TEGNA (TGNA) 10-Q 8 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017shares
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, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	215,205,823
Trading Symbol	TGNA

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 383,354	$ 15,879
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3,222 and $3,404, respectively	382,791	386,074
Other receivables	20,384	20,685
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	80,201	62,090
Current discontinued operations assets	0	305,960
Total current assets	866,730	790,688
Property and equipment
Cost	801,791	805,349
Less accumulated depreciation	(456,768)	(430,028)
Net property and equipment	345,023	375,321
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill	2,579,417	2,579,417
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	1,278,667	1,294,839
Investments and other assets	173,219	180,616
Noncurrent discontinued operations assets	0	3,321,844
Total intangible and other assets	4,031,303	7,376,716
Total assets	5,243,056	8,542,725
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	102,758	99,568
Accrued liabilities	219,701	200,417
Dividends payable	15,190	30,178
Income taxes	14,304	11,448
Current portion of long-term debt	280,646	646
Current discontinued operations liabilities	0	276,924
Total current liabilities	632,599	619,181
Noncurrent liabilities
Income taxes	19,711	22,644
Deferred income taxes	585,173	648,920
Long-term debt	3,035,166	4,042,749
Pension liabilities	168,024	187,290
Other noncurrent liabilities	96,508	75,438
Noncurrent discontinued operations liabilities	0	347,233
Total noncurrent liabilities	3,904,582	5,324,274
Total liabilities	4,537,181	5,943,455
Redeemable noncontrolling interests related to discontinued operations	0	46,265
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	390,886	473,742
Retained earnings	5,777,443	7,384,556
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(121,073)	(161,573)
Less treasury stock at cost, 109,212,809 shares and 109,930,832 shares, respectively	(5,665,800)	(5,749,726)
Total TEGNA Inc. shareholders’ equity	705,875	2,271,418
Noncontrolling interests related to discontinued operations	0	281,587
Total equity	705,875	2,553,005
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$ 5,243,056	$ 8,542,725

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 3,222	$ 3,404
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	109,212,809	109,930,832

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 464,264	$ 519,617	$ 1,412,703	$ 1,457,233
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation	235,474	200,495	696,565	590,058
Business units - Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation	70,914	83,039	214,645	246,280
Corporate - General and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation	12,881	16,027	42,462	43,865
Depreciation	15,186	13,212	41,721	42,653
Amortization of intangible assets	5,395	5,775	16,172	17,542
Asset impairment and facility consolidation charges	7,553	15,218	11,086	18,946
Total	347,403	333,766	1,022,651	959,344
Operating income	116,861	185,851	390,052	497,889
Non-operating income (expense):
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net	866	(1,198)	(1,549)	(2,763)
Interest expense	(51,855)	(57,601)	(162,113)	(175,444)
Other non-operating items	(3,671)	(11,874)	(26,853)	(16,029)
Total	(54,660)	(70,673)	(190,515)	(194,236)
Income before income taxes	62,201	115,178	199,537	303,653
Provision for income taxes	11,447	38,441	54,855	92,038
Net Income from continuing operations	50,754	76,737	144,682	211,615
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(10,803)	56,698	(233,261)	132,141
Net income (loss)	39,951	133,435	(88,579)	343,756
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations	2,806	(14,752)	58,698	(40,178)
Net income (loss) attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 42,757	$ 118,683	$ (29,881)	$ 303,578
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.36	$ 0.67	$ 0.98
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	0.19	(0.81)	0.42
Net income (loss) per share – basic (In dollars per share)	0.20	0.55	(0.14)	1.40
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.23	0.35	0.66	0.96
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	0.19	(0.80)	0.42
Net income (loss) per share – diluted (In dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.54	$ (0.14)	$ 1.38
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic shares	215,863	214,813	215,558	216,865
Diluted shares	218,095	218,099	217,827	220,511
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.14	$ 0.28	$ 0.42

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 39,951	$ 133,435	$ (88,579)	$ 343,756
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (earnings not available to shareholders)	36	(1,353)	(2,797)	(3,628)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	24,764	(1,973)	34,126	(7,934)
Recognition of previously deferred post-retirement benefit plan costs	2,201	1,763	6,603	6,085
Unrealized (losses) gains on available for sale investment during the period	0	(3,743)	1,776	(8,017)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	26,965	(3,953)	42,505	(9,866)
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(752)	(688)	(2,445)	(2,368)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	26,213	(4,641)	40,060	(12,234)
Comprehensive income (loss)	66,200	127,441	(51,316)	327,894
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	1,360	(12,470)	55,676	(32,813)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 67,560	$ 114,971	$ 4,360	$ 295,081

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (88,579)	$ 343,756
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	117,762	153,197
Stock-based compensation	14,189	13,216
Loss on sale of CareerBuilder	342,900	0
Other losses on sales of assets and impairment charges	19,803	24,082
Equity losses in unconsolidated investments, net	1,488	6,530
Pension (contributions), net of expense	(12,547)	2,135
Spectrum channel share agreement proceeds	32,588	0
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	(76,421)	(88,153)
Net cash flow from operating activities	351,183	454,763
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(63,846)	(68,577)
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(196,751)
Payments for investments	(2,778)	(19,132)
Proceeds from sale of CareerBuilder, net of $36,581 cash transferred	198,342	0
Proceeds from investments	15,122	10,127
Proceeds from sale of assets	5,659	1,024
Net cash flow from (used for) investing activities	152,499	(273,309)
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Payments) proceeds of borrowings under revolving credit facilities, net	(635,000)	10,000
Proceeds from Cars.com borrowings	675,000	0
Proceeds from other borrowings	0	300,000
Debt repayments	(99,185)	(249,592)
Payments of debt issuance costs	(6,208)	(1,684)
Dividends paid	(75,109)	(91,627)
Repurchases of common stock	(8,453)	(150,917)
Distributions to noncontrolling membership interests	(22,980)	0
Cash transferred to the Cars.com business	(20,133)	0
Other, net	(5,180)	(19,505)
Net cash flow used for financing activities	(197,248)	(203,325)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	306,434	(21,871)
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations, beginning of period	15,879	26,096
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations, beginning of period	61,041	103,104
Balance of cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	76,920	129,200
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations, end of period	383,354	19,185
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations, end of period	0	88,144
Balance of cash and cash equivalents, end of period	383,354	107,329
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	104,422	145,052
Cash paid for interest	$ 133,752	$ 153,510

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash transferred in sale of business	$ 36,581

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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-X. 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, 2016. 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, evaluation of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, fair value measurements, post-retirement benefit plans, income taxes including deferred taxes, and contingencies. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries we control and variable interest entities (VIEs) if we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate all intercompany balances, transactions, and profits in consolidation. Investments in entities over which we have significant influence, but do not have control, are accounted for under the equity method. Our share of net earnings and losses from these ventures is included in “Equity (loss) income in unconsolidated investments, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ consolidated Statements of Income to conform to the current year’s presentation. On May 31, 2017, we completed the spin-off of our digital automotive marketplace business, Cars.com. In addition, on July 31, 2017, we completed the sale of our majority ownership stake in CareerBuilder. Our digital marketing services (DMS) business is now reported within our Media business. As a result of these strategic actions, we have disposed of substantially all of our Digital Segment business and have therefore classified its historical financial results as discontinued operations. See Note 12, “Discontinued Operations”, for further details regarding the spin-off of Cars.com and the sale of CareerBuilder and the impact of each transaction on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Accounting guidance adopted in 2017: In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance that changes the presentation of net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs (post-retirement benefit costs) in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Under this new guidance, the service cost component of the post-retirement benefit expense will continue to be presented as an operating expense while all other components of post-retirement benefit expense will be presented as non-operating expense. Previously, all components of post-retirement benefit expense were presented as operating expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The FASB permitted early adoption of this guidance, and we elected to early adopt in the first quarter of 2017. We believe the new guidance provides enhanced financial reporting by limiting operating expense classification to the service cost component of post-retirement benefit expense. Service cost is the component of the expense that relates to services provided by employees in the current period and thus better reflects the current continuing operating costs. Changes to the classification of Consolidated Statements of Income amounts resulting from the new guidance were made on a retrospective basis, wherein each period presented was adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. We utilized amounts previously disclosed in our retirement plan footnote to retrospectively apply the guidance. As a result of adopting this guidance, operating expenses in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2017 were lower by $1.7 million and $4.9 million , respectively, while non-operating expenses were higher by the same amounts. In 2016, operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months were reduced by $1.8 million and $5.8 million , respectively, with corresponding increases in non-operating expenses as a result of adopting this new guidance. Net income, earnings per share, and retained earnings were not impacted by the new guidance. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (i.e., Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, companies will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (i.e., measure the charge based on Step 1 of the impairment test). The FASB permitted early adoption of this guidance, and we elected to early adopt in the second quarter of 2017 in connection with the calculation of CareerBuilder’s goodwill impairment charge, discussed in Note 12. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to revenue recognition. Under the new guidance, 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 guidance requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We will adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018. The two permitted transition methods are the full retrospective method, in which case the guidance would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the guidance would be recognized at the earliest period shown; and the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the guidance would be recognized at the date of initial application. We will adopt the guidance using the modified retrospective method. While we continue to evaluate the full impact of the guidance, we do not believe that it will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We are in the process of evaluating the other requirements of the new standard, which may result in additional revenue related disclosures. Based on our evaluation performed to date, we believe that 90% of our revenues will not be materially impacted by the new guidance. Specifically, our television spot advertising contracts, which comprised approximately 60% of 2016 revenue are short-term in nature with transaction price consideration agreed upon in advance. We expect revenue will continue to be recognized when commercials are aired. Further, we expect that subscription revenue earned under retransmission agreements will be recognized under the licensing of intellectual property guidance in the standard, which will not have a material change to our current revenue recognition. Subscription revenue comprised approximately 30% of 2016 revenue. We continue to evaluate the impact to our online digital and other services revenue (which represents approximately 10% of our revenues). 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 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 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. In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies several specific cash flow classification issues. The objective of the new guidance is to reduce the existing diversity in practice in how these cash flows are presented in the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018 and early adoption is permitted. One classification change we will make when we adopt the standard relates to payments made for premiums, fees paid to lenders and other related third party costs when debt is repaid early. Under the new guidance these payments will be classified as financing cash outflows (we have historically classified these types of cash payments as operating outflows).

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Gross Accumulated Amortization Gross Accumulated Amortization (recast) (recast) Goodwill $ 2,579,417 $ — $ 2,579,417 $ — Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television station FCC licenses 1,191,950 — 1,191,950 — Amortizable intangible assets: Retransmission agreements 110,191 (58,586 ) 110,191 (47,280 ) Network affiliation agreements 43,485 (18,139 ) 43,485 (14,445 ) Other 15,763 (5,997 ) 15,763 (4,825 ) Total indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets $ 1,361,389 $ (82,722 ) $ 1,361,389 $ (66,550 ) Our retransmission agreements and network affiliation agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Other intangibles primarily include customer relationships which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. During the second quarter of 2017, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge within discontinued operations related to our former CareerBuilder reporting unit. See Note 12 for further discussion.

Investments and Other Assets

Investments and Other Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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, 2017, and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 (recast) Cash value life insurance $ 60,873 $ 64,134 Deferred compensation investments 28,593 23,715 Equity method investments 35,599 18,016 Available for sale investment — 16,744 Deferred debt issuance cost 7,008 9,856 Other long term assets 41,146 48,151 Total $ 173,219 $ 180,616 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 over which 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 equal to the excess of carrying value over fair value 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. As part of the agreement to sell the majority of CareerBuilder, we retained an investment of approximately 17% (or approximately 12% on a fully-diluted basis) in the entity. Our ownership stake provides us with two seats on CareerBuilder’s board of directors and thus we concluded that we have significant influence over the entity and have classified our investment as an equity method investment. In the third quarter of 2017, we recorded $0.5 million of equity earnings from our CareerBuilder investment. On October 18, 2017, we closed on the sale of our equity investment in Livestream, a business specializing in live video streaming. Our share of the sale proceeds was $21.4 million . Available for sale investment : Our investment in Gannett Co., Inc., common stock, was sold in its entirety during the third quarter of 2017. Proceeds from the sale were $14.6 million and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 we recorded losses of $0.4 million and $3.9 million , respectively. These losses are reflected in the Other non-operating items, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Other long term assets : During the second quarter of 2017, we recognized a $5.8 million loss associated with a write-off of a note receivable from one of our equity method investments. This loss is reflected in Other non-operating items, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. The loss was a result of a decision made during the second quarter of 2017 by the investee’s board of directors to discontinue the business, and the investee not having sufficient funds to repay the full note at that time. Cost method investments : The carrying value of cost method investments was $15.3 million as of September 30, 2017 and $14.8 million as of December 31, 2016, and is included within other long term assets in the table above.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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 $9.7 million as of September 30, 2017, and $10.8 million as of December 31, 2016. The amount of accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits was $1.2 million as of September 30, 2017, and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2016. 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 $3.5 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, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt	Long-term debt Our long-term debt is summarized below (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 $ 28,400 $ 52,100 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 808 1,292 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 110,000 140,000 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020 240,000 285,000 Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020 — 635,000 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 3,344,208 4,078,392 Debt issuance costs (23,462 ) (27,615 ) Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (4,934 ) (7,382 ) Total long-term debt 3,315,812 4,043,395 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities 280,646 646 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 3,035,166 $ 4,042,749 In connection with and prior to the completion of the spin-off, Cars.com borrowed an aggregate principal amount of approximately $675.0 million under a revolving credit facility agreement. The proceeds were used to make a tax-free distribution of $650.0 million from Cars.com to TEGNA. In the second quarter of 2017, TEGNA used $609.9 million of the tax-free distribution proceeds to fully pay down our then-outstanding revolving credit agreement borrowings plus accrued interest. As of September 30, 2017, we had an unused borrowing capacity of $ 1.5 billion under our revolving credit facility. As a result of the sale of our majority ownership stake in CareerBuilder we received cash proceeds of $198.3 million , net of cash transferred of $36.6 million . Additionally, during the third quarter of 2017 and prior to the closing of the sale, CareerBuilder issued a final cash dividend to its selling shareholders, of which $25.8 million was retained by TEGNA. On October 16, 2017, we used the net proceeds from the CareerBuilder sale, as well as the remaining cash distribution from Cars.com and other cash on hand to retire $280.0 million of principal of our unsecured notes due in October 2019 on an accelerated basis. This principal amount was classified as current debt at the end of the third quarter of 2017 due to our intention to retire it in October 2017. On August 1, 2017, we amended our Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement. Under the amended terms, our maximum total leverage ratio will remain at 5.0 x through June 30, 2018, after which, as amended, it will be reduced to 4.75 x through June 2019 and then to 4.5 x until the expiration date of the credit agreement on June 29, 2020.

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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 disclosure table below includes the pension expenses of the TRP and the TEGNA Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP). The total net pension obligations, both current and non-current liabilities, as of September 30, 2017, were $199.0 million ( $31.0 million is recorded as a current obligation within accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet). Our pension costs, which include costs for the qualified TRP plan and the nonqualified SERP plan, are presented in the following table (in thousands): Quarter ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost-benefits earned during the period $ 218 $ 204 $ 654 $ 612 Interest cost on benefit obligation 5,990 6,449 17,971 19,636 Expected return on plan assets (6,580 ) (6,691 ) (19,741 ) (20,073 ) Amortization of prior service cost 159 165 476 505 Amortization of actuarial loss 2,081 1,846 6,242 5,740 Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans $ 1,868 $ 1,973 $ 5,602 $ 6,420 The service cost component of our pension expense is recorded within the operating expense line items Cost of revenue, Business units - Selling, general and administrative, and Corporate - General and administrative within the Consolidated Statements of Income. All other components of the pension expense are included within the Other non-operating items line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 we made $10.9 million in cash contributions to the TRP, and plan to make additional contributions of $1.7 million to the TRP during the fourth quarter of 2017. We did not make any contributions to the TRP in 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we made benefit payments to participants of the SERP of $7.2 million and $4.2 million , respectively.

Supplemental Equity Information

Supplemental Equity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Supplemental equity information	Supplemental equity information The following table summarizes equity account activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): TEGNA Inc. Shareholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ 2,271,418 $ 281,587 $ 2,553,005 Comprehensive income: Net loss (29,881 ) (58,698 ) (88,579 ) Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (2,797 ) (2,797 ) Other comprehensive income 34,241 5,819 40,060 Total comprehensive income (loss) 4,360 (55,676 ) (51,316 ) Dividends declared (60,121 ) — (60,121 ) Stock-based compensation 14,189 — 14,189 Treasury shares acquired (8,453 ) — (8,453 ) Spin-off of Cars.com (1,510,851 ) — (1,510,851 ) Deconsolidation of CareerBuilder — (225,911 ) (225,911 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (4,667 ) — (4,667 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2017 $ 705,875 $ — $ 705,875 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 (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 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 (1) Other Total Quarters Ended: Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (124,632 ) $ (23,608 ) $ 2,364 $ (145,876 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — 1,428 — 1,428 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,351 22,024 — 23,375 Other comprehensive income 1,351 23,452 — 24,803 Balance at Sept. 30, 2017 $ (123,281 ) $ (156 ) $ 2,364 $ (121,073 ) Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (113,854 ) $ (23,282 ) $ 1,400 $ (135,736 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (1,043 ) (3,743 ) (4,786 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,075 — — 1,075 Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,075 (1,043 ) (3,743 ) (3,711 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2016 $ (112,779 ) $ (24,325 ) $ (2,343 ) $ (139,447 ) Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation (1) Other Total Nine Months Ended: Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ (127,341 ) $ (28,560 ) $ (5,672 ) $ (161,573 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 6,380 (1,707 ) 4,673 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 4,060 22,024 9,743 35,827 Other comprehensive income 4,060 28,404 8,036 40,500 Balance at Sept. 30, 2017 $ (123,281 ) $ (156 ) $ 2,364 $ (121,073 ) 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 ) (1) Our entire foreign currency translation adjustment is related to our CareerBuilder investment. As a result of deconsolidating the investment due to the sale of our majority ownership, we reclassified the translation adjustment from AOCL to the Consolidated Statement of Income as of the date of sale, July 31, 2017. Due to the noncontrolling stake that we retained in CareerBuilder, we will continue to record our ownership share of foreign currently translation adjustments through our equity method investment. Reclassifications from AOCL to the Statement of Income are comprised of pension and other post-retirement components and a loss on our available for sale investment. Pension and other post retirement reclassifications are related to the amortization of prior service costs and amortization of actuarial losses. The loss on our available for sale investments represents an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) recognized on our investment in shares of common stock of Gannett Co., Inc. in the second quarter of 2017. The OTTI loss represents the amount of loss previously recorded to AOCL which was recognized as a non-operating expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income due to the fact that we did not expect the investment to fully recover the losses prior to our sale of it. We sold the entirety of our investment in Gannett Co., Inc. common stock in the third quarter of 2017. Amounts reclassified out of AOCL are summarized below (in thousands): Quarter ended Nine months ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Amortization of prior service (credit) cost $ 16 $ (22 ) $ 48 $ 108 Amortization of actuarial loss 2,185 1,785 6,555 5,977 Reclassification of CareerBuilder foreign currency translation 22,024 — 22,024 — Reclassification of available for sale investment — — 9,743 — Total reclassifications, before tax 24,225 1,763 38,370 6,085 Income tax effect (850 ) (688 ) (2,543 ) (2,368 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 23,375 $ 1,075 $ 35,827 $ 3,717

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share	Earnings per share Our earnings per share (basic and diluted) are presented below (in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts): Quarter ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net income from continuing operations $ 50,754 $ 76,737 $ 144,682 $ 211,615 (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (10,803 ) 56,698 (233,261 ) 132,141 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations 2,806 (14,752 ) 58,698 (40,178 ) Net income (loss) attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 42,757 $ 118,683 $ (29,881 ) $ 303,578 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 215,863 214,813 215,558 216,865 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock units 828 1,630 880 1,662 Performance share units 721 775 674 1,049 Stock options 683 881 715 935 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 218,095 218,099 217,827 220,511 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 0.24 $ 0.36 $ 0.67 $ 0.98 (Loss) earnings from discontinued operations per share - basic (0.04 ) 0.19 (0.81 ) 0.42 Net income (loss) per share - basic $ 0.20 $ 0.55 $ (0.14 ) $ 1.40 Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.35 $ 0.66 $ 0.96 (Loss) earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted (0.04 ) 0.19 (0.80 ) 0.42 Net income (loss) per share - diluted $ 0.19 $ 0.54 $ (0.14 ) $ 1.38 Our calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the impact of the assumed vesting of outstanding restricted stock units, performance share units, and the exercise of outstanding stock options based on the treasury stock method when dilutive. The diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of approximately 96,000 and 142,000 stock awards for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively; and 192,000 and 292,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, as their inclusion would be accretive to earnings per share.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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, 2017, and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements as of Sept. 30, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Available for sale investment — — — — Total $ — $ — $ — $ — Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient: Interest in registered investment companies $ 14,921 Fixed income fund 13,672 Total investments at fair value $ 28,593 Fair Value Measurements as of Dec. 31, 2016 (recast) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Available for sale investment 16,744 — — 16,744 Total $ 16,744 $ — $ — $ 16,744 Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient: Interest in registered investment companies $ 10,140 Fixed income fund 13,575 Total investments at fair value $ 40,459 Available for sale investment : Our investment previously consisted of shares of common stock of Gannett Co., Inc., which had been classified as a Level 1 asset as the shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. During the second quarter of 2017 we recorded an OTTI loss in the non-operating items line item of the Consolidated Statement of Income, and in the third quarter of 2017 we sold the investment in its entirety. Interest in registered investment companies : These investments include one fund which invests in intermediate-term investment grade bonds and a fund which invests in equities listed predominantly on European and Asian exchanges. Funds are valued using the net asset values as quoted through publicly available pricing sources and investments are redeemable on request. Fixed income fund investment : 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, 2017. 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 debt, based on the bid and ask quotes for the related debt (Level 2), totaled $3.49 billion at September 30, 2017, and $4.19 billion at December 31, 2016. The sale of the majority of our ownership in CareerBuilder resulted in a $342.9 million pre-tax loss recorded within discontinued operations (see Note 12). The loss includes a goodwill impairment charge of $332.9 million . The valuation used in the Step 1 goodwill impairment test was based on the enterprise value determined in the purchase agreement (which represents a Level 3 input in the fair value hierarchy). During the third quarter of 2017, a few of our television stations were impacted by hurricanes Harvey and Irma. In particular, Hurricane Harvey caused major damage to our Houston television station (KHOU), and as a result, we recognized $10.2 million in non-cash charges, writing off destroyed equipment and recording an impairment to the value of the building (fair value of the building was determined using a market based valuation). In addition, we incurred $8.4 million in cash expenses related to repairing the studio and office and providing for additional staffing and operational needs to keep the station operating during and immediately following these weather emergencies. Partially offsetting these expenses, we received initial insurance proceeds of $11.0 million ( $5.0 million was received as of September 30, 2017 and $6.0 million was received in October 2017). The net expense impact from the hurricane of $7.6 million has been recorded in asset impairment and facility consolidation charges on our Consolidated Statements of Income. We also recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $5.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 associated with the write-off of a note receivable from one of our equity method investments (see Note 3).

Business Segment Information

Business Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business segment information	Business segment information Our reportable segment determination is 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. Immediately following the spin-off of Cars.com and the sale of our majority stake in CareerBuilder, we began classifying our operations as one operating and reportable segment, Media, which consists of our 46 television stations operating in 38 markets, offering high-quality television programming and digital content. Also now included in the Media Segment is our DMS business which was previously reported in our Digital Segment. As a result of classifying the former Digital Segment’s historical financial results as discontinued operations there is no remaining activity in 2017 as shown in the tables below. The 2016 activity shown below for our Digital Segment relates to our former Cofactor business which did not meet the criteria for discontinued operation reporting when the business was sold in December 2016. The historical periods below have also been updated to restate the historical results of our DMS business within our Media business. Segment operating results are summarized as follows (in thousands): Quarter ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (recast) (recast) Revenues: Media $ 464,264 $ 517,021 $ 1,412,703 $ 1,449,202 Digital — 2,596 — 8,031 Total $ 464,264 $ 519,617 $ 1,412,703 $ 1,457,233 Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges): Media (a) $ 130,338 $ 219,766 $ 433,629 $ 568,163 Digital — (17,832 ) — (23,300 ) Corporate (a) (13,477 ) (16,083 ) (43,577 ) (46,974 ) Total $ 116,861 $ 185,851 $ 390,052 $ 497,889 Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges: Media $ 27,538 $ 18,583 $ 67,864 $ 59,735 Digital — 15,565 — 16,297 Corporate 596 57 1,115 3,109 Total $ 28,134 $ 34,205 $ 68,979 $ 79,141 (a) In the first quarter of 2017, we adopted new accounting guidance that changed the classification of certain components of net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit expense (post-retirement benefit expense). The service cost component of the post-retirement benefit expense will continue to be presented as an operating expense while all other components of post-retirement benefit expense will be presented as non-operating expense. The prior year period was adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. This resulted in an increase to operating income in third quarter of 2017 and 2016 of $1.7 million and $1.8 million and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 of $4.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively. Net income, earnings per share, and retained earnings were not impacted by the new standard.

Other Matters

Other Matters	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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. Voluntary Retirement Program During the first quarter of 2016, we initiated a Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) at our Media Segment. Under the VRP, Media employees meeting certain eligibility requirements were offered buyout payments in exchange for voluntarily retiring. Eligible non-union employees had until April 7, 2016, to retire under the plan. In 2016, based on acceptances received, we recorded $16.0 million of severance expense. Upon separation, employees accepting the VRP received salary continuation payments primarily based on years of service, the majority of which occurred evenly over the 12-month period following separation date. As of September 30, 2017, we had less than $0.4 million of VRP buyout obligation remaining. FCC Broadcast Spectrum Program Congress authorized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a voluntary incentive auction to reallocate certain spectrum currently occupied by television broadcast stations to mobile wireless broadband services, along with a related “repacking” of the television spectrum for remaining television stations. The repacking requires that certain television stations move to different channels, and some stations will have smaller service areas and/or experience additional interference. Congress announced the results of the auction, including a list of the stations to be repacked, in April 2017. None of our stations will relinquish any spectrum rights as a result of the auction, and accordingly we will not receive any incentive auction proceeds. The FCC has, however, notified us that 13 of our stations will be repacked to new channels. The repacking process is scheduled to occur over a 39 -month period, divided into ten phases. Our stations have been assigned to phases two through nine, and a majority of our capital expenditures in connection with the repack will occur in 2018 and 2019. We are eligible to seek reimbursement for costs associated with implementing changes to our facilities required by the repack. The legislation authorizing the incentive auction and repacking established a $1.75 billion fund for reimbursement of costs incurred by stations required to change channels in the repacking. The FCC has reported that the aggregate cost estimated by repacked stations to complete the repack will be almost $1.9 billion . In October 2017, the FCC announced that it had made an approximately $1 billion allocation from the fund to repacked stations to allow those stations to begin to be reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with the construction of facilities on reassigned channels. This allocation represents approximately 52% of the total estimated demand for repack funds. Although we expect the FCC to make additional allocations from the fund, it is not clear at this time whether the FCC ultimately will receive from Congress the additional funds necessary to completely reimburse each repacked station for all amounts incurred in connection with the repack. Beyond the potential for not being reimbursed for all amounts we incur, it is still too early to predict the ultimate impact of the incentive auction and repacking upon our business. As noted above, while we did not sell any of our spectrum in the auction, we did enter into a channel share agreement with another broadcaster that sold spectrum in the auction. Pursuant to the terms of our channel share agreement we received $32.6 million in cash proceeds during the third quarter of 2017. These proceeds were deferred and will be amortized on a straight-line basis as other revenue over a 20 year period. The $32.6 million cash proceeds were reflected as cash flow from operating activities on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued operations Cars.com spin-off On May 31, 2017, we completed the previously announced spin-off of Cars.com creating two publicly traded companies: TEGNA, an innovative media company with the largest broadcast group among major network affiliates in the top 25 markets; and Cars.com, a leading digital automotive marketplace. The spin-off was effected through a pro rata distribution of all outstanding common shares of Cars.com to TEGNA stockholders of record at the close of business on May 18, 2017 (the “Record Date”). Stockholders retained their TEGNA shares and received one share of Cars.com for every three shares of TEGNA stock they owned on the Record Date. Cars.com began “regular way” trading on the New York Stock Exchange on June 1, 2017 under the symbol “CARS”. In connection with the Cars.com spin-off, we received a one time tax-free cash distribution from Cars.com of $650.0 million . In the second quarter of 2017, we used $609.9 million of the tax-free distribution proceeds to fully pay down outstanding revolving credit agreement borrowings. In October 2017, we used the remainder of the proceeds to pay down a portion of the outstanding principal on unsecured notes due in October 2019 (see Note 5). Separation Agreement We entered into a separation agreement with Cars.com which sets forth, among other things, the identified assets transferred, the liabilities assumed and the contracts assigned to each of TEGNA and Cars.com as part of the separation and the conditions related to the distribution of Cars.com outstanding stock to TEGNA stockholders. Transition Services Agreement We entered into a transition services agreement with Cars.com prior to the distribution pursuant to which we and our subsidiaries will provide certain services to Cars.com on an interim and transitional basis, not to exceed 24 months . The services to be provided include certain tax, human resource and risk management consulting services, and certain other short term services to complete a limited number of ongoing analysis projects. The agreed upon charges for such services are generally intended to allow us to recover all costs and expenses of providing such services, and such charges are not expected to be material to either us or Cars.com. The transition services agreement will terminate on the expiration of the term of the last service provided under it, with a minimum service period of 60 days and a maximum service period of 24 months , with most services expected to last for less than the maximum service period following the distribution date. Cars.com generally can terminate a particular service prior to the scheduled expiration date, subject generally to the minimum service period and a minimum notice period of 45 days . Tax Matters Agreement Prior to the distribution, we entered into a tax matters agreement that governs the parties’ respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes, if any, incurred as a result of any failure of the distribution and certain related transactions to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes), tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings and assistance and cooperation in respect of tax matters. Employee Matters Agreement We entered into an employee matters agreement with Cars.com prior to the distribution to allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to employment matters, employee compensation and benefit plans and programs and other related matters. The employee matters agreement governs certain compensation and employee benefit obligations with respect to the current and former employees and non-employee directors of each company. The employee matters agreement provides that, unless otherwise specified, Cars.com will be responsible for liabilities associated with employees who will be employed by Cars.com following the spin-off and former employees whose last employment was with the Cars.com businesses, and we will be responsible for all other current and former TEGNA employees. Cars.com will retain sponsorship of 401(k) retirement plans, deferred compensation plans and other incentive plans maintained for the exclusive benefit of Cars.com employees as well as various welfare plans applicable to the Cars.com employees. CareerBuilder Sale On July 31, 2017, we sold our majority ownership interest in CareerBuilder to an investor group led by investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC, a leading global alternative investment manager, and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board. Our share of the pre-tax net cash proceeds from the sale was $198.3 million . These net proceeds were used in October 2017 to pay down existing debt (see Note 5). Additionally, during the third quarter of 2017 and prior to the closing of the sale, CareerBuilder issued a final dividend to its selling shareholders, of which $25.8 million was retained by TEGNA. As part of the agreement, we remain an ongoing partner in CareerBuilder, reducing our 53% controlling interest to approximately 17% interest (or approximately 12% on a fully-diluted basis) and two seats on CareerBuilder’s 10 person board. As a result, subsequent to the sale, CareerBuilder is no longer consolidated within our reported operating results. Our remaining ownership interest will be accounted for as an equity method investment. Subsequent to the date of sale we recorded $0.5 million of equity earnings during the remainder of the third quarter of 2017 from our remaining interest in CareerBuilder. Financial Statement Presentation of Digital Segment As a result of the Cars.com and CareerBuilder transactions described above, the operating results and financial position of our former Digital Segment have been included in discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statements of Income for all applicable periods presented. The results of discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 2017 include a $342.9 million pre-tax loss related to the sale of CareerBuilder (after noncontrolling interest, $271.7 million of the pre-tax loss is attributable to TEGNA). The pre-tax loss includes a goodwill impairment charge of $332.9 million and costs to sell the business of $10.9 million . Fair value used for the pre-tax loss was based on the enterprise value of CareerBuilder as determined in the definitive purchase agreement. The carrying value of the assets and liabilities of our former Digital Segment’s discontinued operations as of December 31, 2016 were as follows (in thousands): Dec. 31, 2016 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 61,041 Accounts receivable, net 214,171 Property and equipment, net 74,695 Goodwill 1,488,112 Other Intangibles, net 1,718,592 Other assets 71,193 Total assets $ 3,627,804 LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 166,853 Deferred revenue 110,071 Deferred tax liability 280,264 Other liabilities 66,969 Total liabilities $ 624,157 The financial results of discontinued operations in the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are presented as a loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax, on our Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table presents the financial results of discontinued operations (in thousands): Quarter ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 (1) 2016 2017 (1) 2016 (2) Operating revenues $ 54,874 $ 340,649 $ 647,021 $ 999,929 Cost of revenue and SG&A expenses 60,301 228,152 522,287 708,815 Depreciation — 9,421 19,569 24,843 Amortization — 23,385 40,300 68,159 Loss on sale of CareerBuilder (1,872 ) — 342,900 — Total operating expenses 58,429 260,958 925,056 801,817 Total operating (loss) income (3,555 ) 79,691 (278,035 ) 198,112 Non-operating income (expense) 647 (3,304 ) (1,078 ) (8,989 ) (Loss) income from discontinued operations, before income taxes (2,908 ) 76,387 (279,113 ) 189,123 Provision for income taxes (7,895 ) (19,689 ) 45,852 (56,982 ) (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ (10,803 ) $ 56,698 $ (233,261 ) $ 132,141 (1) The quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017 include CareerBuilder’s operations through the date of sale on July 31, 2017. Cars.com operations are included in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 through the date of spin-off on May 31, 2017. (2) The nine months ended September 30, 2016 include approximately $7.5 million of net loss from discontinued operations related to the operations of our former Sightline business through the date of sale on March 18, 2016. In our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the cash flows from discontinued operations are not separately classified. As such, major categories of discontinued operation cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are presented below (in thousands): Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 (1) 2016 Depreciation $ 19,569 $ 24,843 Amortization 40,300 68,159 Capital expenditures 37,441 38,825 Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired $ — $ 196,750 (1) The nine months ended September 30, 2017 includes Cars.com through the spin-off date of May 31, 2017 and CareerBuilder’s operations through the date of sale on July 31, 2017.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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-X. 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, 2016.
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, evaluation of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, fair value measurements, post-retirement benefit plans, income taxes including deferred taxes, and contingencies.
Consolidation	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries we control and variable interest entities (VIEs) if we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate all intercompany balances, transactions, and profits in consolidation. Investments in entities over which we have significant influence, but do not have control, are accounted for under the equity method. Our share of net earnings and losses from these ventures is included in “Equity (loss) income in unconsolidated investments, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ consolidated Statements of Income to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Recent accounting standards	Accounting guidance adopted in 2017: In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance that changes the presentation of net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs (post-retirement benefit costs) in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Under this new guidance, the service cost component of the post-retirement benefit expense will continue to be presented as an operating expense while all other components of post-retirement benefit expense will be presented as non-operating expense. Previously, all components of post-retirement benefit expense were presented as operating expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The FASB permitted early adoption of this guidance, and we elected to early adopt in the first quarter of 2017. We believe the new guidance provides enhanced financial reporting by limiting operating expense classification to the service cost component of post-retirement benefit expense. Service cost is the component of the expense that relates to services provided by employees in the current period and thus better reflects the current continuing operating costs. Changes to the classification of Consolidated Statements of Income amounts resulting from the new guidance were made on a retrospective basis, wherein each period presented was adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. We utilized amounts previously disclosed in our retirement plan footnote to retrospectively apply the guidance. As a result of adopting this guidance, operating expenses in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2017 were lower by $1.7 million and $4.9 million , respectively, while non-operating expenses were higher by the same amounts. In 2016, operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months were reduced by $1.8 million and $5.8 million , respectively, with corresponding increases in non-operating expenses as a result of adopting this new guidance. Net income, earnings per share, and retained earnings were not impacted by the new guidance. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (i.e., Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, companies will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (i.e., measure the charge based on Step 1 of the impairment test). The FASB permitted early adoption of this guidance, and we elected to early adopt in the second quarter of 2017 in connection with the calculation of CareerBuilder’s goodwill impairment charge, discussed in Note 12. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to revenue recognition. Under the new guidance, 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 guidance requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We will adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018. The two permitted transition methods are the full retrospective method, in which case the guidance would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the guidance would be recognized at the earliest period shown; and the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the guidance would be recognized at the date of initial application. We will adopt the guidance using the modified retrospective method. While we continue to evaluate the full impact of the guidance, we do not believe that it will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We are in the process of evaluating the other requirements of the new standard, which may result in additional revenue related disclosures. Based on our evaluation performed to date, we believe that 90% of our revenues will not be materially impacted by the new guidance. Specifically, our television spot advertising contracts, which comprised approximately 60% of 2016 revenue are short-term in nature with transaction price consideration agreed upon in advance. We expect revenue will continue to be recognized when commercials are aired. Further, we expect that subscription revenue earned under retransmission agreements will be recognized under the licensing of intellectual property guidance in the standard, which will not have a material change to our current revenue recognition. Subscription revenue comprised approximately 30% of 2016 revenue. We continue to evaluate the impact to our online digital and other services revenue (which represents approximately 10% of our revenues). 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 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 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. In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies several specific cash flow classification issues. The objective of the new guidance is to reduce the existing diversity in practice in how these cash flows are presented in the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018 and early adoption is permitted. One classification change we will make when we adopt the standard relates to payments made for premiums, fees paid to lenders and other related third party costs when debt is repaid early. Under the new guidance these payments will be classified as financing cash outflows (we have historically classified these types of cash payments as operating outflows).

Goodwill and Other Intangible21

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Gross Accumulated Amortization Gross Accumulated Amortization (recast) (recast) Goodwill $ 2,579,417 $ — $ 2,579,417 $ — Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television station FCC licenses 1,191,950 — 1,191,950 — Amortizable intangible assets: Retransmission agreements 110,191 (58,586 ) 110,191 (47,280 ) Network affiliation agreements 43,485 (18,139 ) 43,485 (14,445 ) Other 15,763 (5,997 ) 15,763 (4,825 ) Total indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets $ 1,361,389 $ (82,722 ) $ 1,361,389 $ (66,550 )

Investments and Other Assets (T

Investments and Other Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets	Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 (recast) Cash value life insurance $ 60,873 $ 64,134 Deferred compensation investments 28,593 23,715 Equity method investments 35,599 18,016 Available for sale investment — 16,744 Deferred debt issuance cost 7,008 9,856 Other long term assets 41,146 48,151 Total $ 173,219 $ 180,616

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary Long-term debt	Our long-term debt is summarized below (in thousands): Sept. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 $ 28,400 $ 52,100 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 808 1,292 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 110,000 140,000 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020 240,000 285,000 Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020 — 635,000 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 3,344,208 4,078,392 Debt issuance costs (23,462 ) (27,615 ) Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (4,934 ) (7,382 ) Total long-term debt 3,315,812 4,043,395 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities 280,646 646 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 3,035,166 $ 4,042,749

Retirement Plans (Tables)

Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit costs	Our pension costs, which include costs for the qualified TRP plan and the nonqualified SERP plan, are presented in the following table (in thousands): Quarter ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost-benefits earned during the period $ 218 $ 204 $ 654 $ 612 Interest cost on benefit obligation 5,990 6,449 17,971 19,636 Expected return on plan assets (6,580 ) (6,691 ) (19,741 ) (20,073 ) Amortization of prior service cost 159 165 476 505 Amortization of actuarial loss 2,081 1,846 6,242 5,740 Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans $ 1,868 $ 1,973 $ 5,602 $ 6,420

Supplemental Equity Informati25

Supplemental Equity Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Equity	The following table summarizes equity account activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): TEGNA Inc. Shareholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ 2,271,418 $ 281,587 $ 2,553,005 Comprehensive income: Net loss (29,881 ) (58,698 ) (88,579 ) Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (2,797 ) (2,797 ) Other comprehensive income 34,241 5,819 40,060 Total comprehensive income (loss) 4,360 (55,676 ) (51,316 ) Dividends declared (60,121 ) — (60,121 ) Stock-based compensation 14,189 — 14,189 Treasury shares acquired (8,453 ) — (8,453 ) Spin-off of Cars.com (1,510,851 ) — (1,510,851 ) Deconsolidation of CareerBuilder — (225,911 ) (225,911 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (4,667 ) — (4,667 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2017 $ 705,875 $ — $ 705,875 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 (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
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 (1) Other Total Quarters Ended: Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (124,632 ) $ (23,608 ) $ 2,364 $ (145,876 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — 1,428 — 1,428 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,351 22,024 — 23,375 Other comprehensive income 1,351 23,452 — 24,803 Balance at Sept. 30, 2017 $ (123,281 ) $ (156 ) $ 2,364 $ (121,073 ) Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (113,854 ) $ (23,282 ) $ 1,400 $ (135,736 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — (1,043 ) (3,743 ) (4,786 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,075 — — 1,075 Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,075 (1,043 ) (3,743 ) (3,711 ) Balance at Sept. 30, 2016 $ (112,779 ) $ (24,325 ) $ (2,343 ) $ (139,447 ) Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation (1) Other Total Nine Months Ended: Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ (127,341 ) $ (28,560 ) $ (5,672 ) $ (161,573 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 6,380 (1,707 ) 4,673 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 4,060 22,024 9,743 35,827 Other comprehensive income 4,060 28,404 8,036 40,500 Balance at Sept. 30, 2017 $ (123,281 ) $ (156 ) $ 2,364 $ (121,073 ) 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 ) (1) Our entire foreign currency translation adjustment is related to our CareerBuilder investment. As a result of deconsolidating the investment due to the sale of our majority ownership, we reclassified the translation adjustment from AOCL to the Consolidated Statement of Income as of the date of sale, July 31, 2017. Due to the noncontrolling stake that we retained in CareerBuilder, we will continue to record our ownership share of foreign currently translation adjustments through our equity method investment.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Amounts reclassified out of AOCL are summarized below (in thousands): Quarter ended Nine months ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Amortization of prior service (credit) cost $ 16 $ (22 ) $ 48 $ 108 Amortization of actuarial loss 2,185 1,785 6,555 5,977 Reclassification of CareerBuilder foreign currency translation 22,024 — 22,024 — Reclassification of available for sale investment — — 9,743 — Total reclassifications, before tax 24,225 1,763 38,370 6,085 Income tax effect (850 ) (688 ) (2,543 ) (2,368 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 23,375 $ 1,075 $ 35,827 $ 3,717

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	Our earnings per share (basic and diluted) are presented below (in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts): Quarter ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net income from continuing operations $ 50,754 $ 76,737 $ 144,682 $ 211,615 (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (10,803 ) 56,698 (233,261 ) 132,141 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations 2,806 (14,752 ) 58,698 (40,178 ) Net income (loss) attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 42,757 $ 118,683 $ (29,881 ) $ 303,578 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 215,863 214,813 215,558 216,865 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock units 828 1,630 880 1,662 Performance share units 721 775 674 1,049 Stock options 683 881 715 935 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 218,095 218,099 217,827 220,511 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 0.24 $ 0.36 $ 0.67 $ 0.98 (Loss) earnings from discontinued operations per share - basic (0.04 ) 0.19 (0.81 ) 0.42 Net income (loss) per share - basic $ 0.20 $ 0.55 $ (0.14 ) $ 1.40 Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.35 $ 0.66 $ 0.96 (Loss) earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted (0.04 ) 0.19 (0.80 ) 0.42 Net income (loss) per share - diluted $ 0.19 $ 0.54 $ (0.14 ) $ 1.38

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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, 2017, and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements as of Sept. 30, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Available for sale investment — — — — Total $ — $ — $ — $ — Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient: Interest in registered investment companies $ 14,921 Fixed income fund 13,672 Total investments at fair value $ 28,593 Fair Value Measurements as of Dec. 31, 2016 (recast) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Available for sale investment 16,744 — — 16,744 Total $ 16,744 $ — $ — $ 16,744 Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient: Interest in registered investment companies $ 10,140 Fixed income fund 13,575 Total investments at fair value $ 40,459

Business Segment Information (T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Segment operating results are summarized as follows (in thousands): Quarter ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (recast) (recast) Revenues: Media $ 464,264 $ 517,021 $ 1,412,703 $ 1,449,202 Digital — 2,596 — 8,031 Total $ 464,264 $ 519,617 $ 1,412,703 $ 1,457,233 Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges): Media (a) $ 130,338 $ 219,766 $ 433,629 $ 568,163 Digital — (17,832 ) — (23,300 ) Corporate (a) (13,477 ) (16,083 ) (43,577 ) (46,974 ) Total $ 116,861 $ 185,851 $ 390,052 $ 497,889 Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges: Media $ 27,538 $ 18,583 $ 67,864 $ 59,735 Digital — 15,565 — 16,297 Corporate 596 57 1,115 3,109 Total $ 28,134 $ 34,205 $ 68,979 $ 79,141 (a) In the first quarter of 2017, we adopted new accounting guidance that changed the classification of certain components of net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit expense (post-retirement benefit expense). The service cost component of the post-retirement benefit expense will continue to be presented as an operating expense while all other components of post-retirement benefit expense will be presented as non-operating expense. The prior year period was adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance. This resulted in an increase to operating income in third quarter of 2017 and 2016 of $1.7 million and $1.8 million and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 of $4.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively. Net income, earnings per share, and retained earnings were not impacted by the new standard.

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	The following table presents the financial results of discontinued operations (in thousands): Quarter ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 (1) 2016 2017 (1) 2016 (2) Operating revenues $ 54,874 $ 340,649 $ 647,021 $ 999,929 Cost of revenue and SG&A expenses 60,301 228,152 522,287 708,815 Depreciation — 9,421 19,569 24,843 Amortization — 23,385 40,300 68,159 Loss on sale of CareerBuilder (1,872 ) — 342,900 — Total operating expenses 58,429 260,958 925,056 801,817 Total operating (loss) income (3,555 ) 79,691 (278,035 ) 198,112 Non-operating income (expense) 647 (3,304 ) (1,078 ) (8,989 ) (Loss) income from discontinued operations, before income taxes (2,908 ) 76,387 (279,113 ) 189,123 Provision for income taxes (7,895 ) (19,689 ) 45,852 (56,982 ) (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ (10,803 ) $ 56,698 $ (233,261 ) $ 132,141 (1) The quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017 include CareerBuilder’s operations through the date of sale on July 31, 2017. Cars.com operations are included in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 through the date of spin-off on May 31, 2017. (2) The nine months ended September 30, 2016 include approximately $7.5 million of net loss from discontinued operations related to the operations of our former Sightline business through the date of sale on March 18, 2016. The carrying value of the assets and liabilities of our former Digital Segment’s discontinued operations as of December 31, 2016 were as follows (in thousands): Dec. 31, 2016 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 61,041 Accounts receivable, net 214,171 Property and equipment, net 74,695 Goodwill 1,488,112 Other Intangibles, net 1,718,592 Other assets 71,193 Total assets $ 3,627,804 LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 166,853 Deferred revenue 110,071 Deferred tax liability 280,264 Other liabilities 66,969 Total liabilities $ 624,157 In our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the cash flows from discontinued operations are not separately classified. As such, major categories of discontinued operation cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are presented below (in thousands): Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 (1) 2016 Depreciation $ 19,569 $ 24,843 Amortization 40,300 68,159 Capital expenditures 37,441 38,825 Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired $ — $ 196,750 (1) The nine months ended September 30, 2017 includes Cars.com through the spin-off date of May 31, 2017 and CareerBuilder’s operations through the date of sale on July 31, 2017.

Basis of Presentation - Narrati

Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) - Revenue - Media	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue not expected to have material change	90.00%
Television Advertising Revenue
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk (as a percent)	60.00%
Retransmission Revenue
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk (as a percent)	30.00%
Online Digital and Other Services
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk (as a percent)	10.00%

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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Decrease in operating expenses	$ (347,403)	$ (333,766)	$ (1,022,651)	$ (959,344)
Total non-operating (expense) income	(54,660)	(70,673)	(190,515)	(194,236)
Effect of Accounting Change | Accounting Standards Update 2017-06
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Decrease in operating expenses	1,700	1,800	4,900	5,800
Total non-operating (expense) income	$ (1,700)	$ (1,800)	$ (4,900)	$ (5,800)

Goodwill and Other Intangible32

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 2,579,417	$ 2,579,417
Goodwill, Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Total indefinite-live and amortizable intangible assets	1,361,389	1,361,389
Total indefinite-live and amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(82,722)	(66,550)
Retransmission agreements
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	110,191	110,191
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(58,586)	(47,280)
Network affiliation agreements
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	43,485	43,485
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(18,139)	(14,445)
Other
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	15,763	15,763
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(5,997)	(4,825)
Television station FCC licenses
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangibles	1,191,950	1,191,950
Total indefinite-live and amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 0	$ 0

Investments and Other Assets -

Investments and Other Assets - Components of Investments and Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Cash value life insurance	$ 60,873	$ 64,134
Deferred compensation investments	28,593	23,715
Equity method investments	35,599	18,016
Available for sale investment	0	16,744
Deferred debt issuance cost	7,008	9,856
Other long term assets	41,146	48,151
Total	$ 173,219	$ 180,616

Investments and Other Assets 34

Investments and Other Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 18, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net			$ 866		$ (1,198)	$ (1,549)	$ (2,763)
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities			14,600			14,600
Realized losses on sale of available-for-sale securities			400			3,900
Impairment of equity method investments				$ 5,800		5,800
CareerBuilder
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment retained after disposal, ownership interest (as a percent)		17.00%
Equity method investment retained after disposal, fully diluted ownership interest (as a percent)		12.00%
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net			500
Subsequent Event | Livestream
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of equity method investments	$ 21,400
Other long term assets
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investments			$ 15,300			$ 15,300		$ 14,800

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	$ 9.7	$ 10.8
Accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits	1.2	$ 1.5
Estimated decrease in gross unrecognized tax positions within the next 12 months, maximum	$ 3.5

Long-Term Debt (Details)

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	$ 3,344,208	$ 4,078,392
Debt issuance costs	(23,462)	(27,615)
Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts)	(4,934)	(7,382)
Total long-term debt	3,315,812	4,043,395
Less current portion of long-term debt maturities	280,646	646
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,035,166	4,042,749
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	28,400	52,100
VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	808	1,292
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	110,000	140,000
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	240,000	285,000
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal long-term debt	0	635,000
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 - Narrative (Det

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Oct. 16, 2017USD ($)	Aug. 01, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Tax-free distribution							$ 20,133	$ 0
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation							198,342	$ 0
Cash transferred in sale of business							36,581
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of revolving credit agreement				$ 609,900		$ 609,900
Remaining borrowing capacity					$ 1,500,000		1,500,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Cars.com
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facility							675,000
Tax-free distribution				$ 650,000			650,000
Subsequent Event | Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Early repayment of debt	$ 280,000
Covenant through June 30, 2018 | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant requirement, maximum total leverage ratio		5
Covenant through June 30, 2019 | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant requirement, maximum total leverage ratio		4.75
Covenant through June 29, 2020 | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant requirement, maximum total leverage ratio		4.5
CareerBuilder
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation							198,300
Cash transferred in sale of business							$ 36,600
Dividend issued prior to sale			$ 25,800		$ 25,800

Retirement Plans (Details)

Retirement Plans (Details) - Retirement Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Company's pension costs
Service cost-benefits earned during the period	$ 218	$ 204	$ 654	$ 612
Interest cost on benefit obligation	5,990	6,449	17,971	19,636
Expected return on plan assets	(6,580)	(6,691)	(19,741)	(20,073)
Amortization of prior service cost	159	165	476	505
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,081	1,846	6,242	5,740
Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans	$ 1,868	$ 1,973	$ 5,602	$ 6,420

Retirement Plans - Narrative (D

Retirement Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension plan obligation	$ 199
Contributions to plan	10.9
Expected contributions to TRP in current fiscal year	1.7
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to plan	7.2	$ 4.2
Accrued Liabilities | Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension plan obligation	$ 31

Supplemental Equity Informati40

Supplemental Equity Information - Equity Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 2,553,005	$ 2,456,744
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	$ 39,951	$ 133,435	(88,579)	343,756
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (earnings not available to shareholders)	36	(1,353)	(2,797)	(3,628)
Other comprehensive (loss)	26,213	(4,641)	40,060	(12,234)
Comprehensive income (loss)	66,200	127,441	(51,316)	327,894
Dividends declared			(60,121)	(90,755)
Stock-based compensation			14,189	13,216
Treasury shares acquired			(8,453)	(150,917)
Spin-off transaction			(1,510,851)	(39,456)
Deconsolidation of CareerBuilder			(225,911)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes			(4,667)	(20,568)
Ending Balance	705,875	2,496,158	705,875	2,496,158
TEGNA Inc. Shareholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			2,271,418	2,191,971
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)			(29,881)	303,578
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (earnings not available to shareholders)			0	0
Other comprehensive (loss)			34,241	(8,497)
Comprehensive income (loss)			4,360	295,081
Dividends declared			(60,121)	(90,755)
Stock-based compensation			14,189	13,216
Treasury shares acquired			(8,453)	(150,917)
Spin-off transaction			(1,510,851)	(39,456)
Deconsolidation of CareerBuilder			0
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes			(4,667)	(17,645)
Ending Balance	705,875	2,201,495	705,875	2,201,495
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			281,587	264,773
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)			(58,698)	40,178
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (earnings not available to shareholders)			(2,797)	(3,628)
Other comprehensive (loss)			5,819	(3,737)
Comprehensive income (loss)			(55,676)	32,813
Dividends declared			0	0
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Treasury shares acquired			0	0
Spin-off transaction			0	0
Deconsolidation of CareerBuilder			(225,911)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes			0	(2,923)
Ending Balance	$ 0	$ 294,663	$ 0	$ 294,663

Supplemental Equity Informati41

Supplemental Equity Information - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 2,553,005	$ 2,456,744
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	$ 23,375	$ 1,075	35,827	3,717
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	26,213	(4,641)	40,060	(12,234)
Ending Balance	705,875	2,496,158	705,875	2,496,158
Retirement Plans
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(124,632)	(113,854)	(127,341)	(116,496)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	1,351	1,075	4,060	3,717
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,351	1,075	4,060	3,717
Ending Balance	(123,281)	(112,779)	(123,281)	(112,779)
Foreign Currency Translation
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(23,608)	(23,282)	(28,560)	(20,129)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,428	(1,043)	6,380	(4,196)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	22,024	0	22,024	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	23,452	(1,043)	28,404	(4,196)
Ending Balance	(156)	(24,325)	(156)	(24,325)
Other
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2,364	1,400	(5,672)	5,674
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	(3,743)	(1,707)	(8,017)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0	0	9,743	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	(3,743)	8,036	(8,017)
Ending Balance	2,364	(2,343)	2,364	(2,343)
Total
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(145,876)	(135,736)	(161,573)	(130,951)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,428	(4,786)	4,673	(12,213)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	23,375	1,075	35,827	3,717
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	24,803	(3,711)	40,500	(8,496)
Ending Balance	$ (121,073)	$ (139,447)	$ (121,073)	$ (139,447)

Supplemental Equity Informati42

Supplemental Equity Information - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	$ 24,225	$ 1,763	$ 38,370	$ 6,085
Income tax effect	(850)	(688)	(2,543)	(2,368)
Total reclassifications, net of tax	23,375	1,075	35,827	3,717
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	16	(22)	48	108
Amortization of actuarial loss
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	2,185	1,785	6,555	5,977
Reclassification of CareerBuilder foreign currency translation
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	22,024	0	22,024	0
Total reclassifications, net of tax	22,024	0	22,024	0
Reclassification of available for sale investment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 9,743	$ 0

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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income from continuing operations	$ 50,754	$ 76,737	$ 144,682	$ 211,615
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(10,803)	56,698	(233,261)	132,141
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations	2,806	(14,752)	58,698	(40,178)
Net income (loss) attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 42,757	$ 118,683	$ (29,881)	$ 303,578
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	215,863	214,813	215,558	216,865
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	218,095	218,099	217,827	220,511
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.36	$ 0.67	$ 0.98
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	0.19	(0.81)	0.42
Net income (loss) per share – basic (In dollars per share)	0.20	0.55	(0.14)	1.40
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.23	0.35	0.66	0.96
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	0.19	(0.80)	0.42
Net income (loss) per share – diluted (In dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.54	$ (0.14)	$ 1.38
Restricted stock units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	828	1,630	880	1,662
Performance share units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	721	775	674	1,049
Stock options
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	683	881	715	935

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)	96,000	192,000	142,000	292,000

Fair Value Measurement (Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	$ 0	$ 16,744
Total investments at fair value	28,593	40,459
Level 1
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	0	16,744
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:	14,921	10,140
Fixed income fund
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Deferred compensation investments valued using net asset value as a practical expedient:	13,672	13,575
Available for sale investment
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	0	16,744
Available for sale investment | Level 1
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Total	0	16,744
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 Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill					$ 332.9
Impairment of equity method investments				$ 5.8	5.8
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of total long-term debt		$ 3,490	$ 3,490		3,490	$ 4,190
CareerBuilder
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loss on sale of CareerBuilder					342.9
Impairment of goodwill					$ 332.9
Hurricane Harvey
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charges for damage to television station and equipment			10.2
Cash expenses related to repairing studio			8.4
Insurance recovery		$ 5	11
Net expense impact from hurricane			$ 7.6
Subsequent Event | Hurricane Harvey
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Insurance recovery	$ 6

Business Segment Information (D

Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	$ 464,264	$ 519,617	$ 1,412,703	$ 1,457,233
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges)	116,861	185,851	390,052	497,889
Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges	28,134	34,205	68,979	79,141
Operating Segments | Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	464,264	517,021	1,412,703	1,449,202
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges)	130,338	219,766	433,629	568,163
Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges	27,538	18,583	67,864	59,735
Operating Segments | Digital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenues	0	2,596	0	8,031
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges)	0	(17,832)	0	(23,300)
Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges	0	15,565	0	16,297
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (net of depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges)	(13,477)	(16,083)	(43,577)	(46,974)
Depreciation, amortization, asset impairment and facility consolidation charges	$ 596	$ 57	$ 1,115	$ 3,109

Business Segment Information -

Business Segment Information - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)marketstation	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)marketstation	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ 116,861	$ 185,851	$ 390,052	$ 497,889
Accounting Standards Update 2017-06 | Effect of Accounting Change | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ 1,700	1,800	$ 4,900	5,800
Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of television stations | station	46		46
Number of markets In which entity operates | market	38		38
Media | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ 130,338	$ 219,766	$ 433,629	$ 568,163

Other Matters - Narrative (Deta

Other Matters - Narrative (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)stationphase	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
FCC Broadcast Spectrum Program
Number of stations assigned new channels | station			13
Repacking period			39 months
Number of repacking phases | phase			10
FCC Broadcast Spectrum Program, authorized reimbursement amount		$ 1,750,000,000	$ 1,750,000,000
Estimated aggregate costs			1,900,000,000
Spectrum channel share agreement proceeds		32,600,000	$ 32,588,000	$ 0
Deferred revenue, recognition period			20 years
Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued separation liability		$ 400,000	$ 400,000
Severance | Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges					$ 16,000,000
Subsequent Event
FCC Broadcast Spectrum Program
Reimbursements allocated from fund during period	$ 1,000,000,000
Amounts reimbursed as a percentage of total costs	52.00%

Discontinued Operations - Narra

Discontinued Operations - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)seat	May 31, 2017USD ($)marketcompany	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of publicly traded companies after disposal | company		2
Shares of spin-off received by Tegna shareholders, conversion ratio		0.3333
Tax-free distribution						$ 20,133	$ 0
Impairment of goodwill						332,900
Cars.com
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Minimum notice period of termination of transition services		45 days
CareerBuilder
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation	$ 198,300
Dividend issued prior to sale	$ 25,800			$ 25,800
Ownership interest before sale (as a percent)	53.00%
Loss on sale of CareerBuilder						342,900
Impairment of goodwill						332,900
Business exit costs						10,900
TEGNA
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of markets In which entity operates | market		25
Maximum | Cars.com
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Transition services agreement, period		24 months
Minimum | Cars.com
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Transition services agreement, period		60 days
Revolving Credit Facility
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Repayments of revolving credit agreement		$ 609,900			$ 609,900
Revolving Credit Facility | Cars.com
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax-free distribution		$ 650,000				650,000
CareerBuilder
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Equity method investment retained after disposal, ownership interest (as a percent)	17.00%
Equity method investment retained after disposal, fully diluted ownership interest (as a percent)	12.00%
Number seats retained on Board of Directors after sale | seat	2
Total number of seats on Board of Directors | seat	10
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net			$ 500
Attributable to TEGNA | CareerBuilder
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on sale of CareerBuilder						$ 271,700

Discontinued Operations - Balan

Discontinued Operations - Balance Sheet Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 0	$ 61,041	$ 88,144	$ 103,104
Digital
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		61,041
Accounts receivable, net		214,171
Property and equipment, net		74,695
Goodwill		1,488,112
Other Intangibles, net		1,718,592
Other assets		71,193
Total assets		3,627,804
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable		166,853
Deferred revenue		110,071
Deferred tax liability		280,264
Other liabilities		66,969
Total liabilities		$ 624,157

Discontinued Operations - Finan

Discontinued Operations - Financial Results (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (10,803)	$ 56,698	$ (233,261)	$ 132,141
Sightline Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, before income taxes				(7,500)
Digital
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating revenues	54,874	340,649	647,021	999,929
Cost of revenue and SG&A expenses	60,301	228,152	522,287	708,815
Depreciation	0	9,421	19,569	24,843
Amortization	0	23,385	40,300	68,159
Loss on sale of CareerBuilder	(1,872)	0	342,900	0
Total operating expenses	58,429	260,958	925,056	801,817
Total operating (loss) income	(3,555)	79,691	(278,035)	198,112
Non-operating income (expense)	647	(3,304)	(1,078)	(8,989)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, before income taxes	(2,908)	76,387	(279,113)	189,123
Provision for income taxes	(7,895)	(19,689)	45,852	(56,982)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (10,803)	$ 56,698	$ (233,261)	$ 132,141

Discontinued Operations - Cash

Discontinued Operations - Cash Flows (Details) - Digital - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 0	$ 9,421	$ 19,569	$ 24,843
Amortization	$ 0	$ 23,385	40,300	68,159
Capital expenditures			37,441	38,825
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired			$ 0	$ 196,750