Belo 10-Q 31 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 28, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'BLC	'
Entity Registrant Name	'BELO CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000356080	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	104,120,990
Series A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	95,866,339
Series B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	8,254,651

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net Operating Revenues	$166,192	$176,273	$500,037	$509,790
Operating Costs and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits	55,084	54,776	167,162	166,912
Station programming and other operating costs	50,695	50,520	147,615	143,911
Corporate operating costs	10,920	7,501	32,477	23,783
Depreciation	7,129	7,528	21,232	22,462
Total operating costs and expenses	123,828	120,325	368,486	357,068
Earnings from operations	42,364	55,948	131,551	152,722
Other Income and (Expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-14,538	-17,683	-43,715	-53,059
Other income, net	989	497	1,718	2,376
Total other income and (expense)	-13,549	-17,186	-41,997	-50,683
Earnings before income taxes	28,815	38,762	89,554	102,039
Income tax expense	9,720	14,148	31,920	37,300
Net earnings	19,095	24,614	57,634	64,739
Less: Net (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	'	-203	'	-301
Net earnings attributable to Belo Corp.	$19,095	$24,817	$57,634	$65,040
Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.18	$0.24	$0.55	$0.62
Diluted	$0.18	$0.24	$0.55	$0.62
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic	104,019	103,120	103,804	103,607
Diluted	104,899	103,420	104,566	103,914
Dividends declared per share	$0.16	$0.16	$0.24	$0.24

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME1

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	$19,095	$24,614	$57,634	$64,739
Other comprehensive income:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax	771	624	2,313	1,872
Comprehensive income	19,866	25,238	59,947	66,611
Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	'	-203	'	-301
Comprehensive income attributable to Belo Corp.	$19,866	$25,441	$59,947	$66,912

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_BALANCE

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and temporary cash investments	$28,196	$9,437
Accounts receivable, net	137,166	140,605
Other current assets	15,476	17,757
Total current assets	180,838	167,799
Property, plant and equipment, net	146,314	146,522
Intangible assets, net	725,399	725,399
Goodwill	423,873	423,873
Other assets	36,682	35,999
Total assets	1,513,106	1,499,592
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	16,099	20,348
Accrued expenses	48,920	42,057
Short-term pension obligation	8,200	20,000
Accrued interest payable	14,142	9,123
Income taxes payable	3,607	9,043
Dividends payable	8,390	8,331
Deferred revenue	3,874	2,911
Total current liabilities	103,232	111,813
Long-term debt	712,599	733,025
Deferred income taxes	266,938	257,864
Pension obligation	75,659	86,590
Other liabilities	11,725	10,576
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 5,000 shares; none issued	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 450,000 shares	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	1,097,752	1,089,764
Accumulated deficit	-663,789	-696,269
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-92,051	-94,364
Total Belo Corp. shareholders' equity	342,953	300,164
Noncontrolling interests	'	-440
Total shareholders' equity	342,953	299,724
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,513,106	1,499,592
Series A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 450,000 shares	'	'
Common stock	958	950
Series B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 450,000 shares	'	'
Common stock	$83	$83

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_BALANCE1

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	450,000	450,000
Series A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	95,866	95,036
Series B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	8,255	8,282

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME2

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operations	'	'
Net earnings	$57,634	$64,739
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operations:	'	'
Depreciation	21,232	22,462
Loss on dissolution of non-controlling interest	440	'
Pension contributions	-20,000	-14,926
Deferred income taxes	8,087	14,086
Employee retirement benefit expense	804	1,992
Share-based compensation	8,929	4,094
Other non-cash items	1,637	1,684
Equity income from partnerships	-2,052	-1,444
Other, net	642	1,720
Net change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	2,680	13,871
Income tax receivable	'	31,615
Other current assets and other assets	1,188	2,561
Accounts payable	-4,249	-3,291
Accrued expenses	4,981	10,349
Accrued interest payable	5,018	7,722
Income taxes payable	-5,435	-8,668
Net cash provided by operations	81,536	148,566
Investments	'	'
Capital expenditures	-20,578	-15,483
Other investments, net	85	-795
Net cash used for investments	-20,493	-16,278
Financing	'	'
Net proceeds from revolving debt	73,400	'
Payments on revolving debt	-94,400	'
Dividends paid on common stock	-25,096	-21,780
Common stock repurchased	'	-5,964
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,096	124
Excess tax benefit from option exercises	716	117
Net cash used for financing	-42,284	-27,503
Net increase in cash and temporary cash investments	18,759	104,785
Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period	9,437	61,118
Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period	$28,196	$165,903

Business_Organization_Consolid

Business Organization, Consolidation and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Business Organization, Consolidation and Significant Accounting Policies	'
	-1	The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of Belo Corp. and subsidiaries (the Company or Belo) include equity investments, in which Belo owns a greater than 50% interest. The consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
	Belo considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less to be temporary cash investments. Such temporary cash investments are carried at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 1 inputs.
	The Company’s operating segments are defined as its television stations and cable news channels within a given market. The Company has determined that all of its operating segments meet the criteria under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 280-10 to be aggregated into one reporting segment.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	All amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated.

Merger_and_Acquisition

Merger and Acquisition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Merger and Acquisition	'
	-2	On June 12, 2013, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (Merger Agreement) with Gannett Co., Inc., (Gannett), and Delta Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gannett (Merger Sub). The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (Merger), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gannett. The Merger Agreement also contemplates that simultaneous with the completion of the Merger, Gannett will undertake a restructuring whereby certain television stations owned by the Company will be transferred to qualified third-party purchasers under asset purchase and related agreements.
	Subject to the terms and conditions in the Merger Agreement, which has been approved by the boards of directors of the Company, Gannett and Merger Sub, and by the Company’s shareholders, at the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding share of the Company’s Series A and Series B common stock, other than shares owned by a shareholder exercising appraisal rights and shares owned by the Company, any Company subsidiary, Gannett or Merger Sub, will be converted into the right to receive $13.75 in cash, without interest. The Merger Agreement also provides that at the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding stock option of the Company, whether vested or unvested, will be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash without interest equal to the product of the excess, if any, of the merger consideration over the applicable exercise price per share of such stock option multiplied by the number of shares of common stock for which such stock option may be exercised, and each outstanding restricted stock unit (RSU), whether vested or unvested, will be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the number of shares of common stock subject to such RSU multiplied by the merger consideration in respect of such share, plus any accrued but unpaid dividend equivalents.
	The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties from the Company, Gannett and Merger Sub, and each party has agreed to customary covenants, including, among others, covenants relating to the conduct of the Company’s business during the interim period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement provides certain termination rights for both the Company and Gannett.
	On July 24, 2013, certain media advocacy groups petitioned the FCC to not consent to the Merger. Also on July 24, 2013, a cable association and certain cable and satellite service providers petitioned the FCC to not consent to the Merger or in the alternative, condition the FCC’s consent. The Company believes the petitions are without merit and has opposed them.
	On August 22, 2013, the Company and Gannett each received a request for additional information and documents (also known as “second requests”) from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, in connection with the proposed merger with Gannett. Gannett and Belo are responding promptly to the second requests and continue working cooperatively with the DOJ as it conducts its review of the proposed Merger.
	The Company received shareholder approval for the Merger on September 25, 2013. Completion of the Merger is subject to certain customary conditions, including (1) receipt of required regulatory approvals, including the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and FCC consent for the transactions, (2) completion of the restructuring, and (3) the absence of any order or injunction prohibiting the completion of the transactions. Each party’s obligation to complete the Merger is also subject to certain additional customary conditions, including (i) subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party and (ii) the performance in all material respects by the other party of its obligations under the Merger Agreement. The Merger is expected to close following the receipt of such required regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
	Certain contingent costs relating to the Merger are not reflected in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2013. These contingent costs include a $9,500 transaction fee due to RBC Capital Markets, LLC upon consummation of the Merger.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	-3	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires companies to report, in one place, information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). Companies are also required to present reclassifications by component when reporting changes in AOCI balances. The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012. This ASU affects presentation only and has no effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	-4	Belo and A. H. Belo Corporation (A. H. Belo), which have three common directors, are considered related parties under accounting rules. The Company has no ownership interest in A. H. Belo or in any of A. H. Belo’s newspaper businesses or related assets, and A. H. Belo has no ownership interest in the Company or any of the Company’s television station businesses or related assets. Subsequent to the Company’s 2008 spin-off of A. H. Belo, the Company’s relationship with A. H. Belo is governed by certain agreements between the two companies or their respective subsidiaries. Although the services provided pursuant to these agreements generated cash flows between Belo and A. H. Belo, the amounts were not significant to the ongoing operations of the Company. Under the services agreements, the Company and A. H. Belo (or their respective subsidiaries) provided each other various services and/or support, substantially all of which have ceased as of September 30, 2013. Belo and A. H. Belo co-own certain investments in third party businesses, which are recorded as either equity or cost method investments and are included in other assets. The amount of income from the third party investments included in the Company’s net earnings is immaterial.

Earning_Per_Share

Earning Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earning Per Share	'
	-5	The following table sets forth the reconciliation between weighted average shares used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Income (Numerator)
	Net earnings attributable to Belo Corp.		$	19,095		$	24,817		$	57,634		$	65,040
	Less: Income to participating securities			(140	)		(348	)		(560	)		(1,014	)
	Income available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions		$	18,955		$	24,469		$	57,074		$	64,026
	Shares (Denominator)
	Weighted average shares outstanding (basic)			104,019			103,120			103,804			103,607
	Dilutive effect of employee stock options and PBRSUs			880			300			762			307
	Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding			104,899			103,420			104,566			103,914
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		$	0.18		$	0.24		$	0.55		$	0.62
	Diluted		$	0.18		$	0.24		$	0.55		$	0.62
	In calculating diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company excluded common stock options for 3,806 shares and 3,956 shares, respectively, because to include them would be anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company also excluded from the diluted EPS calculation 1,254 restricted stock units (RSUs) because they are participating securities. Additionally, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company excluded 433 performance based RSUs (PBRSUs) because to include them would be anti-dilutive.
	In calculating diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company excluded common stock options for 6,674 shares and 6,677 shares, respectively, because to include them would be anti-dilutive. Additionally, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company excluded from the diluted EPS calculation 1,253 RSUs because they are participating securities.

Long_Term_Debt

Long Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long Term Debt	'
	-6	At September 30, 2013, Belo had $712,599 in fixed-rate debt securities as follows: $272,599 of 8% Senior Notes due 2016; $200,000 of 7 3/4% Senior Debentures due 2027; and $240,000 of 7 1/4% Senior Debentures due 2027. The weighted average effective interest rate for the fixed-rate debt instruments is 7.7%.
	At September 30, 2013, Belo had variable-rate debt capacity of $200,000 under a revolving credit agreement (Credit Agreement). The Company is required to maintain certain leverage and interest ratios specified in the Credit Agreement. The leverage ratio is generally defined as the ratio of debt to cash flow and the senior leverage ratio is generally defined as the ratio of the debt under the credit facility to cash flow. The interest coverage ratio is generally defined as the ratio of interest expense to cash flow. At September 30, 2013, the Company’s leverage ratio was 2.8, its interest coverage ratio was 4.2 and its senior leverage ratio was 0.0. At September 30, 2013, there was no balance outstanding under the Credit Agreement, all funds were available for borrowing and the Company was in compliance with all debt covenant requirements.
	At September 30, 2013, the fair value of Belo’s fixed-rate debt was estimated to be $737,350. The Company’s publicly held long-term debt is classified as Level 2 inputs, because the fair value for these instruments is determined using observable inputs in non-active markets.

Schedule_of_Condensed_Financia

Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements	'
	-7	The Company’s 8% Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company’s 100%-owned subsidiaries as of the date of issuance. Accordingly, the following condensed consolidating financial statements present the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and consolidated statements of cash flows of Belo as parent, the guarantor subsidiaries consisting of Belo’s 100%-owned subsidiaries as of the date of issuance, non-guarantor subsidiaries consisting of subsidiaries subsequent to the date of issuance, and eliminations necessary to arrive at the Company’s information on a consolidated basis. These statements are presented in accordance with the disclosure requirements under Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(unaudited)
			Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
									Guarantors
	Net Operating Revenues		$	—		$	166,135		$	57		$	—		$	166,192
	Operating Costs and Expenses
	Station salaries, wages and employee benefits			—			54,830			254			—			55,084
	Station programming and other operating costs			—			50,594			101			—			50,695
	Corporate operating costs			9,654			843			423			—			10,920
	Depreciation			257			6,651			221			—			7,129
	Total operating costs and expenses			9,911			112,918			999			—			123,828
	Earnings (loss) from operations			(9,911	)		53,217			(942	)		—			42,364
	Other Income and (Expense)
	Interest expense			(14,525	)		(13	)		—			—			(14,538	)
	Intercompany interest			507			(507	)		—			—			—
	Other income (expense), net			(121	)		1,110			—			—			989
	Total other income and (expense)			(14,139	)		590			—			—			(13,549	)
	Earnings (loss) before income taxes			(24,050	)		53,807			(942	)		—			28,815
	Income tax benefit (expense)			8,307			(18,344	)		317			—			(9,720	)
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries			34,838			—			—			(34,838	)		—
	Net earnings (loss)		$	19,095		$	35,463		$	(625	)	$	(34,838	)	$	19,095
	Less: Net (loss) from non-controlling interests			—			—			—			—			—
	Net earnings (loss) attributable To Belo Corp.		$	19,095		$	35,463		$	(625	)	$	(34,838	)	$	19,095
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(unaudited)
			Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
									Guarantors
	Net earnings (loss)		$	19,095		$	35,463		$	(625	)	$	(34,838	)	$	19,095
	Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax			771			—			—			—			771
	Comprehensive income (loss)			19,866			35,463			(625	)		(34,838	)		19,866
	Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			—			—			—
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.		$	19,866		$	35,463		$	(625	)	$	(34,838	)	$	19,866
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(unaudited)
			Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
									Guarantors
	Net Operating Revenues		$	—		$	176,273		$	—		$	—		$	176,273
	Operating Costs and Expenses
	Station salaries, wages and employee benefits			—			54,755			21			—			54,776
	Station programming and other operating costs			—			50,049			471			—			50,520
	Corporate operating costs			5,906			1,204			391			—			7,501
	Depreciation			319			6,998			211			—			7,528
	Total operating costs and expenses			6,225			113,006			1,094			—			120,325
	Earnings (loss) from operations			(6,225	)		63,267			(1,094	)		—			55,948
	Other Income and (Expense)
	Interest expense			(17,677	)		(6	)		—			—			(17,683	)
	Intercompany interest			752			(752	)		—			—			—
	Other income (expense), net			(60	)		557			—			—			497
	Total other income and (expense)			(16,985	)		(201	)		—			—			(17,186	)
	Earnings (loss) before income taxes			(23,210	)		63,066			(1,094	)		—			38,762
	Income tax benefit (expense)			8,743			(23,290	)		399			—			(14,148	)
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries			39,284			—			—			(39,284	)		—
	Net earnings (loss)			24,817			39,776			(695	)		(39,284	)		24,614
	Less: Net (loss) from noncontrolling interests			—			—			(203	)		—			(203	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.		$	24,817		$	39,776		$	(492	)	$	(39,284	)	$	24,817
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(unaudited)
			Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
Guarantors
Net earnings (loss)		$	24,817		$	39,776		$	(695	)	$	(39,284	)	$	24,614
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax			624			—			—			—			624
Comprehensive income (loss)			25,441			39,776			(695	)		(39,284	)		25,238
Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(203	)		—			(203	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.		$	25,441		$	39,776		$	(492	)	$	(39,284	)	$	25,441
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
Net Operating Revenues		$	—		$	499,980		$	57		$	—		$	500,037
Operating Costs and Expenses
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits			—			166,358			804			—			167,162
Station programming and other operating costs			—			147,210			405			—			147,615
Corporate operating costs			28,140			3,119			1,218			—			32,477
Depreciation			949			19,631			652			—			21,232
Total operating costs and expenses			29,089			336,318			3,079			—			368,486
Earnings (loss) from operations			(29,089	)		163,662			(3,022	)		—			131,551
Other Income and (Expense)
Interest expense			(43,686	)		(29	)		—			—			(43,715	)
Intercompany interest			1,988			(1,988	)		—			—			—
Other income (expense), net			(1,140	)		2,840			18			—			1,718
Total other income and (expense)			(42,838	)		823			18			—			(41,997	)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes			(71,927	)		164,485			(3,004	)		—			89,554
Income tax benefit (expense)			26,346			(59,337	)		1,071			—			(31,920	)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries			103,215			—			—			(103,215	)		—
Net earnings (loss)		$	57,634		$	105,148		$	(1,933	)	$	(103,215	)	$	57,634
Less: Net (loss) from noncontrolling interests			—			—			—			—			—
Net earnings (loss) attributable To Belo Corp.		$	57,634		$	105,148		$	(1,933	)	$	(103,215	)	$	57,634
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
Net earnings (loss)		$	57,634		$	105,148		$	(1,933	)	$	(103,215	)	$	57,634
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax			2,313			—			—			—			2,313
Comprehensive income (loss)			59,947			105,148			(1,933	)		(103,215	)		59,947
Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			—			—			—
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.		$	59,947		$	105,148		$	(1,933	)	$	(103,215	)	$	59,947
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
Net Operating Revenues		$	—		$	509,790		$	—		$	—		$	509,790
Operating Costs and Expenses
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits			—			166,891			21			—			166,912
Station programming and other operating costs			—			143,240			671			—			143,911
Corporate operating costs			19,366			3,050			1,367			—			23,783
Depreciation			909			20,921			632			—			22,462
Total operating costs and expenses			20,275			334,102			2,691			—			357,068
Earnings (loss) from operations			(20,275	)		175,688			(2,691	)		—			152,722
Other Income and (Expense)
Interest expense			(53,030	)		(29	)		—			—			(53,059	)
Intercompany interest			2,241			(2,241	)		—			—			—
Other income, net			2			2,374			—			—			2,376
Total other income and (expense)			(50,787	)		104			—			—			(50,683	)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes			(71,062	)		175,792			(2,691	)		—			102,039
Income tax benefit (expense)			26,796			(65,080	)		984			—			(37,300	)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries			109,306			—			—			(109,306	)		—
Net earnings (loss)			65,040			110,712			(1,707	)		(109,306	)		64,739
Less: Net loss from noncontrolling interests			—			—			(301	)		—			(301	)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.		$	65,040		$	110,712		$	(1,406	)	$	(109,306	)	$	65,040
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
Net earnings (loss)		$	65,040		$	110,712		$	(1,707	)	$	(109,306	)	$	64,739
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax			1,872			—			—			—			1,872
Comprehensive income (loss)			66,912			110,712			(1,707	)		(109,306	)		66,611
Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(301	)		—			(301	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.		$	66,912		$	110,712		$	(1,406	)	$	(109,306	)	$	66,912
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of September 30, 2013
(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and temporary cash investments		$	24,923		$	3,273		$	—		$	—		$	28,196
Accounts receivable, net			57			137,071			38			—			137,166
Other current assets			4,697			10,752			27			—			15,476
Total current assets			29,677			151,096			65			—			180,838
Property, plant and equipment, net			2,398			130,105			13,811			—			146,314
Intangible assets, net			—			725,399			—			—			725,399
Goodwill			—			423,873			—			—			423,873
Deferred income taxes			36,536			—			—			(36,536	)		—
Intercompany receivable			524,035			—			—			(524,035	)		—
Investment in subsidiaries			586,396			—			—			(586,396	)		—
Other assets			16,101			20,540			41			—			36,682
Total assets		$	1,195,143		$	1,451,013		$	13,917		$	(1,146,967	)	$	1,513,106
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	7,522		$	8,485		$	92		$	—		$	16,099
Accrued expenses			17,042			31,563			315			—			48,920
Short-term pension obligation			8,200			—			—			—			8,200
Income taxes payable			3,607			—			—			—			3,607
Deferred revenue			—			3,874			—			—			3,874
Dividends payable			8,390			—			—			—			8,390
Accrued interest payable			14,142			—			—			—			14,142
Total current liabilities			58,903			43,922			407			—			103,232
Long-term debt			712,599			—			—			—			712,599
Deferred income taxes			—			302,959			515			(36,536	)		266,938
Pension obligation			75,659			—			—			—			75,659
Intercompany payable			—			518,192			5,843			(524,035	)		—
Other liabilities			5,029			6,696			—			—			11,725
Total shareholders’ equity			342,953			579,244			7,152			(586,396	)		342,953
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	1,195,143		$	1,451,013		$	13,917		$	(1,146,967	)	$	1,513,106
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2012
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and temporary cash investments		$	6,833		$	2,500		$	104		$	—		$	9,437
Accounts receivable, net			487			140,107			11			—			140,605
Other current assets			4,017			13,674			66			—			17,757
Total current assets			11,337			156,281			181			—			167,799
Property, plant and equipment, net			2,865			129,262			14,395			—			146,522
Intangible assets, net			—			725,399			—			—			725,399
Goodwill			—			423,873			—			—			423,873
Deferred income taxes			42,528			—			—			(42,528	)		—
Intercompany receivable			636,455			—			—			(636,455	)		—
Investment in subsidiaries			483,181			—			—			(483,181	)		—
Other assets			18,297			17,635			67			—			35,999
Total assets		$	1,194,663		$	1,452,450		$	14,643		$	(1,162,164	)	$	1,499,592
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	8,154		$	11,812		$	382		$	—		$	20,348
Accrued expenses			16,202			25,432			423			—			42,057
Short-term pension obligation			20,000			—			—			—			20,000
Income taxes payable			9,043			—			—			—			9,043
Deferred revenue			—			2,911			—			—			2,911
Dividends payable			8,331			—			—			—			8,331
Accrued interest payable			9,123			—			—			—			9,123
Total current liabilities			70,853			40,155			805			—			111,813
Long-term debt			733,025			—			—			—			733,025
Deferred income taxes			—			299,552			840			(42,528	)		257,864
Pension obligation			86,590			—			—			—			86,590
Intercompany payable			—			632,543			3,912			(636,455	)		—
Other liabilities			4,471			6,105			—			—			10,576
Total shareholders’ equity			299,724			474,095			9,086			(483,181	)		299,724
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	1,194,663		$	1,452,450		$	14,643		$	(1,162,164	)	$	1,499,592
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Total
								Guarantors
Operations
Net cash provided by (used for) operations		$	(42,226	)	$	125,730		$	(1,968	)	$	81,536
Investments
Capital expenditures			(474	)		(20,035	)		(69	)		(20,578	)
Other investments, net			(141	)		226			—			85
Net cash used for investments			(615	)		(19,809	)		(69	)		(20,493	)
Financing
Net proceeds from revolving debt			73,400			—			—			73,400
Payments on revolving debt			(94,400	)		—			—			(94,400	)
Dividends paid on common stock			(25,096	)		—			—			(25,096	)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options			3,096			—			—			3,096
Excess tax benefit from option exercises			716			—			—			716
Intercompany activity			103,215			(105,148	)		1,933			—
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities			60,931			(105,148	)		1,933			(42,284	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments			18,090			773			(104	)		18,759
Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period			6,833			2,500			104			9,437
Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period		$	24,923		$	3,273		$	—		$	28,196
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Total
								Guarantors
Operations
Net cash provided by (used for) operations		$	26,643		$	123,054		$	(1,131	)	$	148,566
Investments
Capital expenditures			(4,721	)		(10,598	)		(164	)		(15,483	)
Other investments, net			(795	)		—			—			(795	)
Net cash used for investments			(5,516	)		(10,598	)		(164	)		(16,278	)
Financing
Dividends paid			(21,780	)		—			—			(21,780	)
Common stock repurchased			(5,964	)		—			—			(5,964	)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options			124			—			—			124
Excess tax benefit from option exercises			117			—			—			117
Intercompany activity			109,306			(110,712	)		1,406			—
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities			81,803			(110,712	)		1,406			(27,503	)
Net increase in cash and temporary cash investments			102,930			1,744			111			104,785
Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period			59,339			1,755			24			61,118
Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period		$	162,269		$	3,499		$	135		$	165,903

LongTerm_Incentive_Plan

Long-Term Incentive Plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Incentive Plan	'
	-8	Belo has a long-term incentive plan under which awards may be granted to employees and outside directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and stock appreciation rights. In addition, options may be accompanied by stock appreciation rights and limited stock appreciation rights. Rights and limited rights may also be issued without accompanying options. Cash-based bonus awards are also available under the plan.
	Share-based compensation expense for awards to Belo’s employees and non-employee directors was $2,633 and $11,314, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Share-based compensation expense for awards to Belo’s employees and non-employee directors was $1,980 and $5,893, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Defined_Benefit_Pension_and_Ot

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans	'
	-9	Net periodic pension cost includes the following components for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		$	2,985		$	3,115		$	8,956		$	9,345
	Expected return on assets			(3,895	)		(3,393	)		(11,687	)		(10,178	)
	Amortization of net loss			1,186			960			3,559			2,880
	Net periodic pension cost		$	276		$	682		$	828		$	2,047

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholder's Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholder's Equity	'
	-10	Effective January 1, 2013, the Company discontinued its ownership in a majority-owned subsidiary. The following table sets forth allocation of equity between controlling and noncontrolling interests as of September 30, 2013:
			Belo Corp.			Noncontrolling
			Shareholders’			Interests			Total
			Equity			Equity			Equity
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	300,164		$	(440	)	$	299,724
	Net earnings (loss)			57,634			—			57,634
	Dividends declared			(25,154	)		—			(25,154	)
	Share-based compensation			4,184			—			4,184
	Exercise of stock options			3,096			—			3,096
	Excess tax benefit from long-term incentive plan			716			—			716
	Other comprehensive income			2,313			—			2,313
	Other			—			440			440
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	342,953		$	—		$	342,953
	The following table sets forth the changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Defined Benefit Plan
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(94,364	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCL, net of tax			2,313
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	(92,051	)
	The following tables set forth the reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Amount reclassified			Affected line item in
	Details about accumulated other		from accumulated other			the statement where
	comprehensive loss components		comprehensive loss			net earnings is presented
	Three months ended September 30, 2013:
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
	Actuarial losses, total before tax		$	1,186		Included in net periodic pension costs (Note 9)
				(415	)	Deferred tax expense
			$	771		Net of tax
			Amount reclassified			Affected line item in
	Details about accumulated other		from accumulated other			the statement where
	comprehensive loss components		comprehensive loss			net earnings is presented
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
	Actuarial losses, total before tax		$	3,559		Included in net periodic pension costs (Note 9)
				(1,246	)	Deferred tax expense
			$	2,313		Net of tax

Contingent_Liabilities

Contingent Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingent Liabilities	'
	-11	On June 14, 2013, a purported class action lawsuit was filed by a purported individual shareholder of the Company in the 68th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas, against the Company, Gannett Co., Inc., and members of the Company’s board of directors. On June 17, 2013, June 24, 2013, and July 16, 2013, respectively, three similar lawsuits were filed by other purported shareholders of the Company in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware against the Company, members of the Belo board, Gannett Co., Inc. and Gannett’s merger subsidiary. All four lawsuits arise out of the Company’s Merger Agreement with Gannett Co., Inc., announced on June 13, 2013. The four lawsuits challenge the Merger, asserting claims of breach of fiduciary duty against the individual defendants and aiding and abetting breach of this duty against the corporate defendants. The Delaware Court of Chancery ordered the consolidation of the three Delaware actions, and on July 11, 2013, Delaware plaintiffs filed an amended, consolidated complaint. On September 30, 2013, the Delaware plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the Delaware action without prejudice, which dismissal the Delaware Court of Chancery approved. The plaintiff in the Texas action has indicated that he intends to file an amended petition and has agreed that the defendants are not required to answer or otherwise respond to the current petition. The Company believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them.
	In addition to the proceedings disclosed above, other legal proceedings are pending against the Company, including several actions for alleged libel and/or defamation. In the opinion of management, liabilities, if any, arising from these other legal proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated results of operations and comprehensive income (loss), liquidity or financial position of the Company.

Business_Organization_Consolid1

Business Organization, Consolidation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Consolidation Policy	'
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of Belo Corp. and subsidiaries (the Company or Belo) include equity investments, in which Belo owns a greater than 50% interest. The consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
Temporary Cash Investment Policy	'
	Belo considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less to be temporary cash investments. Such temporary cash investments are carried at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 1 inputs.
Operating Segments Policy	'
	The Company’s operating segments are defined as its television stations and cable news channels within a given market. The Company has determined that all of its operating segments meet the criteria under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 280-10 to be aggregated into one reporting segment.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	All amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated.
Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires companies to report, in one place, information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). Companies are also required to present reclassifications by component when reporting changes in AOCI balances. The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012. This ASU affects presentation only and has no effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Earning_Per_Share_Tables

Earning Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings per Share	'
		The following table sets forth the reconciliation between weighted average shares used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Income (Numerator)
	Net earnings attributable to Belo Corp.		$	19,095		$	24,817		$	57,634		$	65,040
	Less: Income to participating securities			(140	)		(348	)		(560	)		(1,014	)
	Income available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions		$	18,955		$	24,469		$	57,074		$	64,026
	Shares (Denominator)
	Weighted average shares outstanding (basic)			104,019			103,120			103,804			103,607
	Dilutive effect of employee stock options and PBRSUs			880			300			762			307
	Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding			104,899			103,420			104,566			103,914
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		$	0.18		$	0.24		$	0.55		$	0.62
	Diluted		$	0.18		$	0.24		$	0.55		$	0.62

Schedule_of_Condensed_Financia1

Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
	Net Operating Revenues	$	—		$	166,135		$	57		$	—		$	166,192
	Operating Costs and Expenses
	Station salaries, wages and employee benefits		—			54,830			254			—			55,084
	Station programming and other operating costs		—			50,594			101			—			50,695
	Corporate operating costs		9,654			843			423			—			10,920
	Depreciation		257			6,651			221			—			7,129
	Total operating costs and expenses		9,911			112,918			999			—			123,828
	Earnings (loss) from operations		(9,911	)		53,217			(942	)		—			42,364
	Other Income and (Expense)
	Interest expense		(14,525	)		(13	)		—			—			(14,538	)
	Intercompany interest		507			(507	)		—			—			—
	Other income (expense), net		(121	)		1,110			—			—			989
	Total other income and (expense)		(14,139	)		590			—			—			(13,549	)
	Earnings (loss) before income taxes		(24,050	)		53,807			(942	)		—			28,815
	Income tax benefit (expense)		8,307			(18,344	)		317			—			(9,720	)
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries		34,838			—			—			(34,838	)		—
	Net earnings (loss)	$	19,095		$	35,463		$	(625	)	$	(34,838	)	$	19,095
	Less: Net (loss) from non-controlling interests		—			—			—			—			—
	Net earnings (loss) attributable To Belo Corp.	$	19,095		$	35,463		$	(625	)	$	(34,838	)	$	19,095
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
	Net Operating Revenues	$	—		$	176,273		$	—		$	—		$	176,273
	Operating Costs and Expenses
	Station salaries, wages and employee benefits		—			54,755			21			—			54,776
	Station programming and other operating costs		—			50,049			471			—			50,520
	Corporate operating costs		5,906			1,204			391			—			7,501
	Depreciation		319			6,998			211			—			7,528
	Total operating costs and expenses		6,225			113,006			1,094			—			120,325
	Earnings (loss) from operations		(6,225	)		63,267			(1,094	)		—			55,948
	Other Income and (Expense)
	Interest expense		(17,677	)		(6	)		—			—			(17,683	)
	Intercompany interest		752			(752	)		—			—			—
	Other income (expense), net		(60	)		557			—			—			497
	Total other income and (expense)		(16,985	)		(201	)		—			—			(17,186	)
	Earnings (loss) before income taxes		(23,210	)		63,066			(1,094	)		—			38,762
	Income tax benefit (expense)		8,743			(23,290	)		399			—			(14,148	)
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries		39,284			—			—			(39,284	)		—
	Net earnings (loss)		24,817			39,776			(695	)		(39,284	)		24,614
	Less: Net (loss) from noncontrolling interests		—			—			(203	)		—			(203	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	$	24,817		$	39,776		$	(492	)	$	(39,284	)	$	24,817
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
	Net Operating Revenues	$	—		$	499,980		$	57		$	—		$	500,037
	Operating Costs and Expenses
	Station salaries, wages and employee benefits		—			166,358			804			—			167,162
	Station programming and other operating costs		—			147,210			405			—			147,615
	Corporate operating costs		28,140			3,119			1,218			—			32,477
	Depreciation		949			19,631			652			—			21,232
	Total operating costs and expenses		29,089			336,318			3,079			—			368,486
	Earnings (loss) from operations		(29,089	)		163,662			(3,022	)		—			131,551
	Other Income and (Expense)
	Interest expense		(43,686	)		(29	)		—			—			(43,715	)
Intercompany interest		1,988			(1,988	)		—			—			—
Other income (expense), net		(1,140	)		2,840			18			—			1,718
Total other income and (expense)		(42,838	)		823			18			—			(41,997	)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes		(71,927	)		164,485			(3,004	)		—			89,554
Income tax benefit (expense)		26,346			(59,337	)		1,071			—			(31,920	)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries		103,215			—			—			(103,215	)		—
Net earnings (loss)	$	57,634		$	105,148		$	(1,933	)	$	(103,215	)	$	57,634
Less: Net (loss) from noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			—
Net earnings (loss) attributable To Belo Corp.	$	57,634		$	105,148		$	(1,933	)	$	(103,215	)	$	57,634
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(unaudited)
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
							Guarantors
Net Operating Revenues	$	—		$	509,790		$	—		$	—		$	509,790
Operating Costs and Expenses
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits		—			166,891			21			—			166,912
Station programming and other operating costs		—			143,240			671			—			143,911
Corporate operating costs		19,366			3,050			1,367			—			23,783
Depreciation		909			20,921			632			—			22,462
Total operating costs and expenses		20,275			334,102			2,691			—			357,068
Earnings (loss) from operations		(20,275	)		175,688			(2,691	)		—			152,722
Other Income and (Expense)
Interest expense		(53,030	)		(29	)		—			—			(53,059	)
Intercompany interest		2,241			(2,241	)		—			—			—
Other income, net		2			2,374			—			—			2,376
Total other income and (expense)		(50,787	)		104			—			—			(50,683	)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes		(71,062	)		175,792			(2,691	)		—			102,039
Income tax benefit (expense)		26,796			(65,080	)		984			—			(37,300	)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries		109,306			—			—			(109,306	)		—
Net earnings (loss)		65,040			110,712			(1,707	)		(109,306	)		64,739
Less: Net loss from noncontrolling interests		—			—			(301	)		—			(301	)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	$	65,040		$	110,712		$	(1,406	)	$	(109,306	)	$	65,040
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
	Net earnings (loss)	$	19,095		$	35,463		$	(625	)	$	(34,838	)	$	19,095
	Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax		771			—			—			—			771
	Comprehensive income (loss)		19,866			35,463			(625	)		(34,838	)		19,866
	Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			—
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	$	19,866		$	35,463		$	(625	)	$	(34,838	)	$	19,866
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
	Net earnings (loss)	$	24,817		$	39,776		$	(695	)	$	(39,284	)	$	24,614
	Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax		624			—			—			—			624
	Comprehensive income (loss)		25,441			39,776			(695	)		(39,284	)		25,238
	Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(203	)		—			(203	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	$	25,441		$	39,776		$	(492	)	$	(39,284	)	$	25,441
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
	Net earnings (loss)	$	57,634		$	105,148		$	(1,933	)	$	(103,215	)	$	57,634
	Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax		2,313			—			—			—			2,313
	Comprehensive income (loss)		59,947			105,148			(1,933	)		(103,215	)		59,947
	Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			—
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	$	59,947		$	105,148		$	(1,933	)	$	(103,215	)	$	59,947
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
	Net earnings (loss)	$	65,040		$	110,712		$	(1,707	)	$	(109,306	)	$	64,739
	Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax		1,872			—			—			—			1,872
	Comprehensive income (loss)		66,912			110,712			(1,707	)		(109,306	)		66,611
	Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(301	)		—			(301	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	$	66,912		$	110,712		$	(1,406	)	$	(109,306	)	$	66,912
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of September 30, 2013
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
	Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and temporary cash investments	$	24,923		$	3,273		$	—		$	—		$	28,196
	Accounts receivable, net		57			137,071			38			—			137,166
	Other current assets		4,697			10,752			27			—			15,476
	Total current assets		29,677			151,096			65			—			180,838
	Property, plant and equipment, net		2,398			130,105			13,811			—			146,314
	Intangible assets, net		—			725,399			—			—			725,399
	Goodwill		—			423,873			—			—			423,873
	Deferred income taxes		36,536			—			—			(36,536	)		—
	Intercompany receivable		524,035			—			—			(524,035	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries		586,396			—			—			(586,396	)		—
	Other assets		16,101			20,540			41			—			36,682
	Total assets	$	1,195,143		$	1,451,013		$	13,917		$	(1,146,967	)	$	1,513,106
	Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	7,522		$	8,485		$	92		$	—		$	16,099
	Accrued expenses		17,042			31,563			315			—			48,920
	Short-term pension obligation		8,200			—			—			—			8,200
	Income taxes payable		3,607			—			—			—			3,607
	Deferred revenue		—			3,874			—			—			3,874
	Dividends payable		8,390			—			—			—			8,390
	Accrued interest payable		14,142			—			—			—			14,142
	Total current liabilities		58,903			43,922			407			—			103,232
	Long-term debt		712,599			—			—			—			712,599
	Deferred income taxes		—			302,959			515			(36,536	)		266,938
	Pension obligation		75,659			—			—			—			75,659
	Intercompany payable		—			518,192			5,843			(524,035	)		—
	Other liabilities		5,029			6,696			—			—			11,725
	Total shareholders’ equity		342,953			579,244			7,152			(586,396	)		342,953
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,195,143		$	1,451,013		$	13,917		$	(1,146,967	)	$	1,513,106
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of December 31, 2012
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors
	Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and temporary cash investments	$	6,833		$	2,500		$	104		$	—		$	9,437
	Accounts receivable, net		487			140,107			11			—			140,605
	Other current assets		4,017			13,674			66			—			17,757
	Total current assets		11,337			156,281			181			—			167,799
	Property, plant and equipment, net		2,865			129,262			14,395			—			146,522
	Intangible assets, net		—			725,399			—			—			725,399
	Goodwill		—			423,873			—			—			423,873
	Deferred income taxes		42,528			—			—			(42,528	)		—
	Intercompany receivable		636,455			—			—			(636,455	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries		483,181			—			—			(483,181	)		—
	Other assets		18,297			17,635			67			—			35,999
	Total assets	$	1,194,663		$	1,452,450		$	14,643		$	(1,162,164	)	$	1,499,592
	Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	8,154		$	11,812		$	382		$	—		$	20,348
	Accrued expenses		16,202			25,432			423			—			42,057
	Short-term pension obligation		20,000			—			—			—			20,000
	Income taxes payable		9,043			—			—			—			9,043
	Deferred revenue		—			2,911			—			—			2,911
	Dividends payable		8,331			—			—			—			8,331
	Accrued interest payable		9,123			—			—			—			9,123
Total current liabilities		70,853			40,155			805			—			111,813
Long-term debt		733,025			—			—			—			733,025
Deferred income taxes		—			299,552			840			(42,528	)		257,864
Pension obligation		86,590			—			—			—			86,590
Intercompany payable		—			632,543			3,912			(636,455	)		—
Other liabilities		4,471			6,105			—			—			10,576
Total shareholders’ equity		299,724			474,095			9,086			(483,181	)		299,724
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,194,663		$	1,452,450		$	14,643		$	(1,162,164	)	$	1,499,592
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Total
								Guarantors
	Operations
	Net cash provided by (used for) operations	$	(42,226	)	$	125,730		$	(1,968	)	$	81,536
	Investments
	Capital expenditures		(474	)		(20,035	)		(69	)		(20,578	)
	Other investments, net		(141	)		226			—			85
	Net cash used for investments		(615	)		(19,809	)		(69	)		(20,493	)
	Financing
	Net proceeds from revolving debt		73,400			—			—			73,400
	Payments on revolving debt		(94,400	)		—			—			(94,400	)
	Dividends paid on common stock		(25,096	)		—			—			(25,096	)
	Net proceeds from exercise of stock options		3,096			—			—			3,096
	Excess tax benefit from option exercises		716			—			—			716
	Intercompany activity		103,215			(105,148	)		1,933			—
	Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities		60,931			(105,148	)		1,933			(42,284	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments		18,090			773			(104	)		18,759
	Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period		6,833			2,500			104			9,437
	Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period	$	24,923		$	3,273		$	—		$	28,196
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(unaudited)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Total
								Guarantors
	Operations
	Net cash provided by (used for) operations	$	26,643		$	123,054		$	(1,131	)	$	148,566
	Investments
	Capital expenditures		(4,721	)		(10,598	)		(164	)		(15,483	)
	Other investments, net		(795	)		—			—			(795	)
	Net cash used for investments		(5,516	)		(10,598	)		(164	)		(16,278	)
	Financing
	Dividends paid		(21,780	)		—			—			(21,780	)
	Common stock repurchased		(5,964	)		—			—			(5,964	)
	Net proceeds from exercise of stock options		124			—			—			124
	Excess tax benefit from option exercises		117			—			—			117
	Intercompany activity		109,306			(110,712	)		1,406			—
	Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities		81,803			(110,712	)		1,406			(27,503	)
	Net increase in cash and temporary cash investments		102,930			1,744			111			104,785
	Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period		59,339			1,755			24			61,118
	Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period	$	162,269		$	3,499		$	135		$	165,903

Defined_Benefit_Pension_and_Ot1

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans	'
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	2,985		$	3,115		$	8,956		$	9,345
	Expected return on assets		(3,895	)		(3,393	)		(11,687	)		(10,178	)
	Amortization of net loss		1,186			960			3,559			2,880
	Net periodic pension cost	$	276		$	682		$	828		$	2,047

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholder's Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Allocation of Equity in Controlling and Noncontrolling Interest	'
	The following table sets forth allocation of equity between controlling and noncontrolling interests as of September 30, 2013:
		Belo Corp.			Noncontrolling
		Shareholders’			Interests			Total
		Equity			Equity			Equity
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	300,164		$	(440	)	$	299,724
	Net earnings (loss)		57,634			—			57,634
	Dividends declared		(25,154	)		—			(25,154	)
	Share-based compensation		4,184			—			4,184
	Exercise of stock options		3,096			—			3,096
	Excess tax benefit from long-term incentive plan		716			—			716
	Other comprehensive income		2,313			—			2,313
	Other		—			440			440
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	342,953		$	—		$	342,953
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	The following table sets forth the changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Defined Benefit Plan
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	(94,364	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCL, net of tax		2,313
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	(92,051	)
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	The following tables set forth the reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Amount reclassified			Affected line item in
	Details about accumulated other	from accumulated other			the statement where
	comprehensive loss components	comprehensive loss			net earnings is presented
	Three months ended September 30, 2013:
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
	Actuarial losses, total before tax	$	1,186		Included in net periodic pension costs (Note 9)
			(415	)	Deferred tax expense
		$	771		Net of tax
		Amount reclassified			Affected line item in
	Details about accumulated other	from accumulated other			the statement where
	comprehensive loss components	comprehensive loss			net earnings is presented
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
	Actuarial losses, total before tax	$	3,559		Included in net periodic pension costs (Note 9)
			(1,246	)	Deferred tax expense
		$	2,313		Net of tax

Business_Organization_Consolid2

Business Organization, Consolidation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of reporting segment	1
Minimum [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Percentage of investment in subsidiary	50.00%

Merger_and_Acquisitions_Additi

Merger and Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (Merger Agreement [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Merger Agreement [Member]	'
Merger Related Items [Line Items]	'
Right to receive cash per share	$13.75
Contingent costs, transaction fee	$9,500

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Directors
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Number of Directors in common with A. H. Belo	3
Ownership interest in A. H. Belo	0.00%

Earning_Per_Share_Schedule_of_

Earning Per Share - Schedule of Earnings per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income (Numerator)	'	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to Belo Corp.	$19,095	$24,817	$57,634	$65,040
Less: Income to participating securities	-140	-348	-560	-1,014
Income available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions	$18,955	$24,469	$57,074	$64,026
Shares (Denominator)	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic)	104,019	103,120	103,804	103,607
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and PBRSUs	880	300	762	307
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding	104,899	103,420	104,566	103,914
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.18	$0.24	$0.55	$0.62
Diluted	$0.18	$0.24	$0.55	$0.62

Earning_Per_Share_Additional_I

Earning Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive shares not included in computation of earnings per common share	1,254	1,253	1,254	1,253
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive shares not included in computation of earnings per common share	433	'	433	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive shares not included in computation of earnings per common share	3,806	6,674	3,956	6,677

Long_Term_Debt_Additional_Info

Long Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed rate debt securities	$712,599	'
Fixed rate debt securities, non current	712,599	733,025
Weighted average interest rate for debt instruments	7.70%	'
Variable rate debt capacity under credit agreement	200,000	'
Leverage ratio	2.8	'
Interest coverage ratio	4.2	'
Senior leverage ratio	0	'
Compliance debt covenant requirements description	'The Company was in compliance with all debt covenant requirements.	'
Balance outstanding under credit agreement	0	'
Estimated fair value of Belo's fixed-rate debt	737,350	'
8% Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed rate debt securities, non current	272,599	'
Debt instruments, stated percentage	8.00%	'
Senior notes due year	'2016	'
7 3/4% Senior Debenture due 2027 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed rate debt securities, non current	200,000	'
Debt instruments, stated percentage	7.75%	'
Senior notes due year	'2027	'
7 1/4% Senior Debenture due 2027 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed rate debt securities, non current	$240,000	'
Debt instruments, stated percentage	7.25%	'
Senior notes due year	'2027	'

Schedule_of_Condensed_Financia2

Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantors [Member]	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'
Investment Percentage in Subsidiaries	100.00%
8% Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'
Rate of interest on notes issued	8.00%

Schedule_of_Condensed_Financia3

Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Operating Revenues	$166,192	$176,273	$500,037	$509,790
Operating Costs and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits	55,084	54,776	167,162	166,912
Station programming and other operating costs	50,695	50,520	147,615	143,911
Corporate operating costs	10,920	7,501	32,477	23,783
Depreciation	7,129	7,528	21,232	22,462
Total operating costs and expenses	123,828	120,325	368,486	357,068
Earnings (loss) from operations	42,364	55,948	131,551	152,722
Other Income and (Expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-14,538	-17,683	-43,715	-53,059
Other income (expense), net	989	497	1,718	2,376
Total other income and (expense)	-13,549	-17,186	-41,997	-50,683
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	28,815	38,762	89,554	102,039
Income tax benefit (expense)	-9,720	-14,148	-31,920	-37,300
Net earnings	19,095	24,614	57,634	64,739
Less: Net (loss) from noncontrolling interests	'	-203	'	-301
Net earnings (loss) attributable To Belo Corp.	19,095	24,817	57,634	65,040
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Costs and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Corporate operating costs	9,654	5,906	28,140	19,366
Depreciation	257	319	949	909
Total operating costs and expenses	9,911	6,225	29,089	20,275
Earnings (loss) from operations	-9,911	-6,225	-29,089	-20,275
Other Income and (Expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-14,525	-17,677	-43,686	-53,030
Intercompany interest	507	752	1,988	2,241
Other income (expense), net	-121	-60	-1,140	2
Total other income and (expense)	-14,139	-16,985	-42,838	-50,787
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	-24,050	-23,210	-71,927	-71,062
Income tax benefit (expense)	8,307	8,743	26,346	26,796
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	34,838	39,284	103,215	109,306
Net earnings	19,095	24,817	57,634	65,040
Less: Net (loss) from noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable To Belo Corp.	19,095	24,817	57,634	65,040
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Operating Revenues	166,135	176,273	499,980	509,790
Operating Costs and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits	54,830	54,755	166,358	166,891
Station programming and other operating costs	50,594	50,049	147,210	143,240
Corporate operating costs	843	1,204	3,119	3,050
Depreciation	6,651	6,998	19,631	20,921
Total operating costs and expenses	112,918	113,006	336,318	334,102
Earnings (loss) from operations	53,217	63,267	163,662	175,688
Other Income and (Expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-13	-6	-29	-29
Intercompany interest	-507	-752	-1,988	-2,241
Other income (expense), net	1,110	557	2,840	2,374
Total other income and (expense)	590	-201	823	104
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	53,807	63,066	164,485	175,792
Income tax benefit (expense)	-18,344	-23,290	-59,337	-65,080
Net earnings	35,463	39,776	105,148	110,712
Less: Net (loss) from noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable To Belo Corp.	35,463	39,776	105,148	110,712
Non-Guarantors [member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Operating Revenues	57	'	57	'
Operating Costs and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits	254	21	804	21
Station programming and other operating costs	101	471	405	671
Corporate operating costs	423	391	1,218	1,367
Depreciation	221	211	652	632
Total operating costs and expenses	999	1,094	3,079	2,691
Earnings (loss) from operations	-942	-1,094	-3,022	-2,691
Other Income and (Expense)	'	'	'	'
Other income (expense), net	'	'	18	'
Total other income and (expense)	'	'	18	'
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	-942	-1,094	-3,004	-2,691
Income tax benefit (expense)	317	399	1,071	984
Net earnings	-625	-695	-1,933	-1,707
Less: Net (loss) from noncontrolling interests	'	-203	'	-301
Net earnings (loss) attributable To Belo Corp.	-625	-492	-1,933	-1,406
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Income and (Expense)	'	'	'	'
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-34,838	-39,284	-103,215	-109,306
Net earnings	-34,838	-39,284	-103,215	-109,306
Less: Net (loss) from noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable To Belo Corp.	($34,838)	($39,284)	($103,215)	($109,306)

Schedule_of_Condensed_Financia4

Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	$19,095	$24,614	$57,634	$64,739
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax	771	624	2,313	1,872
Comprehensive income (loss)	19,866	25,238	59,947	66,611
Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	-203	'	-301
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	19,866	25,441	59,947	66,912
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	19,095	24,817	57,634	65,040
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax	771	624	2,313	1,872
Comprehensive income (loss)	19,866	25,441	59,947	66,912
Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	19,866	25,441	59,947	66,912
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	35,463	39,776	105,148	110,712
Comprehensive income (loss)	35,463	39,776	105,148	110,712
Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	35,463	39,776	105,148	110,712
Non-Guarantors [member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	-625	-695	-1,933	-1,707
Comprehensive income (loss)	-625	-695	-1,933	-1,707
Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	-203	'	-301
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	-625	-492	-1,933	-1,406
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	-34,838	-39,284	-103,215	-109,306
Comprehensive income (loss)	-34,838	-39,284	-103,215	-109,306
Less: comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Belo Corp.	($34,838)	($39,284)	($103,215)	($109,306)

Schedule_of_Condensed_Financia5

Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and temporary cash investments	$28,196	$9,437	$165,903	$61,118
Accounts receivable, net	137,166	140,605	'	'
Other current assets	15,476	17,757	'	'
Total current assets	180,838	167,799	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	146,314	146,522	'	'
Intangible assets, net	725,399	725,399	'	'
Goodwill	423,873	423,873	'	'
Other assets	36,682	35,999	'	'
Total assets	1,513,106	1,499,592	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	16,099	20,348	'	'
Accrued expenses	48,920	42,057	'	'
Short-term pension obligation	8,200	20,000	'	'
Income taxes payable	3,607	9,043	'	'
Deferred revenue	3,874	2,911	'	'
Dividends payable	8,390	8,331	'	'
Accrued interest payable	14,142	9,123	'	'
Total current liabilities	103,232	111,813	'	'
Long-term debt	712,599	733,025	'	'
Deferred income taxes	266,938	257,864	'	'
Pension obligation	75,659	86,590	'	'
Other liabilities	11,725	10,576	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	342,953	299,724	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,513,106	1,499,592	'	'
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and temporary cash investments	24,923	6,833	162,269	59,339
Accounts receivable, net	57	487	'	'
Other current assets	4,697	4,017	'	'
Total current assets	29,677	11,337	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,398	2,865	'	'
Deferred income taxes	36,536	42,528	'	'
Intercompany receivable	524,035	636,455	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	586,396	483,181	'	'
Other assets	16,101	18,297	'	'
Total assets	1,195,143	1,194,663	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	7,522	8,154	'	'
Accrued expenses	17,042	16,202	'	'
Short-term pension obligation	8,200	20,000	'	'
Income taxes payable	3,607	9,043	'	'
Dividends payable	8,390	8,331	'	'
Accrued interest payable	14,142	9,123	'	'
Total current liabilities	58,903	70,853	'	'
Long-term debt	712,599	733,025	'	'
Pension obligation	75,659	86,590	'	'
Other liabilities	5,029	4,471	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	342,953	299,724	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,195,143	1,194,663	'	'
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and temporary cash investments	3,273	2,500	3,499	1,755
Accounts receivable, net	137,071	140,107	'	'
Other current assets	10,752	13,674	'	'
Total current assets	151,096	156,281	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	130,105	129,262	'	'
Intangible assets, net	725,399	725,399	'	'
Goodwill	423,873	423,873	'	'
Other assets	20,540	17,635	'	'
Total assets	1,451,013	1,452,450	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	8,485	11,812	'	'
Accrued expenses	31,563	25,432	'	'
Deferred revenue	3,874	2,911	'	'
Total current liabilities	43,922	40,155	'	'
Deferred income taxes	302,959	299,552	'	'
Intercompany payable	518,192	632,543	'	'
Other liabilities	6,696	6,105	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	579,244	474,095	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,451,013	1,452,450	'	'
Non-Guarantors [member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and temporary cash investments	'	104	135	24
Accounts receivable, net	38	11	'	'
Other current assets	27	66	'	'
Total current assets	65	181	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	13,811	14,395	'	'
Other assets	41	67	'	'
Total assets	13,917	14,643	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	92	382	'	'
Accrued expenses	315	423	'	'
Total current liabilities	407	805	'	'
Deferred income taxes	515	840	'	'
Intercompany payable	5,843	3,912	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	7,152	9,086	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	13,917	14,643	'	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-36,536	-42,528	'	'
Intercompany receivable	-524,035	-636,455	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-586,396	-483,181	'	'
Total assets	-1,146,967	-1,162,164	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-36,536	-42,528	'	'
Intercompany payable	-524,035	-636,455	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	-586,396	-483,181	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	($1,146,967)	($1,162,164)	'	'

Schedule_of_Condensed_Financia6

Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operations	'	'
Net cash provided by (used for) operations	$81,536	$148,566
Investments	'	'
Capital expenditures	-20,578	-15,483
Other investments, net	85	-795
Net cash used for investments	-20,493	-16,278
Financing	'	'
Net proceeds from revolving debt	73,400	'
Payments on revolving debt	-94,400	'
Dividends paid	-25,096	-21,780
Common stock repurchased	'	-5,964
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,096	124
Excess tax benefit from option exercises	716	117
Net cash used for financing	-42,284	-27,503
Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments	18,759	104,785
Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period	9,437	61,118
Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period	28,196	165,903
Parent [Member]	'	'
Operations	'	'
Net cash provided by (used for) operations	-42,226	26,643
Investments	'	'
Capital expenditures	-474	-4,721
Other investments, net	-141	-795
Net cash used for investments	-615	-5,516
Financing	'	'
Net proceeds from revolving debt	73,400	'
Payments on revolving debt	-94,400	'
Dividends paid	-25,096	-21,780
Common stock repurchased	'	-5,964
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,096	124
Excess tax benefit from option exercises	716	117
Intercompany activity	103,215	109,306
Net cash used for financing	60,931	81,803
Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments	18,090	102,930
Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period	6,833	59,339
Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period	24,923	162,269
Guarantors [Member]	'	'
Operations	'	'
Net cash provided by (used for) operations	125,730	123,054
Investments	'	'
Capital expenditures	-20,035	-10,598
Other investments, net	226	'
Net cash used for investments	-19,809	-10,598
Financing	'	'
Intercompany activity	-105,148	-110,712
Net cash used for financing	-105,148	-110,712
Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments	773	1,744
Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period	2,500	1,755
Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period	3,273	3,499
Non-Guarantors [member]	'	'
Operations	'	'
Net cash provided by (used for) operations	-1,968	-1,131
Investments	'	'
Capital expenditures	-69	-164
Net cash used for investments	-69	-164
Financing	'	'
Intercompany activity	1,933	1,406
Net cash used for financing	1,933	1,406
Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments	-104	111
Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period	104	24
Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period	'	$135

LongTerm_Incentive_Plan_Additi

Long-Term Incentive Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share - based compensation, expense for awards	$2,633	$1,980	$11,314	$5,893

Defined_Benefit_Pension_and_Ot2

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans - Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$2,985	$3,115	$8,956	$9,345
Expected return on assets	-3,895	-3,393	-11,687	-10,178
Amortization of net loss	1,186	960	3,559	2,880
Net periodic pension cost	$276	$682	$828	$2,047

Stockholders_Equity_Allocation

Stockholders Equity - Allocation of Equity in Controlling and Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	$300,164	'
Noncontrolling Interest Equity Beginning	'	'	-440	'
Total shareholders' equity, Beginning	'	'	299,724	'
Net earnings (loss)	19,095	24,614	57,634	64,739
Dividends declared	'	'	-25,154	'
Share-based compensation	'	'	4,184	'
Exercise of stock options	'	'	3,096	'
Excess tax benefit from long-term incentive plan	'	'	716	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	2,313	'
Other	'	'	440	'
Ending Balance	342,953	'	342,953	'
Total shareholders' equity, Ending	342,953	'	342,953	'
Belo Corp Shareholders' Equity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	300,164	'
Net earnings (loss)	'	'	57,634	'
Dividends declared	'	'	-25,154	'
Share-based compensation	'	'	4,184	'
Exercise of stock options	'	'	3,096	'
Excess tax benefit from long-term incentive plan	'	'	716	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	2,313	'
Other	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance	342,953	'	342,953	'
Noncontrolling Interest Equity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest Equity Beginning	'	'	-440	'
Net earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit from long-term incentive plan	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'
Other	'	'	440	'
Noncontrolling Interest Equity Ending	'	'	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholder's Equity - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance at December 31, 2012	'	'	($94,364)	'
Amounts reclassified from AOCL, net of tax	771	624	2,313	1,872
Balance at September 30, 2013	($92,051)	'	($92,051)	'

Stockholders_Equity_Reclassifi

Stockholder's Equity - Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Actuarial losses, total before tax	$1,186	'	$3,559	'
Actuarial losses, tax portion	-415	'	-1,246	'
Amounts reclassified from AOCL, net of tax	$771	$624	$2,313	$1,872