TEGNA (TGNA) 10-K 29 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	TGNA
Entity Registrant Name	TEGNA INC
Entity Central Index Key	39,899
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		219,720,167
Entity Public Float			$ 7,239,422,726

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 129,200	$ 110,305
Trade receivables, net of allowances of $9,092 and $8,844, respectively		556,351	537,457
Other receivables		18,738	55,040
Assets held for sale		0	36,774
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		94,262	82,956
Current discontinued operations assets		6,608	490,531
Total current assets		805,159	1,313,063
Property and equipment
Land		76,089	97,892
Buildings and improvements		272,862	487,885
Equipment, furniture and fixtures		604,839	692,424
Construction in progress		30,395	17,511
Total		984,185	1,295,712
Less accumulated depreciation		(525,866)	(628,794)
Net property and equipment		458,319	666,918
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill		3,919,726	3,914,771
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $220,662 and $114,273, respectively		3,065,107	3,177,578
Investments and other assets		288,790	249,450
Noncurrent discontinued operation assets		657	1,920,415
Total intangible and other assets		7,274,280	9,262,214
Total assets	[1]	8,537,758	11,242,195
Accounts payable
Trade		87,706	114,362
Other		36,948	34,924
Accrued liabilities
Compensation		115,679	143,905
Interest		49,835	64,929
Other		131,301	154,370
Dividends payable		31,033	45,309
Income taxes		15,742	11,267
Deferred income		132,650	131,794
Current portion of long-term debt		646	7,854
Current discontinued operations liabilities		5,243	424,739
Total current liabilities		606,783	1,133,453
Income taxes		18,191	56,578
Deferred income taxes		883,141	681,595
Long-term debt		4,200,816	4,488,028
Pension liabilities		178,844	171,675
Other noncurrent liabilities		168,573	175,710
Noncurrent discontinued operations liabilities		0	1,025,413
Total noncurrent liabilities		5,449,565	6,598,999
Total liabilities	[1]	6,056,348	7,732,452
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		$ 24,666	$ 20,470
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note 12)
TEGNA Inc. shareholders’ equity
Common stock, par value $1: Authorized, 800,000,000 shares: Issued, 324,418,632 shares		$ 324,419	$ 324,419
Additional paid-in capital		539,505	546,406
Retained earnings		7,111,129	8,602,369
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(130,951)	(778,769)
Stockholders' Equity before Treasury Stock, Total		7,844,102	8,694,425
Less treasury stock at cost, 104,664,452 shares and 97,679,541 shares, respectively		(5,652,131)	(5,439,511)
Total TEGNA Inc. shareholders’ equity		2,191,971	3,254,914
Noncontrolling interests		264,773	234,359
Total equity		2,456,744	3,489,273
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity		$ 8,537,758	$ 11,242,195
[1]	Our consolidated assets as of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014, include total assets of $4.4 million and $60.0 million related to variable interest entities (VIEs). These assets can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Consolidated liabilities as of Dec. 31, 2015 include total liabilities of $1.2 million related to VIEs and our consolidated liabilities as of Dec. 28, 2014 include $4.3 million of such liabilities. The VIEs’ creditors have no recourse to us regarding these liabilities. See further description in Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Trade receivables, allowance for doubtful receivables	$ 9,092	$ 8,844
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 220,662	$ 114,273
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, Authorized (in shares)	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, Issued (in shares)	324,418,632	324,418,632
Treasury stock (in shares)	104,664,452	97,679,541
VIE Total Assets	$ 4,400	$ 60,000
VIE Total Liabilities Subject To Recourse	$ 1,200	$ 4,300

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Operating Revenues:
Media	$ 1,682,144	$ 1,691,866	$ 835,113
Digital	1,368,801	934,275	768,010
Total	3,050,945	2,626,141	1,603,123
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation	923,336	954,990	662,769
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation	1,068,221	766,854	531,932
Depreciation	90,803	85,866	54,127
Amortization of intangible assets	114,284	65,971	20,706
Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges (see Note 11)	(58,857)	44,961	22,729
Total	2,137,787	1,918,642	1,292,263
Operating income	913,158	707,499	310,860
Non-operating (expense) income
Equity (loss) income in unconsolidated investees, net (see Note 4)	(5,064)	151,462	21,055
Interest expense	(273,629)	(272,668)	(174,818)
Other non-operating items	(11,529)	404,403	(45,279)
Total	(290,222)	283,197	(199,042)
Income before income taxes	622,936	990,696	111,818
Provision for income taxes	202,314	234,471	13,122
Income from continuing operations	420,622	756,225	98,696
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	102,064	374,235	347,217
Net Income	522,686	1,130,460	445,913
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(63,164)	(68,289)	(57,233)
Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 459,522	$ 1,062,171	$ 388,680
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.59	$ 3.04	$ 0.18
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	0.45	1.65	1.52
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	2.04	4.69	1.70
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	1.56	2.97	0.18
Earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.44	1.61	1.48
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2	$ 4.58	$ 1.66
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	224,688	226,292	228,541
Diluted (in shares)	229,721	231,907	234,189
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68	$ 0.80	$ 0.8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 522,686	$ 1,130,460	$ 445,913
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (income not available to shareholders)	(1,796)	(3,420)	(1,997)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(8,235)	(43,766)	9,055
Pension and other postretirement benefit items:
Actuarial gain (loss) arising during the period	39,115	(466,482)	286,778
Amortization of actuarial loss	31,357	46,489	64,381
Change in prior service (costs) credit	0	37,986	319
Amortization of prior service credit	1,176	(4,082)	(1,599)
Settlement charge	0	0	3,077
Other	(355)	(10,279)	(10,158)
Pension and other postretirement benefit items	71,293	(396,368)	342,798
Unrealized gains on available for sale investments during the period	3,311	0	2,363
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	66,369	(440,134)	354,216
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(28,289)	147,718	(145,478)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	38,080	(292,416)	208,738
Comprehensive income	558,970	834,624	652,654
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(55,099)	(57,167)	(56,888)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 503,871	$ 777,457	$ 595,766

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 522,686	$ 1,130,460	$ 445,913
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flows:
Gain on Cars.com acquisition, net of tax	0	(285,860)	0
Depreciation	140,954	185,868	153,203
Amortization of intangible assets	121,290	79,856	36,369
Stock-based compensation	26,344	33,882	33,437
Provision for deferred income taxes	100,202	1,200	53,900
Pension contributions, net of pension expense	(122,376)	(111,194)	(82,878)
Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net	(5,743)	(167,319)	(43,824)
Other, including gains/losses on sale of assets and impairments	(65,496)	100,159	56,341
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables	32,787	(1,514)	(17,884)
Decrease (increase) in inventories	1,807	10,032	4,489
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(57,643)	66,740	(29,310)
Increase (decrease) in interest and taxes payable	(46,411)	(193,274)	(53,101)
Increase (decrease) in deferred income	4,822	(5,353)	(12,233)
Changes in other assets and liabilities, net	(40,117)	(22,484)	(32,934)
Net cash flows from operating activities	613,106	821,199	511,488
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(118,767)	(150,354)	(110,407)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(53,656)	(1,990,877)	(1,451,006)
Payments for investments	(33,715)	(7,026)	(3,380)
Proceeds from investments	12,402	180,809	63,408
Proceeds from sale of assets	411,012	305,347	113,895
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	217,276	(1,662,101)	(1,387,490)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from (payments of) borrowings under revolving credit facilities, net	80,000	640,000	(205,000)
Proceeds from borrowings	200,000	666,732	2,021,869
Debt repayments	(587,509)	(537,490)	(287,719)
Payments of debt issuance and financing costs	(7,619)	(10,548)	(41,960)
Dividends paid	(167,508)	(181,328)	(183,233)
Repurchases of common stock	(271,030)	(75,815)	(116,639)
Excess tax benefit from equity awards and proceeds from stock option exercises	31,284	26,672	31,435
Distributions to noncontrolling membership interests	(24,783)	(22,072)	(42,608)
Deferred payments for acquisitions	(9,136)	(15,687)	(6,132)
Cash transferred to the Gannett Co., Inc. business	(63,365)	0	0
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(819,666)	490,464	1,170,013
Effect of currency exchange rate change	0	(281)	162
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	10,716	(350,719)	294,173
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations, beginning of year	110,305	455,023	109,488
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations, beginning of year	8,179	14,180	65,542
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	118,484	469,203	175,030
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations, end of year	129,200	110,305	455,023
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations, end of year	0	8,179	14,180
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at end of year	129,200	118,484	469,203
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds	105,581	207,038	124,378
Cash paid for interest	265,174	242,190	126,180
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Non-monetary exchange of investment for acquisition	(34,403)	0	0
Assets-held-for-sale proceeds	0	146,428	0
Escrow deposit disbursement related to London Broadcasting Company television stations acquisition	0	(134,908)	0
Capital expenditures	$ 0	$ (11,520)	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock $1 par value	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 30, 2012	$ 2,539,912	$ 324,419	$ 567,515	$ 7,514,858	$ (701,141)	$ (5,355,037)	$ 189,298
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	445,913			388,680			57,233
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	(1,997)						(1,997)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	208,738				207,086		1,652
Comprehensive income	652,654
Dividends declared, $0.68 per share in 2015, $0.80 per share in 2014, $0.80 per share in 2013	(182,635)			(182,635)
Distributions to noncontrolling membership shareholders	(42,390)						(42,390)
Treasury stock acquired	(116,639)					(116,639)
Stock-based awards activity	2,845		(58,571)			61,416
Stock-based compensation	33,437		33,437
Tax benefit from settlement of stock awards	9,764		9,764
Other activity	(2,155)		223			(277)	(2,101)
Ending Balance at Dec. 29, 2013	2,894,793	324,419	552,368	7,720,903	(494,055)	(5,410,537)	201,695
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	1,130,460			1,062,171			68,289
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	(3,420)						(3,420)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(292,416)				(284,714)		(7,702)
Comprehensive income	834,624
Dividends declared, $0.68 per share in 2015, $0.80 per share in 2014, $0.80 per share in 2013	(180,705)			(180,705)
Distributions to noncontrolling membership shareholders	(22,072)						(22,072)
Treasury stock acquired	(75,815)					(75,815)
Stock-based awards activity	(5,861)		(52,988)			47,127
Stock-based compensation	33,882		33,882
Tax benefit from settlement of stock awards	12,437		12,437
Other activity	(2,010)		707			(286)	(2,431)
Ending Balance at Dec. 28, 2014	3,489,273	324,419	546,406	8,602,369	(778,769)	(5,439,511)	234,359
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	522,686			459,522			63,164
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	(1,796)						(1,796)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	38,080				44,349		(6,269)
Comprehensive income	558,970
Dividends declared, $0.68 per share in 2015, $0.80 per share in 2014, $0.80 per share in 2013	(153,022)			(153,022)
Distributions to noncontrolling membership shareholders	(23,550)						(23,550)
Spin-off of Publishing businesses	(1,194,271)			(1,797,740)	603,469
Treasury stock acquired	(271,030)					(271,030)
Stock-based awards activity	(9,816)		(52,436)			42,620
Stock-based compensation	26,344		26,344
Tax benefit from settlement of stock awards	20,439		20,439
Other activity	13,407		(1,248)			15,790	(1,135)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 2,456,744	$ 324,419	$ 539,505	$ 7,111,129	$ (130,951)	$ (5,652,131)	$ 264,773

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQU8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68	$ 0.80	$ 0.8

Description of business, basis

Description of business, basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of business, basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies	Description of business, basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies Description of business : Our Company is comprised of a dynamic portfolio of media and digital businesses that provide content that matters and brands that deliver. Our media business includes 46 television stations operating in 38 markets, offering high-quality television programming and digital content. Our digital business primarily consists of our Cars.com and CareerBuilder business units that operate in the automotive and human capital solutions industries. The Cars.com website provides credible and easy-to-understand information from consumers and experts to provide car buyers with greater control over the car buying and servicing process. CareerBuilder helps companies target, attract and retain workforce talent through an array of product offerings including talent management software and other advertising and recruitment solutions. On the first day of our fiscal third quarter, June 29, 2015, we completed the spin-off of our publishing businesses. Our Company was renamed TEGNA Inc. and our stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TGNA. The new publishing company retained the name Gannett Co., Inc. and now trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GCI. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2015, we sold substantially all of the businesses within our Other Segment. With the completion of these separations, we disposed of the former Publishing and Other Segments in their entirety and ceased to consolidate its assets, liabilities and results of operations in our consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, we have presented the financial condition and results of operations of the former Publishing and Other Segments as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. See Note 13, for a summary of discontinued operations. Fiscal year: Beginning in fiscal year 2015, we changed our financial reporting cycle to a calendar year-end. Accordingly, our 2015 fiscal year began on December 29, 2014 (the day after the end of the 2014 fiscal year) and ended on December 31, 2015. Historically, our fiscal year was a 52-53 week fiscal year that ended on the last Sunday of the calendar year. As a result, our 2015 fiscal year had four more days than the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years. The impact of the four extra days did not have a material impact on our financial statements, and therefore, we have not restated the historical results. Use of estimates: The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In doing so, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, income taxes including deferred tax assets, pension and other postretirement benefits, evaluation of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, fair value measurements and contingencies. Basis of Presentation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of subsidiaries we control and variable interest entities if we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate all intercompany balances, transactions, and profits in consolidation. Investments in entities for which have significant influence, but do not have control, are accounted for under the equity method. Our share of net earnings and losses from these ventures is included in “Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investees, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Changes in Basis of Presentation : The 2014 and 2013 financial information has been recast so that the basis of presentation is consistent with that of the 2015 financial information. This recast reflects the financial position and results of operations of our former publishing businesses and Other Segment as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The consolidated statements of cash flows have not been recast and include the cash flows from both continuing and discontinuing operations. In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation. Variable Interest Entities (VIE): A variable interest entity is an entity that must be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, the party that holds a controlling financial interest. A VIE has one or both of the following characteristics: (1) its equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, or (2) as a group, the equity investors lack one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the entity, (b) obligation to absorb expected losses, or (c) right to receive expected residual returns. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. Since December 23, 2013, we had consolidated four VIE's that operate television stations in the Louisville, KY, Portland, OR, and Tucson, AZ markets. We serviced these stations under shared services and similar arrangements and concluded we were the primary beneficiary. On December 3, 2015, we acquired the remaining ownership interest in three of the four stations. As a result, we had one remaining consolidated VIE related to a station in Tucson, AZ as of December 31, 2015. Below is a summary of the carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIEs mentioned above: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 Current assets $ 1,250 $ 20,541 Property and equipment, net 309 10,084 Intangible and other assets 2,846 29,412 Total assets 4,405 60,037 Current liabilities 1,381 11,635 Noncurrent liabilities 1,719 26,028 Total liabilities $ 3,100 $ 37,663 Segment presentation: The Digital Segment includes results from CareerBuilder, Cars.com, PointRoll and ShopLocal. Digital Segment revenues exclude online/digital revenues generated by digital platforms that are associated with our Media Segment's properties. Such amounts are reflected within our Media Segment and included within media revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Noncontrolling interests presentation: Noncontrolling interests are presented as a component of equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. This balance primarily relates to the noncontrolling owners of CareerBuilder for which our ownership percentage is at 52.9% . Net income in the Consolidated Statements of Income reflects 100% of CareerBuilder's results as we hold the controlling interest. Net income is subsequently adjusted to remove the noncontrolling interest to arrive at Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. In addition, CareerBuilder has made two strategic acquisitions in which they own a controlling financial interest. In July 2015, CareerBuilder acquired a majority ownership in Textkernal, a software company that provides semantic recruitment technology. Additionally, in 2012, CareerBuilder acquired a majority ownership in Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI), a software firm that specializes in employment data and labor market analytics. The minority shareholders of these acquired businesses hold put rights that permit them to put their equity interest to CareerBuilder. Since redemption of the noncontrolling interest is outside of our control, the minority shareholders' equity interest is presented on the consolidated balance sheet in the caption “Redeemable noncontrolling interests”. Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Trade receivables and allowances for doubtful accounts: Trade receivables are recorded at invoiced amounts and generally do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects our estimate of credit exposure, determined principally on the basis of our collection experience, aging of our receivables and any specific reserves needed for certain customers based on their credit risk. Bad debt expense, which is included in cost of sales and operating expenses on our consolidated statements of income, was $6.9 million in 2015, $4.1 million in 2014, and $4.4 million in 2013, which approximated write-offs of trade receivables during each respective year. Property and depreciation: Property and equipment are recorded at cost, and depreciation is provided generally on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are generally: buildings and improvements, 10 to 40 years; and machinery, equipment and fixtures, 3 to 25 years. Changes in the estimated useful life of an asset, which, for example, could happen as a result of facility consolidations, can affect depreciation expense and net income. Major building and leasehold improvements and interest incurred during the construction period of major additions are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Valuation of long-lived assets: We review the carrying amount of long-lived assets (mostly property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Once an indicator of potential impairment has occurred, the impairment test is based on whether the intent is to hold the asset for continued use or to hold the asset for sale. If the intent is to hold the asset for continued use, the impairment test first requires a comparison of projected undiscounted future cash flows against the carrying amount of the asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the asset group would be deemed to be potentially impaired. The impairment, if any, would be measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily using the projected future cash flows, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost to dispose. We recognized impairment charges each year from 2013-2015 related to long-lived assets. See Note 11 for further discussion. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets: Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis (first day of our fourth quarter) or between annual tests if events or changes in circumstances that indicate the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Before performing the annual two-step goodwill impairment test, we first have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the two-step quantitative test must be completed. The qualitative assessment considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors and overall financial performance, as well as company and specific reporting unit specifications. If after performing this assessment, we conclude it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we are required to perform the two-step quantitative test. Otherwise, the two-step quantitative test is not required. In 2015, we elected to not perform the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill; instead, we performed the quantitative impairment test. Our goodwill has been allocated to and is tested for impairment at a level referred to as the reporting unit. The level at which we test goodwill for impairment requires us to determine whether the operations below the business segment level constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results. For Media, goodwill is accounted for at the segment level. For Digital, the reporting units are the stand-alone digital businesses such as Cars.com, CareerBuilder, ShopLocal and PointRoll. When performing the first step of the quantitative test, we determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, we perform the second step of the impairment test, as this is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired. In the second step of the impairment test, we determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment of goodwill has occurred and we must recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the implied fair value of goodwill. We estimate the fair value of each reporting unit using a combination of a market-based valuation methodology using comparable public company trading values, and income approach using the discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgments, including the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, long-term growth rates, discount rates and relevant comparable public company earnings multiples. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis are based on our best estimate of future sales, earnings and cash flows after considering factors such as general market conditions and recent operating performance. The discount rates utilized in the DCF analysis are based on the respective reporting unit’s weighted average cost of capital, which takes into account the relative weights of each component of capital structure (equity and debt) and represents the expected cost of new capital, adjusted as appropriate to consider the risk inherent in future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. In the fourth quarter of 2015, we completed our annual goodwill impairment test for each of our reporting units. The results of these tests indicated that the estimated fair values of our reporting units exceed their carrying values, with the exception of our PointRoll reporting unit within our Digital Segment. After performing step 2 of the impairment test, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 related to PointRoll. See Note 11 for further discussion. We also have intangible assets with indefinite lives associated with FCC broadcast licenses related to our acquisitions of television stations, and trade names from the Cars.com and CareerBuilder acquisitions. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested annually, or more often if circumstances dictate, for impairment and written down to fair value as required. The estimates of fair value for the trade names are determined using the "relief from royalty" methodology, which is a variation of the income approach. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the projected future cash flows generated by the intangible asset. To estimate the fair values for the FCC broadcast licenses, we apply an income approach, using the Greenfield method. The Greenfield method involves a DCF model that incorporates several variables, including market revenues, long-term growth projections, estimated market share for a typical market participant, and estimated profit margins based on market size and station type. The results of our 2015 annual impairment test of indefinite lived intangible assets indicated the fair values exceed their carrying amounts, and therefore, no impairment charge was recorded. Investments and other assets: Investments where we have significant influence are recorded under the equity method of accounting. We recognized impairment charges in 2014 related to such investments. See Note 4 for additional information. Investments in non-public businesses in which we do not have control or do not exert significant influence are carried at cost and losses resulting from periodic evaluations of the carrying value of these investments are included as a non-operating expense. At Dec. 31, 2015, such investments totaled approximately $8.6 million and at Dec. 28, 2014, they totaled approximately $8.3 million . Our television stations are party to program broadcasting contracts which provide the Media Segment with rights to broadcast syndicated programs, original series and films. These contracts are recorded at the gross amount of the related liability when the programs are available for telecasting. The related assets are recorded at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Program assets are classified as current (as a prepaid expense) or noncurrent (as an other asset) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon the expected use of the programs in succeeding years. The amount charged to expense appropriately matches the cost of the programs with the revenues associated with them. The liability for these contracts is classified as current or noncurrent in accordance with the payment terms of the contracts. The payment period generally coincides with the period of telecast for the programs, but may be shorter. Revenue recognition: We generate revenue from a diverse set of product and service offerings which include advertising, retransmission consent fees, and software and recruitment services. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, performance under the contract has begun, the contract price is fixed or determinable and collectability of the related fee is reasonably assured. Revenue from sales agreements that contain multiple deliverable elements is allocated to each element based on the relative best estimate of selling price. Elements are treated as separate units of accounting if there is standalone value upon delivery. Amounts received from customers in advance of revenue recognition are deferred as liabilities. Below is a detail discussion of revenue by our two reportable segments. Media Segment: The primary source of revenue for our Media Segment is through the sale of advertising time on its television stations. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period when the advertisements are aired. Our Media Segment also earns revenue from retransmission consent arrangements. Under these agreements, we receive cash consideration from multichannel video programming distributors (e.g., cable and satellite providers) in return for our consent to permit the cable/satellite operator to retransmit our television signal. Retransmission consent fees are recognized over the contract period based on a negotiated fee per subscriber. Retransmission consent fees revenues have increased as a percentage of overall Media Segment revenue in recent years. In 2015, such revenues accounted for approximately 27% of overall Media Segment revenue compared to 18% in 2013. In addition, our Media Segment also generates online advertising revenue through the display of digital advertisements across its various digital platforms. Online advertising agreements typically take the form of an impression-based contract, fixed fee time-based contract or transaction based contract. The customers are billed for impressions delivered or click-throughs on their advertisements. An impression is the display of an advertisement to an end-user on the website and is a measure of volume. A click-through occurs when an end-user clicks on an impression. Revenue is recognized evenly over the contract term for fixed fee contracts where a minimum number of impressions or click-throughs is not guaranteed. Revenue is recognized as the service is delivered for transaction based contracts. Digital Segment : The primary source of revenue for our Digital Segment is through the sale of online subscription advertising products. Cars.com sells subscription advertising products targeting car dealerships and national advertisers, and CareerBuilder earns revenue through placement of job postings on its network of websites. Revenue is recognized for our Digital Segment’s online advertising arrangements in the same manner as described above for Media Segments online advertising revenue. CareerBuilder service offerings include human capital Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and various other recruitment solutions (employment branding services and access to online resume databases). Generally, the human capital SaaS offering and access related to resume databases are subscription-based contracts for which revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription period. SaaS contracts are generally two to three year contracts. Recruitment solutions (which include sourcing and screening services) are more transactional based contracts, and therefore, revenue is recognized as delivery occurs. In addition, through our G/O Digital business unit, we also provide digital marketing services and revenue is recognized for these offerings as advertising and services are delivered. Retirement plans: Pension and other post-retirement benefit costs under our defined benefit retirement plans are actuarially determined. We recognize the cost of post-retirement benefits including pension, medical and life insurance benefits on an accrual basis over the average life expectancy of employees expected to receive such benefits for plans that have had their benefits frozen. For active plans, costs are recognized over the estimated average future service period. Stock-based employee compensation: We grant restricted stock or restricted stock units (RSU) as well as performance shares to employees as a form of compensation. The expense for such awards is based on the grant date fair value of the award and is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is typically the four -year vesting period for restricted stock and the three -year vesting period for performance shares. Performance share expense for participants meeting certain retirement eligible criteria as defined in the plan is recognized using the accelerated attribution method. See Note 9 for further discussion. Our stock option awards generally have graded vesting terms and we recognize compensation expense for these options on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (generally four years ). Stock options are no longer issued to our employees and in 2015 all remaining outstanding options became fully vested. Advertising Costs : We expense advertising costs as they are incurred. Advertising expense was $173.3 million 2015, $110.1 million in 2014, and $98.6 million in 2013, and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Income taxes: Income taxes are presented on the consolidated financial statements using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences that exist between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as from operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred income taxes reflect expected future tax benefits (i.e., assets) and future tax costs (i.e., liabilities). The tax effect of net operating loss, capital loss and general business credit carryovers result in deferred tax assets. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recoverable or settled. We recognize the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established if, based upon the weight of available evidence, management determines it is “more likely than not” that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We periodically assess our tax filing exposures related to periods that are open to examination. Based on the latest available information, we evaluate our tax positions to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not the position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority. If we cannot reach a more-likely-than-not determination, no benefit is recorded. If we determine that the tax position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained, we record the largest amount of benefit that is more-likely-than-not to be realized when the tax position is settled. We record interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of income tax expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Interest and penalties were not material in each year presented. Foreign currency translation : The income statements of foreign operations have been translated to U.S. dollars using the average currency exchange rates in effect during the relevant period. The balance sheets have been translated using the currency exchange rate as of the end of the accounting period. The impact of currency exchange rate changes on the translation of the balance sheets are included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and are classified as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Equity. Loss contingencies: We are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and regulatory matters, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. We determine whether to disclose or accrue for loss contingencies based on an assessment of whether the risk of loss is remote, reasonably possible or probable, and whether it can be reasonably estimated. We accrue for loss contingencies when such amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. If a contingent liability is only reasonably possible, we will disclose the potential range of the loss, if material and estimable. Discontinued operations : In determining whether a group of assets is disposed (or to be disposed) should be presented as a discontinued operation, we analyze whether the group of assets being disposed of represented a component of the entity; that is, whether it had historic operations and cash flows that were clearly distinguished (both operationally and for financial reporting purposes). In addition, we consider whether the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. We concluded that both the spin-off of our former publishing businesses on June 29, 2015, and the sale of our Other Segment during the fourth quarter of 2015 met all of the criteria to be presented as discontinued operations. As such, for all periods presented, we have recast our financial information to present the financial position and results of operations of the former publishing businesses and Other Segment as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, with the exception of the consolidated statements of cash flows (which include the cash flows from both continuing and discontinuing operations). See Note 13 for more information. Accounting guidance adopted in 2015: On Dec. 31, 2015 we early adopted guidance that requires the presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current in the consolidated balance sheet. The Dec. 28, 2014 consolidated balance sheet has also been recast so that the classification of deferred taxes is consistent with the current year presentation. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that establishes a new revenue recognition framework in U.S. GAAP for all companies and industries. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. New disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers are also required. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date of the standard to 2018 for public companies, with an option that would permit companies to early adopt the standard in 2017. Early adoption prior to 2017 is not permitted. The new standard may be adopted either retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis, which recognizes a cumulative catch-up adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. In addition, the FASB is contemplating making additional changes to certain elements of the new standard. We are currently evaluating the methods of adoption allowed by the new standard and the effect the standard is expected to have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance that requires an acquirer to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts recorded in a business combination in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Recognizing the entire impact of a measurement period adjustment in a single reporting period may introduce earnings volatility and reduces comparability between periods when the adjustments are material. Past measurement period adjustments for us have not been material. In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that will change the way an entity presents debt issuance costs on the balance sheet. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs will be a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, similar to debt discounts, rather than as an asset as has been done previously. Amortization of the cost will continue to be reported as interest expense. We will adopt the new guidance in the first quarter of 2016. We are required to apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each period presented is adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. At Dec. 31, 2015, we had $49.0 million of debt issuance costs recorded as assets. The debt issuance costs amount to less than 1% of our total assets. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to leases which will require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP-which requires only capital leases to be recognized on the balance sheet—the new guidance will require both types of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. The new guidance is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019 and we are currently evaluating the effect it is expected to have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Acquisitions, investments and d

Acquisitions, investments and dispositions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions, investments and dispositions	Acquisitions, investments and dispositions We made the following acquisitions, investments and dispositions during 2013 through 2015: Acquisitions 2015 : In July 2015, CareerBuilder acquired a majority stake in Textkernel, a leading-edge software company providing semantic recruitment technology to the global market. Textkernel is based in Amsterdam. In March 2015, CareerBuilder increased its controlling interest in EMSI by 11% from 74% to 85% . EMSI is an economic software firm that specializes in employment data and labor market analysis. EMSI collects and interprets large amounts of labor data, which is used in workforce development and talent strategy. On December 3, 2015, we acquired three television stations KGW in Portland, Oregon, WHAS in Louisville, Kentucky and KMSB in Tucson, Arizona, following approval from the Federal Communications Commission. Since 2013, we have consolidated these three television stations as they were VIEs and we were the primary beneficiary. See Note 1 for further discussion. 2014: On Oct. 1, 2014, we acquired the remaining 73% interest in Cars.com (formerly known as Classified Ventures, LLC) for $1.83 billion . We funded the acquisition with additional borrowings and cash on hand. As part of the acquisition, Cars.com entered into new five -year affiliation agreements with each of the former newspaper investors at economic terms much more favorable to Cars.com. Acquiring full ownership of Cars.com further accelerated our digital transformation and expanded our position in local media and marketing services in the automotive sector. The purchase price was allocated to the tangible assets and identified intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess purchase price over those fair values was recorded as goodwill. At the acquisition date, the purchase price assigned to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities is summarized as follows: In thousands of dollars Cash and cash equivalents $ 43,767 Receivables and other current assets 108,577 Property and equipment 17,399 Indefinite-lived intangible assets 872,320 Definite-lived intangible assets: Customer relationships 789,540 Internally developed technology 69,500 Other 2,860 Investments and other noncurrent assets 14,598 Goodwill 715,970 Total assets acquired 2,634,531 Current liabilities 106,970 Other noncurrent liabilities 132,606 Total liabilities assumed 239,576 Net assets acquired 2,394,955 Less: acquisition date fair value of 26.9% equity interest 563,757 Acquisition purchase price $ 1,831,198 We recognized a $476.7 million pre-tax non-cash gain ( $285.9 million after-tax) on the acquisition of Cars.com, which is comprised of a $396.7 million gain on the write-up of our prior 27% investment in Cars.com to fair value and an $80.0 million gain related to the required accounting for the pre-existing affiliate agreement between us and Cars.com. The net gain is included in Other non-operating items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The impact to our Consolidated Statements of Income, net of intersegment eliminations, from Oct. 1, 2014, the acquisition date to Dec. 28, 2014 was $129.0 million of revenue and $33.6 million of operating income. Customer relationships are being amortized over a weighted average life of eleven years and internally developed technology is being amortized over a weighted average life of seven years . Acquired property and equipment will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce and non-contractual relationships, as well as expected future synergies. We expect the purchase price allocated to goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles will be deductible for tax purposes. Pro forma information. The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of operations, assuming that the Cars.com acquisition, along with transactions necessary to finance the acquisition, occurred at the beginning of 2013: Unaudited In thousands of dollars 2014 2013 Total revenues $ 2,987,058 $ 2,039,854 Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 754,851 $ 356,353 This pro forma financial information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for the allocation of the purchase price and other acquisition accounting adjustments, and is not necessarily indicative of what our results would have been had we operated the businesses since the beginning of the annual period presented. The pro forma adjustments reflect amortization of intangibles and unfavorable contracts related to the fair value adjustments of the assets and liabilities acquired, additional interest expense related to the financing of the transactions, alignment of accounting policies and the related tax effects of the adjustments. Changes in affiliation agreements between Cars.com and its former investors that went into effect on Oct. 1, 2014, were excluded from the pro forma adjustments dating back to the beginning of 2013. The pro forma table excludes adjustments for any other acquisitions in 2013 or 2014. We incurred and expensed a total of $9.3 million of acquisition costs related to Cars.com for the year ended Dec. 28, 2014. Such costs were reflected in Other non-operating items in the Consolidated Statements of Income. These acquisition costs and the $285.9 million after-tax gain on the acquisition of Cars.com are not included in the pro forma amounts above as they are specifically related to the acquisition. In April 2014, CareerBuilder acquired Broadbean. Broadbean is a leading international job distribution, candidate sourcing and big data analytics software company. Broadbean is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and has offices in the U.S., France, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia. In July 2014, we acquired six London Broadcasting Company television stations in Texas for approximately $215.0 million in an all-cash transaction. We used proceeds of $134.9 million from the sale of the Phoenix and St. Louis stations to partially pay for the London Broadcasting Company stations via a tax-efficient exchange. The acquisition included KCEN (NBC) in Waco-Temple-Bryan, KYTX (CBS) in Tyler-Longview, KIII (ABC) in Corpus Christi, KBMT (ABC) and its digital sub-current KJAC (NBC) in Beaumont-Port Arthur, KXVA (FOX) in Abilene-Sweetwater and KIDY (FOX) in San Angelo. 2013: On Dec. 23, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Belo. The total cash consideration was $1.47 billion in addition to the assumption of $715 million in principal amount of outstanding Belo debt. The source of the aggregate purchase price that we paid in the acquisition consisted of additional borrowings and cash on hand. In connection with the acquisition, we recorded goodwill (which is not deductible for tax purposes) of $929 million , related to synergies of combining operations and value of the existing workforce. Additionally, we recorded other intangible assets of $186 million primarily related to retransmission and network affiliation agreements. The retransmission agreements intangible assets are being amortized over a weighted average life of eight years and network affiliate agreements intangible assets are being amortized over a weighted average life of nine years . Acquired property and equipment are being depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the results of the acquired operations for the 17 consolidated television stations are included in our financial statements beginning Dec. 23, 2013. Net media revenues and operating income of these stations included in our Consolidated Statements of Income were immaterial for the year ended Dec. 29, 2013. We incurred and expensed a total of $33.0 million of acquisition costs for the year ended Dec. 29, 2013, related to the Belo acquisition. Such costs were reflected in Other non-operating items in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Dispositions 2015: On June 29, 2015, we completed the spin-off of our publishing businesses and began trading as TEGNA on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TGNA. See Note 13 for further details regarding the spin-off. On Dec. 29, 2014, which was the first day of our 2015 fiscal year, we completed our sale of Gannett Healthcare Group (GHG), to OnCourse Learning. GHG provides continuing education, certification test preparation, online recruitment, digital media, publications and related services for nurses and other healthcare professionals in the U.S. On November 5, 2015 we also sold our subsidiaries Clipper Magazine (Clipper), a direct mail advertising magazine business, and Mobestream Media (Mobestream), maker of a mobile rewards/coupon platform, to Valassis Direct Mail, Inc. The Clipper and Mobestream business units represented substantially all of the operations of our former Other Segment. As a result, the operating results of our Other Segment have been included in discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements (see Note 13 for more information). On November 12, 2015, we sold PointRoll which was part of our Cofactor business unit within our Digital Segment, to Sizmek Technologies, Inc. 2014: In February 2014, we along with Sander Media, LLC, completed the sale of KMOV in St. Louis, MO, to Meredith Corporation, following regulatory approval. As a condition of the sale, Sander Media conveyed to Meredith Corporation substantially all of its assets used to operate KMOV, which Sander Media acquired when the Gannett-Belo transaction closed on December 23, 2013. We conveyed certain other assets needed to provide services to KMOV, which we also acquired from Belo. In June 2014, we, along with Sander Media, LLC, completed the sale of KTVK and KASW in Phoenix, AZ, to Meredith Corporation. As part of the sale, Sander Media conveyed to Meredith substantially all of its assets used in the operation of both stations, which Sander Media acquired when the Belo transaction was completed in December 2013. We also conveyed certain other assets we used to provide services to both stations, which we acquired from the Belo transaction. At the closing, Meredith simultaneously conveyed KASW to SagamoreHill of Phoenix, LLC, which through its affiliates, owns and operates two television stations in two markets. The total sale price of the Phoenix and St. Louis stations was $407.5 million plus working capital. In March 2014, Classified Ventures, in which we owned a 27% interest, agreed to sell Apartments.com to CoStar Group, Inc. for $585 million . This transaction closed on April 1, 2014. As a result of our ownership stake, we received a $154.6 million distribution from Classified Ventures after the close of the transaction.

Goodwill and other intangible a

Goodwill and other intangible assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and other intangible assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets The following table displays goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and amortizable intangible assets at Dec. 31, 2015, and Dec. 28, 2014. In thousands of dollars Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Dec. 31, 2015 Goodwill $ 3,919,726 $ — $ 3,919,726 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television station FCC licenses 1,191,950 — 1,191,950 Trade names 925,019 — 925,019 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 903,652 (145,398 ) 758,254 Other 265,148 (75,264 ) 189,884 Total $ 7,205,495 $ (220,662 ) $ 6,984,833 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Goodwill $ 3,914,771 $ — $ 3,914,771 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television station FCC licenses 1,191,950 — 1,191,950 Trade names 926,407 — 926,407 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 904,916 (71,719 ) 833,197 Other 268,578 (42,554 ) 226,024 Total $ 7,206,622 $ (114,273 ) $ 7,092,349 Amortization expense was $114.3 million in 2015, $66.0 million in 2014 and $20.7 million in 2013. The increase primarily reflects the impact of a full year of Cars.com amortization which was acquired in October 2014. Customer relationships, which include subscriber lists and advertiser relationships, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. Other intangibles primarily include retransmission agreements, network affiliations, developed technology, and patents and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. The following table shows the projected annual amortization expense, as of Dec. 31, 2015, related to our existing amortizable intangible assets: In thousands of dollars 2016 $ 110,135 2017 $ 105,989 2018 $ 103,213 2019 $ 97,018 2020 $ 94,308 The following table shows the changes from 2014 to 2015 in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment. In thousands of dollars Media Digital Total Goodwill (recast) Gross balance at Dec. 29, 2013 2,543,333 765,952 3,309,285 Accumulated impairment losses — (136,700 ) (136,700 ) Net balance at Dec. 29, 2013 $ 2,543,333 $ 629,252 $ 3,172,585 Acquisitions & adjustments 35,268 753,828 789,096 Impairment — (30,271 ) (30,271 ) Foreign currency exchange rate changes — (16,639 ) (16,639 ) Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ 2,578,601 $ 1,336,170 $ 3,914,771 Gross balance at Dec. 28, 2014 2,578,601 1,503,141 4,081,742 Accumulated impairment losses — (166,971 ) (166,971 ) Net balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ 2,578,601 $ 1,336,170 $ 3,914,771 Acquisitions & adjustments 817 25,667 26,484 Dispositions — (252 ) (252 ) Impairment — (8,000 ) (8,000 ) Foreign currency exchange rate changes — (13,277 ) (13,277 ) Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ 2,579,418 $ 1,340,308 $ 3,919,726 Gross balance at Dec. 31, 2015 2,579,418 1,515,279 4,094,697 Accumulated impairment losses — (174,971 ) (174,971 ) Net balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ 2,579,418 $ 1,340,308 $ 3,919,726

Other assets and investments

Other assets and investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Other assets and investments	Other assets and investments Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Deferred compensation investments $ 77,199 $ 65,950 Cash value life insurance 68,332 70,801 Deferred debt issuance cost 45,420 50,045 Equity method investments 27,824 21,750 Available for sale investment 28,090 — Other long term assets 41,925 40,904 Total $ 288,790 $ 249,450 Deferred compensation : Employee compensation related investments consist of debt and equity securities which are classified as trading securities and fund our deferred compensation plan liabilities (See Note 8 for further discussion on how fair value is determined). Net gains on trading securities in 2015, 2014, and 2013 were $0.5 million , $2.9 million and $3.2 million . Gains and losses on these investments are included in Other non-operating items within our consolidated statement of income. Equity method investments : Investments where we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Significant influence typically exists if we have a 20% to 50% ownership interest in the investee. Under this method of accounting, our share of the net earnings or losses of the investee is included in non-operating income, on our consolidated statements of income. We evaluate our equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired. If a decline in the value of an equity method investment is determined to be other than temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period. Certain differences exist between our investment carrying value and the underlying equity of the investee companies principally due to fair value measurement at the date of investment acquisition and due to impairment charges we recorded for certain of the investments. Pre-tax impairments on equity method investments were $3 million in 2014 and were recorded in equity income in unconsolidated investees on our Consolidated Statements of Income. No material impairments were recorded in 2015 and 2013. For the year ended Dec. 28, 2014, the net gain in Equity income in unconsolidated investees of $151.5 million was primarily related to a pre-tax gain of $148.4 million related to the sale of our investment in Apartments.com by Classified Ventures.

Income taxes

Income taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	Income taxes The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following: In thousands of dollars 2015 Current Deferred Total Federal $ 114,161 $ 76,816 $ 190,977 State and other 12,795 (2,247 ) 10,548 Foreign 1,849 (1,060 ) 789 Total $ 128,805 $ 73,509 $ 202,314 In thousands of dollars 2014 - recast Current Deferred Total Federal $ 139,710 $ 51,245 $ 190,955 State and other 23,114 20,232 43,346 Foreign 1,100 (930 ) 170 Total $ 163,924 $ 70,547 $ 234,471 In thousands of dollars 2013 - recast Current Deferred Total Federal $ 50,564 $ (28,151 ) $ 22,413 State and other (22,105 ) 10,562 (11,543 ) Foreign 1,000 1,252 2,252 Total $ 29,459 $ (16,337 ) $ 13,122 The components of income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. before income taxes consist of the following: In thousands of dollars 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Domestic $ 568,534 $ 927,453 $ 63,693 Foreign (8,762 ) (5,046 ) (9,108 ) Total $ 559,772 $ 922,407 $ 54,585 The provision for income taxes varies from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate as a result of the following differences: 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) U.S. statutory tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: State taxes (net of federal income tax benefit) 3.2 2.4 10.8 Effect of foreign operations 0.5 0.1 1.5 Domestic Manufacturing Deduction (2.0 ) (1.6 ) (3.3 ) Uncertain tax positions, settlements and lapse of statutes of limitations (0.2 ) (0.3 ) (40.3 ) Net deferred tax write offs and deferred tax rate adjustments (1.6 ) (0.3 ) (4.3 ) Non-deductible transactions costs 0.5 0.7 13.5 Loss on sale of subsidiary — (12.6 ) — Non-deductible goodwill 0.4 3.0 — Tax provision and state refund adjustments — — 12.5 Other, net 0.3 (1.0 ) (0.9 ) Effective tax rate 36.1 % 25.4 % 24.5 % Deferred income taxes reflect temporary differences in the recognition of revenue and expense for tax reporting and financial statement purposes. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are adjusted for changes in tax laws or tax rates of the various tax jurisdictions as of the enacted date. Deferred tax liabilities and assets were composed of the following at the end of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Liabilities Accelerated depreciation $ 55,783 $ 76,435 Accelerated amortization of deductible intangibles 663,545 645,096 Partnership investments including impairments 282,784 254,476 Other 9,057 18,961 Total deferred tax liabilities 1,011,169 994,968 Assets Accrued compensation costs 28,119 43,668 Pension and postretirement medical and life 73,470 34,568 Loss carryforwards 184,117 308,374 Other 26,735 67,494 Total deferred tax assets 312,441 454,104 Valuation allowance 184,413 140,731 Total net deferred tax (liabilities) $ (883,141 ) $ (681,595 ) As of Dec. 31, 2015, we had approximately $343.8 million of capital loss carryforwards for federal and state purposes which can only be utilized to the extent capital gains are recognized and, if not used prior to 2020, will expire. As of Dec. 31, 2015, we also had approximately $23.1 million of state net operating loss carryovers that, if not utilized, will expire in various amounts beginning in 2016 through 2035. Included in total deferred tax assets are valuation allowances of approximately $184.4 million as of Dec. 31, 2015 and $140.7 million as of Dec. 28, 2014, primarily related to federal and state capital losses and state net operating losses available for carry forward to future years. The increase in the valuation allowance from 2014 to 2015 is primarily related to additional federal and state capital loss carryforwards due to the uncertainty that exists regarding their future realizability. If, in the future, we believe that it is more-likely-than-not that these deferred tax benefits will be realized, the valuation allowances will be reversed in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Realization of deferred tax assets for which valuation allowances have not been established is dependent upon generating sufficient future taxable income. We expect to realize the benefit of these deferred tax assets through future reversals of our deferred tax liabilities, through the recognition of taxable income in the allowable carryback and carryforward periods, and through implementation of future tax planning strategies. Although realization is not assured, we believe it is more-likely-than-not that all deferred tax assets for which valuation allowances have not been established will be realized. Tax Matters Agreement Prior to the June 29, 2015 spin-off of our publishing businesses we entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with Gannett Co., Inc. that governs each company's respective rights, responsibilities, and obligations with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, tax contests and other matters regarding income taxes, non-income taxes and related tax returns. The agreement provides that we will generally indemnify Gannett Co., Inc. against taxes attributable to assets or operations for all tax periods or portions thereof prior to the spin-off date including separately-filed U.S., state, and foreign taxes and for such periods. Uncertain Tax Positions The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the federal tax benefit of state tax deductions: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 Change in unrecognized tax benefits Balance at beginning of year $ 58,886 $ 57,324 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 6,095 12,426 Additions for tax positions of prior years 853 868 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (24,858 ) (4,563 ) Settlements — (129 ) Reductions for transfers to Gannett Co., Inc. (18,804 ) — Reductions due to lapse of statutes of limitations (2,681 ) (7,040 ) Balance at end of year $ 19,491 $ 58,886 The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was $12.5 million as of Dec. 31, 2015, and $11.6 million as of Dec. 28, 2014. This amount includes the federal tax benefit of state tax deductions. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. We also recognize interest income attributable to overpayment of income taxes and from the reversal of interest expense previously recorded for uncertain tax positions which are subsequently released as a component of income tax expense. We recognized income from interest and the release of penalty reserves of $0.4 million in 2015, $3.4 million in 2014, and $5.4 million in 2013. The amount of accrued interest expense and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits was $1.7 million as of Dec. 31, 2015 and $2 million as of Dec. 28, 2014. We file income tax returns in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. The 2011 through 2015 tax years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state authorities. Tax years before 2011 remain subject to examination by certain states primarily due to the filing of amended tax returns as a result of the settlement of the Internal Revenue Service examination for these years and due to ongoing audits. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized benefit with respect to certain of our unrecognized tax positions will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months. These changes may be the result of settlement of ongoing audits, lapses of statutes of limitations or other regulatory developments. At this time, we estimate the amount of our gross unrecognized tax positions may decrease by up to approximately $3.8 million within the next 12 months primarily due to lapses of statutes of limitations and settlement of ongoing audits in various jurisdictions.

Long-term debt

Long-term debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt	Long-term debt Our long-term debt is summarized below: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due June 2015 $ — $ 66,568 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 6.375% due September 2015 — 250,000 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 83,700 123,200 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 1,938 33,379 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 180,000 — Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016 193,429 193,429 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.125% due September 2018 70,000 250,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019 600,000 600,000 Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020 720,000 640,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due July 2020 600,000 600,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 4.875% due September 2021 350,000 350,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 6.375% due October 2023 650,000 650,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.50% due September 2024 325,000 325,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.75% due June 2027 200,000 200,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.25% due September 2027 240,000 240,000 Total principal long-term debt 4,214,067 4,521,576 Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (12,605 ) (25,694 ) Total long-term debt 4,201,462 4,495,882 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities of VIE loans 646 7,854 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 4,200,816 $ 4,488,028 Our debt balance at year end 2015 decreased by $ 287 million primarily reflecting debt payments of $587 million partially offset by additional borrowings, including the new $200 million term loan mentioned below. On June 29, 2015, we entered into an agreement to amend and extend our existing revolving credit facility with one expiring on June 29, 2020 (the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement). As a result, the maximum total leverage ratio permitted by the new agreement is 5.0 x through June 30, 2017, after which, as amended, it is reduced to 4.75 x through June 30, 2018 and then to 4.50 x thereafter. Commitment fees on the revolving credit agreement are equal to 0.25% - 0.40% of the undrawn commitments, depending upon our leverage ratio, and are computed on the average daily undrawn balance under the revolving credit agreement and paid each quarter. Under the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, we may borrow at an applicable margin above the Eurodollar base rate (LIBOR loan) or the higher of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50% , or the one month LIBOR rate plus 1.00% (ABR loan). The applicable margin is determined based on our leverage ratio but differs between LIBOR loans and ABR loans. For LIBOR-based borrowing, the margin varies from 1.75% to 2.50% . For ABR-based borrowing, the margin will vary from 0.75% to 1.50% . On September 23, 2015, we amended the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement to add an additional lender. Total commitments under the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement are $1.4 billion . As of Dec. 31, 2015, we had unused borrowing capacity of $658 million under our revolving credit agreement. In June 2015, we also borrowed $200 million under a new five -year term loan due in 2020 that carries a year-end 2015 principal balance of $180 million . The interest rate on the term loan is equal to the same interest rates as borrowings under the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement. Both the revolving credit agreement and the term loan are guaranteed by a majority of our wholly-owned material domestic subsidiaries. We made an early repayment of $180 million on the 7.125% notes due in September 2018 by paying 101.781% of the outstanding principal amount in accordance with the original terms. We also have an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under which an unspecified amount of securities may be issued, subject to a $7.0 billion limit established by the Board of Directors. Proceeds from the sale of such securities may be used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, working capital, securities repurchase programs, repayment of debt and financing of acquisitions. We may also invest borrowed funds that are not required for other purposes in short-term marketable securities. Our debt maturities may be repaid with cash flow from operating activities, accessing capital markets or a combination of both. The following schedule of annual maturities of the principal amount of total debt assumes we use available capacity under our revolving credit agreement to refinance unsecured floating rate term loans and fixed rate notes due in 2016 through 2018. Based on this refinancing assumption, all of the obligations other than the VIE unsecured floating rate term loan due prior to 2019 are reflected as maturities for 2019 and beyond. In thousands of dollars 2016 (1) $ 646 2017 (1) 646 2018 (1) 646 2019 640,000 2020 (2) 1,807,129 Thereafter 1,765,000 Total $ 4,214,067 (1) Maturities of principal amount of debt due in 2016 through 2018 (primarily the 10% fixed rate notes due in April 2016 and the 7.125% fixed rate notes due in September 2018) are assumed to be repaid with funds from the revolving credit agreement, which matures in 2020. Excluding our ability to repay funds with the revolving credit agreement, contractual debt maturities are $266 million , $72 million and $131 million in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. (2) Assumes current revolving credit agreement borrowings comes due in 2020 and credit facility is not extended.

Retirement plans

Retirement plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Retirement plans	Retirement plans We, along with our subsidiaries, have various defined benefit retirement plans, including plans established under collective bargaining agreements. Our principal retirement plan is the TEGNA Retirement Plan (TRP). The TRP is a new plan and was formed in connection with the spin-off of our publishing businesses. The TRP assumed certain assets and liabilities from the Gannett Retirement Plan, with the remaining pension obligations being retained by Gannett. The disclosure tables below include the assets and obligations of the TRP, the TEGNA Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP) and The G. B. Dealey Retirement Pension Plan (Dealey Plan). We use a Dec. 31 measurement date convention for our retirement plans. Substantially all participants in the TRP, Dealey Plan and SERP had their benefits frozen before 2009. The Dealey Plan merged with the TRP plan as of Dec. 31, 2015. Our pension costs, which include costs for our qualified and non-qualified plans, are presented in the following table: In thousands of dollars 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Service cost—benefits earned during the period $ 920 $ 812 $ 1,051 Interest cost on benefit obligation 23,800 23,558 9,760 Expected return on plan assets (31,464 ) (28,697 ) (9,754 ) Amortization of prior service costs 673 599 599 Amortization of actuarial loss 6,335 4,003 6,399 Pension expense for company-sponsored retirement plans 264 275 8,055 Settlement charge — — 1,356 Total pension cost $ 264 $ 275 $ 9,411 The following table provides a reconciliation of pension benefit obligations (on a projected benefit obligation measurement basis), plan assets and funded status of company-sponsored retirement plans, along with the related amounts that are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Change in benefit obligations Benefit obligations at beginning of year $ 566,224 $ 502,068 Service cost 920 812 Interest cost 23,800 23,558 Actuarial loss (gain) (12,514 ) 67,596 Gross benefits paid (34,401 ) (27,810 ) Transfers 42,595 — Benefit obligations at end of year $ 586,624 $ 566,224 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 387,626 $ 360,374 Actual return on plan assets (725 ) 25,571 Employer contributions 12,008 29,491 Gross benefits paid (34,401 ) (27,810 ) Transfers 35,685 — Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 400,193 $ 387,626 Funded status at end of year $ (186,431 ) $ (178,598 ) Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets Accrued benefit cost—current $ (7,587 ) $ (6,923 ) Accrued benefit cost—noncurrent $ (178,844 ) $ (171,675 ) The funded status (on a projected benefit obligation basis) of our principal retirement plans at Dec. 31, 2015, is as follows: In thousands of dollars Fair Value of Plan Assets Benefit Obligation Funded Status GRP $ 155,103 $ 197,219 $ (42,116 ) SERP (a) — 87,679 (87,679 ) Dealey 245,090 301,060 (55,970 ) All other — 666 (666 ) Total $ 400,193 $ 586,624 $ (186,431 ) (a) The SERP is an unfunded, unsecured liability The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $576.3 million at Dec. 31, 2015, and $558.8 million at Dec. 28, 2014. The following table presents information for our retirement plans for which accumulated benefits exceed assets: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Accumulated benefit obligation $ 576,333 $ 558,824 Fair value of plan assets $ 400,193 $ 387,626 The following table presents information for our retirement plans for which projected benefit obligations exceed assets: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Projected benefit obligation $ 586,624 $ 566,224 Fair value of plan assets $ 400,193 $ 387,626 The following table summarizes the amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that have not yet been recognized as a component of pension expense as of the dates presented (pre-tax): In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Net actuarial losses $ (184,808 ) $ (148,210 ) Prior service cost (3,367 ) (3,126 ) Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $ (188,175 ) $ (151,336 ) The actuarial loss amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost in 2016 are $6.8 million . The prior service cost amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost in 2016 are $0.7 million . Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) consist of the following for continuing operations only: In thousands of dollars 2015 Current year actuarial loss $ (43,821 ) Amortization of previously deferred actuarial loss 6,335 Amortization of previously deferred prior service costs 673 Total $ (36,813 ) Pension costs: The following assumptions were used to determine net pension costs: 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Discount rate 4.19% 4.84% 3.89% Expected return on plan assets 8.00% 8.00% 8.25% Rate of compensation increase 3.00% 3.00% 3.00% The expected return on plan assets assumption was determined based on plan asset allocations, a review of historic capital market performance, historical plan asset performance and a forecast of expected future plan asset returns. Benefit obligations and funded status: The following assumptions were used to determine the year-end benefit obligations: Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Discount rate 4.46% 4.12% Rate of compensation increase 3.00% 3.00% Plan assets: The asset allocation for the TRP at the end of 2015 and 2014 , and target allocations for 2016, by asset category, are presented in the table below: Target Allocation Allocation of Plan Assets 2016 2015 2014 Equity securities 60 % 58 % 65 % Debt securities 25 35 20 Other 15 7 15 Total 100 % 100 % 100 % The primary objective of company-sponsored retirement plans is to provide eligible employees with scheduled pension benefits. Consistent with prudent standards for preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity, the goal is to earn the highest possible total rate of return while minimizing risk. The principle means of reducing volatility and exercising prudent investment judgment is diversification by asset class and by investment manager; consequently, portfolios are constructed to attain prudent diversification in the total portfolio, each asset class, and within each individual investment manager’s portfolio. Investment diversification is consistent with the intent to minimize the risk of large losses. All objectives are based upon an investment horizon spanning five years so that interim market fluctuations can be viewed with the appropriate perspective. The target asset allocation represents the long-term perspective. Retirement plan assets will be rebalanced periodically to align them with the target asset allocations. Risk characteristics are measured and compared with an appropriate benchmark quarterly; periodic reviews are made of the investment objectives and the investment managers. Our actual investment return on our TRP and Dealey Plan assets was 1.0% for 2015 , 8.2% for 2014 and 15.7% for 2013 . Retirement plan assets do not include shares of our common stock at the end of 2015 . At the end of 2014, our portion of retirement plan assets held 78,000 shares valued at $2.6 million . Cash flows: We estimate we will make the following benefit payments (from either retirement plan assets or directly from our funds), which reflect expected future employee service, as appropriate: In thousands of dollars 2016 $ 36,409 2017 $ 42,097 2018 $ 39,359 2019 $ 40,416 2020 $ 40,457 2021-2025 $ 198,272 401(k) savings plan Substantially all our employees (other than those covered by a collective bargaining agreement) are eligible to participate in our principal defined contribution plan, The TEGNA Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan. Employees can elect to save up to 50% of compensation on a pre-tax basis subject to certain limits. For most participants, the plan’s matching formula is 100% of the first 5% of employee contributions. We also make additional employer contributions on behalf of certain long-term employees. Compensation expense related to 401(k) contributions was $18.2 million in 2015, $19.3 million in 2014 and $15.0 million in 2013. We settled the 401(k) employee company stock match obligation by buying our stock in the open market and depositing it in the participants’ accounts. Multi-employer plans that provide pension benefits: We contribute to a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements (CBA) that cover our union-represented employees. The risks of participating in this multi-employer plan are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects: • We play no part in the management of plan investments or any other aspect of plan administration. • Assets contributed to the multi-employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. • If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. • If we choose to stop participating in some of our multi-employer plans, we may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the unfunded status of the plan, referred to as withdrawal liability. Our participation in this plan for the annual period ended Dec. 31, 2015, is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employee Identification Number (EIN) and the three-digit plan number. The zone status is based on information that we received from the plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded; plans in the orange zone are both a) less than 80% funded and b) have an accumulated/expected funding deficiency in any of the next six plan years, net of any amortization extensions; plans in the yellow zone meet either one of the criteria mentioned in the orange zone; and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (FIP) or a rehabilitation plan (RP) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration date(s) of the collective-bargaining agreement(s) to which the plans are subject. We make all required contributions to these plans as determined under the respective CBAs. Our contribution to the AFTRA Retirement Plan represented less than 5% of total contributions to the plan. This calculation is based on the plan financial statements issued at the end of December 31, 2014. At the date we issue our financial statements, Forms 5500 were unavailable for the plan years ending after December 31, 2014. We incurred no expenses for multi-employer withdrawal liabilities for all periods presented below. Multi-employer Pension Plans EIN Number/ Zone Status FIP/RP Status Contributions (in thousands) Surcharge Imposed Expiration Dates of CBAs Pension Plan Name Plan Number 2015 2014 2015 2014 2013 AFTRA Retirement Plan (a) 13-6414972/001 Green Green NA $ 1,104 $ 973 $ 988 NA 9/11/2015 (a) This plan has elected to utilize special amortization provisions provided under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.

Fair value measurement

Fair value measurement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurement	Fair value measurement We measure and record certain assets and liabilities at fair value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” establishes a fair value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and our own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels: Level 1 – Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3 – Unobservable inputs developed using our own estimates and assumptions, which reflect those that a market participant would use. The financial instruments measured at fair value in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following: Company Owned Assets In thousands of dollars Fair value measurement as of Dec. 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Deferred compensation investments $ 77,199 $ — $ — $ 77,199 Available for sale investment 28,090 — — 28,090 Total Assets $ 105,289 $ — $ — $ 105,289 In thousands of dollars Fair value measurement as of Dec. 28, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Deferred compensation investments $ 65,950 $ — $ — $ 65,950 Total Assets $ 65,950 $ — $ — $ 65,950 Liabilities: Contingent consideration payable $ — $ — $ 8,936 $ 8,936 Total Liabilities $ — $ — $ 8,936 $ 8,936 Deferred compensation investments of $77.2 million as of Dec. 31, 2015 and $66.0 million as of Dec. 28, 2014 consist of securities which are traded on public exchanges, therefore, they are classified as Level 1 assets. The available for sale investment is our 1.5% holding of Gannett's outstanding shares, which has been classified as a Level 1 asset as the shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2014, we had $8.9 million of liabilities relating to certain acquisition agreements where we have agreed to pay the sellers earn-outs based on the financial performance of the acquired businesses. The contingent consideration payable as of Dec. 28, 2014, represented the estimated fair value of future earn-outs payable under such agreements, and was substantially paid in 2015. In addition to the financial instruments listed in the table above, we hold other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and debt. The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximated their fair values. The fair value of our total long-term debt, determined based on the bid and ask quotes for the related debt (Level 2), totaled $ 4.31 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 and $ 4.65 billion at Dec. 28, 2014. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $ 8.0 million , $ 30.3 million and $8.4 million in connection with our interim and annual goodwill impairment test. The fair value determination of goodwill was determined using a combination of a DCF analysis and market-based valuation methodologies and was classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement due to the significance of the unobservable inputs used. See Note 1 and 11 for further information on the non-cash goodwill impairment charges and our valuation methodologies. The following tables set forth the fair values of our pension plans assets by level within the fair value hierarchy: Pension Plan Assets/Liabilities In thousands of dollars Fair value measurement as of Dec. 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Cash and other $ 1,098 $ — $ — $ 1,098 Corporate stock 58,291 — — 58,291 Corporate bonds — 99 — 99 Interest in common/collective trusts: Equities — 172,046 — 172,046 Fixed income — 135,914 — 135,914 Interest in reg. invest. companies 6,659 — — 6,659 Partnership/joint venture interests 2,432 9,364 11,796 Hedge funds — — 14,290 14,290 Total net fair value of plan assets $ 66,048 $ 310,491 $ 23,654 $ 400,193 In thousands of dollars Fair value measurement as of Dec. 28, 2014 (a) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Cash and other $ 5,493 $ 218 $ — $ 5,711 Corporate stock 57,875 — — 57,875 Fixed income: U.S. government-related securities — 260 — 260 Mortgage backed securities — 260 6 266 Other government bonds — 296 — 296 Corporate bonds — 1,601 25 1,626 Interest in common/collective trusts: Equities — 196,924 — 196,924 Fixed income — 93,400 — 93,400 Interest in reg. invest. companies 8,199 — — 8,199 Interest in 103-12 investments — 1,583 — 1,583 Partnership/joint venture interests — 2,374 7,615 9,989 Hedge funds — — 11,589 11,589 Derivative contracts 8 173 8 189 Total $ 71,575 $ 297,089 $ 19,243 $ 387,907 Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ (8 ) $ (142 ) $ (131 ) $ (281 ) Total net fair value of plan assets $ 71,567 $ 296,947 $ 19,112 $ 387,626 (a) We use a Dec. 31 measurement date for our retirement plans. Valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows: Corporate stock classified as Level 1 is valued primarily at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded. The investments in Level 2 are primarily commingled funds recorded at fair value as determined by the sponsor of the respective funds based upon closing market quotes of the underlying assets. U.S. government-related securities are treasury bonds, bills and notes that are primarily obligations of the U.S. Treasury. Values are obtained from industry vendors who use various pricing models or quotes for identical or similar securities. Mortgage-backed securities are typically not actively quoted. Values are obtained from industry vendors who use various pricing models or use quotes for identical or similar securities. Other government and corporate bonds are mainly valued based on institutional bid evaluations using proprietary models, using discounted cash flow models or models that derive prices based on similar securities. Corporate bonds categorized in Level 3 are primarily from distressed issuers for whom the values represent an estimate of recovery in a potential or actual bankruptcy situation. Interest in common/collective trusts are valued using the net asset value as provided monthly by the fund family or fund company. Shares in the common/collective trusts are generally redeemable upon request. Fifteen of the investments in collective trusts are fixed income funds, one of which uses individual subfunds to efficiently add a representative sample of securities in individual market sectors to the portfolio. The remaining eleven investments in collective trusts are equity funds that are recorded at fair value as determined by the sponsor of the respective fund based upon closing market quotes of the underlying assets. Interest in registered investment companies is valued using the published net asset values as quoted through publicly available pricing sources. The investments in Level 2 are proprietary funds of the individual fund managers and are not publicly quoted. Pension plan assets include one Level 3 partnership as of Dec. 31, 2015 which is a real estate fund. Investments in partnerships and joint venture interests classified in Level 3 are valued based on an assessment of each underlying investment, considering items such as expected cash flows, changes in market outlook and subsequent rounds of financing. These investments are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because exit prices tend to be unobservable and reliance is placed on the above methods. Interest in partnership investments could be sold on the secondary market but cannot be redeemed. Instead, distributions are received as the underlying assets of the funds are liquidated. It is estimated that the underlying assets of the funds will be liquidated within approximately the next 8 to 10 years. There are future funding commitments of $1.0 million as of Dec. 31, 2015, and $ 1.5 million as of Dec. 28, 2014. Investments in partnerships and joint venture interests classified as Level 2 represents a limited partnership commingled fund valued using the net asset value as reported by the fund manager. As of Dec. 31, 2015, pension plan assets include one Level 3 hedge fund which is a fund of hedge funds whose objective is to produce a return that is uncorrelated with market movements. Investments in hedge funds are valued at the net asset value as reported by the fund managers. Shares in the hedge funds are generally redeemable twice a year or on the last business day of each quarter with at least 60 days written notice subject to a potential 5% holdback. There are no unfunded commitments related to the hedge funds. Derivatives primarily consist of forward and swap contracts. Forward contracts are valued at the spot rate, plus or minus forward points between the valuation date and maturity date. Swaps are valued at the mid-evaluation price using discounted cash flow models. Items in Level 3 are valued based on the market values of other securities for which they represent a synthetic combination. We review audited financial statements and additional investor information to evaluate fair value estimates from our investment managers or fund administrator. As of Dec. 31, 2015, our pension plan held Level 3 assets with a fair value of $23.7 million which consisted of an investment in a fund of hedge funds and an investment in a partnership. As of Dec. 28, 2014, our pension plans held Level 3 assets with a fair value of $19.1 million consisting primarily of investments in partnerships and hedge funds. There were no material gains/loss, purchases, or settlements during fiscal year 2015 and 2014. In addition, there were no transfers to/from Level 3 for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014. Our policy is to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.

Shareholders' equity

Shareholders' equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Shareholders' Equity and Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Shareholders' equity	Shareholders’ equity At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014, our authorized capital was comprised of 800 million shares of common stock and 2 million shares of preferred stock. At Dec. 31, 2015 shareholders’ equity of TEGNA included 220 million shares that were outstanding (net of 105 million shares of common stock held in treasury). At Dec. 28, 2014 shareholders’ equity of TEGNA included 227 million shares that were outstanding (net of 98 million shares of common stock held in treasury). No shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015 or Dec. 28, 2014. Capital stock and earnings per share We report earnings per share on two bases, basic and diluted. All basic income per share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The calculation of diluted earnings per share also considers the assumed dilution from the exercise of stock options and from performance shares and restricted stock units. Our earnings per share (basic and diluted) for 2015, 2014, and 2013 are presented below: In thousands, except per share amounts 2015 2014 2013 Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 357,458 $ 687,936 $ 41,463 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 102,064 374,235 347,217 Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 459,522 $ 1,062,171 $ 388,680 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 224,688 226,292 228,541 Effect of dilutive securities Restricted stock 2,236 2,624 2,839 PSUs 1,867 1,999 1,649 Stock options 930 992 1,160 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 229,721 231,907 234,189 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 1.59 $ 3.04 $ 0.18 Earnings from discontinued operations per share - basic 0.45 1.65 1.52 Earnings per share - basic $ 2.04 $ 4.69 $ 1.70 Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 1.56 $ 2.97 $ 0.18 Earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted 0.44 1.61 1.48 Earnings per share - diluted $ 2.00 $ 4.58 $ 1.66 The diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of approximately 0.2 million stock options outstanding for 2015, 0.8 million for 2014 and 2.4 million for 2013, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Share repurchase program In June 2015, our Board of Directors approved a $750 million share repurchase program to be completed over a three -year period beginning June 29, 2015. On Oct. 20, 2015, our Board of Directors approved a $75 million increase to the share repurchase program, bringing the total authorized amount to $825 million . During 2015, 9.6 million shares were purchased under the current and former programs for $ 271.0 million . In 2014, 2.7 million shares were purchased under the former program for $75.8 million and in 2013, 4.9 million shares were purchased for $116.6 million . Repurchased shares are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Treasury Stock. As of Dec. 31, 2015, the value of shares that may be repurchased under the existing program is $629.1 million . The shares may be repurchased at management’s discretion, either in the open market or in privately negotiated block transactions. Management’s decision to repurchase shares will depend on price and other corporate developments. Purchases may occur from time to time and no maximum purchase price has been set. Certain of the shares we previously acquired have been reissued in settlement of employee stock awards. Stock-Based Compensation Plans In May 2001, our shareholders approved the adoption of the Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the Plan). The Plan is administered by the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and was amended and restated as of May 4, 2010, to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance to up to 60.0 million shares of our common stock for awards granted on or after the amendment date. The Plan provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and other equity-based and cash-based awards. Awards may be granted to our employees and members of the Board of Directors. The Plan provides that shares of common stock subject to awards granted become available again for issuance if such awards are canceled or forfeited. In 2011, we established a performance share award plan for senior executives pursuant to which awards were first made with a grant date of Jan. 1, 2012. Pursuant to the terms of this award, we may issue shares of our common stock (Performance Shares) to senior executives following the completion of a three -year period beginning on the grant date. Generally, if an executive remains in continuous employment with us during the full three-year incentive period, the number of performance share units (PSU) that an executive will receive will be determined based upon how our total shareholder return (TSR) compares to the TSR of a peer group of companies during the three -year period. We recognize the grant date fair value of each PSU, less estimated forfeitures, as compensation expense ratably over the incentive period. Fair value is determined by using a Monte Carlo valuation model. Each PSU is equal to and paid in one share of our common stock, but carries no voting or dividend rights. The number of shares ultimately issued for each PSU award may range from 0% to 200% of the award’s target. We also issue stock-based compensation to employees in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs). These awards generally entitle employees to receive at the end of a four -year incentive period one share of common stock for each RSU granted, conditioned on continued employment for the full incentive period. For RSU grants after 2014, the grants generally vest 25% per year. Under the plan, no more than 500,000 RSUs may be granted to any participant in any fiscal year. Employees who are granted RSUs have the right to receive shares of stock after completion of the incentive period; however, the RSUs do not pay dividends or carry voting rights during the incentive period. RSUs are valued based on the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant less the present value of the expected dividends not received during the relevant incentive period. The fair value of the RSU, less estimated forfeitures, is recognized as compensation expense ratably over the incentive period. We generally grant both RSUs and PSUs to employees on January 1. The Plan also permits us to issue restricted stock. Restricted Stock is an award of common stock that is subject to restrictions and such other terms and conditions as the Executive Compensation Committee determines. Under the Plan, no more than 500,000 restricted shares may be granted to any participant in any fiscal year. Determining fair value of PSUs Valuation and amortization method – We determined the fair value of Performance Shares using the Monte Carlo valuation model. This model considers our likelihood, and the likelihood of our peer group companies’, share prices ending at various levels subject to certain price caps at the conclusion of the three-year incentive period. Key inputs into the Monte Carlo valuation model include expected term, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend yield. Each assumption is discussed below. Expected term – The expected term represents the period that our stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The expected term for Performance Share awards is based on the incentive period. Expected volatility – The fair value of stock-based awards reflects volatility factors calculated using historical market data for our common stock and also our peer group when the Monte Carlo method is used. The time frame used is equal to the expected term. Risk-free interest rate – We base the risk-free interest rate on the yield to maturity at the time of the award grant on zero-coupon U.S. government bonds having a remaining life equal to the award’s expected life. Expected dividend – The dividend assumption is based on our expectations about our dividend policy on the date of grant. Estimated forfeitures – When estimating forfeitures, we consider voluntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual forfeitures. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of performance share awards: PSUs Granted During 2015 2014 2013 Expected term 3 yrs. 3 yrs. 3 yrs. Expected volatility 32.00% 39.32% 40.80% Risk-free interest rate 1.10% 0.78% 0.36% Expected dividend yield 2.51% 2.70% 4.44% Impact from Publishing Spin on Equity Awards: In connection with the spin-off of our publishing businesses, and in accordance with our equity award Plan, the number of stock options, RSUs and target PSUs outstanding (collectively, stock awards) on June 29, 2015 (the Distribution Date), and the exercise prices of such stock options were adjusted with the intention of preserving the intrinsic value of the awards prior to the separation. Employees with outstanding stock awards granted prior to 2015, received one share of an equivalent Gannett stock award for every two shares of TEGNA stock award outstanding. For RSUs and PSUs granted in 2015 but prior to the Distribution Date, adjustments were determined by comparing the fair value of such awards immediately prior to the spin-off, to the fair value of such awards immediately after (the Adjustments). Accordingly, each stock award granted in 2015 and outstanding as of the Distribution Date was increased by multiplying the size of such award by a factor of 1.18 . The Adjustments resulted in an aggregate increase of approximately 125,000 equity awards (comprised of 75 thousand RSUs and 50 thousand target PSU’s) and are included in the line item “Adjustment due to spin-off of Publishing” in the tables that follow. These adjustments to our stock-based compensation awards did not have a material impact on compensation expense. Stock-based Compensation Expense: The following table shows the stock-based compensation related amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for equity awards: In thousands, except per share amounts 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Restricted stock and RSUs $ 8,438 $ 8,604 $ 8,065 PSUs 10,363 7,517 7,400 Stock options 857 662 1,771 Total stock-based compensation 19,658 16,783 17,236 Income tax benefit 7,643 6,243 6,477 Stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 12,015 $ 10,540 $ 10,759 Per diluted share impact $ 0.05 $ 0.05 $ 0.05 Restricted Stock and RSUs: As of Dec. 31, 2015, there was $15.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock and RSUs. This amount will be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures and recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average period of 2.4 years . The tax benefit realized from the settlement of RSUs was $5.9 million in 2015, $9.5 million in 2014 and $7.0 million in 2013. A summary of restricted stock and RSU awards is presented below: 2015 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity Shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 3,577,598 $ 16.97 Granted 491,690 $ 31.78 Settled (1,485,735 ) $ 14.66 Canceled (532,524 ) $ 19.28 Adjustment due to spin-off of Publishing (a) 75,497 Unvested at end of year (a) 2,126,526 $ 21.55 (a) The weighted-average grant date fair value of the RSUs included in the line item “Adjustment due to spin-off of publishing" is equal to the weighted-average grant date fair value of the awards at their respective grant date divided by a factor of approximately 1.18 . The weighted-average grant date fair value of the unvested RSUs as of Dec. 31, 2015 reflect the adjustment. 2014 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity Shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 4,193,985 $ 13.92 Granted 1,048,516 $ 27.26 Settled (1,263,702 ) $ 15.92 Canceled (401,201 ) $ 16.13 Unvested at end of year 3,577,598 $ 16.97 2013 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity Shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 4,069,509 $ 12.98 Granted 1,588,628 $ 15.80 Settled (1,035,256 ) $ 13.95 Canceled (428,896 ) $ 13.40 Unvested at end of year 4,193,985 $ 13.92 PSUs: As of Dec. 31, 2015, there was $3.9 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested performance shares. This amount will be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures and recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years . The tax benefit realized from the settlement of PSUs was $11.2 million in 2015. A summary of our performance shares awards is presented below: 2015 PSUs Activity Target number of shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 2,100,115 $ 20.95 Granted 285,458 $ 39.47 Settled (925,640 ) $ 14.23 Canceled (123,621 ) $ 29.84 Adjustment due to spin-off of Publishing (a) 49,628 Unvested at end of year (a) 1,385,940 $ 29.21 (a) The weighted-average grant date fair value of the PSUs included in the line item “Adjustment due to spin-off of publishing" is equal to the weighted-average grant date fair value of the awards at their respective grant date divided by a factor of approximately 1.18 . The weighted-average grant date fair value of the unvested PSUs as of December 31, 2015 reflect the adjustment. 2014 PSUs Activity Target number of shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 1,760,488 $ 16.92 Granted 436,340 $ 37.31 Canceled (96,713 ) $ 21.41 Unvested at end of year 2,100,115 $ 20.95 2013 PSUs Activity Target number of shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 982,452 $ 14.23 Granted 813,783 $ 20.12 Canceled (35,747 ) $ 15.86 Unvested at end of year 1,760,488 $ 16.92 Stock Options: We generally recognize compensation cost for stock options ratably over the four -year incentive period. At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014, there were 1.7 million (weighted average exercise price of $16.61 ) and 2.8 million (weighted average exercise price of $22.23 ) stock options outstanding. Stock options outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015 have a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 2.36 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $16.4 million . All outstanding employee stock options have vested as of Dec. 31 2015. There were 1.0 million (weighted average exercise price of $14.47 ) stock options exercised during 2014. The tax benefit realized from the stock options exercised was $3.3 million in 2015, $3 million in 2014, and $2.8 million in 2013. We did not grant stock options to employees during 2015 and 2014. The following table pertains to stock options granted in 2013, in addition to stock options that were exercised in 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except for weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted): In thousands, except per share amounts 2015 2014 2013 Per share weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted $ — $ — $ 8.20 Grant-date fair value of all stock options that vested 962 5,958 8,642 Intrinsic value of all stock options exercised 11,378 15,003 16,675 In 2013, we estimated the fair value for stock options at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which required us to make certain assumptions. We used the following weighted average assumptions in the model: risk-free interest rate of 0.75% , dividend yield of 3.00% , weighted average volatility factor of 61.94% and an expected option life of 4.5 years . Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) The elements of our Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL) principally consisted of pension, retiree medical and life insurance liabilities and foreign currency translation gains. The following tables summarize the components of, and changes in, AOCL (net of tax and noncontrolling interests): In thousands of dollars 2015 Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Balance at beginning of year $ (1,172,245 ) $ 391,113 $ 2,363 $ (778,769 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 23,094 (1,966 ) 3,311 24,439 Spin-off publishing businesses 1,012,745 (409,276 ) — 603,469 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 19,910 — — 19,910 Balance at end of year $ (116,496 ) $ (20,129 ) $ 5,674 $ (130,951 ) In thousands of dollars 2014 Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Balance at beginning of year $ (923,595 ) $ 427,177 $ 2,363 $ (494,055 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (276,219 ) (36,064 ) — (312,283 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 27,569 — — 27,569 Balance at end of year $ (1,172,245 ) $ 391,113 $ 2,363 $ (778,769 ) In thousands of dollars 2013 Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Balance at beginning of year $ (1,119,263 ) $ 418,122 $ — $ (701,141 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 154,611 9,055 2,363 166,029 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 41,057 — — 41,057 Balance at end of year $ (923,595 ) $ 427,177 $ 2,363 $ (494,055 ) AOCL components are included in the computation of net periodic postretirement costs (see Note 7 for more detail). Reclassifications out of AOCL related to the retirement plans include the following: In thousands of dollars 2015 2014 Amortization of prior service cost (credit) $ 1,176 $ (4,082 ) Amortization of actuarial loss 31,357 46,489 Total reclassifications, before tax 32,533 42,407 Income tax effect (12,623 ) (14,838 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 19,910 $ 27,569

Business operations and segment

Business operations and segment information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business operations and segment information	Business operations and segment information We classify our operations into two reportable segments: Media : consisting of 46 television stations operating in 38 markets, offering high-quality television programming and digital content; and Digital : primarily consisting of our Cars.com and CareerBuilder business units which operate in the automotive and human capital solutions industries. Our reportable segments have been determined based on management and internal reporting structure, the nature of products and services offered by the segments, and the financial information that is evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision maker. The Digital Segment and the digital revenues line exclude online/digital revenues generated by digital platforms that are associated with our Media Segment's operating properties as such amounts are reflected in the Media Segment. We generate most of our sales from work performed in the U.S. Our Digital Segment, principally from the CareerBuilder business unit, also generates sales from international operations. International sales totaled approximately $76.0 million in 2015 , $75.8 million in 2014 and $62.3 million in 2013 . Our long-lived assets in international countries totaled approximately $213.8 million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $205.0 million at Dec. 28, 2014. Separate financial data for each of our business segments is presented in the table that follows. The accounting policies of the segments are those described in Note 1. We evaluate the performance of our segments based on operating income. Operating income represents total revenue less operating expenses, including depreciation, amortization of intangibles and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges. Operating income by reportable segment does not include general corporate expenses, interest expense, interest income, and other income and expense items of a non-operating nature, as the effects of these items are not considered as part of management's evaluation of the segments operating performance. Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, property and equipment used for corporate purposes and certain other financial investments. Business segment financial information In thousands of dollars 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Operating revenues Media $ 1,682,144 $ 1,691,866 $ 835,113 Digital 1,368,801 934,275 768,010 Total $ 3,050,945 $ 2,626,141 $ 1,603,123 Operating income Media (2) $ 714,237 $ 747,020 $ 361,915 Digital (2) 229,386 119,908 107,413 Corporate (1) (2) (68,418 ) (71,256 ) (64,633 ) Net gain on sale of corporate building 89,892 — — Unallocated (4) (51,939 ) (88,173 ) (93,835 ) Total $ 913,158 $ 707,499 $ 310,860 Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges Media (2) $ 81,665 $ 94,129 $ 29,625 Digital (2) 146,907 91,967 57,654 Corporate (1) (2) (82,342 ) 10,702 10,283 Total $ 146,230 $ 196,798 $ 97,562 Equity (losses) income in unconsolidated investees, net Media $ (2,794 ) $ (1,667 ) $ (94 ) Digital (2,151 ) 154,370 23,343 Corporate (119 ) (1,241 ) (2,194 ) Total $ (5,064 ) $ 151,462 $ 21,055 Capital expenditures Media $ 52,141 $ 42,147 $ 18,394 Digital 44,903 38,549 29,666 Corporate (1) 790 1,556 1,733 Total $ 97,834 $ 82,252 $ 49,793 Identifiable assets Media $ 4,799,375 $ 4,773,481 Digital 3,529,124 3,646,876 Corporate (1) 201,994 410,892 Total (3) $ 8,530,493 $ 8,831,249 (1) Corporate amounts represent those not directly related to our two business segments. (2) Operating income for Media and Digital Segments includes pre-tax facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges for each year presented. See Note 11. (3) Total of business segment identifiable assets exclude assets recorded in discontinued operations on the consolidated balance sheets of $7 million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $2.4 billion at Dec 28, 2014. (4) Unallocated expenses represent certain expenses that historically were allocated to the former Publishing Segment but that could not be allocated to discontinued operations as they were not clearly and specifically identifiable to the spun-off businesses.

Facility consolidation and net

Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Extraordinary and Unusual Items [Abstract]
Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges	Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges For each year presented, we recognized charges related to facility consolidations efforts, and also recorded non-cash impairment charges to reduce the book value of goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets. In 2015, we recorded a gain on the sale of our headquarters building. A summary of these charges by year is presented below (in thousands): 2015 Pre-Tax Amount Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges: Goodwill - Digital $ 8,000 Other intangibles - Digital 900 Other: Media 8,078 Digital 13,095 Corporate 962 Gain on sale of corporate headquarters (89,892 ) Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges against operations $ (58,857 ) 2014 (recast) Pre-Tax Amount Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges: Goodwill - Digital $ 30,271 Other intangibles - Digital 971 Other - Media 13,719 Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges against operations $ 44,961 2013 (recast) Pre-Tax Amount Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges: Goodwill - Digital $ 20,044 Other intangibles - Digital 1,652 Other - Media 1,033 Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges against operations $ 22,729 Goodwill : In each year presented, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges for certain reporting units within our Digital Segment. Based on the annual goodwill impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2015, the estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount, with the exception of our PointRoll reporting unit within our Digital Segment. Accordingly, after performing the second step of the goodwill impairment test, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $8 million during the fourth quarter of 2015, fully impairing the goodwill related to PointRoll. In addition, during 2014 and 2013 in connection with interim and annual goodwill impairment tests, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges related to certain reporting units within our Digital Segment (primarily PointRoll, ShopLocal and BLiNQ). Other Intangibles : During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded non-cash impairment charges within our Digital Segment for certain intangible assets, principally trade names, after the qualitative assessments indicated it was more likely than not that the carrying values exceeded the respective fair values. Accordingly, we prepared quantitative assessments in both years which also indicated that impairments existed. As a result of these assessments, we recorded non-cash impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of each asset to its respective fair value. Fair values were determined using a relief-from-royalty method. The impairments recorded were principally a result of revenue projections which were lower than expected. In 2014, the revised revenue projections were also coupled with a decrease in royalty rates of comparable arrangements thus negatively impacting our royalty assumptions. Other charges (gain) : During the fourth quarter of 2015, we recorded a pre-tax gain on of $89.9 million ( $54.9 million after tax) on the sale of our corporate headquarters building. Other charges recorded at our Media and Digital Segments during 2015, 2014 and 2013 primarily relate to facility consolidation plans which led us to recognize charges associated with revising the useful lives of certain assets over a shortened period as well as shutdown costs.

Commitments, contingent liabili

Commitments, contingent liabilities and other matters	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments, contingent liabilities and other matters	Commitments, contingent liabilities and other matters Litigation: We, along with a number of our subsidiaries, are defendants in judicial and administrative proceedings involving matters incidental to our business. We do not believe that any material liability will be imposed as a result of these matters. The liabilities associated with an environmental matter in Montgomery, AL, that we previously disclosed, and all other environmental liabilities related to the printing business operated by our former publishing businesses, were assumed by Gannett in connection with the separation. Commitments : The following table summarizes the expected cash outflow related to our unconditional purchase obligations that are not recorded on our balance sheet as of Dec. 31, 2015. Such obligations include future payments related to operating leases, programming contracts and purchase obligations. In thousands of dollars Operating Leases Program Broadcast Contracts Purchase Obligations 2016 $ 40,655 $ 148,894 $ 64,376 2017 36,673 202,329 38,943 2018 26,613 216,399 28,297 2019 21,789 130,793 20,584 2020 14,475 181 9,543 Thereafter 64,019 135 14,063 Total $ 204,224 $ 698,731 $ 175,806 Leases: Approximate future minimum annual rentals payable under non-cancelable operating leases, primarily relate to facilities and equipment, total $204.2 million . Total minimum annual rentals have not been reduced for future minimum sublease rentals aggregating $3.0 million . Total rental expense reflected in 2015 was $38.1 million , $29.5 million in 2014 and $19.9 million in 2013 . Program broadcast contracts: We have $698.7 million of commitments under programming contracts that include television station commitments to purchase programming to be produced in future years. This also includes amounts related to our network affiliation agreements. Purchase obligations: We have commitments under purchasing obligations totaling $175.8 million related to capital projects, interactive marketing agreements, licensing fees and other legally binding commitments. Amounts which we are liable for under purchase orders outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015, are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as accounts payable and accrued liabilities and are excluded from the $175.8 million . Other matters: We were contingently liable for earnout payments to previous owners, depending upon the achievement of certain financial and performance metrics related to certain business acquisitions. During 2015 , we substantially paid the remaining obligation of earnout payments to owners of businesses previously acquired (see Note 8).

Discontinued operations

Discontinued operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued operations	Discontinued Operations On June 29, 2015, we completed the previously announced spin-off of our publishing businesses, creating a new independent publicly traded company, Gannett Co., Inc., through the distribution of 98.5% of our interest in Gannett to holders of our common shares. On June 29, 2015 each of our shareholders of record as of the close of business on the record date of June 22, 2015 received one share of Gannett common stock for every two shares of TEGNA common stock. Following the distribution, we own 1.5% of Gannett outstanding common shares. We will continue to own Gannett shares for a period of time not to exceed 5 years after distribution (see Note 8 for more information). In conjunction with the spin-off of the publishing businesses, we entered into a separation and distribution agreement with Gannett and also entered into various other agreements to effect the separation and provide a framework for a short term set of transition services as well as a tax matters agreement and an employee matters agreement. Separation and Distribution Agreement - We entered into a separation and distribution agreement with Gannett which sets forth, among other things, the parties’ agreements regarding the principal transactions necessary to effect the separation. The separation agreement identified the assets transferred, the liabilities assumed and the contracts assigned to each of TEGNA and Gannett as part of the separation and also provides for the conditions under which and timing of transfers, assumptions and assignments occurred. Transition Services Agreement - We entered into a transition services agreement with Gannett prior to the distribution pursuant to which TEGNA and its subsidiaries as well as Gannett and its subsidiaries will provide to each other a small number of services on an interim basis, not to exceed 24 months . These services include information technology, accounts payable, payroll, legal and other financial processing functions and administrative services. The agreed upon charges for such services are generally intended to allow the servicing party to recover all costs and expenses of providing such services. The transition services agreement will terminate on the expiration of the term of the last service provided under it, no later than 24 months following the distribution date. The recipient for a particular service generally can terminate that service prior to the scheduled expiration date, subject generally to a minimum service period of 90 days and minimum notice period of 30 days . Due to interdependencies between some services, certain services may be extended or terminated early only if other services are coterminous. Commercial Agreements - Our Digital Segment has certain revenue contracts with Gannett which were entered into in the ordinary course of business. Tax Matters Agreement - Prior to the separation, we entered into a tax matters agreement with Gannett that states each company’s rights and responsibilities with respect to payment of taxes, tax return filings, control of tax examinations, assistance and cooperation. In general, we are responsible for taxes allocable to periods ending prior to the distribution (or the portion of periods up through the distribution), and Gannett is generally responsible for taxes allocable to periods beginning after the distribution (or the portion of periods beginning after the distribution). If the distribution fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and this failure is attributable to Gannett’s actions or inactions, the resulting liability is to be borne by Gannett. Employee Matters Agreement - Gannett and TEGNA entered into an employee matters agreement prior to the separation to allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to employment matters, employee compensation and benefits plans and programs and other related matters. The employee matters agreement governs certain compensation and employee benefit obligations with respect to the current and former employees and non-employee directors of each company. The employee matters agreement provides that, unless otherwise specified, TEGNA is responsible for liabilities associated with employees who are employed by TEGNA following the separation as well as former employees whose last employment was with the TEGNA businesses and certain specified current and former corporate employees. Gannett is responsible for liabilities associated with employees who are employed by Gannett following the separation, former employees whose last employment was with the Gannett businesses and certain specified current and former corporate employees. In addition to the spin-off of our publishing businesses, on November 5, 2015, we also sold our subsidiaries Clipper Magazine (Clipper), a direct mail advertising magazine business, and Mobestream Media (Mobestream), maker of a mobile rewards/coupon platform, to Valassis Direct Mail, Inc. With the sale of Clipper and Mobestream, we divested substantially all the operations of our Other Segment. Accordingly, we have presented the financial condition and results of operations of the former Publishing and Other Segments as discontinued operations. Financial Statement Presentation The publishing and Other Segment businesses are presented as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Consolidated Statement of Income. In our consolidated statement of cash flows, the cash flows from discontinued operations are not separately classified. The carrying value of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of Dec. 28, 2014 were as follows: In thousands Publishing Other Total ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,024 $ 155 $ 8,179 Trade receivables, net of allowances 357,523 20,895 378,418 Other receivables 16,422 1,300 17,722 Inventories 38,861 — 38,861 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 27,883 1,034 28,917 Assets held for sale 18,434 — 18,434 Total current assets 467,147 23,384 490,531 Property and equipment Cost 2,590,159 18,518 2,608,677 Less accumulated depreciation (1,655,676 ) (10,526 ) (1,666,202 ) Net property and equipment 934,483 7,992 942,475 Intangible and other assets Goodwill 544,345 47,100 591,445 Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets less accumulated amortization 50,115 11,900 62,015 Deferred income taxes 261,321 — 261,321 Investments and other assets 63,125 34 63,159 Total intangible and other assets 918,906 59,034 977,940 Total noncurrent assets 1,853,389 67,026 1,920,415 Total assets $ 2,320,536 $ 90,410 $ 2,410,946 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 125,888 $ 6,996 $ 132,884 Compensation 77,606 4,193 81,799 Taxes 26,195 679 26,874 Other 89,096 3,760 92,856 Deferred income 77,123 13,203 90,326 Total current liabilities 395,908 28,831 424,739 Postretirement medical and life insurance liabilities 93,474 — 93,474 Pension liabilities 770,040 — 770,040 Other noncurrent liabilities 161,899 — 161,899 Total noncurrent liabilities 1,025,413 — 1,025,413 Total liabilities $ 1,421,321 $ 28,831 $ 1,450,152 The financial results of discontinued operations through Dec. 31, 2015 are presented as a profit (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table presents the financial results of discontinued operations: In thousands Year ended Dec. 31, 2015 Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 1,400,006 $ 191,025 $ 1,591,031 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes 169,220 (36,068 ) 133,152 Provision for income taxes 43,735 (12,647 ) 31,088 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 125,485 (23,421 ) 102,064 In thousands Year ended Dec. 28, 2014 Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 3,133,861 $ 248,172 $ 3,382,033 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes 372,549 (7,186 ) 365,363 Provision for income taxes (11,817 ) 2,946 (8,871 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 384,366 (10,132 ) 374,234 In thousands Year ended Dec. 29, 2013 Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 3,299,793 $ 258,446 $ 3,558,239 Income from discontinued operations, before income taxes 441,286 6,009 447,295 Provision for income taxes 97,246 2,832 100,078 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 344,040 3,177 347,217 The financial results reflected above may not represent our Publishing and Other Segments stand-alone operating results, as the results reported within income from discontinued operations, net, include only certain costs that are directly attributable to those businesses and exclude certain corporate overhead costs that were previously allocated for each period. In addition, the 2015 financial results include the pre-tax loss of $26.3 million ( $14.8 million after tax) on the disposal of our Other Segment. The depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures and significant cash investing items of the discontinued operations were as follows: In thousands Year ended Dec. 31, 2015 Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 49,542 $ 725 $ 50,267 Amortization 7,008 — 7,008 Capital expenditures (20,252 ) (681 ) (20,933 ) Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (28,668 ) — (28,668 ) Payments for investments (2,000 ) — (2,000 ) Proceeds from investments 12,402 — 12,402 In thousands Year ended Dec. 28, 2014 Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 99,029 $ 973 $ 100,002 Amortization 13,885 — 13,885 Capital expenditures (79,168 ) (454 ) (79,622 ) Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (113 ) — (113 ) Payments for investments (2,500 ) — (2,500 ) Proceeds from investments 18,629 — 18,629 In thousands Year ended Dec. 29, 2013 Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 98,197 $ 879 $ 99,076 Amortization 14,119 1,544 15,663 Capital expenditures (59,785 ) (829 ) (60,614 ) Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (922 ) — (922 ) Proceeds from investments 26,806 — 26,806

Description of business, basi22

Description of business, basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of estimates	Use of estimates: The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In doing so, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, income taxes including deferred tax assets, pension and other postretirement benefits, evaluation of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, fair value measurements and contingencies.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of subsidiaries we control and variable interest entities if we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate all intercompany balances, transactions, and profits in consolidation. Investments in entities for which have significant influence, but do not have control, are accounted for under the equity method. Our share of net earnings and losses from these ventures is included in “Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investees, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Changes in Basis of Presentation	Changes in Basis of Presentation : The 2014 and 2013 financial information has been recast so that the basis of presentation is consistent with that of the 2015 financial information. This recast reflects the financial position and results of operations of our former publishing businesses and Other Segment as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The consolidated statements of cash flows have not been recast and include the cash flows from both continuing and discontinuing operations.
Reclassifications	In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation.
Variable Interest Entities (VIE)	Variable Interest Entities (VIE): A variable interest entity is an entity that must be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, the party that holds a controlling financial interest. A VIE has one or both of the following characteristics: (1) its equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, or (2) as a group, the equity investors lack one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the entity, (b) obligation to absorb expected losses, or (c) right to receive expected residual returns. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE.
Segment presentation	Segment presentation: The Digital Segment includes results from CareerBuilder, Cars.com, PointRoll and ShopLocal. Digital Segment revenues exclude online/digital revenues generated by digital platforms that are associated with our Media Segment's properties. Such amounts are reflected within our Media Segment and included within media revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Noncontrolling interests presentation	Noncontrolling interests presentation: Noncontrolling interests are presented as a component of equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. This balance primarily relates to the noncontrolling owners of CareerBuilder for which our ownership percentage is at 52.9% . Net income in the Consolidated Statements of Income reflects 100% of CareerBuilder's results as we hold the controlling interest. Net income is subsequently adjusted to remove the noncontrolling interest to arrive at Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. In addition, CareerBuilder has made two strategic acquisitions in which they own a controlling financial interest. In July 2015, CareerBuilder acquired a majority ownership in Textkernal, a software company that provides semantic recruitment technology. Additionally, in 2012, CareerBuilder acquired a majority ownership in Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI), a software firm that specializes in employment data and labor market analytics. The minority shareholders of these acquired businesses hold put rights that permit them to put their equity interest to CareerBuilder. Since redemption of the noncontrolling interest is outside of our control, the minority shareholders' equity interest is presented on the consolidated balance sheet in the caption “Redeemable noncontrolling interests”.
Cash and cash equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.
Trade receivables and allowances for doubtful accounts	Trade receivables and allowances for doubtful accounts: Trade receivables are recorded at invoiced amounts and generally do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects our estimate of credit exposure, determined principally on the basis of our collection experience, aging of our receivables and any specific reserves needed for certain customers based on their credit risk.
Property and depreciation	Property and depreciation: Property and equipment are recorded at cost, and depreciation is provided generally on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are generally: buildings and improvements, 10 to 40 years; and machinery, equipment and fixtures, 3 to 25 years. Changes in the estimated useful life of an asset, which, for example, could happen as a result of facility consolidations, can affect depreciation expense and net income. Major building and leasehold improvements and interest incurred during the construction period of major additions are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
Valuation of long-lived assets	Valuation of long-lived assets: We review the carrying amount of long-lived assets (mostly property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Once an indicator of potential impairment has occurred, the impairment test is based on whether the intent is to hold the asset for continued use or to hold the asset for sale. If the intent is to hold the asset for continued use, the impairment test first requires a comparison of projected undiscounted future cash flows against the carrying amount of the asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the asset group would be deemed to be potentially impaired. The impairment, if any, would be measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily using the projected future cash flows, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost to dispose. We recognized impairment charges each year from 2013-2015 related to long-lived assets. See Note 11 for further discussion.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets: Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis (first day of our fourth quarter) or between annual tests if events or changes in circumstances that indicate the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Before performing the annual two-step goodwill impairment test, we first have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the two-step quantitative test must be completed. The qualitative assessment considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors and overall financial performance, as well as company and specific reporting unit specifications. If after performing this assessment, we conclude it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we are required to perform the two-step quantitative test. Otherwise, the two-step quantitative test is not required. In 2015, we elected to not perform the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill; instead, we performed the quantitative impairment test. Our goodwill has been allocated to and is tested for impairment at a level referred to as the reporting unit. The level at which we test goodwill for impairment requires us to determine whether the operations below the business segment level constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results. For Media, goodwill is accounted for at the segment level. For Digital, the reporting units are the stand-alone digital businesses such as Cars.com, CareerBuilder, ShopLocal and PointRoll. When performing the first step of the quantitative test, we determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, we perform the second step of the impairment test, as this is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired. In the second step of the impairment test, we determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment of goodwill has occurred and we must recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the implied fair value of goodwill. We estimate the fair value of each reporting unit using a combination of a market-based valuation methodology using comparable public company trading values, and income approach using the discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgments, including the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, long-term growth rates, discount rates and relevant comparable public company earnings multiples. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis are based on our best estimate of future sales, earnings and cash flows after considering factors such as general market conditions and recent operating performance. The discount rates utilized in the DCF analysis are based on the respective reporting unit’s weighted average cost of capital, which takes into account the relative weights of each component of capital structure (equity and debt) and represents the expected cost of new capital, adjusted as appropriate to consider the risk inherent in future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. In the fourth quarter of 2015, we completed our annual goodwill impairment test for each of our reporting units. The results of these tests indicated that the estimated fair values of our reporting units exceed their carrying values, with the exception of our PointRoll reporting unit within our Digital Segment. After performing step 2 of the impairment test, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 related to PointRoll. See Note 11 for further discussion. We also have intangible assets with indefinite lives associated with FCC broadcast licenses related to our acquisitions of television stations, and trade names from the Cars.com and CareerBuilder acquisitions. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested annually, or more often if circumstances dictate, for impairment and written down to fair value as required. The estimates of fair value for the trade names are determined using the "relief from royalty" methodology, which is a variation of the income approach. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the projected future cash flows generated by the intangible asset. To estimate the fair values for the FCC broadcast licenses, we apply an income approach, using the Greenfield method. The Greenfield method involves a DCF model that incorporates several variables, including market revenues, long-term growth projections, estimated market share for a typical market participant, and estimated profit margins based on market size and station type. The results of our 2015 annual impairment test of indefinite lived intangible assets indicated the fair values exceed their carrying amounts, and therefore, no impairment charge was recorded.
Investments and other assets	Investments and other assets: Investments where we have significant influence are recorded under the equity method of accounting. We recognized impairment charges in 2014 related to such investments. See Note 4 for additional information. Investments in non-public businesses in which we do not have control or do not exert significant influence are carried at cost and losses resulting from periodic evaluations of the carrying value of these investments are included as a non-operating expense. At Dec. 31, 2015, such investments totaled approximately $8.6 million and at Dec. 28, 2014, they totaled approximately $8.3 million . Our television stations are party to program broadcasting contracts which provide the Media Segment with rights to broadcast syndicated programs, original series and films. These contracts are recorded at the gross amount of the related liability when the programs are available for telecasting. The related assets are recorded at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Program assets are classified as current (as a prepaid expense) or noncurrent (as an other asset) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon the expected use of the programs in succeeding years. The amount charged to expense appropriately matches the cost of the programs with the revenues associated with them. The liability for these contracts is classified as current or noncurrent in accordance with the payment terms of the contracts. The payment period generally coincides with the period of telecast for the programs, but may be shorter.
Revenue recognition	Revenue recognition: We generate revenue from a diverse set of product and service offerings which include advertising, retransmission consent fees, and software and recruitment services. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, performance under the contract has begun, the contract price is fixed or determinable and collectability of the related fee is reasonably assured. Revenue from sales agreements that contain multiple deliverable elements is allocated to each element based on the relative best estimate of selling price. Elements are treated as separate units of accounting if there is standalone value upon delivery. Amounts received from customers in advance of revenue recognition are deferred as liabilities. Below is a detail discussion of revenue by our two reportable segments. Media Segment: The primary source of revenue for our Media Segment is through the sale of advertising time on its television stations. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period when the advertisements are aired. Our Media Segment also earns revenue from retransmission consent arrangements. Under these agreements, we receive cash consideration from multichannel video programming distributors (e.g., cable and satellite providers) in return for our consent to permit the cable/satellite operator to retransmit our television signal. Retransmission consent fees are recognized over the contract period based on a negotiated fee per subscriber. Retransmission consent fees revenues have increased as a percentage of overall Media Segment revenue in recent years. In 2015, such revenues accounted for approximately 27% of overall Media Segment revenue compared to 18% in 2013. In addition, our Media Segment also generates online advertising revenue through the display of digital advertisements across its various digital platforms. Online advertising agreements typically take the form of an impression-based contract, fixed fee time-based contract or transaction based contract. The customers are billed for impressions delivered or click-throughs on their advertisements. An impression is the display of an advertisement to an end-user on the website and is a measure of volume. A click-through occurs when an end-user clicks on an impression. Revenue is recognized evenly over the contract term for fixed fee contracts where a minimum number of impressions or click-throughs is not guaranteed. Revenue is recognized as the service is delivered for transaction based contracts. Digital Segment : The primary source of revenue for our Digital Segment is through the sale of online subscription advertising products. Cars.com sells subscription advertising products targeting car dealerships and national advertisers, and CareerBuilder earns revenue through placement of job postings on its network of websites. Revenue is recognized for our Digital Segment’s online advertising arrangements in the same manner as described above for Media Segments online advertising revenue. CareerBuilder service offerings include human capital Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and various other recruitment solutions (employment branding services and access to online resume databases). Generally, the human capital SaaS offering and access related to resume databases are subscription-based contracts for which revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription period. SaaS contracts are generally two to three year contracts. Recruitment solutions (which include sourcing and screening services) are more transactional based contracts, and therefore, revenue is recognized as delivery occurs. In addition, through our G/O Digital business unit, we also provide digital marketing services and revenue is recognized for these offerings as advertising and services are delivered.
Retirement plans	Retirement plans: Pension and other post-retirement benefit costs under our defined benefit retirement plans are actuarially determined. We recognize the cost of post-retirement benefits including pension, medical and life insurance benefits on an accrual basis over the average life expectancy of employees expected to receive such benefits for plans that have had their benefits frozen. For active plans, costs are recognized over the estimated average future service period.
Stock-based employee compensation	Stock-based employee compensation: We grant restricted stock or restricted stock units (RSU) as well as performance shares to employees as a form of compensation. The expense for such awards is based on the grant date fair value of the award and is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is typically the four -year vesting period for restricted stock and the three -year vesting period for performance shares. Performance share expense for participants meeting certain retirement eligible criteria as defined in the plan is recognized using the accelerated attribution method. See Note 9 for further discussion. Our stock option awards generally have graded vesting terms and we recognize compensation expense for these options on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (generally four years ). Stock options are no longer issued to our employees and in 2015 all remaining outstanding options became fully vested.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs : We expense advertising costs as they are incurred.
Income taxes	Income taxes: Income taxes are presented on the consolidated financial statements using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences that exist between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as from operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred income taxes reflect expected future tax benefits (i.e., assets) and future tax costs (i.e., liabilities). The tax effect of net operating loss, capital loss and general business credit carryovers result in deferred tax assets. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recoverable or settled. We recognize the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established if, based upon the weight of available evidence, management determines it is “more likely than not” that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We periodically assess our tax filing exposures related to periods that are open to examination. Based on the latest available information, we evaluate our tax positions to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not the position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority. If we cannot reach a more-likely-than-not determination, no benefit is recorded. If we determine that the tax position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained, we record the largest amount of benefit that is more-likely-than-not to be realized when the tax position is settled. We record interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of income tax expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Interest and penalties were not material in each year presented.
Foreign currency translation	Foreign currency translation : The income statements of foreign operations have been translated to U.S. dollars using the average currency exchange rates in effect during the relevant period. The balance sheets have been translated using the currency exchange rate as of the end of the accounting period. The impact of currency exchange rate changes on the translation of the balance sheets are included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and are classified as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Equity.
Loss contingencies	Loss contingencies: We are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and regulatory matters, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. We determine whether to disclose or accrue for loss contingencies based on an assessment of whether the risk of loss is remote, reasonably possible or probable, and whether it can be reasonably estimated. We accrue for loss contingencies when such amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. If a contingent liability is only reasonably possible, we will disclose the potential range of the loss, if material and estimable.
Discontinued operations	Discontinued operations : In determining whether a group of assets is disposed (or to be disposed) should be presented as a discontinued operation, we analyze whether the group of assets being disposed of represented a component of the entity; that is, whether it had historic operations and cash flows that were clearly distinguished (both operationally and for financial reporting purposes). In addition, we consider whether the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. We concluded that both the spin-off of our former publishing businesses on June 29, 2015, and the sale of our Other Segment during the fourth quarter of 2015 met all of the criteria to be presented as discontinued operations. As such, for all periods presented, we have recast our financial information to present the financial position and results of operations of the former publishing businesses and Other Segment as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, with the exception of the consolidated statements of cash flows (which include the cash flows from both continuing and discontinuing operations). See Note 13 for more information.
Accounting guidance adopted in 2015 and New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted	Accounting guidance adopted in 2015: On Dec. 31, 2015 we early adopted guidance that requires the presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current in the consolidated balance sheet. The Dec. 28, 2014 consolidated balance sheet has also been recast so that the classification of deferred taxes is consistent with the current year presentation. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that establishes a new revenue recognition framework in U.S. GAAP for all companies and industries. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. New disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers are also required. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date of the standard to 2018 for public companies, with an option that would permit companies to early adopt the standard in 2017. Early adoption prior to 2017 is not permitted. The new standard may be adopted either retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis, which recognizes a cumulative catch-up adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. In addition, the FASB is contemplating making additional changes to certain elements of the new standard. We are currently evaluating the methods of adoption allowed by the new standard and the effect the standard is expected to have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance that requires an acquirer to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts recorded in a business combination in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Recognizing the entire impact of a measurement period adjustment in a single reporting period may introduce earnings volatility and reduces comparability between periods when the adjustments are material. Past measurement period adjustments for us have not been material. In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that will change the way an entity presents debt issuance costs on the balance sheet. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs will be a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, similar to debt discounts, rather than as an asset as has been done previously. Amortization of the cost will continue to be reported as interest expense. We will adopt the new guidance in the first quarter of 2016. We are required to apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each period presented is adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. At Dec. 31, 2015, we had $49.0 million of debt issuance costs recorded as assets. The debt issuance costs amount to less than 1% of our total assets. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to leases which will require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP-which requires only capital leases to be recognized on the balance sheet—the new guidance will require both types of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. The new guidance is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019 and we are currently evaluating the effect it is expected to have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Description of business, basi23

Description of business, basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	. Below is a summary of the carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIEs mentioned above: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 Current assets $ 1,250 $ 20,541 Property and equipment, net 309 10,084 Intangible and other assets 2,846 29,412 Total assets 4,405 60,037 Current liabilities 1,381 11,635 Noncurrent liabilities 1,719 26,028 Total liabilities $ 3,100 $ 37,663

Acquisitions, investments and24

Acquisitions, investments and dispositions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	At the acquisition date, the purchase price assigned to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities is summarized as follows: In thousands of dollars Cash and cash equivalents $ 43,767 Receivables and other current assets 108,577 Property and equipment 17,399 Indefinite-lived intangible assets 872,320 Definite-lived intangible assets: Customer relationships 789,540 Internally developed technology 69,500 Other 2,860 Investments and other noncurrent assets 14,598 Goodwill 715,970 Total assets acquired 2,634,531 Current liabilities 106,970 Other noncurrent liabilities 132,606 Total liabilities assumed 239,576 Net assets acquired 2,394,955 Less: acquisition date fair value of 26.9% equity interest 563,757 Acquisition purchase price $ 1,831,198
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	Pro forma information. The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of operations, assuming that the Cars.com acquisition, along with transactions necessary to finance the acquisition, occurred at the beginning of 2013: Unaudited In thousands of dollars 2014 2013 Total revenues $ 2,987,058 $ 2,039,854 Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 754,851 $ 356,353

Goodwill and other intangible25

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, and Amortizable Intangible Assets	The following table displays goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and amortizable intangible assets at Dec. 31, 2015, and Dec. 28, 2014. In thousands of dollars Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Dec. 31, 2015 Goodwill $ 3,919,726 $ — $ 3,919,726 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television station FCC licenses 1,191,950 — 1,191,950 Trade names 925,019 — 925,019 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 903,652 (145,398 ) 758,254 Other 265,148 (75,264 ) 189,884 Total $ 7,205,495 $ (220,662 ) $ 6,984,833 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Goodwill $ 3,914,771 $ — $ 3,914,771 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television station FCC licenses 1,191,950 — 1,191,950 Trade names 926,407 — 926,407 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 904,916 (71,719 ) 833,197 Other 268,578 (42,554 ) 226,024 Total $ 7,206,622 $ (114,273 ) $ 7,092,349
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	The following table shows the projected annual amortization expense, as of Dec. 31, 2015, related to our existing amortizable intangible assets: In thousands of dollars 2016 $ 110,135 2017 $ 105,989 2018 $ 103,213 2019 $ 97,018 2020 $ 94,308
Summary of the Change in Net Goodwill	The following table shows the changes from 2014 to 2015 in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment. In thousands of dollars Media Digital Total Goodwill (recast) Gross balance at Dec. 29, 2013 2,543,333 765,952 3,309,285 Accumulated impairment losses — (136,700 ) (136,700 ) Net balance at Dec. 29, 2013 $ 2,543,333 $ 629,252 $ 3,172,585 Acquisitions & adjustments 35,268 753,828 789,096 Impairment — (30,271 ) (30,271 ) Foreign currency exchange rate changes — (16,639 ) (16,639 ) Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ 2,578,601 $ 1,336,170 $ 3,914,771 Gross balance at Dec. 28, 2014 2,578,601 1,503,141 4,081,742 Accumulated impairment losses — (166,971 ) (166,971 ) Net balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ 2,578,601 $ 1,336,170 $ 3,914,771 Acquisitions & adjustments 817 25,667 26,484 Dispositions — (252 ) (252 ) Impairment — (8,000 ) (8,000 ) Foreign currency exchange rate changes — (13,277 ) (13,277 ) Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ 2,579,418 $ 1,340,308 $ 3,919,726 Gross balance at Dec. 31, 2015 2,579,418 1,515,279 4,094,697 Accumulated impairment losses — (174,971 ) (174,971 ) Net balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ 2,579,418 $ 1,340,308 $ 3,919,726

Other assets and investments (T

Other assets and investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets	Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Deferred compensation investments $ 77,199 $ 65,950 Cash value life insurance 68,332 70,801 Deferred debt issuance cost 45,420 50,045 Equity method investments 27,824 21,750 Available for sale investment 28,090 — Other long term assets 41,925 40,904 Total $ 288,790 $ 249,450

Income taxes (Tables)

Income taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes on Income from Continuing Operations	The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following: In thousands of dollars 2015 Current Deferred Total Federal $ 114,161 $ 76,816 $ 190,977 State and other 12,795 (2,247 ) 10,548 Foreign 1,849 (1,060 ) 789 Total $ 128,805 $ 73,509 $ 202,314 In thousands of dollars 2014 - recast Current Deferred Total Federal $ 139,710 $ 51,245 $ 190,955 State and other 23,114 20,232 43,346 Foreign 1,100 (930 ) 170 Total $ 163,924 $ 70,547 $ 234,471 In thousands of dollars 2013 - recast Current Deferred Total Federal $ 50,564 $ (28,151 ) $ 22,413 State and other (22,105 ) 10,562 (11,543 ) Foreign 1,000 1,252 2,252 Total $ 29,459 $ (16,337 ) $ 13,122
Components of Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. Before Income Taxes	The components of income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. before income taxes consist of the following: In thousands of dollars 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Domestic $ 568,534 $ 927,453 $ 63,693 Foreign (8,762 ) (5,046 ) (9,108 ) Total $ 559,772 $ 922,407 $ 54,585
Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate	The provision for income taxes varies from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate as a result of the following differences: 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) U.S. statutory tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: State taxes (net of federal income tax benefit) 3.2 2.4 10.8 Effect of foreign operations 0.5 0.1 1.5 Domestic Manufacturing Deduction (2.0 ) (1.6 ) (3.3 ) Uncertain tax positions, settlements and lapse of statutes of limitations (0.2 ) (0.3 ) (40.3 ) Net deferred tax write offs and deferred tax rate adjustments (1.6 ) (0.3 ) (4.3 ) Non-deductible transactions costs 0.5 0.7 13.5 Loss on sale of subsidiary — (12.6 ) — Non-deductible goodwill 0.4 3.0 — Tax provision and state refund adjustments — — 12.5 Other, net 0.3 (1.0 ) (0.9 ) Effective tax rate 36.1 % 25.4 % 24.5 %
Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets	Deferred tax liabilities and assets were composed of the following at the end of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Liabilities Accelerated depreciation $ 55,783 $ 76,435 Accelerated amortization of deductible intangibles 663,545 645,096 Partnership investments including impairments 282,784 254,476 Other 9,057 18,961 Total deferred tax liabilities 1,011,169 994,968 Assets Accrued compensation costs 28,119 43,668 Pension and postretirement medical and life 73,470 34,568 Loss carryforwards 184,117 308,374 Other 26,735 67,494 Total deferred tax assets 312,441 454,104 Valuation allowance 184,413 140,731 Total net deferred tax (liabilities) $ (883,141 ) $ (681,595 )
Summary of Activity Related to Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Federal Tax Benefit of State Tax Deductions	The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the federal tax benefit of state tax deductions: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 Change in unrecognized tax benefits Balance at beginning of year $ 58,886 $ 57,324 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 6,095 12,426 Additions for tax positions of prior years 853 868 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (24,858 ) (4,563 ) Settlements — (129 ) Reductions for transfers to Gannett Co., Inc. (18,804 ) — Reductions due to lapse of statutes of limitations (2,681 ) (7,040 ) Balance at end of year $ 19,491 $ 58,886

Long-term debt (Tables)

Long-term debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt	Our long-term debt is summarized below: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due June 2015 $ — $ 66,568 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 6.375% due September 2015 — 250,000 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 83,700 123,200 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 1,938 33,379 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 180,000 — Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016 193,429 193,429 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.125% due September 2018 70,000 250,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019 600,000 600,000 Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020 720,000 640,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due July 2020 600,000 600,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 4.875% due September 2021 350,000 350,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 6.375% due October 2023 650,000 650,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.50% due September 2024 325,000 325,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.75% due June 2027 200,000 200,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.25% due September 2027 240,000 240,000 Total principal long-term debt 4,214,067 4,521,576 Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (12,605 ) (25,694 ) Total long-term debt 4,201,462 4,495,882 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities of VIE loans 646 7,854 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 4,200,816 $ 4,488,028
Schedule of Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt	The following schedule of annual maturities of the principal amount of total debt assumes we use available capacity under our revolving credit agreement to refinance unsecured floating rate term loans and fixed rate notes due in 2016 through 2018. Based on this refinancing assumption, all of the obligations other than the VIE unsecured floating rate term loan due prior to 2019 are reflected as maturities for 2019 and beyond. In thousands of dollars 2016 (1) $ 646 2017 (1) 646 2018 (1) 646 2019 640,000 2020 (2) 1,807,129 Thereafter 1,765,000 Total $ 4,214,067 (1) Maturities of principal amount of debt due in 2016 through 2018 (primarily the 10% fixed rate notes due in April 2016 and the 7.125% fixed rate notes due in September 2018) are assumed to be repaid with funds from the revolving credit agreement, which matures in 2020. Excluding our ability to repay funds with the revolving credit agreement, contractual debt maturities are $266 million , $72 million and $131 million in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. (2) Assumes current revolving credit agreement borrowings comes due in 2020 and credit facility is not extended.

Retirement plans (Tables)

Retirement plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Multiemployer Pension Plans Table	Multi-employer Pension Plans EIN Number/ Zone Status FIP/RP Status Contributions (in thousands) Surcharge Imposed Expiration Dates of CBAs Pension Plan Name Plan Number 2015 2014 2015 2014 2013 AFTRA Retirement Plan (a) 13-6414972/001 Green Green NA $ 1,104 $ 973 $ 988 NA 9/11/2015 (a) This plan has elected to utilize special amortization provisions provided under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures	Our pension costs, which include costs for our qualified and non-qualified plans, are presented in the following table: In thousands of dollars 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Service cost—benefits earned during the period $ 920 $ 812 $ 1,051 Interest cost on benefit obligation 23,800 23,558 9,760 Expected return on plan assets (31,464 ) (28,697 ) (9,754 ) Amortization of prior service costs 673 599 599 Amortization of actuarial loss 6,335 4,003 6,399 Pension expense for company-sponsored retirement plans 264 275 8,055 Settlement charge — — 1,356 Total pension cost $ 264 $ 275 $ 9,411
Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations	The following table provides a reconciliation of pension benefit obligations (on a projected benefit obligation measurement basis), plan assets and funded status of company-sponsored retirement plans, along with the related amounts that are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Change in benefit obligations Benefit obligations at beginning of year $ 566,224 $ 502,068 Service cost 920 812 Interest cost 23,800 23,558 Actuarial loss (gain) (12,514 ) 67,596 Gross benefits paid (34,401 ) (27,810 ) Transfers 42,595 — Benefit obligations at end of year $ 586,624 $ 566,224 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 387,626 $ 360,374 Actual return on plan assets (725 ) 25,571 Employer contributions 12,008 29,491 Gross benefits paid (34,401 ) (27,810 ) Transfers 35,685 — Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 400,193 $ 387,626 Funded status at end of year $ (186,431 ) $ (178,598 ) Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets Accrued benefit cost—current $ (7,587 ) $ (6,923 ) Accrued benefit cost—noncurrent $ (178,844 ) $ (171,675 )
Schedule of Net Funded Status	The funded status (on a projected benefit obligation basis) of our principal retirement plans at Dec. 31, 2015, is as follows: In thousands of dollars Fair Value of Plan Assets Benefit Obligation Funded Status GRP $ 155,103 $ 197,219 $ (42,116 ) SERP (a) — 87,679 (87,679 ) Dealey 245,090 301,060 (55,970 ) All other — 666 (666 ) Total $ 400,193 $ 586,624 $ (186,431 ) (a) The SERP is an unfunded, unsecured liability
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets	The following table presents information for our retirement plans for which accumulated benefits exceed assets: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Accumulated benefit obligation $ 576,333 $ 558,824 Fair value of plan assets $ 400,193 $ 387,626
Schedule of Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets	The following table presents information for our retirement plans for which projected benefit obligations exceed assets: In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Projected benefit obligation $ 586,624 $ 566,224 Fair value of plan assets $ 400,193 $ 387,626
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Not yet Recognized	The following table summarizes the amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that have not yet been recognized as a component of pension expense as of the dates presented (pre-tax): In thousands of dollars Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Net actuarial losses $ (184,808 ) $ (148,210 ) Prior service cost (3,367 ) (3,126 ) Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $ (188,175 ) $ (151,336 )
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) consist of the following for continuing operations only: In thousands of dollars 2015 Current year actuarial loss $ (43,821 ) Amortization of previously deferred actuarial loss 6,335 Amortization of previously deferred prior service costs 673 Total $ (36,813 )
Schedule of Assumptions Used	Pension costs: The following assumptions were used to determine net pension costs: 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Discount rate 4.19% 4.84% 3.89% Expected return on plan assets 8.00% 8.00% 8.25% Rate of compensation increase 3.00% 3.00% 3.00%
Schedule Of Assumptions Used In Calculating Pension Benefit Obligations Table	Benefit obligations and funded status: The following assumptions were used to determine the year-end benefit obligations: Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 (recast) Discount rate 4.46% 4.12% Rate of compensation increase 3.00% 3.00%
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets	The asset allocation for the TRP at the end of 2015 and 2014 , and target allocations for 2016, by asset category, are presented in the table below: Target Allocation Allocation of Plan Assets 2016 2015 2014 Equity securities 60 % 58 % 65 % Debt securities 25 35 20 Other 15 7 15 Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments	We estimate we will make the following benefit payments (from either retirement plan assets or directly from our funds), which reflect expected future employee service, as appropriate: In thousands of dollars 2016 $ 36,409 2017 $ 42,097 2018 $ 39,359 2019 $ 40,416 2020 $ 40,457 2021-2025 $ 198,272

Fair value measurement (Tables)

Fair value measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	The financial instruments measured at fair value in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following: Company Owned Assets In thousands of dollars Fair value measurement as of Dec. 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Deferred compensation investments $ 77,199 $ — $ — $ 77,199 Available for sale investment 28,090 — — 28,090 Total Assets $ 105,289 $ — $ — $ 105,289 In thousands of dollars Fair value measurement as of Dec. 28, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Deferred compensation investments $ 65,950 $ — $ — $ 65,950 Total Assets $ 65,950 $ — $ — $ 65,950 Liabilities: Contingent consideration payable $ — $ — $ 8,936 $ 8,936 Total Liabilities $ — $ — $ 8,936 $ 8,936
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets by Level within Fair Value Hierarchy	The following tables set forth the fair values of our pension plans assets by level within the fair value hierarchy: Pension Plan Assets/Liabilities In thousands of dollars Fair value measurement as of Dec. 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Cash and other $ 1,098 $ — $ — $ 1,098 Corporate stock 58,291 — — 58,291 Corporate bonds — 99 — 99 Interest in common/collective trusts: Equities — 172,046 — 172,046 Fixed income — 135,914 — 135,914 Interest in reg. invest. companies 6,659 — — 6,659 Partnership/joint venture interests 2,432 9,364 11,796 Hedge funds — — 14,290 14,290 Total net fair value of plan assets $ 66,048 $ 310,491 $ 23,654 $ 400,193 In thousands of dollars Fair value measurement as of Dec. 28, 2014 (a) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Cash and other $ 5,493 $ 218 $ — $ 5,711 Corporate stock 57,875 — — 57,875 Fixed income: U.S. government-related securities — 260 — 260 Mortgage backed securities — 260 6 266 Other government bonds — 296 — 296 Corporate bonds — 1,601 25 1,626 Interest in common/collective trusts: Equities — 196,924 — 196,924 Fixed income — 93,400 — 93,400 Interest in reg. invest. companies 8,199 — — 8,199 Interest in 103-12 investments — 1,583 — 1,583 Partnership/joint venture interests — 2,374 7,615 9,989 Hedge funds — — 11,589 11,589 Derivative contracts 8 173 8 189 Total $ 71,575 $ 297,089 $ 19,243 $ 387,907 Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ (8 ) $ (142 ) $ (131 ) $ (281 ) Total net fair value of plan assets $ 71,567 $ 296,947 $ 19,112 $ 387,626 (a) We use a Dec. 31 measurement date for our retirement plans.

Shareholders' equity (Tables)

Shareholders' equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Shareholders' Equity and Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Basic and Diluted)	Our earnings per share (basic and diluted) for 2015, 2014, and 2013 are presented below: In thousands, except per share amounts 2015 2014 2013 Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 357,458 $ 687,936 $ 41,463 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 102,064 374,235 347,217 Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 459,522 $ 1,062,171 $ 388,680 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 224,688 226,292 228,541 Effect of dilutive securities Restricted stock 2,236 2,624 2,839 PSUs 1,867 1,999 1,649 Stock options 930 992 1,160 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 229,721 231,907 234,189 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 1.59 $ 3.04 $ 0.18 Earnings from discontinued operations per share - basic 0.45 1.65 1.52 Earnings per share - basic $ 2.04 $ 4.69 $ 1.70 Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 1.56 $ 2.97 $ 0.18 Earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted 0.44 1.61 1.48 Earnings per share - diluted $ 2.00 $ 4.58 $ 1.66
Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Option Awards	The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of performance share awards: PSUs Granted During 2015 2014 2013 Expected term 3 yrs. 3 yrs. 3 yrs. Expected volatility 32.00% 39.32% 40.80% Risk-free interest rate 1.10% 0.78% 0.36% Expected dividend yield 2.51% 2.70% 4.44%
Stock-Based Compensation Related Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) for Equity Awards	The following table shows the stock-based compensation related amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for equity awards: In thousands, except per share amounts 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Restricted stock and RSUs $ 8,438 $ 8,604 $ 8,065 PSUs 10,363 7,517 7,400 Stock options 857 662 1,771 Total stock-based compensation 19,658 16,783 17,236 Income tax benefit 7,643 6,243 6,477 Stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 12,015 $ 10,540 $ 10,759 Per diluted share impact $ 0.05 $ 0.05 $ 0.05
Summary of Restricted Stock and RSU Awards	A summary of restricted stock and RSU awards is presented below: 2015 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity Shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 3,577,598 $ 16.97 Granted 491,690 $ 31.78 Settled (1,485,735 ) $ 14.66 Canceled (532,524 ) $ 19.28 Adjustment due to spin-off of Publishing (a) 75,497 Unvested at end of year (a) 2,126,526 $ 21.55 (a) The weighted-average grant date fair value of the RSUs included in the line item “Adjustment due to spin-off of publishing" is equal to the weighted-average grant date fair value of the awards at their respective grant date divided by a factor of approximately 1.18 . The weighted-average grant date fair value of the unvested RSUs as of Dec. 31, 2015 reflect the adjustment. 2014 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity Shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 4,193,985 $ 13.92 Granted 1,048,516 $ 27.26 Settled (1,263,702 ) $ 15.92 Canceled (401,201 ) $ 16.13 Unvested at end of year 3,577,598 $ 16.97 2013 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity Shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 4,069,509 $ 12.98 Granted 1,588,628 $ 15.80 Settled (1,035,256 ) $ 13.95 Canceled (428,896 ) $ 13.40 Unvested at end of year 4,193,985 $ 13.92
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity	A summary of our performance shares awards is presented below: 2015 PSUs Activity Target number of shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 2,100,115 $ 20.95 Granted 285,458 $ 39.47 Settled (925,640 ) $ 14.23 Canceled (123,621 ) $ 29.84 Adjustment due to spin-off of Publishing (a) 49,628 Unvested at end of year (a) 1,385,940 $ 29.21 (a) The weighted-average grant date fair value of the PSUs included in the line item “Adjustment due to spin-off of publishing" is equal to the weighted-average grant date fair value of the awards at their respective grant date divided by a factor of approximately 1.18 . The weighted-average grant date fair value of the unvested PSUs as of December 31, 2015 reflect the adjustment. 2014 PSUs Activity Target number of shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 1,760,488 $ 16.92 Granted 436,340 $ 37.31 Canceled (96,713 ) $ 21.41 Unvested at end of year 2,100,115 $ 20.95 2013 PSUs Activity Target number of shares Weighted average fair value Unvested at beginning of year 982,452 $ 14.23 Granted 813,783 $ 20.12 Canceled (35,747 ) $ 15.86 Unvested at end of year 1,760,488 $ 16.92
Summary of Stock Option Awards	The following table pertains to stock options granted in 2013, in addition to stock options that were exercised in 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except for weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted): In thousands, except per share amounts 2015 2014 2013 Per share weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted $ — $ — $ 8.20 Grant-date fair value of all stock options that vested 962 5,958 8,642 Intrinsic value of all stock options exercised 11,378 15,003 16,675
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) The elements of our Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL) principally consisted of pension, retiree medical and life insurance liabilities and foreign currency translation gains. The following tables summarize the components of, and changes in, AOCL (net of tax and noncontrolling interests): In thousands of dollars 2015 Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Balance at beginning of year $ (1,172,245 ) $ 391,113 $ 2,363 $ (778,769 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 23,094 (1,966 ) 3,311 24,439 Spin-off publishing businesses 1,012,745 (409,276 ) — 603,469 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 19,910 — — 19,910 Balance at end of year $ (116,496 ) $ (20,129 ) $ 5,674 $ (130,951 ) In thousands of dollars 2014 Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Balance at beginning of year $ (923,595 ) $ 427,177 $ 2,363 $ (494,055 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (276,219 ) (36,064 ) — (312,283 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 27,569 — — 27,569 Balance at end of year $ (1,172,245 ) $ 391,113 $ 2,363 $ (778,769 ) In thousands of dollars 2013 Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Balance at beginning of year $ (1,119,263 ) $ 418,122 $ — $ (701,141 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 154,611 9,055 2,363 166,029 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 41,057 — — 41,057 Balance at end of year $ (923,595 ) $ 427,177 $ 2,363 $ (494,055 )
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications out of AOCL related to the retirement plans include the following: In thousands of dollars 2015 2014 Amortization of prior service cost (credit) $ 1,176 $ (4,082 ) Amortization of actuarial loss 31,357 46,489 Total reclassifications, before tax 32,533 42,407 Income tax effect (12,623 ) (14,838 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 19,910 $ 27,569

Business operations and segme32

Business operations and segment information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Financial Information	Business segment financial information In thousands of dollars 2015 2014 2013 (recast) (recast) Operating revenues Media $ 1,682,144 $ 1,691,866 $ 835,113 Digital 1,368,801 934,275 768,010 Total $ 3,050,945 $ 2,626,141 $ 1,603,123 Operating income Media (2) $ 714,237 $ 747,020 $ 361,915 Digital (2) 229,386 119,908 107,413 Corporate (1) (2) (68,418 ) (71,256 ) (64,633 ) Net gain on sale of corporate building 89,892 — — Unallocated (4) (51,939 ) (88,173 ) (93,835 ) Total $ 913,158 $ 707,499 $ 310,860 Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges Media (2) $ 81,665 $ 94,129 $ 29,625 Digital (2) 146,907 91,967 57,654 Corporate (1) (2) (82,342 ) 10,702 10,283 Total $ 146,230 $ 196,798 $ 97,562 Equity (losses) income in unconsolidated investees, net Media $ (2,794 ) $ (1,667 ) $ (94 ) Digital (2,151 ) 154,370 23,343 Corporate (119 ) (1,241 ) (2,194 ) Total $ (5,064 ) $ 151,462 $ 21,055 Capital expenditures Media $ 52,141 $ 42,147 $ 18,394 Digital 44,903 38,549 29,666 Corporate (1) 790 1,556 1,733 Total $ 97,834 $ 82,252 $ 49,793 Identifiable assets Media $ 4,799,375 $ 4,773,481 Digital 3,529,124 3,646,876 Corporate (1) 201,994 410,892 Total (3) $ 8,530,493 $ 8,831,249 (1) Corporate amounts represent those not directly related to our two business segments. (2) Operating income for Media and Digital Segments includes pre-tax facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges for each year presented. See Note 11. (3) Total of business segment identifiable assets exclude assets recorded in discontinued operations on the consolidated balance sheets of $7 million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $2.4 billion at Dec 28, 2014. (4) Unallocated expenses represent certain expenses that historically were allocated to the former Publishing Segment but that could not be allocated to discontinued operations as they were not clearly and specifically identifiable to the spun-off businesses.

Facility consolidation and ne33

Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Extraordinary and Unusual Items [Abstract]
Summary of Facility Consolidation and Asset Impairment Charges	A summary of these charges by year is presented below (in thousands): 2015 Pre-Tax Amount Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges: Goodwill - Digital $ 8,000 Other intangibles - Digital 900 Other: Media 8,078 Digital 13,095 Corporate 962 Gain on sale of corporate headquarters (89,892 ) Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges against operations $ (58,857 ) 2014 (recast) Pre-Tax Amount Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges: Goodwill - Digital $ 30,271 Other intangibles - Digital 971 Other - Media 13,719 Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges against operations $ 44,961 2013 (recast) Pre-Tax Amount Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges: Goodwill - Digital $ 20,044 Other intangibles - Digital 1,652 Other - Media 1,033 Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges against operations $ 22,729

Commitments, contingent liabi34

Commitments, contingent liabilities and other matters (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Future Minimum Annual Rentals Payable Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	The following table summarizes the expected cash outflow related to our unconditional purchase obligations that are not recorded on our balance sheet as of Dec. 31, 2015. Such obligations include future payments related to operating leases, programming contracts and purchase obligations. In thousands of dollars Operating Leases Program Broadcast Contracts Purchase Obligations 2016 $ 40,655 $ 148,894 $ 64,376 2017 36,673 202,329 38,943 2018 26,613 216,399 28,297 2019 21,789 130,793 20,584 2020 14,475 181 9,543 Thereafter 64,019 135 14,063 Total $ 204,224 $ 698,731 $ 175,806

Discontinued operations (Tables

Discontinued operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	The following table presents the financial results of discontinued operations: In thousands Year ended Dec. 31, 2015 Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 1,400,006 $ 191,025 $ 1,591,031 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes 169,220 (36,068 ) 133,152 Provision for income taxes 43,735 (12,647 ) 31,088 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 125,485 (23,421 ) 102,064 In thousands Year ended Dec. 28, 2014 Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 3,133,861 $ 248,172 $ 3,382,033 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes 372,549 (7,186 ) 365,363 Provision for income taxes (11,817 ) 2,946 (8,871 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 384,366 (10,132 ) 374,234 In thousands Year ended Dec. 29, 2013 Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 3,299,793 $ 258,446 $ 3,558,239 Income from discontinued operations, before income taxes 441,286 6,009 447,295 Provision for income taxes 97,246 2,832 100,078 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 344,040 3,177 347,217 The depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures and significant cash investing items of the discontinued operations were as follows: In thousands Year ended Dec. 31, 2015 Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 49,542 $ 725 $ 50,267 Amortization 7,008 — 7,008 Capital expenditures (20,252 ) (681 ) (20,933 ) Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (28,668 ) — (28,668 ) Payments for investments (2,000 ) — (2,000 ) Proceeds from investments 12,402 — 12,402 In thousands Year ended Dec. 28, 2014 Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 99,029 $ 973 $ 100,002 Amortization 13,885 — 13,885 Capital expenditures (79,168 ) (454 ) (79,622 ) Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (113 ) — (113 ) Payments for investments (2,500 ) — (2,500 ) Proceeds from investments 18,629 — 18,629 In thousands Year ended Dec. 29, 2013 Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 98,197 $ 879 $ 99,076 Amortization 14,119 1,544 15,663 Capital expenditures (59,785 ) (829 ) (60,614 ) Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (922 ) — (922 ) Proceeds from investments 26,806 — 26,806 The carrying value of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of Dec. 28, 2014 were as follows: In thousands Publishing Other Total ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,024 $ 155 $ 8,179 Trade receivables, net of allowances 357,523 20,895 378,418 Other receivables 16,422 1,300 17,722 Inventories 38,861 — 38,861 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 27,883 1,034 28,917 Assets held for sale 18,434 — 18,434 Total current assets 467,147 23,384 490,531 Property and equipment Cost 2,590,159 18,518 2,608,677 Less accumulated depreciation (1,655,676 ) (10,526 ) (1,666,202 ) Net property and equipment 934,483 7,992 942,475 Intangible and other assets Goodwill 544,345 47,100 591,445 Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets less accumulated amortization 50,115 11,900 62,015 Deferred income taxes 261,321 — 261,321 Investments and other assets 63,125 34 63,159 Total intangible and other assets 918,906 59,034 977,940 Total noncurrent assets 1,853,389 67,026 1,920,415 Total assets $ 2,320,536 $ 90,410 $ 2,410,946 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 125,888 $ 6,996 $ 132,884 Compensation 77,606 4,193 81,799 Taxes 26,195 679 26,874 Other 89,096 3,760 92,856 Deferred income 77,123 13,203 90,326 Total current liabilities 395,908 28,831 424,739 Postretirement medical and life insurance liabilities 93,474 — 93,474 Pension liabilities 770,040 — 770,040 Other noncurrent liabilities 161,899 — 161,899 Total noncurrent liabilities 1,025,413 — 1,025,413 Total liabilities $ 1,421,321 $ 28,831 $ 1,450,152

Description of business, basi36

Description of business, basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 03, 2015station	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)marketstation	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)marketstation	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 23, 2013station
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of television stations | station		46	46
Number of markets In which entity operates | market		38	38
Additional days in period			4 days
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
VIE Total Assets		$ 4,400,000	$ 4,400,000	$ 60,000,000
VIE Total Liabilities		1,200,000	1,200,000	4,300,000
Non-cash goodwill impairment charge			8,000,000	30,271,000	$ 8,400,000
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets			$ 0
Retransmission consent revenue (as a percent of total revenue)			27.00%		18.00%
Debt issuance costs		$ 49,000,000	$ 49,000,000
Debt issuance costs (as a percent of total assets) (less than)		1.00%	1.00%
Digital
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Non-cash goodwill impairment charge			$ 8,000,000	30,271,000
Other
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Investments in non-public businesses, non-operating expense		$ 8,600,000	$ 8,600,000	8,300,000
Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Fiscal period duration			364 days
Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Fiscal period duration			371 days
Building and Building Improvements | Minimum
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)			10 years
Building and Building Improvements | Maximum
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)			40 years
Machinery and Equipment | Minimum
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)			3 years
Machinery and Equipment | Maximum
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)			25 years
Restricted Stock
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Requisite service period			4 years
Performance Shares
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Requisite service period			3 years
Stock Options
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Award vesting period			4 years
Career Builder
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Percentage of ownership interests in subsidiary (as a percent)		52.90%	52.90%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of TV stations owned by VIE consolidated | station		4	4			4
Number of stations acquired | station	3
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
VIE Total Assets		$ 4,405,000	$ 4,405,000	60,037,000
VIE Total Liabilities		3,100,000	3,100,000	37,663,000
Cost of Sales
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Bad debt expense			6,900,000	4,100,000	$ 4,400,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Advertising costs			173,300,000	110,100,000	$ 98,600,000
PointRoll | Digital
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Non-cash goodwill impairment charge		8,000,000
Current assets | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
VIE Total Assets		1,250,000	1,250,000	20,541,000
Property and equipment, net | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
VIE Total Assets		309,000	309,000	10,084,000
Intangible and other assets | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
VIE Total Assets		2,846,000	2,846,000	29,412,000
Current liabilities | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
VIE Total Liabilities		1,381,000	1,381,000	11,635,000
Noncurrent liabilities | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
VIE Total Liabilities		$ 1,719,000	$ 1,719,000	$ 26,028,000

Acquisitions, Investments and37

Acquisitions, Investments and dispositions - Narrative (Detail)

Oct. 01, 2014USD ($)

Apr. 01, 2014USD ($)

Dec. 23, 2013USD ($)station

Mar. 31, 2015

Jul. 31, 2014USD ($)station

Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)marketstation

Mar. 30, 2014USD ($)

Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)station

Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)

Dec. 29, 2013USD ($)

Dec. 03, 2015station

Feb. 28, 2015

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of stations | station

3

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Number of television stations | station

46

Goodwill

$ 3,914,771,000

$ 3,919,726,000

$ 3,914,771,000

$ 3,172,585,000

Number of stations conveyed | station

2

Number of markets acquired | market

2

Investment Classified Ventures

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Proceeds from equity method investment, dividends or distributions

$ 154,600,000

Economic Modeling

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Change in ownership interest (as a percent)

11.00%

Percentage of ownership interests in subsidiary (as a percent)

85.00%

74.00%

Cars.com

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Percentage of ownership interests in subsidiary

73.00%

Payments to acquire businesses

$ 1,830,000,000

Affiliation agreement period

5 years

Remeasurement gain on acquisition

$ 476,700,000

Remeasurement gain on acquisition, net of tax

285,900,000

Remeasurement gain on acquisition on pre-existing ownership interest

$ 396,700,000

Ownership percentage in subsidiary

27.00%

27.00%

Remeasurement gain on acquisition related to affiliate agreement

$ 80,000,000

Revenue since acquisition

129,000,000

Operating income since acquisition

$ 33,600,000

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Total revenues

2,987,058,000

2,039,854,000

Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc.

754,851,000

356,353,000

Acquisition related costs

$ 9,300,000

Purchase of television stations from London Broadcasting Company

$ 1,831,198,000

Cars.com | Customer relationships

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Weighted average useful life

11 years

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Definite-lived intangible assets

$ 789,540,000

Cars.com | Internally developed technology

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Weighted average useful life

7 years

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Definite-lived intangible assets

$ 69,500,000

Belo

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Payments to acquire businesses

$ 1,470,000,000

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Acquisition related costs

$ 33,000,000

Number of television stations | station

17

Total principal long-term debt assumed

$ 715,000,000

Goodwill

929,000,000

Definite-lived intangible assets

$ 186,000,000

Belo | Retransmission Agreements

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Weighted average useful life

8 years

Belo | Network Affiliation Agreements

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Weighted average useful life

9 years

London Broadcasting Company

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Number of television stations | station

6

Purchase of television stations from London Broadcasting Company

$ 215,000,000

Escrow deposit disbursement related to London Broadcasting Company television stations acquisition

$ 134,900,000

Apartments.com | Investment Classified Ventures

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Proceeds from divestiture of businesses and interests in affiliates

$ 585,000,000

Phoenix and St. Louis Stations

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Total sale price of Phoenix and St. Louis stations

$ 407,500,000

Acquisitions, investments and38

Acquisitions, investments and dispositions - Acquired Assets and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - Cars.com $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 43,767
Receivables and other current assets	108,577
Property and equipment	17,399
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	872,320
Investments and other noncurrent assets	14,598
Goodwill	715,970
Total assets acquired	2,634,531
Current liabilities	106,970
Other noncurrent liabilities	132,606
Total liabilities assumed	239,576
Net assets acquired	2,394,955
Less: acquisition date fair value of 26.9% equity interest	563,757
Acquisition purchase price	1,831,198
Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets:	789,540
Internally developed technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets:	69,500
Other
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets:	$ 2,860

Goodwill and other intangible39

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 114,284	$ 65,971	$ 20,706

Goodwill and other intangible40

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, and Amortizable Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 3,919,726	$ 3,914,771	$ 3,172,585
Total intangible assets, gross	7,205,495	7,206,622
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(220,662)	(114,273)
Total intangible assets, net	6,984,833	7,092,349
Customer relationships
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	903,652	904,916
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(145,398)	(71,719)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	758,254	833,197
Other
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	265,148	268,578
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(75,264)	(42,554)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	189,884	226,024
Television station FCC licenses
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	1,191,950	1,191,950
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	0	0
Trade names
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	925,019	926,407
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	0	0
Goodwill
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	3,919,726	3,914,771
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 0	$ 0

Goodwill and other intangible41

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Future Annual Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 110,135
2,017	105,989
2,018	103,213
2,019	97,018
2,020	$ 94,308

Goodwill and other intangible42

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Summary of the Change in Net Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	$ 4,081,742	$ 3,309,285
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	(166,971)	(136,700)
Beginning Balance	3,914,771	3,172,585
Acquisitions & adjustments	26,484	789,096
Dispositions	(252)
Impairment	(8,000)	(30,271)	$ (8,400)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(13,277)	(16,639)
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	4,094,697	4,081,742	3,309,285
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	(174,971)	(166,971)	(136,700)
Ending Balance	3,919,726	3,914,771	3,172,585
Media
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	2,578,601	2,543,333
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	0	0
Beginning Balance	2,578,601	2,543,333
Acquisitions & adjustments	817	35,268
Dispositions	0
Impairment	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0	0
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	2,579,418	2,578,601	2,543,333
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	0	0	0
Ending Balance	2,579,418	2,578,601	2,543,333
Digital
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	1,503,141	765,952
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	(166,971)	(136,700)
Beginning Balance	1,336,170	629,252
Acquisitions & adjustments	25,667	753,828
Dispositions	(252)
Impairment	(8,000)	(30,271)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(13,277)	(16,639)
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	1,515,279	1,503,141	765,952
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	(174,971)	(166,971)	(136,700)
Ending Balance	$ 1,340,308	$ 1,336,170	$ 629,252

Other assets and investments -

Other assets and investments - Components of Investments and Other Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Deferred compensation investments	$ 77,199	$ 65,950
Cash value life insurance	68,332	70,801
Deferred debt issuance cost	45,420	50,045
Equity method investments	27,824	21,750
Available for sale investment	28,090	0
Other long term assets	41,925	40,904
Total	$ 288,790	$ 249,450

Other assets and investments 44

Other assets and investments - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Net gains in trading securities	$ 500,000	$ 2,900,000	$ 3,200,000
Pre-tax impairments on equity method investments	0	3,000,000	0
Equity (losses) income in unconsolidated investees, net	$ (5,064,000)	151,462,000	$ 21,055,000
Pre-tax gain on sale of equity method investment		$ 148,400,000

Income taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income taxes - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Capital loss carryforwards	$ 343,800
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance	184,413	$ 140,731
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	12,500	11,600
Recognized interest and the release of penalty reserves	400	3,400	$ 5,400
Accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits	1,700	$ 2,000
Estimated decrease in gross unrecognized tax positions within the next 12 months, maximum	3,800
Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward	$ 23,100
Federal
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax years subject to examination	The 2011 through 2015 tax years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state authorities.
State
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax years subject to examination	Tax years before 2011 remain subject to examination by certain states primarily due to the filing of amended tax returns as a result of the settlement of the Internal Revenue Service examination for these years and due to ongoing audits.

Income taxes - Provision (Benef

Income taxes - Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes on Income from Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Current
Federal	$ 114,161	$ 139,710	$ 50,564
State and other	12,795	23,114	(22,105)
Foreign	1,849	1,100	1,000
Total	128,805	163,924	29,459
Deferred
Federal	76,816	51,245	(28,151)
State and other	(2,247)	20,232	10,562
Foreign	(1,060)	(930)	1,252
Total	73,509	70,547	(16,337)
Total
Federal	190,977	190,955	22,413
State and other	10,548	43,346	(11,543)
Foreign	789	170	2,252
Total	$ 202,314	$ 234,471	$ 13,122

Income taxes - Components of In

Income taxes - Components of Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. Before Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic	$ 568,534	$ 927,453	$ 63,693
Foreign	(8,762)	(5,046)	(9,108)
Total	$ 559,772	$ 922,407	$ 54,585

Income taxes - Reconciliation o

Income taxes - Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
State taxes (net of federal income tax benefit)	3.20%	2.40%	10.80%
Effect of foreign operations	0.50%	0.10%	1.50%
Domestic Manufacturing Deduction	(2.00%)	(1.60%)	(3.30%)
Uncertain tax positions, settlements and lapse of statutes of limitations	(0.20%)	(0.30%)	(40.30%)
Net deferred tax write offs and deferred tax rate adjustments	(1.60%)	(0.30%)	(4.30%)
Non-deductible transactions costs	0.50%	0.70%	13.50%
Loss on sale of subsidiary	0.00%	(12.60%)	0.00%
Non-deductible goodwill	0.40%	3.00%	0.00%
Tax provision and state refund adjustments	0.00%	0.00%	12.50%
Other, net	0.30%	(1.00%)	(0.90%)
Effective tax rate	36.10%	25.40%	24.50%

Income taxes - Deferred Tax Lia

Income taxes - Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Liabilities
Accelerated depreciation	$ 55,783	$ 76,435
Accelerated amortization of deductible intangibles	663,545	645,096
Partnership investments including impairments	282,784	254,476
Other	9,057	18,961
Total deferred tax liabilities	1,011,169	994,968
Assets
Accrued compensation costs	28,119	43,668
Postretirement medical and life	73,470	34,568
Loss carryforwards	184,117	308,374
Other	26,735	67,494
Total deferred tax assets	312,441	454,104
Valuation allowance	184,413	140,731
Total net deferred tax (liabilities)	$ (883,141)	$ (681,595)

Income taxes - Summary of Activ

Income taxes - Summary of Activity Related to Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Federal Tax Benefit of State Tax Deductions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Change in unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at beginning of year	$ 58,886	$ 57,324
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	6,095	12,426
Additions for tax positions of prior years	853	868
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(24,858)	(4,563)
Settlements	0	(129)
Reductions for transfers to Gannett Co., Inc.	(18,804)	0
Reductions due to lapse of statutes of limitations	(2,681)	(7,040)
Balance at end of year	$ 19,491	$ 58,886

Long-term debt (Detail)

Long-term debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	$ 4,214,067	$ 4,521,576
Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts)	(12,605)	(25,694)
Total long-term debt	4,201,462	4,495,882
Less current portion of long-term debt maturities of VIE loans	646	7,854
Long-term debt, net of current portion	4,200,816	4,488,028
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due June 2015
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	0	66,568
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 6.375% due September 2015
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	0	250,000
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	83,700	123,200
VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	1,938	33,379
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	180,000	0
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	193,429	193,429
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.125% due September 2018
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	70,000	250,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	600,000	600,000
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	720,000	640,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due July 2020
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	600,000	600,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 4.875% due September 2021
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	350,000	350,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 6.375% due October 2023
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	650,000	650,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.50% due September 2024
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	325,000	325,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.75% due June 2027
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	200,000	200,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.25% due September 2027
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	$ 240,000	$ 240,000

Long-term debt - Interest Rates

Long-term debt - Interest Rates (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2015
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due June 2015
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	10.00%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 6.375% due September 2015
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	6.375%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	10.00%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.125% due September 2018
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	7.125%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	5.125%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due July 2020
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	5.125%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 4.875% due September 2021
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	4.875%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 6.375% due October 2023
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	6.375%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.50% due September 2024
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	5.50%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.75% due June 2027
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	7.75%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.25% due September 2027
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage	7.25%

Long-term debt - Narrative (Det

Long-term debt - Narrative (Detail)	Jun. 29, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 23, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Decrease in long term debt		$ 287,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt		587,000,000
Long-term debt		4,201,462,000		$ 4,495,882,000
Shelf registration statement maximum amount of securities authorized for issuance		7,000,000,000
Contractual debt maturities, 2016		266,000,000
Contractual debt maturities, 2017		72,000,000
Contractual debt maturities, 2018		131,000,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.125% due September 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt		$ 180,000,000
Interest rate stated percentage		7.125%
Redemption price (as a percent)		101.781%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage		10.00%
Term Loan | Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 200,000,000	$ 180,000,000
Debt term	5 years
Line of Credit | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum total leverage ratio through June 30, 2017	5
Maximum total leverage ratio through June 30, 2018	4.75
Maximum total leverage ratio, thereafter	4.50
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 1,400,000,000
Unused borrowing capacity		$ 658,000,000
Line of Credit | Minimum | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.25%
Line of Credit | Maximum | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.40%
Line of Credit | Federal Funds Rate | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	0.50%
Line of Credit | LIBOR | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	1.00%
Line of Credit | LIBOR | Minimum | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	1.75%
Line of Credit | LIBOR | Maximum | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	2.50%
Line of Credit | ABR | Minimum | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	0.75%
Line of Credit | ABR | Maximum | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	1.50%

Long-term debt - Schedule of An

Long-term debt - Schedule of Annual Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 646
2,017	646
2,018	646
2,019	640,000
2,020	1,807,129
Thereafter	1,765,000
Total	$ 4,214,067	$ 4,521,576

Retirement plans - Narrative (D

Retirement plans - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
401(k) employee maximum matching contribution	50.00%
401(k) employer matching contribution	100.00%
Contributions per employee subject to employer match	5.00%
Compensation expense related to 401(k) contributions	$ 18,200,000	$ 19,300,000	$ 15,000,000
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Employer's contributions as a percent of total contribution	5.00%
Plans in red zone | Maximum
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Multi-employer plans funded percentage (less than 65% of red zone, less than 80% of orange zone, and at least 80% of green zone plans in 2012)	Less than 65 percent
Plans in yellow zone | Minimum
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Multi-employer plans funded percentage (less than 65% of red zone, less than 80% of orange zone, and at least 80% of green zone plans in 2012)	At least 80 percent
Plans in yellow zone | Maximum
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Multi-employer plans funded percentage (less than 65% of red zone, less than 80% of orange zone, and at least 80% of green zone plans in 2012)	Between 65 and less than 80 percent
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 576,300,000	$ 558,800,000
Actuarial loss estimated to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost	6,800,000
Prior service credit estimated to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost	$ 700,000
Actual rate of return on plan assets (as a percent)	1.00%	8.20%	15.70%
Plan assets, shares of common stock		78,000
Plan assets, value of common stock		$ 2,600,000
Multiemployer Plans, Pension
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Expected funding deficiency, period	6 years
Expenses incurred for multi-employer withdrawal liabilities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Retirement plans - Pension Cost

Retirement plans - Pension Costs (Detail) - Retirement Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$ 920	$ 812	$ 1,051
Interest cost on benefit obligation	23,800	23,558	9,760
Expected return on plan assets	(31,464)	(28,697)	(9,754)
Amortization of prior service costs	673	599	599
Amortization of actuarial loss	6,335	4,003	6,399
Pension expense for company-sponsored retirement plans	264	275	8,055
Settlement charge	0	0	1,356
Total pension cost	$ 264	$ 275	$ 9,411

Retirement plans - Reconciliati

Retirement plans - Reconciliation of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status of Company-Sponsored Retirement Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Change in benefit obligations
Benefit obligations at end of year	$ 586,624
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	387,626
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	400,193	$ 387,626
Funded status at end of year	(186,431)
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accrued benefit cost—noncurrent	(178,844)	(171,675)
Retirement Plans
Change in benefit obligations
Benefit obligations at beginning of year	566,224	502,068
Service cost	920	812	$ 1,051
Interest cost	23,800	23,558	9,760
Actuarial loss (gain)	(12,514)	67,596
Gross benefits paid	(34,401)	(27,810)
Transfers	42,595	0
Benefit obligations at end of year	586,624	566,224	502,068
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	387,626	360,374
Actual return on plan assets	(725)	25,571
Employer contributions	12,008	29,491
Gross benefits paid	(34,401)	(27,810)
Transfers	35,685	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	400,193	387,626	$ 360,374
Funded status at end of year	(186,431)	(178,598)
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accrued benefit cost—current	(7,587)	(6,923)
Accrued benefit cost—noncurrent	$ (178,844)	$ (171,675)

Retirement plans - Funded Statu

Retirement plans - Funded Status of Principal Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 400,193	$ 387,626
Benefit Obligation	586,624
Funded status at end of year	(186,431)
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	400,193	387,626	$ 360,374
Benefit Obligation	586,624	566,224	$ 502,068
Funded status at end of year	(186,431)	$ (178,598)
SERP
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0
Benefit Obligation	87,679
Funded status at end of year	(87,679)
All other
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0
Benefit Obligation	666
Funded status at end of year	(666)
GRP | Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	155,103
Benefit Obligation	197,219
Funded status at end of year	(42,116)
Dealey | Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	245,090
Benefit Obligation	301,060
Funded status at end of year	$ (55,970)

Retirement plans - Accumulated

Retirement plans - Accumulated Benefit Obligations (Details) - Retirement Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 576,333	$ 558,824
Fair value of plan assets	$ 400,193	$ 387,626

Retirement plans - Projected Be

Retirement plans - Projected Benefit Obligation (Details) - Retirement Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	$ 586,624	$ 566,224
Fair value of plan assets	$ 400,193	$ 387,626

Retirement plans - Amounts Reco

Retirement plans - Amounts Recorded in AOCI (Details) - Retirement Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial losses	$ (184,808)	$ (148,210)
Prior service cost	(3,367)	(3,126)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (188,175)	$ (151,336)

Retirement plans - Other Change

Retirement plans - Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Current year actuarial loss	$ 39,115	$ (466,482)	$ 286,778
Amortization of previously deferred actuarial loss	31,357	46,489	64,381
Amortization of previously deferred prior service costs	0	37,986	319
Pension and other postretirement benefit items	71,293	$ (396,368)	$ 342,798
Retirement Plans
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Current year actuarial loss	(43,821)
Amortization of previously deferred actuarial loss	6,335
Amortization of previously deferred prior service costs	673
Pension and other postretirement benefit items	$ (36,813)

Retirement plans - Assumptions

Retirement plans - Assumptions Used to Determine Defined Benefit Plans Costs (Detail) - Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.19%	4.84%	3.89%
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	8.00%	8.00%	8.25%
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent)	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%

Retirement plans - Assumption64

Retirement plans - Assumptions Used to Determine Pension Year-End Benefit Obligations (Detail) - Retirement Plans	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.46%	4.12%
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent)	3.00%	3.00%

Retirement plans - Asset Alloca

Retirement plans - Asset Allocation for Company-Sponsored Pension Plans and Target Allocations by Asset Category (Detail) - Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Target allocation for 2015 (as a percent)	100.00%
Allocation of Plan Assets (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%
Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Target allocation for 2015 (as a percent)	60.00%
Allocation of Plan Assets (as a percent)	58.00%	65.00%
Debt securities
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Target allocation for 2015 (as a percent)	25.00%
Allocation of Plan Assets (as a percent)	35.00%	20.00%
Other
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Target allocation for 2015 (as a percent)	15.00%
Allocation of Plan Assets (as a percent)	7.00%	15.00%

Retirement plans - Estimated Be

Retirement plans - Estimated Benefit Payments (Detail) - Retirement Plans $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
2,016	$ 36,409
2,017	42,097
2,018	39,359
2,019	40,416
2,020	40,457
2021-2025	$ 198,272

Retirement plans - Multi-Employ

Retirement plans - Multi-Employer Pension Plans (Detail) - American Federation Of Television And Radio Artists - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
EIN Number	136,414,972
Multiemployer Plan Number	1
Zone Status	Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	NA
Contributions	$ 1,104	$ 973	$ 988
Surcharge Imposed	NA

Fair value measurement - Narrat

Fair value measurement - Narrative (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)investment	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2013USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	$ 77,199	$ 65,950
Available for sale investment in Gannett's outstanding shares (as a percent of shares outstanding)				1.50%
Contingent consideration payable		8,936
Non-cash goodwill impairment charge	8,000	30,271	$ 8,400
Future funding commitments	$ 1,000	1,500
Hedge funds redemption period	60 days
Hedge funds redemption potential holdback percentage	5.00%
Hedge funds redemption description	Shares in the hedge funds are generally redeemable twice a year or on the last business day of each quarter with at least 60 days written notice subject to potential 5% holdback. There are no unfunded commitments related to the hedge funds.
Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 400,193	387,626
Minimum
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liquidation period of underlying assets of partnership investments, low estimate (in years)	8 years
Maximum
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liquidation period of underlying assets of partnership investments, low estimate (in years)	10 years
Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	$ 77,199	65,950
Contingent consideration payable		0
Fair Value of Plan Assets	66,048	71,567
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	0	0
Contingent consideration payable		0
Fair value of total long-term debt	4,310,000	4,650,000
Fair Value of Plan Assets	310,491	296,947
Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	0	0
Contingent consideration payable		8,936
Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 23,654	$ 19,112
Available-for-sale Securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available for sale investment in Gannett's outstanding shares (as a percent of shares outstanding)	1.50%
Fixed Income Funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Number of investments held in collective trusts | investment	15
Equity Funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Number of investments held in collective trusts | investment	11

Fair value measurement - Financ

Fair value measurement - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Assets:
Deferred compensation investments	$ 77,199	$ 65,950
Available for sale investment	28,090
Total Assets	105,289	65,950
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration payable		8,936
Total Liabilities		8,936
Level 1
Assets:
Deferred compensation investments	77,199	65,950
Available for sale investment	28,090
Total Assets	105,289	65,950
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration payable		0
Total Liabilities		0
Level 2
Assets:
Deferred compensation investments	0	0
Available for sale investment	0
Total Assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration payable		0
Total Liabilities		0
Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation investments	0	0
Available for sale investment	0
Total Assets	$ 0	0
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration payable		8,936
Total Liabilities		$ 8,936

Fair value measurement - Fair V

Fair value measurement - Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets by Level within Fair Value Hierarchy (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and other	$ 1,098	$ 5,711
Fair value of plan assets		387,907
Total net fair value of plan assets	400,193	387,626
Corporate stock
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	58,291	57,875
U.S. government-related securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		260
Mortgage backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		266
Other government bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		296
Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	99	1,626
Equities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	172,046	196,924
Fixed income
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	135,914	93,400
Interest in reg. invest. companies
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	6,659	8,199
Interest in 103-12 investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		1,583
Partnership/joint venture interests
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	11,796	9,989
Hedge funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,290	11,589
Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		189
Derivative liabilities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		(281)
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and other	1,098	5,493
Fair value of plan assets		71,575
Total net fair value of plan assets	66,048	71,567
Level 1 | Corporate stock
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	58,291	57,875
Level 1 | U.S. government-related securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Level 1 | Mortgage backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Level 1 | Other government bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Level 1 | Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 1 | Equities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 1 | Fixed income
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 1 | Interest in reg. invest. companies
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 6,659	8,199
Level 1 | Interest in 103-12 investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Level 1 | Partnership/joint venture interests
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Level 1 | Hedge funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 0	0
Level 1 | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		8
Level 1 | Derivative liabilities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		(8)
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and other	0	218
Fair value of plan assets		297,089
Total net fair value of plan assets	310,491	296,947
Level 2 | Corporate stock
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 2 | U.S. government-related securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		260
Level 2 | Mortgage backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		260
Level 2 | Other government bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		296
Level 2 | Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	99	1,601
Level 2 | Equities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	172,046	196,924
Level 2 | Fixed income
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	135,914	93,400
Level 2 | Interest in reg. invest. companies
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 2 | Interest in 103-12 investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		1,583
Level 2 | Partnership/joint venture interests
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,432	2,374
Level 2 | Hedge funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 2 | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		173
Level 2 | Derivative liabilities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		(142)
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and other	0	0
Fair value of plan assets		19,243
Total net fair value of plan assets	23,654	19,112
Level 3 | Corporate stock
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | U.S. government-related securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Level 3 | Mortgage backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		6
Level 3 | Other government bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Level 3 | Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	25
Level 3 | Equities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Fixed income
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Interest in reg. invest. companies
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Interest in 103-12 investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Level 3 | Partnership/joint venture interests
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,364	7,615
Level 3 | Hedge funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 14,290	11,589
Level 3 | Derivative contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		8
Level 3 | Derivative liabilities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		$ (131)

Shareholders' equity - Narrativ

Shareholders' equity - Narrative (Detail)	Jun. 29, 2015shares	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 29, 2013USD ($)shares	Oct. 20, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2012USD ($)	May. 04, 2010shares
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | $			$ (130,951,000)	$ (778,769,000)	$ (494,055,000)		$ (701,141,000)
Common stock, Authorized (in shares)			800,000,000	800,000,000
Preferred stock, Authorized (in shares)			2,000,000	2,000,000
Common stock, Outstanding (in shares)			220,000,000	227,000,000
Treasury stock (in shares)			104,664,452	97,679,541
Preferred Stock, Issued (in shares)			0	0
Preferred Stock, Outstanding (in shares)			0	0
Stock options outstanding excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)			200,000	800,000	2,400,000
Shares approved to be repurchased under share repurchase program, amount | $		$ 750,000,000				$ 825,000,000
Share repurchase program, period in force		3 years
Share repurchase program, additional authorized amount | $						$ 75,000,000
Shares repurchased under share repurchase program (in shares)			9,600,000	2,700,000	4,900,000
Cost of common shares repurchased | $			$ 271,030,000	$ 75,815,000	$ 116,639,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount | $			629,100,000
Conversion ratio for every share of Tegna common stock owned by stockholders	0.5
Spin-off adjustment, conversion factor	1.18
Equity awards granted (in shares)	125,000
Income tax benefit from exercise of award | $			7,643,000	6,243,000	6,477,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) | $				(312,283,000)	166,029,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax | $			$ 19,910,000	27,569,000	41,057,000
Minimum
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Number of units ultimately paid for performance share awards of target (as a percent)			0
Maximum
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Number of units ultimately paid for performance share awards of target (as a percent)			2
Stock Options
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Award vesting period			4 years
Tax benefit realized from option exercises | $			$ 3,300,000	$ 3,000,000	$ 2,800,000
Stock options outstanding (in shares)			1,700,000	2,800,000
Stock options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 16.61	$ 22.23
Weighted average remaining contractual life			2 years 4 months 10 days
Aggregate intrinsic value | $			$ 16,400,000
Stock options exercised (in shares)				1,000,000
Stock options exercised, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares				$ 14.47
Risk free interest rate (as a percent)					0.75%
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)					3.00%
Weighted average volatility factor (as a percent)					61.94%
Expected term					4 years 6 months
Stock Options | Employee
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Shares reserved for issuance (in shares)								60,000,000
Performance Based Awards
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Award vesting period			3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Spin-off adjustment, conversion factor			1.18
Equity awards granted (in shares)	75,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Employee
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Requisite service period			4 years
Number of shares of common stock received for each RSU granted			1
Award vesting percentage			25.00%
Maximum number of awards that can be granted to any participant in any fiscal year (no more than) (in shares)			500,000
Restricted Stock
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Requisite service period			4 years
Restricted Stock | Employee
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Maximum number of awards that can be granted to any participant in any fiscal year (no more than) (in shares)			500,000
Performance Shares
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Requisite service period			3 years
Spin-off adjustment, conversion factor			1.18
Equity awards granted (in shares)	50,000		285,458	436,340	813,783
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation | $			$ 3,900,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation for options, recognition period			1 year 8 months 15 days
Tax benefit realized from option exercises | $			$ 11,200,000
Risk free interest rate (as a percent)			1.10%	0.78%	0.36%
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)			2.51%	2.70%	4.44%
Expected term			3 years	3 years	3 years
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Equity awards granted (in shares)			491,690	1,048,516	1,588,628
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation | $			$ 15,500,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation for options, recognition period			2 years 4 months 24 days
Income tax benefit from exercise of award | $			$ 5,900,000	$ 9,500,000	$ 7,000,000
Foreign Currency Translation
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | $			(20,129,000)	391,113,000	427,177,000		$ 418,122,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) | $				(36,064,000)	9,055,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax | $			$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Shareholders' equity - Earnings

Shareholders' equity - Earnings Per Share (Basic and Diluted) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 357,458	$ 687,936	$ 41,463
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	102,064	374,235	347,217
Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 459,522	$ 1,062,171	$ 388,680
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	224,688	226,292	228,541
Effect of dilutive securities
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	229,721	231,907	234,189
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.59	$ 3.04	$ 0.18
Earnings from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	0.45	1.65	1.52
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	2.04	4.69	1.70
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	1.56	2.97	0.18
Earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.44	1.61	1.48
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2	$ 4.58	$ 1.66
Restricted Stock
Effect of dilutive securities
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	2,236	2,624	2,839
Performance Shares
Effect of dilutive securities
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	1,867	1,999	1,649
Stock Options
Effect of dilutive securities
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	930	992	1,160

Shareholders' equity - Assumpti

Shareholders' equity - Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Option Awards (Detail) - Performance Shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term	3 years	3 years	3 years
Expected volatility (as a percent)	32.00%	39.32%	40.80%
Risk free interest rate (as a percent)	1.10%	0.78%	0.36%
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)	2.51%	2.70%	4.44%

Shareholders' equity - Stock-Ba

Shareholders' equity - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 19,658	$ 16,783	$ 17,236
Income tax benefit	7,643	6,243	6,477
Stock-based compensation, net of tax	$ 12,015	$ 10,540	$ 10,759
Per diluted share impact (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.05
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 8,438	$ 8,604	$ 8,065
Income tax benefit	5,900	9,500	7,000
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	10,363	7,517	7,400
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 857	$ 662	$ 1,771

Shareholders' equity - Summary

Shareholders' equity - Summary of Restricted Stock and RSU Awards (Detail) - $ / shares	Jun. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Shares
Granted (in shares)	125,000
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Shares
Unvested at beginning of year (in shares)		3,577,598	4,193,985	4,069,509
Granted (in shares)		491,690	1,048,516	1,588,628
Settled (in shares)		(1,485,735)	(1,263,702)	(1,035,256)
Canceled (in shares)		(532,524)	(401,201)	(428,896)
Adjustment due to spin-off of Publishing (in shares)		75,497
Unvested at end of year (in shares)		2,126,526	3,577,598	4,193,985
Weighted average fair value
Unvested at beginning of year (in dollars per share)		$ 16.97	$ 13.92	$ 12.98
Granted (in dollars per share)		31.78	27.26	15.80
Settled (in dollars per share)		14.66	15.92	13.95
Canceled (in dollars per share)		19.28	16.13	13.40
Unvested at end of year (in dollars per share)		$ 21.55	$ 16.97	$ 13.92

Shareholders' equity - Summar76

Shareholders' equity - Summary of Performance Shares (Details) - $ / shares	Jun. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Shares
Granted (in shares)	125,000
Performance Shares
Shares
Unvested at beginning of year (in shares)		2,100,115	1,760,488	982,452
Granted (in shares)	50,000	285,458	436,340	813,783
Settled (in shares)		(925,640)
Canceled (in shares)		(123,621)	(96,713)	(35,747)
Adjustment due to spin-off of Publishing (in shares)		49,628
Unvested at end of year (in shares)		1,385,940	2,100,115	1,760,488
Weighted average fair value
Unvested at beginning of year (in dollars per share)		$ 20.95	$ 16.92	$ 14.23
Granted (in dollars per share)		39.47	37.31	20.12
Settled (in dollars per share)		14.23
Canceled (in dollars per share)		29.84	21.41	15.86
Unvested at end of year (in dollars per share)		$ 29.21	$ 20.95	$ 16.92

Shareholders' equity - Summar77

Shareholders' equity - Summary of Stock-Option Awards (Detail) - Stock Options - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 8.20
Grant-date fair value of all stock options that vested	$ 962	$ 5,958	$ 8,642
Intrinsic value of all stock options exercised	$ 11,378	$ 15,003	$ 16,675

Shareholders' equity - Accumula

Shareholders' equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ (778,769)	$ (494,055)	$ (701,141)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	24,439
Spin-off publishing businesses	603,469
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(312,283)	166,029
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	19,910	27,569	41,057
Balance at end of year	(130,951)	(778,769)	(494,055)
Retirement Plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	(1,172,245)	(923,595)	(1,119,263)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	23,094
Spin-off publishing businesses	1,012,745
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(276,219)	154,611
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	19,910	27,569	41,057
Balance at end of year	(116,496)	(1,172,245)	(923,595)
Foreign Currency Translation
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	391,113	427,177	418,122
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(1,966)
Spin-off publishing businesses	(409,276)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(36,064)	9,055
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0	0	0
Balance at end of year	(20,129)	391,113	427,177
Other
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	2,363	2,363	0
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	3,311
Spin-off publishing businesses	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)		0	2,363
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0	0	0
Balance at end of year	$ 5,674	$ 2,363	$ 2,363

Shareholders' equity - Reclassi

Shareholders' equity - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of actuarial loss	$ 31,357	$ 46,489	$ 64,381
Income before income taxes	622,936	990,696	111,818
Income tax effect	(202,314)	(234,471)	(13,122)
Total reclassifications, net of tax	19,910	27,569	41,057
Retirement Plans
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, net of tax	19,910	27,569	$ 41,057
Retirement Plans | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	1,176	(4,082)
Amortization of actuarial loss	31,357	46,489
Income before income taxes	32,533	42,407
Income tax effect	$ (12,623)	$ (14,838)

Business operations and segme80

Business operations and segment information - Narrative (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)marketstationsegment	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2013USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | segment	2
Number of television stations | station	46
Number of markets In which entity operates | market	38
Revenues	$ 3,050,945	$ 2,626,141	$ 1,603,123
Foreign Countries
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	76,000	75,800	62,300
Long-lived assets	$ 213,800	205,000
Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television stations | station	46
Number of markets In which entity operates | market	38
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets of discontinued operations	$ 7,000	2,400,000
Operating Segments | Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,682,144	$ 1,691,866	$ 835,113

Business operations and segme81

Business operations and segment information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues			$ 3,050,945	$ 2,626,141	$ 1,603,123
Operating income (loss)			913,158	707,499	310,860
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges			146,230	196,798	97,562
Equity (losses) income in unconsolidated investees, net			(5,064)	151,462	21,055
Capital expenditures			97,834	82,252	49,793
Identifiable assets	[1]	$ 8,537,758	8,537,758	11,242,195
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets		8,530,493	8,530,493	8,831,249
Operating Segments | Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues			1,682,144	1,691,866	835,113
Operating income (loss)			714,237	747,020	361,915
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges			81,665	94,129	29,625
Equity (losses) income in unconsolidated investees, net			(2,794)	(1,667)	(94)
Capital expenditures			52,141	42,147	18,394
Identifiable assets		4,799,375	4,799,375	4,773,481
Operating Segments | Digital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues			1,368,801	934,275	768,010
Operating income (loss)			229,386	119,908	107,413
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges			146,907	91,967	57,654
Equity (losses) income in unconsolidated investees, net			(2,151)	154,370	23,343
Capital expenditures			44,903	38,549	29,666
Identifiable assets		3,529,124	3,529,124	3,646,876
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)			(68,418)	(71,256)	(64,633)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges			(82,342)	10,702	10,283
Equity (losses) income in unconsolidated investees, net			(119)	(1,241)	(2,194)
Capital expenditures			790	1,556	1,733
Identifiable assets		201,994	201,994	410,892
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net gain on sale of corporate building		$ 89,900	89,892	0	0
Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)			$ (51,939)	$ (88,173)	$ (93,835)
[1]	Our consolidated assets as of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014, include total assets of $4.4 million and $60.0 million related to variable interest entities (VIEs). These assets can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Consolidated liabilities as of Dec. 31, 2015 include total liabilities of $1.2 million related to VIEs and our consolidated liabilities as of Dec. 28, 2014 include $4.3 million of such liabilities. The VIEs’ creditors have no recourse to us regarding these liabilities. See further description in Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies.

Facility consolidation and ne82

Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Unusual or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges		$ 8,000	$ 30,271	$ 8,400
Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges against operations		(58,857)	44,961	22,729
Digital
Unusual or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges		8,000	30,271
Media
Unusual or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges		0	0
Operating Segments | Digital
Unusual or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges		8,000	30,271	20,044
Impairment of other intangibles		900	971	1,652
Other impairment charges		13,095
Operating Segments | Media
Unusual or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Other impairment charges		8,078	13,719	1,033
Corporate
Unusual or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Other impairment charges		962
Segment Reconciling Items
Unusual or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Gain on sale of corporate headquarters	$ (89,900)	$ (89,892)	$ 0	$ 0
Gain on sale of corporate headquarters, net of tax	54,900
PointRoll | Digital
Unusual or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 8,000

Commitments, contingent liabi83

Commitments, contingent liabilities and other matters - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Future minimum payments due under non-cancelable operating leases	$ 204,224
Future minimum sublease rentals	3,000
Total rental costs reflected in continuing operations	38,100	$ 29,500	$ 19,900
Programming Contracts
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Purchase commitments under contract	698,700
Capital Projects, Interactive Marketing Agreement, Licensing Fees and Other Commitments
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Purchase commitments under contract	$ 175,800

Commitments, contingent liabi84

Commitments, contingent liabilities and other matters - Future Commitments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Operating Leases
2,016	$ 40,655
2,017	36,673
2,018	26,613
2,019	21,789
2,020	14,475
Thereafter	64,019
Total	204,224
Program Broadcast Contracts
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
2,016	148,894
2,017	202,329
2,018	216,399
2,019	130,793
2,020	181
Thereafter	135
Total	698,731
Purchase Obligations
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
2,016	64,376
2,017	38,943
2,018	28,297
2,019	20,584
2,020	9,543
Thereafter	14,063
Total	$ 175,806

Discontinued operations - Narra

Discontinued operations - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pro rata distribution to stockholders (as a percent)	98.50%
Conversion ratio for every share of Tegna common stock owned by stockholders	0.5
Shares held by Tegna after distribution (as a percent)	1.50%
Tegna to own shares for a period, not to exceed	5 years
Gannett
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Transition services period		24 months
Minimum transition services period		90 days
Termination of transition services, minimum notice period		30 days
Other
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on disposal of other segment		$ 26.3
Loss on disposal of other segment, net of tax		$ 14.8

Discontinued operations - Balan

Discontinued operations - Balance Sheet Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 0	$ 8,179	$ 14,180	$ 65,542
Total current assets	6,608	490,531
Intangible and other assets
Total noncurrent assets	657	1,920,415
Current liabilities
Total current liabilities	5,243	424,739
Total noncurrent liabilities	$ 0	1,025,413
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		8,179
Trade receivables, net of allowances		378,418
Other receivables		17,722
Inventories		38,861
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		28,917
Assets held for sale		18,434
Total current assets		490,531
Property and equipment
Cost		2,608,677
Less accumulated depreciation		(1,666,202)
Net property and equipment		942,475
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill		591,445
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets less accumulated amortization		62,015
Deferred income taxes		261,321
Investments and other assets		63,159
Total intangible and other assets		977,940
Total noncurrent assets		1,920,415
Total assets		2,410,946
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		132,884
Compensation		81,799
Taxes		26,874
Other		92,856
Deferred income		90,326
Total current liabilities		424,739
Postretirement medical and life insurance liabilities		93,474
Pension liabilities		770,040
Other noncurrent liabilities		161,899
Total noncurrent liabilities		1,025,413
Total liabilities		1,450,152
Publishing | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		8,024
Trade receivables, net of allowances		357,523
Other receivables		16,422
Inventories		38,861
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		27,883
Assets held for sale		18,434
Total current assets		467,147
Property and equipment
Cost		2,590,159
Less accumulated depreciation		(1,655,676)
Net property and equipment		934,483
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill		544,345
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets less accumulated amortization		50,115
Deferred income taxes		261,321
Investments and other assets		63,125
Total intangible and other assets		918,906
Total noncurrent assets		1,853,389
Total assets		2,320,536
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		125,888
Compensation		77,606
Taxes		26,195
Other		89,096
Deferred income		77,123
Total current liabilities		395,908
Postretirement medical and life insurance liabilities		93,474
Pension liabilities		770,040
Other noncurrent liabilities		161,899
Total noncurrent liabilities		1,025,413
Total liabilities		1,421,321
Other | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		155
Trade receivables, net of allowances		20,895
Other receivables		1,300
Inventories		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,034
Assets held for sale		0
Total current assets		23,384
Property and equipment
Cost		18,518
Less accumulated depreciation		(10,526)
Net property and equipment		7,992
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill		47,100
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets less accumulated amortization		11,900
Deferred income taxes		0
Investments and other assets		34
Total intangible and other assets		59,034
Total noncurrent assets		67,026
Total assets		90,410
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		6,996
Compensation		4,193
Taxes		679
Other		3,760
Deferred income		13,203
Total current liabilities		28,831
Postretirement medical and life insurance liabilities		0
Pension liabilities		0
Other noncurrent liabilities		0
Total noncurrent liabilities		0
Total liabilities		$ 28,831

Discontinued operations - Incom

Discontinued operations - Income Statement Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 102,064	$ 374,235	$ 347,217
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,591,031	3,382,033	3,558,239
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes	133,152	365,363	447,295
Provision for income taxes	31,088	(8,871)	100,078
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	102,064	374,234	347,217
Publishing | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,400,006	3,133,861	3,299,793
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes	169,220	372,549	441,286
Provision for income taxes	43,735	(11,817)	97,246
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	125,485	384,366	344,040
Other | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues	191,025	248,172	258,446
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes	(36,068)	(7,186)	6,009
Provision for income taxes	(12,647)	2,946	2,832
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (23,421)	$ (10,132)	$ 3,177

Discontinued operations - Depre

Discontinued operations - Depreciation, Amortization and Capital Expenditures (Details) - Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 50,267	$ 100,002	$ 99,076
Amortization	7,008	13,885	15,663
Capital expenditures	(20,933)	(79,622)	(60,614)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(28,668)	(113)	(922)
Payments for investments	(2,000)	(2,500)
Proceeds from investments	12,402	18,629	26,806
Publishing
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation	49,542	99,029	98,197
Amortization	7,008	13,885	14,119
Capital expenditures	(20,252)	(79,168)	(59,785)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(28,668)	(113)	(922)
Payments for investments	(2,000)	(2,500)
Proceeds from investments	12,402	18,629	26,806
Other
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation	725	973	879
Amortization	0	0	1,544
Capital expenditures	(681)	(454)	(829)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Payments for investments	0	0
Proceeds from investments	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0