Graham (GHC) 10-Q 7 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	2-May-14	2-May-14
		Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'
Trading Symbol	'ghc	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'GRAHAM HOLDINGS CO	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000104889	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	1,169,073	6,236,106

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Operating Revenues [Abstract]	'	'
Education	$526,174	$527,815
Subscriber	191,128	186,790
Advertising	78,247	69,122
Other	45,012	36,865
Total Operating Revenues	840,561	820,592
Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'
Operating	379,069	376,545
Selling, general and administrative	325,637	334,224
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	53,245	58,959
Amortization of intangible assets	3,081	3,717
Total Operating Costs and Expenses	761,032	773,445
Income from Operations	79,529	47,147
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	4,052	3,418
Interest income	599	510
Interest expense	-8,820	-8,960
Other income (expense), net	133,273	-4,083
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	208,633	38,032
Provision for Income Taxes	77,400	15,800
Income from Continuing Operations	131,233	22,232
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	1,072	-16,973
Net Income	132,305	5,259
Net Loss (Income) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	219	-97
Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	132,524	5,162
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	-426	-444
Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	132,098	4,718
Amounts Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	'	'
Income from continuing operations	131,026	21,691
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,072	-16,973
Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$132,098	$4,718
Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	'	'
Basic income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$17.71	$2.92
Basic income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations in dollars per share	$0.14	($2.28)
Basic net income per common share in dollars per share	$17.85	$0.64
Basic average number of common shares outstanding in shares	7,275	7,227
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$17.65	$2.92
Diluted income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations in dollars per share	$0.14	($2.28)
Diluted net income per common share in dollars per share	$17.79	$0.64
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding in shares	7,352	7,266
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding	7,301	7,228

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net Income	$132,305	$5,259
Foreign currency translation adjustments:	'	'
Translation adjustments arising during the period	746	-4,191
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Unrealized gains for the period, net	27,738	49,078
Reclassification adjustment for write-down and realization of loss (gain) on sale of available-for-sale securities included in net income	785	-551
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, before tax	28,523	48,527
Pension and other postretirement plans:	'	'
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	-102	-437
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	-7,182	2,317
Settlement gain included in net income	0	-3,471
Total pension and other postretirement plans, before tax	-7,284	-1,591
Cash flow hedge gain	172	30
Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax	22,157	42,775
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	-8,566	-18,787
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	13,591	23,988
Comprehensive Income	145,896	29,247
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	219	-118
Total Comprehensive Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	$146,115	$29,129

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$642,833	$569,719
Restricted cash	52,035	83,769
Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments	645,594	522,318
Accounts receivable, net	406,293	428,653
Income taxes receivable	0	17,991
Inventories and contracts in progress	3,234	2,924
Other current assets	80,431	77,013
Current assets held for sale	397	0
Total Current Assets	1,830,817	1,702,387
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	845,868	927,542
Investments in Affiliates	20,953	15,754
Goodwill, Net	1,241,949	1,288,622
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	519,128	541,278
Amortized Intangible Assets, Net	36,494	39,588
Prepaid Pension Cost	1,250,658	1,245,505
Deferred Charges and Other Assets	61,383	50,370
Noncurrent Assets Held for Sale	113,312	0
Total Assets	5,920,562	5,811,046
Current Liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	393,962	505,699
Income taxes payable	55,278	0
Deferred income taxes	70,447	58,411
Deferred revenue	393,289	366,831
Dividends declared	19,051	0
Short-term borrowings	49,389	3,168
Total Current Liabilities	981,416	934,109
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	35,709	36,219
Accrued Compensation and Related Benefits	207,346	211,526
Other Liabilities	84,420	86,000
Deferred Income Taxes	779,803	778,735
Long-Term Debt	403,160	447,608
Total Liabilities	2,491,854	2,494,197
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	5,579	5,896
Redeemable Preferred Stock	10,665	10,665
Preferred Stock	0	0
Common Stockholdersb Equity	'	'
Common stock	20,000	20,000
Capital in excess of par value	289,402	288,129
Retained earnings	4,877,200	4,782,777
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	25,759	25,013
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	190,776	173,663
Unrealized gain on pensions and other postretirement plans	497,075	501,446
Cash flow hedge	-525	-628
Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury	-2,487,492	-2,490,333
Total Common Stockholdersb Equity	3,412,195	3,300,067
Noncontrolling Interests	269	221
Total Equity	3,412,464	3,300,288
Total Liabilities and Equity	$5,920,562	$5,811,046

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	'	'
Net Income	$132,305	$5,259
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	54,124	65,973
Amortization of intangible assets	3,081	3,717
Net pension (benefit) expense	-16,600	4,390
Early retirement program expense	4,490	14,258
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	-5,037	4,614
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of distributions	-4,052	-3,408
Provision for deferred income taxes	4,660	1,877
Net (gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	-127,259	327
Change in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Decrease in accounts receivable, net	23,498	23,020
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-112,811	-43,487
Increase in deferred revenue	25,739	15,529
Increase in income taxes payable	73,236	2,273
Decrease (increase) in other assets and other liabilities, net	21,536	-20,837
Other	145	513
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	77,055	74,018
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	'	'
Net proceeds from sales of businesses, property, plant and equipment and other assets	157,314	3,636
Purchases of commercial paper, marketable equity securities and other investments	-101,241	-8,623
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-36,562	-36,462
Investments in certain businesses, net of cash acquired	-5,608	-700
Other	0	-18
Net Cash Provided by (Used) in Investing Activities	13,903	-42,167
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'
Dividends paid	-19,051	-222
Repayments of short-term borrowing	0	-240,121
Common shares repurchased	0	-4,196
Other	19	3,311
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	-19,032	-241,228
Effect of Currency Exchange Rate Change	1,188	-2,402
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	73,114	-211,779
Beginning Cash and Cash Equivalents	569,719	512,431
Ending Cash and Cash Equivalents	$642,833	$300,652

Organization_Basis_of_Presenta

Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	ORGANIZATION, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	Graham Holdings Company (the Company), is a diversified education and media company. The Company’s Kaplan subsidiary provides a wide variety of educational services, both domestically and outside the United States. The Company’s media operations comprise the ownership and operation of cable systems and television broadcasting (through the ownership and operation of six television broadcast stations).
	On April 11, 2014, the Company announced that it had entered into an exchange agreement that will result in the disposal of WPLG, its Miami-based television station. The operating results of WPLG have been presented in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, for all periods presented.
	Basis of Presentation – The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information; (ii) the instructions to Form 10-Q; and (iii) the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, including its domestic and foreign subsidiaries that are more than 50% owned or otherwise controlled by the Company. As permitted under such rules, certain notes and other financial information normally required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Management believes the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of and for the periods presented herein. The Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 may not be indicative of the Company’s future results. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
	The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
	Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes the reclassification of the results of operations of certain businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported herein. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.
	Assets Held for Sale – An asset or business is classified as held for sale when (i) management commits to a plan to sell the asset or business; (ii) the asset or business is available for immediate sale in its present condition; (iii) the asset or business is actively marketed for sale at a reasonable price; (iv) the sale is expected to be completed within one year; and (v) it is unlikely significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. The assets and related liabilities are aggregated and reported separately in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance that modifies the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. The new guidance requires the reporting of the disposal of an entity or component of an entity as discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. The new guidance also expands the disclosures for discontinued operations and requires new disclosures related to individually material disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. This guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	On April 11, 2014, the Company and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. announced that they have signed an agreement for Berkshire to acquire a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that includes WPLG, the Company's Miami-based television station, a number of Berkshire shares currently held by the Company and an amount of cash in exchange for approximately 1.6 million shares of Graham Holdings Class B common stock currently owned by Berkshire. The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2014.
	On October 1, 2013, the Company completed the sale of most of its newspaper publishing businesses. The publishing businesses sold include The Washington Post, Express, The Gazette Newspapers, Southern Maryland Newspapers, Greater Washington Publishing, Fairfax County Times and El Tiempo Latino and related websites (Publishing Subsidiaries).
	In March 2013, the Company completed the sale of The Herald which resulted in a pre-tax loss of $0.1 million that was recorded in the first quarter of 2013.
	The results of operations of WPLG, the Publishing Subsidiaries and The Herald are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations as Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, for all periods presented. The assets of WPLG have been classified on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as assets held for sale as of March 31, 2014. The Company did not reclassify its Statements of Cash Flows or prior Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to reflect the various discontinued operations.
	The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets included in assets held for sale at March 31, 2014 are as follows:
		As of
	(in thousands)	31-Mar-14
	Other current assets	$	397
	Current Assets Held for Sale	$	397
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	30,954
	Goodwill, net	60,206
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	22,150
	Deferred charges and other assets	2
	Noncurrent Assets Held for Sale	$	113,312
	In the first quarter of 2014, an after-tax adjustment of $3.0 million was made to reduce the $100.0 million after-tax gain on the sale of the Publishing Subsidiaries previously reported in the fourth quarter of 2013, as a result of changes in estimates related to liabilities retained as part of the sale.
	The summarized income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, is presented below:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Operating revenues	$	16,274		$	141,974
	Operating costs and expenses	(10,134		)	(168,077		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	6,140			(26,103		)
	Expense (benefit) from income taxes	2,026			(9,176		)
	Net Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations	4,114			(16,927		)
	Loss on sales of discontinued operations	(4,737		)	(70		)
	Benefit from income taxes on sales of discontinued operations	(1,695		)	(24		)
	Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$	1,072		$	(16,973	)
	The following table summarizes the 2013 quarterly operating results of the Company following the reclassification of the operations discussed above as discontinued operations:
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2013			2013			2013
	Operating Revenues
	Education	$	527,815		$	548,230		$	546,452		$	555,011
	Subscriber	186,790			192,273			190,302			186,297
	Advertising	69,122			79,898			73,549			87,692
	Other	36,865			50,103			48,651			42,635
		820,592			870,504			858,954			871,635
	Operating Costs and Expenses
	Operating	376,545			394,841			395,436			375,876
	Selling, general and administrative	334,224			319,170			327,560			332,207
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	58,959			56,879			54,705			58,954
	Amortization of intangible assets	3,717			3,313			2,837			3,731
	Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—			—			—			3,250
		773,445			774,203			780,538			774,018
	Income from Operations	47,147			96,301			78,416			97,617
	Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	3,418			3,868			5,892			37
	Interest income	510			522			642			590
	Interest expense	(8,960		)	(9,048		)	(9,221		)	(8,838		)
	Other (expense) income, net	(4,083		)	(12,858		)	8,110			(14,920		)
	Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes	38,032			78,785			83,839			74,486
	Provision for Income Taxes	15,800			31,700			29,900			24,100
	Income from Continuing Operations	22,232			47,085			53,939			50,386
	(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	(16,973		)	(1,951		)	(23,515		)	106,142
	Net Income	5,259			45,134			30,424			156,528
	Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(97		)	(253		)	(75		)	(55		)
	Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	5,162			44,881			30,349			156,473
	Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	(444		)	(206		)	(205		)	—
	Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	$	4,718		$	44,675		$	30,144		$	156,473
	Amounts Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
	Income from continuing operations	$	21,691		$	46,626		$	53,659		$	50,331
	(Loss) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(16,973		)	(1,951		)	(23,515		)	106,142
	Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$	4,718		$	44,675		$	30,144		$	156,473
	Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
Basic income per common share from continuing operations	$	2.92		$	6.28		$	7.23		$	6.82
Basic (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations	(2.28		)	(0.26		)	(3.16		)	14.38
Basic net income per common share	$	0.64		$	6.02		$	4.07		$	21.2
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations	$	2.92		$	6.28		$	7.22		$	6.8
Diluted (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations	(2.28		)	(0.26		)	(3.17		)	14.34
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.64		$	6.02		$	4.05		$	21.14
The following table summarizes the annual operating results of the Company following the reclassification of operations discussed above as discontinued operations:
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012
Operating Revenues
Education	$	2,177,508		$	2,196,496
Subscriber	755,662			732,370
Advertising	310,261			337,621
Other	178,254			118,063
	3,421,685			3,384,550
Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating	1,542,698			1,543,083
Selling, general and administrative	1,313,161			1,318,946
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	229,497			240,313
Amortization of intangible assets	13,598			20,946
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	3,250			111,593
	3,102,204			3,234,881
Income from Operations	319,481			149,669
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	13,215			14,086
Interest income	2,264			3,393
Interest expense	(36,067		)	(35,944		)
Other expense, net	(23,751		)	(5,456		)
Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes	275,142			125,748
Provision for Income Taxes	101,500			73,400
Income from Continuing Operations	173,642			52,348
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	63,703			79,839
Net Income	237,345			132,187
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(480		)	(74		)
Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	236,865			132,113
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	(855		)	(895		)
Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	$	236,010		$	131,218
Amounts Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
Income from continuing operations	$	172,307		$	51,379
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	63,703			79,839
Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$	236,010		$	131,218
Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
Basic income per common share from continuing operations	$	23.44		$	6.54
Basic income per common share from discontinued operations	8.66			10.85
Basic net income per common share	$	32.1		$	17.39
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations	$	23.4		$	6.54
Diluted income per common share from discontinued operations	8.65			10.85
Diluted net income per common share	$	32.05		$	17.39

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	INVESTMENTS
	Investments in marketable equity securities comprised the following:
		As of
		March 31,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Total cost	$	192,736	$	197,718
	Net unrealized gains	317,961		289,438
	Total Fair Value	$	510,697	$	487,156
	There were no new investments in marketable equity securities during the first three months of 2014 and 2013. During the first three months of 2014, the proceeds from sales of marketable securities were $4.2 million, of which $0.4 million will settle in April 2014, and net realized losses from such sales were $0.3 million. During the first three months of 2013, the proceeds from sales of marketable securities were $2.1 million, and net realized gains on such sales were $0.6 million.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company's investment in Corinthian Colleges, Inc., a publicly traded company, was in an unrealized loss position and the Company concluded that the loss was other-than-temporary and recorded a $0.5 million write-down of the investment in the first quarter of 2014.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company held investments in commercial paper totaling $99.9 million with original maturities of 91 to 180 days. These investments are included in Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	On April 1, 2014, the Company received a gross cash distribution of approximately $95 million from Classified Ventures' sale of apartments.com. In connection with this sale, the Company will record a pre-tax gain of approximately $92 million in the second quarter of 2014. The Company owns a 16.5% interest in Classified Ventures.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Acquisitions And Dispositions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions	'
	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
	Acquisitions.  In the first three months of 2014, the Company acquired one small business included in its education division; the purchase price allocation comprised goodwill on a preliminary basis. In the first three months of 2013, the Company acquired one small business included in other business; the purchase price allocation mostly comprised goodwill and other intangible assets.
	On April 1, 2014, Celtic Healthcare acquired VNA-TIP Healthcare, a provider of home health and hospice services in Missouri and Illinois. The operating results of VNA-TIP will be included in other businesses beginning in the second quarter of 2014.
	Dispositions. On April 11, 2014, the Company and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. announced that they have signed an agreement for Berkshire to acquire a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that includes WPLG, the Company's Miami-based television station, a number of Berkshire shares currently held by the Company and an amount of cash in exchange for approximately 1.6 million shares of Graham Holdings Class B common stock currently owned by Berkshire. The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2014.
	The specific number of shares of each company and the amount of cash will be determined on the closing date based on certain factors, including the market prices of the shares of both companies at that time. The transaction is subject to FCC approval and other customary conditions. In addition, there are certain termination rights relating to minimum trading prices of the stock of each company immediately prior to closing and to a minimum value of the television station for purposes of the transaction on the closing date.
	On October 1, 2013, the Company completed the sale of most of its newspaper publishing businesses. The publishing businesses sold include The Washington Post, Express, The Gazette Newspapers, Southern Maryland Newspapers, Greater Washington Publishing, Fairfax County Times and El Tiempo Latino and related websites (Publishing Subsidiaries).
	In March 2013, the Company completed the sale of certain assets of The Herald, a daily and Sunday newspaper headquartered in Everett, WA.
	Consequently, the Company’s income from continuing operations excludes these sold businesses, which have been reclassified to discontinued operations, net of tax (see Note 2).

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Amortization of intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $3.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be approximately $9 million for the remainder of 2014, $9 million in 2015, $7 million in 2016, $4 million in 2017, $4 million in 2018, and $3 million in 2019.
	The Company's wireless licenses have been reclassified to assets held for sale at March 31, 2014.
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, were as follows:
	(in thousands)	Education				Cable				Television				Other				Total
						Television				Broadcasting				Businesses
	Balance as of December 31, 2013
	Goodwill	$	1,073,433			$	85,488			$	203,165			$	34,877			$	1,396,963
	Accumulated impairment losses	(102,259		)		—				—				(6,082		)		(108,341		)
		971,174				85,488				203,165				28,795				1,288,622
	Acquisitions	5,608				—				—				—				5,608
	Reclassification to assets held for sale	—				—				(60,205		)		—				(60,205		)
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	7,924				—				—				—				7,924
	Balance as of March 31, 2014
	Goodwill	1,086,965				85,488				142,960				34,877				1,350,290
	Accumulated impairment losses	(102,259		)		—				—				(6,082		)		(108,341		)
		$	984,706			$	85,488			$	142,960			$	28,795			$	1,241,949
	The changes in carrying amount of goodwill at the Company’s education division were as follows:
	(in thousands)	Higher				Test				Kaplan				Total
		Education				Preparation				International
	Balance as of December 31, 2013
	Goodwill	$	409,016			$	152,187			$	512,230			$	1,073,433
	Accumulated impairment losses	—				(102,259		)		—				(102,259		)
		409,016				49,928				512,230				971,174
	Acquisitions	—				5,608				—				5,608
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(76		)		—				8,000				7,924
	Balance as of March 31, 2014
	Goodwill	408,940				157,795				520,230				1,086,965
	Accumulated impairment losses	—				(102,259		)		—				(102,259		)
		$	408,940			$	55,536			$	520,230			$	984,706
	Other intangible assets consist of the following:
				As of March 31, 2014												As of December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Useful Life		Gross				Accumulated				Net Carrying				Gross				Accumulated		Net
		Range		Carrying				Amortization				Amount				Carrying				Amortization		Carrying
				Amount												Amount						Amount
	Amortized Intangible Assets
	Noncompete agreements	2–5 years		$	13,565			$	12,737			$	828			$	13,540			$	12,622	$	918
	Student and customer relationships	2–10 years		66,163				41,725				24,438				72,050				45,718		26,332
	Databases and technology	3–5 years		10,790				7,331				3,459				10,790				6,991		3,799
	Trade names and trademarks	2–10 years		22,359				16,660				5,699				22,327				16,052		6,275
	Other	1–25 years		9,858				7,788				2,070				9,836				7,572		2,264
				$	122,735			$	86,241			$	36,494			$	128,543			$	88,955	$	39,588
	Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Franchise agreements			$	496,321											$	496,321
	Wireless licenses			—												22,150
	Licensure and accreditation			7,171												7,171
	Other			15,636												15,636
				$	519,128											$	541,278

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	DEBT
	The Company’s borrowings consist of the following:
		As of
		March 31,			December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	$	397,997		$	397,893
	AUD Revolving credit borrowing	46,231			44,625
	Other indebtedness	8,321			8,258
	Total Debt	452,549			450,776
	Less: current portion	(49,389		)	(3,168		)
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	403,160		$	447,608
	The Company’s other indebtedness at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is at interest rates from 0% to 6% and matures from 2014 to 2017.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $451.2 million and $516.7 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 7.0%. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred net interest expense of $8.2 million and $8.5 million, respectively.
	At March 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s 7.25% unsecured notes, based on quoted market prices, totaled $469.0 million, compared with the carrying amount of $398.0 million. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s 7.25% unsecured notes, based on quoted market prices, totaled $475.2 million, compared with the carrying amount of $397.9 million. The carrying value of the Company’s other unsecured debt at March 31, 2014 approximates fair value.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
		As of March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Total
	Assets
	Money market investments (1)	$	—	$	460,928	$	460,928
	Marketable equity securities (2)	510,697		—		510,697
	Commercial paper (3)	99,893		—		99,893
	Other current investments (4)	11,692		23,312		35,004
	Total Financial Assets	$	622,282	$	484,240	$	1,106,522
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)	$	—	$	64,614	$	64,614
	7.25% unsecured notes (6)	—		469,012		469,012
	AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)	—		46,231		46,231
	Interest rate swap (7)	—		875		875
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	—	$	580,732	$	580,732
		As of December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Total
	Assets
	Money market investments (1)	$	—	$	431,836	$	431,836
	Marketable equity securities (2)	487,156		—		487,156
	Other current investments (4)	11,826		23,336		35,162
	Total Financial Assets	$	498,982	$	455,172	$	954,154
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)	$	—	$	67,603	$	67,603
	7.25% unsecured notes (6)	—		475,224		475,224
	AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)	—		44,625		44,625
	Interest rate swap (7)	—		1,047		1,047
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	—	$	588,499	$	588,499
	____________
	-1	The Company’s money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
	-2	The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.
	-3	The Company's commercial paper investments have original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than 180 days.
	-4	Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits (with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year).
	-5	Includes Graham Holdings Company's Deferred Compensation Plan and supplemental savings plan benefits under the Graham Holdings Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which are included in accrued compensation and related benefits.
	-6	See Note 6 for carrying amount of these notes and borrowing.
	-7	Included in Other liabilities. The Company utilized a market approach model using the notional amount of the interest rate swap multiplied by the observable inputs of time to maturity and market interest rates.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	8. EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The Company's unvested restricted stock awards contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends and, therefore, are considered participating securities for purposes of computing earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The diluted earnings per share computed under the two-class method is lower than the diluted earnings per share computed under the treasury stock method, resulting in the presentation of the lower amount in diluted earnings per share. The computation of the earnings per share under the two-class method excludes the income attributable to the unvested restricted stock awards from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those underlying shares from the denominator.
	The following reflects the Company's income from continuing operations and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations using the two-class method:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic earnings per share:
	Income from continuing operations attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$	131,026		$	21,691
	Less: Dividends-common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	(37,675		)	—
	Undistributed earnings	93,351			21,691
	Percent allocated to common stockholders	98.33		%	97.38		%
		91,790			21,122
	Add: Dividends-common stock outstanding	37,044			—
	Numerator for basic earnings per share	$	128,834		$	21,122
	Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	5			—
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	128,839		$	21,122
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	7,275			7,227
	Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	26			1
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share	7,301			7,228
	Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	17.71		$	2.92
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	17.65		$	2.92
	Diluted earnings per share excludes the following weighted average potential common shares, as the effect would be antidilutive, as computed under the treasury stock method:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31
	(in thousands)		2014		2013
	Weighted average restricted stock		51		38
	For the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, the diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of 5,000 and 85,861 stock options outstanding, respectively, as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. The first quarter of 2014 and 2013 diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of 5,550 and 52,200 restricted stock awards, respectively, as their inclusion would have been antidilutive.
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company declared regular dividends totaling $5.10 per share. No dividends were paid in 2013.

Pension_and_Postretirement_Pla

Pension and Postretirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
General Discussion of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure	'
	PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS
	Defined Benefit Plans. The total (benefit) cost arising from the Company’s defined benefit pension plans, including a portion included in discontinued operations, consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31
	(in thousands)	2014				2013
	Service cost	$	7,537			$	13,365
	Interest cost	13,082				14,291
	Expected return on assets	(30,263		)		(26,322		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	82				909
	Recognized actuarial (gain) loss	(7,038		)		2,147
	Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost	(16,600		)		4,390
	Early retirement programs expense	4,490				14,258
	Total (Benefit) Cost	$	(12,110	)		$	18,648
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the net periodic (benefit) cost for the Company's pension plans, as reported above, includes costs of $0.1 million and $7.1 million, respectively, reported in discontinued operations. The early retirement programs expense for the March 31, 2013 is included in discontinued operations.
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded $4.5 million related to a Separation Incentive Program for certain Corporate employees, which will be funded from the assets of the Company's pension plan.
	The Company announced a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program in February 2013, which was offered to certain employees of the Washington Post newspaper. The total early retirement program expense for this program was $20.4 million. Of this amount, $12.0 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2013 and $8.4 million was recorded in the second quarter of 2013. In addition, the Washington Post newspaper recorded $2.3 million in special separation benefits for a group of employees in the first quarter of 2013. The early retirement program expense and special separation benefits for these programs were funded from the assets of the Company’s pension plan and are included in discontinued operations, net of tax, in 2013.
	The total cost arising from the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), including a portion included in discontinued operations, consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31
	(in thousands)	2014				2013
	Service cost	$	373			$	429
	Interest cost	1,085				1,023
	Amortization of prior service cost	12				14
	Recognized actuarial loss	375				711
	Net Periodic Cost	$	1,845			$	2,177
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the net periodic cost for the Company's SERP, as reported above, includes costs of $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, reported in discontinued operations.
	Defined Benefit Plan Assets. The Company’s defined benefit pension obligations are funded by a portfolio made up of a relatively small number of stocks and high-quality fixed-income securities that are held by a third-party trustee. The assets of the Company’s pension plan were allocated as follows:
		As of
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	U.S. equities	59	%		58	%
	U.S. fixed income	13	%		12	%
	International equities	28	%		30	%
		100	%		100	%
	Essentially all of the assets are actively managed by two investment companies. The goal of the investment managers is to produce moderate long-term growth in the value of these assets, while protecting them against large decreases in value. Both of these managers may invest in a combination of equity and fixed-income securities and cash. The managers are not permitted to invest in securities of the Company or in alternative investments. The investment managers cannot invest more than 20% of the assets at the time of purchase in the stock of Berkshire Hathaway or more than 10% of the assets in the securities of any other single issuer, except for obligations of the U.S. Government, without receiving prior approval by the Plan administrator. As of March 31, 2014, the managers can invest no more than 24% of the assets in international stocks, at the time the investment is made, and no less than 10% of the assets could be invested in fixed-income securities. None of the assets is managed internally by the Company.
	In determining the expected rate of return on plan assets, the Company considers the relative weighting of plan assets, the historical performance of total plan assets and individual asset classes and economic and other indicators of future performance. In addition, the Company may consult with and consider the input of financial and other professionals in developing appropriate return benchmarks.
	The Company evaluated its defined benefit pension plan asset portfolio for the existence of significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10% of plan assets) of credit risk as of March 31, 2014. Types of concentrations that were evaluated include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country and individual fund. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the pension plan held common stock in one investment that exceeded 10% of total plan assets. This investment was valued at $429.1 million and $382.1 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, or approximately 18% and 16%, respectively, of total plan assets. Assets also included $219.5 million and $208.4 million of Berkshire Hathaway common stock at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the pension plan held investments in one foreign country that exceeded 10% of total plan assets. These investments were valued at $447.0 million and $398.9 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, or approximately 19% and 17%, respectively, of total plan assets.
	Other Postretirement Plans. The total cost (benefit) arising from the Company’s other postretirement plans, including a portion included in discontinued operations, consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31
	(in thousands)	2014				2013
	Service cost	$	375			$	727
	Interest cost	362				510
	Amortization of prior service credit	(196		)		(1,360		)
	Recognized actuarial gain	(519		)		(541		)
	Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	22				(664		)
	Settlement gain	—				(3,471		)
	Total Cost (Benefit)	$	22			$	(4,135	)
	For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the net periodic benefit, as reported above, includes a benefit of $0.6 million included in discontinued operations. As part of the sale of The Herald, changes were made with respect to its postretirement medical plan, resulting in a $3.5 million settlement gain that is included in discontinued operations, net of tax, for the first quarter of 2013.

Other_NonOperating_Income_Expe

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]	'
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	'
	OTHER NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)
	A summary of non-operating income (expense) is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Gain on sale of building	$	127,670		$	—
	Foreign currency gain (loss), net	5,037			(4,614		)
	(Losses) gains on sales or write-downs of marketable equity securities	(785		)	542
	Other, net	1,351			(11		)
	Total Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	$	133,273		$	(4,083	)
	On March 27, 2014, the Company completed the sale of its headquarters building for approximately $158 million. In connection with the sale, the Company recorded a $127.7 million pre-tax gain in the first quarter of 2014. The headquarters building is used primarily by The Washington Post newspaper, which was sold by the Company in October 2013.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The other comprehensive income consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31
		2014									2013
		Before-Tax			Income			After-Tax			Before-Tax			Income			After-Tax
	(in thousands)	Amount			Tax			Amount			Amount			Tax			Amount
	Foreign currency translation adjustments:
	Translation adjustments arising during the period	$	746		—			$	746		$	(4,191	)	—			$	(4,191	)
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
	Unrealized gains for the period, net	27,738			(11,096		)	16,642			49,078			(19,631		)	29,447
	Reclassification adjustment for write-down and realization of loss (gain) on sale of available-for-sale securities included in net income	785			(314		)	471			(551		)	220			(331		)
		28,523			(11,410		)	17,113			48,527			(19,411		)	29,116
	Pension and other postretirement plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	(102		)	40			(62		)	(437		)	175			(262		)
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	(7,182		)	2,873			(4,309		)	2,317			(927		)	1,390
	Settlement gain included in net income	—			—			—			(3,471		)	1,388			(2,083		)
		(7,284		)	2,913			(4,371		)	(1,591		)	636			(955		)
	Cash flow hedge:
	Gain for the period	172			(69		)	103			30			(12		)	18
	Other Comprehensive Income	$	22,157		$	(8,566	)	$	13,591		$	42,775		$	(18,787	)	$	23,988
	The accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive income are as follows:
	(in thousands, net of taxes)	Cumulative			Unrealized Gain			Unrealized Gain			Cash Flow			Accumulated
		Foreign			on Available-for-			on Pensions			Hedge			Other
		Currency			Sale Securities			and Other						Comprehensive
		Translation						Postretirement						Income
		Adjustment						Plans
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	25,013		$	173,663		$	501,446		$	(628	)	$	699,494
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	746			16,642			—			(24		)	17,364
	Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			471			(4,371		)	127			(3,773		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	746			17,113			(4,371		)	103			13,591
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	25,759		$	190,776		$	497,075		$	(525	)	$	713,085
	The amounts and line items of reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
		March 31
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Unrealized Gains on Available-for-sale Securities:
	Realized loss (gains) for the period	$	785		$	(551	)	Other income (expense), net
		(314		)	220			Provision for Income Taxes
		471			(331		)	Net of Tax
	Pension and Other Postretirement Plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit	(102		)	(437		)	-1
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(7,182		)	2,317			-1
	Settlement gain	—			(3,471		)	-1
		(7,284		)	(1,591		)	Before tax
		2,913			636			Provision for Income Taxes
		(4,371		)	(955		)	Net of Tax
	Cash Flow Hedge
		212			186			Interest expense
		(85		)	(74		)	Provision for Income Taxes
		127			112			Net of Tax
	Total reclassification for the period	$	(3,773	)	$	(1,174	)	Net of Tax
	____________
	-1	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement plan cost (see Note 9).

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	CONTINGENCIES
	Litigation and Legal Matters.  The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Although the outcomes of the legal claims and proceedings against the Company cannot be predicted with certainty, based on currently available information, management believes that there are no existing claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Also, based on currently available information, management is of the opinion that the exposure to future material losses from existing legal proceedings is not reasonably possible, or that future material losses in excess of the amounts accrued are not reasonably possible.
	ED Program Reviews.  The U.S. Department of Education (ED) undertakes program reviews at Title IV participating institutions. Currently, there are three open program reviews, including Broomall, PA, as the Company is awaiting the ED’s final program review report. The Company does not expect the final program review reports to have a material impact on KHE; however, the results of these open reviews and their impact on Kaplan’s operations are uncertain.
	The 90/10 Rule.  Under regulations referred to as the 90/10 rule, a KHE school would lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV programs for a period of at least two fiscal years if the institution derives more than 90% of its receipts from Title IV programs, as calculated on a cash basis in accordance with the Higher Education Act and applicable ED regulations, in each of two consecutive fiscal years. An institution with Title IV receipts exceeding 90% for a single fiscal year would be placed on provisional certification and may be subject to other enforcement measures. The 90/10 rule calculations are performed for each OPEID unit. KHE is taking various measures to reduce the percentage of its receipts attributable to Title IV funds, including modifying student payment options; emphasizing direct-pay and employer-paid education programs; encouraging students to carefully evaluate the amount of their Title IV borrowing; eliminating some programs; cash-matching; and developing and offering additional non-Title IV-eligible certificate preparation, professional development and continuing education programs, some of which programs were acquired by certain KHE campuses in 2013 from other Kaplan businesses. Absent the adoption of the changes mentioned above, and if current trends continue, management estimates that in 2014, three of the KHE Campuses’ OPEID units, representing approximately 1.7% of KHE’s 2013 revenues, could have a 90/10 ratio over 90%. As noted above, Kaplan is taking steps to address compliance with the 90/10 rule; however, there can be no guarantee that these measures will be adequate to prevent the 90/10 ratio at some of the schools from exceeding 90% in the future.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments	'
	BUSINESS SEGMENTS
	The Company has six reportable segments: Kaplan Higher Education, Kaplan Test Preparation, Kaplan International, cable, television broadcasting and other businesses.
	Television Broadcasting. In April 2014, the Company announced it has entered into an agreement to sell WPLG, a television station serving the Miami market. WPLG results are included in discontinued operations, net of tax, for all periods presented. The television broadcasting segment operating results have been restated to reflect this change.
	The following table summarizes the quarterly financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments:
		March 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2013			2013			2013
	Operating Revenues
	Education	$	526,174		$	527,815		$	548,230		$	546,452		$	555,011
	Cable	203,921			200,138			204,550			202,381			200,240
	Television broadcasting	85,651			68,902			80,228			73,488			85,688
	Other businesses	24,913			23,814			37,572			36,682			30,735
	Corporate office	—			—			—			—			—
	Intersegment elimination	(98		)	(77		)	(76		)	(49		)	(39		)
		$	840,561		$	820,592		$	870,504		$	858,954		$	871,635
	Income (Loss) From Operations
	Education	$	2,522		$	(4,056	)	$	23,726		$	17,035		$	14,596
	Cable	41,162			36,613			44,710			39,715			48,697
	Television broadcasting	44,386			29,111			39,235			32,847			43,999
	Other businesses	(10,747		)	(8,542		)	(5,968		)	(5,046		)	(3,912		)
	Corporate office	2,206			(5,979		)	(5,402		)	(6,135		)	(5,763		)
		$	79,529		$	47,147		$	96,301		$	78,416		$	97,617
	Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, Net	4,052			3,418			3,868			5,892			37
	Interest Expense, Net	(8,221		)	(8,450		)	(8,526		)	(8,579		)	(8,248		)
	Other Income (Expense), Net	133,273			(4,083		)	(12,858		)	8,110			(14,920		)
	Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$	208,633		$	38,032		$	78,785		$	83,839		$	74,486
	Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Education	$	16,444		$	22,588		$	20,064		$	18,978		$	28,134
	Cable	33,787			33,733			33,964			32,946			27,541
	Television broadcasting	1,994			2,209			2,214			2,181			2,142
	Other businesses	520			429			577			555			616
	Corporate office	500			—			60			45			521
		$	53,245		$	58,959		$	56,879		$	54,705		$	58,954
	Amortization of Intangible Assets and Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets
	Education	$	2,288		$	2,518		$	2,363		$	2,287		$	6,044
	Cable	35			50			57			61			52
	Television broadcasting	—			—			—			—			—
	Other businesses	758			1,149			893			489			885
	Corporate office	—			—			—			—			—
		$	3,081		$	3,717		$	3,313		$	2,837		$	6,981
	Net Pension (Credit) Expense
	Education	$	4,143		$	4,106		$	4,231		$	4,169		$	4,032
	Cable	864			882			913			973			940
	Television broadcasting	320			1,344			1,250			1,297			70
	Other businesses	164			116			134			173			187
	Corporate office	(17,679		)	(9,121		)	(9,129		)	(9,299		)	(14,287		)
		$	(12,188	)	$	(2,673	)	$	(2,601	)	$	(2,687	)	$	(9,058	)
	The following table summarizes annual financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments:
		Year Ended December 31
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Operating Revenues
	Education	$	2,177,508		$	2,196,496
	Cable television	807,309			787,117
	Television broadcasting	308,306			328,396
	Other businesses	128,803			72,837
	Corporate office	—			—
	Intersegment elimination	(241		)	(296		)
		$	3,421,685		$	3,384,550
	Income (Loss) from Operations
	Education	$	51,301		$	(105,368	)
	Cable television	169,735			154,581
	Television broadcasting	145,192			162,131
	Other businesses	(23,468		)	(33,010		)
	Corporate office	(23,279		)	(28,665		)
	$	319,481		$	149,669
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, Net	13,215			14,086
Interest Expense, Net	(33,803		)	(32,551		)
Other Expense, Net	(23,751		)	(5,456		)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$	275,142		$	125,748
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
Education	$	89,764		$	101,183
Cable television	128,184			129,107
Television broadcasting	8,746			9,253
Other businesses	2,177			770
Corporate office	626			—
	$	229,497		$	240,313
Amortization of Intangible Assets and Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Education	$	13,212		$	129,312
Cable television	220			211
Television broadcasting	—			—
Other businesses	3,416			3,016
Corporate office	—			—
	$	16,848		$	132,539
Net Pension (Credit) Expense
Education	$	16,538		$	11,584
Cable television	3,708			2,540
Television broadcasting	3,961			5,046
Other businesses	610			169
Corporate office	(41,836		)	(27,871		)
	$	(17,019	)	$	(8,532	)
Asset information for the Company’s business segments are as follows:
	As of
(in thousands)	March 31,			December 31,
	2014			2013
Identifiable Assets
Education	$	1,745,562		$	1,921,037
Cable television	1,183,434			1,215,320
Television broadcasting	291,518			383,251
Other businesses	156,858			171,539
Corporate office	647,173			371,484
	$	4,024,545		$	4,062,631
Investments in Marketable Equity Securities	510,697			487,156
Investments in Affiliates	20,953			15,754
Prepaid Pension Cost	1,250,658			1,245,505
Assets Held for Sale	113,709			—
Total Assets	$	5,920,562		$	5,811,046
The Company’s education division comprises the following operating segments:
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar
(in thousands)	2014			2013
Operating Revenues
Higher education	$	253,779		$	271,860
Test preparation	67,804			68,943
Kaplan international	202,867			184,813
Kaplan corporate and other	2,014			2,604
Intersegment elimination	(290		)	(405		)
	$	526,174		$	527,815
Income (Loss) from Operations
Higher education	$	13,144		$	5,101
Test preparation	(6,628		)	(4,345		)
Kaplan international	10,882			6,397
Kaplan corporate and other	(14,920		)	(11,340		)
Intersegment elimination	44			131
	$	2,522		$	(4,056	)
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
Higher education	$	7,740		$	13,439
Test preparation	3,784			4,758
Kaplan international	4,708			3,996
Kaplan corporate and other	212			395
	$	16,444		$	22,588
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$	2,288		$	2,518
Pension Expense
Higher education	$	2,628		$	2,807
Test preparation	722			640
Kaplan international	89			87
Kaplan corporate and other	704			572
	$	4,143		$	4,106
Identifiable assets for the Company’s education division consist of the following:
	As of
(in thousands)	March 31,			December 31,
	2014			2013
Identifiable assets
Higher education	$	653,409		$	859,208
Test preparation	177,288			173,435
Kaplan international	866,656			864,507
Kaplan corporate and other	48,209			23,887
	$	1,745,562		$	1,921,037

Organization_Basis_of_Presenta1

Organization, Basis of Presentation And Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation – The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information; (ii) the instructions to Form 10-Q; and (iii) the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, including its domestic and foreign subsidiaries that are more than 50% owned or otherwise controlled by the Company. As permitted under such rules, certain notes and other financial information normally required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Management believes the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of and for the periods presented herein. The Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 may not be indicative of the Company’s future results. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
	The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
	Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes the reclassification of the results of operations of certain businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	'
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported herein. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.
Assets Held For Sale	'
	Assets Held for Sale – An asset or business is classified as held for sale when (i) management commits to a plan to sell the asset or business; (ii) the asset or business is available for immediate sale in its present condition; (iii) the asset or business is actively marketed for sale at a reasonable price; (iv) the sale is expected to be completed within one year; and (v) it is unlikely significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. The assets and related liabilities are aggregated and reported separately in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Summarized Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net Of Tax	'
	The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets included in assets held for sale at March 31, 2014 are as follows:
		As of
	(in thousands)	31-Mar-14
	Other current assets	$	397
	Current Assets Held for Sale	$	397
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	30,954
	Goodwill, net	60,206
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	22,150
	Deferred charges and other assets	2
	Noncurrent Assets Held for Sale	$	113,312
		Three Months Ended
		March 31
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Operating revenues	$	16,274		$	141,974
	Operating costs and expenses	(10,134		)	(168,077		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	6,140			(26,103		)
	Expense (benefit) from income taxes	2,026			(9,176		)
	Net Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations	4,114			(16,927		)
	Loss on sales of discontinued operations	(4,737		)	(70		)
	Benefit from income taxes on sales of discontinued operations	(1,695		)	(24		)
	Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$	1,072		$	(16,973	)
2013 Quarterly Operating Results After Reclassifying Certain Operations As Discontinued Operations	'
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2013			2013			2013
	Operating Revenues
	Education	$	527,815		$	548,230		$	546,452		$	555,011
	Subscriber	186,790			192,273			190,302			186,297
	Advertising	69,122			79,898			73,549			87,692
	Other	36,865			50,103			48,651			42,635
		820,592			870,504			858,954			871,635
	Operating Costs and Expenses
	Operating	376,545			394,841			395,436			375,876
	Selling, general and administrative	334,224			319,170			327,560			332,207
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	58,959			56,879			54,705			58,954
	Amortization of intangible assets	3,717			3,313			2,837			3,731
	Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—			—			—			3,250
		773,445			774,203			780,538			774,018
	Income from Operations	47,147			96,301			78,416			97,617
	Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	3,418			3,868			5,892			37
	Interest income	510			522			642			590
	Interest expense	(8,960		)	(9,048		)	(9,221		)	(8,838		)
	Other (expense) income, net	(4,083		)	(12,858		)	8,110			(14,920		)
	Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes	38,032			78,785			83,839			74,486
	Provision for Income Taxes	15,800			31,700			29,900			24,100
	Income from Continuing Operations	22,232			47,085			53,939			50,386
	(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	(16,973		)	(1,951		)	(23,515		)	106,142
	Net Income	5,259			45,134			30,424			156,528
	Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(97		)	(253		)	(75		)	(55		)
	Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	5,162			44,881			30,349			156,473
	Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	(444		)	(206		)	(205		)	—
	Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	$	4,718		$	44,675		$	30,144		$	156,473
	Amounts Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
	Income from continuing operations	$	21,691		$	46,626		$	53,659		$	50,331
	(Loss) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(16,973		)	(1,951		)	(23,515		)	106,142
	Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$	4,718		$	44,675		$	30,144		$	156,473
	Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
	Basic income per common share from continuing operations	$	2.92		$	6.28		$	7.23		$	6.82
	Basic (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations	(2.28		)	(0.26		)	(3.16		)	14.38
	Basic net income per common share	$	0.64		$	6.02		$	4.07		$	21.2
	Diluted income per common share from continuing operations	$	2.92		$	6.28		$	7.22		$	6.8
	Diluted (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations	(2.28		)	(0.26		)	(3.17		)	14.34
	Diluted net income per common share	$	0.64		$	6.02		$	4.05		$	21.14
Yearly Operating Results After Reclassifying Certain Operations As Discontinued Operations	'
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012
	Operating Revenues
	Education	$	2,177,508		$	2,196,496
	Subscriber	755,662			732,370
	Advertising	310,261			337,621
	Other	178,254			118,063
		3,421,685			3,384,550
	Operating Costs and Expenses
	Operating	1,542,698			1,543,083
	Selling, general and administrative	1,313,161			1,318,946
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	229,497			240,313
	Amortization of intangible assets	13,598			20,946
	Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	3,250			111,593
		3,102,204			3,234,881
	Income from Operations	319,481			149,669
	Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	13,215			14,086
	Interest income	2,264			3,393
	Interest expense	(36,067		)	(35,944		)
	Other expense, net	(23,751		)	(5,456		)
	Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes	275,142			125,748
	Provision for Income Taxes	101,500			73,400
	Income from Continuing Operations	173,642			52,348
	Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	63,703			79,839
	Net Income	237,345			132,187
	Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(480		)	(74		)
	Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	236,865			132,113
	Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	(855		)	(895		)
	Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	$	236,010		$	131,218
	Amounts Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
	Income from continuing operations	$	172,307		$	51,379
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	63,703			79,839
	Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$	236,010		$	131,218
	Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
	Basic income per common share from continuing operations	$	23.44		$	6.54
	Basic income per common share from discontinued operations	8.66			10.85
	Basic net income per common share	$	32.1		$	17.39
	Diluted income per common share from continuing operations	$	23.4		$	6.54
	Diluted income per common share from discontinued operations	8.65			10.85
	Diluted net income per common share	$	32.05		$	17.39

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments in Marketable Equity Securities	'
	Investments in marketable equity securities comprised the following:
		As of
		March 31,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Total cost	$	192,736	$	197,718
	Net unrealized gains	317,961		289,438
	Total Fair Value	$	510,697	$	487,156

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, were as follows:
	(in thousands)	Education				Cable				Television				Other				Total
						Television				Broadcasting				Businesses
	Balance as of December 31, 2013
	Goodwill	$	1,073,433			$	85,488			$	203,165			$	34,877			$	1,396,963
	Accumulated impairment losses	(102,259		)		—				—				(6,082		)		(108,341		)
		971,174				85,488				203,165				28,795				1,288,622
	Acquisitions	5,608				—				—				—				5,608
	Reclassification to assets held for sale	—				—				(60,205		)		—				(60,205		)
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	7,924				—				—				—				7,924
	Balance as of March 31, 2014
	Goodwill	1,086,965				85,488				142,960				34,877				1,350,290
	Accumulated impairment losses	(102,259		)		—				—				(6,082		)		(108,341		)
		$	984,706			$	85,488			$	142,960			$	28,795			$	1,241,949
Other Intangible Assets	'
	Other intangible assets consist of the following:
				As of March 31, 2014												As of December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Useful Life		Gross				Accumulated				Net Carrying				Gross				Accumulated		Net
		Range		Carrying				Amortization				Amount				Carrying				Amortization		Carrying
				Amount												Amount						Amount
	Amortized Intangible Assets
	Noncompete agreements	2–5 years		$	13,565			$	12,737			$	828			$	13,540			$	12,622	$	918
	Student and customer relationships	2–10 years		66,163				41,725				24,438				72,050				45,718		26,332
	Databases and technology	3–5 years		10,790				7,331				3,459				10,790				6,991		3,799
	Trade names and trademarks	2–10 years		22,359				16,660				5,699				22,327				16,052		6,275
	Other	1–25 years		9,858				7,788				2,070				9,836				7,572		2,264
				$	122,735			$	86,241			$	36,494			$	128,543			$	88,955	$	39,588
	Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Franchise agreements			$	496,321											$	496,321
	Wireless licenses			—												22,150
	Licensure and accreditation			7,171												7,171
	Other			15,636												15,636
				$	519,128											$	541,278
Education [Member]	'
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	The changes in carrying amount of goodwill at the Company’s education division were as follows:
	(in thousands)	Higher				Test				Kaplan				Total
		Education				Preparation				International
	Balance as of December 31, 2013
	Goodwill	$	409,016			$	152,187			$	512,230			$	1,073,433
	Accumulated impairment losses	—				(102,259		)		—				(102,259		)
		409,016				49,928				512,230				971,174
	Acquisitions	—				5,608				—				5,608
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(76		)		—				8,000				7,924
	Balance as of March 31, 2014
	Goodwill	408,940				157,795				520,230				1,086,965
	Accumulated impairment losses	—				(102,259		)		—				(102,259		)
		$	408,940			$	55,536			$	520,230			$	984,706

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Debt	'
	The Company’s borrowings consist of the following:
		As of
		March 31,			December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	$	397,997		$	397,893
	AUD Revolving credit borrowing	46,231			44,625
	Other indebtedness	8,321			8,258
	Total Debt	452,549			450,776
	Less: current portion	(49,389		)	(3,168		)
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	403,160		$	447,608

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
		As of March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Total
	Assets
	Money market investments (1)	$	—	$	460,928	$	460,928
	Marketable equity securities (2)	510,697		—		510,697
	Commercial paper (3)	99,893		—		99,893
	Other current investments (4)	11,692		23,312		35,004
	Total Financial Assets	$	622,282	$	484,240	$	1,106,522
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)	$	—	$	64,614	$	64,614
	7.25% unsecured notes (6)	—		469,012		469,012
	AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)	—		46,231		46,231
	Interest rate swap (7)	—		875		875
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	—	$	580,732	$	580,732
		As of December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Total
	Assets
	Money market investments (1)	$	—	$	431,836	$	431,836
	Marketable equity securities (2)	487,156		—		487,156
	Other current investments (4)	11,826		23,336		35,162
	Total Financial Assets	$	498,982	$	455,172	$	954,154
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)	$	—	$	67,603	$	67,603
	7.25% unsecured notes (6)	—		475,224		475,224
	AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)	—		44,625		44,625
	Interest rate swap (7)	—		1,047		1,047
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	—	$	588,499	$	588,499
	____________
	-1	The Company’s money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
	-2	The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.
	-3	The Company's commercial paper investments have original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than 180 days.
	-4	Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits (with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year).
	-5	Includes Graham Holdings Company's Deferred Compensation Plan and supplemental savings plan benefits under the Graham Holdings Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which are included in accrued compensation and related benefits.
	-6	See Note 6 for carrying amount of these notes and borrowing.
	-7	Included in Other liabilities. The Company utilized a market approach model using the notional amount of the interest rate swap multiplied by the observable inputs of time to maturity and market interest rates.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Summary of Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations, Basic and Diluted	'
	The following reflects the Company's income from continuing operations and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations using the two-class method:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic earnings per share:
	Income from continuing operations attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$	131,026		$	21,691
	Less: Dividends-common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	(37,675		)	—
	Undistributed earnings	93,351			21,691
	Percent allocated to common stockholders	98.33		%	97.38		%
		91,790			21,122
	Add: Dividends-common stock outstanding	37,044			—
	Numerator for basic earnings per share	$	128,834		$	21,122
	Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	5			—
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	128,839		$	21,122
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	7,275			7,227
	Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	26			1
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share	7,301			7,228
	Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	17.71		$	2.92
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	17.65		$	2.92
Antidilutive Weighted Average Restricted Stock	'
	Diluted earnings per share excludes the following weighted average potential common shares, as the effect would be antidilutive, as computed under the treasury stock method:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31
	(in thousands)		2014		2013
	Weighted average restricted stock		51		38

Pension_and_Postretirement_Pla1

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plan [Member]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	'
	Defined Benefit Plans. The total (benefit) cost arising from the Company’s defined benefit pension plans, including a portion included in discontinued operations, consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31
	(in thousands)	2014				2013
	Service cost	$	7,537			$	13,365
	Interest cost	13,082				14,291
	Expected return on assets	(30,263		)		(26,322		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	82				909
	Recognized actuarial (gain) loss	(7,038		)		2,147
	Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost	(16,600		)		4,390
	Early retirement programs expense	4,490				14,258
	Total (Benefit) Cost	$	(12,110	)		$	18,648
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets	'
	The assets of the Company’s pension plan were allocated as follows:
		As of
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	U.S. equities	59	%		58	%
	U.S. fixed income	13	%		12	%
	International equities	28	%		30	%
		100	%		100	%
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	'
	The total cost arising from the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), including a portion included in discontinued operations, consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31
	(in thousands)	2014				2013
	Service cost	$	373			$	429
	Interest cost	1,085				1,023
	Amortization of prior service cost	12				14
	Recognized actuarial loss	375				711
	Net Periodic Cost	$	1,845			$	2,177
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	'
	Other Postretirement Plans. The total cost (benefit) arising from the Company’s other postretirement plans, including a portion included in discontinued operations, consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31
	(in thousands)	2014				2013
	Service cost	$	375			$	727
	Interest cost	362				510
	Amortization of prior service credit	(196		)		(1,360		)
	Recognized actuarial gain	(519		)		(541		)
	Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	22				(664		)
	Settlement gain	—				(3,471		)
	Total Cost (Benefit)	$	22			$	(4,135	)

Other_NonOperating_Income_Expe1

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]	'
Summary of Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	'
	A summary of non-operating income (expense) is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Gain on sale of building	$	127,670		$	—
	Foreign currency gain (loss), net	5,037			(4,614		)
	(Losses) gains on sales or write-downs of marketable equity securities	(785		)	542
	Other, net	1,351			(11		)
	Total Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	$	133,273		$	(4,083	)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Summary of Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The other comprehensive income consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31
		2014									2013
		Before-Tax			Income			After-Tax			Before-Tax			Income			After-Tax
	(in thousands)	Amount			Tax			Amount			Amount			Tax			Amount
	Foreign currency translation adjustments:
	Translation adjustments arising during the period	$	746		—			$	746		$	(4,191	)	—			$	(4,191	)
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
	Unrealized gains for the period, net	27,738			(11,096		)	16,642			49,078			(19,631		)	29,447
	Reclassification adjustment for write-down and realization of loss (gain) on sale of available-for-sale securities included in net income	785			(314		)	471			(551		)	220			(331		)
		28,523			(11,410		)	17,113			48,527			(19,411		)	29,116
	Pension and other postretirement plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	(102		)	40			(62		)	(437		)	175			(262		)
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	(7,182		)	2,873			(4,309		)	2,317			(927		)	1,390
	Settlement gain included in net income	—			—			—			(3,471		)	1,388			(2,083		)
		(7,284		)	2,913			(4,371		)	(1,591		)	636			(955		)
	Cash flow hedge:
	Gain for the period	172			(69		)	103			30			(12		)	18
	Other Comprehensive Income	$	22,157		$	(8,566	)	$	13,591		$	42,775		$	(18,787	)	$	23,988
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive income are as follows:
	(in thousands, net of taxes)	Cumulative			Unrealized Gain			Unrealized Gain			Cash Flow			Accumulated
		Foreign			on Available-for-			on Pensions			Hedge			Other
		Currency			Sale Securities			and Other						Comprehensive
		Translation						Postretirement						Income
		Adjustment						Plans
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	25,013		$	173,663		$	501,446		$	(628	)	$	699,494
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	746			16,642			—			(24		)	17,364
	Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			471			(4,371		)	127			(3,773		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	746			17,113			(4,371		)	103			13,591
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	25,759		$	190,776		$	497,075		$	(525	)	$	713,085
Summary of Amounts and Line Items of reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The amounts and line items of reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
		March 31
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Unrealized Gains on Available-for-sale Securities:
	Realized loss (gains) for the period	$	785		$	(551	)	Other income (expense), net
		(314		)	220			Provision for Income Taxes
		471			(331		)	Net of Tax
	Pension and Other Postretirement Plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit	(102		)	(437		)	-1
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(7,182		)	2,317			-1
	Settlement gain	—			(3,471		)	-1
		(7,284		)	(1,591		)	Before tax
		2,913			636			Provision for Income Taxes
		(4,371		)	(955		)	Net of Tax
	Cash Flow Hedge
		212			186			Interest expense
		(85		)	(74		)	Provision for Income Taxes
		127			112			Net of Tax
	Total reclassification for the period	$	(3,773	)	$	(1,174	)	Net of Tax
	____________
	-1	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement plan cost (see Note 9).

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Summary of Segment Reporting Information, by Operating Segment	'
	The following table summarizes the quarterly financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments:
		March 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2013			2013			2013
	Operating Revenues
	Education	$	526,174		$	527,815		$	548,230		$	546,452		$	555,011
	Cable	203,921			200,138			204,550			202,381			200,240
	Television broadcasting	85,651			68,902			80,228			73,488			85,688
	Other businesses	24,913			23,814			37,572			36,682			30,735
	Corporate office	—			—			—			—			—
	Intersegment elimination	(98		)	(77		)	(76		)	(49		)	(39		)
		$	840,561		$	820,592		$	870,504		$	858,954		$	871,635
	Income (Loss) From Operations
	Education	$	2,522		$	(4,056	)	$	23,726		$	17,035		$	14,596
	Cable	41,162			36,613			44,710			39,715			48,697
	Television broadcasting	44,386			29,111			39,235			32,847			43,999
	Other businesses	(10,747		)	(8,542		)	(5,968		)	(5,046		)	(3,912		)
	Corporate office	2,206			(5,979		)	(5,402		)	(6,135		)	(5,763		)
		$	79,529		$	47,147		$	96,301		$	78,416		$	97,617
	Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, Net	4,052			3,418			3,868			5,892			37
	Interest Expense, Net	(8,221		)	(8,450		)	(8,526		)	(8,579		)	(8,248		)
	Other Income (Expense), Net	133,273			(4,083		)	(12,858		)	8,110			(14,920		)
	Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$	208,633		$	38,032		$	78,785		$	83,839		$	74,486
	Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Education	$	16,444		$	22,588		$	20,064		$	18,978		$	28,134
	Cable	33,787			33,733			33,964			32,946			27,541
	Television broadcasting	1,994			2,209			2,214			2,181			2,142
	Other businesses	520			429			577			555			616
	Corporate office	500			—			60			45			521
		$	53,245		$	58,959		$	56,879		$	54,705		$	58,954
	Amortization of Intangible Assets and Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets
	Education	$	2,288		$	2,518		$	2,363		$	2,287		$	6,044
	Cable	35			50			57			61			52
	Television broadcasting	—			—			—			—			—
	Other businesses	758			1,149			893			489			885
	Corporate office	—			—			—			—			—
		$	3,081		$	3,717		$	3,313		$	2,837		$	6,981
	Net Pension (Credit) Expense
	Education	$	4,143		$	4,106		$	4,231		$	4,169		$	4,032
	Cable	864			882			913			973			940
	Television broadcasting	320			1,344			1,250			1,297			70
	Other businesses	164			116			134			173			187
	Corporate office	(17,679		)	(9,121		)	(9,129		)	(9,299		)	(14,287		)
		$	(12,188	)	$	(2,673	)	$	(2,601	)	$	(2,687	)	$	(9,058	)
	The following table summarizes annual financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments:
		Year Ended December 31
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Operating Revenues
	Education	$	2,177,508		$	2,196,496
	Cable television	807,309			787,117
	Television broadcasting	308,306			328,396
	Other businesses	128,803			72,837
	Corporate office	—			—
	Intersegment elimination	(241		)	(296		)
		$	3,421,685		$	3,384,550
	Income (Loss) from Operations
	Education	$	51,301		$	(105,368	)
	Cable television	169,735			154,581
	Television broadcasting	145,192			162,131
	Other businesses	(23,468		)	(33,010		)
	Corporate office	(23,279		)	(28,665		)
		$	319,481		$	149,669
	Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, Net	13,215			14,086
	Interest Expense, Net	(33,803		)	(32,551		)
Other Expense, Net	(23,751		)	(5,456		)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$	275,142		$	125,748
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
Education	$	89,764		$	101,183
Cable television	128,184			129,107
Television broadcasting	8,746			9,253
Other businesses	2,177			770
Corporate office	626			—
	$	229,497		$	240,313
Amortization of Intangible Assets and Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Education	$	13,212		$	129,312
Cable television	220			211
Television broadcasting	—			—
Other businesses	3,416			3,016
Corporate office	—			—
	$	16,848		$	132,539
Net Pension (Credit) Expense
Education	$	16,538		$	11,584
Cable television	3,708			2,540
Television broadcasting	3,961			5,046
Other businesses	610			169
Corporate office	(41,836		)	(27,871		)
	$	(17,019	)	$	(8,532	)
Asset information for the Company’s business segments are as follows:
	As of
(in thousands)	March 31,			December 31,
	2014			2013
Identifiable Assets
Education	$	1,745,562		$	1,921,037
Cable television	1,183,434			1,215,320
Television broadcasting	291,518			383,251
Other businesses	156,858			171,539
Corporate office	647,173			371,484
	$	4,024,545		$	4,062,631
Investments in Marketable Equity Securities	510,697			487,156
Investments in Affiliates	20,953			15,754
Prepaid Pension Cost	1,250,658			1,245,505
Assets Held for Sale	113,709			—
Total Assets	$	5,920,562		$	5,811,046
Education [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Summary of Segment Reporting Information, by Operating Segment	'
	The Company’s education division comprises the following operating segments:
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Operating Revenues
	Higher education	$	253,779		$	271,860
	Test preparation	67,804			68,943
	Kaplan international	202,867			184,813
	Kaplan corporate and other	2,014			2,604
	Intersegment elimination	(290		)	(405		)
		$	526,174		$	527,815
	Income (Loss) from Operations
	Higher education	$	13,144		$	5,101
	Test preparation	(6,628		)	(4,345		)
	Kaplan international	10,882			6,397
	Kaplan corporate and other	(14,920		)	(11,340		)
	Intersegment elimination	44			131
		$	2,522		$	(4,056	)
	Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Higher education	$	7,740		$	13,439
	Test preparation	3,784			4,758
	Kaplan international	4,708			3,996
	Kaplan corporate and other	212			395
		$	16,444		$	22,588
	Amortization of Intangible Assets	$	2,288		$	2,518
	Pension Expense
	Higher education	$	2,628		$	2,807
	Test preparation	722			640
	Kaplan international	89			87
	Kaplan corporate and other	704			572
		$	4,143		$	4,106
	Identifiable assets for the Company’s education division consist of the following:
		As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Identifiable assets
	Higher education	$	653,409		$	859,208
	Test preparation	177,288			173,435
	Kaplan international	866,656			864,507
	Kaplan corporate and other	48,209			23,887
		$	1,745,562		$	1,921,037

Organization_Basis_of_Presenta2

Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Percentage of ownership indicating control for consolidation purposes	'more than 50%
Television Broadcasting [Member]	'
Number of television broadcast stations	6

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 11, 2014
			Daily Herald [Member]	Sale of Publishing Subsidiaries [Member]	Sale of Publishing Subsidiaries [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
						Sale of WPLG [Member]
						Subsequent Event [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares received in Berkshire Hathaway agreement	'	'	'	'	'	1.6
Pre-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition	($4,737,000)	($70,000)	($100,000)	'	'	'
After-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition	'	'	'	-3,000,000	100,000,000	'
Expenses in discontinued operations	10,134,000	168,077,000	'	'	'	'
Early retirement program expense	$4,490,000	$14,258,000	'	'	'	'

Discontinued_Operations_Carryi

Discontinued Operations (Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities Included in Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Other current assets	$397	'
Current Assets Held for Sale	397	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	30,954	'
Goodwill, net	60,206	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	22,150	'
Deferred charges and other assets	2	'
Noncurrent Assets Held for Sale	$113,312	$0

Discontinued_Operations_Summar

Discontinued Operations (Summarized (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net Of Tax) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	$16,274	'	'	'	$141,974	'	'
Operating costs and expenses	-10,134	'	'	'	-168,077	'	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	6,140	'	'	'	-26,103	'	'
Expense (benefit) from income taxes	2,026	'	'	'	-9,176	'	'
Net Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations	4,114	'	'	'	-16,927	'	'
Loss on sales of discontinued operations	-4,737	'	'	'	-70	'	'
Benefit from income taxes on sales of discontinued operations	-1,695	'	'	'	-24	'	'
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$1,072	$106,142	($23,515)	($1,951)	($16,973)	$63,703	$79,839

Discontinued_Operations_Operat

Discontinued Operations (Operating Results After Reclassifying Certain Operations As Discontinued Operations) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Revenues [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Education	$526,174	$555,011	$546,452	$548,230	$527,815	$2,177,508	$2,196,496
Subscriber	191,128	186,297	190,302	192,273	186,790	755,662	732,370
Advertising	78,247	87,692	73,549	79,898	69,122	310,261	337,621
Other	45,012	42,635	48,651	50,103	36,865	178,254	118,063
Total Operating Revenues	840,561	871,635	858,954	870,504	820,592	3,421,685	3,384,550
Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating	379,069	375,876	395,436	394,841	376,545	1,542,698	1,543,083
Selling, general and administrative	325,637	332,207	327,560	319,170	334,224	1,313,161	1,318,946
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	53,245	58,954	54,705	56,879	58,959	229,497	240,313
Amortization of intangible assets	3,081	3,731	2,837	3,313	3,717	13,598	20,946
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	'	3,250	0	0	0	3,250	111,593
Total Operating Costs and Expenses	761,032	774,018	780,538	774,203	773,445	3,102,204	3,234,881
Income from Operations	79,529	97,617	78,416	96,301	47,147	319,481	149,669
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	4,052	37	5,892	3,868	3,418	13,215	14,086
Interest income	599	590	642	522	510	2,264	3,393
Interest expense	-8,820	-8,838	-9,221	-9,048	-8,960	-36,067	-35,944
Other income (expense), net	133,273	-14,920	8,110	-12,858	-4,083	-23,751	-5,456
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	208,633	74,486	83,839	78,785	38,032	275,142	125,748
Provision for Income Taxes	77,400	24,100	29,900	31,700	15,800	101,500	73,400
Income from Continuing Operations	131,233	50,386	53,939	47,085	22,232	173,642	52,348
(Loss) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,072	106,142	-23,515	-1,951	-16,973	63,703	79,839
Net Income	132,305	156,528	30,424	45,134	5,259	237,345	132,187
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	219	-55	-75	-253	-97	-480	-74
Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	132,524	156,473	30,349	44,881	5,162	236,865	132,113
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	-426	0	-205	-206	-444	-855	-895
Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	132,098	156,473	30,144	44,675	4,718	236,010	131,218
Amounts Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	131,026	50,331	53,659	46,626	21,691	172,307	51,379
(Loss) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,072	106,142	-23,515	-1,951	-16,973	63,703	79,839
Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$132,098	$156,473	$30,144	$44,675	$4,718	$236,010	$131,218
Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$17.71	$6.82	$7.23	$6.28	$2.92	$23.44	$6.54
Basic (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations in dollars per share	$0.14	$14.38	($3.16)	($0.26)	($2.28)	$8.66	$10.85
Basic net income per common share in dollars per share	$17.85	$21.20	$4.07	$6.02	$0.64	$32.10	$17.39
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$17.65	$6.80	$7.22	$6.28	$2.92	$23.40	$6.54
Diluted (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations in dollars per share	$0.14	$14.34	($3.17)	($0.26)	($2.28)	$8.65	$10.85
Diluted net income per common share in dollars per share	$17.79	$21.14	$4.05	$6.02	$0.64	$32.05	$17.39

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 02, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. [Member]

Classified Ventures LLC [Member]

Classified Ventures' sale of apartments.com [Member]

Classified Ventures' sale of apartments.com [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

New investments in marketable equity securities

$0

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities

4,200,000

'

'

'

2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities in Q1 settled in April

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

(Loss) gain on sales of marketable equity securities

-300,000

'

'

'

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment write-down on a marketable equity security

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

Investments in commercial paper

99,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment maturity length for commercial paper

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 months 1 day

'6 months

'

'

'

'

'

Cash distribution from equity method investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

95,000,000

'

Pre-tax gain on equity method investments

4,052,000

37,000

5,892,000

3,868,000

3,418,000

13,215,000

14,086,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

92,000,000

Percentage owned of equity method investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16.50%

'

'

Company's investments in marketable equity securities

510,697,000

487,156,000

'

'

'

487,156,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized loss on investment

$317,961,000

$289,438,000

'

'

'

$289,438,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments_Investments_in_Mar

Investments (Investments in Marketable Equity Securities) (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Total cost	$192,736	$197,718
Net unrealized gains	317,961	289,438
Total Fair Value	$510,697	$487,156

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Narrative) (Details)	Apr. 11, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Common Class B [Member]	Kaplan [Member]	Other Businesses [Member]
	Subsequent Event [Member]	business	business
	Sale of WPLG [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of businesses acquired	'	1	1
Number of shares received in Berkshire Hathaway agreement	1.6	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Amortization of Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	$3,081,000	$3,731,000	$2,837,000	$3,313,000	$3,717,000	$13,598,000	$20,946,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, remainder of 2014	9,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2015	9,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2016	7,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2017	4,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2018	4,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2019	$3,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	$1,396,963
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	-108,341
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,288,622
Acquisitions	5,608
Reclassification to assets held for sale	-60,205
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	7,924
Goodwill, ending balance	1,350,290
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-108,341
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,241,949
Education [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,073,433
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	-102,259
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	971,174
Acquisitions	5,608
Reclassification to assets held for sale	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	7,924
Goodwill, ending balance	1,086,965
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-102,259
Goodwill, net, ending balance	984,706
Higher Education [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	409,016
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	409,016
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-76
Goodwill, ending balance	408,940
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	408,940
Test Preparation [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	152,187
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	-102,259
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	49,928
Acquisitions	5,608
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	157,795
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-102,259
Goodwill, net, ending balance	55,536
Kaplan International [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	512,230
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	512,230
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	8,000
Goodwill, ending balance	520,230
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	520,230
Cable Television [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	85,488
Acquisitions	0
Reclassification to assets held for sale	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	85,488
Television Broadcasting [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	203,165
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	203,165
Acquisitions	0
Reclassification to assets held for sale	-60,205
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	142,960
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	142,960
Other Businesses [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	34,877
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	-6,082
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	28,795
Acquisitions	0
Reclassification to assets held for sale	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	34,877
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-6,082
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$28,795

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Details) 2 (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	122,735	128,543
Accumulated Amortization	86,241	88,955
Net Carrying Amount	36,494	39,588
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	519,128	541,278
Franchise Agreements [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	496,321	496,321
Wireless Licenses [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	0	22,150
Licensure and Accreditation [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	7,171	7,171
Other [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	15,636	15,636
Non-compete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	13,565	13,540
Accumulated Amortization	12,737	12,622
Net Carrying Amount	828	918
Non-compete Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'2 years	'2 years
Non-compete Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'5 years	'5 years
Student and Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	66,163	72,050
Accumulated Amortization	41,725	45,718
Net Carrying Amount	24,438	26,332
Student and Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'2 years	'2 years
Student and Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'10 years	'10 years
Databases and Technology [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	10,790	10,790
Accumulated Amortization	7,331	6,991
Net Carrying Amount	3,459	3,799
Databases and Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'3 years	'3 years
Databases and Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'5 years	'5 years
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	22,359	22,327
Accumulated Amortization	16,660	16,052
Net Carrying Amount	5,699	6,275
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'2 years	'2 years
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'10 years	'10 years
Other [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	9,858	9,836
Accumulated Amortization	7,788	7,572
Net Carrying Amount	2,070	2,264
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'1 year	'1 year
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful Life	'25 years	'25 years

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2009	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
				7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]	AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]	Other Indebtedness [Member]	Other Indebtedness [Member]	Other Indebtedness [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Borrowings outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	$46,231,000	$44,625,000	'	'	'
Minimum interest rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.00%	'	0.00%
Maximum interest rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6.00%	'	6.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	7.25%	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity year, start	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1-Apr-14	1-Jan-14	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity year, end	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	31-Dec-17	31-Dec-17	'
Average borrowings outstanding	451,200,000	516,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average interest rate of borrowings	7.00%	7.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net interest expense incurred	8,200,000	8,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of debt instrument	'	'	'	469,000,000	475,200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Carrying value of debt instrument	$397,997,000	'	$397,893,000	$398,000,000	$397,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Debt_Details_1

Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	$397,997	$397,893
Other indebtedness	8,321	8,258
Total Debt	452,549	450,776
Less: current portion	-49,389	-3,168
Total Long-Term Debt	403,160	447,608
AUD [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Revolving credit borrowing	$46,231	$44,625

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'		'
Marketable equity securities	$510,697		$487,156
Commercial paper	99,900		'
7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
7.25% unsecured notes	469,000		475,200
Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Money market investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Marketable equity securities	510,697	[2]	487,156	[2]
Commercial paper	99,893	[3]	'
Other current investments	11,692	[4]	11,826	[4]
Total Financial Assets	622,282		498,982
Liabilities:	'		'
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	0	[5]	0	[5]
Interest rate swap	0	[6]	0	[6]
Total Financial Liabilities	0		0
Level 1 [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
7.25% unsecured notes	0	[7]	0	[7]
Level 1 [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
AUD Revolving credit borrowing	0	[7]	0	[7]
Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Money market investments	460,928	[1]	431,836	[1]
Marketable equity securities	0	[2]	0	[2]
Commercial paper	0	[3]	'
Other current investments	23,312	[4]	23,336	[4]
Total Financial Assets	484,240		455,172
Liabilities:	'		'
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	64,614	[5]	67,603	[5]
Interest rate swap	875	[6]	1,047	[6]
Total Financial Liabilities	580,732		588,499
Level 2 [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
7.25% unsecured notes	469,012	[7]	475,224	[7]
Level 2 [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
AUD Revolving credit borrowing	46,231	[7]	44,625	[7]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Money market investments	460,928	[1]	431,836	[1]
Marketable equity securities	510,697	[2]	487,156	[2]
Commercial paper	99,893	[3]	'
Other current investments	35,004	[4]	35,162	[4]
Total Financial Assets	1,106,522		954,154
Liabilities:	'		'
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	64,614	[5]	67,603	[5]
Interest rate swap	875	[6]	1,047	[6]
Total Financial Liabilities	580,732		588,499
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
7.25% unsecured notes	469,012	[7]	475,224	[7]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
AUD Revolving credit borrowing	$46,231	[7]	$44,625	[7]
[1]	The Companybs money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
[2]	The Companybs investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.
[3]	The Company's commercial paper investments have original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than 180 days.
[4]	Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits (with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year).
[5]	Includes Graham Holdings Company's Deferred Compensation Plan and supplemental savings plan benefits under the Graham Holdings Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which are included in accrued compensation and related benefits.
[6]	Included in Other liabilities. The Company utilized a market approach model using the notional amount of the interest rate swap multiplied by the observable inputs of time to maturity and market interest rates.
[7]	See Note 6 for carrying amount of these notes and borrowing.

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
			Stock Option Plan [Member]	Stock Option Plan [Member]	Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities, shares	'	'	5,000	85,861	5,550	52,200
Dividends declared per common share	$5.10	$0	'	'	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_1

Earnings Per Share (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$131,026	$50,331	$53,659	$46,626	$21,691	$172,307	$51,379
Less: Dividends-common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	-37,675	'	'	'	0	'	'
Undistributed earnings	93,351	'	'	'	21,691	'	'
Percent allocated to common stockholders	98.33%	'	'	'	97.38%	'	'
Undistributed Earnings Allocated To Common Stockholders	91,790	'	'	'	21,122	'	'
Add: Dividends-common stock outstanding	37,044	'	'	'	0	'	'
Numerator for basic earnings per share	128,834	'	'	'	21,122	'	'
Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	5	'	'	'	0	'	'
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$128,839	'	'	'	$21,122	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding	7,275	'	'	'	7,227	'	'
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	7,301	'	'	'	7,228	'	'
Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$17.71	$6.82	$7.23	$6.28	$2.92	$23.44	$6.54
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$17.65	$6.80	$7.22	$6.28	$2.92	$23.40	$6.54
Stock Option Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	26	'	'	'	1	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share (Details 2)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Antidilutive Weighted Average Restricted Stock [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted average restricted stock	51	38

Pension_and_Postretirement_Pla2

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]

Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Common Stock [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Common Stock [Member]

Single Equity Concentration [Member]

Single Equity Concentration [Member]

Foreign Investments [Member]

Fixed income securities [Member]

Single Equity Concentration [Member]

Concentration In Single Entity, Type Of Industry, Foreign Country Or Individual Fund [Member]

Geographic Concentration [Member]

Geographic Concentration [Member]

companies

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Washington Post Newspaper [Member]

Washington Post Newspaper [Member]

Washington Post Newspaper [Member]

Washington Post Newspaper [Member]

Corporate Office [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Daily Herald [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Assets Total [Member]

Foreign Investments [Member]

Foreign Investments [Member]

Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program [Member]

Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program [Member]

Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program [Member]

Special Separation Benefits [Member]

Separation Incentive Program [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Investment

Investment

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Pension Plan [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

campus

country

Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Cost (Benefit)

($12,188,000)

($9,058,000)

($2,687,000)

($2,601,000)

($2,673,000)

($17,019,000)

($8,532,000)

($12,110,000)

$18,648,000

'

$100,000

$7,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

$1,845,000

$2,177,000

$100,000

$300,000

$22,000

($4,135,000)

$600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Early retirement program expense

4,490,000

'

'

'

14,258,000

'

'

4,490,000

14,258,000

'

'

'

8,400,000

12,000,000

20,400,000

2,300,000

4,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of investment companies actively managing plan assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Defined benefit plan, target allocation maximum percentage of assets, equity securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Defined benefit plan, target allocation maximum percentage of assets, singular equity security, without prior approval by plan administrator

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage of assets, fixed-income securities, range minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

Minimum percentage of plan assets considered as significant concentrations in pension plans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

Amount of plan assets managed internally by company

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Settlement gain

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Value of investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

429,100,000

382,100,000

'

'

'

'

447,000,000

398,900,000

Percentage of total plan assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18.00%

16.00%

'

'

'

'

19.00%

17.00%

Value of related party investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$219,500,000

$208,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of investments the company's pension plan held which individually exceed 10% of total plan assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

Number of foreign countries for which the companys pension plan holds investments that exceed 10% of total plan assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

1

Pension_and_Postretirement_Pla3

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Total Benefit/Cost) (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	($16,600)	'	'	'	$4,390	'	'
Early retirement program expense	4,490	'	'	'	14,258	'	'
Total Cost (Benefit)	-12,188	-9,058	-2,687	-2,601	-2,673	-17,019	-8,532
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)	-102	'	'	'	-437	'	'
Curtailment loss	0	'	'	'	-3,471	'	'
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	7,284	'	'	'	1,591	'	'
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Service cost	7,537	'	'	'	13,365	'	'
Interest cost	13,082	'	'	'	14,291	'	'
Expected return on assets	-30,263	'	'	'	-26,322	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	82	'	'	'	909	'	'
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	-7,038	'	'	'	2,147	'	'
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	-16,600	'	'	'	4,390	'	'
Early retirement program expense	4,490	'	'	'	14,258	'	'
Total Cost (Benefit)	-12,110	'	'	'	18,648	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Service cost	373	'	'	'	429	'	'
Interest cost	1,085	'	'	'	1,023	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	12	'	'	'	14	'	'
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	375	'	'	'	711	'	'
Total Cost (Benefit)	1,845	'	'	'	2,177	'	'
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Service cost	375	'	'	'	727	'	'
Interest cost	362	'	'	'	510	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-196	'	'	'	-1,360	'	'
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	-519	'	'	'	-541	'	'
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	22	'	'	'	-664	'	'
Settlement gain	0	'	'	'	-3,471	'	'
Total Cost (Benefit)	$22	'	'	'	($4,135)	'	'

Pension_and_Postretirement_Pla4

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Asset Allocation) (Details 9) (Pension Plans [Member])	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets	100.00%	100.00%
UNITED STATES | U.S. equities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets	59.00%	58.00%
UNITED STATES | U.S. fixed income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets	13.00%	12.00%
International [Member] | International equities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets	28.00%	30.00%

Other_NonOperating_Income_Expe2

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]	'	'
Proceeds from sale of building	$158,000,000	'
Gain on sale of building	$127,670,000	$0

Other_NonOperating_Income_Expe3

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of building	$127,670	'	'	'	$0	'	'
Foreign currency gain (loss), net	5,037	'	'	'	-4,614	'	'
(Losses) gains on sales or write-downs of marketable equity securities	-785	'	'	'	542	'	'
Other, net	1,351	'	'	'	-11	'	'
Total Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	$133,273	($14,920)	$8,110	($12,858)	($4,083)	($23,751)	($5,456)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Components of OCI) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Foreign currency translation adjustments:	'	'
Translation adjustments arising during the period, before tax	$746	($4,191)
Translation adjustments arising during the period, income tax	0	0
Translation adjustments arising during the period, after tax	746	-4,191
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Unrealized gains for the period, before tax	27,738	49,078
Unrealized gains for the period, tax	-11,096	-19,631
Unrealized gains for the period, after tax	16,642	29,447
Reclassification adjustment for write-down and realization of loss (gain) on sale of available-for-sale securities included in net income, before tax	785	-551
Reclassification adjustment for write-down and realization of loss (gain) on sale of available-for-sale securities included in net income, income tax	-314	220
Reclassification adjustment for write-down and realization of loss (gain) on sale of available-for-sale securities included in net income, after tax	471	-331
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, before tax	28,523	48,527
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, income tax	-11,410	-19,411
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, after tax	17,113	29,116
Pension and other postretirement plans:	'	'
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	-102	-437
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income, income tax	40	175
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income, after tax	-62	-262
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income, before tax	-7,182	2,317
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income, income tax	2,873	-927
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income, after tax	-4,309	1,390
Settlement gain included in net income, before tax	0	-3,471
Settlement gain included in net income, income tax	0	1,388
Settlement gain included in net income, after tax	0	-2,083
Total pension and other postretirement plans, before tax	-7,284	-1,591
Total pension and other postretirement plans, income tax	2,913	636
Total pension and other postretirement plans, after tax	-4,371	-955
Cash flow hedge:	'	'
Gain for the period, before tax	172	30
Gain for the period, income tax	-69	-12
Gain for the period, after tax	103	18
Other Comprehensive Income, before tax	22,157	42,775
Other Comprehensive Income, income tax	-8,566	-18,787
Other Comprehensive Income, after tax	$13,591	$23,988

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI balances) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, beginning balance	$699,494	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	17,364	'
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-3,773	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	13,591	23,988
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	713,085	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, beginning balance	25,013	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	746	'
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	746	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	25,759	'
Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, beginning balance	173,663	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	16,642	'
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	471	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	17,113	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	190,776	'
Unrealized Gain on Pensions and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, beginning balance	501,446	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	'
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-4,371	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	-4,371	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	497,075	'
Cash Flow Hedge [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, beginning balance	-628	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-24	'
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	127	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	103	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	($525)	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Reclassifications out of AOCI) (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'	'	'		'	'
Interest expense	$8,820		$8,838	$9,221	$9,048	$8,960		$36,067	$35,944
Other income (expense), net	-133,273		14,920	-8,110	12,858	4,083		23,751	5,456
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	-102		'	'	'	-437		'	'
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	-7,182		'	'	'	2,317		'	'
Settlement gain included in net income	0		'	'	'	3,471		'	'
Income Before Tax	-208,633		-74,486	-83,839	-78,785	-38,032		-275,142	-125,748
Provision for Income Taxes	77,400		24,100	29,900	31,700	15,800		101,500	73,400
Income Net of Tax	-131,233		-50,386	-53,939	-47,085	-22,232		-173,642	-52,348
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'	'	'	'		'	'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'	'	'		'	'
Income Net of Tax	-3,773		'	'	'	-1,174		'	'
Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'	'	'	'		'	'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'	'	'		'	'
Other income (expense), net	785		'	'	'	-551		'	'
Provision for Income Taxes	-314		'	'	'	220		'	'
Income Net of Tax	471		'	'	'	-331		'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'	'	'	'		'	'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'	'	'		'	'
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	-102	[1]	'	'	'	-437	[1]	'	'
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	-7,182	[1]	'	'	'	2,317	[1]	'	'
Settlement gain included in net income	0	[1]	'	'	'	-3,471	[1]	'	'
Income Before Tax	-7,284		'	'	'	-1,591		'	'
Provision for Income Taxes	2,913		'	'	'	636		'	'
Income Net of Tax	-4,371		'	'	'	-955		'	'
Cash Flow Hedge [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'	'	'	'		'	'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'	'	'		'	'
Interest expense	212		'	'	'	186		'	'
Provision for Income Taxes	-85		'	'	'	-74		'	'
Income Net of Tax	$127		'	'	'	$112		'	'
[1]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement plan cost (see Note 9).

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	claim
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Number of existing legal claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material effect on the Company's business	0
Percentage of receipts from Title IV programs	90.00%
Portion of regulations under 90/10 rule	'a KHE school would lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV programs for a period of at least two fiscal years if the institution derives more than 90% of its receipts from Title IV programs, as calculated on a cash basis in accordance with the Higher Education Act and applicable ED regulations, in each of two consecutive fiscal years. An institution with Title IV receipts exceeding 90% for a single fiscal year would be placed on provisional certification and may be subject to other enforcement measures.
Higher Education [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Estimated Campuses OPEID Units Over 90/10 Ratio	3
2013 Percentage Of Revenue Of Campus OPEID Units Over 90/10 Ratio	1.70%
Title IV participating institutions including Broomall, PA [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Number of open and/or pending DOE program reviews	3

Business_Segments_Narrative_De

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	6	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	($840,561)	($871,635)	($858,954)	($870,504)	($820,592)	($3,421,685)	($3,384,550)

Business_Segments_Information_

Business Segments (Information by Operating Segment) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	$840,561	$871,635	$858,954	$870,504	$820,592	$3,421,685	$3,384,550
Income (Loss) from Operations	79,529	97,617	78,416	96,301	47,147	319,481	149,669
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	4,052	37	5,892	3,868	3,418	13,215	14,086
Interest Expense, Net	-8,221	-8,248	-8,579	-8,526	-8,450	-33,803	-32,551
Other Income (Expense), Net	133,273	-14,920	8,110	-12,858	-4,083	-23,751	-5,456
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	208,633	74,486	83,839	78,785	38,032	275,142	125,748
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	53,245	58,954	54,705	56,879	58,959	229,497	240,313
Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	3,081	6,981	2,837	3,313	3,717	16,848	132,539
Amortization of intangible assets	3,081	3,731	2,837	3,313	3,717	13,598	20,946
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	'	3,250	0	0	0	3,250	111,593
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	-12,188	-9,058	-2,687	-2,601	-2,673	-17,019	-8,532
Identifiable Assets	4,024,545	4,062,631	'	'	'	4,062,631	'
Investment in Marketable Equity Securities	510,697	487,156	'	'	'	487,156	'
Investments in Affiliates	20,953	15,754	'	'	'	15,754	'
Prepaid Pension Cost	1,250,658	1,245,505	'	'	'	1,245,505	'
Assets Held for Sale	113,709	0	'	'	'	0	'
Total Assets	5,920,562	5,811,046	'	'	'	5,811,046	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	526,174	555,011	546,452	548,230	527,815	2,177,508	2,196,496
Income (Loss) from Operations	2,522	14,596	17,035	23,726	-4,056	51,301	-105,368
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	16,444	28,134	18,978	20,064	22,588	89,764	101,183
Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	2,288	6,044	2,287	2,363	2,518	13,212	129,312
Amortization of intangible assets	2,288	'	'	'	2,518	'	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	4,143	4,032	4,169	4,231	4,106	16,538	11,584
Identifiable Assets	1,745,562	1,921,037	'	'	'	1,921,037	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Higher Education [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	253,779	'	'	'	271,860	'	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	13,144	'	'	'	5,101	'	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	7,740	'	'	'	13,439	'	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	2,628	'	'	'	2,807	'	'
Identifiable Assets	653,409	859,208	'	'	'	859,208	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Test Preparation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	67,804	'	'	'	68,943	'	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	-6,628	'	'	'	-4,345	'	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	3,784	'	'	'	4,758	'	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	722	'	'	'	640	'	'
Identifiable Assets	177,288	173,435	'	'	'	173,435	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Kaplan International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	202,867	'	'	'	184,813	'	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	10,882	'	'	'	6,397	'	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	4,708	'	'	'	3,996	'	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	89	'	'	'	87	'	'
Identifiable Assets	866,656	864,507	'	'	'	864,507	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Kaplan Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	2,014	'	'	'	2,604	'	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	-14,920	'	'	'	-11,340	'	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	212	'	'	'	395	'	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	704	'	'	'	572	'	'
Identifiable Assets	48,209	23,887	'	'	'	23,887	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	-290	'	'	'	-405	'	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	44	'	'	'	131	'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Cable [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	203,921	200,240	202,381	204,550	200,138	807,309	787,117
Income (Loss) from Operations	41,162	48,697	39,715	44,710	36,613	169,735	154,581
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	33,787	27,541	32,946	33,964	33,733	128,184	129,107
Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	35	52	61	57	50	220	211
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	864	940	973	913	882	3,708	2,540
Identifiable Assets	1,183,434	1,215,320	'	'	'	1,215,320	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Television Broadcasting [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	85,651	85,688	73,488	80,228	68,902	308,306	328,396
Income (Loss) from Operations	44,386	43,999	32,847	39,235	29,111	145,192	162,131
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	1,994	2,142	2,181	2,214	2,209	8,746	9,253
Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	320	70	1,297	1,250	1,344	3,961	5,046
Identifiable Assets	291,518	383,251	'	'	'	383,251	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Businesses [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	24,913	30,735	36,682	37,572	23,814	128,803	72,837
Income (Loss) from Operations	-10,747	-3,912	-5,046	-5,968	-8,542	-23,468	-33,010
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	520	616	555	577	429	2,177	770
Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	758	885	489	893	1,149	3,416	3,016
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	164	187	173	134	116	610	169
Identifiable Assets	156,858	171,539	'	'	'	171,539	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate Office [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Income (Loss) from Operations	2,206	-5,763	-6,135	-5,402	-5,979	-23,279	-28,665
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	500	521	45	60	0	626	0
Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	-17,679	-14,287	-9,299	-9,129	-9,121	-41,836	-27,871
Identifiable Assets	647,173	371,484	'	'	'	371,484	'
Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	($98)	($39)	($49)	($76)	($77)	($241)	($296)