans, Real Estate Fund, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans \| Real Estate Fund
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 19,534	$ 17,766
Unrealized gains/(losses)	2,127	1,768
Ending Balance	$ 21,661	$ 19,534

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of multi-employer plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CWA/ITU
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	Implemented
Contributions of the Company	$ 126,453	$ 116,295	$ 126,205
Surcharge Imposed	NA
Expiration Date of Collective-Bargaining Agreement	Dec. 31, 2015
GCIU
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	Implemented
Contributions of the Company	$ 80,972	$ 99,594	$ 117,131
Surcharge Imposed	Yes
Expiration Date of Collective-Bargaining Agreement	Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014 customer
Segment information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of major customers	0
Percentage of revenue by major customer	10.00%
Television
Segment information (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage of market capture	14.00%
Television \| ABC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Affiliates	11
Television \| NBC affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Affiliates	3
Television \| Independent station
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Affiliates	2
Television \| Azteca America affiliates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Affiliates	5
Newspapers
Segment information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of markets for daily and community newspapers	13

Segment Information - Schedule of Business Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment operating revenues:
Total operating revenues	$ 245,728,000	$ 207,600,000	$ 211,946,000	$ 203,794,000	$ 220,830,000	$ 189,535,000	$ 207,853,000	$ 198,653,000	$ 869,068,000	$ 816,871,000	$ 903,458,000
Segment profit (loss):
Defined benefit pension plan expense									(10,000,000)	(8,837,000)	(8,620,000)
Acquisition and related integration costs									(13,974,000)	0	(5,826,000)
Restructuring costs									0	(4,893,000)	(9,335,000)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(12,551,000)	(13,195,000)	(11,595,000)	(11,729,000)	(12,078,000)	(12,096,000)	(11,774,000)	(11,814,000)	(49,070,000)	(47,762,000)	(49,332,000)
(Losses) gains, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(601,000)	2,951,000	(22,000)	(68,000)	(26,000)	(177,000)	42,000	(5,000)	2,260,000	(166,000)	(474,000)
Interest expense	(2,147,000)	(2,050,000)	(2,043,000)	(2,254,000)	(2,524,000)	(2,655,000)	(2,656,000)	(2,613,000)	(8,494,000)	(10,448,000)	(12,246,000)
Miscellaneous, net	(7,328,000)	(216,000)	(400,000)	(445,000)	(7,735,000)	(1,087,000)	(1,634,000)	(1,304,000)	(8,389,000)	(11,760,000)	(4,747,000)
Income (loss) before income taxes									12,254,000	(8,572,000)	56,907,000
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									40,668,000	40,839,000	42,258,000
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles									8,402,000	6,923,000	7,074,000
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									19,008,000	21,355,000	30,210,000
Assets
Total assets	1,032,731,000				966,130,000				1,032,731,000	966,130,000	1,030,768,000
Television
Segment operating revenues:
Total operating revenues									486,322,000	422,763,000	493,896,000
Segment profit (loss):
Segment profit (loss)									134,885,000	99,790,000	159,917,000
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									21,676,000	22,561,000	23,022,000
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles									7,092,000	6,378,000	6,413,000
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									13,039,000	12,595,000	19,947,000
Assets
Total assets	509,569,000				410,529,000				509,569,000	410,529,000	415,174,000
Newspapers
Segment operating revenues:
Total operating revenues									370,316,000	384,514,000	399,091,000
Segment profit (loss):
Segment profit (loss)									20,783,000	27,965,000	27,595,000
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									15,933,000	16,204,000	18,186,000
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles									390,000	545,000	661,000
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									2,206,000	2,399,000	2,771,000
Assets
Total assets	232,420,000				261,974,000				232,420,000	261,974,000	278,110,000
Syndication and other
Segment operating revenues:
Total operating revenues									12,430,000	9,594,000	10,471,000
Segment profit (loss):
Segment profit (loss)									(1,871,000)	102,000	(347,000)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									495,000	78,000	55,000
Amortization of intangibles:
Total amortization of intangibles									920,000	0	0
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									1,335,000	0	780,000
Assets
Total assets	44,178,000				2,017,000				44,178,000	2,017,000	3,837,000
Shared Services And Corporate [Member]
Segment profit (loss):
Segment profit (loss)									(53,876,000)	(52,563,000)	(39,678,000)
Depreciation:
Total depreciation									2,564,000	1,996,000	995,000
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Total additions to property, plant and equipment									2,428,000	6,361,000	6,712,000
Assets
Total assets	$ 246,564,000				$ 291,610,000				$ 246,564,000	$ 291,610,000	$ 333,647,000

Spin-Off of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Spin Off of Company [Abstract]
Payment of prior years' tax refund claims			$ 0.4
Tax deductions resulting from exercise of share-based compensation awards	$ 8.1	$ 14.3	$ 17.8
SNI options outstanding, held by employees	0.2

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2015	$ 4.2
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2016	3.4
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2017	3.2
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2018	2.4
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases in 2019	2.3
Future minimum payments on noncancelable leases due in later years	9.5
Rental expense	$ 10.1	$ 8.7	$ 10.3

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended									0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 common_share director	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014 Stock Options Common stock, Class A Maximum	Dec. 31, 2014 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Minimum	Dec. 31, 2014 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Maximum	Dec. 31, 2014 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 First Repurchase Plan Minimum	Dec. 31, 2014 First Repurchase Plan Maximum	Dec. 31, 2014 First Repurchase Plan Common stock, Class A	Nov. 30, 2012 First Repurchase Plan Common stock, Class A	Dec. 31, 2014 First Repurchase Plan Common stock, Class A	Dec. 31, 2014 Second Repurchase Plan [Member] Common stock, Class A
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Classes of common shares	2
Minimum number of directors up for election to entitle shareholders to vote	3
Minumum percent of directors up for election to entitle shareholders to vote	33.33%
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount											$ 100,000,000		$ 100,000,000
Stock repurchased during period, value	21,237,000	74,199,000	23,564,000									95,000,000	0
Range of price of shares repurchased								$ 10.83	$ 19.99
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount										0
Number of shares available for future stock compensation grants	4,200,000.0
Purchase price of stock options granted, percent of fair market value				100.00%
Vesting period of stock options					3 years	4 years
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock, RSUs and performance shares	$ 5,200,000
Weighted-average period of recognition, years							1 year 6 months

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans - Summary of stock option transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding and Exercisable [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at beginning of period, number of shares	3,370,048	8,011,380	10,094,622
Options exercised in period, number of shares	(1,662,055)	(4,635,148)	(2,046,309)
Options forfeited in period, number of shares	(4,117)	(6,184)	(36,933)
Options outstanding at end of period, number of shares		3,370,048	8,011,380
Options exercisable, number of shares	1,703,876
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding and Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at beginning of period, weighted-average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 9.46	$ 9.77	$ 9.62
Options exercised in period, weighted-average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 10.01	$ 10.00	$ 9.03
Options forfeited in period, weighted-average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 10.45	$ 10.23	$ 9.12
Options outstanding at end of period, weighted-average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 8.92	$ 9.46	$ 9.77
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 8.92	$ 9.46	$ 9.77
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding and Exercisable, Exercise Price Range [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at beginning of period, lower end of range of exercise price range (USD per share)	$ 7	$ 7	$ 7
Options outstanding at beginning of period, upper end of range of exercise price range (USD per share)	$ 11	$ 11	$ 11
Options exercised, lower end of exercise price range (USD per share)	$ 9	$ 7	$ 8
Options exercised, upper end of exercise price range (USD per share)	$ 11	$ 11	$ 10
Options forfeited, lower end of exercise price range (USD per share)	$ 10	$ 9	$ 8
Options forfeited, upper end of exercise price range (USD per share)	$ 11	$ 11	$ 11
Options outstanding at end of period, lower end of range of exercise price range (USD per share)	$ 7	$ 7	$ 7
Options outstanding at end of period, upper end of range of exercise price range (USD per share)	$ 11	$ 11	$ 11
Options exercisable, lower end of exercise price range (USD per share)	$ 7	$ 7	$ 7
Options exercisable, upper end of exercise price range	$ 11	$ 11	$ 11

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans - Cash proceeds (Details) (Stock Options, USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Stock Options

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Cash received upon exercise

$ 16,579

$ 46,624

$ 18,215

Intrinsic value (market value on date of exercise less exercise price)

16,036

18,468

2,378

Tax benefits realized (1)

$ 6,013

^[1]

$ 6,926

^[1]

$ 892

^[1]

[1]	Benefits for 2013 to be recognized in future years when realizable.

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans - Options outstanding and exercisable (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 7
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 11
Options on Shares Outstanding		3,370,048	8,011,380	10,094,622
Options on Shares Exercisable	1,703,876
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 8.92	$ 9.46	$ 9.77
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 8.92	$ 9.46	$ 9.77	$ 9.62
2005 - expire in 2015
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 11
2006 – expire in 2014
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
2007 – expire in 2015
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 9
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
2008 - expire in 2016
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 7
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (USD per share)	$ 10
Stock Options
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	1 year 1 month 14 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	1,703,876
Options on Shares Exercisable	1,703,876
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 8.92
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 8.92
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 22.9
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	22.9
Stock Options \| 2005 - expire in 2015
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	3 months 10 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	33,799
Options on Shares Exercisable	33,799
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.89
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.89
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0.4
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0.4
Stock Options \| 2006 – expire in 2014
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	1 year 4 months 1 day
Options on Shares Outstanding	42,250
Options on Shares Exercisable	42,250
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 9.96
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 9.96
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0.5
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0.5
Stock Options \| 2007 – expire in 2015
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	2 months 5 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	190,679
Options on Shares Exercisable	190,679
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.15
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 10.15
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	2.3
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	2.3
Stock Options \| 2008 - expire in 2016
Information about options outstanding and options exercisable by year of grant
Average Remaining Term	1 year 3 months 3 days
Options on Shares Outstanding	1,437,148
Options on Shares Exercisable	1,437,148
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 8.68
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (USD per share)	$ 8.68
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	19.7
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 19.7

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans - Restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	Dec. 31, 2014 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Unvested shares at beginning of period, number of shares	2,329,402	3,982,532		1,586,841
Shares and units awarded in period, number of shares	757,229	877,349		567,695
Shares and units vested in period, number of shares	(1,452,719)	(2,506,232)		(704,528)
Shares and units forfeited in period, number of shares	(47,071)	(24,247)		(225,487)
Unvested shares at end of period, number of shares		2,329,402		1,224,521
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Unvested shares at beginning of period, weighted-average value (USD per share)		$ 6.75	$ 3.53	$ 13.24	$ 10.59
Shares and units awarded in period, weighted-average value (USD per share)	$ 11.71	$ 9.77		$ 16.52
Shares and units vested in period, weighted-average value (USD per share)	$ 5.01	$ 2.68		$ 10.40
Shares and units forfeited in period, weighted-average value (USD per share)	$ 10.35	$ 8.19		$ 11.75
Unvested shares at end of period, weighted-average value (USD per share)		$ 6.75	$ 3.53	$ 13.24	$ 10.59
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Exercise Price Range [Roll Forward]
Unvested shares and units, range of exercise prices, beginning of period, lower range (USD per share)	$ 1	$ 1		$ 7
Unvested shares and units, range of exercise prices, beginning of period, upper range (USD per share)	$ 11	$ 11		$ 20
Shares and units awarded in period, range of exercise prices, lower range (USD per share)	$ 11	$ 8		$ 16
Shares and units awarded in period, range of exercise prices, upper range (USD per share)	$ 20	$ 11		$ 22
Shares and units vested in period, range of exercise prices, lower range (USD per share)	$ 1	$ 9		$ 7
Shares and units vested in period, range of exercise prices, upper range (USD per share)	$ 12	$ 11		$ 20
Shares and units forfeited in period, range of exercise prices, lower range (USD per share)	$ 9	$ 1		$ 9
Shares and units forfeited in period, range of exercise prices, upper range (USD per share)	$ 12	$ 10		$ 18
Unvested shares and units, range of exercise prices, end of period, lower range (USD per share)		$ 1		$ 7
Unvested shares and units, range of exercise prices, end of period, upper range (USD per share)		$ 11		$ 22

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans - Additional restricted stock and restricted stock unit vesting (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Dec. 31, 2013

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

Dec. 31, 2012

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Fair value of shares and units vested

$ 12,906

$ 16,565

$ 23,326

Tax benefits realized on shares and units vested

$ 4,840

^[1]

$ 6,212

^[1]

$ 8,747

^[1]

[1]	Benefits for 2013 to be recognized in future years when realizable.

Capital Stock and Share Based Compensation Plans - Schedule of stock compensation costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, net of tax	$ 4,769	$ 3,799	$ 4,718
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation	7,631
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation		$ 6,078	$ 7,549

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	$ (80,923)	$ (116,840)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(113)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Interest rate swap, net of tax of $245	239	404
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Interest rate swap, tax	145	245
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss, net of tax of $21,927	(45,759)	35,626
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss, tax	(27,672)	21,927
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(45,520)	35,917
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	(126,443)	(80,923)
Gains and Losses on Derivatives
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	(718)	(1,009)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(113)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Interest rate swap, net of tax of $245	239	404
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss, net of tax of $21,927	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	239	291
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	(479)	(718)
Defined Benefit Pension Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	(80,377)	(116,188)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Interest rate swap, net of tax of $245	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss, net of tax of $21,927	(45,500)	35,811
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(45,500)	35,811
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	(125,877)	(80,377)
Other
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	172	357
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Interest rate swap, net of tax of $245	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, Actuarial loss, net of tax of $21,927	(259)	(185)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(259)	(185)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	$ (87)	$ 172

- Definition

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

+ References+ Details

Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - Schedule (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 245,728	$ 207,600	$ 211,946	$ 203,794	$ 220,830	$ 189,535	$ 207,853	$ 198,653	$ 869,068	$ 816,871	$ 903,458
Costs and expenses	(205,016)	(194,699)	(203,347)	(190,059)	(191,416)	(185,418)	(187,935)	(190,538)	(793,121)	(755,307)	(779,752)
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	(12,551)	(13,195)	(11,595)	(11,729)	(12,078)	(12,096)	(11,774)	(11,814)	(49,070)	(47,762)	(49,332)
(Losses) gains, net on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(601)	2,951	(22)	(68)	(26)	(177)	42	(5)	2,260	(166)	(474)
Interest expense	(2,147)	(2,050)	(2,043)	(2,254)	(2,524)	(2,655)	(2,656)	(2,613)	(8,494)	(10,448)	(12,246)
Miscellaneous, net	(7,328)	(216)	(400)	(445)	(7,735)	(1,087)	(1,634)	(1,304)	(8,389)	(11,760)	(4,747)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(2,373)	(1,835)	2,027	149	562	3,047	(711)	4,950	(2,032)	7,848	(16,985)
Net income (loss)	15,712	(1,444)	(3,434)	(612)	7,613	(8,851)	3,185	(2,671)	10,222	(724)	39,922
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5)	(103)	(199)	0	(250)	0	0	0	(307)	(250)	(266)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company	$ 15,717	$ (1,341)	$ (3,235)	$ (612)	$ 7,863	$ (8,851)	$ 3,185	$ (2,671)	$ 10,529	$ (474)	$ 40,188
Net (loss) income per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$ 0.27	$ (0.02)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.14	$ (0.16)	$ 0.05	$ (0.05)	$ 0.18	$ (0.01)	$ 0.70
Net (loss) income per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company:	$ 0.27	$ (0.02)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.13	$ (0.16)	$ 0.05	$ (0.05)	$ 0.18	$ (0.01)	$ 0.69
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	56,763	56,469	56,043	56,084	55,980	56,177	57,448	56,330	56,342	56,516	54,907
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	57,474	56,469	56,043	56,084	57,272	56,177	58,747	56,330	57,239	56,516	55,381
Cash dividends per share of common stock (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00

Pending Broadcast Acquisition and Newspaper Spin-off (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended								0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 30, 2014 Newspaper Operations E. W. Scripps Company newspaper	Sep. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2013 Journal Communications, Inc.	Jul. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc. Television Operations employee	Jul. 30, 2014 Journal Communications, Inc. Newspaper Operations employee	Mar. 11, 2015 Subsequent event Journal Communications, Inc.	Mar. 11, 2015 Subsequent event Journal Communications, Inc.	Mar. 11, 2015 Subsequent event Journal Communications, Inc. Minimum	Mar. 11, 2015 Subsequent event Journal Communications, Inc. Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of market capture (percent)							18.00%
Number of employees							4,000	3,600
Number of markets for daily and community newspapers				13
Cash dividend										$ 60,000,000
Acquisition related costs	13,974,000	0	5,826,000						10,000,000		25,000,000	30,000,000
Employee benefit obligations						95,000,000
Long-term debt, outstanding	198,000,000	200,000,000			131,000,000
Long-term debt, to be refinanced					120,000,000
Liquidation damages for contract termination, default									$ 15,800,000			$ 23,500,000.0

Noncontrolling Interests - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014
Memphis Newspaper [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	4.00%
Evansville Newspaper [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	6.00%