TEGNA (TGNA) 10-Q 4 May 16 2016 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TEGNA INC
Entity Central Index Key	39,899
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	217,587,943
Trading Symbol	TGNA

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 79,206	$ 129,200
Trade receivables, net of allowances of $9,406 and $9,092, respectively	561,489	556,351
Other receivables	19,775	18,738
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	87,584	94,262
Current discontinued operation assets	0	6,608
Total current assets	748,054	805,159
Property and equipment
Cost	994,974	984,185
Less accumulated depreciation	(543,960)	(525,866)
Net property and equipment	451,014	458,319
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill	3,956,113	3,919,726
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	3,051,845	3,065,107
Investments and other assets	262,147	256,990
Noncurrent discontinued operation assets	0	657
Total intangible and other assets	7,270,105	7,242,480
Total assets	8,469,173	8,505,958
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and current portion of film contracts payable	102,924	124,654
Accrued liabilities	279,121	296,815
Dividends payable	30,704	31,033
Income taxes	27,264	15,742
Deferred income	138,363	132,650
Current portion of long-term debt	646	646
Current discontinued operation liabilities	0	5,243
Total current liabilities	579,022	606,783
Noncurrent liabilities
Income taxes	16,965	18,191
Deferred income taxes	889,977	883,141
Long-term debt	4,196,722	4,169,016
Pension liabilities	176,267	178,844
Other noncurrent liabilities	152,481	168,573
Total noncurrent liabilities	5,432,412	5,417,765
Total liabilities	6,011,434	6,024,548
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 26,088	$ 24,666
Commitments and contingent liabilities (See Note 12)
TEGNA Inc. shareholders’ equity
Common stock of $1 par value per share, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 324,418,632 shares issued	$ 324,419	$ 324,419
Additional paid-in capital	474,484	539,505
Retained earnings	7,166,528	7,111,129
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(131,137)	(130,951)
Less treasury stock at cost, 106,830,689 shares and 104,664,452 shares, respectively	(5,676,713)	(5,652,131)
Total TEGNA Inc. shareholders’ equity	2,157,581	2,191,971
Noncontrolling interests	274,070	264,773
Total equity	2,431,651	2,456,744
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$ 8,469,173	$ 8,505,958

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 9,406	$ 9,092
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, Authorized shares	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, Issued shares	324,418,632	324,418,632
Treasury stock, shares	106,830,689	104,664,452

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Operating revenues:
Media	$ 443,829	$ 396,417
Digital	337,903	335,074
Total	781,732	731,491
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues and operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation	248,256	226,577
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation	281,034	264,751
Depreciation	22,233	24,279
Amortization of intangible assets	28,290	28,688
Facility consolidation	0	4,724
Total	579,813	549,019
Operating income	201,919	182,472
Non-operating (expense) income:
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investees, net	2,933	(1,249)
Interest expense	(61,713)	(70,670)
Other non-operating items	2,379	24,464
Total	(56,401)	(47,455)
Income before income taxes	145,518	135,017
Provision for income taxes	42,108	51,015
Income from continuing operations	103,410	84,002
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(7,474)	43,481
Net income	95,936	127,483
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(10,492)	(14,590)
Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 85,444	$ 112,893
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.31
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	(0.03)	0.19
Net income per share – basic (In dollars per share)	0.39	0.50
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.42	0.30
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	0.19
Net income per share – diluted (In dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.49
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic shares	219,286	227,089
Diluted shares	223,254	231,931
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.20

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 95,936	$ 127,483
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(925)	(1,233)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,201	(32,309)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items:
Recognition of previously deferred post-retirement benefit plan costs	1,900	15,077
Other	0	18,539
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items	1,900	33,616
Unrealized loss on available for sale investments during the period	(1,983)	0
Other comprehensive income, before tax	1,118	1,307
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(738)	(9,141)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	380	(7,834)
Comprehensive income	95,391	118,416
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(10,133)	(7,791)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 85,258	$ 110,625

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 95,936	$ 127,483
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	50,635	81,570
Stock-based compensation	4,757	9,114
Other gains/losses on sales of assets	5,135	12,385
Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net	(2,933)	(5,058)
Pension contributions, net of pension expense	(752)	(5,606)
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	(25,720)	(44,913)
Net cash flow from operating activities	127,058	174,975
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(16,449)	(19,121)
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(53,059)	(8,624)
Payments for investments	(10,047)	(5,000)
Proceeds from investments	4,617	7,883
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	103,813
Net cash flow (used for) from investing activities	(74,938)	78,951
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (payments of) borrowings under revolving credit facilities, net	42,000	(130,000)
Debt repayments	(18,062)	(10,025)
Dividends paid	(30,853)	(45,257)
Repurchases of common stock	(75,411)	(37,520)
Other, net	(19,788)	(13,536)
Net cash flow used for financing activities	(102,114)	(236,338)
Effect of currency exchange rate change on cash	0	(391)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(49,994)	17,197
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations, at beginning of period	129,200	110,305
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations, at beginning of period	0	8,179
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	129,200	118,484
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations, end of period	79,206	122,256
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations, end of period	0	13,425
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at end of period	79,206	135,681
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	27,430	17,675
Cash paid for interest	$ 35,261	$ 47,981

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation Basis of presentation: Our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial reporting, the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-K. Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes which are normally included in the Form 10-K and annual report to shareholders. In our opinion, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods presented. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of TEGNA included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the “2015 Form 10-K”). The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed 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 taxes, pension benefits, evaluation of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, and contingencies. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries we control and variable interest entities if we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation. Beginning in the fourth quarter fiscal year 2015, we changed our financial reporting cycle to a calendar year-end and end-of-month quarterly reporting cycle. 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 and quarterly reporting was a 52-53 week cycle that ended on the last Sunday of the calendar quarter. As a result of the change in our reporting calendar, certain quarters will have different end dates and number of days compared to the prior year quarter. The impact of the change in our reporting calendar did not have a material impact on our financial statements; and therefore, we have not restated the historical results. 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 now trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TGNA. The new publishing company retained the name Gannett Co., Inc. (Gannett) 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 their 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 condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. See Note 13 for a summary of discontinued operations. Accounting guidance adopted in 2016 : In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that changes the way companies present debt issuance costs on the balance sheet. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs are reported as 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 costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2016 and have applied 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. As disclosed in Note 6, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had $30.5 million and $31.8 million , respectively, of debt issuance costs related to our term debt each of which was recorded as a direct deduction to the carrying amount of the associated debt liability. Debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit facility remained in long-term assets on our balance sheet as permitted under the new guidance. 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 adjustments 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. We adopted and applied this guidance in the first quarter of 2016, our required adoption period, with no impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that changes certain aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payments. The FASB permitted early adoption of this guidance, and we elected to early adopt in the first quarter of 2016. We believe the new guidance reduces the complexity for accounting for share-based payments which, in turn, improves the usefulness of the information provided to the users of our financial statements. Below is a summary of the most significant changes. • All excess tax benefits and tax deduction shortfalls will be recognized as income tax benefit or expense in the income statement (under the prior guidance these amounts were generally recognized in additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet). The tax effects of exercised or vested awards will be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. This guidance is being applied prospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2016. The adoption of this element of the accounting standard reduced our first quarter income tax provision by $4.4 million and the tax rate by approximately three percentage points, resulting in an increase to basic and dilutive EPS of approximately $0.02 . • The guidance updated the classification in the Statement of Cash Flows in two areas: 1) Excess tax benefits will now be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity (under prior guidance it was separated from operating activities and presented as a financing activity), and 2) Cash paid by an employer to taxing authorities when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will be classified as a financing activity (prior to our adoption of the new guidance, we classified such payments as cash outflow from operating activities). Changes to the classification of the Statement of Cash Flows were made on a retrospective basis, wherein each period presented was adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. The following table details the impact of adopting this element of the standard on our Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands): Quarter Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Quarter Ended Mar. 29, 2015 Previous Accounting Method As Currently Reported Effect of Accounting Change Previously Reported As Currently Reported Effect of Accounting Change Change in other assets and liabilities, net $ (49,985 ) $ (25,720 ) $ 24,265 $ (74,424 ) $ (44,913 ) $ 29,511 Net cash flow from operating activities $ 102,793 $ 127,058 $ 24,265 $ 145,464 $ 174,975 $ 29,511 Other, net $ 4,477 $ (19,788 ) $ (24,265 ) $ 15,975 $ (13,536 ) $ (29,511 ) Net cash used for financing activities $ (77,849 ) $ (102,114 ) $ (24,265 ) $ (206,827 ) $ (236,338 ) $ (29,511 ) New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We will adopt the standard no later than January 1, 2018 (companies are permitted to early adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2017). While we are currently assessing the impact of the new standard, we currently do not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to leases which will require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet 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 will be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the effect it is expected to have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that amended several elements surrounding the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. Most notably for our company, the new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Under current GAAP, changes in fair value for our available-for-sale equity investment are recorded as unrealized gains or losses through other comprehensive income until such investment is sold. The new guidance is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019 and will be adopted using a cumulative-effect adjustment. Early adoption is permitted. We recorded approximately $2.0 million in unrealized losses on our available for sale investment in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Losses of this nature in the future will be recorded within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income under this new guidance.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Acquisitions Investments and Dispositions [Abstract]
Acquisitions and dispositions	Acquisitions and dispositions In March 2016, CareerBuilder acquired 100% of Aurico Inc. (Aurico), a provider of background screening and drug testing which services both U.S. and international customers. Aurico expands CareerBuilder’s product line to include another critical step in the job hiring process. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based on a preliminary valuation and, as such, our estimates and assumptions are subject to change as additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The primary areas of the purchase price allocation that were not yet finalized are related to fair value of intangible assets and income taxes. On March 18, 2016, we sold Sightline Media Group (Sightline) to Regent Companies LLC. Our Sightline business unit was previously classified as held for sale as of the end of fiscal year 2015, and as a result, the operating results of Sightline have been included in discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. See Note 13 for further discussion.

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Gross Accumulated Amortization Gross Accumulated Amortization Goodwill $ 3,956,113 $ — $ 3,919,726 $ — Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television station FCC licenses 1,191,950 — 1,191,950 — Trade names 925,171 — 925,019 — Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 913,695 (164,234 ) 903,652 (145,398 ) Other 269,921 (84,658 ) 265,148 (75,264 ) Customer relationships include subscriber lists and advertiser relationships while other intangibles primarily include retransmission agreements, network affiliations, developed technology and patents. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. In connection with our acquisition of Aurico, we recorded other intangible assets of $15.1 million , related to technology, customer relationships and trade name, which will be amortized over a weighted average period of 8 years . The following table summarizes the changes in our net goodwill balance by segment through March 31, 2016 (in thousands): Media Digital Total Balance at Dec. 31, 2015: Goodwill $ 2,579,418 $ 1,402,240 $ 3,981,658 Accumulated impairment losses — (61,932 ) (61,932 ) Net balance at Dec. 31, 2015 2,579,418 1,340,308 3,919,726 Activity during the period: Acquisition — 33,345 33,345 Foreign currency exchange rate changes — 3,042 3,042 Total — 36,387 36,387 Balance at Mar. 31, 2016: Goodwill 2,579,418 1,438,627 4,018,045 Accumulated impairment losses — (61,932 ) (61,932 ) Net balance at Mar. 31, 2016 $ 2,579,418 $ 1,376,695 $ 3,956,113 The increase in our Digital Segment ’ s goodwill during the first quarter of 2016 is associated with our acquisition of Aurico, all of which will be amortized for tax purposes.

Investments and Other Assets

Investments and Other Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Investments and other assets	Investments and other assets Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Deferred compensation investments $ 77,004 $ 77,199 Cash value life insurance 64,581 68,332 Equity method investments 32,285 27,824 Available for sale investment 26,107 28,090 Deferred debt issuance cost 12,546 13,620 Other long term assets 49,624 41,925 Total $ 262,147 $ 256,990 Deferred compensation investments : Employee compensation-related investments consist of debt and equity securities which are classified as trading securities and fund our deferred compensation plan liabilities. 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 when we own between 20% and 50% of the voting interests in a corporation, own more than a minimal investment in a limited liability company, or hold substantial management rights 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 investments. No material impairments were recorded in the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and March 29, 2015. Cost method investments : The carrying value of cost method investments at March 31, 2016 was $17.3 million and was $8.6 million at December 31, 2015, and are included within other long-term assets in the table above. The increase is primarily due to our investment in Whistle Sports during the first quarter of 2016.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	Income taxes The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was approximately $11.4 million as of March 31, 2016 and $12.5 million as of December 31, 2015. The amount of accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits was $1.7 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized benefits with respect to certain of our unrecognized tax positions will 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 gross unrecognized tax positions may be reduced by up to approximately $2.8 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt	Long-term debt Our long-term debt is summarized below (in thousands): Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 $ 75,800 $ 83,700 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 1,777 1,938 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 170,000 180,000 Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020 762,000 720,000 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 70,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019 600,000 600,000 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 4,238,006 4,214,067 Debt issuance costs (30,513 ) (31,800 ) Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (10,125 ) (12,605 ) Total long-term debt 4,197,368 4,169,662 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities of VIE loans 646 646 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 4,196,722 $ 4,169,016 For the first three months of 2016, our long-term debt increased by $ 27.7 million , primarily due to additional borrowing of $42.0 million from the revolving credit facility, and from amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts of $1.3 million and $2.5 million , respectively. These increases were partially offset by debt payments of $ 18.1 million during the first quarter of 2016. On April 1, 2016 we made a debt repayment of approximately $203.1 million (comprised of principal and accrued interest) related to our unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest of 10% . The payment was made using borrowings from our revolving credit facility. On April 30, 2016, we had unused borrowing capacity of $362.9 million under our revolving credit facility.

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Retirement plans	Retirement plans Our principal retirement plan is the TEGNA Retirement Plan (TRP). The TRP is a new pension plan that 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 table below includes the pension expenses of the TRP and the TEGNA Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP). Our former G.B. Dealey Retirement Plan was merged with the TRP plan on December 31, 2015. The total net pension obligations, both current and non-current liabilities, as of March 31, 2016 were $184.1 million . Our pension costs, which include costs for qualified and nonqualified plans, are presented in the following table (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Service cost-benefits earned during the period $ 250 $ 233 Interest cost on benefit obligation 6,350 5,652 Expected return on plan assets (a) (6,750 ) (7,497 ) Amortization of prior service cost 150 148 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,700 1,468 Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans $ 1,700 $ 4 (a) At the beginning of 2016, we updated our expected annual long-term rate of return on our TRP plan assets to 7.0% from 8.0% . This change resulted in incremental pension costs of approximately $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2016, and will result in approximately $5.5 million of incremental pension costs for the full year 2016 . We do not plan to make contributions to our TRP pension plan in 2016 because none are required under our current assumptions and current funding level. During the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and March 29, 2015, we made $2.4 million and $3.2 million of benefit payments, respectively, to participants of the SERP.

Supplemental Equity Information

Supplemental Equity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Supplemental equity information	Supplemental equity information The following table summarizes equity account activity for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and March 29, 2015 (in thousands): TEGNA Inc. Shareholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ 2,191,971 $ 264,773 $ 2,456,744 Comprehensive income: Net income 85,444 10,492 95,936 Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (925 ) (925 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (186 ) 566 380 Total comprehensive income 85,258 10,133 95,391 Dividends declared (30,524 ) — (30,524 ) Stock-based compensation 4,757 — 4,757 Treasury shares acquired (75,411 ) — (75,411 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (18,470 ) (836 ) (19,306 ) Balance at Mar. 31, 2016 $ 2,157,581 $ 274,070 $ 2,431,651 Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ 3,254,914 $ 234,359 $ 3,489,273 Comprehensive income: Net income 112,893 14,590 127,483 Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (1,233 ) (1,233 ) Other comprehensive (loss) (2,268 ) (5,566 ) (7,834 ) Total comprehensive income 110,625 7,791 118,416 Dividends declared (45,371 ) — (45,371 ) Stock-based compensation 9,114 — 9,114 Treasury shares acquired (37,520 ) — (37,520 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits 2,723 (969 ) 1,754 Balance at Mar. 29, 2015 $ 3,294,485 $ 241,181 $ 3,535,666 In July 2015, CareerBuilder acquired a majority ownership in Textkernel, 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 interests to CareerBuilder. Since redemption of the noncontrolling interests is outside of our control, the minority shareholders ’ equity interest are presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in the caption “Redeemable noncontrolling interests.” The following table summarizes the components of, and the changes in, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL), net of tax and noncontrolling interests (in thousands): Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Thirteen Weeks: Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ (116,496 ) $ (20,129 ) $ 5,674 $ (130,951 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 635 (1,983 ) (1,348 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,162 — — 1,162 Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,162 635 (1,983 ) (186 ) Balance at Mar. 31, 2016 $ (115,334 ) $ (19,494 ) $ 3,691 $ (131,137 ) Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ (1,172,245 ) $ 391,113 $ 2,363 $ (778,769 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 14,831 (26,744 ) — (11,913 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 9,645 — — 9,645 Other comprehensive income (loss) 24,476 (26,744 ) — (2,268 ) Balance at Mar. 29, 2015 $ (1,147,769 ) $ 364,369 $ 2,363 $ (781,037 ) AOCL components are included in computing net periodic post-retirement costs which include pension costs in Note 7 and our other post-retirement benefits (health care and life insurance). Reclassifications from AOCL related to these post-retirement plans include the following (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Amortization of prior service credit $ 50 $ (618 ) Amortization of actuarial loss 1,850 15,695 Total reclassifications, before tax 1,900 15,077 Income tax effect (738 ) (5,432 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 1,162 $ 9,645

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share	Earnings per share Our earnings per share (basic and diluted) are presented below (in thousands, except per share amounts): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 92,918 $ 69,412 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (7,474 ) 43,481 Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 85,444 $ 112,893 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 219,286 227,089 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock 1,295 2,267 Performance share units 1,673 1,692 Stock options 1,000 883 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 223,254 231,931 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 0.42 $ 0.31 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic (0.03 ) 0.19 Net income per share - basic $ 0.39 $ 0.50 Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 0.42 $ 0.30 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - diluted (0.04 ) 0.19 Net income per share - diluted $ 0.38 $ 0.49 Our calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effects for the assumed vesting of outstanding restricted stock units, performance share units, and exercises of outstanding stock options based on the treasury stock method. The diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of approximately 20,000 and 300,000 of stock awards for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurement	Fair value measurement We measure and record in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements certain assets and liabilities at fair value. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between 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 following table summarizes our assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements as of Mar. 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Deferred compensation investments $ 77,004 $ — $ — $ 77,004 Available for sale investment 26,107 — — 26,107 Total $ 103,111 $ — $ — $ 103,111 Fair Value Measurements as of Dec. 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Deferred compensation investments $ 77,199 $ — $ — $ 77,199 Available for sale investment 28,090 — — 28,090 Total $ 105,289 $ — $ — $ 105,289 Deferred compensation investments of $77.0 million as of March 31, 2016 and $77.2 million as of December 31, 2015, consist of securities which are traded on public exchanges and are, therefore, 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 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, based on the bid and ask quotes for the related debt (Level 2), totaled $4.37 billion at March 31, 2016 and $4.31 billion at December 31, 2015.

Business Segment Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business segment information	Business segment information We classify our operations into two reportable segments: Media : consisting of our 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, respectively. Our reportable segments have been determined based on our 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. Summary operating results for each of our business segments were as follows (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Operating Revenues: Media $ 443,829 $ 396,417 Digital 337,903 335,074 Total $ 781,732 $ 731,491 Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation): Media $ 169,299 $ 176,880 Digital 47,219 48,181 Corporate (14,599 ) (18,860 ) Unallocated (a) — (23,729 ) Total $ 201,919 $ 182,472 Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation: Media $ 19,441 $ 21,261 Digital 30,361 33,709 Corporate 721 2,721 Total $ 50,523 $ 57,691 Identifiable assets: Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Media $ 4,782,916 $ 4,799,375 Digital 3,529,356 3,529,124 Corporate 156,901 170,194 Total (b) $ 8,469,173 $ 8,498,693 (a) Unallocated expenses in 2015 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. (b) For Dec. 31, 2015, the total of business segment identifiable assets excludes assets recorded in discontinued operations on the consolidated balance sheet of $7.3 million .

Other Matters

Other Matters	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Other matters	Other Matters Commitments, contingencies and other matters 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. Media Voluntary Retirement Program During the first quarter of 2016, we initiated a Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) at our Media Segment. Under the VRP, Media employees meeting certain eligibility requirements were offered buyout payments in exchange for voluntarily retiring. Based on actual acceptances through March 31, 2016, we have accrued a VRP separation obligation totaling $9.5 million as of March 31, 2016. We expect additional VRP charges to be recognized until the completion of the plan in the second quarter of 2016. Upon separation, employees accepting the VRP will receive salary continuation payments primarily based on years of service, the majority of which will occur evenly over the next 12 month period.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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 the distribution. As disclosed in our 2015 Form 10-K, 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. During the fourth quarter of 2015, we 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. On March 18, 2016, we sold Sightline Media (Sightline) to Regent Companies LLC. Our Sightline business unit was previously included within our Other Segment and was classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2015. With the sale of these businesses, we divested 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 former publishing businesses and businesses within the Other Segment are presented as discontinued operations in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. In our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the cash flows from discontinued operations are not separately classified but supplemental cash flow information is presented below. The financial results of discontinued operations through March 31, 2016, are presented as a loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. For earnings per share information on discontinued operations see Note 9. Discontinued operations for the first quarter of 2016 are attributable to our former Sightline business through the date of sale while results for the first quarter of 2015 were comprised of the operating results of both the Publishing Segment and Other Segment. The table below presents the financial results of discontinued operations (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Other Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 3,379 $ 694,751 $ 46,523 $ 741,274 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes (6,299 ) 64,858 (11,868 ) 52,990 Provision for income taxes (1,175 ) (13,269 ) 3,760 (9,509 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (7,474 ) 51,589 (8,108 ) 43,481 The depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures and significant cash investing items of discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Other Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 112 $ 24,996 $ 208 $ 25,204 Amortization — 3,399 — 3,399 Capital expenditures — (6,347 ) (82 ) (6,429 ) Proceeds from sale of certain assets — 5,655 — 5,655 Payments for investments — (2,000 ) — (2,000 ) Proceeds from investments — 7,883 — 7,883 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.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation: Our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial reporting, the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-K. Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes which are normally included in the Form 10-K and annual report to shareholders. In our opinion, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods presented. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of TEGNA included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the “2015 Form 10-K”). The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed 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 taxes, pension benefits, evaluation of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, and contingencies. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries we control and variable interest entities if we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation. Beginning in the fourth quarter fiscal year 2015, we changed our financial reporting cycle to a calendar year-end and end-of-month quarterly reporting cycle. 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 and quarterly reporting was a 52-53 week cycle that ended on the last Sunday of the calendar quarter. As a result of the change in our reporting calendar, certain quarters will have different end dates and number of days compared to the prior year quarter. The impact of the change in our reporting calendar did not have a material impact on our financial statements; and therefore, we have not restated the historical results. 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 now trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TGNA. The new publishing company retained the name Gannett Co., Inc. (Gannett) 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 their 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 condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. See Note 13 for a summary of discontinued operations.
Recent accounting standards	Accounting guidance adopted in 2016 : In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that changes the way companies present debt issuance costs on the balance sheet. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs are reported as 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 costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2016 and have applied 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. As disclosed in Note 6, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had $30.5 million and $31.8 million , respectively, of debt issuance costs related to our term debt each of which was recorded as a direct deduction to the carrying amount of the associated debt liability. Debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit facility remained in long-term assets on our balance sheet as permitted under the new guidance. 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 adjustments 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. We adopted and applied this guidance in the first quarter of 2016, our required adoption period, with no impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that changes certain aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payments. The FASB permitted early adoption of this guidance, and we elected to early adopt in the first quarter of 2016. We believe the new guidance reduces the complexity for accounting for share-based payments which, in turn, improves the usefulness of the information provided to the users of our financial statements. Below is a summary of the most significant changes. • All excess tax benefits and tax deduction shortfalls will be recognized as income tax benefit or expense in the income statement (under the prior guidance these amounts were generally recognized in additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet). The tax effects of exercised or vested awards will be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. This guidance is being applied prospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2016. The adoption of this element of the accounting standard reduced our first quarter income tax provision by $4.4 million and the tax rate by approximately three percentage points, resulting in an increase to basic and dilutive EPS of approximately $0.02 . • The guidance updated the classification in the Statement of Cash Flows in two areas: 1) Excess tax benefits will now be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity (under prior guidance it was separated from operating activities and presented as a financing activity), and 2) Cash paid by an employer to taxing authorities when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will be classified as a financing activity (prior to our adoption of the new guidance, we classified such payments as cash outflow from operating activities). Changes to the classification of the Statement of Cash Flows were made on a retrospective basis, wherein each period presented was adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. The following table details the impact of adopting this element of the standard on our Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands): Quarter Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Quarter Ended Mar. 29, 2015 Previous Accounting Method As Currently Reported Effect of Accounting Change Previously Reported As Currently Reported Effect of Accounting Change Change in other assets and liabilities, net $ (49,985 ) $ (25,720 ) $ 24,265 $ (74,424 ) $ (44,913 ) $ 29,511 Net cash flow from operating activities $ 102,793 $ 127,058 $ 24,265 $ 145,464 $ 174,975 $ 29,511 Other, net $ 4,477 $ (19,788 ) $ (24,265 ) $ 15,975 $ (13,536 ) $ (29,511 ) Net cash used for financing activities $ (77,849 ) $ (102,114 ) $ (24,265 ) $ (206,827 ) $ (236,338 ) $ (29,511 ) New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We will adopt the standard no later than January 1, 2018 (companies are permitted to early adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2017). While we are currently assessing the impact of the new standard, we currently do not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to leases which will require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet 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 will be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the effect it is expected to have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that amended several elements surrounding the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. Most notably for our company, the new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Under current GAAP, changes in fair value for our available-for-sale equity investment are recorded as unrealized gains or losses through other comprehensive income until such investment is sold. The new guidance is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019 and will be adopted using a cumulative-effect adjustment. Early adoption is permitted. We recorded approximately $2.0 million in unrealized losses on our available for sale investment in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Losses of this nature in the future will be recorded within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income under this new guidance.

Basis of Presentation (Tables)

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption	The following table details the impact of adopting this element of the standard on our Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands): Quarter Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Quarter Ended Mar. 29, 2015 Previous Accounting Method As Currently Reported Effect of Accounting Change Previously Reported As Currently Reported Effect of Accounting Change Change in other assets and liabilities, net $ (49,985 ) $ (25,720 ) $ 24,265 $ (74,424 ) $ (44,913 ) $ 29,511 Net cash flow from operating activities $ 102,793 $ 127,058 $ 24,265 $ 145,464 $ 174,975 $ 29,511 Other, net $ 4,477 $ (19,788 ) $ (24,265 ) $ 15,975 $ (13,536 ) $ (29,511 ) Net cash used for financing activities $ (77,849 ) $ (102,114 ) $ (24,265 ) $ (206,827 ) $ (236,338 ) $ (29,511 )

Goodwill and Other Intangible22

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill	The following table displays goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and amortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Gross Accumulated Amortization Gross Accumulated Amortization Goodwill $ 3,956,113 $ — $ 3,919,726 $ — Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television station FCC licenses 1,191,950 — 1,191,950 — Trade names 925,171 — 925,019 — Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 913,695 (164,234 ) 903,652 (145,398 ) Other 269,921 (84,658 ) 265,148 (75,264 )
Changes in the Company's Net Goodwill	The following table summarizes the changes in our net goodwill balance by segment through March 31, 2016 (in thousands): Media Digital Total Balance at Dec. 31, 2015: Goodwill $ 2,579,418 $ 1,402,240 $ 3,981,658 Accumulated impairment losses — (61,932 ) (61,932 ) Net balance at Dec. 31, 2015 2,579,418 1,340,308 3,919,726 Activity during the period: Acquisition — 33,345 33,345 Foreign currency exchange rate changes — 3,042 3,042 Total — 36,387 36,387 Balance at Mar. 31, 2016: Goodwill 2,579,418 1,438,627 4,018,045 Accumulated impairment losses — (61,932 ) (61,932 ) Net balance at Mar. 31, 2016 $ 2,579,418 $ 1,376,695 $ 3,956,113

Investments and Other Assets (T

Investments and Other Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets	Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Deferred compensation investments $ 77,004 $ 77,199 Cash value life insurance 64,581 68,332 Equity method investments 32,285 27,824 Available for sale investment 26,107 28,090 Deferred debt issuance cost 12,546 13,620 Other long term assets 49,624 41,925 Total $ 262,147 $ 256,990

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary Long-term debt	Our long-term debt is summarized below (in thousands): Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 $ 75,800 $ 83,700 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 1,777 1,938 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 170,000 180,000 Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020 762,000 720,000 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 70,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019 600,000 600,000 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 4,238,006 4,214,067 Debt issuance costs (30,513 ) (31,800 ) Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (10,125 ) (12,605 ) Total long-term debt 4,197,368 4,169,662 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities of VIE loans 646 646 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 4,196,722 $ 4,169,016

Retirement Plans (Tables)

Retirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit costs	Our pension costs, which include costs for qualified and nonqualified plans, are presented in the following table (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Service cost-benefits earned during the period $ 250 $ 233 Interest cost on benefit obligation 6,350 5,652 Expected return on plan assets (a) (6,750 ) (7,497 ) Amortization of prior service cost 150 148 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,700 1,468 Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans $ 1,700 $ 4 (a) At the beginning of 2016, we updated our expected annual long-term rate of return on our TRP plan assets to 7.0% from 8.0% . This change resulted in incremental pension costs of approximately $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2016, and will result in approximately $5.5 million of incremental pension costs for the full year 2016 .

Supplemental Equity Informati26

Supplemental Equity Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Equity	The following table summarizes equity account activity for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and March 29, 2015 (in thousands): TEGNA Inc. Shareholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ 2,191,971 $ 264,773 $ 2,456,744 Comprehensive income: Net income 85,444 10,492 95,936 Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (925 ) (925 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (186 ) 566 380 Total comprehensive income 85,258 10,133 95,391 Dividends declared (30,524 ) — (30,524 ) Stock-based compensation 4,757 — 4,757 Treasury shares acquired (75,411 ) — (75,411 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (18,470 ) (836 ) (19,306 ) Balance at Mar. 31, 2016 $ 2,157,581 $ 274,070 $ 2,431,651 Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ 3,254,914 $ 234,359 $ 3,489,273 Comprehensive income: Net income 112,893 14,590 127,483 Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (1,233 ) (1,233 ) Other comprehensive (loss) (2,268 ) (5,566 ) (7,834 ) Total comprehensive income 110,625 7,791 118,416 Dividends declared (45,371 ) — (45,371 ) Stock-based compensation 9,114 — 9,114 Treasury shares acquired (37,520 ) — (37,520 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits 2,723 (969 ) 1,754 Balance at Mar. 29, 2015 $ 3,294,485 $ 241,181 $ 3,535,666
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the components of, and the changes in, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL), net of tax and noncontrolling interests (in thousands): Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Thirteen Weeks: Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ (116,496 ) $ (20,129 ) $ 5,674 $ (130,951 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 635 (1,983 ) (1,348 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,162 — — 1,162 Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,162 635 (1,983 ) (186 ) Balance at Mar. 31, 2016 $ (115,334 ) $ (19,494 ) $ 3,691 $ (131,137 ) Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ (1,172,245 ) $ 391,113 $ 2,363 $ (778,769 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 14,831 (26,744 ) — (11,913 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 9,645 — — 9,645 Other comprehensive income (loss) 24,476 (26,744 ) — (2,268 ) Balance at Mar. 29, 2015 $ (1,147,769 ) $ 364,369 $ 2,363 $ (781,037 )
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications from AOCL related to these post-retirement plans include the following (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Amortization of prior service credit $ 50 $ (618 ) Amortization of actuarial loss 1,850 15,695 Total reclassifications, before tax 1,900 15,077 Income tax effect (738 ) (5,432 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 1,162 $ 9,645

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	Our earnings per share (basic and diluted) are presented below (in thousands, except per share amounts): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 92,918 $ 69,412 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (7,474 ) 43,481 Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 85,444 $ 112,893 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 219,286 227,089 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock 1,295 2,267 Performance share units 1,673 1,692 Stock options 1,000 883 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 223,254 231,931 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 0.42 $ 0.31 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic (0.03 ) 0.19 Net income per share - basic $ 0.39 $ 0.50 Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 0.42 $ 0.30 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - diluted (0.04 ) 0.19 Net income per share - diluted $ 0.38 $ 0.49

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	The following table summarizes our assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements as of Mar. 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Deferred compensation investments $ 77,004 $ — $ — $ 77,004 Available for sale investment 26,107 — — 26,107 Total $ 103,111 $ — $ — $ 103,111 Fair Value Measurements as of Dec. 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Deferred compensation investments $ 77,199 $ — $ — $ 77,199 Available for sale investment 28,090 — — 28,090 Total $ 105,289 $ — $ — $ 105,289

Business Segment Information (T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Summary operating results for each of our business segments were as follows (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Operating Revenues: Media $ 443,829 $ 396,417 Digital 337,903 335,074 Total $ 781,732 $ 731,491 Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation): Media $ 169,299 $ 176,880 Digital 47,219 48,181 Corporate (14,599 ) (18,860 ) Unallocated (a) — (23,729 ) Total $ 201,919 $ 182,472 Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation: Media $ 19,441 $ 21,261 Digital 30,361 33,709 Corporate 721 2,721 Total $ 50,523 $ 57,691 Identifiable assets: Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Media $ 4,782,916 $ 4,799,375 Digital 3,529,356 3,529,124 Corporate 156,901 170,194 Total (b) $ 8,469,173 $ 8,498,693 (a) Unallocated expenses in 2015 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. (b) For Dec. 31, 2015, the total of business segment identifiable assets excludes assets recorded in discontinued operations on the consolidated balance sheet of $7.3 million .

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	The table below presents the financial results of discontinued operations (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Other Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 3,379 $ 694,751 $ 46,523 $ 741,274 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes (6,299 ) 64,858 (11,868 ) 52,990 Provision for income taxes (1,175 ) (13,269 ) 3,760 (9,509 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (7,474 ) 51,589 (8,108 ) 43,481 The depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures and significant cash investing items of discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands): Quarters Ended Mar. 31, 2016 Mar. 29, 2015 Other Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 112 $ 24,996 $ 208 $ 25,204 Amortization — 3,399 — 3,399 Capital expenditures — (6,347 ) (82 ) (6,429 ) Proceeds from sale of certain assets — 5,655 — 5,655 Payments for investments — (2,000 ) — (2,000 ) Proceeds from investments — 7,883 — 7,883

Basis of Presentation (Details)

Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred issuance costs	$ 30,513		$ 31,800
Decrease to income tax provision	(42,108)	$ (51,015)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 | New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Decrease to income tax provision	$ 4,400
Decrease in income tax provision (as a percent)	3.00%
Increase to basic and diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02

Basis of Presentation - Early A

Basis of Presentation - Early Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	$ (25,720)	$ (44,913)
Net cash flow from operating activities	127,058	174,975
Other, net	(19,788)	(13,536)
Net cash used for financing activities	(102,114)	(236,338)
Unrealized losses on available for sales investments recognized in comprehensive income	2,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 | New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	24,265	29,511
Net cash flow from operating activities	24,265	29,511
Other, net	(24,265)	(29,511)
Net cash used for financing activities	(24,265)	(29,511)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 | Previously Reported
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	(49,985)	(74,424)
Net cash flow from operating activities	102,793	145,464
Other, net	4,477	15,975
Net cash used for financing activities	$ (77,849)	$ (206,827)

Acquisitions and Dispositions -

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 31, 2016
CareerBuilder | Aurico Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership interest acquired (as a percent)	100.00%

Goodwill and Other Intangible34

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 3,956,113	$ 3,919,726
Goodwill, Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Customer relationships
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	913,695	903,652
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(164,234)	(145,398)
Other
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	269,921	265,148
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(84,658)	(75,264)
Television station FCC licenses
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangibles	1,191,950	1,191,950
Indefinite-lived intangibles (including goodwill), accumulated amortization	0	0
Trade names
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangibles	925,171	925,019
Indefinite-lived intangibles (including goodwill), accumulated amortization	$ 0	$ 0

Goodwill and Other Intangible35

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill Rollforward (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Changes in the Company's net goodwill
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	$ 3,919,726
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	0
Ending balance	3,919,726
Activity during the period:
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses ending balance	3,956,113
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	0
Ending balance	3,956,113
Operating Segments
Changes in the Company's net goodwill
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	3,981,658
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	(61,932)
Ending balance	3,919,726
Activity during the period:
Acquisition	33,345
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	3,042
Total	36,387
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses ending balance	4,018,045
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	(61,932)
Ending balance	3,956,113
Operating Segments | Media
Changes in the Company's net goodwill
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	2,579,418
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	0
Ending balance	2,579,418
Activity during the period:
Acquisition	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Total	0
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses ending balance	2,579,418
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	0
Ending balance	2,579,418
Operating Segments | Digital
Changes in the Company's net goodwill
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	1,402,240
Accumulated impairment losses beginning balance	(61,932)
Ending balance	1,340,308
Activity during the period:
Acquisition	33,345
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	3,042
Total	36,387
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses ending balance	1,438,627
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	(61,932)
Ending balance	$ 1,376,695

Goodwill and Other Intangible36

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - Aurico Inc. $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets acquired	$ 15.1
Acquired intangible assets weighted average useful life	8 years

Investments and Other Assets -

Investments and Other Assets - Components of Investments and Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Deferred compensation investments	$ 77,004	$ 77,199
Cash value life insurance	64,581	68,332
Equity method investments	32,285	27,824
Available for sale investment	26,107	28,090
Deferred debt issuance cost	12,546	13,620
Other long term assets	49,624	41,925
Total	$ 262,147	$ 256,990

Investments and Other Assets 38

Investments and Other Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other long term assets
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investments	$ 17.3	$ 8.6

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	$ 11.4	$ 12.5
Accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits	1.7	$ 1.7
Estimated decrease in gross unrecognized tax positions within the next 12 months, maximum	$ 2.8

Long-Term Debt (Details)

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	$ 4,238,006	$ 4,214,067
Debt issuance costs	(30,513)	(31,800)
Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts)	(10,125)	(12,605)
Total long-term debt	4,197,368	4,169,662
Less current portion of long-term debt maturities of VIE loans	646	646
Long-term debt, net of current portion	4,196,722	4,169,016
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	75,800	83,700
VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	1,777	1,938
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	170,000	180,000
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	762,000	720,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 193,429	193,429
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	10.00%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.125% due September 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 70,000	70,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	7.125%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 600,000	600,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	5.125%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due July 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 600,000	600,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	5.125%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 4.875% due September 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 350,000	350,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	4.875%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 6.375% due October 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 650,000	650,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	6.375%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.50% due September 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 325,000	325,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	5.50%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.75% due June 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 200,000	200,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.25% due September 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 240,000	$ 240,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	7.25%

Long-Term Debt - Additional Inf

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 01, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Apr. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Increase of long-term debt		$ 27,700
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt		4,197,368			$ 4,169,662
Amortization of debt issuance costs		(1,300)
Amortization of debt discount		(2,500)
Repayments of long-term debt		$ 18,062	$ 10,025
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (as a percent)		10.00%
Term loan | Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt		$ 42,000
Subsequent Event | Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt	$ 203,100
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	10.00%
Subsequent Event | Revolving line of credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unused borrowing capacity				$ 362,900

Retirement Plans (Details)

Retirement Plans (Details) - Retirement Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Company's pension costs
Service cost-benefits earned during the period	$ 250	$ 233
Interest cost on benefit obligation	6,350	5,652
Expected return on plan assets	(6,750)	(7,497)
Amortization of prior service cost	150	148
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,700	1,468
Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans	$ 1,700	$ 4

Retirement Plans - Narrative (D

Retirement Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension plan obligation	$ 184.1
Assumptions used calculating net periodic benefit cost, expected long-term return on assets (as a percent)	7.00%		8.00%
Incremental costs due to change in assumption	$ 1.4
Expected incremental costs due to change in assumption, remainder of fiscal year	5.5
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to plan	$ 2.4	$ 3.2

Supplemental Equity Informati44

Supplemental Equity Information - Equity Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 2,456,744	$ 3,489,273
Comprehensive income:
Net income	95,936	127,483
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(925)	(1,233)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	380	(7,834)
Comprehensive income	95,391	118,416
Dividends declared	(30,524)	(45,371)
Stock-based compensation	4,757	9,114
Treasury shares acquired	(75,411)	(37,520)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits	(19,306)	1,754
Ending Balance	2,431,651	3,535,666
TEGNA Inc. Shareholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2,191,971	3,254,914
Comprehensive income:
Net income	85,444	112,893
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(186)	(2,268)
Comprehensive income	85,258	110,625
Dividends declared	(30,524)	(45,371)
Stock-based compensation	4,757	9,114
Treasury shares acquired	(75,411)	(37,520)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits	(18,470)	2,723
Ending Balance	2,157,581	3,294,485
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	264,773	234,359
Comprehensive income:
Net income	10,492	14,590
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(925)	(1,233)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	566	(5,566)
Comprehensive income	10,133	7,791
Dividends declared	0	0
Stock-based compensation	0	0
Treasury shares acquired	0	0
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits	(836)	(969)
Ending Balance	$ 274,070	$ 241,181

Supplemental Equity Informati45

Supplemental Equity Information - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ (130,951)	$ (778,769)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,348)	(11,913)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	1,162	9,645
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(186)	(2,268)
Ending Balance	(131,137)	(781,037)
Retirement Plans
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(116,496)	(1,172,245)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	14,831
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	1,162	9,645
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,162	24,476
Ending Balance	(115,334)	(1,147,769)
Foreign Currency Translation
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(20,129)	391,113
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	635	(26,744)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	635	(26,744)
Ending Balance	(19,494)	364,369
Other
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	5,674	2,363
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,983)	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,983)	0
Ending Balance	$ 3,691	$ 2,363

Supplemental Equity Informati46

Supplemental Equity Information - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ 145,518	$ 135,017
Income tax effect	(42,108)	(51,015)
Total reclassifications, net of tax	1,162	9,645
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, net of tax	1,162	9,645
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service credit	50	(618)
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,850	15,695
Income before income taxes	1,900	15,077
Income tax effect	$ (738)	$ (5,432)

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 92,918	$ 69,412
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(7,474)	43,481
Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 85,444	$ 112,893
Basic shares	219,286	227,089
Effect of dilutive securities:
Diluted shares	223,254	231,931
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.31
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	(0.03)	0.19
Net income per share – basic (In dollars per share)	0.39	0.50
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.42	0.30
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	0.19
Net income per share – diluted (In dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.49
Restricted stock
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	1,295	2,267
Performance share units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	1,673	1,692
Stock options
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	1,000	883

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)	20	300

Fair Value Measurement (Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Deferred compensation investments	$ 77,004	$ 77,199
Available for sale investment	26,107	28,090
Total	103,111	105,289
Level 1
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Deferred compensation investments	77,004	77,199
Available for sale investment	26,107	28,090
Total	103,111	105,289
Level 2
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Deferred compensation investments	0	0
Available for sale investment	0	0
Total	0	0
Level 3
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Deferred compensation investments	0	0
Available for sale investment	0	0
Total	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurement - Narrat

Fair Value Measurement - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 29, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	$ 77,004	$ 77,199
Available for sale investment in Gannett's outstanding shares held by Tegna (as a percent of shares outstanding)			1.50%
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	77,004	77,199
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	0	0
Fair value of total long-term debt	$ 4,370,000	$ 4,310,000
Available-for-sale Securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale investment in Gannett's outstanding shares held by Tegna (as a percent of shares outstanding)	1.50%

Business Segment Information (D

Business Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)segmentmarketstation	Mar. 29, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | segment	2
Operating Revenues	$ 781,732	$ 731,491
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	201,919	182,472
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	50,523	57,691
Identifiable assets	8,469,173		$ 8,505,958
Assets recorded as discontinued operations excluded from segment identifiable assets			7,300
Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 8,469,173		8,498,693
Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television stations | station	46
Number of markets In which entity operates | market	38
Operating Segments | Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	$ 443,829	396,417
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	169,299	176,880
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	19,441	21,261
Operating Segments | Media | Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	4,782,916		4,799,375
Operating Segments | Digital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	337,903	335,074
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	47,219	48,181
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	30,361	33,709
Operating Segments | Digital | Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	3,529,356		3,529,124
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	(14,599)	(18,860)
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges	721	2,721
Corporate | Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	156,901		$ 170,194
Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation charges)	$ 0	$ (23,729)

Other Matters - Narrative (Deta

Other Matters - Narrative (Details) - Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued separation liability		$ 9.5
Forecast
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Salary continuation period	12 months

Discontinued Operations (Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details)	Jun. 29, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
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 period, not to exceed	5 years

Discontinued Operations - Incom

Discontinued Operations - Income Statement Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (7,474)	$ 43,481
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues		741,274
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes		52,990
Provision for income taxes		(9,509)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		43,481
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Publishing
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues		694,751
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes		64,858
Provision for income taxes		(13,269)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		51,589
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Other
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,379	46,523
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes	(6,299)	(11,868)
Provision for income taxes	(1,175)	3,760
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (7,474)	$ (8,108)

Discontinued Operations - Depre

Discontinued Operations - Depreciation, Amortization and Capital Expenditures (Details) - Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation		$ 25,204
Amortization		3,399
Capital expenditures		(6,429)
Proceeds from sale of certain assets		5,655
Payments for investments		(2,000)
Proceeds from investments		7,883
Publishing
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation		24,996
Amortization		3,399
Capital expenditures		(6,347)
Proceeds from sale of certain assets		5,655
Payments for investments		(2,000)
Proceeds from investments		7,883
Other
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 112	208
Amortization	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	(82)
Proceeds from sale of certain assets	0	0
Payments for investments	0	0
Proceeds from investments	$ 0	$ 0