Graham (GHC) 10-Q 5 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
		Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
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	'	997,023	4,796,637

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating Revenues [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Education	$543,918	$543,599	$1,609,036	$1,613,116
Subscriber	183,161	190,302	562,012	569,365
Advertising	81,583	73,549	242,305	222,569
Other	90,209	48,651	196,470	135,619
Total Operating Revenues	898,871	856,101	2,609,823	2,540,669
Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Operating	398,922	393,010	1,171,012	1,160,026
Selling, general and administrative	358,189	327,062	1,005,704	979,687
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	53,074	54,672	158,280	170,431
Amortization of intangible assets	7,405	2,468	13,117	8,780
Impairment of intangible assets	'	'	7,774	0
Total Operating Costs and Expenses	817,590	777,212	2,348,113	2,318,924
Income from Operations	81,281	78,889	261,710	221,745
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	4,613	5,892	100,168	13,178
Interest income	529	642	1,769	1,674
Interest expense	-9,330	-9,221	-26,707	-27,229
Other income (expense), net	64,526	8,110	465,913	-8,831
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	141,619	84,312	802,853	200,537
Provision for Income Taxes	58,200	29,900	214,200	77,400
Income from Continuing Operations	83,419	54,412	588,653	123,137
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	-6,980	-23,988	369,941	-42,320
Net Income	76,439	30,424	958,594	80,817
Net Loss (Income) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	121	-75	839	-425
Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	76,560	30,349	959,433	80,392
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	-209	-205	-847	-855
Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	76,351	30,144	958,586	79,537
Amounts Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	83,331	54,132	588,645	121,857
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	-6,980	-23,988	369,941	-42,320
Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$76,351	$30,144	$958,586	$79,537
Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	'	'	'	'
Basic income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$14.38	$7.29	$85.55	$16.42
Basic (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations in dollars per share	($1.20)	($3.22)	$53.75	($5.70)
Basic net income per common share in dollars per share	$13.18	$4.07	$139.30	$10.72
Basic average number of common shares outstanding in shares	5,671	7,231	6,737	7,229
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$14.32	$7.28	$85.24	$16.41
Diluted (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations in dollars per share	($1.20)	($3.23)	$53.55	($5.71)
Diluted net income per common share in dollars per share	$13.12	$4.05	$138.79	$10.70
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding in shares	5,757	7,337	6,823	7,316

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net Income	$76,439	$30,424	$958,594	$80,817
Foreign currency translation adjustments:	'	'	'	'
Translation adjustments arising during the period	-9,777	5,639	-7,111	-2,061
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains for the period, net	9,734	938	46,139	81,439
Reclassification adjustment for realization of (gain) loss on exchange, sale or write-down of available-for-sale securities included in net income	0	0	-265,274	-884
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, before tax	9,734	938	-219,135	80,555
Pension and other postretirement plans:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	-101	-384	-305	-1,205
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	-7,425	2,004	-22,032	6,325
Settlement gain included in net income	0	0	0	-3,471
Total pension and other postretirement plans, before tax	-7,526	1,620	-22,337	1,649
Cash flow hedge gain	230	15	641	259
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Before Tax	-7,339	8,212	-247,942	80,402
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive (loss) income	-975	-1,028	96,333	-32,985
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	-8,314	7,184	-151,609	47,417
Comprehensive Income	68,125	37,608	806,985	128,234
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	121	-75	839	-447
Total Comprehensive Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company	$68,246	$37,533	$807,824	$127,787

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$441,786	$569,719
Restricted cash	38,595	83,769
Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments	206,838	522,318
Accounts receivable, net	460,600	428,653
Income taxes receivable	0	17,991
Deferred income taxes	25,774	0
Inventories and contracts in progress	10,774	2,924
Other current assets	78,277	77,013
Current assets held for sale (cash)	1,473	0
Total Current Assets	1,264,117	1,702,387
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	870,182	927,542
Investments in Affiliates	21,976	15,754
Goodwill, Net	1,353,089	1,288,622
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	572,209	541,278
Amortized Intangible Assets, Net	78,231	39,588
Prepaid Pension Cost	1,267,415	1,245,505
Deferred Charges and Other Assets	53,066	50,370
Noncurrent Assets Held for Sale	8,151	0
Total Assets	5,488,436	5,811,046
Current Liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	462,860	505,699
Income taxes payable	50,176	0
Deferred income taxes	0	58,411
Deferred revenue	434,764	366,831
Dividends declared	14,983	0
Short-term borrowings	50,460	3,168
Current liabilities held for sale	1,306	0
Total Current Liabilities	1,014,549	934,109
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	34,614	36,219
Accrued Compensation and Related Benefits	223,213	211,526
Other Liabilities	88,840	86,000
Deferred Income Taxes	795,005	778,735
Long-Term Debt	398,298	447,608
Total Liabilities	2,554,519	2,494,197
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	23,413	5,896
Redeemable Preferred Stock	10,510	10,665
Preferred Stock	0	0
Common Stockholdersb Equity	'	'
Common stock	20,000	20,000
Capital in excess of par value	296,108	288,129
Retained earnings	5,674,096	4,782,777
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	17,902	25,013
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	42,182	173,663
Unrealized gain on pensions and other postretirement plans	488,044	501,446
Cash flow hedge	-243	-628
Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury	-3,648,032	-2,490,333
Total Common Stockholdersb Equity	2,890,057	3,300,067
Noncontrolling Interests	9,937	221
Total Equity	2,899,994	3,300,288
Total Liabilities and Equity	$5,488,436	$5,811,046

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	'	'
Net Income	$958,594	$80,817
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	159,917	191,388
Amortization of intangible assets	13,847	9,867
Intangible assets impairment charge	7,774	0
Net pension (benefit) expense	-51,637	11,425
Early retirement program expense	8,374	22,700
Stock-based compensation expense, net	13,123	34,429
Foreign exchange loss	2,618	9,350
Net (gain) loss on sales and disposition of businesses	-354,612	70
Net gain on disposition or write-downs of marketable equity securities and cost method investments	-266,173	-714
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of certain distributions	-96,315	-13,168
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	8,329	-8,802
Net (gain) loss on sale or write-down of property, plant and equipment	-119,158	1,476
Net gain on sale of intangible assets	-75,249	0
Change in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	45,174	-18,667
Increase in accounts receivable, net	-12,867	-32,717
(Increase) decrease in inventories	-1,978	1,138
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-56,666	8,587
Increase in deferred revenue	70,011	31,885
Increase in income taxes payable	68,081	21,884
Decrease (increase) in other assets and other liabilities, net	17,278	-4,662
Other	-1,588	1,340
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	336,877	347,626
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	'	'
Investments in commercial paper	-399,758	0
Proceeds from maturities of commercial paper	349,793	0
Net proceeds from sales of businesses, property, plant and equipment and other assets	248,938	5,800
Investments in certain businesses, net of cash acquired	-200,793	-19,927
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-162,441	-143,298
Net distribution from equity affiliate	93,481	0
Purchases of equity affiliates and cost method investments	-8,388	-12,029
Other	-5,097	-3
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-84,265	-169,457
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'
Common shares repurchased, including the Berkshire Exchange transaction	-327,718	-4,196
Dividends paid	-53,131	-649
Repayments of short-term borrowing	-1,315	-240,303
Other	6,028	-2,397
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	-376,136	-247,545
Effect of Currency Exchange Rate Change	-2,936	-1,396
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-126,460	-70,772
Beginning Cash and Cash Equivalents	569,719	512,431
Ending Cash and Cash Equivalents	441,786	441,659
Ending Cash and Cash Equivalents, Including Cash of Discontinued Operations	$443,259	'

Organization_Basis_of_Presenta

Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 five television broadcast stations).
	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 and nine months ended September 30, 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.
	Restricted Cash – Restricted cash represents amounts held for students that were received from U.S. Federal and state governments under various aid grant and loan programs, such as Title IV of the U.S. Federal Higher Education Act of 1965 (Higher Education Act), as amended, that the Company is required to maintain pursuant to U.S. Department of Education (ED) and other regulations. Federal regulations stipulate that the Company has a fiduciary responsibility to segregate Federal funds from all other funds to ensure the funds are only used for the benefit of eligible students. The regulations further indicate that funds received under Federal aid programs are held in trust for the intended student beneficiary and the ED, and as trustee of these funds, the Company may not use the funds for any other purpose until the funds are applied to eligible student charges, which occurs within three days of the receipt of the funds. Restricted cash also includes (i) certain funds that the Company may be required to return if a student who receives Title IV program funds withdraws from a program and (ii) funds required to be held by non-U.S. higher education institutions for prepaid tuition.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may be uncollectible in the future. This estimated allowance is based primarily on the aging category, historical collection experience and management’s evaluation of the financial condition of the customer. The Company generally considers an account past due or delinquent when a student or customer misses a scheduled payment. The Company writes off accounts receivable balances deemed uncollectible against the allowance for doubtful accounts following the passage of a certain period of time, or generally when the account is turned over for collection to an outside collection agency.
	Revenue Recognition.
	Education revenues. Kaplan Higher Education's (KHE) refund policy may permit students who do not complete a course to be eligible for a refund for the portion of the course they did not attend. The amount of the refund differs by school, program, and state, as some states require different policies. Refunds generally result in a reduction in deferred revenue during the period that a student drops or withdraws from a class because the associated tuition revenue is recognized daily over the period of instruction as the services are delivered.
	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.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued comprehensive new guidance that supersedes all existing revenue recognition guidance. The new guidance requires revenue to be recognized when the Company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance also significantly expands the disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. This guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The standard permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new guidance with a restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new guidance with disclosure of results under the old guidance. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements, and believes such evaluation will extend over several future periods due to the significance of the changes to the Company's policies and business processes.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance that requires management to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related disclosures in certain circumstances. This guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have an impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	In the third quarter of 2014, Kaplan completed the sale of three of its schools in China that were previously included as part of Kaplan International. An additional school in China is expected to be sold by Kaplan in the fourth quarter of 2014. These sales resulted in a pre-tax loss of $4.4 million that was recorded in the third quarter of 2014.
	On June 30, 2014, the Company and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. completed a transaction, as described in Note 4, in which Berkshire acquired a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that included, among other things, WPLG, a Miami-based television station; a $375.0 million gain from the WPLG sale was recorded in the second 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 the schools in China, WPLG, the Publishing Subsidiaries and The Herald are included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, for all periods presented. The Company did not reclassify its Statements of Cash Flows or prior Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to reflect the various discontinued operations.
	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 (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, is presented below:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30						September 30
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating revenues	$	1,294		$	141,152		$	46,713		$	441,001
	Operating costs and expenses	(2,225		)	(178,823		)	(39,580		)	(507,434		)
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations	(931		)	(37,671		)	7,133			(66,433		)
	Provision (benefit) from income taxes	231			(13,683		)	3,371			(24,159		)
	Net (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations	(1,162		)	(23,988		)	3,762			(42,274		)
	(Loss) gain on sales of discontinued operations	(4,352		)	—			349,875			(70		)
	Expense (benefit) from income taxes on sales of discontinued operations	1,466			—			(16,304		)	(24		)
	(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$	(6,980	)	$	(23,988	)	$	369,941		$	(42,320	)

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	INVESTMENTS
	Investments in marketable equity securities comprised the following:
		As of
		September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Total cost	$	56,967	$	197,718
	Net unrealized gains	70,303		289,438
	Total Fair Value	$	127,270	$	487,156
	On June 30, 2014, the Company completed a transaction with Berkshire Hathaway, as described in Note 4, that included the exchange of 2,107 Class A Berkshire shares and 1,278 Class B Berkshire shares owned by the Company; a $266.7 million gain was recorded.
	There were no new investments in marketable equity securities during the first nine months of 2014 and 2013. In the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a $0.5 million write-down of the Company's investment in Corinthian Colleges, Inc., a publicly traded company. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company sold its remaining investment in Corinthian Colleges, Inc. During the first nine months of 2014, the proceeds from the sale of these marketable securities were $5.8 million and net realized losses were $2.6 million. During the first nine months of 2013, the proceeds from sales of marketable securities were $3.6 million, and net realized gains on such sales were $0.9 million.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company held investments in commercial paper totaling $50.0 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. The Company did not have any investments in commercial paper at December 31, 2013.
	On April 1, 2014, the Company received a gross cash distribution of $95.0 million from Classified Ventures' sale of apartments.com. In connection with this sale, the Company recorded a pre-tax gain of $90.9 million in the second quarter of 2014.
	On October 1, 2014, the Company and the remaining partners completed the sale of their entire stakes in Classified Ventures. Total proceeds to the Company, net of transaction costs, were $408.5 million, of which $16.5 million will be held in escrow until October 1, 2015. The Company will record a pre-tax gain of approximately $393 million on the sale of its interest in Classified Ventures in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Acquisitions And Dispositions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions	'
	ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSITIONS AND EXCHANGES
	Acquisitions.  In the first nine months of 2014, the Company acquired seven businesses totaling $204.9 million, comprised of four businesses in other businesses, two businesses in Kaplan Test Prep, and one business in Kaplan Higher Ed. The purchase price allocation mostly comprised goodwill, other intangible assets, and other current assets on a preliminary basis. In the first nine months of 2013, the Company acquired five small businesses included in other businesses and in its education division; 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. On May 30, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of Joyce/Dayton Corp., a Dayton, OH-based manufacturer of screw jacks and other linear motion systems. On July 3, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of an 80% interest in Residential Healthcare Group, Inc., the parent company of Residential Home Health and Residential Hospice, leading providers of skilled home health care and hospice services in Michigan and Illinois. The operating results of these businesses are included in other businesses. The fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest in Residential Healthcare Group, Inc. was $18.8 million at the acquisition date, determined using a market approach. The minority shareholders have an option to put their shares to the Company starting in 2017, and the Company has an option to buy the shares of some minority shareholders in 2020 and the remaining minority shareholders in 2024.
	On August 1, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of Forney Corporation, a global supplier of products and systems that control and monitor combustion processes in electric utility and industrial applications. The operating results of Forney are included in other businesses.
	In the second quarter of 2013, Kaplan purchased the remaining 15% noncontrolling interest in Kaplan China; this additional interest was accounted for as an equity transaction.
	Dispositions. In the third quarter of 2014, Kaplan completed the sale of three of its schools in China that were previously included as part of Kaplan International. An additional school is expected to be sold in the fourth 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 certain assets of The Herald, a daily and Sunday newspaper headquartered in Everett, WA.
	Exchanges. On June 30, 2014, the Company and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. completed a previously announced transaction in which Berkshire acquired a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that included, among other things, WPLG, a Miami-based television station, 2,107 Class A Berkshire shares and 1,278 Class B Berkshire shares owned by Graham Holdings and $327.7 million in cash, in exchange for 1,620,190 shares of Graham Holdings Class B common stock owned by Berkshire Hathaway (Berkshire exchange transaction). As a result, income from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2014 includes a $266.7 million gain from the sale of the Berkshire Hathaway shares, and income from discontinued operations for the second quarter of 2014 includes a $375.0 million gain from the WPLG exchange.
	The pre-tax gain of $266.7 million related to the disposition of the Berkshire shares was not subject to income tax as the Berkshire exchange transaction qualifies as a tax-free distribution. The lower effective tax rate for income from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2014 of 26.7% primarily resulted from this tax-free transaction.
	As discussed above, this exchange transaction includes significant noncash investing and financing activities. On the date of exchange, the fair value of the Berkshire Class A and B shares was $400.3 million and the fair value of WPLG was determined to be $438.0 million. In total, the Company recorded an increase in treasury stock of $1,165.4 million in the second quarter of 2014 in connection with the Berkshire exchange transaction.
	The Company’s income from continuing operations excludes the businesses described in dispositions and exchanges above, which have been reclassified to discontinued operations, net of tax (see Note 2).

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	In the second quarter of 2014, as a result of regulatory changes impacting Kaplan's operations in China, Kaplan recorded an intangible asset impairment charge of $7.8 million, reported in discontinued operations. The Company estimated the fair value of the student and customer relationships using an income approach.
	Amortization of intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $7.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $13.1 million and $8.8 million, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be approximately $4 million for the remainder of 2014, $17 million in 2015, $16 million in 2016, $12 million in 2017, $10 million in 2018 and $19 million thereafter.
	In July 2014, the cable division sold wireless spectrum licenses that were purchased in 2006; a pre-tax non-operating gain of $75.2 million was recorded in the third quarter of 2014 in connection with these sales.
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, were as follows:
	(in thousands)	Education				Cable				Television				Other				Total
										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	14,941				—				—				98,366				113,307
	Dispositions	(2,420		)		—				(37,661		)		—				(40,081		)
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(8,759		)		—				—				—				(8,759		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014
	Goodwill	1,077,195				85,488				165,504				133,243				1,461,430
	Accumulated impairment losses	(102,259		)		—				—				(6,082		)		(108,341		)
		$	974,936			$	85,488			$	165,504			$	127,161			$	1,353,089
	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	1,343				13,598				—				14,941
	Dispositions	—				—				(2,420		)		(2,420		)
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(95		)		—				(8,664		)		(8,759		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014
	Goodwill	410,264				165,785				501,146				1,077,195
	Accumulated impairment losses	—				(102,259		)		—				(102,259		)
		$	410,264			$	63,526			$	501,146			$	974,936
	Other intangible assets consist of the following:
				As of September 30, 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		$	12,392			$	11,373			$	1,019			$	13,540			$	12,622	$	918
	Student and customer relationships	2–10 years		111,354				48,558				62,796				72,050				45,718		26,332
	Databases and technology	3–5 years		12,190				8,364				3,826				10,790				6,991		3,799
	Trade names and trademarks	2–10 years		26,863				17,956				8,907				22,327				16,052		6,275
	Other	1–25 years		9,626				7,943				1,683				9,836				7,572		2,264
				$	172,425			$	94,194			$	78,231			$	128,543			$	88,955	$	39,588
	Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Franchise agreements			$	496,321											$	496,321
	Wireless licenses			—												22,150
	Licensure and accreditation			7,321												7,171
	Other			68,567												15,636
				$	572,209											$	541,278

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	DEBT
	The Company’s borrowings consist of the following:
		As of
		September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	$	398,204		$	397,893
	AUD Revolving credit borrowing	43,669			44,625
	Other indebtedness	6,885			8,258
	Total Debt	448,758			450,776
	Less: current portion	(50,460		)	(3,168		)
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	398,298		$	447,608
	The Company’s other indebtedness at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is at interest rates from 0% to 6% and matures from 2014 to 2017.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $450.9 million and $449.8 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 7.0%. During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred net interest expense of $8.8 million and $8.6 million, respectively.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $451.4 million and $477.5 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 7.0%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred net interest expense of $24.9 million and $25.6 million, respectively.
	At September 30, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s 7.25% unsecured notes, based on quoted market prices, totaled $468.0 million, compared with the carrying amount of $398.2 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 September 30, 2014 approximates fair value.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Total
	Assets
	Money market investments (1)	$	—	$	287,714	$	287,714
	Marketable equity securities (2)	127,270		—		127,270
	Commercial paper (3)	49,965		—		49,965
	Other current investments (4)	5,348		24,255		29,603
	Total Financial Assets	$	182,583	$	311,969	$	494,552
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)	$	—	$	66,485	$	66,485
	7.25% unsecured notes (6)	—		468,000		468,000
	AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)	—		43,669		43,669
	Interest rate swap (7)	—		405		405
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	—	$	578,559	$	578,559
		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 with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year, are included in investments in marketable equity securities and other investments.
	-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.
	In the second quarter of 2014, the Company recorded an intangible asset impairment charge of $7.8 million, reported in discontinued operations (see Note 5). The remeasurement of the intangible assets is classified as a Level 3 fair value assessment due to the significance of unobservable inputs developed in the determination of the fair value.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	On June 30, 2014, the Company acquired 1,620,190 of its Class B common stock owned by Berkshire Hathaway, as described in Note 4.
	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							Nine Months Ended
		September 30							September 30
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic earnings per share:
	Income from continuing operations attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$	83,331			$	54,132		$	588,645		$	121,857
	Less: Dividends-common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	(14,773		)		—			(67,267		)	—
	Undistributed earnings	68,558				54,132			521,378			121,857
	Percent allocated to common stockholders	97.89		%		97.42		%	97.89		%	97.42		%
		67,112				52,736			510,384			118,714
	Add: Dividends-common stock outstanding	14,462				—			66,021			—
	Numerator for basic earnings per share	$	81,574			$	52,736		$	576,405		$	118,714
	Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	6				3			48			4
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	81,580			$	52,739		$	576,453		$	118,718
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	5,671				7,231			6,737			7,229
	Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	25				15			25			8
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share	5,696				7,246			6,762			7,237
	Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	14.38			$	7.29		$	85.55		$	16.42
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	14.32			$	7.28		$	85.24		$	16.41
	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						Nine Months Ended
		September 30						September 30
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014		2013
	Weighted average restricted stock	61			91			61		79
	The diluted earnings per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 exclude the effects of 5,000 stock options outstanding as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. The diluted earnings per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 exclude the effects of 13,000 and 63,000 stock options outstanding, respectively, as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. The diluted earnings per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 exclude the effects of 6,075 restricted stock awards as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. The diluted earnings per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 exclude the effects of 8,800 restricted stock awards, as their inclusion would have been antidilutive.
	In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company declared regular dividends totaling $2.55 and $10.20 per share, respectively. No dividends were paid in 2013.

Pension_and_Postretirement_Pla

Pension and Postretirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30							Nine Months Ended September 30
	(in thousands)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	6,976			$	12,713		$	21,489		$	38,788
	Interest cost	12,894				14,242			38,870			42,776
	Expected return on assets	(29,877		)		(26,817		)	(90,644		)	(78,606		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	83				908			247			2,726
	Recognized actuarial (gain) loss	(7,280		)		1,797			(21,599		)	5,741
	Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost	(17,204		)		2,843			(51,637		)	11,425
	Early retirement programs expense	3,884				—			8,374			22,700
	Total (Benefit) Cost	$	(13,320	)		$	2,843		$	(43,263	)	$	34,125
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the net periodic benefit for the Company's pension plans, as reported above, includes costs of $0.2 million reported in discontinued operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the net periodic cost for the Company's pension plans, as reported above, includes costs of $5.5 million and $19.4 million, respectively, reported 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. In the third quarter of 2014, the Company recorded $3.9 million related to a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program (VRIP) for certain Corporate employees, which will be funded from the assets of the Company's pension plan.
	The Company announced a VRIP in February 2013, which was offered to certain employees of the Washington Post newspaper. The total early retirement program expense for this program for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $20.4 million. 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.
	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 September 30							Nine Months Ended September 30
	(in thousands)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	373			$	429		$	1,119		$	1,288
	Interest cost	1,086				1,023			3,257			3,069
	Amortization of prior service cost	12				14			35			41
	Recognized actuarial loss	374				711			1,124			2,133
	Net Periodic Cost	1,845				2,177			5,535			6,531
	Early retirement programs expense	2,422				—			2,422			—
	Total Cost	$	4,267			$	2,177		$	7,957		$	6,531
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the net periodic cost for the Company's SERP, as reported above, includes costs of $0.2 million reported in discontinued operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the net periodic cost for the Company's SERP, as reported above, includes costs of $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, reported in discontinued operations.
	In the third quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a $2.4 million SERP charge related to the VRIP for certain Corporate employees.
	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
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	U.S. equities	60	%		58	%
	U.S. fixed income	11	%		12	%
	International equities	29	%		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 September 30, 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 September 30, 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 September 30, 2014, the pension plan held common stock in two investments that exceeded 10% of total plan assets. At December 31, 2013, the pension plan held common stock in one investment that exceeded 10% of total plan assets. These investments were valued at $669.5 million and $590.6 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, or approximately 29% and 25%, respectively, of total plan assets. At September 30, 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 $434.3 million and $398.9 million at September 30, 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 September 30							Nine Months Ended September 30
	(in thousands)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	375			$	728		$	1,125		$	2,183
	Interest cost	362				508			1,086			1,525
	Amortization of prior service credit	(196		)		(1,306		)	(587		)	(3,972		)
	Recognized actuarial gain	(519		)		(504		)	(1,557		)	(1,549		)
	Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	22				(574		)	67			(1,813		)
	Settlement gain	—				—			—			(3,471		)
	Total Cost (Benefit)	$	22			$	(574	)	$	67		$	(5,284	)
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the net periodic benefit, as reported above, includes a benefit of $1.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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					Nine Months Ended
		September 30					September 30
	(in thousands)	2014			2013		2014			2013
	Gain on sale of intangible assets	$	75,249		$	—	$	75,249		$	—
	Foreign currency (loss) gain, net	(10,564		)	7,886		(2,618		)	(9,350		)
	Gain on Berkshire marketable equity securities exchange	—			—		266,733			—
	Gain on sale of headquarters building	—			—		127,670			—
	(Losses) gain on sales or write-down of marketable equity securities	—			—		(3,044		)	879
	Other, net	(159		)	224		1,923			(360		)
	Total Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	$	64,526		$	8,110	$	465,913		$	(8,831	)
	In July 2014, the cable division sold wireless spectrum licenses for $98.8 million; a pre-tax gain of $75.2 million was reported in the third quarter of 2014 in connection with these sales. The licenses had been purchased in the 2006 AWS Auction.
	On June 30, 2014, the Company completed a transaction with Berkshire Hathaway, as described in Note 4 that included the exchange of 2,107 Class A Berkshire shares and 1,278 Class B Berkshire shares owned by the Company; a $266.7 million gain was recorded.
	On March 27, 2014, the Company completed the sale of its headquarters building for $158 million. In connection with the sale, the Company recorded a $127.7 million pre-tax gain.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The other comprehensive (loss) income consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended September 30
		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	$	(9,777	)	$	—		$	(9,777	)	$	5,639		$	—		$	5,639
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
	Unrealized gains for the period, net	9,734			(3,894		)	5,840			938			(375		)	563
	Pension and other postretirement plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	(101		)	41			(60		)	(384		)	154			(230		)
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	(7,425		)	2,970			(4,455		)	2,004			(801		)	1,203
		(7,526		)	3,011			(4,515		)	1,620			(647		)	973
	Cash flow hedge:
	Gain for the period	230			(92		)	138			15			(6		)	9
	Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	$	(7,339	)	$	(975	)	$	(8,314	)	$	8,212		$	(1,028	)	$	7,184
		Nine Months Ended September 30
		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	$	(7,111	)	$	—		$	(7,111	)	$	(2,061	)	$	—		$	(2,061	)
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
	Unrealized gains for the period, net	46,139			(18,456		)	27,683			81,439			(32,575		)	48,864
	Reclassification adjustment for realization of (gain) loss on exchange, sale or write-down of available-for-sale securities included in net income	(265,274		)	106,110			(159,164		)	(884		)	353			(531		)
		(219,135		)	87,654			(131,481		)	80,555			(32,222		)	48,333
	Pension and other postretirement plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	(305		)	122			(183		)	(1,205		)	482			(723		)
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	(22,032		)	8,813			(13,219		)	6,325			(2,529		)	3,796
	Settlement gain included in net income	—			—			—			(3,471		)	1,388			(2,083		)
		(22,337		)	8,935			(13,402		)	1,649			(659		)	990
	Cash flow hedge:
	Gain for the period	641			(256		)	385			259			(104		)	155
	Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	$	(247,942	)	$	96,333		$	(151,609	)	$	80,402		$	(32,985	)	$	47,417
	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	(7,111		)	27,683			—			(2		)	20,570
	Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(159,164		)	(13,402		)	387			(172,179		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(7,111		)	(131,481		)	(13,402		)	385			(151,609		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	17,902		$	42,182		$	488,044		$	(243	)	$	547,885
	The amounts and line items of reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
		September 30						September 30
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized Gains on Available-for-sale Securities:
	Realized (gain) loss for the period	$	—		$	—		$	(265,274	)	$	(884	)	Other income (expense), net
		—			—			106,110			353			-1
		—			—			(159,164		)	(531		)	Net of Tax
	Pension and Other Postretirement Plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit	(101		)	(384		)	(305		)	(1,205		)	-2
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(7,425		)	2,004			(22,032		)	6,325			-2
	Settlement gain	—			—			—			(3,471		)	-2
		(7,526		)	1,620			(22,337		)	1,649			Before tax
		3,011			(647		)	8,935			(659		)	Provision for Income Taxes
		(4,515		)	973			(13,402		)	990			Net of Tax
	Cash Flow Hedge
		217			205			645			588			Interest expense
	(87		)	(82		)	(258		)	(235		)	Provision for Income Taxes
	130			123			387			353			Net of Tax
Total reclassification for the period	$	(4,385	)	$	1,096		$	(172,179	)	$	812		Net of Tax
____________
-1	Benefits of $1.2 million were recorded in Provision for Income Taxes related to the realized loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The remaining $107.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, relates to the reversal of income taxes previously recorded on the unrealized gain of the Company’s investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. marketable equity securities as part of the Berkshire exchange transaction, which qualified as a tax-free distribution under IRC Section 355 and 361 (see Note 4). The amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were recorded in Provision for Income Taxes.
-2	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement plan cost (see Note 9).

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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.
	On April 30, 2011, Kaplan Higher Education Corporation received a Civil Investigative Demand from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Massachusetts. The demand primarily sought information pertaining to KHE's nationally accredited campuses in Massachusetts known as the Charlestown and Kenmore Square campuses.  Both of those campuses closed in 2013. KHE has cooperated with the Massachusetts Attorney General and provided the requested information, as well as additional information requested in 2012 and 2013. In October 2014, the Attorney General's office sent Kaplan a "notice of intention to file" a lawsuit letter under section 93A of the Massachusetts consumer fraud statue. The letter outlined 12 allegations against the Charlestown and Kenmore Square campuses. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this inquiry or any possible litigation.
	ED Program Reviews.  The U.S. Department of Education (ED) undertakes program reviews at Title IV participating institutions. Currently, there are two 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. While 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, management currently estimates that each of KHE's continuing operations campuses will be 90/10 compliant in 2014.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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.
	Education. In the third quarter of 2014, Kaplan completed the sale of three of its schools in China that were previously included as part of Kaplan International. An additional school in China is expected to be sold by Kaplan in the fourth quarter of 2014. The results of the four schools are included in discontinued operations, net of tax, for all periods presented. The Kaplan International segment operating results have been reclassified to reflect this change.
	Television Broadcasting. In June 2014, the Company completed the sale of 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 reclassified to reflect this change.
	The following table summarizes financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep						30-Sep
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating Revenues
	Education	$	543,918		$	543,599		$	1,609,036		$	1,613,116
	Cable	195,666			202,381			600,416			607,069
	Television broadcasting	87,442			73,488			261,390			222,618
	Other businesses	71,845			36,682			139,109			98,068
	Corporate office	—			—			—			—
	Intersegment elimination	—			(49		)	(128		)	(202		)
		$	898,871		$	856,101		$	2,609,823		$	2,540,669
	Income (Loss) From Operations
	Education	$	12,551		$	17,508		$	32,050		$	36,586
	Cable	40,072			39,715			128,015			121,038
	Television broadcasting	44,979			32,847			133,452			101,193
	Other businesses	(9,292		)	(5,046		)	(27,034		)	(19,556		)
	Corporate office	(7,029		)	(6,135		)	(4,773		)	(17,516		)
		$	81,281		$	78,889		$	261,710		$	221,745
	Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, Net	4,613			5,892			100,168			13,178
	Interest Expense, Net	(8,801		)	(8,579		)	(24,938		)	(25,555		)
	Other Income (Expense), Net	64,526			8,110			465,913			(8,831		)
	Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$	141,619		$	84,312		$	802,853		$	200,537
	Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Education	$	15,237		$	18,945		$	47,024		$	61,518
	Cable	34,410			32,946			101,985			100,643
	Television broadcasting	2,148			2,181			6,181			6,604
	Other businesses	1,201			555			2,501			1,561
	Corporate office	78			45			589			105
		$	53,074		$	54,672		$	158,280		$	170,431
	Amortization of Intangible Assets
	Education	$	1,927		$	1,918		$	5,649		$	6,081
	Cable	51			61			145			168
	Television broadcasting	—			—			—			—
	Other businesses	5,427			489			7,323			2,531
	Corporate office	—			—			—			—
		$	7,405		$	2,468		$	13,117		$	8,780
	Net Pension (Credit) Expense
	Education	$	3,854		$	4,169		$	11,563		$	12,506
	Cable	917			973			2,669			2,768
	Television broadcasting	338			1,297			1,016			3,891
	Other businesses	191			173			557			423
	Corporate office	(18,620		)	(9,299		)	(59,231		)	(27,549		)
		$	(13,320	)	$	(2,687	)	$	(43,426	)	$	(7,961	)
	Asset information for the Company’s business segments are as follows:
		As of
	(in thousands)	September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Identifiable Assets
	Education	$	1,732,199		$	1,921,037
	Cable television	1,190,932			1,215,320
	Television broadcasting	293,810			383,251
	Other businesses	455,154			171,539
	Corporate office	390,056			371,484
		$	4,062,151		$	4,062,631
	Investments in Marketable Equity Securities	127,270			487,156
	Investments in Affiliates	21,976			15,754
	Prepaid Pension Cost	1,267,415			1,245,505
	Assets Held for Sale	9,624			—
Total Assets	$	5,488,436		$	5,811,046
The Company’s education division comprises the following operating segments:
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	30-Sep						30-Sep
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Operating Revenues
Higher education	$	249,882		$	266,061		$	755,597		$	811,013
Test preparation	85,108			77,431			234,010			232,064
Kaplan international	207,615			198,452			615,507			564,705
Kaplan corporate and other	1,492			2,223			4,891			6,496
Intersegment elimination	(179		)	(568		)	(969		)	(1,162		)
	$	543,918		$	543,599		$	1,609,036		$	1,613,116
Income (Loss) from Operations
Higher education	$	5,391		$	14,719		$	39,487		$	42,354
Test preparation	6,980			3,820			(3,552		)	7,306
Kaplan international	13,853			12,124			40,609			23,701
Kaplan corporate and other	(13,651		)	(13,311		)	(44,608		)	(37,156		)
Intersegment elimination	(22		)	156			114			381
	$	12,551		$	17,508		$	32,050		$	36,586
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
Higher education	$	7,320		$	9,739		$	22,140		$	33,919
Test preparation	2,865			5,034			9,721			14,658
Kaplan international	4,951			3,870			14,546			11,903
Kaplan corporate and other	101			302			617			1,038
	$	15,237		$	18,945		$	47,024		$	61,518
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$	1,927		$	1,918		$	5,649		$	6,081
Pension Expense
Higher education	$	2,628		$	3,201		$	7,885		$	8,815
Test preparation	722			731			2,166			2,012
Kaplan international	89			99			267			273
Kaplan corporate and other	415			138			1,245			1,406
	$	3,854		$	4,169		$	11,563		$	12,506
Identifiable assets for the Company’s education division consist of the following:
	As of
(in thousands)	September 30,			December 31,
	2014			2013
Identifiable assets
Higher education	$	626,116		$	859,208
Test preparation	178,835			173,435
Kaplan international	869,246			864,507
Kaplan corporate and other	58,002			23,887
	$	1,732,199		$	1,921,037

Organization_Basis_of_Presenta1

Organization, Basis of Presentation And Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 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.
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted Cash – Restricted cash represents amounts held for students that were received from U.S. Federal and state governments under various aid grant and loan programs, such as Title IV of the U.S. Federal Higher Education Act of 1965 (Higher Education Act), as amended, that the Company is required to maintain pursuant to U.S. Department of Education (ED) and other regulations. Federal regulations stipulate that the Company has a fiduciary responsibility to segregate Federal funds from all other funds to ensure the funds are only used for the benefit of eligible students. The regulations further indicate that funds received under Federal aid programs are held in trust for the intended student beneficiary and the ED, and as trustee of these funds, the Company may not use the funds for any other purpose until the funds are applied to eligible student charges, which occurs within three days of the receipt of the funds. Restricted cash also includes (i) certain funds that the Company may be required to return if a student who receives Title IV program funds withdraws from a program and (ii) funds required to be held by non-U.S. higher education institutions for prepaid tuition.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may be uncollectible in the future. This estimated allowance is based primarily on the aging category, historical collection experience and management’s evaluation of the financial condition of the customer. The Company generally considers an account past due or delinquent when a student or customer misses a scheduled payment. The Company writes off accounts receivable balances deemed uncollectible against the allowance for doubtful accounts following the passage of a certain period of time, or generally when the account is turned over for collection to an outside collection agency.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition.
	Education revenues. Kaplan Higher Education's (KHE) refund policy may permit students who do not complete a course to be eligible for a refund for the portion of the course they did not attend. The amount of the refund differs by school, program, and state, as some states require different policies. Refunds generally result in a reduction in deferred revenue during the period that a student drops or withdraws from a class because the associated tuition revenue is recognized daily over the period of instruction as the services are delivered.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30						September 30
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating revenues	$	1,294		$	141,152		$	46,713		$	441,001
	Operating costs and expenses	(2,225		)	(178,823		)	(39,580		)	(507,434		)
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations	(931		)	(37,671		)	7,133			(66,433		)
	Provision (benefit) from income taxes	231			(13,683		)	3,371			(24,159		)
	Net (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations	(1,162		)	(23,988		)	3,762			(42,274		)
	(Loss) gain on sales of discontinued operations	(4,352		)	—			349,875			(70		)
	Expense (benefit) from income taxes on sales of discontinued operations	1,466			—			(16,304		)	(24		)
	(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$	(6,980	)	$	(23,988	)	$	369,941		$	(42,320	)

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments in Marketable Equity Securities	'
	Investments in marketable equity securities comprised the following:
		As of
		September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Total cost	$	56,967	$	197,718
	Net unrealized gains	70,303		289,438
	Total Fair Value	$	127,270	$	487,156

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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
										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	14,941				—				—				98,366				113,307
	Dispositions	(2,420		)		—				(37,661		)		—				(40,081		)
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(8,759		)		—				—				—				(8,759		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014
	Goodwill	1,077,195				85,488				165,504				133,243				1,461,430
	Accumulated impairment losses	(102,259		)		—				—				(6,082		)		(108,341		)
		$	974,936			$	85,488			$	165,504			$	127,161			$	1,353,089
Other Intangible Assets	'
	Other intangible assets consist of the following:
				As of September 30, 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		$	12,392			$	11,373			$	1,019			$	13,540			$	12,622	$	918
	Student and customer relationships	2–10 years		111,354				48,558				62,796				72,050				45,718		26,332
	Databases and technology	3–5 years		12,190				8,364				3,826				10,790				6,991		3,799
	Trade names and trademarks	2–10 years		26,863				17,956				8,907				22,327				16,052		6,275
	Other	1–25 years		9,626				7,943				1,683				9,836				7,572		2,264
				$	172,425			$	94,194			$	78,231			$	128,543			$	88,955	$	39,588
	Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Franchise agreements			$	496,321											$	496,321
	Wireless licenses			—												22,150
	Licensure and accreditation			7,321												7,171
	Other			68,567												15,636
				$	572,209											$	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	1,343				13,598				—				14,941
	Dispositions	—				—				(2,420		)		(2,420		)
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(95		)		—				(8,664		)		(8,759		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014
	Goodwill	410,264				165,785				501,146				1,077,195
	Accumulated impairment losses	—				(102,259		)		—				(102,259		)
		$	410,264			$	63,526			$	501,146			$	974,936

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Debt	'
	The Company’s borrowings consist of the following:
		As of
		September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	$	398,204		$	397,893
	AUD Revolving credit borrowing	43,669			44,625
	Other indebtedness	6,885			8,258
	Total Debt	448,758			450,776
	Less: current portion	(50,460		)	(3,168		)
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	398,298		$	447,608

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Total
	Assets
	Money market investments (1)	$	—	$	287,714	$	287,714
	Marketable equity securities (2)	127,270		—		127,270
	Commercial paper (3)	49,965		—		49,965
	Other current investments (4)	5,348		24,255		29,603
	Total Financial Assets	$	182,583	$	311,969	$	494,552
	Liabilities
	Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)	$	—	$	66,485	$	66,485
	7.25% unsecured notes (6)	—		468,000		468,000
	AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)	—		43,669		43,669
	Interest rate swap (7)	—		405		405
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	—	$	578,559	$	578,559
		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 with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year, are included in investments in marketable equity securities and other investments.
	-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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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							Nine Months Ended
		September 30							September 30
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic earnings per share:
	Income from continuing operations attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$	83,331			$	54,132		$	588,645		$	121,857
	Less: Dividends-common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	(14,773		)		—			(67,267		)	—
	Undistributed earnings	68,558				54,132			521,378			121,857
	Percent allocated to common stockholders	97.89		%		97.42		%	97.89		%	97.42		%
		67,112				52,736			510,384			118,714
	Add: Dividends-common stock outstanding	14,462				—			66,021			—
	Numerator for basic earnings per share	$	81,574			$	52,736		$	576,405		$	118,714
	Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	6				3			48			4
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	81,580			$	52,739		$	576,453		$	118,718
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	5,671				7,231			6,737			7,229
	Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	25				15			25			8
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share	5,696				7,246			6,762			7,237
	Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	14.38			$	7.29		$	85.55		$	16.42
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	14.32			$	7.28		$	85.24		$	16.41
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						Nine Months Ended
		September 30						September 30
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014		2013
	Weighted average restricted stock	61			91			61		79

Pension_and_Postretirement_Pla1

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit 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 September 30							Nine Months Ended September 30
	(in thousands)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	6,976			$	12,713		$	21,489		$	38,788
	Interest cost	12,894				14,242			38,870			42,776
	Expected return on assets	(29,877		)		(26,817		)	(90,644		)	(78,606		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	83				908			247			2,726
	Recognized actuarial (gain) loss	(7,280		)		1,797			(21,599		)	5,741
	Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost	(17,204		)		2,843			(51,637		)	11,425
	Early retirement programs expense	3,884				—			8,374			22,700
	Total (Benefit) Cost	$	(13,320	)		$	2,843		$	(43,263	)	$	34,125
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets	'
	The assets of the Company’s pension plan were allocated as follows:
		As of
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	U.S. equities	60	%		58	%
	U.S. fixed income	11	%		12	%
	International equities	29	%		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 September 30							Nine Months Ended September 30
	(in thousands)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	373			$	429		$	1,119		$	1,288
	Interest cost	1,086				1,023			3,257			3,069
	Amortization of prior service cost	12				14			35			41
	Recognized actuarial loss	374				711			1,124			2,133
	Net Periodic Cost	1,845				2,177			5,535			6,531
	Early retirement programs expense	2,422				—			2,422			—
	Total Cost	$	4,267			$	2,177		$	7,957		$	6,531
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 September 30							Nine Months Ended September 30
	(in thousands)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	375			$	728		$	1,125		$	2,183
	Interest cost	362				508			1,086			1,525
	Amortization of prior service credit	(196		)		(1,306		)	(587		)	(3,972		)
	Recognized actuarial gain	(519		)		(504		)	(1,557		)	(1,549		)
	Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	22				(574		)	67			(1,813		)
	Settlement gain	—				—			—			(3,471		)
	Total Cost (Benefit)	$	22			$	(574	)	$	67		$	(5,284	)

Other_NonOperating_Income_Expe1

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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					Nine Months Ended
		September 30					September 30
	(in thousands)	2014			2013		2014			2013
	Gain on sale of intangible assets	$	75,249		$	—	$	75,249		$	—
	Foreign currency (loss) gain, net	(10,564		)	7,886		(2,618		)	(9,350		)
	Gain on Berkshire marketable equity securities exchange	—			—		266,733			—
	Gain on sale of headquarters building	—			—		127,670			—
	(Losses) gain on sales or write-down of marketable equity securities	—			—		(3,044		)	879
	Other, net	(159		)	224		1,923			(360		)
	Total Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	$	64,526		$	8,110	$	465,913		$	(8,831	)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Summary of Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The other comprehensive (loss) income consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended September 30
		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	$	(9,777	)	$	—		$	(9,777	)	$	5,639		$	—		$	5,639
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
	Unrealized gains for the period, net	9,734			(3,894		)	5,840			938			(375		)	563
	Pension and other postretirement plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	(101		)	41			(60		)	(384		)	154			(230		)
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	(7,425		)	2,970			(4,455		)	2,004			(801		)	1,203
		(7,526		)	3,011			(4,515		)	1,620			(647		)	973
	Cash flow hedge:
	Gain for the period	230			(92		)	138			15			(6		)	9
	Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	$	(7,339	)	$	(975	)	$	(8,314	)	$	8,212		$	(1,028	)	$	7,184
		Nine Months Ended September 30
		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	$	(7,111	)	$	—		$	(7,111	)	$	(2,061	)	$	—		$	(2,061	)
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
	Unrealized gains for the period, net	46,139			(18,456		)	27,683			81,439			(32,575		)	48,864
	Reclassification adjustment for realization of (gain) loss on exchange, sale or write-down of available-for-sale securities included in net income	(265,274		)	106,110			(159,164		)	(884		)	353			(531		)
		(219,135		)	87,654			(131,481		)	80,555			(32,222		)	48,333
	Pension and other postretirement plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	(305		)	122			(183		)	(1,205		)	482			(723		)
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	(22,032		)	8,813			(13,219		)	6,325			(2,529		)	3,796
	Settlement gain included in net income	—			—			—			(3,471		)	1,388			(2,083		)
		(22,337		)	8,935			(13,402		)	1,649			(659		)	990
	Cash flow hedge:
	Gain for the period	641			(256		)	385			259			(104		)	155
	Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	$	(247,942	)	$	96,333		$	(151,609	)	$	80,402		$	(32,985	)	$	47,417
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	(7,111		)	27,683			—			(2		)	20,570
	Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(159,164		)	(13,402		)	387			(172,179		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(7,111		)	(131,481		)	(13,402		)	385			(151,609		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	17,902		$	42,182		$	488,044		$	(243	)	$	547,885
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						Nine Months Ended						Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
		September 30						September 30
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized Gains on Available-for-sale Securities:
	Realized (gain) loss for the period	$	—		$	—		$	(265,274	)	$	(884	)	Other income (expense), net
		—			—			106,110			353			-1
		—			—			(159,164		)	(531		)	Net of Tax
	Pension and Other Postretirement Plans:
	Amortization of net prior service credit	(101		)	(384		)	(305		)	(1,205		)	-2
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(7,425		)	2,004			(22,032		)	6,325			-2
	Settlement gain	—			—			—			(3,471		)	-2
		(7,526		)	1,620			(22,337		)	1,649			Before tax
		3,011			(647		)	8,935			(659		)	Provision for Income Taxes
		(4,515		)	973			(13,402		)	990			Net of Tax
	Cash Flow Hedge
		217			205			645			588			Interest expense
		(87		)	(82		)	(258		)	(235		)	Provision for Income Taxes
		130			123			387			353			Net of Tax
	Total reclassification for the period	$	(4,385	)	$	1,096		$	(172,179	)	$	812		Net of Tax
	____________
	-1	Benefits of $1.2 million were recorded in Provision for Income Taxes related to the realized loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The remaining $107.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, relates to the reversal of income taxes previously recorded on the unrealized gain of the Company’s investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. marketable equity securities as part of the Berkshire exchange transaction, which qualified as a tax-free distribution under IRC Section 355 and 361 (see Note 4). The amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were recorded in Provision for Income Taxes.
	-2	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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Summary of Segment Reporting Information, by Operating Segment	'
	The following table summarizes financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep						30-Sep
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating Revenues
	Education	$	543,918		$	543,599		$	1,609,036		$	1,613,116
	Cable	195,666			202,381			600,416			607,069
	Television broadcasting	87,442			73,488			261,390			222,618
	Other businesses	71,845			36,682			139,109			98,068
	Corporate office	—			—			—			—
	Intersegment elimination	—			(49		)	(128		)	(202		)
		$	898,871		$	856,101		$	2,609,823		$	2,540,669
	Income (Loss) From Operations
	Education	$	12,551		$	17,508		$	32,050		$	36,586
	Cable	40,072			39,715			128,015			121,038
	Television broadcasting	44,979			32,847			133,452			101,193
	Other businesses	(9,292		)	(5,046		)	(27,034		)	(19,556		)
	Corporate office	(7,029		)	(6,135		)	(4,773		)	(17,516		)
		$	81,281		$	78,889		$	261,710		$	221,745
	Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, Net	4,613			5,892			100,168			13,178
	Interest Expense, Net	(8,801		)	(8,579		)	(24,938		)	(25,555		)
	Other Income (Expense), Net	64,526			8,110			465,913			(8,831		)
	Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$	141,619		$	84,312		$	802,853		$	200,537
	Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Education	$	15,237		$	18,945		$	47,024		$	61,518
	Cable	34,410			32,946			101,985			100,643
	Television broadcasting	2,148			2,181			6,181			6,604
	Other businesses	1,201			555			2,501			1,561
	Corporate office	78			45			589			105
		$	53,074		$	54,672		$	158,280		$	170,431
	Amortization of Intangible Assets
	Education	$	1,927		$	1,918		$	5,649		$	6,081
	Cable	51			61			145			168
	Television broadcasting	—			—			—			—
	Other businesses	5,427			489			7,323			2,531
	Corporate office	—			—			—			—
		$	7,405		$	2,468		$	13,117		$	8,780
	Net Pension (Credit) Expense
	Education	$	3,854		$	4,169		$	11,563		$	12,506
	Cable	917			973			2,669			2,768
	Television broadcasting	338			1,297			1,016			3,891
	Other businesses	191			173			557			423
	Corporate office	(18,620		)	(9,299		)	(59,231		)	(27,549		)
		$	(13,320	)	$	(2,687	)	$	(43,426	)	$	(7,961	)
	Asset information for the Company’s business segments are as follows:
		As of
	(in thousands)	September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Identifiable Assets
	Education	$	1,732,199		$	1,921,037
	Cable television	1,190,932			1,215,320
	Television broadcasting	293,810			383,251
	Other businesses	455,154			171,539
	Corporate office	390,056			371,484
		$	4,062,151		$	4,062,631
	Investments in Marketable Equity Securities	127,270			487,156
	Investments in Affiliates	21,976			15,754
	Prepaid Pension Cost	1,267,415			1,245,505
	Assets Held for Sale	9,624			—
	Total Assets	$	5,488,436		$	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						Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep						30-Sep
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating Revenues
	Higher education	$	249,882		$	266,061		$	755,597		$	811,013
	Test preparation	85,108			77,431			234,010			232,064
	Kaplan international	207,615			198,452			615,507			564,705
	Kaplan corporate and other	1,492			2,223			4,891			6,496
	Intersegment elimination	(179		)	(568		)	(969		)	(1,162		)
		$	543,918		$	543,599		$	1,609,036		$	1,613,116
	Income (Loss) from Operations
	Higher education	$	5,391		$	14,719		$	39,487		$	42,354
	Test preparation	6,980			3,820			(3,552		)	7,306
	Kaplan international	13,853			12,124			40,609			23,701
	Kaplan corporate and other	(13,651		)	(13,311		)	(44,608		)	(37,156		)
	Intersegment elimination	(22		)	156			114			381
		$	12,551		$	17,508		$	32,050		$	36,586
	Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Higher education	$	7,320		$	9,739		$	22,140		$	33,919
	Test preparation	2,865			5,034			9,721			14,658
	Kaplan international	4,951			3,870			14,546			11,903
	Kaplan corporate and other	101			302			617			1,038
		$	15,237		$	18,945		$	47,024		$	61,518
	Amortization of Intangible Assets	$	1,927		$	1,918		$	5,649		$	6,081
	Pension Expense
	Higher education	$	2,628		$	3,201		$	7,885		$	8,815
	Test preparation	722			731			2,166			2,012
	Kaplan international	89			99			267			273
	Kaplan corporate and other	415			138			1,245			1,406
		$	3,854		$	4,169		$	11,563		$	12,506
	Identifiable assets for the Company’s education division consist of the following:
		As of
	(in thousands)	September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Identifiable assets
	Higher education	$	626,116		$	859,208
	Test preparation	178,835			173,435
	Kaplan international	869,246			864,507
	Kaplan corporate and other	58,002			23,887
		$	1,732,199		$	1,921,037

Organization_Basis_of_Presenta2

Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Percentage of ownership indicating control for consolidation purposes	'more than 50%
Television Broadcasting [Member]	'
Number of television broadcast stations	5

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Kaplan China [Member]

Kaplan China [Member]

Kaplan China [Member]

Daily Herald [Member]

Sale of Publishing Subsidiaries [Member]

Sale of Publishing Subsidiaries [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Kaplan International [Member]

Kaplan International [Member]

Kaplan International [Member]

Scenario, Adjustment [Member]

Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

school

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

school

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of schools sold

'

'

'

'

3

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Berkshire Shares Exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,107

1,278

After-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($3,000,000)

$100,000,000

'

'

Pre-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition

4,352,000

0

-349,875,000

70,000

'

-4,400,000

'

-100,000

'

'

'

'

Expenses in discontinued operations

2,225,000

178,823,000

39,580,000

507,434,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Early retirement program expense

'

'

$8,374,000

$22,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discontinued_Operations_Summar

Discontinued Operations (Summarized (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net Of Tax) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	$1,294	$141,152	$46,713	$441,001
Operating costs and expenses	-2,225	-178,823	-39,580	-507,434
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	-931	-37,671	7,133	-66,433
Provision (benefit) from income taxes	231	-13,683	3,371	-24,159
Net (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations	-1,162	-23,988	3,762	-42,274
(Loss) gain on sales of discontinued operations	-4,352	0	349,875	-70
Expense (benefit) from income taxes on sales of discontinued operations	1,466	0	-16,304	-24
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	($6,980)	($23,988)	$369,941	($42,320)

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Oct. 01, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Apr. 01, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. [Member]

Classified Ventures LLC [Member]

Classified Ventures LLC [Member]

Classified Ventures' sale of apartments.com [Member]

Classified Ventures' sale of apartments.com [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Berkshire Shares Exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,107

1,278

Gain on Berkshire marketable equity securities exchange

$0

$0

$266,733,000

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$266,700,000

'

'

Gain on exchange of Berkshire Hathaway shares

0

0

-3,044,000

879,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment write-down on a marketable equity security

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities

'

'

5,800,000

3,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

(Loss) gain on sales of marketable equity securities

'

'

-2,600,000

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

New investments in marketable equity securities

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments in commercial paper

50,000,000

'

50,000,000

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash distribution from equity method investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

95,000,000

'

'

'

Investment maturity length for commercial paper

'

'

'

'

'

'3 months 1 day

'6 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pre-tax gain on equity method investments

4,613,000

5,892,000

100,168,000

13,178,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,900,000

'

'

'

'

Company's investments in marketable equity securities

127,270,000

'

127,270,000

'

487,156,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized loss on investment

70,303,000

'

70,303,000

'

289,438,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of equity method investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

408,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of cash proceeds held in escrow

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pre-tax gain on sale of equity method investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$393,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Investments_Investments_in_Mar

Investments (Investments in Marketable Equity Securities) (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Total cost	$56,967	$197,718
Net unrealized gains	70,303	289,438
Total Fair Value	$127,270	$487,156

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 03, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

business

Other Businesses Segment And Education Division [Member]

Residential Healthcare Group Inc. [Member]

Kaplan [Member]

Kaplan International [Member]

Kaplan International [Member]

Kaplan International [Member]

Test Preparation [Member]

Higher Education [Member]

Other Businesses [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

business

Kaplan China [Member]

Kaplan China [Member]

Kaplan China [Member]

Kaplan China [Member]

business

business

business

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

WPLG [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Class A and B [Member]

school

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

school

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of businesses acquired

'

'

7

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

2

1

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acqusition purchase price

'

'

$204,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of interest acquired

'

'

'

'

'

80.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percent of noncontrolling interest purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

18,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of schools sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Berkshire Shares Exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,107

'

1,278

'

Amount of Cash Exchanged to Berkshire

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

327,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares received in Berkshire Hathaway agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,620,190

'

'

Gain on Berkshire marketable equity securities exchange

0

0

266,733,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

266,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on exchange of Berkshire Hathaway shares

0

0

-3,044,000

879,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain (loss) on sales of discontinued operations

-4,352,000

0

349,875,000

-70,000

'

'

'

'

4,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

After-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-375,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective tax rate

'

'

26.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of available-for-sale equity securities exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,300,000

Estimated fair value of business exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

438,000,000

'

'

'

'

Treasury stock increase

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,165,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
					Discontinued Operations [Member]	Cable [Member]	Kaplan International [Member]
						Wireless Licenses [Member]	Kaplan China [Member]
							Discontinued Operations [Member]
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of intangible assets	'	'	$7,774,000	$0	$7,800,000	'	$7,800,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	7,405,000	2,468,000	13,117,000	8,780,000	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, remainder of 2014	4,000,000	'	4,000,000	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2015	17,000,000	'	17,000,000	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2016	16,000,000	'	16,000,000	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2017	12,000,000	'	12,000,000	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2018	10,000,000	'	10,000,000	'	'	'	'
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, after 2018	19,000,000	'	19,000,000	'	'	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of intangible asset	$75,249,000	$0	$75,249,000	$0	'	$75,200,000	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 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	113,307
Dispositions	-40,081
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-8,759
Goodwill, ending balance	1,461,430
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-108,341
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,353,089
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	14,941
Dispositions	-2,420
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-8,759
Goodwill, ending balance	1,077,195
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-102,259
Goodwill, net, ending balance	974,936
Higher Education [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	409,016
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	409,016
Acquisitions	1,343
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-95
Goodwill, ending balance	410,264
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	410,264
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	13,598
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	165,785
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-102,259
Goodwill, net, ending balance	63,526
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
Dispositions	-2,420
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-8,664
Goodwill, ending balance	501,146
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	501,146
Cable [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	85,488
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions	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
Dispositions	-37,661
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	165,504
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	165,504
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	98,366
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	133,243
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-6,082
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$127,161

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Details) 2 (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	172,425	128,543
Accumulated Amortization	94,194	88,955
Net Carrying Amount	78,231	39,588
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	572,209	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	7,321	7,171
Other [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	68,567	15,636
Non-compete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	12,392	13,540
Accumulated Amortization	11,373	12,622
Net Carrying Amount	1,019	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	111,354	72,050
Accumulated Amortization	48,558	45,718
Net Carrying Amount	62,796	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	12,190	10,790
Accumulated Amortization	8,364	6,991
Net Carrying Amount	3,826	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	26,863	22,327
Accumulated Amortization	17,956	16,052
Net Carrying Amount	8,907	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	9,626	9,836
Accumulated Amortization	7,943	7,572
Net Carrying Amount	1,683	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

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2009

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

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]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$43,669,000

$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-Oct-14

1-Jan-14

Debt Instrument, Maturity year, end

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Dec-17

31-Dec-17

Average borrowings outstanding

450,900,000

449,800,000

451,400,000

477,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate of borrowings

7.00%

7.00%

7.00%

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net interest expense incurred

8,800,000

8,600,000

24,900,000

25,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of debt instrument

'

'

'

'

'

468,000,000

475,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying value of debt instrument

$398,204,000

'

$398,204,000

'

$397,893,000

$398,200,000

$397,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Details_1

Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	$398,204	$397,893
Other indebtedness	6,885	8,258
Total Debt	448,758	450,776
Less: current portion	-50,460	-3,168
Total Long-Term Debt	398,298	447,608
AUD [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Revolving credit borrowing	$43,669	$44,625

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
			Discontinued Operations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impairment of intangible assets	$7,774	$0	$7,800

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'		'
Marketable equity securities	$127,270		$487,156
Commercial paper	50,000		0
7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
7.25% unsecured notes	468,000		475,200
Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Money market investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Marketable equity securities	127,270	[2]	487,156	[2]
Commercial paper	49,965	[3]	'
Other current investments	5,348	[4]	11,826	[4]
Total Financial Assets	182,583		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	287,714	[1]	431,836	[1]
Marketable equity securities	0	[2]	0	[2]
Commercial paper	0	[3]	'
Other current investments	24,255	[4]	23,336	[4]
Total Financial Assets	311,969		455,172
Liabilities:	'		'
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	66,485	[5]	67,603	[5]
Interest rate swap	405	[6]	1,047	[6]
Total Financial Liabilities	578,559		588,499
Level 2 [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
7.25% unsecured notes	468,000	[7]	475,224	[7]
Level 2 [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
AUD Revolving credit borrowing	43,669	[7]	44,625	[7]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Money market investments	287,714	[1]	431,836	[1]
Marketable equity securities	127,270	[2]	487,156	[2]
Commercial paper	49,965	[3]	'
Other current investments	29,603	[4]	35,162	[4]
Total Financial Assets	494,552		954,154
Liabilities:	'		'
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	66,485	[5]	67,603	[5]
Interest rate swap	405	[6]	1,047	[6]
Total Financial Liabilities	578,559		588,499
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
7.25% unsecured notes	468,000	[7]	475,224	[7]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
AUD Revolving credit borrowing	$43,669	[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 with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year, are included in investments in marketable equity securities and other investments.
[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

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Stock Option Plan [Member]

Stock Option Plan [Member]

Stock Option Plan [Member]

Stock Option Plan [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares received in Berkshire Hathaway agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,620,190

Antidilutive securities, shares

'

'

'

5,000

13,000

5,000

63,000

6,075

8,800

6,075

8,800

'

Dividends declared per common share

$2.55

$10.20

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_1

Earnings Per Share (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
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	$83,331	$54,132	$588,645	$121,857
Less: Dividends-common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	-14,773	0	-67,267	0
Undistributed earnings	68,558	54,132	521,378	121,857
Percent allocated to common stockholders	97.89%	97.42%	97.89%	97.42%
Undistributed Earnings Allocated To Common Stockholders	67,112	52,736	510,384	118,714
Add: Dividends-common stock outstanding	14,462	0	66,021	0
Numerator for basic earnings per share	81,574	52,736	576,405	118,714
Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	6	3	48	4
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$81,580	$52,739	$576,453	$118,718
Weighted average shares outstanding	5,671	7,231	6,737	7,229
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	5,696	7,246	6,762	7,237
Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:	'	'	'	'
Basic income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$14.38	$7.29	$85.55	$16.42
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$14.32	$7.28	$85.24	$16.41
Stock Option Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	25	15	25	8

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share (Details 2)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Antidilutive Weighted Average Restricted Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average restricted stock	61	91	61	79

Pension_and_Postretirement_Pla2

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

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit 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]

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]

Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Other Postretirement Plans [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]

Single Equity Concentration [Member]

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

Geographic Concentration [Member]

Geographic Concentration [Member]

companies

companies

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Washington Post Newspaper [Member]

Washington Post Newspaper [Member]

Corporate Office [Member]

Corporate Office [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Corporate Office [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Daily Herald [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Assets Total [Member]

Foreign Investments [Member]

Foreign Investments [Member]

Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program [Member]

Special Separation Benefits [Member]

Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program [Member]

Separation Incentive Program [Member]

Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Investment

Investment

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

Discontinued Operations [Member]

campus

country

Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)

'

'

($51,637,000)

$11,425,000

($17,204,000)

$2,843,000

($51,637,000)

$11,425,000

'

$5,500,000

$200,000

$19,400,000

'

'

'

'

$1,845,000

$2,177,000

$5,535,000

$6,531,000

$300,000

$200,000

$900,000

'

$22,000

($574,000)

$67,000

($1,813,000)

$1,500,000

$2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Cost (Benefit)

-13,320,000

-2,687,000

-43,426,000

-7,961,000

-13,320,000

2,843,000

-43,263,000

34,125,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,267,000

2,177,000

7,957,000

6,531,000

'

'

'

'

22,000

-574,000

67,000

-5,284,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Early retirement program expense

'

'

8,374,000

22,700,000

3,884,000

0

8,374,000

22,700,000

'

'

'

'

20,400,000

2,300,000

3,900,000

4,500,000

2,422,000

0

2,422,000

0

'

'

'

2,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of investment companies actively managing plan assets

'

'

'

'

2

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$669,500,000

$590,600,000

'

$434,300,000

$398,900,000

Percentage of total plan assets

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

100.00%

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29.00%

25.00%

'

19.00%

17.00%

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

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		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	'	'	($51,637)	$11,425
Early retirement program expense	'	'	8,374	22,700
Total Cost (Benefit)	-13,320	-2,687	-43,426	-7,961
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)	-101	-384	-305	-1,205
Curtailment loss	0	0	0	-3,471
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	7,526	-1,620	22,337	-1,649
Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	6,976	12,713	21,489	38,788
Interest cost	12,894	14,242	38,870	42,776
Expected return on assets	-29,877	-26,817	-90,644	-78,606
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	83	908	247	2,726
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	-7,280	1,797	-21,599	5,741
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	-17,204	2,843	-51,637	11,425
Early retirement program expense	3,884	0	8,374	22,700
Total Cost (Benefit)	-13,320	2,843	-43,263	34,125
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	373	429	1,119	1,288
Interest cost	1,086	1,023	3,257	3,069
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	12	14	35	41
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	374	711	1,124	2,133
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	1,845	2,177	5,535	6,531
Early retirement program expense	2,422	0	2,422	0
Total Cost (Benefit)	4,267	2,177	7,957	6,531
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	375	728	1,125	2,183
Interest cost	362	508	1,086	1,525
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-196	-1,306	-587	-3,972
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	-519	-504	-1,557	-1,549
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	22	-574	67	-1,813
Settlement gain	0	0	0	-3,471
Total Cost (Benefit)	$22	($574)	$67	($5,284)

Pension_and_Postretirement_Pla4

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Asset Allocation) (Details 9) (Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member])	Sep. 30, 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	60.00%	58.00%
UNITED STATES | U.S. fixed income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets	11.00%	12.00%
International [Member] | International equities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets	29.00%	30.00%

Other_NonOperating_Income_Expe2

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Wireless Licenses [Member]

Wireless Licenses [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Cable [Member]

Cable [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of wireless licenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$98,800,000

'

Gain on sale of intangible assets

'

75,249,000

'

0

75,249,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,200,000

Number of Berkshire Shares Exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,107

1,278

'

'

Amount of Cash Exchanged to Berkshire

'

'

'

'

'

'

327,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares received in Berkshire Hathaway agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,620,190

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on Berkshire marketable equity securities exchange

'

0

'

0

266,733,000

0

'

'

266,700,000

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of building

158,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on sale of headquarters building

'

$0

$127,700,000

$0

$127,670,000

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other_NonOperating_Income_Expe3

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
						Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]	Cable [Member]
						Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]	Wireless Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of intangible assets	$75,249	'	$0	$75,249	$0	'	$75,200
Gain on Berkshire marketable equity securities exchange	0	'	0	266,733	0	266,700	'
Foreign currency gain (loss), net	-10,564	'	7,886	-2,618	-9,350	'	'
Gain on sale of headquarters building	0	127,700	0	127,670	0	'	'
(Losses) gain on sales or write-down of marketable equity securities	0	'	0	-3,044	879	'	'
Other, net	-159	'	224	1,923	-360	'	'
Total Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	$64,526	'	$8,110	$465,913	($8,831)	'	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Components of OCI) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Foreign currency translation adjustments:	'	'	'	'
Translation adjustments arising during the period, before tax	($9,777)	$5,639	($7,111)	($2,061)
Translation adjustments arising during the period, income tax	0	0	0	0
Translation adjustments arising during the period, after tax	-9,777	5,639	-7,111	-2,061
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains for the period, before tax	9,734	938	46,139	81,439
Unrealized gains for the period, tax	-3,894	-375	-18,456	-32,575
Unrealized gains for the period, after tax	5,840	563	27,683	48,864
Reclassification adjustment for realization of (gain) loss on exchange, sale or write-down of available-for-sale securities included in net income, before tax	0	0	-265,274	-884
Reclassification adjustment for realization of (gain) loss on exchange, sale or write-down of available-for-sale securities included in net income, income tax	'	'	106,110	353
Reclassification adjustment for realization of (gain) loss on exchange, sale or write-down of available-for-sale securities included in net income, after tax	'	'	-159,164	-531
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, before tax	9,734	938	-219,135	80,555
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, income tax	'	'	87,654	-32,222
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, after tax	'	'	-131,481	48,333
Pension and other postretirement plans:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	-101	-384	-305	-1,205
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income, income tax	41	154	122	482
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income, after tax	-60	-230	-183	-723
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income, before tax	-7,425	2,004	-22,032	6,325
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income, income tax	2,970	-801	8,813	-2,529
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income, after tax	-4,455	1,203	-13,219	3,796
Settlement gain included in net income, before tax	0	0	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	-7,526	1,620	-22,337	1,649
Total pension and other postretirement plans, income tax	3,011	-647	8,935	-659
Total pension and other postretirement plans, after tax	-4,515	973	-13,402	990
Cash flow hedge:	'	'	'	'
Gain for the period, before tax	230	15	641	259
Gain for the period, income tax	-92	-6	-256	-104
Gain for the period, after tax	138	9	385	155
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, before tax	-7,339	8,212	-247,942	80,402
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, income tax	-975	-1,028	96,333	-32,985
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, after tax	($8,314)	$7,184	($151,609)	$47,417

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI balances) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, beginning balance	'	'	$699,494	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	20,570	'
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	-172,179	'
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	-8,314	7,184	-151,609	47,417
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	547,885	'	547,885	'
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	'	'	-7,111	'
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	0	'
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	'	'	-7,111	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	17,902	'	17,902	'
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	'	'	27,683	'
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	-159,164	'
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	'	'	-131,481	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	42,182	'	42,182	'
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	'	'	-13,402	'
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	'	'	-13,402	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	488,044	'	488,044	'
Cash Flow Hedge [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, beginning balance	'	'	-628	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	-2	'
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	387	'
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	'	'	385	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, ending balance	($243)	'	($243)	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Reclassifications out of AOCI) (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	$9,330		$9,221		$26,707		$27,229
Income tax on unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	'		'		106,110		353
Other income (expense), net	-64,526		-8,110		-465,913		8,831
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	-101		-384		-305		-1,205
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	-7,425		2,004		-22,032		6,325
Settlement gain included in net income	0		0		0		3,471
Income Before Tax	-141,619		-84,312		-802,853		-200,537
Provision for Income Taxes	58,200		29,900		214,200		77,400
Income Net of Tax	-83,419		-54,412		-588,653		-123,137
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Income Net of Tax	-4,385		1,096		-172,179		812
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]	'		'		'		'
Income tax on unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	0	[1]	0	[1]	106,110	[1]	353	[1]
Other income (expense), net	0		0		-265,274		-884
Provision for Income Taxes	'		'		1,200		'
Income Net of Tax	0		0		-159,164		-531
Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Berkshire Exchange Transaction [Member]	'		'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Income tax on unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	'		'		107,300		'
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	-101	[2]	-384	[2]	-305	[2]	-1,205	[2]
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net income	-7,425	[2]	2,004	[2]	-22,032	[2]	6,325	[2]
Settlement gain included in net income	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	-3,471	[2]
Income Before Tax	-7,526		1,620		-22,337		1,649
Provision for Income Taxes	3,011		-647		8,935		-659
Income Net of Tax	-4,515		973		-13,402		990
Cash Flow Hedge [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	217		205		645		588
Provision for Income Taxes	-87		-82		-258		-235
Income Net of Tax	$130		$123		$387		$353
[1]	Benefits of $1.2 million were recorded in Provision for Income Taxes related to the realized loss for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014. The remaining $107.3 million for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, relates to the reversal of income taxes previously recorded on the unrealized gain of the Companybs investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. marketable equity securities as part of the Berkshire exchange transaction, which qualified as a tax-free distribution under IRC Section 355 and 361 (see Note 4). The amounts for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2013 were recorded in Provision for Income Taxes.
[2]	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)	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
	claim	Title IV participating institutions including Broomall, PA [Member]	Charlestown and Kenmore Square campuses [Member]
		Higher Education [Member]	Higher Education [Member]
		program_review	Subsequent Event [Member]
			allegations
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	'	'
Number of allegations communicated by the Massachusetts Attorney General	'	'	12
Number of open DOE program reviews	'	2	'
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.	'	'

Business_Segments_Narrative_De

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
			Segment		Kaplan International [Member]	Kaplan International [Member]
					Kaplan China [Member]	Scenario, Forecast [Member]
					school	Kaplan China [Member]
						school
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	6	'	'	'
Number of schools sold	'	'	'	'	3	1
Total operating revenues	($898,871)	($856,101)	($2,609,823)	($2,540,669)	'	'

Business_Segments_Information_

Business Segments (Information by Operating Segment) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	$898,871	$856,101	$2,609,823	$2,540,669	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	81,281	78,889	261,710	221,745	'
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	4,613	5,892	100,168	13,178	'
Interest Expense, Net	-8,801	-8,579	-24,938	-25,555	'
Other Income (Expense), Net	64,526	8,110	465,913	-8,831	'
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	141,619	84,312	802,853	200,537	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	53,074	54,672	158,280	170,431	'
Amortization of intangible assets	7,405	2,468	13,117	8,780	'
Impairment of intangible assets	'	'	7,774	0	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	-13,320	-2,687	-43,426	-7,961	'
Identifiable Assets	4,062,151	'	4,062,151	'	4,062,631
Investment in Marketable Equity Securities	127,270	'	127,270	'	487,156
Investments in Affiliates	21,976	'	21,976	'	15,754
Prepaid Pension Cost	1,267,415	'	1,267,415	'	1,245,505
Assets Held for Sale	9,624	'	9,624	'	0
Total Assets	5,488,436	'	5,488,436	'	5,811,046
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	543,918	543,599	1,609,036	1,613,116	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	12,551	17,508	32,050	36,586	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	15,237	18,945	47,024	61,518	'
Amortization of intangible assets	1,927	1,918	5,649	6,081	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	3,854	4,169	11,563	12,506	'
Identifiable Assets	1,732,199	'	1,732,199	'	1,921,037
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Higher Education [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	249,882	266,061	755,597	811,013	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	5,391	14,719	39,487	42,354	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	7,320	9,739	22,140	33,919	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	2,628	3,201	7,885	8,815	'
Identifiable Assets	626,116	'	626,116	'	859,208
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Test Preparation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	85,108	77,431	234,010	232,064	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	6,980	3,820	-3,552	7,306	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	2,865	5,034	9,721	14,658	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	722	731	2,166	2,012	'
Identifiable Assets	178,835	'	178,835	'	173,435
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Kaplan International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	207,615	198,452	615,507	564,705	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	13,853	12,124	40,609	23,701	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	4,951	3,870	14,546	11,903	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	89	99	267	273	'
Identifiable Assets	869,246	'	869,246	'	864,507
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Kaplan Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	1,492	2,223	4,891	6,496	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	-13,651	-13,311	-44,608	-37,156	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	101	302	617	1,038	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	415	138	1,245	1,406	'
Identifiable Assets	58,002	'	58,002	'	23,887
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	-179	-568	-969	-1,162	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	-22	156	114	381	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Cable [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	195,666	202,381	600,416	607,069	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	40,072	39,715	128,015	121,038	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	34,410	32,946	101,985	100,643	'
Amortization of intangible assets	51	61	145	168	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	917	973	2,669	2,768	'
Identifiable Assets	1,190,932	'	1,190,932	'	1,215,320
Operating Segments [Member] | Television Broadcasting [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	87,442	73,488	261,390	222,618	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	44,979	32,847	133,452	101,193	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	2,148	2,181	6,181	6,604	'
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0	0	0	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	338	1,297	1,016	3,891	'
Identifiable Assets	293,810	'	293,810	'	383,251
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Businesses [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	71,845	36,682	139,109	98,068	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	-9,292	-5,046	-27,034	-19,556	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	1,201	555	2,501	1,561	'
Amortization of intangible assets	5,427	489	7,323	2,531	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	191	173	557	423	'
Identifiable Assets	455,154	'	455,154	'	171,539
Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate Office [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Income (Loss) from Operations	-7,029	-6,135	-4,773	-17,516	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	78	45	589	105	'
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0	0	0	'
Net Pension (Credit) Expense	-18,620	-9,299	-59,231	-27,549	'
Identifiable Assets	390,056	'	390,056	'	371,484
Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	$0	($49)	($128)	($202)	'