Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class A [Member] Class B [Member] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol 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 Operating Revenues 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 Decreased operating revenues Total operating revenues Increase (decrease) operating revenues Operating Costs and Expenses 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 Plant and the consolidation of operations Depreciation, Total Depreciation expense Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total Total operating costs and expenses Total operating costs and expenses Operating Income Loss Decrease in operating income Operating income Increase (decrease) in operating income Income from Operations Other income (expense) Equity in losses of affiliates, net Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Equity in (losses) earnings of affiliates, net Interest income Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Other, net Other income (expense), net Other income (expense), net Other (expense) income, 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 Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Provision for Income Taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Total income taxes on income from continuing operations 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 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Net income Net income Net income Net income for the year Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to The Washington Post Company Net (Loss) Income Attributable to The Washington P Net income attributable to The Washington Post Company Redeemable preferred stock dividends Dividends paid on redeemable preferred stock Redeemable preferred stock dividends Redeemable preferred stock dividends Dividends paid on redeemable preferred stock Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends Net (loss) income available for The Washington Post Company common stockholders Net income attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders Net income attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders Net income Amount Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders Amount attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders: (Loss) income from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders Earnings Per Share Per Share Information Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders Per share information attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders: Basic (loss) income per common share from continuing operations 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 (loss) 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 (loss) income per common share from continuing operations 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 (loss) income per common share Diluted net income per common share Diluted average number of common shares outstanding Diluted weighted average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Other comprehensive (income) loss Other comprehensive income (loss) Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Total Change in net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities 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 Total recognized in other comprehensive income (before tax effects) Total recognized in other comprehensive income (before tax effects) Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment for Write-down of Securities Included in Net Income, before Tax Less reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net income Less reclassification adjustment for write-down on available-for-sale security included in net income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Total Other comprehensive income (loss), 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 the noncontrolling interest 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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 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 Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Restricted cash Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments Short-term Investments, Total Accounts Receivable Net Current Accounts receivable, net Accounts receivable, net Income Taxes Receivable Income taxes receivable 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 Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, Net Investments in Affiliates Investments in affiliates Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total Goodwill, Net Goodwill, net, ending balance Goodwill, net, beginning balance Goodwill, net Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Total Indefinite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount Amortized Intangible Assets, Net Amortized intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total Net carrying amount Prepaid Pension Cost Prepaid pension cost Net pension credit Deferred Charges and Other Assets Deferred charges and other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Assets Total assets Total Assets Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Dividends declared Short-term borrowings Short-term borrowings Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plan Liabilities Noncurrent Postretirement benefits other than pensions Accrued Compensation and Related Benefits Accrued compensation and related benefits Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent, Total Other Liabilities Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Deferred Income Taxes Deferred income taxes Long Term Debt Noncurrent Carrying value of debt instrument Total long-term debt Long-term debt Total liabilities Total liabilities Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Redeemable noncontrolling interest Redeemable Preferred Stocks Redeemable preferred stock Redeemable Preferred Stock, Total Redeemable preferred stock Preferred Stock Value Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred stock Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common Shareholders' Equity 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, net of taxes 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 gain 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 Unrealized gain on pensions and other postretirement plans Net amount Net amount 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 Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total common shareholders' equity Noncontrolling Interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and equity Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract] Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by 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 Accelerated depreciation The amount of pension credits or costs recognized during the period from defined benefit plans. Pension Benefit Expense Net pension benefit Early retirement program expense related to voluntary incentive programs offered to certain employees of the Company. Early retirement program expense Early post retirement program Foreign exchange (gain) loss Foreign exchange (gain) loss Foreign exchange loss (gain) Marketable Securities, Realized Gain (Loss), Other than Temporary Impairments, Amount Net loss on write-down of marketable equity securities Equity in losses of affiliates including impairment charges, net of distributions Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliates, net of distributions Equity in losses of affiliates, net of distributions Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions, Total Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes Benefit for deferred income taxes Benefit for deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total 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 Net (gain) loss on sale or write-down of property, plant and equipment and other assets Change in assets and liabilities: Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net Decrease in accounts receivable, net Decrease in accounts receivable, net Decrease (increase) in inventories Decrease in inventories Decrease in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total (Decrease) increase in deferred revenue Increase in deferred revenue (Increase) decrease increase in income taxes receivable Decrease in income taxes receivable Decrease in income taxes receivable Increase (decrease) in other assets and other liabilities, net Increase in other assets and other liabilities, net Increase in other assets and other liabilities, net Other operating asset Other Other Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash Flows from Investing 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 Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 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 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: Cash flows from financing activities: Common shares repurchased Common shares repurchased Repurchase of shares of Class B common stock Common shares repurchased Dividends paid Dividends paid 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 Effect of currency exchange rate changes Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Nature Of Operations Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure Text Block Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Discontinued Operations [Abstract]. Discontinued Operations Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Discontinued Operations Investments This item represents the entire disclosure related to investments including marketable equity securities, cost method investments and investment in affiliates. Investments Text Block Investments Acquisitions and Dispositions Acquisitions and Dispositions 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 Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Borrowings Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Borrowings Earnings Per Share Text Block Earnings (Loss) Per Share Earnings Per Share Pension and Postretirement Plans Pensions and Other Postretirement Plans Pension and Postretirement Plans Other Non-Operating (Expense) Income Other Income And Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Other Non-Operating (Expense) Income Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Contingencies Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Business Segments Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Business Segments