Allbritton Communications 10-K 12 Dec 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 12, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS CO	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000889156	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	20,000
Entity Public Float	$0	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$13,417	$17,074
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,471 and $1,380	38,107	37,163
Program rights	7,410	7,279
Deferred income taxes	1,303	1,114
Other	2,619	2,354
Total current assets	62,856	64,984
Property, plant and equipment, net	27,472	31,090
Intangible assets, net	11,590	11,590
Cash surrender value of life insurance	'	14,062
Program rights	426	114
Deferred financing costs and other	6,418	7,786
Assets, Total	108,762	129,626
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	2,245	1,732
Accrued interest payable	13,751	13,837
Program rights payable	8,407	8,828
Accrued employee benefit expenses	4,337	5,220
Other accrued expenses	4,428	5,412
Total current liabilities	33,168	35,029
Long-term debt	455,000	455,000
Program rights payable	509	109
Deferred income taxes	710	810
Deferred rent and other	5,101	7,228
Total liabilities	494,488	498,176
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 9)	'	'
Stockholder's investment	'	'
Preferred stock, $1 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, none issued	'	'
Common stock, $.05 par value, 20,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding	1	1
Capital in excess of par value	49,631	49,631
Retained earnings	128,626	92,764
Distributions to owners, net (Note 7)	-563,984	-510,946
Total stockholder's investment	-385,726	-368,550
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$108,762	$129,626

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$1,380	$1,471
Preferred stock, par value	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, issued	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.05	$0.05
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000	20,000
Common stock, shares issued	20,000	20,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	20,000	20,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating revenues, net	$226,329	$214,238	$196,923
Television operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	124,135	113,758	115,450
Depreciation and amortization	7,281	9,624	9,500
Corporate expenses	6,962	7,054	6,731
Operating Expenses, Total	138,378	130,436	131,681
Operating income	87,951	83,802	65,242
Nonoperating income (expense)	'	'	'
Interest expense	-36,905	-36,984	-37,201
Gain on settlement of insurance policies	3,993	'	'
Other, net	-1,470	-1,542	-1,823
Income before income taxes	54,261	45,604	26,218
Provision for income taxes	18,399	16,674	8,759
Net income	35,862	28,930	17,459
Retained earnings, beginning of year	92,764	63,834	46,375
Retained earnings, end of year	128,626	92,764	63,834
Related party	'	'	'
Nonoperating income (expense)	'	'	'
Interest income	606	328	'
Other	'	'	'
Nonoperating income (expense)	'	'	'
Interest income	$86	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$35,862	$28,930	$17,459
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	7,336	8,864	9,500
Other noncash charges	1,349	1,429	1,486
Provision for doubtful accounts	159	559	612
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets	-55	760	231
(Increase) decrease in assets:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-1,103	-877	625
Program rights	-443	-936	4,552
Other current assets	-265	75	-189
Deferred income taxes	-189	301	2,333
Cash surrender value of life insurance	14,062	'	'
Other noncurrent assets	19	-197	-233
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts payable	513	-793	-648
Accrued interest payable	-86	-17	-1,536
Program rights payable	-21	-11	-4,808
Accrued employee benefit expenses	-883	463	-605
Other accrued expenses	-984	1,920	-1,729
Deferred incomes taxes	-100	-538	1,348
Deferred rent and other liabilities	-2,127	152	-1,094
Total adjustments	17,182	11,154	9,845
Net cash provided by operating activities	53,044	40,084	27,304
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-3,983	-2,808	-9,710
Proceeds from disposal of assets	320	328	239
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,663	-2,480	-9,471
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Borrowings under line of credit	52,000	63,500	58,000
Repayments under line of credit	-52,000	-68,500	-68,000
Deferred financing costs	'	-19	'
Distributions to owners	-53,038	-17,913	-8,310
Net cash used in financing activities	-53,038	-22,932	-18,310
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-3,657	14,672	-477
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	17,074	2,402	2,879
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	13,417	17,074	2,402
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest	36,988	36,988	38,709
Cash paid for state income taxes	$855	$972	$172

The_Company

The Company	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
The Company	'
	NOTE 1—THE COMPANY
	Allbritton Communications Company (ACC or the Company) is an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Perpetual Corporation (Perpetual), a Delaware corporation, which is controlled by the Allbritton family. The Company owns ABC network-affiliated television stations serving six geographic markets:
	Station	Market
	WJLA	Washington, D.C.
	WHTM	Harrisburg-Lancaster-York-Lebanon, Pennsylvania
	WBMA/WCFT/WJSU	Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa), Alabama
	KATV	Little Rock, Arkansas
	KTUL	Tulsa, Oklahoma
	WSET	Roanoke-Lynchburg, Virginia
	The Company also provides 24-hour per day basic cable television programming to the Washington, D.C. market, through NewsChannel 8, primarily focused on regional and local news for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The operations of NewsChannel 8 are integrated with WJLA (WJLA/NewsChannel 8).
	On July 28, 2013, the Allbritton family entered into an agreement to sell the stock of Perpetual and the equity interest of an affiliate, Charleston Television, LLC to the Sinclair Broadcast Group. See Note 11.
	Based upon regular assessments of its operations and internal financial reporting, the Company has determined that it has one reportable segment.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	NOTE 2—SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions.
	Use of estimates and assumptions—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
	Revenue recognition—Revenues are generated principally from sales of commercial advertising and are recorded as the advertisements are broadcast net of agency and national representative commissions and music license fees. For certain program contracts which provide for the exchange of advertising time in lieu of cash payments for the rights to such programming, revenue is recorded as advertisements are broadcast at the estimated fair value of the advertising time given in exchange for the program rights. Such barter revenue was $4,708, $4,030 and $4,711 for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Subscriber fee revenues are recognized in the period during which programming is provided, pursuant to affiliation agreements with cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite service providers and telephone company operators.
	Cash and cash equivalents—The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts—The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. As is customary in the broadcasting industry, the Company does not require collateral for its credit sales, which are typically due within thirty days.
	Program rights—The Company has entered into contracts for the rights to television programming. Payments related to such contracts are generally made in installments over the contract period. Program rights which are currently available and the liability for future payments under such contracts are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. The vast majority of the Company’s program rights represent one-year contracts for first-run syndicated programming. As each broadcast over the term of the contract generally provides the same advertising value, such program rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term. A limited number of multi-year program contracts representing off-network syndicated programming are amortized on an accelerated basis due to the generally higher advertising value of the early broadcasts. Program rights expected to be amortized in the succeeding year and amounts payable within one year are classified as current assets and liabilities, respectively. The program rights are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value based on management’s expectation of the net future cash flows to be generated by the programming.
	Property, plant and equipment—Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred and expenditures for modifications and improvements which increase the expected useful lives of the assets are capitalized. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method for buildings and straight-line and accelerated methods for furniture, machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company reviews the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with them.
	The useful lives of property, plant and equipment for purposes of computing depreciation and amortization expense are:
	Buildings	15-40 years
	Leasehold improvements	5-16 years
	Furniture, machinery and equipment	3-20 years
	Intangible assets—Intangible assets consist of values assigned to broadcast licenses. The amounts originally assigned to these intangible assets were based on the results of independent valuations. Broadcast licenses are deemed to have indefinite lives and are not amortized but are subject to tests for impairment at least annually each September 30, or whenever events indicate that impairment may exist. The Company also evaluates the remaining life of its broadcast licenses each period. While broadcast licenses are granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a fixed period of time, renewals of these licenses have occurred routinely and at nominal cost. Costs associated with the renewal of broadcast licenses are expensed as incurred.
	Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets—When the Company assesses its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment it has the option of performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, before further quantitative impairment testing is necessary. Relevant factors considered under the qualitative assessment include, but are not limited to, whether there have been changes in macroeconomic conditions, the broadcast industry, the operating model of a broadcast station, the Company’s financial performance and the results of its most recent quantitative assessment. The Company considers these factors and the impact that changes in such factors would have on the inputs used in its most recent quantitative assessment to determine whether, on a station-by-station basis, it is more likely than not that any of its broadcast licenses are impaired.
	If the Company concludes through its qualitative assessment that it is more likely than not that its broadcast licenses are impaired, or if the Company chooses to bypass the qualitative assessment, the Company would perform a quantitative assessment using an income approach consistent with the methodology used in historical valuation assessments to determine the fair value of the broadcast licenses on a station-by-station basis. If the results of such assessment yield that the carrying value of a station’s broadcast license exceeds the fair value, any excess would be recorded as the amount of impairment. The income approach assumes an initial hypothetical start-up operation, maturing into an average performing independent or non-affiliated station in a specific television market and giving consideration to other relevant factors such as the number of competing stations within that market. The net cash flows of this hypothetical average market participant are projected from the first year start-up to perpetuity and then discounted back to net present value. The calculated valuation is compared to market transactions in order to confirm the results of the income approach. The key valuation assumptions include the pre-tax discount rate, the compound annual market revenue growth rates, and operating profit margins, excluding depreciation and amortization, after the hypothetical start-up period. The inputs used in this assessment are considered to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See “Fair value” below.
	Deferred financing costs—Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are deferred and amortized to other nonoperating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the underlying financing agreement.
	Deferred rent—Rent concessions and scheduled rent increases in connection with operating leases are recognized as adjustments to rental expense on a straight-line basis over the associated lease term.
	Concentration of credit risk—Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of certain cash and cash equivalents and receivables from advertisers. The Company invests its excess cash with high-credit quality financial institutions, and concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables from advertisers are limited as the Company’s advertising base consists of large national advertising agencies and high-credit quality local advertisers.
	Income taxes—The operations of the Company are included in a consolidated federal income tax return filed by Perpetual. In accordance with the terms of a tax sharing agreement between the Company and Perpetual, the Company is required to pay to Perpetual its federal income tax liability, computed based upon statutory federal income tax rates applied to the Company’s consolidated taxable income. The Company files separate state income tax returns with the exception of Virginia and the District of Columbia, which are included in combined state income tax returns filed by Perpetual. In accordance with the terms of the tax sharing agreement, the Company is required to pay to Perpetual its combined state income tax liability, computed based upon statutory state income tax rates applied to the Company’s combined state net taxable income. Taxes payable to Perpetual are not reduced by losses generated in prior years by the Company. In addition, the amounts payable by the Company to Perpetual under the tax sharing agreement are not reduced if losses of other members of the Perpetual group are utilized to offset taxable income of the Company for purposes of the Perpetual consolidated federal or combined state income tax returns.
	The accounting rules for income taxes require that the consolidated amount of current and deferred income tax expense for a group that files a consolidated income tax return be allocated among members of the group when those members issue separate financial statements. Perpetual allocates a portion of its consolidated current and deferred income tax expense to the Company as if the Company and its subsidiaries were separate taxpayers. The Company records deferred tax assets, to the extent it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized in future periods, and deferred tax liabilities for the tax effects of the differences between the bases of its assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes.
	The Company records income tax expense in accordance with the accounting rules for income taxes, and makes payments to Perpetual in accordance with the terms of the tax sharing agreement between the Company and Perpetual. To the extent that there is a difference between tax payments that would be due as calculated in accordance with the accounting rules and tax payments due under the tax sharing agreement, such difference is recorded to retained earnings.
	The Company classifies interest and penalties related to its uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
	Fair value—The carrying amount of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and program rights payable approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments.
	Accounting guidance provides a fair value hierarchy to categorize three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. The three levels are as follows:
	Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
	Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities;
	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity which result in the use of management estimates.
	The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt on a recurring basis. See Note 5.
	Earnings per share—Earnings per share data are not presented since the Company has only one shareholder.
	Reclassifications—Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Property_Plant_And_Equipment

Property, Plant And Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant And Equipment	'
	NOTE 3—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
		September 30,
		2012			2013
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	$	32,250		$	32,584
	Furniture, machinery and equipment		105,795			96,682
			138,045			129,266
	Less accumulated depreciation		(109,439	)		(103,726	)
			28,606			25,540
	Land		1,951			1,831
	Construction-in-progress		533			101
		$	31,090		$	27,472
	Depreciation and amortization expense was $9,500, $9,624 and $7,281 for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Intangible Assets	'
	NOTE 4—INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The carrying value of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets, consisting of its broadcast licenses, at September 30, 2012 and 2013 was $11,590.
	The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually on September 30 as well as on an interim basis whenever events indicate that impairment may exist. The annual impairment tests as of September 30, 2012 and 2013 indicated that none of the broadcast licenses were impaired. No impairment charges were recorded during the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-Term Debt	'
	NOTE 5—LONG-TERM DEBT
	Outstanding debt consists of the following:
		September 30,
		2012		2013
	Senior Notes, due May 15, 2018 with interest payable semi-annually at 8%	$	455,000	$	455,000
	Credit Agreement, maximum amount of $60,000, expiring April 30, 2015, secured by the assets and outstanding stock of the Company and its subsidiaries, interest payable quarterly at various rates either from prime plus 1.50% to prime plus 2.25% or from LIBOR plus 2.75% to LIBOR plus 3.50% depending on certain financial operating tests		—		—
			455,000		455,000
	Less current maturities		—		—
		$	455,000	$	455,000
	Unamortized deferred financing costs of $7,348 and $5,999 at September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, are included in deferred financing costs and other noncurrent assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of the deferred financing costs for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 was $1,486, $1,429 and $1,349, respectively, which is included in other nonoperating expenses.
	Under the borrowing agreements for each of the Senior Notes and the Credit Agreement, the Company is subject to restrictive covenants that place limitations upon payments of cash distributions, dividends, issuance of capital stock, investment transactions, incurrence of additional obligations and transactions with affiliates. The Credit Agreement contains the most restrictive covenants and limitations of this nature. In addition, under the Credit Agreement, the Company must maintain compliance with certain financial covenants. There are no such financial maintenance covenants under the terms of the Senior Notes. Compliance with the financial maintenance covenants under the Credit Agreement is measured at the end of each quarter, and as of September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with those financial covenants. The Company is also required to pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.500% per annum based on the amount of any unused portion of the Credit Agreement.
	The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt on a recurring basis. The Company estimates the fair value of its Senior Notes to be approximately $495,000 and $491,000 at September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. This fair value estimate was determined based on quoted market prices provided by investment banking firms who regularly make a market in the Company’s Senior Notes, which is considered to be a Level 2 input. There was no amount outstanding under the Company’s Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2012 and 2013.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	'
	NOTE 6—INCOME TAXES
	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes consists of the following:
		Years Ended September 30,
		2011			2012			2013
	Current
	Federal	$	5,739		$	14,472		$	15,964
	State		(661	)		2,439			2,724
			5,078			16,911			18,688
	Deferred
	Federal		3,101			(670	)		(623	)
	State		580			433			334
			3,681			(237	)		(289	)
		$	8,759		$	16,674		$	18,399
	The components of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
		September 30,
		2012			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	State and local net operating loss carryforwards	$	2,321		$	1,960
	Accrued employee benefits		183			242
	Deferred rent		1,896			1,662
	Deferred revenue		523			105
	Allowance for accounts receivable		579			541
	Other		731			878
			6,233			5,388
	Less valuation allowance		(229	)		(217	)
			6,004			5,171
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment		(3,844	)		(2,665	)
	Intangible assets		(1,856	)		(1,913	)
	Net deferred income tax assets	$	304		$	593
	The deferred tax asset related to state and local net operating loss carryforwards of $1,960 at September 30, 2013 represents approximately $37,000 in state and local net operating loss carryforwards in certain jurisdictions which are available for future use for state and local income tax purposes and expire in various years from 2014 through 2030.
	The decrease in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets of $2 and $12 during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, principally resulted from the expiration of net operating loss carryforward periods.
	The following table reconciles the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate for income before income taxes:
		Years ended September 30,
		2011			2012			2013
	Statutory federal income tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		0.1			4.5			3.9
	Permanent items, principally a domestic production deduction		(1.2	)		(2.6	)		(2.4	)
	Gain on settlement of insurance policies		—			—			(2.6	)
	Other, net		(0.5	)		(0.3	)		—
	Effective income tax rate		33.4	%		36.6	%		33.9	%
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2010	$	2,685
	Increases related to current year tax positions		—
	Reductions related to expiration of statutes of limitations		(1,281	)
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2011		1,404
	Increases related to current year tax positions		—
	Reductions related to expiration of statutes of limitations		(166	)
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2012		1,238
	Increases related to current year tax positions		—
	Reductions related to expiration of statutes of limitations		(116	)
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2013	$	1,122
	As of September 30, 2012 and 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $1,238 and $1,122, respectively. If all such benefits were recognized, $804 and $729, respectively, would have a favorable impact on the effective tax rate. Of the total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $1,238 at September 30, 2012, $766 were recorded in deferred rent and other noncurrent liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and the remaining $472 represents net operating losses which have not been recorded, in accordance with the rules surrounding uncertain tax positions. Of the total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $1,122 at September 30, 2013, $933 are recorded in deferred rent and other noncurrent liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and the remaining $189 represents net operating losses which have not been recorded, in accordance with the rules surrounding uncertain tax positions.
	The Company expects that it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease during the next twelve months in the approximate range of $100 to $300, primarily due to the expected expiration of certain statutes of limitations.
	The Company classifies interest and penalties related to its uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties were $141 and $272 at September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. During the year ended September 30, 2011 the Company recognized a reduction in accrued interest and penalties of $343, while during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, the Company recognized increases in accrued interest and penalties of $46 and $131, respectively.
	The Company is no longer subject to Federal or state income tax examinations for years prior to the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, although certain of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards generated prior to September 30, 2010 remain subject to examination.
	The Company’s operations are included in a consolidated federal income tax return and certain combined state income tax returns filed by Perpetual. Income tax expense is calculated and recorded in accordance with the accounting rules for income taxes as if the Company was a separate taxpayer from Perpetual. The Company makes payments to Perpetual in accordance with the terms of a tax sharing agreement between Perpetual and the Company.

Transactions_With_Owners_And_R

Transactions With Owners And Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Transactions With Owners And Related Parties	'
	NOTE 7—TRANSACTIONS WITH OWNERS AND RELATED PARTIES
	Distributions to Owners, Net
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company makes cash advances in the form of distributions to Perpetual. At present, the primary source of repayment of the net advances from the Company is through the ability of the Company to pay dividends or make other distributions. There is no immediate intent for these amounts to be repaid. Accordingly, such amounts have been treated as a reduction of stockholder’s investment and described as “distributions” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The weighted average amount of non-interest bearing advances outstanding was $483,381, $494,791 and $544,790 during Fiscal 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
	The operations of the Company are included in a consolidated federal income tax return and certain combined state income tax returns filed by Perpetual. The Company is charged by Perpetual and makes payments to Perpetual for federal and combined state income taxes, which are computed in accordance with the terms of a tax sharing agreement between the Company and Perpetual.
	The components of distributions to owners and the related activity during Fiscal 2011, 2012 and 2013 consist of the following:
		Distributions		Federal and			Net
		to Owners		State Income			Distributions
		and		Tax			to Owners
		Dividends		Receivable
				(Payable)
	Balance as of September 30, 2010	$	484,723	$	—		$	484,723
	Cash advances to Perpetual		8,310					8,310
	Repayment of cash advances from Perpetual		—					—
	Charge for federal and state income taxes				(6,411	)		(6,411	)
	Payment of income taxes				6,411			6,411
	Balance as of September 30, 2011		493,033		—			493,033
	Cash advances to Perpetual		17,913					17,913
	Repayment of cash advances from Perpetual		—					—
	Charge for federal and state income taxes				(15,878	)		(15,878	)
	Payment of income taxes				15,878			15,878
	Balance as of September 30, 2012		510,946		—			510,946
	Cash advances to Perpetual		53,038					53,038
	Repayment of cash advances from Perpetual		—					—
	Charge for federal and state income taxes				(17,480	)		(17,480	)
	Payment of income taxes				17,480			17,480
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	563,984	$	—		$	563,984
	Subsequent to September 30, 2013 and through December 12, 2013 the Company made net distributions to owners of $28,500.
	Other Transactions with Related Parties
	During the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, the Company earned interest income from Perpetual of $328 and $606, respectively, as a result of making advances of tax payments in accordance with the terms of the tax sharing agreement between the Company and Perpetual. No advances of tax payments were made during the year ended September 30, 2011.
	The Company paid management fees of $600 to Perpetual for each of the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, and such amounts are included in corporate expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
	The Company has entered into various agreements with Irides, LLC (Irides) to provide the Company’s stations with certain website design, hosting and maintenance services. Irides is an indirect subsidiary of Perpetual. The Company paid fees of $360, $366 and $183 to Irides during the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. These fees are included in television operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company also provided certain office space to Irides. Charges for this space totaled $159, $163 and $83 for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and such amounts are included as an offset to television operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Effective April 1, 2013, Irides discontinued providing these services to the Company in conjunction with POLITICO’s assumption of certain activities of the Irides business.
	POLITICO, an affiliate of Perpetual, provides the Company with certain website development services. The Company was charged $520, $163 and $152 for such services during the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. During the year ended September 30, 2011, $41 of the total amount was capitalized and $479 was included in television operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. There were no amounts capitalized during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2013. Additionally, effective April 1, 2013, POLITICO began providing certain website design, hosting and maintenance services previously performed by Irides as well as certain facilities-related services previously performed by Company personnel. The charges for these services totaled $456 during the year ended September 30, 2013 and were included in television operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company also provides certain office space and, until April 1, 2013, facilities-related services to POLITICO. Such charges totaled $1,054, $1,050 and $1,090 for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and are included as an offset to television operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Retirement Plans	'
	NOTE 8—RETIREMENT PLANS
	A defined contribution savings plan is maintained for eligible employees of the Company and certain of its affiliates. Under the plan, employees may contribute a portion of their compensation subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations and the Company contributes an amount equal to 50% of the contribution of the employee not to exceed 6% of the compensation of the employee. The Company’s matching contribution changed during the fiscal periods presented. Effective July 1, 2010, the Company reinstated matching contributions that were suspended during 2009 in an amount equal to 25% of the contribution of the employee not to exceed 6% of the compensation of the employee. Effective June 1, 2011, the Company reinstated its full matching contribution of 50% of the contribution of the employee not to exceed 6% of the compensation of the employee. The amounts contributed to the plan by the Company on behalf of its employees totaled approximately $628, $1,094 and $1,090 for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
	The Company also contributes to certain other multi-employer union pension plans on behalf of certain of its union represented employees in accordance with the terms of the applicable collective bargaining agreements. Certain union represented employees are permitted to participate in Company sponsored benefits; however others are required by the applicable collective bargaining agreement to participate in union sponsored benefits. Substantially all of the union represented employees that participate in union sponsored benefits, are covered under the AFTRA Health Plan, Employer Identification Number (EIN) 13-3467049, Plan No. 502, and the AFTRA Retirement Plan, EIN 13-6414972, Plan No. 001 (the Plan, or collectively, the Health and Retirement Fund). The Company does not sponsor or administer either of those plans. The Company’s contributions to the Health and Retirement Fund are set out in the Company’s collective bargaining agreement with AFTRA (the Agreement), which expires on September 30, 2015. The Agreement requires the Company to pay the Health and Retirement Fund amounts based on each eligible employee’s salary, not to exceed an agreed upon salary limit. The amounts contributed to the Health and Retirement Fund totaled approximately $603, $663 and $767 for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and did not represent greater than 5% of the total Plan contributions. The Company does not control the application of contributions to the separate AFTRA Health and Retirement Plans. In addition, the Company was not required to pay a surcharge to the Plan during the years presented.
	The risks of participating in a multi-employer pension plan differ from a single-employer pension plan primarily due to the following:
		•	Assets contributed to a multi-employer pension plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers;
		•	If a participating employer stops contributing to a multi-employer pension plan, the unfunded obligations of that plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers; and
		•	If a participating employer stops participating in a multi-employer pension plan, that employer may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.
	The Plan was not in endangered or critical status during any of the years presented, as defined under the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Accordingly, no funding improvement or rehabilitation plan has been implemented or is pending. The Plan elected to extend the amortization period for its 2008 net investment losses and to smooth the net investment losses over ten years in the actuarial value of assets.

Commitments_And_Contingent_Lia

Commitments And Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities	'
	NOTE 9—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
	The Company leases office and studio facilities and machinery and equipment under operating leases pursuant to noncancellable lease terms expiring in various years through 2023. Certain leases contain provisions for renewal and extension. In addition, the Company has entered into contractual commitments in the ordinary course of business for the rights to television programming which is not yet available for broadcast as of September 30, 2013. The Company has also entered into network affiliation agreements with ABC, expiring December 31, 2017. Under these agreements, the Company must make specific minimum payments for the various program rights. The Company has also entered into various employment contracts which include future guaranteed payments.
	Future minimum payments for these contractual program commitments, employment contracts and operating leases which have remaining terms in excess of one year as of September 30, 2013, are as follows:
		Program		Employment		Operating
		Rights		Contracts		Leases
	Year ending September 30,
	2014	$	12,411	$	12,345	$	5,980
	2015		20,911		3,098		6,039
	2016		21,874		1,687		6,055
	2017		18,918		345		4,620
	2018		5,004		90		641
	2019 and thereafter		562		—		2,251
		$	79,680	$	17,565	$	25,586
	Rental expense under operating leases aggregated approximately $4,200 for each of the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
	The Company also has certain obligations and commitments under various executory agreements to make future payments for goods and services. These agreements secure the future rights to certain goods and services to be used in the normal course of operations.
	Perpetual and the Company have separately entered into various retention agreements with certain key employees of the Company. See Note 11.
	The Company currently and from time to time is involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of its business, including suits based on defamation and employment activity. The Company is not currently a party to any lawsuit or proceeding which, in the opinion of management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Company_Owned_Life_Insurance_P

Company Owned Life Insurance Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Company Owned Life Insurance Policies	'
	NOTE 10—COMPANY-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
	During the year ended September 30, 2013, company-owned life insurance policies terminated upon the death of the insured, the Company’s founder and former Chairman. As a result, the Company recognized a $3,993 non-taxable gain representing the difference between the death benefit and the cash surrender value of the policies. The resulting gain was recorded as a component of nonoperating income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, and served to reduce the Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended September 30, 2013. The Company received total proceeds of $18,102 from the policies during the year ended September 30, 2013.

Purchase_Agreement

Purchase Agreement	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Purchase Agreement	'
	NOTE 11—PURCHASE AGREEMENT
	On July 28, 2013, the Allbritton family entered into an agreement to sell the stock of Perpetual and the equity interest of an affiliate, Charleston Television, LLC to the Sinclair Broadcast Group for an aggregate purchase price of $985,000, subject to adjustment for working capital. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including Federal Communications Commission approval and antitrust clearance, as applicable, and is expected to close during the first or second calendar quarter of 2014, subject to the satisfaction of these conditions.
	In anticipation of, and conditioned on the consummation of this transaction, Perpetual and the Company have separately entered into various retention agreements with certain key employees of the Company. These agreements provide a bonus payment upon the completion of the sale of Perpetual to those certain key employees who remain employed by the Company, or its assignee, and will be payable on, or after closing. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has not accrued any amounts for these potential future obligations.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves	'
	SCHEDULE II
	ALLBRITTON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
	VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Classification		Balance at		Charged to		Charged to		Deductions			Balance at
			beginning of		costs and		other accounts					end of year
			year		expenses
	Year ended September 30, 2011:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	1,609	$	612	$	—	$	(670	)<1>	$	1,551
	Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets		$	242	$	—	$	—	$	(11	)<2>	$	231
	Year ended September 30, 2012:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	1,551	$	559	$	—	$	(639	)<1>	$	1,471
	Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets		$	231	$	—	$	—	$	(2	)<2>	$	229
	Year ended September 30, 2013:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	1,471	$	159	$	—	$	(250	)<1>	$	1,380
	Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets		$	229	$	—	$	—	$	(12	)<2>	$	217
	<1>	Write-off of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries and collection fees.
	<2>	Represents reduction of valuation allowance relating to certain net operating loss carryforwards.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Consolidation	'
	Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions.
Use of estimates and assumptions	'
	Use of estimates and assumptions—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Revenue recognition	'
	Revenue recognition—Revenues are generated principally from sales of commercial advertising and are recorded as the advertisements are broadcast net of agency and national representative commissions and music license fees. For certain program contracts which provide for the exchange of advertising time in lieu of cash payments for the rights to such programming, revenue is recorded as advertisements are broadcast at the estimated fair value of the advertising time given in exchange for the program rights. Such barter revenue was $4,708, $4,030 and $4,711 for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Subscriber fee revenues are recognized in the period during which programming is provided, pursuant to affiliation agreements with cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite service providers and telephone company operators.
Cash and cash equivalents	'
	Cash and cash equivalents—The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts	'
	Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts—The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. As is customary in the broadcasting industry, the Company does not require collateral for its credit sales, which are typically due within thirty days.
Program rights	'
	Program rights—The Company has entered into contracts for the rights to television programming. Payments related to such contracts are generally made in installments over the contract period. Program rights which are currently available and the liability for future payments under such contracts are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. The vast majority of the Company’s program rights represent one-year contracts for first-run syndicated programming. As each broadcast over the term of the contract generally provides the same advertising value, such program rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term. A limited number of multi-year program contracts representing off-network syndicated programming are amortized on an accelerated basis due to the generally higher advertising value of the early broadcasts. Program rights expected to be amortized in the succeeding year and amounts payable within one year are classified as current assets and liabilities, respectively. The program rights are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value based on management’s expectation of the net future cash flows to be generated by the programming.
Property, plant and equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment—Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred and expenditures for modifications and improvements which increase the expected useful lives of the assets are capitalized. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method for buildings and straight-line and accelerated methods for furniture, machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company reviews the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with them.
	The useful lives of property, plant and equipment for purposes of computing depreciation and amortization expense are:
	Buildings	15-40 years
	Leasehold improvements	5-16 years
	Furniture, machinery and equipment	3-20 years
Intangible assets	'
	Intangible assets—Intangible assets consist of values assigned to broadcast licenses. The amounts originally assigned to these intangible assets were based on the results of independent valuations. Broadcast licenses are deemed to have indefinite lives and are not amortized but are subject to tests for impairment at least annually each September 30, or whenever events indicate that impairment may exist. The Company also evaluates the remaining life of its broadcast licenses each period. While broadcast licenses are granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a fixed period of time, renewals of these licenses have occurred routinely and at nominal cost. Costs associated with the renewal of broadcast licenses are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	'
	Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets—When the Company assesses its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment it has the option of performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, before further quantitative impairment testing is necessary. Relevant factors considered under the qualitative assessment include, but are not limited to, whether there have been changes in macroeconomic conditions, the broadcast industry, the operating model of a broadcast station, the Company’s financial performance and the results of its most recent quantitative assessment. The Company considers these factors and the impact that changes in such factors would have on the inputs used in its most recent quantitative assessment to determine whether, on a station-by-station basis, it is more likely than not that any of its broadcast licenses are impaired.
	If the Company concludes through its qualitative assessment that it is more likely than not that its broadcast licenses are impaired, or if the Company chooses to bypass the qualitative assessment, the Company would perform a quantitative assessment using an income approach consistent with the methodology used in historical valuation assessments to determine the fair value of the broadcast licenses on a station-by-station basis. If the results of such assessment yield that the carrying value of a station’s broadcast license exceeds the fair value, any excess would be recorded as the amount of impairment. The income approach assumes an initial hypothetical start-up operation, maturing into an average performing independent or non-affiliated station in a specific television market and giving consideration to other relevant factors such as the number of competing stations within that market. The net cash flows of this hypothetical average market participant are projected from the first year start-up to perpetuity and then discounted back to net present value. The calculated valuation is compared to market transactions in order to confirm the results of the income approach. The key valuation assumptions include the pre-tax discount rate, the compound annual market revenue growth rates, and operating profit margins, excluding depreciation and amortization, after the hypothetical start-up period. The inputs used in this assessment are considered to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See “Fair value” below.
Deferred financing costs	'
	Deferred financing costs—Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are deferred and amortized to other nonoperating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the underlying financing agreement.
Deferred rent	'
	Deferred rent—Rent concessions and scheduled rent increases in connection with operating leases are recognized as adjustments to rental expense on a straight-line basis over the associated lease term.
Concentration of credit risk	'
	Concentration of credit risk—Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of certain cash and cash equivalents and receivables from advertisers. The Company invests its excess cash with high-credit quality financial institutions, and concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables from advertisers are limited as the Company’s advertising base consists of large national advertising agencies and high-credit quality local advertisers.
Income taxes	'
	Income taxes—The operations of the Company are included in a consolidated federal income tax return filed by Perpetual. In accordance with the terms of a tax sharing agreement between the Company and Perpetual, the Company is required to pay to Perpetual its federal income tax liability, computed based upon statutory federal income tax rates applied to the Company’s consolidated taxable income. The Company files separate state income tax returns with the exception of Virginia and the District of Columbia, which are included in combined state income tax returns filed by Perpetual. In accordance with the terms of the tax sharing agreement, the Company is required to pay to Perpetual its combined state income tax liability, computed based upon statutory state income tax rates applied to the Company’s combined state net taxable income. Taxes payable to Perpetual are not reduced by losses generated in prior years by the Company. In addition, the amounts payable by the Company to Perpetual under the tax sharing agreement are not reduced if losses of other members of the Perpetual group are utilized to offset taxable income of the Company for purposes of the Perpetual consolidated federal or combined state income tax returns.
	The accounting rules for income taxes require that the consolidated amount of current and deferred income tax expense for a group that files a consolidated income tax return be allocated among members of the group when those members issue separate financial statements. Perpetual allocates a portion of its consolidated current and deferred income tax expense to the Company as if the Company and its subsidiaries were separate taxpayers. The Company records deferred tax assets, to the extent it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized in future periods, and deferred tax liabilities for the tax effects of the differences between the bases of its assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes.
	The Company records income tax expense in accordance with the accounting rules for income taxes, and makes payments to Perpetual in accordance with the terms of the tax sharing agreement between the Company and Perpetual. To the extent that there is a difference between tax payments that would be due as calculated in accordance with the accounting rules and tax payments due under the tax sharing agreement, such difference is recorded to retained earnings.
	The Company classifies interest and penalties related to its uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
Fair value	'
	Fair value—The carrying amount of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and program rights payable approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments.
	Accounting guidance provides a fair value hierarchy to categorize three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. The three levels are as follows:
	Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
	Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities;
	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity which result in the use of management estimates.
	The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt on a recurring basis. See Note 5.
Earnings per share	'
	Earnings per share—Earnings per share data are not presented since the Company has only one shareholder.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications—Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Useful Lives of Property Plant and Equipment for Computing Depreciation and Amortization Expense	'
	The useful lives of property, plant and equipment for purposes of computing depreciation and amortization expense are:
	Buildings	15-40 years
	Leasehold improvements	5-16 years
	Furniture, machinery and equipment	3-20 years

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_T

Property, Plant And Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Component of Property Plant Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
		September 30,
		2012			2013
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	$	32,250		$	32,584
	Furniture, machinery and equipment		105,795			96,682
			138,045			129,266
	Less accumulated depreciation		(109,439	)		(103,726	)
			28,606			25,540
	Land		1,951			1,831
	Construction-in-progress		533			101
		$	31,090		$	27,472

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Component of Outstanding Debt	'
	Outstanding debt consists of the following:
		September 30,
		2012		2013
	Senior Notes, due May 15, 2018 with interest payable semi-annually at 8%	$	455,000	$	455,000
	Credit Agreement, maximum amount of $60,000, expiring April 30, 2015, secured by the assets and outstanding stock of the Company and its subsidiaries, interest payable quarterly at various rates either from prime plus 1.50% to prime plus 2.25% or from LIBOR plus 2.75% to LIBOR plus 3.50% depending on certain financial operating tests		—		—
			455,000		455,000
	Less current maturities		—		—
		$	455,000	$	455,000

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Provision for (benefit from) Income Taxes	'
	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes consists of the following:
		Years Ended September 30,
		2011			2012			2013
	Current
	Federal	$	5,739		$	14,472		$	15,964
	State		(661	)		2,439			2,724
			5,078			16,911			18,688
	Deferred
	Federal		3,101			(670	)		(623	)
	State		580			433			334
			3,681			(237	)		(289	)
		$	8,759		$	16,674		$	18,399
Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities)	'
	The components of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
		September 30,
		2012			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	State and local net operating loss carryforwards	$	2,321		$	1,960
	Accrued employee benefits		183			242
	Deferred rent		1,896			1,662
	Deferred revenue		523			105
	Allowance for accounts receivable		579			541
	Other		731			878
			6,233			5,388
	Less valuation allowance		(229	)		(217	)
			6,004			5,171
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment		(3,844	)		(2,665	)
	Intangible assets		(1,856	)		(1,913	)
	Net deferred income tax assets	$	304		$	593
Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to Effective Income Tax Rate for Income before Income Taxes	'
	The following table reconciles the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate for income before income taxes:
		Years ended September 30,
		2011			2012			2013
	Statutory federal income tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		0.1			4.5			3.9
	Permanent items, principally a domestic production deduction		(1.2	)		(2.6	)		(2.4	)
	Gain on settlement of insurance policies		—			—			(2.6	)
	Other, net		(0.5	)		(0.3	)		—
	Effective income tax rate		33.4	%		36.6	%		33.9	%
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Total Amounts of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2010	$	2,685
	Increases related to current year tax positions		—
	Reductions related to expiration of statutes of limitations		(1,281	)
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2011		1,404
	Increases related to current year tax positions		—
	Reductions related to expiration of statutes of limitations		(166	)
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2012		1,238
	Increases related to current year tax positions		—
	Reductions related to expiration of statutes of limitations		(116	)
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2013	$	1,122

Transactions_With_Owners_And_R1

Transactions With Owners And Related Parties (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Distributions to Owners and Related Activity	'
	The components of distributions to owners and the related activity during Fiscal 2011, 2012 and 2013 consist of the following:
		Distributions		Federal and			Net
		to Owners		State Income			Distributions
		and		Tax			to Owners
		Dividends		Receivable
				(Payable)
	Balance as of September 30, 2010	$	484,723	$	—		$	484,723
	Cash advances to Perpetual		8,310					8,310
	Repayment of cash advances from Perpetual		—					—
	Charge for federal and state income taxes				(6,411	)		(6,411	)
	Payment of income taxes				6,411			6,411
	Balance as of September 30, 2011		493,033		—			493,033
	Cash advances to Perpetual		17,913					17,913
	Repayment of cash advances from Perpetual		—					—
	Charge for federal and state income taxes				(15,878	)		(15,878	)
	Payment of income taxes				15,878			15,878
	Balance as of September 30, 2012		510,946		—			510,946
	Cash advances to Perpetual		53,038					53,038
	Repayment of cash advances from Perpetual		—					—
	Charge for federal and state income taxes				(17,480	)		(17,480	)
	Payment of income taxes				17,480			17,480
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	563,984	$	—		$	563,984

Commitments_And_Contingent_Lia1

Commitments And Contingent Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Future Minimum Lease Payments for Operating Leases, Contractual Program Commitments and Employment Contracts	'
	Future minimum payments for these contractual program commitments, employment contracts and operating leases which have remaining terms in excess of one year as of September 30, 2013, are as follows:
		Program		Employment		Operating
		Rights		Contracts		Leases
	Year ending September 30,
	2014	$	12,411	$	12,345	$	5,980
	2015		20,911		3,098		6,039
	2016		21,874		1,687		6,055
	2017		18,918		345		4,620
	2018		5,004		90		641
	2019 and thereafter		562		—		2,251
		$	79,680	$	17,565	$	25,586

The_Company_Additional_Informa

The Company - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
	Market
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]	'
Number of geographic markets	6
Number of reportable segments	1

Recovered_Sheet1

Significant Accounting policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Advertising barter revenue	$4,711	$4,030	$4,708
Maximum	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents original maturity period	'3 months	'3 months	'3 months
Account receivable payment terms	'30 days	'30 days	'30 days

Useful_lives_of_Property_Plant

Useful lives of Property Plant and Equipment for Computing Depreciation and Amortization Expense (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Buildings | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property plant and equipment useful lives	'15 years
Buildings | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property plant and equipment useful lives	'40 years
Leasehold improvements | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property plant and equipment useful lives	'5 years
Leasehold improvements | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property plant and equipment useful lives	'16 years
Furniture, machinery and equipment | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property plant and equipment useful lives	'3 years
Furniture, machinery and equipment | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property plant and equipment useful lives	'20 years

Component_of_Property_Plant_Eq

Component of Property Plant Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Buildings and leasehold improvements	$32,584	$32,250
Furniture, machinery and equipment	96,682	105,795
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	129,266	138,045
Less accumulated depreciation	-103,726	-109,439
Property, plant and equipment gross, after accumulated depreciation	25,540	28,606
Land	1,831	1,951
Construction-in-progress	101	533
Property, plant and equipment, net	$27,472	$31,090

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_A

Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	$7,281	$9,624	$9,500

Intangible_Assets_Additional_I

Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite lived intangible assets	$11,590	$11,590

Component_of_Outstanding_Debt_

Component of Outstanding Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$455,000	$455,000
Less current maturities	'	'
Long-term debt	455,000	455,000
8% Senior Notes due May 15, 2018 (the "2018 Notes")	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$455,000	$455,000

Component_of_Outstanding_Debt_1

Component of Outstanding Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
8% Senior Notes due May 15, 2018 (the "2018 Notes")	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, interest rate	8.00%	8.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-May-18	15-May-18
Debt instrument frequency of periodic payment	'semi-annually	'semi-annually
Credit Agreement	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit Agreement, maximum amount	60,000	60,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	30-Apr-15	30-Apr-15
Debt instrument frequency of periodic payment	'quarterly	'quarterly
Credit Agreement | Minimum | Prime Rate	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Variable rate	1.50%	1.50%
Credit Agreement | Minimum | Libor Rate	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Variable rate	2.75%	2.75%
Credit Agreement | Maximum | Prime Rate	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Variable rate	2.25%	2.25%
Credit Agreement | Maximum | Libor Rate	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Variable rate	3.50%	3.50%

Long_Term_Debt_Additional_Info

Long Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unamortized deferred financing costs	$5,999	$7,348	'
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,349	1,429	1,486
Credit Agreement, outstanding amount	0	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Senior Notes	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of long-term debt	$491,000	$495,000	'
Minimum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of commitment fee required to be paid	0.38%	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of commitment fee required to be paid	0.50%	'	'

Provision_for_benefit_from_Inc

Provision for (benefit from) Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current	'	'	'
Federal	$15,964	$14,472	$5,739
State	2,724	2,439	-661
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	18,688	16,911	5,078
Deferred	'	'	'
Federal	-623	-670	3,101
State	334	433	580
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	-289	-237	3,681
Provision for income taxes	$18,399	$16,674	$8,759

Components_of_Deferred_Income_

Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred income tax assets:	'	'
State and local net operating loss carryforwards	$1,960	$2,321
Accrued employee benefits	242	183
Deferred rent	1,662	1,896
Deferred revenue	105	523
Allowance for accounts receivable	541	579
Other	878	731
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	5,388	6,233
Less valuation allowance	-217	-229
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Total	5,171	6,004
Deferred income tax liabilities:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	-2,665	-3,844
Intangible assets	-1,913	-1,856
Net deferred income tax assets	$593	$304

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, state and local net operating loss carryforwards	$1,960	$2,321	'	'
Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	-12	-2	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	1,122	1,238	1,404	2,685
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	729	804	'	'
Reasonably possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months, minimum	100	'	'	'
Reasonably possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months, maximum	300	'	'	'
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	272	141	'	'
Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions recognized	131	46	-343	'
State and Local Jurisdiction	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	37,000	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration date	'From 2014 through 2030	'	'	'
Deferred rent and other Noncurrent liabilities	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	933	766	'	'
Net operating losses	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	$189	$472	'	'

Reconciliation_of_Statutory_Fe

Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to Effective Income Tax Rate for Income before Income Taxes (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Tax Rate [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	3.90%	4.50%	0.10%
Permanent items, principally a domestic production deduction	-2.40%	-2.60%	-1.20%
Gain on settlement of insurance policies	-2.60%	'	'
Other, net	'	-0.30%	-0.50%
Effective income tax rate	33.90%	36.60%	33.40%

Reconciliation_of_Beginning_an

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Total Amounts of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross unrecognized tax benefits beginning balance	$1,238	$1,404	$2,685
Increases related to current year tax positions	'	'	'
Reductions related to expiration of statutes of limitations	-116	-166	-1,281
Gross unrecognized tax benefits ending balance	$1,122	$1,238	$1,404

Recovered_Sheet2

Transactions with Owners and Related Parties - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2010

Dec. 12, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Distributions

Irides, LLC (Irides)

Irides, LLC (Irides)

Irides, LLC (Irides)

Perpetual

Perpetual

Perpetual

POLITICO

POLITICO

POLITICO

POLITICO

POLITICO

POLITICO

POLITICO

POLITICO

Subsequent Event

Capitalized Cost

Capitalized Cost

Capitalized Cost

Operating Expense

Services

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average amount of non-interest bearing advances outstanding

$544,790

$494,791

$483,381

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Distributions to Owners

563,984

510,946

493,033

484,723

28,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income from Perpetual

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

606

328

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management fees paid to Perpetual

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600

600

600

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Related party transaction charges

'

'

'

'

'

183

366

360

'

'

'

152

163

520

0

0

41

479

456

Related party transaction reimbursement of expenses from related party

'

'

'

'

'

$83

$163

$159

'

'

'

$1,090

$1,050

$1,054

'

'

'

'

'

Distributions_to_Owners_and_Re

Distributions to Owners and Related Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$510,946	$493,033	$484,723
Cash advances to Perpetual	53,038	17,913	8,310
Charge for federal and state income taxes	-17,480	-15,878	-6,411
Payment of income taxes	17,480	15,878	6,411
Ending Balance	563,984	510,946	493,033
Distributions To Owners and Dividends	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	510,946	493,033	484,723
Cash advances to Perpetual	53,038	17,913	8,310
Ending Balance	563,984	510,946	493,033
Federal and State Income Tax Receivable (Payable)	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	'
Charge for federal and state income taxes	-17,480	-15,878	-6,411
Payment of income taxes	17,480	15,878	6,411
Ending Balance	'	'	'

Retirement_Plans_Additional_In

Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 01, 2011	Jul. 01, 2010	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Defined contribution saving plan, employer matching contribution percentage	50.00%	25.00%	50.00%	50.00%	'
Defined contribution saving plan, maximum employer's contribution percentage	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	'
Employer contribution to defined contribution saving plan	'	'	$1,090	$1,094	$628
Employer contribution to the health and retirement fund	'	'	$767	$663	$603
Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Percent of contribution by employer in multi-employer defined benefit plan	'	'	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%

Recovered_Sheet3

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Rental expense under operating lease	$4,200	$4,200	$4,200
Maximum	'	'	'
Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating leases expiration year	'2023	'	'

Future_Minimum_Lease_Payments_

Future Minimum Lease Payments for Operating Leases, Contractual Program Commitments and Employment Contracts (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'
2014	$5,980
2015	6,039
2016	6,055
2017	4,620
2018	641
2019 and thereafter	2,251
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	25,586
2014	12,411
2015	20,911
2016	21,874
2017	18,918
2018	5,004
2019 and thereafter	562
Contractual Programming Commitments Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	79,680
2014	12,345
2015	3,098
2016	1,687
2017	345
2018	90
2019 and thereafter	'
Employment Contracts Future Payments Due, Total	$17,565

Company_Owned_Life_Insurance_P1

Company Owned Life Insurance Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Life Insurance Policies [Line Items]	'
Gain on settlement of insurance policies	$3,993
Amount of proceed received from life insurance policies	$18,102

Purchase_Agreement_Additional_

Purchase Agreement - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Purchase Agreement [Line Items]	'
Business acquisition consideration to be paid as per purchase agreement	$985,000

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts	'		'		'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year	$1,471		$1,551		$1,609
Charged to costs and expenses	159		559		612
Charged to other accounts	'		'		'
Deductions	-250	[1]	-639	[1]	-670	[1]
Balance at end of year	1,380		1,471		1,551
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets	'		'		'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year	229		231		242
Charged to costs and expenses	'		'		'
Charged to other accounts	'		'		'
Deductions	-12	[2]	-2	[2]	-11	[2]
Balance at end of year	$217		$229		$231
[1]	Write-off of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries and collection fees.
[2]	Represents reduction of valuation allowance relating to certain net operating loss carryforwards.