TEGNA (TGNA) 10-Q 7 Aug 18 2018 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TEGNA INC
Entity Central Index Key	39,899
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	215,266,835
Trading Symbol	TGNA

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 24,503	$ 98,801
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3,459 and $3,266, respectively	414,316	406,852
Other receivables	32,018	32,442
Programming rights	11,669	37,758
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	20,372	61,070
Total current assets	502,878	636,923
Property and equipment
Cost	822,065	782,602
Less accumulated depreciation	(470,697)	(447,262)
Net property and equipment	351,368	335,340
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill	2,596,505	2,579,417
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	1,542,171	1,273,269
Investments and other assets	149,741	137,166
Total intangible and other assets	4,288,417	3,989,852
Total assets	5,142,663	4,962,115
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	45,565	52,992
Accrued liabilities
Compensation	35,984	54,088
Interest	38,664	39,217
Contracts payable for programming rights	75,996	105,040
Other	49,247	58,196
Dividends payable	15,158	15,173
Current portion of long-term debt	323	646
Total current liabilities	260,937	325,352
Noncurrent liabilities
Income taxes	20,247	20,203
Deferred income taxes	395,611	382,310
Long-term debt	3,131,137	3,007,047
Pension liabilities	136,986	144,220
Other noncurrent liabilities	80,834	87,942
Total noncurrent liabilities	3,764,815	3,641,722
Total liabilities	4,025,752	3,967,074
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	304,066	382,127
Retained earnings	6,201,694	6,062,995
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(124,741)	(106,923)
Less treasury stock at cost, 109,151,797 shares and 109,487,979 shares, respectively	(5,588,527)	(5,667,577)
Total equity	1,116,911	995,041
Total liabilities and equity	$ 5,142,663	$ 4,962,115

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 3,459	$ 3,266
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	109,151,797	109,487,979

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 524,080	$ 489,369	$ 1,026,170	$ 948,439
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation	264,294	229,683	522,787	461,091
Business units - Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation	78,933	75,302	152,554	143,731
Corporate - General and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation	11,221	14,248	23,929	29,581
Depreciation	13,861	13,318	27,332	26,535
Amortization of intangible assets	7,962	5,388	14,744	10,777
Asset impairment and facility consolidation (gains) charges	(6,326)	1,350	(6,326)	3,533
Total	369,945	339,289	735,020	675,248
Operating income	154,135	150,080	291,150	273,191
Non-operating income (expense):
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net	15,547	(946)	14,309	(2,415)
Interest expense	(49,104)	(54,843)	(96,829)	(110,258)
Other non-operating items	(311)	(21,108)	(12,791)	(23,182)
Total	(33,868)	(76,897)	(95,311)	(135,855)
Income before income taxes	120,267	73,183	195,839	137,336
Provision for income taxes	27,755	23,913	48,140	43,408
Net Income from continuing operations	92,512	49,270	147,699	93,928
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(241,699)	0	(222,458)
Net income (loss)	92,512	(192,429)	147,699	(128,530)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations	0	62,077	0	55,892
Net income (loss) attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 92,512	$ (130,352)	$ 147,699	$ (72,638)
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.43	$ 0.23	$ 0.68	$ 0.44
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	0	(0.83)	0	(0.77)
Net income (loss) per share – basic (In dollars per share)	0.43	(0.60)	0.68	(0.33)
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.43	0.23	0.68	0.43
Loss from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0	(0.83)	0	(0.77)
Net income (loss) per share – diluted (In dollars per share)	$ 0.43	$ (0.60)	$ 0.68	$ (0.34)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic shares (in shares)	216,342	215,501	216,309	215,404
Diluted shares (in shares)	216,515	217,812	216,753	217,691
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.14	$ 0.21

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 92,512	$ (192,429)	$ 147,699	$ (128,530)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (earnings not available to shareholders)	0	(1,017)	0	(2,832)
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	382	7,099	582	9,362
Recognition of previously deferred post-retirement benefit plan costs	1,302	2,327	2,552	4,402
Pension lump-sum payment charge	0	0	6,300	0
Unrealized gains on available for sale investment during the period	0	4,069	0	1,776
Other comprehensive income, before tax	1,684	13,495	9,434	15,540
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income	(432)	(896)	(2,408)	(1,693)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,252	12,599	7,026	13,847
Comprehensive income (loss)	93,764	(180,847)	154,725	(117,515)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	0	59,750	0	54,315
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 93,764	$ (121,097)	$ 154,725	$ (63,200)

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 147,699	$ (128,530)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	42,076	97,181
Stock-based compensation	7,967	10,160
Loss on write down of CareerBuilder	0	344,772
Other (gains) losses on sales of assets and impairment charges	(7,406)	11,506
Equity (income) losses in unconsolidated investments, net	(14,309)	2,354
Pension contributions, net of expense	(31,158)	(1,843)
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	9,172	(92,576)
Net cash flow from operating activities	154,041	243,024
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(20,864)	(49,703)
Reimbursement from spectrum repacking	2,025	0
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(325,902)	0
Payments for investments	(4,479)	(1,363)
Proceeds from investments	1,224	1,369
Proceeds from sale of assets and businesses	16,126	5,556
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(331,870)	(44,141)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds (payments) of borrowings under revolving credit facilities, net	186,000	(635,000)
Proceeds from Cars.com borrowings	0	675,000
Debt repayments	(66,123)	(66,124)
Payments of debt issuance costs	(5,269)	(6,208)
Dividends paid	(30,137)	(60,073)
Repurchases of common stock	(5,831)	(8,453)
Cash transferred to the Cars.com business	0	(20,133)
Other, net	(4,349)	(5,795)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	74,291	(126,786)
Decrease (increase) in cash and cash equivalents	(103,538)	72,097
Balance of cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	128,041	105,117
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from continuing operations, beginning of period	128,041	44,076
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from discontinued operations, beginning of period	0	61,041
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from continuing operations, end of period	24,503	98,452
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from discontinued operations, end of period	0	78,762
Balance of cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 24,503	$ 177,214

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies 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, 2017. 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, business combinations, 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 income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation, specifically as it relates to our presentation of Investments and other assets in Note 3 of the condensed consolidated financial statements. 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. As a result of these strategic actions, we have disposed of substantially all of our former Digital Segment business and have therefore classified its historical financial results as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Income. 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. We operate one operating and reportable segment, which primarily consists of our 47 television stations operating in 39 markets, offering high-quality television programming and digital content. Our reportable segment determination is based on our management and internal reporting structure, the nature of products and services we offer, and the financial information that is evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision maker. Accounting guidance adopted in 2018: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (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 adopted the guidance beginning January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. We began recognizing revenue under this new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and did not restate prior years. We applied the standard to all contracts open as of January 1, 2018. The cumulative prior period effect of applying the guidance was $3.7 million which was recorded as a decrease to retained earnings upon adoption. This adjustment represents a deferral of revenue associated with certain performance obligations that were not fully completed as of the reporting date. In addition, with the adoption of the new guidance, we have determined that certain barter revenue and expense related to syndicated programming will no longer be recognized. The revenue and expense previously recognized for this type of barter transaction would have been approximately $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $1.0 million in the six months ended 2018. Other than these two items, there were no other changes to the timing and amount of revenue recognition for our contracts. For contracts with an effective term of less than one year, and for our subscription revenue contracts, we applied certain of the standard’s practical expedients relating to disclosure that permit the exclusion of quantifying and disclosing unsatisfied performance obligations. In addition, the adoption of this standard did not result in significant changes to our accounting policies, business processes, systems or controls. See discussion of our revenue policy below. 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 guidance updated the classification in the Statement of Cash Flows in several areas. The most relevant updates for us are the following: 1) payments made for premiums, fees paid to lenders and other related third party costs when debt is repaid early will each be classified as financing cash outflows (we have historically classified these types of cash payments as operating outflows), 2) contingent consideration payments made for acquisitions will be classified as either operating, investing, or financing cash outflows depending on the timing and nature of the payment, 3) cash receipts received due to the settlement of insurance claims will be classified as either operating or investing cash inflows, depending on the nature of the underlying loss, 4) proceeds received from trust owned life insurance policies will be classified as investing cash inflows (we have historically classified these types of cash receipts as operating inflows), and 5) distributions received from equity method investments will be classified as either operating or investing cash inflows, depending on the amount of cash received as compared to the amount of inception to date earnings recognized on the individual investment. We adopted the guidance retrospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2018. As a result of adopting this guidance, we reclassified approximately $0.9 million of life insurance proceeds received in the first six months of 2017 from operating to investing inflows. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that amended several elements surrounding the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. Most notably for our company, the new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. For equity investments that do not have readily determinable prices, those investments may be recorded at cost less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes in observable prices for those investments. This new guidance requires us to adjust the value of our cost method investments to account for any observable price changes in those investments. Cost method investments had previously been recorded at cost, less any impairments. We adopted the new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and the provision discussed above has been adopted on a prospective basis. There was no impact to our financial statements as a result of adopting this new guidance. In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for certain tax effects that resulted from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the Act, that was enacted into law as of December 22, 2017. The guidance addresses the accounting for amounts that had previously been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income on a net tax basis, using the tax rate that was in effect at the time. Due to the reduction in the tax rates under the Act, certain tax effects were “stranded” in accumulated other comprehensive income. This new guidance allows these stranded tax effects to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Other tax amounts stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income due to reasons other than the Act may not be reclassified. As a result of adopting this guidance, in the first quarter of 2018, we reclassified approximately $24.8 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. We believe that reclassifying these amounts more accurately presents the balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss. In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of restricted cash which requires that on the statement of cash flows, amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents should be included within the beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 on a retrospective basis. As a result, restricted cash amounts that have historically been included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and investments and other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets are now included with cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We did no t have any restricted cash as of June 30, 2018, however, these restricted cash balances totaled $29.2 million as of December 31, 2017, $32.8 million as of June 30, 2017 and $28.2 million as of December 31, 2016. Our restricted cash is used to pay deferred compensation and TEGNA Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP) obligations. The adoption of this standard did not change our balance sheet presentation. See Note 10 for additional information about our restricted cash balances. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: 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. In July 2018, the FASB issued an amendment giving companies the option to apply the requirements of the standard in the period of adoption (January 1, 2019 for us), with no restatement of prior periods. A cumulative effect of applying the guidance would be recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. We plan to utilize this adoption method. We are currently evaluating the effect the standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but currently we estimate that our total assets and liabilities as presented on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2018, will increase by less than 5% as a result of adopting this standard. Additionally, we do not expect there to be a significant difference in our pattern of lease expense recognition under the new standard. 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. Revenue recognition: Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those services. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. Amounts received from customers in advance of providing services to our customers are recorded as deferred revenue. Our primary source of revenue is earned through the sale of advertising and marketing services (AMS). This revenue stream includes all sources of our traditional television and radio advertising, as well as digital revenues including Premion, our digital marketing services business unit and other digital advertising across our platforms. Contracts within this revenue stream are short-term in nature (most often three months or less). Contracts generally consist of multiple deliverables, such as television commercials, or digital advertising solutions, that we have identified as individual performance obligations. Before performing under the contract we establish the transaction price with our customer based on the agreed upon rates for each performance obligation. There is no material variability in the transaction price during the term of the contract. Revenue is recognized as we deliver our performance obligations to our customers. For our AMS revenue stream, we measure our performance based on the airing of the individual television commercials or display of digital advertisements. This measure is most appropriate as it aligns our revenue recognition with the value we are providing to our customers. The price of each individual commercial and digital advertisement is negotiated with our customer and is determined based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the programming and day-part selected, supply of available inventory, our station’s viewership ratings and overall market conditions (e.g., timing of year and strength of U.S. economy). Customers are billed monthly and payment is generally due 30 days after the date of invoice. Commission costs related to these contracts are expensed as incurred due to the short term nature of the contracts. We also earn subscription revenue from retransmission consent contracts with multichannel video programming distributors (e.g., cable and satellite providers) and over the top providers (companies that deliver video content to consumers over the Internet). Under these multi-year contracts, we have performance obligations to provide our customers with our stations’ signals, as well as our consent to retransmit those signals to their customers. Subscription revenue is recognized in accordance with the guidance for licensing intellectual property utilizing a usage based method. The amount of revenue earned is based on the number of subscribers to which our customers retransmit our signal to, and the negotiated fee per subscriber included in our contract agreement. Our customers submit payments monthly, generally within 60 - 90 days after the month that service was provided. Our performance obligations are satisfied, and revenue is recognized, as we provide our consent for our customers to retransmit our signal. This measure toward satisfaction of our performance obligations and recognition of revenue is the most appropriate as it aligns our revenue recognition with the value that we are delivering to our customers through our retransmission consent. We also generate revenue from the sale of political advertising. Contracts within this revenue stream are short term in nature (typically weekly or monthly buys during political campaigns). Customers pre-pay these contracts and we therefore defer the associated revenue until the advertising has been delivered, at which time we have satisfied our performance obligations and recognize revenue. Commission costs related to these contracts are expensed as incurred due to the short term nature of the contracts. Our remaining revenue is comprised of various other services, primarily production services (for news content and commercials) and sublease rental income. Revenue is recognized as these various services are provided to our customers. In instances where we sell services from more than one revenue stream to the same customer at the same time, we recognize one contract and allocate the transaction price to each deliverable element (e.g. performance obligation) based on the relative fair value of each element. Revenue earned by categories in the second quarter and six months of 2018 and 2017 are shown below (amounts in thousands): Quarter ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 AMS $ 281,847 $ 296,346 $ 564,786 $ 565,358 Subscription 209,363 180,343 414,919 362,652 Political 25,709 7,446 33,315 9,604 Other 7,161 5,234 13,150 10,825 Total revenue $ 524,080 $ 489,369 $ 1,026,170 $ 948,439

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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 June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): June 30, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 Gross Accumulated Amortization Gross Accumulated Amortization Goodwill $ 2,596,505 $ — $ 2,579,417 $ — Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television and radio station FCC licenses 1,384,186 — 1,191,950 — Amortizable intangible assets: Retransmission agreements 121,594 (70,671 ) 110,191 (62,355 ) Network affiliation agreements 110,390 (24,622 ) 43,485 (19,371 ) Other 28,865 (7,571 ) 15,763 (6,394 ) Total indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets $ 1,645,035 $ (102,864 ) $ 1,361,389 $ (88,120 ) 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 and favorable lease agreements which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. On February 15, 2018 we acquired a business consisting of assets in San Diego: KFMB-TV (the CBS affiliated station), KFMB-D2 (the CW station), and radio stations KFMB-AM and KFMB-FM (collectively KFMB). The estimated transaction price is $328.4 million , which includes a pending final working capital adjustment of $2.5 million . The initial transaction price of $325.9 million was paid in cash and funded through the use of available cash and borrowings under our revolving credit facility (see Note 5). In connection with this acquisition, we recorded indefinite lived intangible assets for FCC licenses of $192.2 million and amortizable intangible assets of $91.4 million , primarily related to retransmission and network affiliation agreements. The amortizable assets will be amortized over a weighted average period of 10 years . We also recognized goodwill of $17.1 million as a result of the acquisition. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based on a preliminary valuation and, as such, our estimates and assumptions are subject to change as additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The primary area of purchase price allocation not yet finalized relates to income taxes.

Investments and Other Assets

Investments and Other Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Investments and other assets	Investments and other assets Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): June 30, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 Cash value life insurance $ 51,163 $ 51,188 Equity method investments 31,910 27,098 Cost method investments 20,637 17,374 Deferred debt issuance cost 10,709 6,048 Other long term assets 35,322 35,458 Total $ 149,741 $ 137,166 Cash value life insurance: We are the beneficiary of life insurance policies on the lives of certain employees/retirees, which are recorded at their cash surrender value as determined by the insurance carrier. These policies are utilized as a partial funding source for deferred compensation and other non-qualified employee retirement plans. Gains and losses on these investments are included in Other non-operating expenses within our Consolidated Statement of Income and were not material for all periods presented. Equity method investments : We hold several strategic equity method investments. Our largest equity method investment is our ownership in CareerBuilder, of which we own approximately 17% (or approximately 12% on a fully-diluted basis) and has an investment balance of $20.8 million as of June 30, 2018. 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. On May 14, 2018, CareerBuilder sold Economic Modeling LLC (also known as EMSI). As a result, we received a dividend of $9.9 million in connection with the sale commensurate with our equity ownership in CareerBuilder. Our share of CareerBuilder’s gain on the sale was approximately $16.8 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net, on our Consolidated Statements of Income. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded $14.8 million in equity income from our CareerBuilder investment.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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 $10.5 million as of June 30, 2018, and $10.7 million as of December 31, 2017. The amount of accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits was $1.8 million as of June 30, 2018, and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2017. 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 $4.0 million within the next 12 months primarily due to lapses of statutes of limitations and settlement of ongoing audits in various jurisdictions. Pub. L. No. 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the Act, was enacted into law as of December 22, 2017. Among other provisions, the Act reduced the federal tax rate to 21% effective for us as of January 1, 2018. On the same date, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. We recognized the provisional tax impacts related to the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and included these amounts in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. The ultimate impact may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially, due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions we have made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued, and actions we may take as a result of the Act. Our accounting is expected to be complete when our 2017 U.S. federal and state corporate income tax returns are filed in late 2018. During the six month period ending June 30, 2018, there were no changes made to the provisional amounts recognized in 2017. We will continue to analyze the effects of the Act on our consolidated financial statements. Additional impacts from the enactment will be recorded as they are identified during the measurement period as provided for in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt	Long-term debt Our long-term debt is summarized below (in thousands): June 30, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 $ 4,700 $ 20,500 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 323 646 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 80,000 100,000 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020 195,000 225,000 Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2023 186,000 — Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019 320,000 320,000 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 3,151,023 3,031,146 Debt issuance costs (18,051 ) (20,551 ) Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (1,512 ) (2,902 ) Total long-term debt 3,131,460 3,007,693 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities 323 646 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 3,131,137 $ 3,007,047 On February 15, 2018, we borrowed $220.0 million under the revolving credit facility primarily to finance the acquisition of KFMB. On June 21, 2018, we entered into an amendment of our Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement. Under the amended terms, the $1.51 billion of revolving credit commitments and letter of credit commitments have been extended until June 21, 2023. The amendment also extended our permitted total leverage ratio to remain at 5.0 x through June 30, 2019, reducing to 4.75 x for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019 through the end of the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2020, and then reducing to 4.50 x for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2020 and thereafter. As of June 30, 2018, we had unused borrowing capacity of $1.30 billion under our revolving credit facility.

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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 Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP). In connection with our acquisition of KFMB, we assumed its preexisting pension plan which, as of the acquisition date, had a total net pension obligation of $7.3 million . All plan participants’ benefits were frozen prior to the acquisition date. During the second quarter of 2018, the KFMB pension plan was merged into the TRP. The total net pension obligations, both current and non-current liabilities, as of June 30, 2018, were $142.1 million ( $5.1 million is recorded as a current obligation within accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet). Our pension costs, which primarily include costs for the qualified TRP and the non-qualified SERP plan, are presented in the following table (in thousands): Quarter ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service cost-benefits earned during the period $ 6 $ 311 $ 6 $ 436 Interest cost on benefit obligation 5,074 6,056 10,224 11,981 Expected return on plan assets (7,480 ) (6,511 ) (14,930 ) (13,161 ) Amortization of prior service cost 34 167 84 317 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,293 2,187 2,543 4,162 Lump-sum payment charge — — 6,300 — Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans $ (1,073 ) $ 2,210 $ 4,227 $ 3,735 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 six months ended June 30, 2018 we made $6.4 million in cash contributions to the TRP, and plan to make additional contributions of $4.7 million to the TRP during the remainder of 2018. We made $1.7 million in cash contributions to the TRP during the six months ended June 30, 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we made benefit payments to participants of the SERP of $28.8 million and $3.8 million , respectively. In the first quarter of 2018, we incurred a special charge as a result of the lump sum payments under the SERP plan. This charge of $6.3 million was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost.

Supplemental Equity Information

Supplemental Equity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Supplemental equity information	Supplemental equity information The following table summarizes equity account activity for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): TEGNA Inc. Shareholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity Balance at Dec. 31, 2017 $ 995,041 $ — $ 995,041 Comprehensive income: Net income 147,699 — 147,699 Other comprehensive income 7,026 — 7,026 Total comprehensive income 154,725 — 154,725 Dividends declared (30,122 ) — (30,122 ) Stock-based compensation 7,967 — 7,967 Treasury shares acquired (5,831 ) — (5,831 ) Impact from adoption of new revenue standard (3,724 ) — (3,724 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (1,145 ) — (1,145 ) Balance at June 30, 2018 $ 1,116,911 $ — $ 1,116,911 Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ 2,271,418 $ 281,587 $ 2,553,005 Comprehensive income: Net loss (72,638 ) (55,892 ) (128,530 ) Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (2,832 ) (2,832 ) Other comprehensive income 9,438 4,409 13,847 Total comprehensive loss (63,200 ) (54,315 ) (117,515 ) Dividends declared (45,055 ) — (45,055 ) Stock-based compensation 10,160 — 10,160 Treasury shares acquired (8,453 ) — (8,453 ) Spin-off of Cars.com (1,510,342 ) — (1,510,342 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (5,443 ) (2,179 ) (7,622 ) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ 649,085 $ 225,093 $ 874,178 The following table summarizes the components of, and the changes in, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL), net of tax and noncontrolling interests (in thousands): Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Quarters Ended: Balance at Mar. 31, 2018 $ (126,257 ) $ 264 $ — $ (125,993 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — 283 — 283 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 969 — — 969 Total other comprehensive income 969 283 — 1,252 Balance at June 30, 2018 $ (125,288 ) $ 547 $ — $ (124,741 ) Balance at Mar. 31, 2017 $ (126,063 ) $ (27,363 ) $ (7,965 ) $ (161,391 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — 3,755 586 4,341 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,431 — 9,743 11,174 Other comprehensive income 1,431 3,755 10,329 15,515 Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (124,632 ) $ (23,608 ) $ 2,364 $ (145,876 ) Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Six Months Ended: Balance at Dec. 31, 2017 $ (107,037 ) $ 114 $ — $ (106,923 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — 433 — 433 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 6,593 — — 6,593 Total other comprehensive income 6,593 433 — 7,026 Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings (24,844 ) — — (24,844 ) Balance at June 30, 2018 $ (125,288 ) $ 547 $ — $ (124,741 ) Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ (127,341 ) $ (28,560 ) $ (5,672 ) $ (161,573 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 4,952 (1,707 ) 3,245 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 2,709 — 9,743 12,452 Other comprehensive income 2,709 4,952 8,036 15,697 Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (124,632 ) $ (23,608 ) $ 2,364 $ (145,876 ) Reclassifications from AOCL to the Statement of Income are comprised of pension and other post-retirement components. Pension and other post retirement reclassifications are related to the amortization of prior service costs, amortization of actuarial losses, and a lump-sum payment charge related to our SERP plan. Amounts reclassified out of AOCL are summarized below (in thousands): Quarter ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Amortization of prior service (credit) cost $ (101 ) $ 32 $ (201 ) $ 32 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,403 2,295 2,753 4,370 Reclassification of available for sale investment — 9,743 — 9,743 Lump-sum payment charge — — 6,300 — Total reclassifications, before tax 1,302 12,070 8,852 14,145 Income tax effect (333 ) (896 ) (2,259 ) (1,693 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 969 $ 11,174 $ 6,593 $ 12,452 Performance Share Award Program During the first quarter of 2018, the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee (LDCC) of the Board of Directors established new performance metrics for long-term incentive awards under the Company’s 2001 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (Amended and restated as of May 4, 2010), as amended (Plan), for our executives designed to better reflect TEGNA as a pure-play broadcaster. On March 1, 2018, we granted certain employees performance share awards (PSAs) reflecting these new metrics with an aggregate target award of approximately 0.6 million shares of our common stock. The number of shares earned under the March 1 PSAs will be determined based on the achievement of certain financial performance criteria (adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow as defined by the PSA) over a two-year cumulative financial performance period. If the financial performance criteria are met and certified by the LDCC, the shares earned under the PSA will be subject to an additional one year service period before the common stock is released to the employees. The PSAs do not pay dividends or allow voting rights during the performance period. Therefore, the fair value of the PSA is the quoted market value of our stock on the grant date less the present value of the expected dividends not received during the relevant performance period. The PSA provides the LDCC with limited discretion to make adjustments to the financial targets to ensure consistent year-to-year comparison for the performance criteria. For expense recognition, in the period it becomes probable that the minimum performance criteria specified in the PSA will be achieved, we will recognize expense for the proportionate share of the total fair value of the shares subject to the PSA related to the vesting period that has already lapsed. Each reporting period we will adjust the fair value of the PSAs to the quoted market value of our stock price. In the event we determine it is no longer probable that we will achieve the minimum performance criteria specified in the PSA, we will reverse all of the previously recognized compensation expense in the period such a determination is made.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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 June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net income from continuing operations $ 92,512 $ 49,270 $ 147,699 $ 93,928 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax — (241,699 ) — (222,458 ) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations — 62,077 — 55,892 Net income (loss) attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 92,512 $ (130,352 ) $ 147,699 $ (72,638 ) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 216,342 215,501 216,309 215,404 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock units 2 818 90 905 Performance share units — 761 108 651 Stock options 171 732 246 731 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 216,515 217,812 216,753 217,691 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 0.43 $ 0.23 $ 0.68 $ 0.44 Loss from discontinued operations per share - basic — (0.83 ) — (0.77 ) Net income (loss) per share - basic $ 0.43 $ (0.60 ) $ 0.68 $ (0.33 ) Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 0.43 $ 0.23 $ 0.68 $ 0.43 Loss from discontinued operations per share - diluted — (0.83 ) — (0.77 ) Net income (loss) per share - diluted $ 0.43 $ (0.60 ) $ 0.68 $ (0.34 ) 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 431,000 and 259,000 stock awards for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively; and 229,000 and 165,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, as their inclusion would be accretive to earnings per share.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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. Our deferred compensation investments were valued using Level 1 inputs with a fair value of $14.6 million as of December 31, 2017. Our deferred compensation assets were invested in a fixed income mutual fund. During the first quarter of 2018, we liquidated the deferred compensation investment to cover payments made to SERP participants (see Note 6). Cost method investments in private companies are recorded at cost, less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment. The carrying value of these investments was $20.6 million as of June 30, 2018 and $17.4 million as of December 31, 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2018 there were no events or changes in circumstance that suggested an impairment or an observable price change to any of these investments. The cost method investments are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We additionally 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 $3.20 billion at June 30, 2018, and $3.16 billion at December 31, 2017.

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental cash flow information	Supplemental cash flow information The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, as reported on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, to cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, as reported on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands): June 30, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 June 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Cash and cash equivalents included in: Continuing operations $ 24,503 $ 98,801 $ 65,669 $ 15,879 Discontinued operations — — 78,762 61,041 Restricted cash equivalents included in: Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 29,240 — — Investments and other assets — — 32,783 28,197 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 24,503 $ 128,041 $ 177,214 $ 105,117 Our restricted cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments that were held within a rabbi trust and are used to pay our deferred compensation and SERP obligations. The following table provides additional information about cash flows related to interest and taxes (in thousands): Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 Supplemental cash flow information: Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds $ 37,013 $ 64,999 Cash paid for interest $ 91,360 $ 104,834

Other Matters

Other Matters	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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. FCC Broadcast Spectrum Program In April 2017, the FCC announced the completion of 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. 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 requires that certain television stations move to different channels, and some stations may have smaller service areas and/or experience additional interference. 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. Subsequent legislation enacted on March 23, 2018, appropriated an additional $1 billion for the repacking fund, of which up to $750 million may be made available to repacked full power and Class A television stations and multichannel video programming distributors. Other funds are earmarked to assist affected low power television stations, television translator stations, and FM radio stations, as well for consumer education efforts. Some of our television translator stations have been or will be displaced as a result of the repacking, and thus may be eligible under the new repacking funds appropriation to seek reimbursement for costs incurred as a result of such displacement. No reimbursement funds will be available to television translator stations until the FCC completes a rulemaking to govern reimbursement requests by such stations, and there is no guarantee that all costs will be reimbursed. The FCC is statutorily required to complete its rulemaking regarding these reimbursements by March 23, 2019. The repacking process is scheduled to occur over a 39 -month period, divided into ten phases. Our full power 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. To date, we have incurred approximately $4.5 million in capital expenditures for the spectrum repack project (of which $3.2 million was purchased during the first six months of 2018). During the second quarter of 2018, we began receiving FCC reimbursements which totaled $2.0 million . The reimbursements were recorded as a contra operating expense within our asset impairment and facility consolidation charges line item on our Consolidated Statement of Income and reported as an investing inflow on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Each repacked full power commercial television station, including each of our 13 repacked stations, has been allocated a reimbursement amount equal to approximately 92.5% of the station’s estimated repacking costs, as verified by the FCC’s fund administrator. Although we expect the FCC to make additional allocations from the fund, it is not guaranteed that the FCC will approve all reimbursement requests 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.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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. 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”. 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 . As part of the agreement, we remain an ongoing partner in CareerBuilder, retaining an approximately 17% interest (or approximately 12% on a fully-diluted basis) and two seats on CareerBuilder’s 10 person board. Following the sale, CareerBuilder is no longer consolidated within our reported operating results. Our remaining ownership interest is being accounted for as an equity method investment. In the first six months of 2018, we recorded $14.8 million of equity earnings 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 of our former Digital Segment have been included in discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the prior year period. The following table presents the financial results of discontinued operations (in thousands): Quarter ended June 30, 2017 Six months ended June 30, 2017 Revenues $ 272,746 $ 592,147 Operating expenses 577,492 866,627 Loss from discontinued operations, before income taxes (304,535 ) (276,205 ) Benefit for income taxes 62,836 53,747 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (241,699 ) (222,458 ) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations $ 62,077 $ 55,892 The financial results reflected above may not represent our former Digital stand alone operating results, as the results reported within income from discontinued operations, net, include only certain costs that are directly attributable to those businesses and exclude certain corporate overhead costs that were previously allocated. For earnings per share information on discontinued operations, see Note 8. In our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the cash flows from discontinued operations are not separately classified, but supplemental cash flow information for these business units is presented below. The depreciation, amortization, and significant cash investing items of the discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands): Six Months ended June 30, 2017 Depreciation $ 19,569 Amortization of intangible assets 40,300 Capital expenditures $ 34,482

Accounting Policies (Policies)

Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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, 2017.
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, business combinations, 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 income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation, specifically as it relates to our presentation of Investments and other assets in Note 3 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent accounting standards	Accounting guidance adopted in 2018: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (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 adopted the guidance beginning January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. We began recognizing revenue under this new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and did not restate prior years. We applied the standard to all contracts open as of January 1, 2018. The cumulative prior period effect of applying the guidance was $3.7 million which was recorded as a decrease to retained earnings upon adoption. This adjustment represents a deferral of revenue associated with certain performance obligations that were not fully completed as of the reporting date. In addition, with the adoption of the new guidance, we have determined that certain barter revenue and expense related to syndicated programming will no longer be recognized. The revenue and expense previously recognized for this type of barter transaction would have been approximately $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $1.0 million in the six months ended 2018. Other than these two items, there were no other changes to the timing and amount of revenue recognition for our contracts. For contracts with an effective term of less than one year, and for our subscription revenue contracts, we applied certain of the standard’s practical expedients relating to disclosure that permit the exclusion of quantifying and disclosing unsatisfied performance obligations. In addition, the adoption of this standard did not result in significant changes to our accounting policies, business processes, systems or controls. See discussion of our revenue policy below. 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 guidance updated the classification in the Statement of Cash Flows in several areas. The most relevant updates for us are the following: 1) payments made for premiums, fees paid to lenders and other related third party costs when debt is repaid early will each be classified as financing cash outflows (we have historically classified these types of cash payments as operating outflows), 2) contingent consideration payments made for acquisitions will be classified as either operating, investing, or financing cash outflows depending on the timing and nature of the payment, 3) cash receipts received due to the settlement of insurance claims will be classified as either operating or investing cash inflows, depending on the nature of the underlying loss, 4) proceeds received from trust owned life insurance policies will be classified as investing cash inflows (we have historically classified these types of cash receipts as operating inflows), and 5) distributions received from equity method investments will be classified as either operating or investing cash inflows, depending on the amount of cash received as compared to the amount of inception to date earnings recognized on the individual investment. We adopted the guidance retrospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2018. As a result of adopting this guidance, we reclassified approximately $0.9 million of life insurance proceeds received in the first six months of 2017 from operating to investing inflows. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that amended several elements surrounding the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. Most notably for our company, the new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. For equity investments that do not have readily determinable prices, those investments may be recorded at cost less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes in observable prices for those investments. This new guidance requires us to adjust the value of our cost method investments to account for any observable price changes in those investments. Cost method investments had previously been recorded at cost, less any impairments. We adopted the new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and the provision discussed above has been adopted on a prospective basis. There was no impact to our financial statements as a result of adopting this new guidance. In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for certain tax effects that resulted from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the Act, that was enacted into law as of December 22, 2017. The guidance addresses the accounting for amounts that had previously been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income on a net tax basis, using the tax rate that was in effect at the time. Due to the reduction in the tax rates under the Act, certain tax effects were “stranded” in accumulated other comprehensive income. This new guidance allows these stranded tax effects to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Other tax amounts stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income due to reasons other than the Act may not be reclassified. As a result of adopting this guidance, in the first quarter of 2018, we reclassified approximately $24.8 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. We believe that reclassifying these amounts more accurately presents the balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss. In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of restricted cash which requires that on the statement of cash flows, amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents should be included within the beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 on a retrospective basis. As a result, restricted cash amounts that have historically been included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and investments and other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets are now included with cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We did no t have any restricted cash as of June 30, 2018, however, these restricted cash balances totaled $29.2 million as of December 31, 2017, $32.8 million as of June 30, 2017 and $28.2 million as of December 31, 2016. Our restricted cash is used to pay deferred compensation and TEGNA Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP) obligations. The adoption of this standard did not change our balance sheet presentation. See Note 10 for additional information about our restricted cash balances. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: 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. In July 2018, the FASB issued an amendment giving companies the option to apply the requirements of the standard in the period of adoption (January 1, 2019 for us), with no restatement of prior periods. A cumulative effect of applying the guidance would be recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. We plan to utilize this adoption method. We are currently evaluating the effect the standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but currently we estimate that our total assets and liabilities as presented on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2018, will increase by less than 5% as a result of adopting this standard. Additionally, we do not expect there to be a significant difference in our pattern of lease expense recognition under the new standard. 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. Revenue recognition: Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those services. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. Amounts received from customers in advance of providing services to our customers are recorded as deferred revenue. Our primary source of revenue is earned through the sale of advertising and marketing services (AMS). This revenue stream includes all sources of our traditional television and radio advertising, as well as digital revenues including Premion, our digital marketing services business unit and other digital advertising across our platforms. Contracts within this revenue stream are short-term in nature (most often three months or less). Contracts generally consist of multiple deliverables, such as television commercials, or digital advertising solutions, that we have identified as individual performance obligations. Before performing under the contract we establish the transaction price with our customer based on the agreed upon rates for each performance obligation. There is no material variability in the transaction price during the term of the contract. Revenue is recognized as we deliver our performance obligations to our customers. For our AMS revenue stream, we measure our performance based on the airing of the individual television commercials or display of digital advertisements. This measure is most appropriate as it aligns our revenue recognition with the value we are providing to our customers. The price of each individual commercial and digital advertisement is negotiated with our customer and is determined based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the programming and day-part selected, supply of available inventory, our station’s viewership ratings and overall market conditions (e.g., timing of year and strength of U.S. economy). Customers are billed monthly and payment is generally due 30 days after the date of invoice. Commission costs related to these contracts are expensed as incurred due to the short term nature of the contracts. We also earn subscription revenue from retransmission consent contracts with multichannel video programming distributors (e.g., cable and satellite providers) and over the top providers (companies that deliver video content to consumers over the Internet). Under these multi-year contracts, we have performance obligations to provide our customers with our stations’ signals, as well as our consent to retransmit those signals to their customers. Subscription revenue is recognized in accordance with the guidance for licensing intellectual property utilizing a usage based method. The amount of revenue earned is based on the number of subscribers to which our customers retransmit our signal to, and the negotiated fee per subscriber included in our contract agreement. Our customers submit payments monthly, generally within 60 - 90 days after the month that service was provided. Our performance obligations are satisfied, and revenue is recognized, as we provide our consent for our customers to retransmit our signal. This measure toward satisfaction of our performance obligations and recognition of revenue is the most appropriate as it aligns our revenue recognition with the value that we are delivering to our customers through our retransmission consent. We also generate revenue from the sale of political advertising. Contracts within this revenue stream are short term in nature (typically weekly or monthly buys during political campaigns). Customers pre-pay these contracts and we therefore defer the associated revenue until the advertising has been delivered, at which time we have satisfied our performance obligations and recognize revenue. Commission costs related to these contracts are expensed as incurred due to the short term nature of the contracts. Our remaining revenue is comprised of various other services, primarily production services (for news content and commercials) and sublease rental income. Revenue is recognized as these various services are provided to our customers. In instances where we sell services from more than one revenue stream to the same customer at the same time, we recognize one contract and allocate the transaction price to each deliverable element (e.g. performance obligation) based on the relative fair value of each element.

Accounting Policies (Tables)

Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	Revenue earned by categories in the second quarter and six months of 2018 and 2017 are shown below (amounts in thousands): Quarter ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 AMS $ 281,847 $ 296,346 $ 564,786 $ 565,358 Subscription 209,363 180,343 414,919 362,652 Political 25,709 7,446 33,315 9,604 Other 7,161 5,234 13,150 10,825 Total revenue $ 524,080 $ 489,369 $ 1,026,170 $ 948,439

Goodwill and Other Intangible21

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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 June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): June 30, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 Gross Accumulated Amortization Gross Accumulated Amortization Goodwill $ 2,596,505 $ — $ 2,579,417 $ — Indefinite-lived intangibles: Television and radio station FCC licenses 1,384,186 — 1,191,950 — Amortizable intangible assets: Retransmission agreements 121,594 (70,671 ) 110,191 (62,355 ) Network affiliation agreements 110,390 (24,622 ) 43,485 (19,371 ) Other 28,865 (7,571 ) 15,763 (6,394 ) Total indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets $ 1,645,035 $ (102,864 ) $ 1,361,389 $ (88,120 )

Investments and Other Assets (T

Investments and Other Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets	Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): June 30, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 Cash value life insurance $ 51,163 $ 51,188 Equity method investments 31,910 27,098 Cost method investments 20,637 17,374 Deferred debt issuance cost 10,709 6,048 Other long term assets 35,322 35,458 Total $ 149,741 $ 137,166

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary Long-term debt	Our long-term debt is summarized below (in thousands): June 30, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018 $ 4,700 $ 20,500 VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018 323 646 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020 80,000 100,000 Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020 195,000 225,000 Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2023 186,000 — Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019 320,000 320,000 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 3,151,023 3,031,146 Debt issuance costs (18,051 ) (20,551 ) Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts) (1,512 ) (2,902 ) Total long-term debt 3,131,460 3,007,693 Less current portion of long-term debt maturities 323 646 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 3,131,137 $ 3,007,047

Retirement Plans (Tables)

Retirement Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit costs	Our pension costs, which primarily include costs for the qualified TRP and the non-qualified SERP plan, are presented in the following table (in thousands): Quarter ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service cost-benefits earned during the period $ 6 $ 311 $ 6 $ 436 Interest cost on benefit obligation 5,074 6,056 10,224 11,981 Expected return on plan assets (7,480 ) (6,511 ) (14,930 ) (13,161 ) Amortization of prior service cost 34 167 84 317 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,293 2,187 2,543 4,162 Lump-sum payment charge — — 6,300 — Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans $ (1,073 ) $ 2,210 $ 4,227 $ 3,735

Supplemental Equity Informati25

Supplemental Equity Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Equity	The following table summarizes equity account activity for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): TEGNA Inc. Shareholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity Balance at Dec. 31, 2017 $ 995,041 $ — $ 995,041 Comprehensive income: Net income 147,699 — 147,699 Other comprehensive income 7,026 — 7,026 Total comprehensive income 154,725 — 154,725 Dividends declared (30,122 ) — (30,122 ) Stock-based compensation 7,967 — 7,967 Treasury shares acquired (5,831 ) — (5,831 ) Impact from adoption of new revenue standard (3,724 ) — (3,724 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (1,145 ) — (1,145 ) Balance at June 30, 2018 $ 1,116,911 $ — $ 1,116,911 Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ 2,271,418 $ 281,587 $ 2,553,005 Comprehensive income: Net loss (72,638 ) (55,892 ) (128,530 ) Redeemable noncontrolling interests (income not available to shareholders) — (2,832 ) (2,832 ) Other comprehensive income 9,438 4,409 13,847 Total comprehensive loss (63,200 ) (54,315 ) (117,515 ) Dividends declared (45,055 ) — (45,055 ) Stock-based compensation 10,160 — 10,160 Treasury shares acquired (8,453 ) — (8,453 ) Spin-off of Cars.com (1,510,342 ) — (1,510,342 ) Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes (5,443 ) (2,179 ) (7,622 ) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ 649,085 $ 225,093 $ 874,178
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the components of, and the changes in, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL), net of tax and noncontrolling interests (in thousands): Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Quarters Ended: Balance at Mar. 31, 2018 $ (126,257 ) $ 264 $ — $ (125,993 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — 283 — 283 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 969 — — 969 Total other comprehensive income 969 283 — 1,252 Balance at June 30, 2018 $ (125,288 ) $ 547 $ — $ (124,741 ) Balance at Mar. 31, 2017 $ (126,063 ) $ (27,363 ) $ (7,965 ) $ (161,391 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — 3,755 586 4,341 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 1,431 — 9,743 11,174 Other comprehensive income 1,431 3,755 10,329 15,515 Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (124,632 ) $ (23,608 ) $ 2,364 $ (145,876 ) Retirement Plans Foreign Currency Translation Other Total Six Months Ended: Balance at Dec. 31, 2017 $ (107,037 ) $ 114 $ — $ (106,923 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — 433 — 433 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 6,593 — — 6,593 Total other comprehensive income 6,593 433 — 7,026 Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings (24,844 ) — — (24,844 ) Balance at June 30, 2018 $ (125,288 ) $ 547 $ — $ (124,741 ) Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ (127,341 ) $ (28,560 ) $ (5,672 ) $ (161,573 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 4,952 (1,707 ) 3,245 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 2,709 — 9,743 12,452 Other comprehensive income 2,709 4,952 8,036 15,697 Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (124,632 ) $ (23,608 ) $ 2,364 $ (145,876 )
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Amounts reclassified out of AOCL are summarized below (in thousands): Quarter ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Amortization of prior service (credit) cost $ (101 ) $ 32 $ (201 ) $ 32 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,403 2,295 2,753 4,370 Reclassification of available for sale investment — 9,743 — 9,743 Lump-sum payment charge — — 6,300 — Total reclassifications, before tax 1,302 12,070 8,852 14,145 Income tax effect (333 ) (896 ) (2,259 ) (1,693 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 969 $ 11,174 $ 6,593 $ 12,452

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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 June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net income from continuing operations $ 92,512 $ 49,270 $ 147,699 $ 93,928 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax — (241,699 ) — (222,458 ) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations — 62,077 — 55,892 Net income (loss) attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 92,512 $ (130,352 ) $ 147,699 $ (72,638 ) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 216,342 215,501 216,309 215,404 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock units 2 818 90 905 Performance share units — 761 108 651 Stock options 171 732 246 731 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 216,515 217,812 216,753 217,691 Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic $ 0.43 $ 0.23 $ 0.68 $ 0.44 Loss from discontinued operations per share - basic — (0.83 ) — (0.77 ) Net income (loss) per share - basic $ 0.43 $ (0.60 ) $ 0.68 $ (0.33 ) Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted $ 0.43 $ 0.23 $ 0.68 $ 0.43 Loss from discontinued operations per share - diluted — (0.83 ) — (0.77 ) Net income (loss) per share - diluted $ 0.43 $ (0.60 ) $ 0.68 $ (0.34 )

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform27

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	The following table provides additional information about cash flows related to interest and taxes (in thousands): Six months ended June 30, 2018 2017 Supplemental cash flow information: Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds $ 37,013 $ 64,999 Cash paid for interest $ 91,360 $ 104,834 The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, as reported on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, to cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, as reported on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands): June 30, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 June 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Cash and cash equivalents included in: Continuing operations $ 24,503 $ 98,801 $ 65,669 $ 15,879 Discontinued operations — — 78,762 61,041 Restricted cash equivalents included in: Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 29,240 — — Investments and other assets — — 32,783 28,197 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 24,503 $ 128,041 $ 177,214 $ 105,117

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018
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 June 30, 2017 Six months ended June 30, 2017 Revenues $ 272,746 $ 592,147 Operating expenses 577,492 866,627 Loss from discontinued operations, before income taxes (304,535 ) (276,205 ) Benefit for income taxes 62,836 53,747 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (241,699 ) (222,458 ) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations $ 62,077 $ 55,892 In our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the cash flows from discontinued operations are not separately classified, but supplemental cash flow information for these business units is presented below. The depreciation, amortization, and significant cash investing items of the discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands): Six Months ended June 30, 2017 Depreciation $ 19,569 Amortization of intangible assets 40,300 Capital expenditures $ 34,482

Accounting Policies - Narrative

Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)marketstation	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)segmentmarketstation	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Operating segments | segment				1
Reportable segments | segment				1
Number of television stations | station	47			47
Number of markets In which entity operates | market	39			39
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle in period of adoption, decrease in retained earnings	$ 3,724,000			$ 3,724,000
Revenues	524,080,000		$ 489,369,000	1,026,170,000	$ 948,439,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities				154,041,000	243,024,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities				(331,870,000)	(44,141,000)
Tax cuts and jobs act, reclassification from aoci to retained earnings, tax effect		$ 24,800,000
Restricted cash	0		$ 32,800,000	$ 0	32,800,000		$ 29,200,000	$ 28,200,000
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Retained Earnings
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle in period of adoption, decrease in retained earnings						$ 3,700,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-15
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities					(900,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities					$ 900,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Estimated effect due to new accounting standard adoption, percentage				5.00%
Barter Arrangement, Syndicated Programming | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 500,000			$ 1,000,000
Minimum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue, performance obligation, description of timing				P60D
Maximum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue, performance obligation, description of timing				P90D

Accounting Policies - Revenue (

Accounting Policies - Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 524,080	$ 489,369	$ 1,026,170	$ 948,439
AMS
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	281,847	296,346	564,786	565,358
Subscription
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	209,363	180,343	414,919	362,652
Political
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	25,709	7,446	33,315	9,604
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 7,161	$ 5,234	$ 13,150	$ 10,825

Goodwill and Other Intangible31

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 2,596,505	$ 2,579,417
Goodwill, Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Total indefinite-live and amortizable intangible assets	1,645,035	1,361,389
Total indefinite-live and amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(102,864)	(88,120)
Retransmission agreements
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	121,594	110,191
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(70,671)	(62,355)
Network affiliation agreements
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	110,390	43,485
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(24,622)	(19,371)
Other
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets	28,865	15,763
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(7,571)	(6,394)
Television and radio station FCC licenses
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangibles	1,384,186	1,191,950
Total indefinite-live and amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 0	$ 0

Goodwill and Other Intangible32

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional (Details) - KFMB $ in Millions	Feb. 15, 2018USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated consideration transferred	$ 328.4
Working capital adjustment	2.5
Cash transferred	$ 325.9
Finite-lived intangible assets, remaining amortization period	10 years
Goodwill, acquired during period	$ 17.1
Licensing Agreements
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired	192.2
Retransmission And Network Affiliation Agreements
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 91.4

Investments and Other Assets -

Investments and Other Assets - Components of Investments and Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Cash value life insurance	$ 51,163	$ 51,188
Equity method investments	31,910	27,098
Cost method investments	20,637	17,374
Deferred debt issuance cost	10,709	6,048
Other long term assets	35,322	35,458
Total	$ 149,741	$ 137,166

Investments and Other Assets 34

Investments and Other Assets - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	May 14, 2018USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)seat	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)seat	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments			$ 31,910		$ 31,910		$ 27,098
Number of seats on the board of directors | seat			2		2
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net			$ 15,547	$ (946)	$ 14,309	$ (2,415)
CareerBuilder
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment retained after disposal, ownership interest (as a percent)		17.00%			17.00%
Equity method investment retained after disposal, fully diluted ownership interest (as a percent)		12.00%			12.00%
Equity method investments			$ 20,800		$ 20,800
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net					$ 14,800
Proceeds from dividends received	$ 9,900
Gain on sale of equity method investment	$ 16,800

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	$ 10.5	$ 10.7
Accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits	1.8	$ 1.6
Estimated decrease in gross unrecognized tax positions within the next 12 months, maximum	$ 4

Long-Term Debt (Details)

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	$ 3,151,023	$ 3,031,146
Debt issuance costs	(18,051)	(20,551)
Other (fair market value adjustments and discounts)	(1,512)	(2,902)
Total long-term debt	3,131,460	3,007,693
Less current portion of long-term debt maturities	323	646
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,131,137	3,007,047
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through August 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	4,700	20,500
VIE unsecured floating rate term loans due quarterly through December 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	323	646
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	80,000	100,000
Unsecured floating rate term loan due quarterly through September 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	195,000	225,000
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement expiring June 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	186,000	0
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due October 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal long-term debt	$ 320,000	320,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	5.125%
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest at 5.125% due July 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total 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]
Total 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]
Total 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]
Total 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]
Total 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]
Total 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)	Jun. 21, 2018USD ($)	Feb. 15, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, unused borrowing capacity, amount			$ 1,300,000,000
Covenant through June 30, 2019 | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant requirement, maximum total leverage ratio	5
Covenant from September 30, 2019 to June 30, 2020 | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant requirement, maximum total leverage ratio	4.75
Covenant from September 30, 2020 and thereafter | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant requirement, maximum total leverage ratio	4.50
KFMB
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facility		$ 220,000,000
Line of Credit [Member] | Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 1,510,000,000

Retirement Plans - Narrative (D

Retirement Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension lump-sum payment charge		$ 6,300
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension plan obligation	$ 142,100			$ 142,100
Contributions to plan				6,400	$ 1,700
Expected contributions to TRP in current fiscal year	4,700			4,700
Pension lump-sum payment charge	0		$ 0	6,300	0
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to plan				28,800	$ 3,800
Accrued Liabilities | Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension plan obligation	5,100			5,100
KFMB
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension plan obligation	$ 7,300			$ 7,300

Retirement Plans (Details)

Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Company's pension costs
Lump-sum payment charge		$ 6,300
Retirement Plans
Company's pension costs
Service cost-benefits earned during the period	$ 6		$ 311	$ 6	$ 436
Interest cost on benefit obligation	5,074		6,056	10,224	11,981
Expected return on plan assets	(7,480)		(6,511)	(14,930)	(13,161)
Amortization of prior service cost	34		167	84	317
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,293		2,187	2,543	4,162
Lump-sum payment charge	0		0	6,300	0
Expense for company-sponsored retirement plans	$ (1,073)		$ 2,210	$ 4,227	$ 3,735

Supplemental Equity Informati40

Supplemental Equity Information - Equity Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 995,041	$ 2,553,005
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	$ 92,512	$ (192,429)	147,699	(128,530)
Other comprehensive income	1,252	12,599	7,026	13,847
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (earnings not available to shareholders)	0	(1,017)	0	(2,832)
Comprehensive income (loss)	93,764	(180,847)	154,725	(117,515)
Dividends declared			(30,122)	(45,055)
Stock-based compensation			7,967	10,160
Treasury shares acquired			(5,831)	(8,453)
Impact from adoption of new revenue standard	(3,724)		(3,724)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes			(1,145)	(7,622)
Spin-off of Cars.com				(1,510,342)
Ending Balance	1,116,911	874,178	1,116,911	874,178
TEGNA Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			995,041	2,271,418
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)			147,699	(72,638)
Other comprehensive income			7,026	9,438
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (earnings not available to shareholders)				0
Comprehensive income (loss)			154,725	(63,200)
Dividends declared			(30,122)	(45,055)
Stock-based compensation			7,967	10,160
Treasury shares acquired			(5,831)	(8,453)
Impact from adoption of new revenue standard	(3,724)		(3,724)
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes			(1,145)	(5,443)
Spin-off of Cars.com				(1,510,342)
Ending Balance	1,116,911	649,085	1,116,911	649,085
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			0	281,587
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)			0	(55,892)
Other comprehensive income			0	4,409
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (earnings not available to shareholders)				(2,832)
Comprehensive income (loss)			0	(54,315)
Dividends declared			0	0
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Treasury shares acquired			0	0
Impact from adoption of new revenue standard	0		0
Other activity, including shares withheld for employee taxes			0	(2,179)
Spin-off of Cars.com				0
Ending Balance	$ 0	$ 225,093	$ 0	$ 225,093

Supplemental Equity Informati41

Supplemental Equity Information - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 995,041		$ 995,041	$ 2,553,005
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	$ 969		$ 11,174	6,593	12,452
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,252		12,599	7,026	13,847
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings		24,800
Ending Balance	1,116,911		874,178	1,116,911	874,178
Retirement Plans
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(126,257)	(107,037)	(126,063)	(107,037)	(127,341)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0		0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	969		1,431	6,593	2,709
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	969		1,431	6,593	2,709
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings				(24,844)
Ending Balance	(125,288)	(126,257)	(124,632)	(125,288)	(124,632)
Foreign Currency Translation
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	264	114	(27,363)	114	(28,560)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	283		3,755	433	4,952
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0		0	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	283		3,755	433	4,952
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings				0
Ending Balance	547	264	(23,608)	547	(23,608)
Other
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0	0	(7,965)	0	(5,672)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0		586	0	(1,707)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0		9,743	0	9,743
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	0		10,329	0	8,036
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings				0
Ending Balance	0	0	2,364	0	2,364
Total
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(125,993)	(106,923)	(161,391)	(106,923)	(161,573)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	283		4,341	433	3,245
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	969		11,174	6,593	12,452
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,252		15,515	7,026	15,697
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings				(24,844)
Ending Balance	$ (124,741)	$ (125,993)	$ (145,876)	$ (124,741)	$ (145,876)

Supplemental Equity Informati42

Supplemental Equity Information - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	$ 1,302	$ 12,070	$ 8,852	$ 14,145
Income tax effect	(333)	(896)	(2,259)	(1,693)
Total reclassifications, net of tax	969	11,174	6,593	12,452
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	(101)	32	(201)	32
Amortization of actuarial loss
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	1,403	2,295	2,753	4,370
Reclassification of available for sale investment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	0	9,743	0	9,743
Lump-sum payment charge
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications, before tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 6,300	$ 0

Supplemental Equity Informati43

Supplemental Equity Information - Additional (Details) shares in Millions	Mar. 01, 2018shares
Performance share units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares)	0.6

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income from continuing operations	$ 92,512	$ 49,270	$ 147,699	$ 93,928
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(241,699)	0	(222,458)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations	0	62,077	0	55,892
Net income (loss) attributable to TEGNA Inc.	$ 92,512	$ (130,352)	$ 147,699	$ (72,638)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	216,342	215,501	216,309	215,404
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	216,515	217,812	216,753	217,691
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.43	$ 0.23	$ 0.68	$ 0.44
Earnings from discontinued operations per share - basic (in dollars per share)	0	(0.83)	0	(0.77)
Net income (loss) per share – basic (In dollars per share)	0.43	(0.60)	0.68	(0.33)
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.43	0.23	0.68	0.43
Earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	0	(0.83)	0	(0.77)
Net income (loss) per share – diluted (In dollars per share)	$ 0.43	$ (0.60)	$ 0.68	$ (0.34)
Restricted stock units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	2	818	90	905
Performance share units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	0	761	108	651
Stock options
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive securities (in shares)	171	732	246	731

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)	431,000	229,000	259,000	165,000

Fair Value Measurement - Narrat

Fair Value Measurement - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cost method investments	$ 20,637	$ 17,374
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation investments		14,600
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of total long-term debt	$ 3,200,000	$ 3,160,000

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform47

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Continuing operations	$ 24,503	$ 65,669	$ 98,801	$ 15,879
Discontinued operations	0	78,762	0	61,041
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	24,503	177,214	128,041	105,117
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	37,013	64,999
Cash paid for interest	91,360	104,834
Continuing Operations | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Restricted cash equivalents	0	0	29,240	0
Continuing Operations | Investments and other assets
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Restricted cash equivalents	$ 0	$ 32,783	$ 0	$ 28,197

Other Matters - Narrative (Deta

Other Matters - Narrative (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017USD ($)phasestation	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 23, 2018USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of stations assigned new channels | station	13
Authorized reimbursement amount	$ 1,750,000,000
Authorized reimbursement amount, repacking fund				$ 1,000,000,000
Authorized reimbursement amount, repacking fund, full power, class a stations and multichannel distributors				$ 750,000,000
Repacking period	39 months
Number of repacking phases | phase	10
Capital expenditures incurred			$ 4,500,000
Amount purchased			$ 3,200,000
FCC reimbursements received		$ 2,000,000
Amounts reimbursed as a percentage of total costs	92.50%

Discontinued Operations - Narra

Discontinued Operations - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)seat	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	May 31, 2017
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Conversion ratio for every share of Tegna common stock owned by stockholders			0.3333
CareerBuilder
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation | $	$ 198.3
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%	17.00%
Equity method investment retained after disposal, fully diluted ownership interest (as a percent)	12.00%	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 | $		$ 14.8

Discontinued Operations - Finan

Discontinued Operations - Financial Results (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0	$ (241,699)	$ 0	$ (222,458)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations		62,077		55,892
Digital
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues		272,746		592,147
Operating expenses		577,492		866,627
Loss from discontinued operations, before income taxes		(304,535)		(276,205)
Benefit for income taxes		62,836		53,747
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ (241,699)		$ (222,458)

Discontinued Operations - Cash

Discontinued Operations - Cash Flows (Details) - Digital $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 19,569
Amortization of intangible assets	40,300
Capital expenditures	$ 34,482