Tribune Publishing (TPCO) 10-Q 8 Jun 20 2020 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Jun. 05, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Tribune Publishing Company
Entity Central Index Key	0001593195
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-27
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 29, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,566,659

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 216,485	$ 244,525
Operating expenses:
Compensation	96,828	97,709
Newsprint and ink	10,720	16,103
Outside services	75,042	83,813
Other operating expenses	35,418	42,218
Depreciation and amortization	9,473	12,084
Impairment	51,049	0
Total operating expenses	278,530	251,927
Loss from operations	(62,045)	(7,402)
Interest income (expense), net	(30)	220
Loss on equity investments, net	0	(487)
Other income, net	387	73
Loss from operations before income taxes	(61,688)	(7,596)
Income tax benefit	(17,682)	(2,882)
Net loss	(44,006)	(4,714)
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,330	(39)
Net loss attributable to Tribune common stockholders	$ (45,336)	$ (4,675)
Net loss available to Tribune common stockholders, per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.26)	$ (0.13)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.26)	$ (0.13)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	36,294	35,628
Diluted (in shares)	36,294	35,628

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (44,006)	$ (4,714)
Comprehensive loss, net of taxes:
Amortization of items to periodic pension cost during the period, net of taxes	(23)	(59)
Foreign currency translation	0	(2)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(44,029)	(4,775)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,330	(39)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Tribune common stockholders	$ (45,359)	$ (4,736)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CO_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Taxes on amortization of items to periodic pension cost	$ 9	$ 23

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Current assets
Cash	$ 48,791	$ 60,963
Accounts receivable, net	94,265	112,754
Inventories	4,796	4,820
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	23,909	15,114
Total current assets	171,761	193,651
Property, plant and equipment
Machinery, equipment and furniture	104,623	119,859
Buildings and leasehold improvements	77,964	86,403
Property, plant and equipment, gross	182,587	206,262
Accumulated depreciation	(89,269)	(84,530)
Property, plant and equipment, net, excluding advance payments	93,318	121,732
Advance payments on property, plant and equipment	1,583	2,181
Property, plant and equipment, net	94,901	123,913
Other assets
Goodwill	115,197	117,675
Intangible assets, net	60,347	69,165
Software, net	20,500	20,736
Lease right-of-use asset	76,895	99,480
Restricted cash	37,290	37,290
Deferred income taxes	13,615	6,911
Other long-term assets	13,224	13,457
Total other assets	337,068	364,714
Total assets	603,730	682,278
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	37,544	46,482
Employee compensation and benefits	31,151	36,305
Deferred revenue	41,178	42,773
Current portion of long-term lease liability	25,546	25,380
Current portion of long-term debt	6,911	105
Other current liabilities	22,444	24,317
Total current liabilities	164,774	175,362
Non-current liabilities
Long term lease liability	92,748	98,847
Workers’ compensation, general liability and auto insurance payable	23,881	24,192
Pension and postretirement benefits payable	19,457	20,338
Deferred revenue	2,387	2,504
Long-term debt	55	6,857
Other obligations	9,576	5,851
Total non-current liabilities	148,104	158,589
Noncontrolling interest	0	63,501
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	383	380
Additional paid-in capital	179,013	177,957
Retained earnings	80,038	135,001
Noncontrolling interest	59,953	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,375)	(2,352)
Treasury stock, at cost -	(26,160)	(26,160)
Total stockholders’ equity	290,852	284,826
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 603,730	$ 682,278

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANC_2

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable allowances	$ 11,077	$ 9,674
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	30,000,000	30,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	38,338,000	38,017,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	36,384,000	36,064,000
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	1,954,000	1,954,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUIT

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid in Capital	Retained Earnings	Non controlling Interest	AOCI	Treasury Stock	Previously Reported	Previously ReportedCommon Stock	Previously ReportedAdditional Paid in Capital	Previously ReportedRetained Earnings	Previously ReportedAOCI	Previously ReportedTreasury Stock	Restatement Adjustment	Restatement AdjustmentRetained Earnings
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2018		37,551,000							37,551,000
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 30, 2018	$ 371,525	$ 376	$ 166,668	$ 230,614		$ 27	$ (26,160)	$ 373,312	$ 376	$ 166,668	$ 232,401	$ 27	$ (26,160)
Balance at beginning of period (Accounting Standards Update 2016-02) at Dec. 30, 2018														$ (1,787)	$ (1,787)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interests	(4,736)			(4,675)		(61)
Issuance of stock from restricted stock and restricted stock unit conversions (in shares)		67,000
Issuance of stock from restricted stock and restricted stock unit conversions	0
Stock-based compensation	5,737		5,737
Withholding for taxes on restricted stock unit conversions	(13)		(13)
Balance at end of the period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		37,618,000
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2019	372,513	$ 376	172,392	225,939		(34)	(26,160)
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2019		38,018,000
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 29, 2019	284,826	$ 380	177,957	135,001		(2,352)	(26,160)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification of noncontrolling interest from temporary equity	64,133				$ 64,133
Comprehensive income (loss)	(44,339)			(45,336)	1,020	(23)
Dividends declared to common stockholders	(9,305)			(9,305)
Dividends declared to noncontrolling interest	(5,200)				(5,200)
Noncontrolling interest carrying value adjustment	(322)			(322)
Issuance of stock from restricted stock and restricted stock unit conversions (in shares)		320,000
Issuance of stock from restricted stock and restricted stock unit conversions	0	$ 3	(3)
Stock-based compensation	1,592		1,592
Withholding for taxes on restricted stock unit conversions	(533)		(533)
Balance at end of the period (in shares) at Mar. 29, 2020		38,338,000
Balance at end of period at Mar. 29, 2020	$ 290,852	$ 383	$ 179,013	$ 80,038	$ 59,953	$ (2,375)	$ (26,160)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Operating Activities
Net loss	$ (44,006)	$ (4,714)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,473	12,084
Impairment	51,049	0
Stock compensation expense	1,592	5,737
Loss on equity investments, net	0	487
Gain on sale of property	(5,159)	0
Deferred income taxes	(6,704)	(1,036)
Pension contribution	(555)	(499)
Postretirement benefits expense	(326)	(637)
Changes in working capital items:
Accounts receivable, net	20,776	35,529
Prepaid expenses, inventories and other current assets	(2,890)	(11,226)
Accounts payable, employee compensation and benefits, deferred revenue and other current liabilities	(25,892)	(29,738)
Other, net	(140)	(1,243)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(2,782)	4,744
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(3,499)	(3,911)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	8,983	0
Other, net	0	(150)
Net cash used for investing activities	5,484	(4,061)
Financing Activities From Operations
Repayments of capital lease obligations	(50)	0
Dividends paid to common stockholders	(9,091)	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(5,200)	0
Withholding for taxes on restricted stock unit vesting	(533)	(13)
Other	0	(24)
Net cash used for financing activities	(14,874)	(37)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(12,172)	646
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	98,253	141,507
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$ 86,081	$ 142,153

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BAS

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	NOTE 1: DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Description of Business —Tribune Publishing Company was formed as a Delaware corporation on November 21, 2013. Tribune Publishing Company together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Tribune”) is a media company rooted in award-winning journalism. Headquartered in Chicago, the Company operates local media businesses in eight markets with titles including the Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, The Baltimore Sun, Orlando Sentinel, South Florida’s Sun Sentinel , Virginia’s Daily Press and The Virginian-Pilot , The Morning Call of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and the Hartford Courant. Tribune also operates Tribune Content Agency (“TCA”) and is the majority owner in BestReviews LLC (“BestReviews”). Fiscal Periods —The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. Fiscal year 2020 ends on December 27, 2020 and fiscal year 2019 ended on December 29, 2019. Fiscal year 2020 and 2019 are 52-week years with 13 weeks in each quarter. Basis of Presentation —T he accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes of the Company have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ( “ U.S. GAAP ”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of Tribune as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, and the cash flows for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively. This includes all normal and recurring adjustments and elimination of intercompany transactions. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The year-end Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The Company assesses its operating segments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 280, “ Segment Reporting .” In the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company realigned its operations, combining the print and digital operations of its media groups together under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer, who is also the chief operating decision maker for Tribune, as defined in ASC Topic 280. As a result of the realignment, beginning in the first quarter of 2020, the Company no longer reports separate segment results for its print and digital operations. Prior to the first quarter of fiscal 2020, Tribune was managed by its chief operating decision maker as two segments, segment M and segment X. Accounting standards adopted in 2020 —In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 changes the impairment model for most financial assets and requires the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured as amortized cost. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this standard effective the beginning of fiscal year 2020 and the adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 2 for additional information related to the expected credit losses. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Topic 740, Income Taxes , which simplifies accounting for income taxes (“ASU-2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 eliminates certain exceptions related to intraperiod tax allocation, the interim period tax calculation and deferred tax liabilities. ASU 2019-12 is applied prospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the standard effective the beginning of fiscal year 2020. See Note 9 for additional information related to the Company’s income taxes.

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Credit Loss [Abstract]
EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES	NOTE 2: EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES Tribune holds financial assets in the form of accounts receivable that are primarily generated from advertising revenues, certain circulation-related revenues and commercial print and delivery revenues, and are grouped as such. The accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts are analyzed under the expected credit losses method. Payment terms vary by revenue stream. Classified advertising and home delivery circulation terms are usually prepaid with advertising having terms of 30 to 60 days. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition, and generally collateral is not required For accounts receivable, Tribune uses an aging expected credit losses method that includes forward-looking qualitative factors when they arise. For the first quarter 2020, the Company has identified the market effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as a forward-looking qualitative factor to be considered. The Company uses an analysis of 24-months of collection and write off history to calculate historical loss percentages by aging group, which are applied to all accounts within the aging group. Specific reserves are reviewed and handled on a case by case basis. Accounts receivable balances outstanding for a year are reserved at 100%. As customer balances are determined to be uncollectible, the balances are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Included in the allowance for doubtful accounts are amounts for sales adjustments not related to expected credit losses, such as rebates, billing adjustments, and returns. The credit loss expense was $3.0 million for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and is included in other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Loss. A summary of the activity with respect to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three months ended March 29, 2020 is as follows (in thousands) : Accounts receivable allowance balance at December 29, 2019 $ 9,674 Current period provision 2,979 Write offs (1,506) Sales adjustments, net (70) Accounts receivable allowance balance at March 29, 2020 $ 11,077 Accounts receivable, net, at March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019 , consisted of the following (in thousands) : March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019 Accounts receivable $ 105,342 $ 122,428 Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts 11,077 9,674 Accounts receivable, net $ 94,265 $ 112,754

REVENUE RECOGNITION

REVENUE RECOGNITION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
REVENUE RECOGNITION	NOTE 3: REVENUE RECOGNITION Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for goods or services. Revenues are recognized as performance obligations are satisfied at either a point in time, such as when an advertisement is published, or over time, such as content licensing. The Company receives a significant portion of the payments from its subscribers in advance of the delivery of the content either in print or digitally. These up-front payments and fees are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt and generally require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until the Company performs its obligations under the subscription agreement. The deferred revenue is recognized as revenue as the content is delivered. The deferred revenue is considered a contract liability under ASC 606. Amounts are recorded as accounts receivable when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. Therefore, the Company has no contract assets as defined under ASC 606. As of December 29, 2019, the Company had a contract liabilities balance of $45.3 million, of which $31.5 million has been recognized as revenue in the three months ended March 29, 2020. The Company’s revenues disaggregated by type of revenue is as follows (in thousands): Three months ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Print $ 57,914 $ 75,853 Digital 18,902 20,915 Advertising 76,816 96,768 Print 81,191 86,681 Digital 8,821 6,194 Circulation 90,012 92,875 Commercial print & delivery 21,916 24,459 Direct mail 7,610 8,638 Content syndication and other 20,131 21,785 Other 49,657 54,882 Total operating revenues $ 216,485 $ 244,525 The Company generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within compensation in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Loss. Additionally, the Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations because the vast majority of contracts have original expected lengths of one year or less and payment terms are generally short-term in nature unless a customer is in bankruptcy.

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
CHANGES IN OPERATIONS	NOTE 4: CHANGES IN OPERATIONS The Company continually assesses its operations in an effort to identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiencies and reduce expenses. In the past these activities have included, and could include in the future, outsourcing of various functions or operations, abandonment of leased space and other activities which may result in changes to employee headcount. Employee Reductions During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company implemented reductions in staffing levels in its operations of 276 positions for which the Company recorded pretax charges related to these reductions and executive separation totaling $16.8 million. The 2020 severance charge included reductions for 191 positions related to a Voluntary Severance Incentive Plan (“2020 VSIP”) initiated in the first quarter of 2020. The 2020 VSIP provided enhanced separation benefits to eligible employees with more than eight years of service. The Company plans to fund the 2020 VSIP ratably over the payout period through salary continuation. The related salary continuation payments began during the first quarter of 2020 and are expected to continue through the second quarter of 2021. Additionally, included in the 2020 severance charge was approximately $0.6 million related to the separation of the Company’s former CEO, which included continuation of his base salary for one year through February 2021, his bonus for 2019, and certain benefit continuation. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company implemented reductions in staffing levels in its operations of 89 positions for which the Company recorded pretax charges related to these reductions and executive separations totaling $7.0 million. These reductions included 23 positions related to the voluntary severance incentive plan initiated in the fourth quarter of 2018. The related salary continuation payments began during the first quarter of 2019 and ended during the first quarter of 2020. Included in the first quarter of 2019 severance charge was approximately $4.0 million related to the separation of the Company’s former CEO and two senior executives in the digital space. Each of these employees had employment contracts which provided for immediate payout of any contractual compensation under the employment agreement in the event of separation. These employment agreements were amended to permit payment of the severance as salary continuation over the remainder of 2019, during which time equity-based awards continued to vest. The severance payments to these executives, including compensation and medical benefits, if any, were accrued in the first quarter of 2019. Additionally, as a result of the separation the Company recognized accelerated stock based compensation expense in the first quarter of 2019 of $1.5 million. A summary of the activity with respect to the Company’s severance accrual for the three months ended March 29, 2020 is as follows (in thousands): Balance at December 29, 2019 $ 2,580 Provision 16,828 Payments (6,599) Balance at March 29, 2020 $ 12,809 Charges for severance and related expenses are included in compensation expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Loss. Lease Abandonment During the first quarter of 2020, the Company permanently vacated 21,952 square feet of office space in Chicago and 17,960 square feet of office space in Los Angeles. The abandonment of the office space is an indicator of impairment and the Company assessed the lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and leasehold improvements for impairment. Estimates of fair value include Level 3 inputs which are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and are made at a specific point in time. To calculate the fair value of the vacated space, the Company used the discounted cash flows from estimated sublease payments and compared the result to the sum of the carrying values of the lease ROU asset and the leasehold improvements. The discount rate used is a market place lessor's expected rate of return. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, t he Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $2.8 million related to the impairment of the lease ROU assets and $4.2 million related to the impairment of the leasehold improvements associated to the vacated office space. Other Changes On July 23, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell real property located in Norfolk, Virginia for a cash sales price of $9.5 million. The sale closed on January 22, 2020. The Company received net proceeds of $9.0 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of $5.2 million related to the sale. The gain is included as a reduction in other operating expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Loss.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	NOTE 5: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Transition Services Agreement with NantMedia Holdings, LLC In connection with the closing of the sale of the Los Angeles Times , The San Diego Union-Tribune and various other titles of the Company’s California properties (“California Properties”) in June 2018, the Company entered into a transition services agreement (“TSA”) with NantMedia Holdings, LLC (“NantMedia”), providing for up to twelve months of transition services between the parties at negotiated rates approximating cost. On January 17, 2019, this agreement was amended to extend the date of transition services to June 30, 2020. Either party may discontinue all or a portion of the services being provided to such party by providing 60 days advance notice. As the operational transition continues, there are certain costs that the Company paid on behalf of NantMedia due to commingled contracts and processes. Such costs include newsprint, rent, benefits, and other operating activities. The TSA provides for reimbursement to the Company for such charges until the contracts and processes can be separated. Additionally, the Company receives some revenue payments related to commingled revenue contracts that include the California Properties. These payments are reimbursed to NantMedia. A summary of the activity with respect to the TSA is as follows (in thousands): Three months ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Accounts receivable from Nant Capital beginning balance $ 6,118 $ 17,909 Revenue for TSA services 1,747 7,005 Reimbursable costs 14,999 16,346 Amounts received for TSA services (1,672) (5,866) Amounts received for reimbursable costs (15,437) (25,237) Amounts reimbursed to Nant for amounts collected from third parties under commingled revenue contracts 818 6,065 Amounts collected from third parties under commingled revenue contracts (558) (5,447) Accounts receivable balance from NantMedia at quarter end (1) $ 6,015 $ 10,775 (1) - The accounts receivable from NantMedia balance as of March 29, 2020 consists of $3.4 million of charges which had been billed and $2.6 million of charges which had not been billed as of that date.

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	NOTE 6: INVENTORIES Inventories at March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands): March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019 Newsprint $ 4,289 $ 4,510 Supplies and other 507 310 Total inventories $ 4,796 $ 4,820 Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value determined using the first-in, first-out basis for all inventories.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS

LONG-LIVED ASSETS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
LONG-LIVED ASSETS	NOTE 7: LONG-LIVED ASSETS Tribune reviews long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and lease ROU assets for impairment annually on the first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired, in accordance with ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” For the first quarter of 2020, the Company identified the market effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as an economic indicator that an interim evaluation was required for certain asset groups. Under ASC Topic 360, an impairment exists if the carrying value of an asset group exceeds its fair value and is considered not recoverable. As a result of the Company’s evaluation, the Company determined the carrying value for the long-lived assets for the New York Daily News Media Group were impaired. To determine the fair value of the long-lived assets for the New York Daily News , the Company valued the production assets and real estate using the market approach. The remaining assets were valued under an income approach. Estimates of fair value include Level 3 inputs as they are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and are made at a specific point in time. Thus, changes in key assumptions from period to period could significantly affect the estimates of fair value. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $16.1 million related to property, plant and equipment, $14.5 million related to lease ROU assets and $4.0 million related to other long-lived assets. The impairment charges resulted primarily from a decline in the fair value due to lower projected cash flows versus historical estimates.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	NOTE 8: GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill and other intangible assets at March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, consisted of the following (in thousands): March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019 Gross Amount Accumulated Net Amount Gross Amount Accumulated Net Amount Goodwill $ 115,197 $ 115,197 $ 117,675 $ 117,675 Newspaper mastheads (1) $ 27,735 $ — $ 27,735 $ 34,826 $ — $ 34,826 Subscribers (useful life of 2 to 10 years) 7,312 (5,813) 1,499 7,312 (5,642) 1,670 Advertiser relationships (useful life of 2 to 13 years) 27,648 (15,630) 12,018 27,648 (15,002) 12,646 Trade names (useful life of 20 years) 15,100 (4,282) 10,818 15,100 (4,093) 11,007 Other (useful life of 1 to 20 years) 16,181 (7,904) 8,277 16,181 (7,165) 9,016 Total intangible assets $ 93,976 $ (33,629) $ 60,347 $ 101,067 $ (31,902) $ 69,165 Software (useful life of 2 to 10 years) $ 143,088 $ (122,588) $ 20,500 $ 140,727 $ (119,991) $ 20,736 (1) - Intangible assets not subject to amortization. Tribune reviews goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually on the first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.” For the first quarter of 2020, the Company identified the market effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as an economic indicator that an interim evaluation was required. Under ASC Topic 350, the impairment review of goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization must be based on estimated fair values. Impairment would occur when the carrying amount of a reporting unit with recorded goodwill or an individual masthead is greater than its fair value. The Company has determined that the reporting units at which goodwill will be evaluated are the eight newspaper media groups, TCA and BestReviews. Estimates of fair value include Level 3 inputs as they are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and are made at a specific point in time. Thus, changes in key assumptions from period to period could significantly affect the estimates of fair value. Significant assumptions used in the fair value estimates include projected revenues and related growth rates over time (for the first quarter 2020 impairment test, the perpetuity growth (decline) rates used ranged from (22.1)% to 2.4%), forecasted revenue growth rates (for the first quarter 2020 impairment test, forecasted revenue growth (decline) ranged from (29.0)% to 17.9%), projected operating cash flow margins, estimated tax rates, depreciation expense, capital expenditures, required working capital needs, and an appropriate risk-adjusted weighted-average cost of capital (for the first quarter 2020, the weighted average cost of capital used was 10.0% for print and ranged from 12.3% to 13.3% for digital properties). As of March 29, 2020, the Orlando Sentinel Media Group and the Sun Sentinel Media Group’s carrying values exceeded their fair values and the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The impairment charges resulted primarily from a decline in the fair value due to lower projected cash flows versus historical estimates. After these impairment charges, the calculated fair value of the Company’s reporting units with remaining goodwill balances exceeded their carrying values by at least 85.0%, except for the New York Daily News Media Group, which has a negative carrying value and goodwill of $1.4 million. As of March 29, 2020, the accumulated goodwill impairment charges to date are $18.8 million. For mastheads, the calculated fair value includes Level 3 inputs and was determined using the royalty savings method. The key assumptions used in the fair value estimates under the royalty savings method are revenue and market growth, royalty rates for newspaper mastheads (for first quarter 2020, the royalty rate used ranged from 0.8% to 4.9%), estimated tax rates, an appropriate risk-adjusted weighted-average cost of capital (for the first quarter 2020, the weighted average cost of capital used was 10.0% for print and ranged from 12.3% to 13.3% for digital properties). These assumptions reflect Tribune’s best estimates, but these items involve inherent uncertainties based on market conditions generally outside of Tribune’s control. For mastheads as of the measurement date, the calculated fair value exceeded the carrying value by more than 100% in all instances, except for the Sun Sentinel Media Group and the New York Daily News Media Group. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Sun Sentinel Media Group and the New York Daily News Media Group masthead carrying values exceeded their fair values and the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $6.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill and newspaper mastheads during the three months ended March 29, 2020 is as follows (in thousands) : Goodwill Newspaper mastheads Balance at December 29, 2019 $ 117,675 $ 34,826 Impairment (2,478) (7,091) Balance at March 29, 2020 $ 115,197 $ 27,735

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act permits deferral of the payment of certain taxes due in 2020, including the employer portion of social security tax. The Company elected to defer payment of the employer portion of social security tax. The CARES Act also included tax law changes such as net operating loss carryback changes and changes in depreciation of qualified improvement property that impact the Company. The Company will continue to assess the effect of the CARES Act and ongoing other government legislation related to COVID-19 that may be issued. The Company has early adopted ASU 2019-12 which eliminates the rule that limited the interim tax benefit to the tax benefit expected for the year. The adoption has no affect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements with the exception of the change in the interim period tax calculation, which resulted in the Company recording an additional interim tax benefit of $8.8 million for the three months ended March 29, 2020. Additionally, the current period includes a $0.8 million benefit from the CARES Act relating to the carryback of a loss to a period with a higher tax rate. For the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company recorded income tax benefit of $17.7 million which includes the impact of the CARES Act and the early adoption of ASU 2019-12. The effective tax rate on pretax income was 28.7% in the three months ended March 29, 2020. For the three months ended March 29, 2020, the rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit, income from noncontrolling interest, tax expense related to vesting of stock compensation, non-deductible goodwill impairment and other non-deductible expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $2.9 million. The effective tax rate on pretax income was 37.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2019. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit, and non-deductible expenses.

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMEN

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	NOTE 10: PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Multiemployer Pension Plans The Company contributes to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover its union-represented employees. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company made contributions totaling $0.7 million to the Teamsters Local Union No. 727 Pension Fund (the “Teamsters Fund”), pursuant to its amended rehabilitation plan. The Company expects to contribute an additional $7.4 million during the remainder of 2020. These payments are expensed as the payments become due. Defined Benefit Plans The Company is the sponsor of a single-employer defined benefit plan, the Daily News Retirement Plan (the “NYDN Pension Plan”). The NYDN Pension Plan provides benefits to certain current and former employees of the New York Daily News . As of March 31, 2018, future benefits under the NYDN Pension Plan were frozen and no new participants are permitted after that time. The Company contributed $0.6 million to the NYDN Pension Plan in the three months ended March 29, 2020. The Company’s remaining required minimum contributions for 2020 are $2.6 million. The CARES Act allows companies to defer making the required minimum contributions until January 1, 2021. Should companies defer making contributions, such deferred contributions accrue interest from the original due date through the payment date. Subsequent to quarter end, the Company deferred its April 2020 pension contribution. The components of net periodic benefit for the NYDN Pension Plan are as follows (in thousands): Three months ended Affected Line Items in the Consolidated Statements of Loss March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Service Cost $ — $ 80 Compensation Interest cost 550 811 Other income, net Expected return on assets (946) (1,168) Other income, net Net periodic benefit $ (396) $ (277) Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions The Company provides postretirement health care to retirees pursuant to a number of benefit plans. The plans are frozen for new non-union employees. There is some variation in the provisions of these plans, including different provisions for lifetime maximums, prescription drug coverage and certain other benefits. The components of net periodic benefit credit for the Company’s postretirement health care and life insurance plans are as follows (in thousands): Three months ended Affected Line Items in the Consolidated Statements of Loss March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Service Cost $ 3 $ 4 Compensation Interest cost 6 10 Other income, net Amortization of prior service credits (35) (82) Other income, net Amortization of actuarial gains 3 — Other income, net Net periodic benefit $ (23) $ (68)

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	NOTE 11: NONCONTROLLING INTEREST The noncontrolling interest represents the 40% membership interest in BestReviews not owned by the Company. In connection with acquisition of BestReviews, the Company and the seller entered into an amended and restated limited liability company agreement of BestReviews (the “LLC Agreement”). Subject to the terms of the LLC Agreement, the Company had the right to purchase all (but not less than all) of the remaining 40% of the membership interests of BestReviews (the “Call Option”). In addition, the Company was entitled to exercise a one-time right to purchase 25% of the units of membership interest of BestReviews retained by the seller with terms identical to those applicable to the Call Option. The seller also had the right, beginning three years after closing date of the acquisition, to cause the Company to purchase all (but not less than all) of the remaining 40% of the membership interests of BestReviews (the “Put Option”) at a purchase price to be determined in the same manner as if the Call Option was exercised. In prior periods, the noncontrolling interest was presented between liabilities and stockholders’ equity within the Company’s consolidated condensed balance sheets because the Put Option described above could, upon exercise, have required the Company, under certain circumstances, to pay cash to purchase the noncontrolling interest. Each quarter, the carrying value of noncontrolling interest was adjusted to the amount the Company would have been required to pay the noncontrolling interest holders as if the Put Option had been exercised as of the balance sheet date, with an offsetting adjustment to stockholders’ equity. Adjustments to increase or decrease the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest also reduced or increased the amount of net income or loss attributable to Tribune common stockholders for purposes of determining both basic and diluted earnings per share. On February 3, 2020, the Company and the seller amended the LLC Agreement to, among other things, remove the Put Option and Call Option sections of the LLC Agreement. This amendment eliminates the requirement as of that date in fiscal 2020 and in future periods to adjust the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest to the amount the Company would be required to pay to acquire the noncontrolling interest. Additionally, due to elimination of the Put Option, the noncontrolling interest has been reclassified to the Stockholders’ Equity section of the consolidated balance sheet. During the three months ended March 29, 2020 , the Company recorded a carrying value adjustment of $0.3 million related to the period prior to amendment of the LLC Agreement. A summary of the activity with respect to noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 29, 2020 is as follows (in thousands): Balance at December 29, 2019 $ 63,501 Carrying value adjustment 322 Income attributable to noncontrolling interest 310 Reclassification of noncontrolling interest from temporary equity (64,133) Balance at March 29, 2020 $ — The income attributable to the noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 29, 2020 was $1.3 million with $0.3 million attributed to the noncontrolling interest before the February 3, 2020 amendment as presented above and $1.0 million attributed to the noncontrolling interest after the February 3, 2020 amendment as presented in the Consolidated Statement of Equity. Subsequent to the February 3, 2020 amendment, BestReviews declared dividends of $13.0 million to its stockholders. The Company’s portion of these dividends was $7.8 million and the noncontrolling stockholders’ portion was $5.2 million. This dividend is presented in the Consolidated Statement of Equity.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	NOTE 12: EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Tribune common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is similarly calculated, except that the calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed issuance of common shares under equity-based compensation plans, except where the inclusion of such common shares would have an anti-dilutive impact. In periods where there is a loss from operations, all potential common shares are considered anti-dilutive. Basic and diluted earnings per common share were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three months ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Income (loss) - Numerator: Net loss $ (44,006) $ (4,714) Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,330 (39) Less: Noncontrolling interest carrying value adjustment 322 — Net loss attributable to Tribune common stockholders $ (45,658) $ (4,675) Shares - Denominator: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic) 36,294 35,628 Dilutive effect of employee stock options and RSUs — — Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) 36,294 35,628 Net loss available to Tribune common stockholders, per common share: Basic $ (1.26) $ (0.13) Diluted $ (1.26) $ (0.13) The number of stock options that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would result in an anti-dilutive effect on per share amounts was 584,940 and 924,887 for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively. The number of RSUs that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would result in an anti-dilutive effect on per share amounts was 654,561 and 1,224,481 for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	NOTE 13: STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Dividends On February 19, 2020, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock outstanding. The cash dividend of $9.1 million was paid on March 16, 2020, to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2020. Additionally, the Company accrued dividend equivalents of $0.2 million for RSUs outstanding as of the record date. Stock Repurchases On March 13, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized $25.0 million to be used for stock repurchases for 24 months from the date of authorization. No repurchases were made in the three months ended March 29, 2020. Significant Shareholders Alden Funds Alden Global Opportunities Master Fund, L.P. and Alden Global Value Recovery Master Fund, L.P. (together, the “Alden Funds”) beneficially own 11,544,213 shares of Tribune common stock, which represented 31.7% of the outstanding shares of Tribune common stock as of March 29, 2020. During November 2019, the Alden Funds acquired 11,544,213 shares of the Company’s common stock. Of those shares, 9,071,529 shares were purchased from Merrick Media and Michael W. Ferro, previously the Company’s non-executive Chairman of the Board, in a private transaction and the remaining shares were purchased on the open market. On December 1, 2019, the Company entered into a Cooperation Agreement (“Cooperation Agreement”) with the Alden Funds pursuant to which the Board of Directors of the Company agreed to increase the size of the Board to eight directors and promptly appoint two designees from the Alden Funds (“Alden Designees”) as directors of the Company. Additionally, until June 30, 2020 (“Cooperation Period”), the size of the Board of Directors will not be increased above eight members. Among other provisions, the Cooperation Agreement further provides that during the Cooperation Period, the Alden Funds and their affiliates will be subject to customary standstill restrictions, including (among others) refraining from (i) acquiring securities of the Company if it would result in their ownership of more than 33.0% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, $0.01 par value; (ii) soliciting proxies to vote any securities of the Company; (iii) forming or participating in a “group” in connection with the Company’s voting securities or (iv) otherwise acting alone, or in concert with others, to seek to control or knowingly influence the management, Board of Directors or policies of the Company; provided that such prohibitions terminate if (a) a person or group that owns more than 15.0% of the issued and outstanding common stock (a “Related Party Investor”) (x) makes any proposal (other than a precatory proposal) at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders or otherwise acts alone, or in concert with others, to seek to control or knowingly influence the management, Board of Directors or policies of the Company, (y) cooperates or otherwise acts in concert with the Board of Directors to nominate or elect a director that is proposed by, or is an employee or affiliate of, such Related Party Investor, or (z) acquires beneficial ownership of shares of common stock representing an additional 5.0% or more of the issued and outstanding common stock; (b) the Company enters into a material agreement with any Related Party Investor, other than on arms’ length terms (a “Related Party Agreement”) or alters, amends or modifies in any way a Related Party Agreement, other than on terms no less favorable to the Company than would be obtainable through arms’-length negotiations with a hypothetically similarly situated bona fide third-party; (c) the Company amends, waives or fails to enforce, the terms of any voting agreement or standstill agreement between the Company and a Related Party Investor other than such amendments or waivers that, taken as a whole, make the agreement more restrictive on the Related Party Investor or (d) the Alden Designees are not nominated for election at, or are not elected at, the Company’s 2020 stockholder meeting. During the Cooperation Period, the Alden Funds and their respective affiliates will vote their shares of common stock in favor of any of the Board’s director nominees and against the removal of any such directors. Nant Capital, LLC Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a former director of the Company, together with Nant Capital, LLC (“Nant Capital”), beneficially own 8,743,619 shares of Tribune common stock, which represented 24.0% of the outstanding shares of Tribune common stock as of March 29, 2020. California Capital Equity, LLC (“CalCap”) directly owns all of the equity interests of Nant Capital, and CalCap may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by Nant Capital. Dr. Soon-Shiong directly owns all of the equity interests of CalCap and may be deemed to beneficially own and share voting power and investment power with Nant Capital over all shares of Tribune common stock beneficially owned by Nant Capital. Under the Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 22, 2016, among the Company, Nant Capital and Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong (“Nant Purchase Agreement”), Nant Capital and Dr. Soon-Shiong and their respective affiliates are prohibited, without the prior written approval of the Board of Directors, from acquiring additional equity of the Company if the acquisition could result in their beneficial ownership of more than 25.0% of the Company’s then-outstanding shares of common stock. This prohibition expired on June 1, 2019. The Nant Purchase Agreement also includes covenants perpetually prohibiting the transfer of shares of the Company’s common stock if the transfer would result in a person beneficially owning more than 4.9% of the Company’s then-outstanding shares of common stock following the transfer, as well as transfers to a material competitor of the Company in any of the Company’s then-existing primary geographical markets. On January 17, 2019, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, NantMedia Holdings, LLC and Nant Capital entered into a Standstill and Voting Agreement (“Standstill Agreement”) with the Company. The Standstill Agreement provides that until June 30, 2020, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Nant Media, and Nant Capital will not (a) make or participate in any solicitation of proxies to vote, or seek to advise or knowingly influence any person with respect to the voting of any voting securities of the Company, (b) join or participate in a “group” (as defined in the rules of the SEC) in connection with any securities of the Company or (c) seek to control or knowingly influence the management, board of directors or policies of the Company. Furthermore, under the Standstill Agreement, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Nant Media and Nant Capital will, until June 30, 2020, vote their shares of common stock (a) in favor of each nominee or director designated by the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors at each election of directors and (b) in accordance with the Board’s recommendations on any change of control transaction involving the Company at or above a minimum purchase price. The Company recorded a charge to non-operating expense during the three months ended March 31, 2019 for $0.5 million related to the Standstill Agreement.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	NOTE 14: ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three months ended March 29, 2020, where applicable (in thousands): Foreign Currency OPEB Pension Total Balance at December 29, 2019 $ (60) $ 42 $ (2,334) $ (2,352) Amounts reclassified from AOCI — (23) — (23) Balance at March 29, 2020 $ (60) $ 19 $ (2,334) $ (2,375) The following table presents the amounts and line items in the Consolidated Statements of Loss where adjustments reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were recorded during the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 (in thousands): Three months ended Affected Line Items in the Consolidated Statements of Loss March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments: Amortization of prior service credits $ (35) $ (82) Other income, net Amortization of actuarial gains 3 — Other income, net Total before taxes (32) (82) Tax effect (9) (23) Income tax expense (benefit) Total reclassifications for the period $ (23) $ (59)

CONTINGENCIES

CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 15: CONTINGENCIES The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. The legal entities comprising our operations are defendants from time to time in actions for matters arising out of their business operations. In addition, the legal entities comprising our operations are involved from time to time as parties in various regulatory, environmental and other proceedings with governmental authorities and administrative agencies. Subsequent to March 29, 2020 and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company withheld payment of April, May and June rent related to a majority of its facilities and requested rent relief from the lessors in various forms, including rent abatement, lease restructuring or lease terminations. The terms of the Company’s facility leases generally provide the lessors a number of remedies for late payment, including late fees, interest on amounts past due, the right to draw on any letter of credit supporting the lease, the right to terminate the lease with termination payments, including acceleration of certain future rents net of landlord mitigation amounts, or the right to terminate our possession of the facility, among others. The Company has been notified by a number of lessors that it is in default and is negotiating with such lessors on terms of the rent relief and the lessors’ remedies.

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMAT

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	NOTE 16: SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Supplemental cash flow information for each of the periods presented is as follows (in thousands): Three months ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 258 $ — Income taxes, net of refunds (1,392) (141) The Company established restricted cash to collateralize outstanding letters of credit related primarily to workers’ compensation obligations. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as reported within the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets that sum to the cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands): March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019 Cash $ 48,791 $ 60,963 Restricted cash 37,290 37,290 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 86,081 $ 98,253

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND B_2

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Fiscal Periods	Fiscal Periods —The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. Fiscal year 2020 ends on December 27, 2020 and fiscal year 2019 ended on December 29, 2019. Fiscal year 2020 and 2019 are 52-week years with 13 weeks in each quarter.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation —T he accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes of the Company have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ( “ U.S. GAAP ”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of Tribune as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, and the cash flows for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively. This includes all normal and recurring adjustments and elimination of intercompany transactions. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The year-end Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The Company assesses its operating segments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 280, “ Segment Reporting .” In the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company realigned its operations, combining the print and digital operations of its media groups together under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer, who is also the chief operating decision maker for Tribune, as defined in ASC Topic 280. As a result of the realignment, beginning in the first quarter of 2020, the Company no longer reports separate segment results for its print and digital operations. Prior to the first quarter of fiscal 2020, Tribune was managed by its chief operating decision maker as two segments, segment M and segment X.
New Accounting Standards	Accounting standards adopted in 2020 —In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 changes the impairment model for most financial assets and requires the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured as amortized cost. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this standard effective the beginning of fiscal year 2020 and the adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 2 for additional information related to the expected credit losses. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Topic 740, Income Taxes , which simplifies accounting for income taxes (“ASU-2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 eliminates certain exceptions related to intraperiod tax allocation, the interim period tax calculation and deferred tax liabilities. ASU 2019-12 is applied prospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the standard effective the beginning of fiscal year 2020. See Note 9 for additional information related to the Company’s income taxes.
Expected Credit Losses	Tribune holds financial assets in the form of accounts receivable that are primarily generated from advertising revenues, certain circulation-related revenues and commercial print and delivery revenues, and are grouped as such. The accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts are analyzed under the expected credit losses method. Payment
Revenue Recognition	Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for goods or services. Revenues are recognized as performance obligations are satisfied at either a point in time, such as when an advertisement is published, or over time, such as content licensing.

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES (Tables)

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Summary of Accounts Receivable Allowances Activity	A summary of the activity with respect to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three months ended March 29, 2020 is as follows (in thousands) : Accounts receivable allowance balance at December 29, 2019 $ 9,674 Current period provision 2,979 Write offs (1,506) Sales adjustments, net (70) Accounts receivable allowance balance at March 29, 2020 $ 11,077
Schedule of Accounts Receivable, Net	Accounts receivable, net, at March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019 , consisted of the following (in thousands) : March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019 Accounts receivable $ 105,342 $ 122,428 Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts 11,077 9,674 Accounts receivable, net $ 94,265 $ 112,754

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Tables)

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The Company’s revenues disaggregated by type of revenue is as follows (in thousands): Three months ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Print $ 57,914 $ 75,853 Digital 18,902 20,915 Advertising 76,816 96,768 Print 81,191 86,681 Digital 8,821 6,194 Circulation 90,012 92,875 Commercial print & delivery 21,916 24,459 Direct mail 7,610 8,638 Content syndication and other 20,131 21,785 Other 49,657 54,882 Total operating revenues $ 216,485 $ 244,525

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS (Tables)

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Severance Accrual Activity	A summary of the activity with respect to the Company’s severance accrual for the three months ended March 29, 2020 is as follows (in thousands): Balance at December 29, 2019 $ 2,580 Provision 16,828 Payments (6,599) Balance at March 29, 2020 $ 12,809

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tab

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Summary of Transition Services Agreement Activity	A summary of the activity with respect to the TSA is as follows (in thousands): Three months ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Accounts receivable from Nant Capital beginning balance $ 6,118 $ 17,909 Revenue for TSA services 1,747 7,005 Reimbursable costs 14,999 16,346 Amounts received for TSA services (1,672) (5,866) Amounts received for reimbursable costs (15,437) (25,237) Amounts reimbursed to Nant for amounts collected from third parties under commingled revenue contracts 818 6,065 Amounts collected from third parties under commingled revenue contracts (558) (5,447) Accounts receivable balance from NantMedia at quarter end (1) $ 6,015 $ 10,775 (1) - The accounts receivable from NantMedia balance as of March 29, 2020 consists of $3.4 million of charges which had been billed and $2.6 million of charges which had not been billed as of that date.

INVENTORIES (Tables)

INVENTORIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Inventories	Inventories at March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands): March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019 Newsprint $ 4,289 $ 4,510 Supplies and other 507 310 Total inventories $ 4,796 $ 4,820

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets at March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, consisted of the following (in thousands): March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019 Gross Amount Accumulated Net Amount Gross Amount Accumulated Net Amount Goodwill $ 115,197 $ 115,197 $ 117,675 $ 117,675 Newspaper mastheads (1) $ 27,735 $ — $ 27,735 $ 34,826 $ — $ 34,826 Subscribers (useful life of 2 to 10 years) 7,312 (5,813) 1,499 7,312 (5,642) 1,670 Advertiser relationships (useful life of 2 to 13 years) 27,648 (15,630) 12,018 27,648 (15,002) 12,646 Trade names (useful life of 20 years) 15,100 (4,282) 10,818 15,100 (4,093) 11,007 Other (useful life of 1 to 20 years) 16,181 (7,904) 8,277 16,181 (7,165) 9,016 Total intangible assets $ 93,976 $ (33,629) $ 60,347 $ 101,067 $ (31,902) $ 69,165 Software (useful life of 2 to 10 years) $ 143,088 $ (122,588) $ 20,500 $ 140,727 $ (119,991) $ 20,736 (1) - Intangible assets not subject to amortization. The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill and newspaper mastheads during the three months ended March 29, 2020 is as follows (in thousands) : Goodwill Newspaper mastheads Balance at December 29, 2019 $ 117,675 $ 34,826 Impairment (2,478) (7,091) Balance at March 29, 2020 $ 115,197 $ 27,735

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_2

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Benefit for NYDN Pension Plan	The components of net periodic benefit for the NYDN Pension Plan are as follows (in thousands): Three months ended Affected Line Items in the Consolidated Statements of Loss March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Service Cost $ — $ 80 Compensation Interest cost 550 811 Other income, net Expected return on assets (946) (1,168) Other income, net Net periodic benefit $ (396) $ (277)
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Benefit Credit for Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Plans	The components of net periodic benefit credit for the Company’s postretirement health care and life insurance plans are as follows (in thousands): Three months ended Affected Line Items in the Consolidated Statements of Loss March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Service Cost $ 3 $ 4 Compensation Interest cost 6 10 Other income, net Amortization of prior service credits (35) (82) Other income, net Amortization of actuarial gains 3 — Other income, net Net periodic benefit $ (23) $ (68)

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (Tables

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest Activity	A summary of the activity with respect to noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 29, 2020 is as follows (in thousands): Balance at December 29, 2019 $ 63,501 Carrying value adjustment 322 Income attributable to noncontrolling interest 310 Reclassification of noncontrolling interest from temporary equity (64,133) Balance at March 29, 2020 $ —

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	Basic and diluted earnings per common share were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three months ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Income (loss) - Numerator: Net loss $ (44,006) $ (4,714) Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,330 (39) Less: Noncontrolling interest carrying value adjustment 322 — Net loss attributable to Tribune common stockholders $ (45,658) $ (4,675) Shares - Denominator: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic) 36,294 35,628 Dilutive effect of employee stock options and RSUs — — Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) 36,294 35,628 Net loss available to Tribune common stockholders, per common share: Basic $ (1.26) $ (0.13) Diluted $ (1.26) $ (0.13)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three months ended March 29, 2020, where applicable (in thousands): Foreign Currency OPEB Pension Total Balance at December 29, 2019 $ (60) $ 42 $ (2,334) $ (2,352) Amounts reclassified from AOCI — (23) — (23) Balance at March 29, 2020 $ (60) $ 19 $ (2,334) $ (2,375)
Schedule of Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table presents the amounts and line items in the Consolidated Statements of Loss where adjustments reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were recorded during the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 (in thousands): Three months ended Affected Line Items in the Consolidated Statements of Loss March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments: Amortization of prior service credits $ (35) $ (82) Other income, net Amortization of actuarial gains 3 — Other income, net Total before taxes (32) (82) Tax effect (9) (23) Income tax expense (benefit) Total reclassifications for the period $ (23) $ (59)

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_2

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental cash flow information for each of the periods presented is as follows (in thousands): Three months ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 258 $ — Income taxes, net of refunds (1,392) (141)
Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as reported within the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets that sum to the cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands): March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019 Cash $ 48,791 $ 60,963 Restricted cash 37,290 37,290 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 86,081 $ 98,253
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as reported within the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets that sum to the cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands): March 29, 2020 December 29, 2019 Cash $ 48,791 $ 60,963 Restricted cash 37,290 37,290 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 86,081 $ 98,253

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND B_3

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION - (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020market	Dec. 29, 2019segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of markets | market	8
Number of reportable segments | segment		2

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES - (Detai

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES - (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Accounts receivable balances outstanding, reserve percentage	100.00%
Current period provision	$ 2,979

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES - Summar

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES - Summary of Accounts Receivable Allowances Activity (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts receivable allowance balance at December 29, 2019	$ 9,674
Current period provision	2,979
Write offs	(1,506)
Sales adjustments, net	(70)
Accounts receivable allowance balance at March 29, 2020	$ 11,077

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES - Schedu

EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES - Schedule of Accounts Receivable, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	$ 105,342	$ 122,428
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	11,077	9,674
Accounts receivable, net	$ 94,265	$ 112,754

REVENUE RECOGNITION - (Details)

REVENUE RECOGNITION - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Deferred revenue		$ 45.3
Contract liabilities recognized as revenue	$ (31.5)

REVENUE RECOGNITION - Disaggreg

REVENUE RECOGNITION - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 216,485	$ 244,525
Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	76,816	96,768
Advertising | Print
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	57,914	75,853
Advertising | Digital
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	18,902	20,915
Circulation
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	90,012	92,875
Circulation | Print
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	81,191	86,681
Circulation | Digital
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	8,821	6,194
Commercial print & delivery
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	21,916	24,459
Direct mail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,610	8,638
Content syndication and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	20,131	21,785
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 49,657	$ 54,882

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS - (Detail

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS - (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)ft²position	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)positionemployee	Jul. 23, 2019USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reductions in staffing levels in operations | position	276
Restructuring charges	$ 16,828	$ 7,000
Impairment charge of lease assets	14,500
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	8,983	0
Pre-tax gain on sale of property	5,159	$ 0
Chicago and Los Angeles Office Space
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment charge of lease assets	$ 2,800
Voluntary Severance Incentive Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reductions in staffing levels in operations | position	191
Additional Restructuring
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reductions in staffing levels in operations | position		89
Separation of CEO and Executives
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 600	$ 4,000
Stock based compensation for shares which would best during salary continuation period		$ 1,500
Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reductions in staffing levels in operations | position		23
Contract Termination
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment charge of lease assets	$ 4,200
Contract Termination | Chicago Area Office Space
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Square feet of office space vacated | ft²	21,952
Contract Termination | Los Angeles Office Space
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Square feet of office space vacated | ft²	17,960
Senior Executive | Separation of CEO and Executives
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reductions in staffing levels in operations | employee		2
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Sales price for sale of real estate property			$ 9,500

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS - Summary

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS - Summary of Severance Accrual Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 2,580
Provision	16,828	$ 7,000
Payments	(6,599)
Balance at end of period	$ 12,809

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - (D

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - (Details) - Transaction Services Agreement	Jun. 18, 2018
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Transition services agreement, term	12 months
Notice period to discontinue transition services agreement	60 days

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Tr

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Transition Services Agreement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Summary of Activity in the Transition Services Agreement [Roll Forward]
Revenue for TSA services	$ 216,485	$ 244,525
Nant Media
Summary of Activity in the Transition Services Agreement [Roll Forward]
Charges which have been billed	3,400
Charges which have not been billed	2,600
Nant Media | Transaction Services Agreement
Summary of Activity in the Transition Services Agreement [Roll Forward]
Accounts receivable from Nant Capital beginning balance	6,118	17,909
Accounts receivable balance from NantMedia at quarter end	6,015	10,775
Nant Media | Revenue for TSA services
Summary of Activity in the Transition Services Agreement [Roll Forward]
Revenue for TSA services	1,747	7,005
Nant Media | Reimbursable costs
Summary of Activity in the Transition Services Agreement [Roll Forward]
Amount of related party transaction	14,999	16,346
Nant Media | Amounts received for TSA services
Summary of Activity in the Transition Services Agreement [Roll Forward]
Amount of related party transaction	(1,672)	(5,866)
Nant Media | Amounts received for reimbursable costs
Summary of Activity in the Transition Services Agreement [Roll Forward]
Amount of related party transaction	(15,437)	(25,237)
Nant Media | Amounts reimbursed to Nant for amounts collected from third parties under commingled revenue contracts
Summary of Activity in the Transition Services Agreement [Roll Forward]
Amount of related party transaction	818	6,065
Nant Media | Amounts collected from third parties under commingled revenue contracts
Summary of Activity in the Transition Services Agreement [Roll Forward]
Amount of related party transaction	$ (558)	$ (5,447)

INVENTORIES - Summary of Invent

INVENTORIES - Summary of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Newsprint	$ 4,289	$ 4,510
Supplies and other	507	310
Total inventories	$ 4,796	$ 4,820

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Details)

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment charge of lease assets	$ 14.5
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment charge related to property, plant and equipment	16.1
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment charge related to property, plant and equipment	$ 4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 115,197	$ 117,675
Newspaper mastheads	27,735	34,826
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	(33,629)	(31,902)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Gross Amount	93,976	101,067
Net Amount	60,347	69,165
Software
Net Amount	20,500	20,736
Subscribers
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross Amount	7,312	7,312
Accumulated Amortization	(5,813)	(5,642)
Net Amount	$ 1,499	1,670
Subscribers | Minimum
Software
Useful life	2 years
Subscribers | Maximum
Software
Useful life	10 years
Advertiser relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross Amount	$ 27,648	27,648
Accumulated Amortization	(15,630)	(15,002)
Net Amount	$ 12,018	12,646
Advertiser relationships | Minimum
Software
Useful life	2 years
Advertiser relationships | Maximum
Software
Useful life	13 years
Tradenames
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross Amount	$ 15,100	15,100
Accumulated Amortization	(4,282)	(4,093)
Net Amount	$ 10,818	11,007
Software
Useful life	20 years
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross Amount	$ 16,181	16,181
Accumulated Amortization	(7,904)	(7,165)
Net Amount	$ 8,277	9,016
Other | Minimum
Software
Useful life	1 year
Other | Maximum
Software
Useful life	20 years
Software
Software
Gross Amount	$ 143,088	140,727
Accumulated Amortization	(122,588)	(119,991)
Net Amount	$ 20,500	$ 20,736
Software | Minimum
Software
Useful life	2 years
Software | Maximum
Software
Useful life	10 years

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)newspaper_media_group	Dec. 29, 2019USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of newspaper media group | newspaper_media_group	8
Non-cash impairment charge	$ 2,478
Goodwill	115,197	$ 117,675
Accumulated goodwill impairment charges	18,800
Non-cash impairment charge	$ 7,091
Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Average of the Discounted Cash Flow Method and the Market Comparable Method [Member] | Print
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, measurement input	0.100
Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Royalty Savings Method | Print
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, measurement input	0.100
Minimum | Average of the Discounted Cash Flow Method and the Market Comparable Method [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Forecasted EBITDA margins	(29.00%)
Minimum | Royalty Savings Method
Goodwill [Line Items]
Royalty rate	0.80%
Minimum | Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate | Average of the Discounted Cash Flow Method and the Market Comparable Method [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, measurement input	(0.221)
Minimum | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Average of the Discounted Cash Flow Method and the Market Comparable Method [Member] | Digital
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, measurement input	0.123
Minimum | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Royalty Savings Method | Digital
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, measurement input	0.123
Maximum | Average of the Discounted Cash Flow Method and the Market Comparable Method [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Forecasted EBITDA margins	17.90%
Maximum | Royalty Savings Method
Goodwill [Line Items]
Royalty rate	4.90%
Maximum | Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate | Average of the Discounted Cash Flow Method and the Market Comparable Method [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, measurement input	0.024
Maximum | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Average of the Discounted Cash Flow Method and the Market Comparable Method [Member] | Digital
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, measurement input	0.133
Maximum | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Royalty Savings Method | Digital
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, measurement input	0.133
All Reporting Units Excluding New York Daily News Media Group
Goodwill [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value in excess of carrying amount	85.00%
New York Daily News Media Group
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 1,400
Non-cash impairment charge	800
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
Goodwill [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge	1,300
Sun Sentinel Media Group
Goodwill [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge	1,100
Non-cash impairment charge	$ 6,300
All Reporting Units Excluding Sun Sentinel Media Group and New York Daily News Media Group | Royalty Savings Method | Newspaper Mastheads
Goodwill [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value in excess of carrying amount	100.00%

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Changes in Carrying Amounts of Goodwill and Newspaper Mastheads (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)
Goodwill
Balance at December 29, 2019	$ 117,675
Impairment	(2,478)
Balance at March 29, 2020	115,197
Newspaper mastheads
Balance at December 29, 2019	34,826
Impairment	(7,091)
Balance at March 29, 2020	$ 27,735

INCOME TAXES - (Details)

INCOME TAXES - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (17,682)	$ (2,882)
Income tax benefit loss carryback from the CARES Act	$ 800
Effective tax rate on pretax income, percent	28.70%	37.90%
Accounting Standards Update 2019-12
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (8,800)

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_3

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS - (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)
Pension Plan | NYDN Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension contribution	$ 0.6
Expected future contributions for rest of current year	2.6
Chicago Newspaper Publishers Drivers' Union Pension Plan | Multiemployer Plans, Pension
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions made by the Company to multiemployer pension plan	0.7
Expected future contribution to multiemployer plan	$ 7.4

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_4

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS - Components of Defined Benefit Plan (Details) - Pension Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service Cost	$ 0	$ 80
Interest cost	550	811
Expected return on assets	(946)	(1,168)
Net periodic benefit	$ (396)	$ (277)

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_5

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Credit for Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Plans (Details) - Other Postretirement Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service Cost	$ 3	$ 4
Interest cost	6	10
Amortization of prior service credits	(35)	(82)
Amortization of actuarial gains	3	0
Net periodic benefit	$ (23)	$ (68)

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST - (Deta

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Right to purchase membership units (percentage)	25.00%
Carrying value adjustment	$ 322	$ 0
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,330	$ (39)
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	310
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,000
Dividends declared	7,800
Noncontrolling shareholders' portion of dividends declared	5,200
BestReviews LLC
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Dividends declared	$ 13,000
BestReviews LLC
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	40.00%

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST - Nonco

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST - Noncontrolling Interest Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 29, 2019	$ 63,501
Carrying value adjustment	322	$ 0
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	310
Reclassification of noncontrolling interest from temporary equity	(64,133)
Balance at March 29, 2020	$ 0

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Basic and

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income (loss) - Numerator:
Net loss	$ (44,006)	$ (4,714)
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,330	(39)
Less: Noncontrolling interest carrying value adjustment	322	0
Net loss attributable to Tribune common stockholders	$ (45,658)	$ (4,675)
Shares - Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic) (in shares)	36,294	35,628
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and RSUs (in shares)	0	0
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) (in shares)	36,294	35,628
Net loss available to Tribune common stockholders, per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.26)	$ (0.13)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.26)	$ (0.13)

EARNINGS PER SHARE - (Details)

EARNINGS PER SHARE - (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Option
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of EPS (in shares)	584,940	924,887
RSU
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of EPS (in shares)	654,561	1,224,481

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - (Details

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - (Details)	Mar. 16, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 02, 2020USD ($)	Feb. 19, 2020$ / shares	Mar. 13, 2019USD ($)	May 22, 2016	Nov. 30, 2019shares	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2020numberOfBoardMembers	Dec. 29, 2019$ / shares	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Special cash dividend declared (in usd per share) | $ / shares			$ 0.25
Cash dividend paid | $	$ 9,100,000						$ 9,305,000
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount | $				$ 25,000,000			$ 0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares							$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Charge to non-operating expense | $										$ 500,000
Subsequent Event | Maximum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of board members | numberOfBoardMembers								8
Merrick Shares purchase agreement | Private Placement | Mr. Ferro | Beneficial Owner
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares issued (in shares) | shares						9,071,529
Beneficial ownership by related party, common shares owned (in shares) | shares							11,544,213
Beneficial ownership by related party, percentage of common stock owned							31.70%
Acquisition of Shares by Adlen | Private Placement | Alden Funds | Affiliated Entity
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares issued (in shares) | shares						11,544,213
Cooperation Agreement | Private Placement | Beneficial Owner | Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership of outstanding shares								33.00%
Maximum ownership percentage								15.00%
Additional percentage of outstanding shares								5.00%
Nant Rights Purchase Agreement | Private Placement | Beneficial Owner
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Maximum percentage of outstanding shares					25.00%
Maximum ownership percentage					4.90%
Nant Rights Purchase Agreement | Private Placement | Dr. Soon-Shiong | Beneficial Owner
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Beneficial ownership by related party, common shares owned (in shares) | shares							8,743,619
Beneficial ownership by related party, percentage of common stock owned							24.00%
RSU
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Accrued dividend equivalents for RSUs | $		$ 200,000

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	$ (23)
Foreign Currency
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(60)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0
Balance at end of period	(60)
OPEB/Pension | Other Postretirement Plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	42
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(23)
Balance at end of period	19
OPEB/Pension | Pension Plan
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(2,334)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0
Balance at end of period	(2,334)
AOCI
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(2,352)
Balance at end of period	$ (2,375)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_4

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - Reclassifications (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments	$ (96,828)	$ (97,709)
Tax effect	(17,682)	(2,882)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications for the period	(23)	(59)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Amortization of prior service credits
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments	(35)	(82)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Amortization of actuarial gains
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments	3	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated defined benefit plans adjustment attributable to parent
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before taxes	(32)	(82)
Tax effect	$ (9)	$ (23)

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_3

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION - Summary of Supplemental Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$ 258	$ 0
Income taxes, net of refunds	$ (1,392)	$ (141)

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_4

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION - Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash	$ 48,791	$ 60,963
Restricted cash	37,290	37,290
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$ 86,081	$ 98,253