TEGNA (TGNA) 10-Q 9 Nov 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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	Sep. 30, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	214,416,511
Trading Symbol	TGNA

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 107,329	$ 129,200
Trade receivables, net of allowances of $8,382 and $9,092, respectively	597,516	556,351
Other receivables	13,789	18,738
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	127,618	94,262
Current discontinued operation assets	0	6,608
Total current assets	846,252	805,159
Property and equipment
Cost	1,020,139	984,185
Less accumulated depreciation	(570,459)	(525,866)
Net property and equipment	449,680	458,319
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill	4,070,524	3,919,726
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	3,052,597	3,065,107
Investments and other assets	255,624	256,990
Noncurrent discontinued operation assets	0	657
Total intangible and other assets	7,378,745	7,242,480
Total assets	8,674,677	8,505,958
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and current portion of film contracts payable	124,973	124,654
Accrued liabilities	323,950	296,815
Dividends payable	30,161	31,033
Income taxes	7,816	15,742
Deferred revenue	121,068	132,650
Current portion of long-term debt	646	646
Current discontinued operation liabilities	0	5,243
Total current liabilities	608,614	606,783
Noncurrent liabilities
Income taxes	20,320	18,191
Deferred income taxes	948,188	883,141
Long-term debt	4,237,894	4,169,016
Pension liabilities	174,734	178,844
Other noncurrent liabilities	143,111	168,573
Total noncurrent liabilities	5,524,247	5,417,765
Total liabilities	6,132,861	6,024,548
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	45,658	24,666
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	475,436	539,505
Retained earnings	7,284,977	7,111,129
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(139,447)	(130,951)
Less treasury stock at cost, 110,002,121 shares and 104,664,452 shares, respectively	(5,743,890)	(5,652,131)
Total TEGNA Inc. shareholders’ equity	2,201,495	2,191,971
Noncontrolling interests	294,663	264,773
Total equity	2,496,158	2,456,744
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$ 8,674,677	$ 8,505,958

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 8,382	$ 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	110,002,121	104,664,452

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Operating revenues:
Media	$ 501,686	$ 406,445	$ 1,404,462	$ 1,219,911
Digital	358,579	351,073	1,049,320	1,025,770
Total	860,265	757,518	2,453,782	2,245,681
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues and operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation	261,065	224,294	764,793	690,781
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation	268,415	265,102	824,561	794,650
Depreciation	22,634	21,518	67,494	70,752
Amortization of intangible assets	29,161	28,502	85,703	86,156
Asset impairment charges and facility consolidation	15,218	0	18,946	17,079
Total	596,493	539,416	1,761,497	1,659,418
Operating income	263,772	218,102	692,285	586,263
Non-operating expenses:
Equity loss in unconsolidated investments, net	(3,549)	(1,012)	(6,530)	(4,123)
Interest expense	(57,607)	(66,949)	(175,461)	(206,871)
Other non-operating expenses, net	(11,051)	(3,115)	(11,220)	(5,346)
Total	(72,207)	(71,076)	(193,211)	(216,340)
Income before income taxes	191,565	147,026	499,074	369,923
Provision for income taxes	58,130	35,967	147,844	120,706
Income from continuing operations	133,435	111,059	351,230	249,217
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(5,317)	(7,474)	115,501
Net income	133,435	105,742	343,756	364,718
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14,752)	(17,487)	(40,178)	(47,701)
Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 118,683	$ 88,255	$ 303,578	$ 317,017
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.55	$ 0.42	$ 1.43	$ 0.89
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	0	(0.03)	(0.03)	0.51
Net income per share – basic (In dollars per share)	0.55	0.39	1.40	1.40
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.54	0.41	1.41	0.87
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0	(0.03)	(0.03)	0.50
Net income per share – diluted (In dollars per share)	$ 0.54	$ 0.38	$ 1.38	$ 1.37
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic shares	214,813	224,530	216,865	226,053
Diluted shares	218,099	230,078	220,511	231,310
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.14	$ 0.42	$ 0.54

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 133,435	$ 105,742	$ 343,756	$ 364,718
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(1,353)	(310)	(3,628)	(1,595)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,973)	(5,033)	(7,934)	(4,639)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items:
Recognition of previously deferred post-retirement benefit plan costs	1,763	3,818	6,085	33,990
Actuarial loss arising during period	0	(14,631)	0	(14,631)
Remeasurement of post-retirement benefits liability	0	79,184	0	79,184
Other	0	0	0	(4,398)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit items	1,763	68,371	6,085	94,145
Unrealized loss on available for sale investments during the period	(3,743)	(518)	(8,017)	(518)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(3,953)	62,820	(9,866)	88,988
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(688)	(27,079)	(2,368)	(37,067)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(4,641)	35,741	(12,234)	51,921
Comprehensive income	127,441	141,173	327,894	415,044
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(12,470)	(14,806)	(32,813)	(41,530)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 114,971	$ 126,367	$ 295,081	$ 373,514

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 343,756	$ 364,718
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	153,197	214,066
Stock-based compensation	13,216	17,112
Other losses on sales of assets, businesses and impairment charges	24,082	33,179
Equity loss (income) in unconsolidated investments, net	6,530	(6,683)
Pension expense, net of contributions	2,135	(121,732)
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	(88,153)	8,946
Net cash flow from operating activities	454,763	509,606
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(68,577)	(74,897)
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(196,751)	(53,654)
Payments for investments	(19,132)	(30,293)
Proceeds from investments	10,127	12,402
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,024	110,524
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(273,309)	(35,918)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facilities, net	10,000	120,000
Proceeds from borrowings	300,000	200,000
Debt repayments	(249,592)	(346,158)
Payments of debt issuance and financing costs	(1,684)	(6,980)
Dividends paid	(91,627)	(136,163)
Repurchases of common stock	(150,917)	(200,569)
Cash transferred to the Gannett Co., Inc. business	0	(63,365)
Other, net	(19,505)	(41,138)
Net cash flow used for financing activities	(203,325)	(474,373)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(21,871)	(685)
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	107,329	116,896
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations, end of period	0	903
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at end of period	107,329	117,799
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	145,052	59,394
Cash paid for interest	153,510	183,239
Non-cash investing activities:
Non-monetary exchange of investment for acquisition	$ 0	$ (34,403)

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 our (or TEGNA's) audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. 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 (VIEs) if we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation. As previously reported, on 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 14 for a summary of discontinued operations. Beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015, we changed our financial reporting cycle to a calendar year-end and end-of-month quarterly reporting cycle to better reflect the timing of TEGNA’s post spin operations. 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. Accounting guidance adopted in 2016 : In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that changed 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 done under the previous standard. 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 for each date presented is adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. As disclosed in Note 7, as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, we had $29.4 million and $31.8 million , respectively, in debt issuance costs related to our term debt 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 of 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 was applied prospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2016. The adoption of this element of the accounting standard reduced our income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, by $4.6 million and the tax rate for the same period by approximately one percentage point, resulting in an increase to basic and diluted EPS of approximately $0.02 . The reduction to the tax provision predominantly occurred in the first quarter of 2016 in connection with the settlement of performance share unit awards. • 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): Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended Sept. 27, 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 $ (113,231 ) $ (88,153 ) $ 25,078 $ (21,427 ) $ 8,946 $ 30,373 Net cash flow from operating activities $ 429,685 $ 454,763 $ 25,078 $ 479,233 $ 509,606 $ 30,373 Other, net $ 5,573 $ (19,505 ) $ (25,078 ) $ (10,765 ) $ (41,138 ) $ (30,373 ) Net cash used for financing activities $ (178,247 ) $ (203,325 ) $ (25,078 ) $ (444,000 ) $ (474,373 ) $ (30,373 ) 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. 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 public companies beginning in the first quarter of 2019 and will be adopted using a cumulative-effect adjustment. Early adoption is permitted. We recorded approximately $3.7 million and $ 8.0 million in unrealized losses on our available for sale investment in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Losses of this nature in the future will be recorded within the Consolidated Statements of Income under this new guidance. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance changes the way credit losses on accounts receivable are estimated. Under current GAAP, credit losses on trade accounts receivable are recognized once it is probable that such losses will occur. Under the new guidance, we will be required to estimate credit losses based on the expected amount of future collections which may result in earlier recognition of allowance for doubtful accounts. The new guidance is effective for public companies beginning in the first quarter of 2020 and will be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the effect this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Strategic Actions

Strategic Actions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Strategic Actions	Strategic actions Spin-off of Cars.com Business Unit On September 7, 2016, we announced our plan to spin-off our Cars.com business unit, which is currently within our Digital Segment. Cars.com's 2015 annual revenue was approximately $597 million and it has approximately 1,275 employees. The planned separation will be implemented through a tax-free distribution of shares in a new entity formed to hold the assets of Cars.com to our shareholders. We expect to complete the transaction in the first half of 2017, subject to a number of conditions, including final approval of our Board of Directors, receipt of an opinion from tax counsel regarding the tax free nature of the distribution, the effectiveness of a Form 10 registration statement filed with the SEC, and other customary matters. There can be no assurance regarding the ultimate timing of the proposed transaction or that it will be completed. While we perform the necessary steps to complete the spin, we will maintain the current operating and reporting structure and will continue to report the financial results of Cars.com in our continuing operations until the spin transaction is complete, which is projected to occur during the first half of 2017. Strategic Review of CareerBuilder On September 7, 2016, we also announced that we will conduct a strategic review of our 53% ownership interest in CareerBuilder, including a possible sale of it in conjunction with the other owners’ interests. CareerBuilder's 2015 annual revenue was approximately $700 million and it has approximately 3,285 employees. CareerBuilder's operations are included within our Digital Segment. At this time, there can be no guarantee that any of the options under review will result in a transaction. While we perform our strategic review for CareerBuilder, we will maintain the current operating and reporting structure and will continue to report the financial results of CareerBuilder in our continuing operations.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Acquisitions Investments and Dispositions [Abstract]
Acquisitions and dispositions	Acquisitions and dispositions On March 1, 2016, CareerBuilder acquired 100% of Aurico Inc. (Aurico), a provider of background screening and drug testing which serves both U.S. and international customers. CareerBuilder funded the acquisition with cash on hand. Aurico expands CareerBuilder’s product line to include another critical step in the job hiring process, which will be sold across its sales channels. 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 14 for further discussion. On August 1, 2016, we acquired 100% of DMR Holdings, Inc. (DealerRater), a leading automotive dealer review website. We funded the acquisition with a combination of borrowing under our revolving credit facility and cash on hand. DealerRater is combined into our Cars.com business unit within our Digital Segment. We expect that the addition of DealerRater will further strengthen Cars.com’s position as a leader in online automotive reviews. On September 2, 2016, CareerBuilder acquired 75% of Employee Benefit Specialists, Inc. d/b/a WORKTERRA (Workterra), a cloud-based Human Capital Management platform. CareerBuilder funded the acquisition with cash on hand. The acquisition will expand CareerBuilder’s product offering beyond recruitment into post-hire solutions. Workterra's cloud-based solution provides onboarding, benefits administration, wellness and compliance solutions to more than 600,000 employees. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, for both the DealerRater and Workterra acquisitions, 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 allocations that were not yet finalized are related to the fair value of intangible assets and income taxes.

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Gross Accumulated Amortization Gross Accumulated Amortization Goodwill $ 4,070,524 $ — $ 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 946,035 (202,453 ) 903,652 (145,398 ) Other 295,748 (103,854 ) 265,148 (75,264 ) Customer relationships primarily include advertiser and dealership 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 DealerRater we recorded customer relationships of $28.3 million and other intangible assets of $14.1 million , related to trade name, technology and content library which will be amortized over a weighted average period of 10 years . In connection with the purchase accounting related to the Workterra acquisition, we recorded other intangible assets of $17.9 million , related to technology, customer relationships, and trademarks which will be amortized over a weighted average period of 7 years . During the second quarter of 2016, we finalized our acquisition accounting for the acquisition of Aurico. In connection with the purchase accounting for the transaction, we recorded intangible assets of $14.1 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 September 30, 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: Acquisitions — 170,269 170,269 Impairment — (15,218 ) (15,218 ) Foreign currency exchange rate changes — (4,253 ) (4,253 ) Total — 150,798 150,798 Balance at September 30, 2016: Goodwill 2,579,418 1,568,256 4,147,674 Accumulated impairment losses — (77,150 ) (77,150 ) Net balance at September 30, 2016 $ 2,579,418 $ 1,491,106 $ 4,070,524 In the third quarter of 2016, based on continued adverse business trends and changes in our strategic plans disclosed in Note 2, we concluded it was more likely than not that the fair value of a small reporting unit within our Digital Segment was lower than its carrying value, and accordingly we performed an interim goodwill impairment test for this reporting unit. As a result of this test, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $15.2 million in the third quarter of 2016, representing the full amount of goodwill associated with this reporting unit. This impairment charge is recorded within Asset impairment charges and facility consolidation in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.

Investments and Other Assets

Investments and Other Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Deferred compensation investments $ 81,914 $ 77,199 Cash value life insurance 64,814 68,332 Equity method investments 19,493 27,824 Available for sale investment 20,073 28,090 Deferred debt issuance cost associated with revolving credit facility 10,816 13,620 Other long term assets 58,514 41,925 Total $ 255,624 $ 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. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized $2.0 million and $3.9 million , respectively, of impairment charges on equity method investments, which are reflected in Equity loss in unconsolidated investments, net, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. The impairment charges were a result of other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of the investments that occurred during the third and second quarters of 2016. Cost method investments : The carrying value of cost method investments at September 30, 2016, was $23.5 million and was $8.6 million at December 31, 2015, and is included within other long-term assets in the table above. The increase is primarily due to our new investments in WhistleSports, Kin Community and an additional investment in RepairPal during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 $11.1 million as of September 30, 2016, and $12.5 million as of December 31, 2015. The amount of accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits was $2.3 million as of September 30, 2016, and $1.7 million as of 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 $2.9 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt	Long-term debt Our long-term debt is summarized below (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 $ 60,000 $ 83,700 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 1,454 1,938 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 150,000 180,000 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020 300,000 — Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020 730,000 720,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016 — 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 4,276,454 4,214,067 Debt issuance costs (29,423 ) (31,800 ) Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (8,491 ) (12,605 ) Total long-term debt 4,238,540 4,169,662 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities of VIE loans 646 646 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 4,237,894 $ 4,169,016 For the first nine months of 2016, our long-term debt increased by $ 68.9 million primarily due to additional borrowings of $ 310.0 million which is offset by debt repayments of $249.6 million . This increase was also due to the amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts of $3.9 million and $4.1 million respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. On April 1, 2016, we made a debt maturity payment of approximately $203.1 million (comprised of principal and accrued interest) related to our unsecured notes bearing a fixed rate interest of 10% . The payment was made using borrowings from our revolving credit facility. On September 26, 2016, we amended the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement to increase the facility by $103.0 million . Also, on September 30, 2016, we borrowed $300.0 million under a new four -year term loan due in 2020. The interest rate on the term loan is the same interest rates as borrowings under the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement. Both the revolving credit agreement and the term loans are guaranteed by a majority of our wholly-owned material domestic subsidiaries. We used substantially all of the proceeds from the new term loan to repay a portion of the outstanding amount under our revolving credit facility. On September 30, 2016, we had unused borrowing capacity of $749.0 million under our revolving credit facility. On November 1, 2016 we redeemed the remaining $70 million of 7.125% unsecured notes due September 2018 at par.

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Retirement plans	Retirement plans Our principal defined benefit pension plan is the TEGNA Retirement Plan (TRP). The TRP was created in connection with the spin-off of our publishing businesses. The TRP assumed certain assets and liabilities from the Gannett Retirement Plan (GRP), with the remaining pension obligations of the GRP being retained by our former publishing businesses. The disclosure table below includes the pension expenses of the TRP and the TEGNA Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP). Our former G.B. Dealey Retirement Pension Plan was merged with the TRP on December 31, 2015. The total net pension obligations, both current and non-current liabilities, as of September 30, 2016, were $182.6 million . Our pension costs, which include costs for qualified TRP plan and nonqualified SERP plan, are presented in the following table (in thousands): Quarters Ended Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Service cost-benefits earned during the period $ 204 $ 97 $ 612 $ 562 Interest cost on benefit obligation 6,449 5,898 19,636 17,201 Expected return on plan assets (a) (6,691 ) (8,169 ) (20,073 ) (23,164 ) Amortization of prior service cost 165 206 505 502 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,846 3,652 5,740 6,587 Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans $ 1,973 $ 1,684 $ 6,420 $ 1,688 (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 third quarter of 2016 and approximately $4.2 million of incremental pension costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . We do not plan to make contributions to the TRP in 2016 because none are required under our current assumptions and current funding level. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and September 27, 2015, we made $4.2 million and $6.5 million of benefit payments, respectively, to participants of the SERP.

Supplemental Equity Information

Supplemental Equity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Supplemental equity information	Supplemental equity information The following table summarizes equity account activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 27, 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 303,578 40,178 343,756 Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (3,628 ) (3,628 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (8,497 ) (3,737 ) (12,234 ) Total comprehensive income 295,081 32,813 327,894 Dividends declared (90,755 ) — (90,755 ) Stock-based compensation 13,216 — 13,216 Treasury shares acquired (150,917 ) — (150,917 ) Spin-off of Publishing businesses (39,456 ) — (39,456 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (17,645 ) (2,923 ) (20,568 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2016 $ 2,201,495 $ 294,663 $ 2,496,158 Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ 3,254,914 $ 234,359 $ 3,489,273 Comprehensive income: Net income 317,017 47,701 364,718 Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (1,595 ) (1,595 ) Other comprehensive (loss) 56,497 (4,576 ) 51,921 Total comprehensive income 373,514 41,530 415,044 Dividends declared (122,480 ) — (122,480 ) Stock-based compensation 17,112 — 17,112 Treasury shares acquired (200,569 ) — (200,569 ) Spin-off of Publishing businesses (1,209,782 ) — (1,209,782 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits 20,192 (24,771 ) (4,579 ) Balance at Sept. 27, 2015 $ 2,132,901 $ 251,118 $ 2,384,019 CareerBuilder owns majority ownership in Textkernel, a software company that provides semantic recruitment technology; Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., a software firm that specializes in employment data and labor market analytics; and Workterra, a cloud-based Human Capital Management platform. 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 activity related to the spin-off of Publishing businesses recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, is a result of adjusting the deferred tax assets and liabilities that were previously transferred to Gannett on June 29, 2015. The adjustments were identified as part of our annual procedure to true-up the 2015 tax provision estimates to the actual 2015 corporate income tax return that was filed during the third quarter of 2016. These changes in estimates primarily relate to the deferred tax liability associated with depreciable assets and other 2015 tax provision to tax return adjustments impacting the previously estimated deferred taxes for Gannett. 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 Quarters Ended: Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (113,854 ) $ (23,282 ) $ 1,399 $ (135,737 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (1,043 ) (3,742 ) (4,785 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,075 — — 1,075 Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,075 (1,043 ) (3,742 ) (3,710 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2016 $ (112,779 ) $ (24,325 ) $ (2,343 ) $ (139,447 ) Balance at June 28, 2015 $ (1,156,458 ) $ 393,712 $ 2,363 $ (760,383 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 38,984 (2,663 ) (518 ) 35,803 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 2,310 — — 2,310 Other comprehensive income (loss) 41,294 (2,663 ) (518 ) 38,113 Spin-off publishing businesses 1,012,745 (409,275 ) — 603,470 Balance at Sept. 27, 2015 $ (102,419 ) $ (18,226 ) $ 1,845 $ (118,800 ) Nine Months Ended: Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ (116,496 ) $ (20,129 ) $ 5,674 $ (130,951 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (4,196 ) (8,017 ) (12,213 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 3,717 — — 3,717 Other comprehensive income (loss) 3,717 (4,196 ) (8,017 ) (8,496 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2016 $ (112,779 ) $ (24,325 ) $ (2,343 ) $ (139,447 ) Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ (1,172,245 ) $ 391,113 $ 2,363 $ (778,769 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 35,466 (64 ) (518 ) 34,884 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 21,615 — — 21,615 Other comprehensive income (loss) 57,081 (64 ) (518 ) 56,499 Spin-off publishing businesses 1,012,745 (409,275 ) — 603,470 Balance at Sept. 27, 2015 $ (102,419 ) $ (18,226 ) $ 1,845 $ (118,800 ) AOCL components are included in computing net periodic post-retirement costs which include pension costs in Note 8 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 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Amortization of prior service (credit) cost $ (22 ) $ 76 $ 108 $ (1,160 ) Amortization of actuarial loss 1,785 3,742 5,977 35,150 Total reclassifications, before tax 1,763 3,818 6,085 33,990 Income tax effect (688 ) (1,508 ) (2,368 ) (12,375 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 1,075 $ 2,310 $ 3,717 $ 21,615

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 118,683 $ 93,572 $ 311,052 $ 201,516 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — (5,317 ) (7,474 ) 115,501 Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 118,683 $ 88,255 $ 303,578 $ 317,017 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 214,813 224,530 216,865 226,053 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock units 1,630 2,694 1,662 2,436 Performance share units 775 1,819 1,049 1,907 Stock options 881 1,035 935 914 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 218,099 230,078 220,511 231,310 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 0.55 $ 0.42 $ 1.43 $ 0.89 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic — (0.03 ) (0.03 ) 0.51 Net income per share - basic $ 0.55 $ 0.39 $ 1.40 $ 1.40 Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 0.54 $ 0.41 $ 1.41 $ 0.87 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - diluted — (0.03 ) (0.03 ) 0.50 Net income per share - diluted $ 0.54 $ 0.38 $ 1.38 $ 1.37 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 192,000 and 292,000 stock awards for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, and September 27, 2015, respectively, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements as of Sept. 30, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Deferred compensation investments $ 31,334 $ — $ — $ 31,334 Available for sale investment 20,073 — — 20,073 Total $ 51,407 $ — $ — $ 51,407 Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient: Interest in registered investment companies $ 38,052 Fixed income fund 13,344 Total investments at fair value $ 102,803 Fair Value Measurements as of Dec. 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Deferred compensation investments $ 27,770 $ — $ — $ 27,770 Available for sale investment 28,090 — — 28,090 Total $ 55,860 $ — $ — $ 55,860 Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient: Interest in registered investment companies $ 36,114 Fixed income fund 13,315 Total investments at fair value $ 105,289 Deferred compensation investments of $31.3 million as of September 30, 2016, and $27.8 million as of December 31, 2015, consist of mutual funds which have publicly quoted prices and are, therefore, classified as Level 1 assets. The available for sale investment is our 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. Interest in registered investment companies are valued using the net asset values as quoted through publicly available pricing sources and investments are redeemable on request. These investments include one fund which invests in intermediate-term investment grade bonds and a fund which invests predominantly in European and Asian listed equities. The fixed income fund is valued using the net asset value provided monthly by the fund company and shares are generally redeemable on request. There are no unfunded commitments to these investments as of September 30, 2016. 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 $4.42 billion at September 30, 2016, and $4.31 billion at December 31, 2015. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and September 27, 2015, we recognized non-cash impairment charges primarily related to long-lived assets which are reflected in asset impairment charges and facility consolidation, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. The charges recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, included a $3.7 million impairment associated with a long-lived asset that is held for sale and was written down to its estimated fair value, which was determined using comparable market transactions (Level 2), and a goodwill impairment charge of $15.2 million related to a small reporting unit within our Digital Segment (see Note 4). The valuation methodologies used in the two step interim goodwill impairment test incorporated unobservable inputs reflecting significant estimates and assumptions made by management. Accordingly, we classified these measurements as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Key inputs included projected long-term growth rates, profitability assumptions, and discount rates. The impairment charges recorded during the quarter and nine months ended September 27, 2015, primarily relate to consolidation plans which led us to recognize charges associated with writing off certain assets as well as shut down costs associated with our former Blinq business.

Business Segment Information

Business Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Operating Revenues: Media $ 501,686 $ 406,445 $ 1,404,462 $ 1,219,911 Digital 358,579 351,073 1,049,320 1,025,770 Total $ 860,265 $ 757,518 $ 2,453,782 $ 2,245,681 Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation): Media $ 221,038 $ 158,595 $ 569,888 $ 513,557 Digital 59,296 72,446 170,939 175,462 Corporate (16,562 ) (12,939 ) (48,542 ) (50,817 ) Unallocated (a) — — — (51,939 ) Total $ 263,772 $ 218,102 $ 692,285 $ 586,263 Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges and facility consolidation: Media $ 18,105 $ 18,406 $ 58,377 $ 61,492 Digital 48,887 31,074 110,728 106,050 Corporate 21 540 3,038 6,445 Total $ 67,013 $ 50,020 $ 172,143 $ 173,987 Identifiable assets by segment: Sept. 30, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Media $ 4,826,473 $ 4,799,375 Digital 3,701,000 3,529,124 Corporate 147,204 170,194 Total (b) $ 8,674,677 $ 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 December 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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. Severance Expense 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. Eligible non-union employees had until April 7, 2016 to retire under the plan. As of June 30, 2016, we had accrued a VRP separation obligation of $13.1 million . During the quarter ended September 30, 2016, we recorded an additional buyout expense of approximately $0.6 million for acceptances received from certain union employees. 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. As of September 30, 2016, we had approximately $9.2 million of VRP buyout obligation remaining. In addition to the VRP, we incurred additional severance expense of $2.5 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2016. We expect the majority this severance obligation will be paid by the end of fiscal year 2017.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued operations On June 29, 2015, we completed the spin-off of our publishing businesses, creating a new independent publicly traded company, 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 held. Immediately following the distribution, we owned 1.5% of Gannett’s outstanding common shares. We will continue to own Gannett shares for a period of time not to exceed five years after the distribution. 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 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 for these business units is presented below. The financial results of discontinued operations through September 30, 2016, are presented as a loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, on our Consolidated Statements of Income. For earnings per share information on discontinued operations see Note 10. Discontinued operations for 2016 are attributable to operations of our Sightline business through the date of sale on March 18, 2016, while results for 2015 are 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): Quarter Ended Sept. 27, 2015 Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ — $ 49,569 $ 49,569 Loss from discontinued operations, before income taxes (3,500 ) (1,744 ) (5,244 ) Benefit (Provision) for income taxes 1,141 (1,214 ) (73 ) Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (2,359 ) (2,958 ) (5,317 ) Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Other Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 3,379 $ 1,400,006 $ 155,557 $ 1,555,563 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes (6,299 ) 169,220 (11,533 ) 157,687 Benefit (Provision) for income taxes (1,175 ) (43,735 ) 1,549 (42,186 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (7,474 ) 125,485 (9,984 ) 115,501 The depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures and significant cash investing items of discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands): Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Other Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 112 $ 49,542 $ 609 $ 50,151 Amortization — 7,008 — 7,008 Capital expenditures — (20,252 ) (475 ) (20,727 ) Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired — (28,668 ) — (28,668 ) Payments for investments — (2,000 ) — (2,000 ) Proceeds from investments — 12,402 — 12,402 The financial results reflected above may not represent our Publishing and Other Segments stand-alone operating results, as the results reported within income from discontinued operations, net, include only certain costs that are directly attributable to those businesses and exclude certain corporate overhead costs that were previously allocated for each period. In addition to the cash flows presented above, in June 2015, prior to the spin of our former Publishing business, we made a voluntary pension contribution of $100 million to the Gannett Retirement Plan.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 our (or TEGNA's) audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Use of estimates	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.
Consolidation	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries we control and variable interest entities (VIEs) if we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation.
Fiscal period	Beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015, we changed our financial reporting cycle to a calendar year-end and end-of-month quarterly reporting cycle to better reflect the timing of TEGNA’s post spin operations. 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.
Recent accounting standards	Accounting guidance adopted in 2016 : In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that changed 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 done under the previous standard. 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 for each date presented is adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. As disclosed in Note 7, as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, we had $29.4 million and $31.8 million , respectively, in debt issuance costs related to our term debt 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 of 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 was applied prospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2016. The adoption of this element of the accounting standard reduced our income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, by $4.6 million and the tax rate for the same period by approximately one percentage point, resulting in an increase to basic and diluted EPS of approximately $0.02 . The reduction to the tax provision predominantly occurred in the first quarter of 2016 in connection with the settlement of performance share unit awards. • 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): Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended Sept. 27, 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 $ (113,231 ) $ (88,153 ) $ 25,078 $ (21,427 ) $ 8,946 $ 30,373 Net cash flow from operating activities $ 429,685 $ 454,763 $ 25,078 $ 479,233 $ 509,606 $ 30,373 Other, net $ 5,573 $ (19,505 ) $ (25,078 ) $ (10,765 ) $ (41,138 ) $ (30,373 ) Net cash used for financing activities $ (178,247 ) $ (203,325 ) $ (25,078 ) $ (444,000 ) $ (474,373 ) $ (30,373 ) 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. 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 public companies beginning in the first quarter of 2019 and will be adopted using a cumulative-effect adjustment. Early adoption is permitted. We recorded approximately $3.7 million and $ 8.0 million in unrealized losses on our available for sale investment in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Losses of this nature in the future will be recorded within the Consolidated Statements of Income under this new guidance. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance changes the way credit losses on accounts receivable are estimated. Under current GAAP, credit losses on trade accounts receivable are recognized once it is probable that such losses will occur. Under the new guidance, we will be required to estimate credit losses based on the expected amount of future collections which may result in earlier recognition of allowance for doubtful accounts. The new guidance is effective for public companies beginning in the first quarter of 2020 and will be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the effect this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Basis of Presentation (Tables)

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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): Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended Sept. 27, 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 $ (113,231 ) $ (88,153 ) $ 25,078 $ (21,427 ) $ 8,946 $ 30,373 Net cash flow from operating activities $ 429,685 $ 454,763 $ 25,078 $ 479,233 $ 509,606 $ 30,373 Other, net $ 5,573 $ (19,505 ) $ (25,078 ) $ (10,765 ) $ (41,138 ) $ (30,373 ) Net cash used for financing activities $ (178,247 ) $ (203,325 ) $ (25,078 ) $ (444,000 ) $ (474,373 ) $ (30,373 )

Goodwill and Other Intangible23

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Gross Accumulated Amortization Gross Accumulated Amortization Goodwill $ 4,070,524 $ — $ 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 946,035 (202,453 ) 903,652 (145,398 ) Other 295,748 (103,854 ) 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 September 30, 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: Acquisitions — 170,269 170,269 Impairment — (15,218 ) (15,218 ) Foreign currency exchange rate changes — (4,253 ) (4,253 ) Total — 150,798 150,798 Balance at September 30, 2016: Goodwill 2,579,418 1,568,256 4,147,674 Accumulated impairment losses — (77,150 ) (77,150 ) Net balance at September 30, 2016 $ 2,579,418 $ 1,491,106 $ 4,070,524

Investments and Other Assets (T

Investments and Other Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets	Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Deferred compensation investments $ 81,914 $ 77,199 Cash value life insurance 64,814 68,332 Equity method investments 19,493 27,824 Available for sale investment 20,073 28,090 Deferred debt issuance cost associated with revolving credit facility 10,816 13,620 Other long term assets 58,514 41,925 Total $ 255,624 $ 256,990

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary Long-term debt	Our long-term debt is summarized below (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 $ 60,000 $ 83,700 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 1,454 1,938 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 150,000 180,000 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020 300,000 — Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020 730,000 720,000 Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016 — 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 4,276,454 4,214,067 Debt issuance costs (29,423 ) (31,800 ) Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (8,491 ) (12,605 ) Total long-term debt 4,238,540 4,169,662 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities of VIE loans 646 646 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 4,237,894 $ 4,169,016

Retirement Plans (Tables)

Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit costs	Our pension costs, which include costs for qualified TRP plan and nonqualified SERP plan, are presented in the following table (in thousands): Quarters Ended Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Service cost-benefits earned during the period $ 204 $ 97 $ 612 $ 562 Interest cost on benefit obligation 6,449 5,898 19,636 17,201 Expected return on plan assets (a) (6,691 ) (8,169 ) (20,073 ) (23,164 ) Amortization of prior service cost 165 206 505 502 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,846 3,652 5,740 6,587 Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans $ 1,973 $ 1,684 $ 6,420 $ 1,688 (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 third quarter of 2016 and approximately $4.2 million of incremental pension costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .

Supplemental Equity Informati27

Supplemental Equity Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Equity	The following table summarizes equity account activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 27, 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 303,578 40,178 343,756 Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (3,628 ) (3,628 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (8,497 ) (3,737 ) (12,234 ) Total comprehensive income 295,081 32,813 327,894 Dividends declared (90,755 ) — (90,755 ) Stock-based compensation 13,216 — 13,216 Treasury shares acquired (150,917 ) — (150,917 ) Spin-off of Publishing businesses (39,456 ) — (39,456 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (17,645 ) (2,923 ) (20,568 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2016 $ 2,201,495 $ 294,663 $ 2,496,158 Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ 3,254,914 $ 234,359 $ 3,489,273 Comprehensive income: Net income 317,017 47,701 364,718 Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (1,595 ) (1,595 ) Other comprehensive (loss) 56,497 (4,576 ) 51,921 Total comprehensive income 373,514 41,530 415,044 Dividends declared (122,480 ) — (122,480 ) Stock-based compensation 17,112 — 17,112 Treasury shares acquired (200,569 ) — (200,569 ) Spin-off of Publishing businesses (1,209,782 ) — (1,209,782 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits 20,192 (24,771 ) (4,579 ) Balance at Sept. 27, 2015 $ 2,132,901 $ 251,118 $ 2,384,019
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 Quarters Ended: Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (113,854 ) $ (23,282 ) $ 1,399 $ (135,737 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (1,043 ) (3,742 ) (4,785 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,075 — — 1,075 Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,075 (1,043 ) (3,742 ) (3,710 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2016 $ (112,779 ) $ (24,325 ) $ (2,343 ) $ (139,447 ) Balance at June 28, 2015 $ (1,156,458 ) $ 393,712 $ 2,363 $ (760,383 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 38,984 (2,663 ) (518 ) 35,803 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 2,310 — — 2,310 Other comprehensive income (loss) 41,294 (2,663 ) (518 ) 38,113 Spin-off publishing businesses 1,012,745 (409,275 ) — 603,470 Balance at Sept. 27, 2015 $ (102,419 ) $ (18,226 ) $ 1,845 $ (118,800 ) Nine Months Ended: Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ (116,496 ) $ (20,129 ) $ 5,674 $ (130,951 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (4,196 ) (8,017 ) (12,213 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 3,717 — — 3,717 Other comprehensive income (loss) 3,717 (4,196 ) (8,017 ) (8,496 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2016 $ (112,779 ) $ (24,325 ) $ (2,343 ) $ (139,447 ) Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 $ (1,172,245 ) $ 391,113 $ 2,363 $ (778,769 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 35,466 (64 ) (518 ) 34,884 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 21,615 — — 21,615 Other comprehensive income (loss) 57,081 (64 ) (518 ) 56,499 Spin-off publishing businesses 1,012,745 (409,275 ) — 603,470 Balance at Sept. 27, 2015 $ (102,419 ) $ (18,226 ) $ 1,845 $ (118,800 )
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications from AOCL related to these post-retirement plans include the following (in thousands): Quarters Ended Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Amortization of prior service (credit) cost $ (22 ) $ 76 $ 108 $ (1,160 ) Amortization of actuarial loss 1,785 3,742 5,977 35,150 Total reclassifications, before tax 1,763 3,818 6,085 33,990 Income tax effect (688 ) (1,508 ) (2,368 ) (12,375 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 1,075 $ 2,310 $ 3,717 $ 21,615

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 118,683 $ 93,572 $ 311,052 $ 201,516 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — (5,317 ) (7,474 ) 115,501 Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 118,683 $ 88,255 $ 303,578 $ 317,017 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 214,813 224,530 216,865 226,053 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock units 1,630 2,694 1,662 2,436 Performance share units 775 1,819 1,049 1,907 Stock options 881 1,035 935 914 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 218,099 230,078 220,511 231,310 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 0.55 $ 0.42 $ 1.43 $ 0.89 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic — (0.03 ) (0.03 ) 0.51 Net income per share - basic $ 0.55 $ 0.39 $ 1.40 $ 1.40 Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 0.54 $ 0.41 $ 1.41 $ 0.87 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - diluted — (0.03 ) (0.03 ) 0.50 Net income per share - diluted $ 0.54 $ 0.38 $ 1.38 $ 1.37

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements as of Sept. 30, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Deferred compensation investments $ 31,334 $ — $ — $ 31,334 Available for sale investment 20,073 — — 20,073 Total $ 51,407 $ — $ — $ 51,407 Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient: Interest in registered investment companies $ 38,052 Fixed income fund 13,344 Total investments at fair value $ 102,803 Fair Value Measurements as of Dec. 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Deferred compensation investments $ 27,770 $ — $ — $ 27,770 Available for sale investment 28,090 — — 28,090 Total $ 55,860 $ — $ — $ 55,860 Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient: Interest in registered investment companies $ 36,114 Fixed income fund 13,315 Total investments at fair value $ 105,289

Business Segment Information (T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Summary operating results for each of our business segments were as follows (in thousands): Quarters Ended Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Operating Revenues: Media $ 501,686 $ 406,445 $ 1,404,462 $ 1,219,911 Digital 358,579 351,073 1,049,320 1,025,770 Total $ 860,265 $ 757,518 $ 2,453,782 $ 2,245,681 Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation): Media $ 221,038 $ 158,595 $ 569,888 $ 513,557 Digital 59,296 72,446 170,939 175,462 Corporate (16,562 ) (12,939 ) (48,542 ) (50,817 ) Unallocated (a) — — — (51,939 ) Total $ 263,772 $ 218,102 $ 692,285 $ 586,263 Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges and facility consolidation: Media $ 18,105 $ 18,406 $ 58,377 $ 61,492 Digital 48,887 31,074 110,728 106,050 Corporate 21 540 3,038 6,445 Total $ 67,013 $ 50,020 $ 172,143 $ 173,987 Identifiable assets by segment: Sept. 30, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Media $ 4,826,473 $ 4,799,375 Digital 3,701,000 3,529,124 Corporate 147,204 170,194 Total (b) $ 8,674,677 $ 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 December 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	The table below presents the financial results of discontinued operations (in thousands): Quarter Ended Sept. 27, 2015 Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ — $ 49,569 $ 49,569 Loss from discontinued operations, before income taxes (3,500 ) (1,744 ) (5,244 ) Benefit (Provision) for income taxes 1,141 (1,214 ) (73 ) Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (2,359 ) (2,958 ) (5,317 ) Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Other Publishing Other Total Operating revenues $ 3,379 $ 1,400,006 $ 155,557 $ 1,555,563 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes (6,299 ) 169,220 (11,533 ) 157,687 Benefit (Provision) for income taxes (1,175 ) (43,735 ) 1,549 (42,186 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (7,474 ) 125,485 (9,984 ) 115,501 The depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures and significant cash investing items of discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands): Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2016 Sept. 27, 2015 Other Publishing Other Total Depreciation $ 112 $ 49,542 $ 609 $ 50,151 Amortization — 7,008 — 7,008 Capital expenditures — (20,252 ) (475 ) (20,727 ) Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired — (28,668 ) — (28,668 ) Payments for investments — (2,000 ) — (2,000 ) Proceeds from investments — 12,402 — 12,402

Basis of Presentation (Details)

Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Deferred issuance costs	$ 29,423		$ 29,423		$ 31,800
Decrease to income tax provision	$ (58,130)	$ (35,967)	(147,844)	$ (120,706)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 | New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Decrease to income tax provision			$ 4,600
Decrease in income tax provision (as a percent)			1.00%
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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Change in other assets and liabilities, net		$ (88,153)	$ 8,946
Net cash flow from operating activities		454,763	509,606
Other, net		(19,505)	(41,138)
Net cash used for financing activities		(203,325)	(474,373)
Unrealized losses on available for sales investments recognized in comprehensive income	$ 3,700	8,000
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		25,078	30,373
Net cash flow from operating activities		25,078	30,373
Other, net		(25,078)	(30,373)
Net cash used for financing activities		(25,078)	(30,373)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 | Previously Reported
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Change in other assets and liabilities, net		(113,231)	(21,427)
Net cash flow from operating activities		429,685	479,233
Other, net		5,573	(10,765)
Net cash used for financing activities		$ (178,247)	$ (444,000)

Strategic Actions - Narrative (

Strategic Actions - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2016employee
Strategic Actions [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 860,265	$ 757,518	$ 2,453,782	$ 2,245,681
Operating Segments | Digital
Strategic Actions [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 358,579	$ 351,073	$ 1,049,320	$ 1,025,770
Operating Segments | Digital | Cars.com
Strategic Actions [Line Items]
Revenue					$ 597,000
Number of employees | employee						1,275
Operating Segments | Digital | CareerBuilder
Strategic Actions [Line Items]
Revenue					$ 700,000
Number of employees | employee						3,285
Ownership interest (as a percent)						53.00%

Acquisitions and Dispositions -

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Narrative (Details) - CareerBuilder - employee	Sep. 02, 2016	Aug. 01, 2016	Mar. 01, 2016
Aurico Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership interest acquired (as a percent)			100.00%
DealerRater
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership interest acquired (as a percent)		100.00%
Workterra LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership interest acquired (as a percent)	75.00%
Number of employees served by Workterra's cloud based solution, more than	600,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible36

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 4,070,524	$ 3,919,726
Goodwill, Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Customer relationships
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	946,035	903,652
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(202,453)	(145,398)
Other
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	295,748	265,148
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(103,854)	(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 Intangible37

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
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	$ 4,070,524	4,070,524
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	0	0
Ending balance	4,070,524	4,070,524
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:
Acquisitions		170,269
Impairment		(15,218)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(4,253)
Total		150,798
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses ending balance	4,147,674	4,147,674
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	(77,150)	(77,150)
Ending balance	4,070,524	4,070,524
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:
Acquisitions		0
Impairment		0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		0
Total		0
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses ending balance	2,579,418	2,579,418
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	0	0
Ending balance	2,579,418	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:
Acquisitions		170,269
Impairment	(15,200)	(15,218)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(4,253)
Total		150,798
Goodwill before accumulated impairment losses ending balance	1,568,256	1,568,256
Accumulated impairment losses ending balance	(77,150)	(77,150)
Ending balance	$ 1,491,106	$ 1,491,106

Goodwill and Other Intangible38

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016
DealerRater
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets weighted average useful life		10 years
Workterra LLC
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets weighted average useful life		7 years
Aurico Inc.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets acquired			$ 14,100
Acquired intangible assets weighted average useful life		8 years
Operating Segments
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge		$ 15,218
Digital | Operating Segments
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge	$ 15,200	15,218
Customer relationships | DealerRater
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets acquired	28,300	28,300
Other | DealerRater
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets acquired	14,100	14,100
Other | Workterra LLC
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets acquired	$ 17,900	$ 17,900

Investments and Other Assets -

Investments and Other Assets - Components of Investments and Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Deferred compensation investments	$ 81,914	$ 77,199
Cash value life insurance	64,814	68,332
Equity method investments	19,493	27,824
Available for sale investment	20,073	28,090
Deferred debt issuance cost associated with revolving credit facility	10,816	13,620
Other long term assets	58,514	41,925
Total	$ 255,624	$ 256,990

Investments and Other Assets 40

Investments and Other Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Impairment of equity method investments	$ 2	$ 3.9
Other long term assets
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investments	$ 23.5	$ 23.5	$ 8.6

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	$ 11.1	$ 12.5
Accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits	2.3	$ 1.7
Estimated decrease in gross unrecognized tax positions within the next 12 months, maximum	$ 2.9

Long-Term Debt (Details)

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Apr. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	$ 4,276,454		$ 4,214,067
Debt issuance costs	(29,423)		(31,800)
Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts)	(8,491)		(12,605)
Total long-term debt	4,238,540		4,169,662
Less current portion of long-term debt maturities of VIE loans	646		646
Long-term debt, net of current portion	4,237,894		4,169,016
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	60,000		83,700
VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	1,454		1,938
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	150,000		180,000
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	300,000		0
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	730,000		720,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	$ 0		193,429
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	10.00%	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 ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Apr. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Nov. 01, 2016	Sep. 26, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Increase of long-term debt			$ 68,900,000
Proceeds from issuance of debt			310,000,000
Repayments of debt			249,600,000
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization of debt issuance costs			(3,900,000)
Amortization of debt discount			(4,100,000)
Repayments of long-term debt			249,592,000	$ 346,158,000
Proceeds from borrowings			$ 300,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 10% due April 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt		$ 203,100,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from borrowings	$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument term	4 years
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.125% due September 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	7.125%		7.125%
Revolving line of credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unused borrowing capacity	$ 749,000,000		$ 749,000,000
Revolving line of credit facility | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase to credit agreement borrowing capacity						$ 103,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 7.125% due September 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (as a percent)					7.125%
Redemption of bonds					$ 70,000,000

Retirement Plans (Details)

Retirement Plans (Details) - Retirement Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Company's pension costs
Service cost-benefits earned during the period	$ 204	$ 97	$ 612	$ 562
Interest cost on benefit obligation	6,449	5,898	19,636	17,201
Expected return on plan assets	(6,691)	(8,169)	(20,073)	(23,164)
Amortization of prior service cost	165	206	505	502
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,846	3,652	5,740	6,587
Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans	$ 1,973	$ 1,684	$ 6,420	$ 1,688

Retirement Plans - Narrative (D

Retirement Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension plan obligation	$ 182.6	$ 182.6
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	$ 4.2
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to plan		$ 4.2	$ 6.5

Supplemental Equity Informati46

Supplemental Equity Information - Equity Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 2,456,744	$ 3,489,273
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 133,435	$ 105,742	343,756	364,718
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)	(1,353)	(310)	(3,628)	(1,595)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,641)	35,741	(12,234)	51,921
Comprehensive income	127,441	141,173	327,894	415,044
Dividends declared			(90,755)	(122,480)
Stock-based compensation			13,216	17,112
Treasury shares acquired			(150,917)	(200,569)
Spin-off of Publishing businesses			(39,456)	(1,209,782)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits			(20,568)	(4,579)
Ending Balance	2,496,158	2,384,019	2,496,158	2,384,019
TEGNA Inc. Shareholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			2,191,971	3,254,914
Comprehensive income:
Net income			303,578	317,017
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(8,497)	56,497
Comprehensive income			295,081	373,514
Dividends declared			(90,755)	(122,480)
Stock-based compensation			13,216	17,112
Treasury shares acquired			(150,917)	(200,569)
Spin-off of Publishing businesses			(39,456)	(1,209,782)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits			(17,645)	20,192
Ending Balance	2,201,495	2,132,901	2,201,495	2,132,901
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			264,773	234,359
Comprehensive income:
Net income			40,178	47,701
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders)			(3,628)	(1,595)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(3,737)	(4,576)
Comprehensive income			32,813	41,530
Dividends declared			0	0
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Treasury shares acquired			0	0
Spin-off of Publishing businesses			0	0
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes and tax windfall benefits			(2,923)	(24,771)
Ending Balance	$ 294,663	$ 251,118	$ 294,663	$ 251,118

Supplemental Equity Informati47

Supplemental Equity Information - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 2,456,744	$ 3,489,273
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ (4,641)	$ 35,741	(12,234)	51,921
Ending Balance	2,496,158	2,384,019	2,496,158	2,384,019
Retirement Plans
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(113,854)	(1,156,458)	(116,496)	(1,172,245)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0	38,984	0	35,466
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	1,075	2,310	3,717	21,615
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,075	41,294	3,717	57,081
Spin-off publishing businesses		1,012,745		1,012,745
Ending Balance	(112,779)	(102,419)	(112,779)	(102,419)
Foreign Currency Translation
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(23,282)	393,712	(20,129)	391,113
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(1,043)	(2,663)	(4,196)	(64)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(1,043)	(2,663)	(4,196)	(64)
Spin-off publishing businesses		(409,275)		(409,275)
Ending Balance	(24,325)	(18,226)	(24,325)	(18,226)
Other
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,399	2,363	5,674	2,363
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(3,742)	(518)	(8,017)	(518)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,742)	(518)	(8,017)	(518)
Spin-off publishing businesses		0		0
Ending Balance	(2,343)	1,845	(2,343)	1,845
Total
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(135,737)	(760,383)	(130,951)	(778,769)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(4,785)	35,803	(12,213)	34,884
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	1,075	2,310	3,717	21,615
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,710)	38,113	(8,496)	56,499
Spin-off publishing businesses		603,470		603,470
Ending Balance	$ (139,447)	$ (118,800)	$ (139,447)	$ (118,800)

Supplemental Equity Informati48

Supplemental Equity Information - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	$ (22)	$ 76	$ 108	$ (1,160)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	1,785	3,742	5,977	35,150
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	1,763	3,818	6,085	33,990
Income tax effect	(688)	(1,508)	(2,368)	(12,375)
Total reclassifications, net of tax	$ 1,075	$ 2,310	$ 3,717	$ 21,615

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 118,683	$ 93,572	$ 311,052	$ 201,516
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(5,317)	(7,474)	115,501
Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 118,683	$ 88,255	$ 303,578	$ 317,017
Basic shares	214,813	224,530	216,865	226,053
Effect of dilutive securities:
Diluted shares	218,099	230,078	220,511	231,310
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.55	$ 0.42	$ 1.43	$ 0.89
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	0	(0.03)	(0.03)	0.51
Net income per share – basic (In dollars per share)	0.55	0.39	1.40	1.40
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.54	0.41	1.41	0.87
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0	(0.03)	(0.03)	0.50
Net income per share – diluted (In dollars per share)	$ 0.54	$ 0.38	$ 1.38	$ 1.37
Restricted stock units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	1,630	2,694	1,662	2,436
Performance share units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	775	1,819	1,049	1,907
Stock options
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	881	1,035	935	914

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)	192	292	192	292

Fair Value Measurement (Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	$ 51,407	$ 55,860
Total investments at fair value	102,803	105,289
Level 1
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	51,407	55,860
Level 2
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	0	0
Level 3
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	0	0
Interest in registered investment companies
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient:	38,052	36,114
Fixed income fund
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient:	13,344	13,315
Deferred compensation investments
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	31,334	27,770
Deferred compensation investments | Level 1
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	31,334	27,770
Deferred compensation investments | Level 2
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	0	0
Deferred compensation investments | Level 3
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	0	0
Available for sale investment
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	20,073	28,090
Available for sale investment | Level 1
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	20,073	28,090
Available for sale investment | Level 2
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	0	0
Available for sale investment | Level 3
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurement - Narrat

Fair Value Measurement - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of long-lived assets held for sale			$ 3,700
Asset impairment charges and facility consolidation	$ 15,218	$ 0	18,946	$ 17,079
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments	31,300		31,300		$ 27,800
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of total long-term debt	$ 4,420,000		$ 4,420,000		$ 4,310,000

Business Segment Information (D

Business Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)marketstation	Sep. 27, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)marketsegmentstation	Sep. 27, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | segment			2
Operating Revenues	$ 860,265	$ 757,518	$ 2,453,782	$ 2,245,681
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation charges)	263,772	218,102	692,285	586,263
Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation charges	67,013	50,020	172,143	173,987
Identifiable assets	8,674,677		8,674,677		$ 8,505,958
Assets recorded as discontinued operations excluded from segment identifiable assets					7,300
Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 8,674,677		$ 8,674,677		8,498,693
Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television stations | station	46		46
Number of markets In which entity operates | market	38		38
Operating Segments | Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	$ 501,686	406,445	$ 1,404,462	1,219,911
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation charges)	221,038	158,595	569,888	513,557
Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation charges	18,105	18,406	58,377	61,492
Operating Segments | Media | Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	4,826,473		4,826,473		4,799,375
Operating Segments | Digital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	358,579	351,073	1,049,320	1,025,770
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation charges)	59,296	72,446	170,939	175,462
Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation charges	48,887	31,074	110,728	106,050
Operating Segments | Digital | Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	3,701,000		3,701,000		3,529,124
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation charges)	(16,562)	(12,939)	(48,542)	(50,817)
Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation charges	21	540	3,038	6,445
Corporate | Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	147,204		147,204		$ 170,194
Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, and facility consolidation charges)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (51,939)

Other Matters - Narrative (Deta

Other Matters - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued separation liability	$ 9.2		$ 13.1
Restructuring charges	0.6
Forecast | Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Salary continuation period		12 months
Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 2.5

Discontinued Operations (Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 29, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pro rata distribution to stockholders (as a percent)	98.50%
Conversion ratio for every share of Tegna common stock owned by stockholders	0.5
Shares held by Tegna after distribution (as a percent)	1.50%
Tegna to own shares for period, not to exceed	5 years
Publishing | Gannett Retirement Plan
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Voluntary contribution to defined benefit plans		$ 100

Discontinued Operations - Incom

Discontinued Operations - Income Statement Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0	$ (5,317)	$ (7,474)	$ 115,501
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff | Publishing
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues		0		1,400,006
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes		(3,500)		169,220
Benefit (Provision) for income taxes		1,141		(43,735)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(2,359)		125,485
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Other
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues		49,569	3,379	155,557
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes		(1,744)	(6,299)	(11,533)
Benefit (Provision) for income taxes		(1,214)	(1,175)	1,549
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(2,958)	$ (7,474)	(9,984)
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues		49,569		1,555,563
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes		(5,244)		157,687
Benefit (Provision) for income taxes		(73)		(42,186)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ (5,317)		$ 115,501

Discontinued Operations - Depre

Discontinued Operations - Depreciation, Amortization and Capital Expenditures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff | Publishing
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation		$ 49,542
Amortization		7,008
Capital expenditures		(20,252)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(28,668)
Payments for investments		(2,000)
Proceeds from investments		12,402
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Other
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 112	609
Amortization	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	(475)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Payments for investments	0	0
Proceeds from investments	$ 0	0
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation		50,151
Amortization		7,008
Capital expenditures		(20,727)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(28,668)
Payments for investments		(2,000)
Proceeds from investments		$ 12,402