Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Income (Loss) before Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] Income (Loss) before Extraordinary Items and Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract] Operating revenues Revenues from a range of education and related services worldwide for students, professionals and other organizations. Education revenue Education Advertising Circulation and subscription revenues from the sale of cable services, newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals through subscriptions, newsstands and other distribution methods. Circulation And Subscriber Revenue Circulation and subscriber Other Total operating revenues Total operating revenues Operating costs and expenses Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations including the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Excludes Selling, General and Administrative Expense Operating Expense Operating Operating Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Depreciation of property, plant and equipment Depreciation, Total Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill and other long-lived assets from the carrying amount to the fair value. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment. Impairment Of Goodwill And Other Long Lived Assets Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets Total operating costs and expenses Total operating costs and expenses Income (loss) from operations Operating income Other income (expense) Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Interest income Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Other, net Other income (expense), net This element represents operating income or loss and non-operating income or expense before income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income from continuing operations before income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Discontinued operations, net of tax Net income (loss) Net income Net income Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income (loss) attributable to The Washington Post Company Net income attributable to The Washington Post Company Redeemable preferred stock dividends Redeemable preferred stock dividends Redeemable preferred stock dividends Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic Net income available for The Washington Post Company common stockholders Net income available for The Washington Post Company common stockholders Net income Amounts attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders: Income loss from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Per share information attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders: Earnings Per Share Basic income per common share from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Basic loss per common share from discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Outstanding Share, Total Basic net income per common share Basic net income per common share Basic average number of common shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Diluted income per common share from continuing operations Diluted loss per common share from discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share, Total Diluted net income per common share Diluted net income per common share Diluted average number of common shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other comprehensive (income) loss Other comprehensive income (loss) Foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Total Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities Other Comprehensive Income, Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax, Total Pension and other postretirement plan adjustments Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plan's Adjustment, before Tax, Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Total Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax, total Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, total Comprehensive income Comprehensive income Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Washington Post Company Total comprehensive income attributable to The Washington Post Company Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] Assets Cash and cash equivalents Ending cash and cash equivalents Beginning cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments Short-term Investments, Total Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Inventories Inventories Other current assets Other current assets Total current assets Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, plant and equipment, net Investments in affiliates Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total Goodwill, net Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Total Amortized intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total Prepaid pension cost Deferred charges and other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Income taxes payable Taxes Payable, Current, Total Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Dividends declared Short-term borrowings Short-term borrowings Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Postretirement benefits other than pensions Accrued compensation and related benefits Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent, Total Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Deferred income taxes Long-term debt Long-term debt Total liabilities Total liabilities Redeemable noncontrolling interest Redeemable preferred stock Redeemable Preferred Stock, Total Preferred stock Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common shareholders' equity Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Total Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Net of Tax Unrealized loss on pensions and other postretirement plans Unrealized loss on pension and other postretirement plans Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Net of Tax, Total Treasury Stock, Value Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Value Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total The Washington Post Company common shareholders' equity Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Total equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and equity Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Period Increase Decrease Depreciation of property, plant and equipment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property Plant and Equipment, Period Increase (Decrease), Total The amount of pension credits or costs recognized during the period from defined benefit plans. Pension Benefit Expense Net pension benefit Obligation(s) resulting from employer withdrawal from a multiemployer 1) pension plan under circumstances that would give rise to an obligation or (b) other postretirement benefit plan under circumstances that would give rise to an obligation or an increase in the contribution to the fund during the remainder of the contract period to make up a shortfall necessary to fund the vested and negotiated benefits. Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan Withdrawal Charge Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charge Early retirement program expense related to voluntary incentive programs offered to certain employees of the Company. Early retirement program expense Foreign exchange (gain) loss Foreign exchange gain Loss resulting from the sale of businesses, which is recognized at the date of sale. A loss reflects the amount by which consideration received exceeds (is exceeded by) the net carrying amount of disposal group. Net Loss On Sale Of Businesses Net loss on sales of businesses Equity in losses of affiliates, net of distributions Equity in losses of affiliates, including impairment charges, net of distributions Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions, Total Benefit for deferred income taxes Benefit for deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Asset Impairment Charges Net loss on sale or write-down of property, plant and equipment and other assets Asset Impairment Charges, Total Change in assets and liabilities: Decrease in accounts receivable, net Decrease in inventories Decrease in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Increase (decrease) in Kaplan stock compensation Increase Decrease In Kaplan Stock Compensation Liability (Decrease) increase in Kaplan stock compensation (Decrease) increase in deferred revenue Increase in deferred revenue Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable Decrease in income taxes payable Increase (decrease) in other assets and other liabilities, net Increase in other assets and other liabilities, net Other operating asset Other Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property, plant and equipment Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Net proceeds from sales of businesses The net charge against earnings resulting from the sale and aggregate write down of property, plant and equipment and certain other assets. Net Loss On Sale Or Write Down Of Property Plant And Equipment And Other Assets Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments Investments in certain businesses, net of cash acquired Investments in certain businesses, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Return of escrow funds from acquisition Return of escrow funds from acquisition Return of investment in affiliates Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Other Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Common shares repurchased Common shares repurchased Dividends paid Dividends paid Principal payments on debt Principal payments on debt Issuance of notes, net Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Repayment of commercial paper, net Repayments of commercial paper, net Other Financing Activities Other Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Effect of currency exchange rate change Effect of currency exchange rate changes Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Discontinued Operations [Abstract]. Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Discontinued Operations Investments [Abstract] Investments Acquisitions and Dispositions Acquisitions and Dispositions [Abstract] Description of a business combination and/or disposal (or series of individually immaterial business combinations or disposals) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. This element may be used as a single block of text to encapsulate the entire disclosure (including data and tables) regarding business combinations, including leverage buyout transactions (as applicable). Acquisitions and Dispositions [Text Block] Acquisitions and Dispositions Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Borrowings [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Borrowings Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share Pension and Postretirement Plans [Abstract] Pension and Postretirement Plans Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Contingencies Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Business Segments [Abstract] Business Segments Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Parent Company [Member] Common Class A Common Class B