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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 22, 2013
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	wpo
Entity Registrant Name	WASHINGTON POST CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000104889
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Public Float	$ 2,300,000,000.00
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,219,383
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,204,349

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Operating Revenues [Abstract]
Education	$ 544,429	$ 552,585	$ 552,202	$ 547,280	$ 580,763	$ 601,611	$ 610,371	$ 611,714	$ 2,196,496	$ 2,404,459	$ 2,804,840
Advertising	229,837	195,158	190,086	170,750	213,255	170,552	193,352	177,385	785,831	754,544	833,605
Circulation and Subscriber	222,319	220,668	219,286	215,230	213,183	212,145	216,606	214,523	877,503	856,457	857,290
Other	53,511	42,923	33,450	27,939	33,220	28,190	28,976	25,299	157,823	115,685	90,682
Total Operating Revenues	1,050,096	1,011,334	995,024	961,199	1,040,421	1,012,498	1,049,305	1,028,921	4,017,653	4,131,145	4,586,417
Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract]
Operating	468,893	483,622	464,615	463,106	465,666	486,615	488,577	463,303	1,880,236	1,904,161	1,850,402
Selling, general and administrative	396,545	382,961	400,676	411,466	397,518	387,735	405,729	438,744	1,591,648	1,629,726	1,869,194
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	79,880	63,739	62,749	62,275	62,932	61,589	62,615	61,929	268,643	249,065	242,405
Amortization of intangible assets	7,610	5,091	4,428	3,873	5,042	6,320	5,797	5,176	21,002	22,335	21,552
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	111,593	0	0	0					111,593	0	0
Total Operating Costs and Expenses	1,064,521	935,413	932,468	940,720	931,158	942,259	962,718	969,152	3,873,122	3,805,287	3,983,553
Income from Operations	(14,425)	75,921	62,556	20,479	109,263	70,239	86,587	59,769	144,531	325,858	602,864
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net	2,785	4,099	3,314	3,888	568	(1,494)	3,138	3,737	14,086	5,949	(4,133)
Interest income	901	648	775	1,069	1,174	994	997	982	3,393	4,147	2,576
Interest expense	(9,064)	(8,738)	(8,979)	(9,163)	(8,638)	(8,667)	(7,960)	(7,961)	(35,944)	(33,226)	(30,503)
Other (expense) income, net	(17,572)	4,163	(635)	8,588	1,073	(29,650)	(2,591)	(24,032)	(5,456)	(55,200)	7,515
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	(37,375)	76,093	57,031	24,861	103,440	31,422	80,171	32,495	120,610	247,528	578,319
Provision for Income Taxes	8,000	31,200	21,000	11,400	42,000	18,600	29,200	12,100	71,600	101,900	222,400
Income from Continuing Operations	(45,375)	44,893	36,031	13,461	61,440	12,822	50,971	20,395	49,010	145,628	355,919
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	0	49,054	16,016	18,107	291	(18,788)	(5,208)	(4,766)	83,177	(28,471)	(77,899)
Net Income	(45,375)	93,947	52,047	31,568	61,731	(5,966)	45,763	15,629	132,187	117,157	278,020
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(64)	71	(11)	(70)	(17)	(16)	40	(14)	(74)	(7)	94
Net Income Attributable to The Washington Post Company	(45,439)	94,018	52,036	31,498	61,714	(5,982)	45,803	15,615	132,113	117,150	278,114
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	0	(222)	(222)	(451)	0	(226)	(230)	(461)	(895)	(917)	(922)
Net Income Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders	(45,439)	93,796	51,814	31,047	61,714	(6,208)	45,573	15,154	131,218	116,233	277,192
Amounts Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders
Income from continuing operations	(45,439)	44,742	35,798	12,940	61,423	12,580	50,781	19,920	48,041	144,704	355,091
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	49,054	16,016	18,107	291	(18,788)	(5,208)	(4,766)	83,177	(28,471)	(77,899)
Net income attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders	$ (45,439)	$ 93,796	$ 51,814	$ 31,047	$ 61,714	$ (6,208)	$ 45,573	$ 15,154	$ 131,218	$ 116,233	$ 277,192
Per Share Information Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders
Basic income per common share from continuing operations	$ (6.57)	$ 6.03	$ 4.72	$ 1.66	$ 8.00	$ 1.59	$ 6.40	$ 2.43	$ 6.09	$ 18.30	$ 39.78
Basic income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations	0	6.61	2.12	2.41	0.03	(2.41)	(0.66)	(0.56)	11.30	(3.60)	(8.72)
Basic net income per common share	$ (6.57)	$ 12.64	$ 6.84	$ 4.07	$ 8.03	$ (0.82)	$ 5.74	$ 1.87	$ 17.39	$ 14.70	$ 31.06
Basic average number of common shares outstanding	7,223	7,272	7,431	7,514	7,601	7,802	7,852	8,046	7,360	7,826	8,869
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations	$ (6.57)	$ 6.03	$ 4.72	$ 1.66	$ 8.00	$ 1.59	$ 6.40	$ 2.43	$ 6.09	$ 18.30	$ 39.76
Diluted income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations	0	6.61	2.12	2.41	0.03	(2.41)	(0.66)	(0.56)	11.30	(3.60)	(8.72)
Diluted net income per common share	$ (6.57)	$ 12.64	$ 6.84	$ 4.07	$ 8.03	$ (0.82)	$ 5.74	$ 1.87	$ 17.39	$ 14.70	$ 31.04
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding	7,223	7,376	7,545	7,615	7,682	7,883	7,933	8,119	7,404	7,905	8,931

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net Income	$ 132,187	$ 117,157	$ 278,020
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Translation adjustments arising during the period	5,622	(21,375)	10,994
Adjustment for sales of businesses with foreign operations	(888)	0	0
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	4,734	(21,375)	10,994
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) for the period	33,098	(37,708)	(12,974)
Reclassification adjustment for write-down on available-for-sale securities, net of gain, included in net income	17,226	53,793	0
Total unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	50,324	16,085	(12,974)
Pension and other postretirement plans:
Actuarial gain (loss)	82,470	(16,048)	126,987
Prior service credit	0	0	6,336
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) included in net income	9,368	(510)	(1,155)
Amortization of net prior service (credit) cost included in net income	(1,859)	(3,925)	1,952
Amortization of transition asset	0	0	(29)
Curtailments and other adjustments	(745)	0	(4,953)
Foreign affiliate pension adjustment	0	2,088	(2,667)
Total pension and other postretirement plans	89,234	(18,395)	126,471
Cash flow hedge (loss) gain	(1,581)	14	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax	142,711	(23,671)	124,491
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(55,186)	6,861	(46,864)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	87,525	(16,810)	77,627
Comprehensive Income	219,712	100,347	355,647
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(103)	(126)	(13)
Total Comprehensive Income Attributable to The Washington Post Company	$ 219,609	$ 100,221	$ 355,634

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 512,431	$ 381,099
Restricted cash	28,538	25,287
Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments	418,938	338,674
Accounts receivable, net	399,204	392,725
Income taxes receivable	0	16,990
Deferred income taxes	3,974	13,343
Inventories	7,985	6,571
Other current assets	82,692	70,936
Total Current Assets	1,453,762	1,245,625
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	1,081,237	1,152,390
Investments In Affiliates	15,535	17,101
Goodwill, Net	1,317,915	1,414,997
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	539,728	530,641
Amortized Intangible Assets, Net	45,577	54,622
Prepaid Pension Cost	604,823	537,262
Deferred Charges and Other Assets	46,492	64,348
Total Assets	5,105,069	5,016,986
Liabilities and Equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	486,396	495,041
Income taxes payable	726	0
Deferred revenue	395,837	387,532
Short-term borrowings	243,327	112,983
Total Current Liabilities	1,126,286	995,556
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	59,949	67,864
Accrued Compensation and Related Benefits	216,280	228,304
Other Liabilities	109,774	107,741
Deferred Income Taxes	529,427	545,361
Long-Term Debt	453,384	452,229
Total Liabilities	2,495,100	2,397,055
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	12,655	6,740
Redeemable Preferred Stock	11,096	11,295
Preferred Stock	0	0
Common Stockholders' Equity
Capital in excess of par value	240,746	252,767
Retained earnings	4,546,775	4,561,989
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	26,072	21,338
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	110,553	80,358
Unrealized gain on pensions and other postretirement plans	117,169	63,625
Cash flow hedge	(940)	8
Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury	(2,474,347)	(2,398,189)
Total Common Stockholders' Equity	2,586,028	2,601,896
Noncontrolling interests	190	0
Total Equity	2,586,218	2,601,896
Total Liabilities and Equity	5,105,069	5,016,986
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Common Stockholders' Equity
Common stock	1,219	1,229
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Total Equity	1,219	1,229
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Common Stockholders' Equity
Common stock	18,781	18,771
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Total Equity	$ 18,781	$ 18,771

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value per share	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Redeemable Preferred Stock, redemption value per share	1,000	1,000
Redeemable Preferred Stock, liquidation value per share	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Redeemable Preferred Stock, shares authorized	23,000	23,000
Redeemable Preferred Stock, shares issued	11,096	11,295
Redeemable Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	11,096	11,295
Preferred Stock, par value per share	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	977,000	977,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	0	0
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Common Stock, par value per share	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Common Stock, shares authorized	7,000,000	7,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	1,219,383	1,229,383
Common Stock, shares outstanding	1,219,383	1,229,383
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Common Stock, par value per share	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Common Stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	18,780,617	18,770,617
Common Stock, shares outstanding	6,208,118	6,361,617
Treasury Stock	12,572,499	12,409,000

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 132,187	$ 117,157	$ 278,020
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	269,992	255,975	252,457
Amortization of intangible assets	21,444	30,333	27,191
Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charges	111,593	11,923	27,477
Net pension expense (benefit)	16,044	(4,726)	(3,863)
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charge	886	2,415	20,355
Early retirement program expense	8,508	634	0
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	(3,132)	3,263	(6,705)
Net (gain) loss on sales and disposition of businesses	(23,759)	(2,975)	11,824
Loss on write-down of a marketable equity security	17,998	53,793	0
Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliates, including impairment charges, net of distributions	(1,148)	5,492	4,133
(Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes	(64,383)	42,265	37,056
Net (gain) loss on sale or write-down of property, plant and equipment and other assets	(4,743)	9,294	15,094
Change in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net	(14,846)	27,895	14,648
(Increase) decrease in inventories	(1,871)	(1,587)	8,571
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(34,224)	(126,771)	40,892
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	24,482	(9,186)	(10,410)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	11,936	16,002	(41,398)
Decrease (increase) in other assets and other liabilities, net	9,295	(37,748)	18,251
Other	955	(157)	123
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	477,214	393,291	693,716
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(217,995)	(216,381)	(243,712)
Investments in certain businesses, net of cash acquired	(40,339)	(83,699)	(13,345)
Net proceeds from sales of businesses, property, plant and equipment and other assets	76,863	49,157	39,007
Purchases of marketable equity securities and other investments	(48,031)	(8,165)	(8,070)
Other	1,459	(1,640)	16,248
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(228,043)	(260,728)	(209,872)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Common shares repurchased	(103,196)	(248,055)	(404,816)
Issuance of short-term borrowing, net	130,450	109,671	0
Dividends paid	(147,327)	(75,493)	(82,090)
Issuance of debt	0	52,476	0
Other	(1,772)	(25,560)	(4,266)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	(121,845)	(186,961)	(491,172)
Effect of Currency Exchange Rate Change	4,006	(2,243)	2,509
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	131,332	(56,641)	(4,819)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	381,099	437,740	442,559
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	512,431	381,099	437,740
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	50,531	38,500	213,000
Interest	$ 35,500	$ 32,650	$ 30,500

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Common Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	Unrealized Gain on Available- for- Sale Securities [Member]	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Pensions and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	Cash Flow Hedge [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance at Jan. 03, 2010		$ 1,292	$ 18,708	$ 241,435	$ 4,324,289	$ 27,010	$ 78,492	$ (990)	$ 0	$ (1,750,686)	$ 471
Net income for the year	$ 278,020				278,020
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(s)	(94)				(44)						44
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest(s)					138
Dividends paid on common stock					(81,168)
Dividends paid on redeemable preferred stock	922				(922)
Repurchase of Class B common stock	404,816		404,800							(404,816)
Issuance of Class B common stock, net of restricted stock award forfeitures				597						(2,324)
Amortization of unearned stock compensation and stock option expense				8,054
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes)						10,596
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities (net of taxes)							(7,785)
Adjustment for pensions and other postretirement plans (net of taxes)								74,816
Conversion of Class A common stock to Class B common stock		(51)	51
Taxes arising from employee stock plans				(348)
Other				(19)	19						(515)
Ending Balance at Jan. 02, 2011		1,241	18,759	249,719	4,520,332	37,606	70,707	73,826	0	(2,157,826)	0
Net income for the year	117,157				117,157
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(s)	7
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest(s)					(7)
Dividends paid on common stock					(74,576)
Dividends paid on redeemable preferred stock	917				(917)
Repurchase of Class B common stock	248,055		248,100							(248,055)
Issuance of Class B common stock, net of restricted stock award forfeitures				(8,040)						7,692
Amortization of unearned stock compensation and stock option expense				11,789
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes)						(16,268)
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities (net of taxes)							9,651
Adjustment for pensions and other postretirement plans (net of taxes)								(10,201)
Conversion of Class A common stock to Class B common stock		(12)	12
Taxes arising from employee stock plans				(701)
Cash flow hedge									8
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	2,601,896	1,229	18,771	252,767	4,561,989	21,338	80,358	63,625	8	(2,398,189)	0
Net income for the year	132,187				132,187
Acqusitions and noncontrolling interest											191
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(s)	74				(51)						51
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest(s)					(23)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests											(52)
Dividends paid on common stock					(146,432)
Dividends paid on redeemable preferred stock	895				(895)
Repurchase of Class B common stock	103,196		103,200							(103,196)
Issuance of Class B common stock, net of restricted stock award forfeitures				(27,423)						27,038
Amortization of unearned stock compensation and stock option expense				14,662
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes)						4,734
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities (net of taxes)							30,195
Adjustment for pensions and other postretirement plans (net of taxes)								53,544
Conversion of Class A common stock to Class B common stock		(10)	10
Taxes arising from employee stock plans				740
Cash flow hedge									(948)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 2,586,218	$ 1,219	$ 18,781	$ 240,746	$ 4,546,775	$ 26,072	$ 110,553	$ 117,169	$ (940)	$ (2,474,347)	$ 190

Organization and Nature of Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Organization and Nature of Operations [Abstract]

Organization and Nature of Operations

1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

The Washington Post Company, Inc. (the Company) is a diversified education and media company. The Company's Kaplan subsidiary provides a wide variety of educational services, both domestically and outside the United States. The Company's media operations consist of the ownership and operation of cable television systems, newspaper publishing (principally The Washington Post) and television broadcasting (through the ownership and operation of six television broadcast stations).

Education—Kaplan, Inc. provides an extensive range of educational services for students and professionals. Kaplan's various businesses comprise three categories: Higher Education, Test Preparation and Kaplan International.

Media—The Company's diversified media operations consist of cable television operations, newspaper publishing and television broadcasting.

Cable television. Cable ONE provides cable services that include basic video, digital video, high-speed data and telephone service in the midwestern, western and southern states of the United States.

Newspaper publishing. Washington Post Media publishes The Washington Post (the Post), which is the largest and most widely circulated morning daily and Sunday newspaper in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area (including large portions of Maryland and northern Virginia), primarily distributed by home delivery. Washington Post Media also produces washingtonpost.com, an Internet site that features news and information products, as well as the full editorial content of the Post. Through the Company's other newspaper publishing businesses, the Company also publishes weekly publications and tabloids distributed within the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and elsewhere, and produces other websites.

Television broadcasting. The Company owns six VHF television stations located in Houston, TX; Detroit, MI; Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; San Antonio, TX; and Jacksonville, FL. Other than the Company's Jacksonville station, WJXT, the Company's television stations are affiliated with one of the major national networks.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Fiscal Year. In 2011, the Company changed its fiscal year from a 52 to 53-week fiscal year ending on the Sunday nearest December 31 to a quarterly month end, with the new fiscal year ending on December 31 of each year. The fiscal years 2012 and 2011, which ended on December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, included approximately 52 weeks. Fiscal year 2010, which ended on January 2, 2011, included 52 weeks. Subsidiaries of the Company report on a calendar-year basis, with the exception of most of the newspaper publishing operations, which report on a 52 to 53-week fiscal year ending on the Sunday nearest December 31.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications. Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2012 presentation, which includes the reclassification of the results of operations of certain businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions.

Business Combinations. The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed, based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The net assets and results of operations of an acquired entity are included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements from the acquisition date.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less and investments in money market funds with weighted average maturities of three months or less.

Restricted Cash. Restricted cash represents amounts held for students that were received from U.S. Federal and state governments under various aid grant and loan programs, such as Title IV of the U.S. Federal Higher Education Act of 1965 (Higher Education Act), as amended, that the Company is required to maintain pursuant to U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and other regulations. Restricted cash also includes certain funds that the Company may be required to return if a student who receives Title IV program funds withdraws from a program. At December 31, 2012, restricted cash also includes funds required to be held by higher education institutions in Australia for prepaid tuition.

Concentration of Credit Risk. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several financial institutions domestically and internationally. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with investment-grade credit ratings. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of significant customers, and this assessment, combined with the large number and geographical diversity of its customers, limits the Company's concentration of risk with respect to trade accounts receivable.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may be uncollectible in the future. This estimated allowance is based primarily on the aging category, historical trends and management's evaluation of the financial condition of the customer. Accounts receivable also have been reduced by an estimate of advertising rate adjustments and discounts, based on estimates of advertising volumes for contract customers who are eligible for advertising rate adjustments and discounts.

Investments in Marketable Equity Securities. The Company's investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and, therefore, are recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Financial Statements, with the change in fair value during the period excluded from earnings and recorded net of income taxes as a separate component of other comprehensive income. If the fair value of a marketable equity security declines below its cost basis and the decline is considered other than temporary, the Company will record a write-down, which is included in earnings. The Company uses the average cost method to determine the basis of the securities sold or reclassified out of other comprehensive income.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts reported in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, the current portion of deferred revenue and the current portion of debt approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value of long-term debt is determined based on a number of observable inputs, including the current market activity of the Company's publicly traded notes, trends in investor demands and market values of comparable publicly traded debt. The fair value of the interest rate hedge is determined based on a number of observable inputs, including time to maturity and market interest rates.

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or current market value. Cost of newsprint is determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost and includes interest capitalized in connection with major long-term construction projects. Replacements and major improvements are capitalized; maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the property, plant and equipment: 3 to 20 years for machinery and equipment, and 20 to 50 years for buildings. The costs of leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful lives or the terms of the respective leases.

The cable television division capitalizes costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities and new cable service installations. Costs include all direct labor and materials, as well as certain indirect costs. The cost of subsequent disconnects and reconnects are expensed as they are incurred.

Evaluation of Long-Lived Assets. The recoverability of long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets is assessed whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. A long-lived asset is considered to not be recoverable when the undiscounted estimated future cash flows are less than the asset's recorded value. An impairment charge is measured based on estimated fair market value, determined primarily using estimated future cash flows on a discounted basis. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, but the fair market value would be reduced for estimated costs to dispose.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identified net assets of businesses acquired. The Company's intangible assets with an indefinite life are principally from franchise agreements at its cable television division, as the Company expects its cable franchise agreements to provide the Company with substantial benefit for a period that extends beyond the foreseeable horizon, and the Company's cable television division historically has obtained renewals and extensions of such agreements for nominal costs and without any material modifications to the agreements. Amortized intangible assets are primarily student and customer relationships and trade names and trademarks, with amortization periods up to 10 years.

The Company reviews goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually, as of November 30, for possible impairment. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying value. The Company tests its goodwill at the reporting unit level, which is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. In reviewing the carrying value of indefinite-lived intangible assets at the cable television division, the Company aggregates its cable systems on a regional basis. The Company initially assesses qualitative factors to determine if it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment review or indefinite-lived intangible asset quantitative impairment review. The Company reviews the goodwill for impairment using the two-step process and the indefinite-lived intangible assets using the quantitative process if, based on its assessment of the qualitative factors, it determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, or if it decides to bypass the qualitative assessment. The Company reviews the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets utilizing a discounted cash flow model, and, where appropriate, a market value approach is also utilized to supplement the discounted cash flow model. The Company makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows, discount rates, long-term growth rates and market values to determine each reporting unit's and indefinite-lived intangible asset's estimated fair value. If these estimates or related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges.

Investments in Affiliates. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in and earnings or losses of affiliates that it does not control, but over which it exerts significant influence. The Company considers whether the fair values of any of its equity method investments have declined below their carrying value whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. If the Company considered any such decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results, product development activities and the overall health of the affiliate's industry), a write-down would be recorded to estimated fair value.

Cost Method Investments. The Company uses the cost method of accounting for its minority investments in nonpublic companies where it does not have significant influence over the operations and management of the investee. Investments are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value as estimated by management. Charges recorded to write down cost method investments to their estimated fair value and gross realized gains or losses upon the sale of cost method investments are included in other (expense) income, net, in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. Fair value estimates are based on a review of the investees' product development activities, historical financial results and projected discounted cash flows.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, the product or service has been delivered and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment.

Education revenues. Tuition revenue is recognized ratably over the period of instruction as services are delivered to students, net of any refunds, corporate discounts, scholarships and employee tuition discounts. At Kaplan's Test Preparation (KTP) and International divisions, estimates of average student course length are developed for each course, and these estimates are evaluated on an ongoing basis and adjusted as necessary. Online access revenue is recognized ratably over the period of access. Course material revenue is recognized over the same period as the tuition or online access, if related, or when the products are delivered, if not related. Other revenues, such as student support services, are recognized when the services are provided.

Kaplan Higher Education (KHE), through the Kaplan Commitment program, provides first-time students with a risk-free trial period. Under the program, KHE monitors academic progress and conducts assessments to help determine whether students are likely to be successful in their chosen course of study. Students who withdraw or are subject to dismissal during the risk-free trial period do not incur any significant financial obligation. The Company does not recognize revenues related to coursework until the students complete the risk-free period, meet the academic requirements and decide to continue with their studies, at which time the fees become fixed and determinable.

Cable television revenues. Cable television revenues are primarily derived from subscriber fees for video, high-speed Internet and phone services, and from advertising. Cable subscriber revenue is recognized monthly as services are delivered. Advertising revenue is recognized when the commercials or programs are aired.

Newspaper publishing and television broadcasting revenues. Media advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, when the underlying advertisement is published or broadcast. Revenues from newspaper subscriptions and retail sales are recognized upon the later of delivery or publication date, with adequate provision made for anticipated sales returns.

Sales returns. Consistent with industry practice, certain of the Company's products, such as newspapers, are sold with the right of return. The Company records, as a reduction of revenue, the estimated impact of such returns. The Company bases its estimates for sales returns on historical experience and has not experienced significant fluctuations between estimated and actual return activity.

Deferred revenue. Amounts received from customers in advance of revenue recognition are deferred as liabilities. Deferred revenue to be earned after one year is included in other noncurrent liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Leases. The Company leases substantially all of its educational facilities and enters into various other lease agreements in conducting its business. At the inception of each lease, the Company evaluates the lease agreement to determine whether the lease is an operating or capital lease. Additionally, many of the Company's lease agreements contain renewal options, tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays and/or rent escalation clauses. When such items are included in a lease agreement, the Company records a deferred rent asset or liability in the Consolidated Financial Statements and records these items in rent expense evenly over the terms of the lease.

The Company is also required to make additional payments under operating lease terms for taxes, insurance and other operating expenses incurred during the operating lease period; such items are expensed as incurred. Rental deposits are included as other assets in the Consolidated Financial Statements for lease agreements that require payments in advance or deposits held for security that are refundable, less any damages, at the end of the respective lease.

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits. The Company maintains various pension and incentive savings plans and contributes to multiemployer plans on behalf of certain union-represented employee groups. Substantially all of the Company's employees are covered by these plans. The Company also provides health care and life insurance benefits to certain retired employees. These employees become eligible for benefits after meeting age and service requirements.

The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and recognizes changes in that funded status in the fiscal year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. The Company measures changes in the funded status of its plans using the projected unit credit method and several actuarial assumptions, the most significant of which are the discount rate, the long-term rate of asset return and rate of compensation increase. The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

Self-Insurance. The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks, including claims related to employee health care and dental care, disability benefits, workers' compensation, general liability, property damage and business interruption. Liabilities associated with these plans are estimated based on, among other things, the Company's historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The expected loss accruals are based on estimates, and while the Company believes that the amounts accrued are adequate, the ultimate loss may differ from the amounts provided.

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations; this evaluation is made on an ongoing basis. In the event the Company were to determine that it was able to realize net deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would record an adjustment to the valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. The Company records a liability for the difference between the benefit recognized and measured for financial statement purposes and the tax position taken or expected to be taken on the Company's tax return. Changes in the estimate are recorded in the period in which such determination is made.

Foreign Currency Translation. Income and expense accounts of the Company's non-United States operations where the local currency is the functional currency are translated into United States (U.S.) dollars using the current rate method, whereby operating results are converted at the average rate of exchange for the period, and assets and liabilities are converted at the closing rates on the period end date. Gains and losses on translation of these accounts are accumulated and reported as a separate component of equity and other comprehensive income. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions, including foreign currency denominated intercompany loans on entities with a functional currency in U.S. dollars, are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Equity-Based Compensation. The Company measures compensation expense for awards settled in shares based on the grant date fair value of the award. The Company measures compensation expense for awards settled in cash, or that may be settled in cash, based on the fair value at each reporting date. The Company recognizes the expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the award.

Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is calculated under the two-class method. The Company treats restricted stock as a participating security due to its nonforfeitable right to dividends. Under the two-class method, the Company allocates to the participating securities their portion of dividends declared and undistributed earnings to the extent the participating securities may share in the earnings as if all earnings for the period had been distributed. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated similarly except that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of options and restricted stock issuable under the Company's stock plans. The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, the change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments in marketable equity securities, net changes in cash flow hedge and pension and other postretirement plan adjustments.

Discontinued Operations. A business is classified as a discontinued operation when (i) the operations and cash flows of the business can be clearly distinguished and have been or will be eliminated from the Company's ongoing operations; (ii) the business has either been disposed of or is classified as held for sale; and (iii) the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the business after the disposal transaction. The results of discontinued operations (as well as the gain or loss on the disposal) are aggregated and separately presented in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations, net of income taxes.

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements. In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amended standard to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The amendment eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity and requires that all changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In addition, the amendment requires companies to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amendment does not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. This amendment is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and must be applied retrospectively. In December 2011, the FASB deferred the requirements related to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. The adoption of the amendment not deferred by the FASB in the first quarter of 2012 is reflected in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

In February 2013, the FASB issued final guidance on the presentation of reclassifications out of other comprehensive income. The amendments require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the income statement or in a footnote, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income, only if the amount reclassified is required by GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP that provide detail about those amounts. This amendment is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The amended standard will not impact the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In July 2012, the FASB issued new guidance that amends the current indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment testing process. The new guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangible assets is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. Previous guidance required an entity to test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, on at least an annual basis, by comparing the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying amount. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. Early adoption is permitted if an entity's financial statements for the most recent period have not yet been issued. The Company early adopted this guidance at the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2012.

Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Discontinued Operations [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations [Text Block]

3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In August 2012, the Company completed the sale of Kidum and recorded a pre-tax gain of $3.6 million and an after-tax gain of $10.2 million related to this sale in the third quarter of 2012. On July 31, 2012, the Company disposed of its interest in Avenue100 Media Solutions, Inc. and recorded a pre-tax loss of $5.7 million related to the disposition. An income tax benefit of $44.5 million was also recorded in the third quarter of 2012 as the Company determined that Avenue100 had no value. The income tax benefit was due to the Company's tax basis in the stock of Avenue100 exceeding its net book value, as a result of goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges recorded in 2008, 2010 and 2011 for which no tax benefit was previously recorded. In April 2012, the Company completed the sale of Kaplan EduNeering. Under the terms of the agreement, the purchaser acquired the stock of EduNeering and received substantially all the assets and liabilities. In the second quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an after-tax gain of $18.5 million related to this sale. In February 2012, Kaplan completed the stock sale of Kaplan Learning Technologies (KLT) and recorded an after-tax loss on the sale of $1.9 million. The Company recorded $23.2 million of income tax benefits in the first quarter of 2012 in connection with the sale of its stock in EduNeering and KLT related to the excess of the outside stock tax basis over the net book value of the net assets disposed. This activity is included in Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

In October 2011, Kaplan completed the sale of Kaplan Compliance Solutions (KCS). Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement, the buyer received KCS's net working capital, tangible and intangible assets and assumed certain liabilities. The Company recorded an after-tax gain on the transaction of $1.5 million. In July 2011, Kaplan completed the sale of Kaplan Virtual Education (KVE). Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement, the buyer received KVE's intellectual property, education programs and selected other long-lived assets. The Company recorded an after-tax loss on the transaction of $1.2 million. This activity is included in Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations for fiscal year 2011.

In April 2010, Kaplan completed the sale of Education Connection and in September 2010, the Company completed the sale of Newsweek magazine. Newsweek employees were participants in The Washington Post Company Retirement Plan, and the Company had historically allocated Newsweek a net pension credit for segment reporting purposes. Since the associated pension assets and liabilities were retained by the Company, the associated pension credit of $25.8 million for fiscal year 2010 has been excluded from the reclassification of Newsweek results to discontinued operations. In 2010, Newsweek recorded $4.7 million in accelerated depreciation and property, plant and equipment write-downs in anticipation of the sale.

The results of operations of Kidum, Avenue100, Kaplan EduNeering, KLT, KCS, KVE, Education Connection and the magazine publishing division for 2012, 2011 and 2010, where applicable, are included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations as Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax. All corresponding prior period operating results presented in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes have been reclassified to reflect the discontinued operations presented. The Company did not reclassify its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows or prior year Consolidated Balance Sheet to reflect the discontinued operations.

The summarized income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and January 2, 2011 is presented below:


(in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Operating revenues	$	35,342	$	118,457	$	231,388
Operating costs and expenses		(42,583)		(155,720)		(315,031)
Loss from discontinued operations		(7,241)		(37,263)		(83,643)
Benefit from income taxes		(2,068)		(8,433)		(20,769)
Net Loss from Discontinued Operations		(5,173)		(28,830)		(62,874)
Gain (loss) on sales and disposition of discontinued operations		23,759		2,975		(9,156)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes on sales and disposition of discontinued operations		(64,591)		2,616		5,869
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$	83,177	$	(28,471)	$	(77,899)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the facts and circumstances leading to the completed or expected disposal, manner and timing of disposal, the gain (loss) recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain (loss), amounts of revenues and pretax profit or loss reported in discontinued operations, the segment in which the disposal group was reported, and the classification (whether sold or classified as held for sale) and carrying value of the assets and liabilities comprising the disposal group. Includes all disposal groups, including those classified as components of the entity (discontinued operations).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 43-48
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e1020-107759

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e1012-107759

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e957-107759

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1474-107760

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6390789&loc=d3e2443-110228

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1436-107760

+ Details

Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Investments [Abstract]

Investments [Text Block]

4. INVESTMENTS

Investments in Marketable Equity Securities. Investments in marketable equity securities at December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of the following:


(in thousands)	2012		2011
Total cost	$	195,832	$	169,271
Net unrealized gains		184,255		133,930
Total Fair Value	$	380,087	$	303,201

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company owned 2,214 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) Class A common stock and 424,250 shares of Berkshire Class B common stock, respectively. The Company's ownership of Berkshire accounted for $334.9 million, or 88%, and $286.4 million, or 94%, of the total fair value of the Company's investments in marketable equity securities at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Berkshire is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of diverse business activities, the most significant of which consists of property and casualty insurance businesses conducted on both a direct and reinsurance basis. Berkshire also owns approximately 23% of the common stock of the Company. The chairman, chief executive officer and largest shareholder of Berkshire, Mr. Warren Buffet, was a member of the Company's Board of Directors until May 2011, at which time Mr. Buffet retired from the Company's Board. The Company's investment in Berkshire common stock is less than 1% of the consolidated equity of Berkshire. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the unrealized gain related to the Company's Berkshire stock investment totaled $177.6 million and $129.1 million, respectively.

At the end of 2012, the Company's investment in Strayer Education, Inc. had been in an unrealized loss position for almost six months. The Company evaluated this investment for other-than-temporary impairment based on various factors, including the duration and severity of the unrealized loss; the reason for the decline in value; the potential recovery period; and the Company's ability and intent to hold the investment. Based on this evaluation, the Company concluded that the unrealized loss was other-than-temporary and recorded an $18.0 million write-down of the investment.

At the end of the first quarter of 2011, the Company's investment in Corinthian Colleges, Inc. had been in an unrealized loss position for over six months. The Company evaluated this investment for other-than-temporary impairment based on various factors, including the duration and severity of the unrealized loss; the reason for the decline in value; the potential recovery period; and the Company's ability and intent to hold the investment. Based on this evaluation, the Company concluded the unrealized loss was other-than-temporary and recorded a $30.7 million write-down of the investment. The investment continued to decline, and in the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an additional $23.1 million write-down of the investment.

The Company invested $45.0 million in marketable equity securities during 2012. There were no new investments of marketable equity securities in 2011 and 2010. During 2012, proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities were $2.0 million, and net realized gains on such sales were $0.5 million. There were no sales of marketable equity securities during 2011 and 2010.

Investments in Affiliates. At the end of 2012, the Company holds a 16.5% interest in Classified Ventures, LLC, which owns and operates several leading businesses in the online classified advertising space, and several other investments.

In the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded impairment charges of $9.2 million on the Company's interest in Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited as a result of the challenging economic environment for newsprint producers. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company sold its 49% interest in the common stock of Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited for a nominal amount; no loss was recorded as the investment had previously been written down to zero.

Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Text Block]

5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accounts receivable at December 31, 2012 and 2011, consist of the following:


(in thousands)		2012		2011
Trade accounts receivable, less estimated returns, doubtful accounts and allowances
	of $35,462 and $50,225	$	379,355	$	375,577
Other accounts receivable			19,849		17,148
		$	399,204	$	392,725

The changes in allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowance for advertising rate adjustments and discounts during 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:


			Additions –				Balance
	Balance at		Charged to				at
	Beginning		Costs and				End of
(in thousands)	of Period		Expenses		Deductions		Period
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns	$	48,199	$	55,605	$	(70,192)	$	33,612
Allowance for advertising rate adjustments and discounts		2,026		15,088		(15,264)		1,850
	$	50,225	$	70,693	$	(85,456)	$	35,462
Year Ended December 31, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns	$	67,007	$	61,327	$	(80,135)	$	48,199
Allowance for advertising rate adjustments and discounts		3,174		11,868		(13,016)		2,026
	$	70,181	$	73,195	$	(93,151)	$	50,225
Year Ended January 2, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns	$	98,286	$	137,888	$	(169,167)	$	67,007
Allowance for advertising rate adjustments and discounts		8,495		12,216		(17,537)		3,174
	$	106,781	$	150,104	$	(186,704)	$	70,181

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011, consist of the following:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	310,294	$	333,282
Accrued compensation and related benefits		176,102		161,759
	$	486,396	$	495,041

Cash overdrafts of $0.9 million and $2.1 million are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of the following:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Land	$	42,992	$	41,093
Buildings		364,844		350,939
Machinery, equipment and fixtures		2,617,344		2,479,823
Leasehold improvements		314,555		304,421
Construction in progress		66,734		95,173
		3,406,469		3,271,449
Less accumulated depreciation		(2,325,232)		(2,119,059)
	$	1,081,237	$	1,152,390

Depreciation expense was $268.6 million, $249.1 million and $242.4 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. This disclosure may include property plant and equipment accounting policies and methodology, a schedule of property, plant and equipment gross, additions, deletions, transfers and other changes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, net, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and useful lives, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

+ References + Details

Acquisitions and Dispositions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquisitions And Dispositions [Abstract]

Acquisitions and Dispositions [Text Block]

7. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

The Company completed business acquisitions totaling approximately $55.6 million, $136.5 million and $14.1 million, in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The assets and liabilities of the companies acquired have been recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

During 2012, the Company completed five business acquisitions totaling approximately $55.6 million. In November 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of a controlling interest in Celtic Healthcare, Inc. (Celtic), a provider of home health care and hospice services in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions. The operating results of Celtic are included in other businesses. The fair value of the noncontrolling interest in Celtic was $5.9 million at the acquisition date, determined using a market approach. The minority shareholder has an option to put their shares to the Company from 2018 to 2022, and the Company has an option to buy the shares of the minority shareholder in 2022. The Company also acquired three small businesses in its education division and one small business in other businesses. The purchase price allocations mostly comprised goodwill and other intangible assets on a preliminary basis.

The Company divested its interest in Avenue100 Media Solutions in July 2012, which was previously reported in other businesses. Kaplan completed the sales of Kidum in August 2012, EduNeering in April 2012 and Kaplan Learning Technologies in February 2012, which were part of the Kaplan Ventures division. Consequently, the Company's income from continuing operations excludes results from these businesses, which have been reclassified to discontinued operations (see Note 3).

In February 2013, the Company announced that it had signed an agreement to sell The Herald, a daily and Sunday newspaper headquartered in Everett, WA; the transaction is expected to close in March 2013.

During 2011, the Company completed five business acquisitions totaling approximately $136.5 million, including assumed debt of $5.5 million and other assumed liabilities. Kaplan acquired three businesses in its Kaplan International division, one business in its KHE division and one business in its Kaplan Ventures division. These included the May 2011 acquisitions of Franklyn Scholar and Carrick Education Group, leading national providers of vocational training and higher education in Australia, and the June 2011 acquisition of Structuralia, a provider of e-learning for the engineering and infrastructure sector in Spain. During 2010, the Company acquired six businesses for $14.1 million. Kaplan acquired two small businesses in its KTP division, one small business in its Ventures division and one small business in its International division. The Company made two small acquisitions in its cable television and other businesses divisions. The purchase price allocations for these acquisitions mostly comprised goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.

Kaplan completed the sales of KVE in July 2011 and KCS in October 2011, which were part of Kaplan Ventures and KHE, respectively. In April 2010, Kaplan completed the sale of Education Connection, which was part of Kaplan Ventures, and in September 2010, the Company completed the sale of Newsweek. Consequently, the Company's income from continuing operations excludes results from these businesses, which have been reclassified to discontinued operations (see Note 3).

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Text Block]

8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As part of the Company's annual impairment review, the KTP reporting unit failed the step one goodwill impairment test, and, therefore, a step two analysis was performed. As a result of the step two analysis, the Company recorded a goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charge of $111.6 million. The Company estimated the fair value utilizing a discounted cash flow model, supported by a market approach. The impairment charge is the result of a recent slowdown in enrollment growth at KTP, operating losses for the past three years and other factors. A substantial portion of the impairment charge is due to the amount of unrecognized intangible assets identified in the step two analysis.

The education division made several changes to its operating and reporting structure in the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, changing the composition of the reporting units within KTP and KHE. The changes resulted in the reassignment of the assets and liabilities to the reporting units affected. The goodwill was allocated to the reporting units affected using the relative fair value approach.

As a result of continued challenges in the lead generation industry, in both the third quarters of 2011 and 2010, the Company performed interim reviews of the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets at its online lead generation business. The business failed the step one goodwill impairment tests and the Company performed a step two analysis, resulting in an $11.9 million and a $27.5 million goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charge in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company estimated the fair value utilizing a discounted cash flow model. The impairment charges are included in “Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax” in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations (see Note 3).

Amortization of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and January 2, 2011, was $21.0 million, $22.3 million and $21.6 million, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be approximately $15 million in 2013, $9 million in 2014, $7 million in 2015, $6 million in 2016, $5 million in 2017 and $4 million thereafter.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, during 2012 and 2011 were as follows:


				Cable		Newspaper		Television		Other
(in thousands)		Education		Television		Publishing		Broadcasting		Businesses		Total
Balance as of January 2, 2011
	Goodwill	$	1,073,089	$	85,488	$	81,183	$	203,165	$	100,152	$	1,543,077
	Accumulated impairment losses		(15,529)		―		(65,772)		―		(85,419)		(166,720)
			1,057,560		85,488		15,411		203,165		14,733		1,376,357
Acquisitions			78,643		―		―		―		―		78,643
Impairment			―		―		―		―		(11,923)		(11,923)
Dispositions			(21,144)		―		―		―		―		(21,144)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other			(6,936)		―		―		―		―		(6,936)
Balance as of December 31, 2011
	Goodwill		1,116,615		85,488		81,183		203,165		100,152		1,586,603
	Accumulated impairment losses		(8,492)		―		(65,772)		―		(97,342)		(171,606)
			1,108,123		85,488		15,411		203,165		2,810		1,414,997
Acquisitions			7,364		―		―		―		16,242		23,606
Impairment			(102,259)		―		―		―		―		(102,259)
Dispositions			(29,000)		―		―		―		―		(29,000)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other			10,571		―		―		―		―		10,571
Balance as of December 31, 2012
	Goodwill		1,097,058		85,488		81,183		203,165		19,052		1,485,946
	Accumulated impairment losses		(102,259)		―		(65,772)		―		―		(168,031)
		$	994,799	$	85,488	$	15,411	$	203,165	$	19,052	$	1,317,915

The changes in carrying amount of goodwill at the Company's education division for 2012 and 2011 were as follows:


		Higher		Test		Kaplan		Kaplan
(in thousands)		Education		Preparation		International		Ventures		Total
Balance as of January 2, 2011
	Goodwill	$	335,226	$	229,486	$	444,940	$	63,437	$	1,073,089
	Accumulated impairment losses		―		(7,037)		―		(8,492)		(15,529)
			335,226		222,449		444,940		54,945		1,057,560
Reallocation, net			91,043		(70,262)		―		(20,781)		―
Acquisitions			422		―		74,803		3,418		78,643
Dispositions			(17,479)		―		―		(3,665)		(21,144)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other			(84)		―		(3,807)		(3,045)		(6,936)
Balance as of December 31, 2011
	Goodwill		409,128		152,187		515,936		39,364		1,116,615
	Accumulated impairment losses		―		―		―		(8,492)		(8,492)
			409,128		152,187		515,936		30,872		1,108,123
Acquisitions			―		―		7,364		―		7,364
Impairment			―		(102,259)		―		―		(102,259)
Dispositions			―		―		―		(29,000)		(29,000)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other			56		―		12,387		(1,872)		10,571

Balance as of December 31, 2012
	Goodwill		409,184		152,187		535,687		―		1,097,058
	Accumulated impairment losses		―		(102,259)		―		―		(102,259)
		$	409,184	$	49,928	$	535,687	$	―	$	994,799

Other intangible assets consist of the following:


			As of December 31, 2012						As of December 31, 2011
			Gross				Net		Gross				Net
		Useful Life	Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying		Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
(in thousands)		Range	Amount		Amortization		Amount		Amount		Amortization		Amount
Amortized Intangible Assets
	Noncompete agreements	2–5 years	$	14,008	$	12,546	$	1,462	$	14,493	$	10,764	$	3,729
	Student and customer relationships	2–10 years		73,693		40,787		32,906		75,734		47,888		27,846
	Databases and technology	3–5 years		6,457		5,707		750		10,514		8,159		2,355
	Trade names and trademarks	2–10 years		26,634		18,185		8,449		36,222		18,936		17,286
	Other	1–25 years		8,849		6,839		2,010		9,971		6,565		3,406
			$	129,641	$	84,064	$	45,577	$	146,934	$	92,312	$	54,622
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Franchise agreements		$	496,321					$	496,321
	Wireless licenses			22,150						22,150
	Licensure and accreditation			7,371						7,862
	Other			13,886						4,308
			$	539,728					$	530,641

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes [Text Block]

9. INCOME TAXES

Income from continuing operations before income taxes consists of the following:

(in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
U.S.	$	103,094	$	235,653	$	555,646
Non-U.S.		17,516		11,875		22,673
	$	120,610	$	247,528	$	578,319

2011 non-U.S. results include a loss from a $9.2 million impairment charge with respect to an investment in a non-U.S. affiliate.

The provision for income taxes on income from continuing operations consists of the following:

(in thousands)	Current		Deferred		Total
2012
U.S. Federal	$	99,424	$	(48,685)	$	50,739
State and Local		14,062		(5,135)		8,927
Non-U.S.		12,631		(697)		11,934
	$	126,117	$	(54,517)	$	71,600
2011
U.S. Federal	$	40,450	$	26,732	$	67,182
State and Local		15,937		10,475		26,412
Non-U.S.		9,129		(823)		8,306
	$	65,516	$	36,384	$	101,900
2010
U.S. Federal	$	137,943	$	12,040	$	149,983
State and Local		28,366		34,011		62,377
Non-U.S.		11,030		(990)		10,040
	$	177,339	$	45,061	$	222,400

The provision for income taxes on continuing operations exceeds the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% to income from continuing operations before taxes as a result of the following:

(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
U.S. Federal taxes at statutory rate		$	42,213	$	86,635	$	202,412
State and local taxes, net of U.S. Federal tax			9,247		4,143		26,689
Valuation allowances against state tax benefits, net of U.S. Federal tax			(3,443)		9,748		13,856
Tax provided on non-U.S. subsidiary earnings and distributions at less
	than the expected U.S. Federal statutory tax rate		(7,320)		(6,882)		(4,327)
Valuation allowances against non-U.S. income tax benefits			15,966		8,072		2,921
Goodwill impairments			12,776		―		―
U.S. Federal Manufacturing Deduction tax (benefit) expense			(3,323)		1,365		(8,419)
Other, net			5,484		(1,181)		(10,732)
Provision for Income Taxes		$	71,600	$	101,900	$	222,400

Results for 2011 include $1.4 million in income tax expense related to the U.S. Federal manufacturing deduction; this amount reflects a 2011 tax benefit, offset by a change in estimate for 2010.

During 2012, 2011 and 2010, in addition to the income tax provision for continuing operations presented above, the Company also recorded tax benefits on discontinued operations. Losses from discontinued operations and gains or losses on sales and dispositions of discontinued operations have been reclassified from previously reported income from operations and reported separately as loss from discontinued operations, net of tax. Tax benefits of $66.7 million, $5.8 million and $14.9 million with respect to discontinued operations were recorded in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Deferred income taxes at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, consist of the following:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Accrued postretirement benefits	$	25,287	$	28,525
Other benefit obligations		123,306		112,646
Accounts receivable		31,073		28,047
State income tax loss carryforwards		34,578		34,506
U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards		2,857		6,301
U.S. Federal capital loss carryforwards		10,837		―
U.S. Federal foreign income tax credit carryforwards		6,781		―
Non-U.S. income tax loss carryforwards		27,039		14,906
Other		58,133		60,881
Deferred Tax Assets		319,891		285,812
Valuation allowances		(78,109)		(59,179)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$	241,782	$	226,633
Property, plant and equipment		175,025		200,054
Prepaid pension cost		241,846		213,663
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities		73,712		53,588
Goodwill and other intangible assets		276,652		291,346
Deferred Tax Liabilities	$	767,235	$	758,651
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net	$	525,453	$	532,018

The Company has approximately $666.7 million of state income tax loss carryforwards available to offset future state taxable income. State income tax loss carryforwards, if unutilized, will start to expire approximately as follows:


(in millions)
2013	$	5.7
2014		6.1
2015		5.1
2016		5.4
2017		1.5
2018 and after		642.9
Total	$	666.7

The Company has recorded at December 31, 2012, approximately $34.6 million in deferred state income tax assets, net of U.S. Federal income tax, with respect to these state income tax loss carryforwards. The Company has established a full valuation allowance reducing the net recorded amount of deferred tax assets with respect to state tax loss carryforwards, since the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that the state tax losses may not be fully utilized in the future to reduce state taxable income.

The Company has approximately $8.1 million of U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards obtained as a result of prior stock acquisitions. U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards are expected to be fully utilized as follows:


(in millions)
2013	$	0.7
2014		0.7
2015		0.7
2016		0.7
2017		0.7
2018 and after		4.6
Total	$	8.1

The Company has established at December 31, 2012 approximately $2.9 million in U.S. Federal deferred tax assets with respect to these U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards.

The Company has approximately $27.8 million of U.S. Federal capital loss carryforwards obtained mainly as a result of dispositions during 2012 of the stock of former subsidiaries and an affiliate. U.S. Federal capital loss carryforwards are expected to be fully utilized for U.S. Federal tax purposes in the future, but will expire at the end of 2017 if not utilized. The Company has recorded at December 31, 2012 approximately $10.8 million of deferred tax assets with respect to these U.S. Federal capital loss carryforwards.

For U.S. Federal income tax purposes, the Company has approximately $6.8 million of foreign tax credits available to be credited against future U.S. Federal income tax liabilities. These U.S. Federal foreign tax credits are expected to be fully utilized in the future, but will expire at the end of 2022 if not utilized. The Company has established at December 31, 2012, approximately $6.8 million of U.S. Federal deferred tax assets with respect to these U.S. Federal foreign tax credit carryforwards.

The Company has approximately $93.0 million of non-U.S. income tax loss carryforwards as a result of operating losses and prior stock acquisitions, that are available to offset future non-U.S. taxable income, and has recorded with respect to these losses, approximately $27.0 million in non-U.S. deferred income tax assets. The Company has established approximately $25.2 million in valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets recorded for the portion of non-U.S. tax losses that may not be fully utilized to reduce future non-U.S. taxable income. The $93.0 million of non-U.S. income tax loss carryforwards consist of $84.6 million in losses that may be carried forward indefinitely; $3.0 million of losses that, if unutilized, will expire in varying amounts through 2017; and $5.4 million of losses that, if unutilized, will start to expire after 2017.

Deferred tax valuation allowances and changes in deferred tax valuation allowances were as follows:


			Additions –
	Balance at		Charged to				Balance at
	Beginning		Costs and				End of
(in thousands)	of Period		Expenses		Deductions		Period
Year ended
December 31, 2012	$	59,179	$	18,930		―	$	78,109
December 31, 2011	$	41,359	$	17,820		―	$	59,179
January 2, 2011	$	26,239	$	16,777	$	(1,657)	$	41,359

The Company has established $48.2 million in valuation allowances against deferred state tax assets recognized, net of U.S. Federal tax. As stated above, approximately $34.6 million of the valuation allowances, net of U.S. Federal income tax, relate to state income tax loss carryforwards. The Company has established valuation allowances against state income tax assets recognized, without considering potentially offsetting deferred tax liabilities established with respect to prepaid pension cost and goodwill. Prepaid pension cost and goodwill have not been considered a source of future taxable income for realizing deferred tax assets recognized since these temporary differences are not likely to reverse in the foreseeable future. The valuation allowances established against state income tax assets are recorded at the newspaper publishing division, the corporate office and the education division, and may increase or decrease within the next 12 months, based on operating results or the market value of investment holdings; as a result, the Company is unable to estimate the potential tax impact, given the uncertain operating and market environment. The Company will be monitoring future operating results and projected future operating results on a quarterly basis to determine whether the valuation allowances provided against deferred state tax assets should be increased or decreased, as future circumstances warrant.

The Company has not established valuation allowances against any U.S. Federal deferred tax assets.

The Company has established $29.9 million in valuation allowances against non-U.S. deferred tax assets, and, as stated above, $25.2 million of the non-U.S. valuation allowances relate to non-U.S. income tax loss carryforwards.

Deferred U.S. Federal and state income taxes are recorded with respect to undistributed earnings of investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries to the extent taxable dividend income would be recognized if such earnings were distributed. Deferred income taxes recorded with respect to undistributed earnings of investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries are recorded net of foreign tax credits with respect to such undistributed earnings estimated to be creditable against future U.S. Federal tax liabilities. At December 31, 2012, a net U.S. Federal and state deferred income tax liability of about $1.7 million was recorded with respect to undistributed earnings of investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries based on the year-end position. At December 31, 2011, about $0.7 million of net deferred U.S. Federal income tax assets were recorded since it was apparent that a portion of the temporary differences would reverse in 2012.

Deferred U.S. Federal and state income taxes have not been recorded for the full book value and tax basis differences related to investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries because such investments are expected to be indefinitely held. The book value exceeded the tax basis of investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries by approximately $64.2 million and $60.6 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively; these differences would result in approximately $14.7 million and $13.4 million of net additional U.S. Federal and state deferred tax liabilities, net of foreign tax credits related to undistributed earnings and estimated to be creditable against future U.S. Federal tax liabilities, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. If investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries were held for sale instead of expected to be held indefinitely, additional U.S. Federal and state deferred tax liabilities would be required to be recorded, and such deferred tax liabilities, if recorded, may exceed the above estimates.

The Company does not currently anticipate that within the next 12 months there will be any events requiring the establishment of any valuation allowances against U.S. Federal net deferred tax assets. The valuation allowances established against non-U.S. deferred tax assets are recorded at the education division, as this is the only division with significant non-U.S operating activities, and these are largely related to the educations division's operations in Australia. These valuation allowances may increase or decrease within the next 12 months, based on operating results; as a result, the Company is unable to estimate the potential tax impact, given the uncertain operating environment. The Company will be monitoring future education division operating results and projected future operating results on a quarterly basis to determine whether the valuation allowances provided against non-U.S. deferred tax assets should be increased or decreased, as future circumstances warrant.

The Company files income tax returns with the U.S. Federal government and in various state, local and non-U.S. governmental jurisdictions, with the consolidated U.S. Federal tax return filing considered the only major tax jurisdiction. The statute of limitations has expired on all consolidated U.S. Federal corporate income tax returns filed through 2008, and the Internal Revenue Service is not currently examining any of the post-2008 returns filed by the Company.

The Company endeavors to comply with tax laws and regulations where it does business, but cannot guarantee that, if challenged, the Company's interpretation of all relevant tax laws and regulations will prevail and that all tax benefits recorded in the financial statements will ultimately be recognized in full. The Company has taken reasonable efforts to address uncertain tax positions and has determined that there are no material transactions and no material tax positions taken by the Company that would fail to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold for recognizing transactions or tax positions in the financial statements. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded a reserve for uncertain tax positions in the financial statements, and the Company does not expect any significant tax increase or decrease to occur within the next 12 months with respect to any transactions or tax positions taken and reflected in the financial statements. In making these determinations, the Company presumes that taxing authorities pursuing examinations of the Company's compliance with tax law filing requirements will have full knowledge of all relevant information, and, if necessary, the Company will pursue resolution of disputed tax positions by appeals or litigation.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 136, 172
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319

+ Details

Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt [Abstract]

Debt [Text Block]

10. DEBT

The Company's borrowings at December 31, 2012 and 2011, consist of the following:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	$	397,479	$	397,065
USD Revolving credit borrowing		240,121		―
AUD Revolving credit borrowing		51,915		51,012
Commercial paper borrowings		―		109,671
Other indebtedness		7,196		7,464
Total Debt		696,711		565,212
Less: current portion		(243,327)		(112,983)
Total Long-Term Debt	$	453,384	$	452,229

On December 20, 2012, the Company borrowed $240 million under its revolving credit facility at an interest rate of 1.5107%; this was fully repaid on January 11, 2013. The Company did not have any outstanding commercial paper borrowing as of December 31, 2012. The Company did not borrow funds under its USD revolving credit facility in 2011. At December 31, 2011, the average interest rate on the Company's outstanding commercial paper borrowing was 0.5%. The Company's other indebtedness at December 31, 2012, is at interest rates of 0% to 6% and matures from 2013 to 2017.

In January 2009, the Company issued $400 million in unsecured ten-year fixed-rate notes due February 1, 2019 (the Notes). The Notes have a coupon rate of 7.25% per annum, payable semiannually on February 1 and August 1. Under the terms of the Notes, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes, the Company is required to offer to repurchase the Notes in cash at 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, upon the occurrence of both a Change of Control and Below Investment Grade Rating Events as described in the Prospectus Supplement of January 27, 2009.

On June 17, 2011, the Company terminated its U.S. $500 million five-year revolving credit agreement, dated August 8, 2006, among the Company, the lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A. (the 2006 Credit Agreement), in connection with the entrance into a new revolving credit facility. No borrowings were outstanding under the 2006 Credit Agreement at the time of termination. On June 17, 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the Credit Agreement) providing for a new U.S. $450 million, AUD 50 million four-year revolving credit facility (the Facility) with each of the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (JP Morgan), and J.P. Morgan Australia Limited as Australian Sub-Agent. The Facility consists of two tranches: (a) U.S. $450 million and (b) AUD 50 million (subject, at the Company's option, to conversion of the unused Australian dollar commitments into U.S. dollar commitments at a specified exchange rate). The Credit Agreement provides for an option to increase the total U.S. dollar commitments up to an aggregate amount of U.S. $700 million. The Company is required to pay a facility fee on a quarterly basis, based on the Company's long-term debt ratings, of between 0.08% and 0.20% of the amount of the Facility. Any borrowings are made on an unsecured basis and bear interest at (a) for U.S. dollar borrowings, at the Company's option, either (i) a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of JPMorgan's prime rate, 0.50 percent above the Federal funds rate or the one-month eurodollar rate plus 1%, or (ii) the eurodollar rate for the applicable interest period; or (b) for Australian dollar borrowings, the bank bill rate, in each case plus an applicable margin that depends on the Company's long-term debt ratings. The Facility will expire on June 17, 2015, unless the Company and the banks agree to extend the term. Any outstanding borrowings must be repaid on or prior to the final termination date. The Credit Agreement contains terms and conditions, including remedies in the event of a default by the Company, typical of facilities of this type and, among other things, requires the Company to maintain at least $1.5 billion of consolidated stockholders' equity.

On September 7, 2011, the Company borrowed AUD 50 million under its revolving credit facility. On the same date, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements with a total notional value of AUD 50 million and a maturity date of March 7, 2015. These interest rate swap agreements will pay the Company variable interest on the AUD 50 million notional amount at the three-month bank bill rate, and the Company will pay the counterparties a fixed rate of 4.5275%. These interest rate swap agreements were entered into to convert the variable rate Australian dollar borrowing under the revolving credit facility into a fixed rate borrowing. Based on the terms of the interest rate swap agreements and the underlying borrowing, these interest rate swap agreements were determined to be effective and thus qualify as a cash flow hedge. As such, any changes in the fair value of these interest rate swaps are recorded in other comprehensive income on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows.

During 2012 and 2011, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $483.3 million and $426.7 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 6.7% and 7.0%, respectively. The Company incurred net interest expense of $32.6 million, $29.1 million and $27.9 million during 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the fair value of the Company's 7.25% unsecured notes, based on quoted market prices, totaled $481.4 million and $460.5 million, respectively, compared with the carrying amount of $397.5 million and $397.1 million. The carrying value of the Company's other unsecured debt at December 31, 2012, approximates fair value.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

+ References + Details

Redeemable Preferred Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Redeemable Preferred Stock [Absract]

Redeemable Preferred Stock [Text Block]

11. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

The Series A preferred stock has a par value of $1.00 per share and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share; it is redeemable by the Company at any time on or after October 1, 2015, at a redemption price of $1,000 per share. In addition, the holders of such stock have a right to require the Company to purchase their shares at the redemption price during an annual 60-day election period. Dividends on the Series A preferred stock are payable four times a year at the annual rate of $80.00 per share and in preference to any dividends on the Company's common stock. The Series A preferred stock is not convertible into any other security of the Company, and the holders thereof have no voting rights except with respect to any proposed changes in the preferences and special rights of such stock.

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options [Abstract]

Capital Stock, Stock Awards And Stock Options [Textblock]

12. CAPITAL STOCK, STOCK AWARDS AND STOCK OPTIONS

Capital Stock. Each share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock participates equally in dividends. The Class B stock has limited voting rights and as a class has the right to elect 30% of the Board of Directors; the Class A stock has unlimited voting rights, including the right to elect a majority of the Board of Directors. In 2012 and 2011, the Company's Class A shareholders converted 10,000, or 1%, and 11,500, or 1%, respectively, of the Class A shares of the Company to an equal number of Class B shares. The conversions had no impact on the voting rights of the Class A and Class B common stock.

During 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company purchased a total of 301,231, 644,948 and 1,057,940 shares, respectively, of its Class B common stock at a cost of approximately $103.2 million, $248.1 million and $404.8 million, respectively. In September 2011, the Board of Directors increased the authorization to repurchase a total of 750,000 shares of Class B common stock. The Company did not announce a ceiling price or a time limit for the purchases. The authorization included 43,573 shares that remained under the previous authorization. At December 31, 2012, the Company had authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase up to 192,243 shares of Class B common stock.

Stock Awards. In 1982, the Company adopted a long-term incentive compensation plan, which, among other provisions, authorizes the awarding of Class B common stock to key employees. Stock awards made under this incentive compensation plan are primarily subject to the general restriction that stock awarded to a participant will be forfeited and revert to Company ownership if the participant's employment terminates before the end of a specified period of service to the Company. Some of the awards are also subject to performance and market conditions and will be forfeited and revert to Company ownership if the conditions are not met. At December 31, 2012, there were 302,055 shares reserved for issuance under the incentive compensation plan. Of this number, 207,917 shares were subject to awards outstanding and 94,138 shares were available for future awards. Activity related to stock awards under the long-term incentive compensation plan for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and January 2, 2011, was as follows:


	2012			2011			2010
	Number	Average		Number	Average		Number	Average
	of	Grant-Date		of	Grant-Date		of	Grant-Date
	Shares	Fair Value		Shares	Fair Value		Shares	Fair Value
Beginning of year, unvested	77,319	$	424.45	48,359	$	498.95	66,020	$	494.97
Awarded	145,348		321.56	44,030		432.09	1,859		442.29
Vested	(7,134)		499.06	(13,132)		722.67	(2,644)		754.81
Forfeited	(7,616)		417.79	(1,938)		436.31	(16,876)		437.06
End of Year, Unvested	207,917	$	350.21	77,319	$	424.45	48,359	$	498.95

For the share awards outstanding at December 31, 2012, the aforementioned restriction will lapse in 2013 for 28,555 shares, in 2014 for 2,674 shares, in 2015 for 41,968 shares, in 2016 for 24,850 shares, in 2017 for 67,370 shares and in 2018 for 42,500 shares. Also, in early 2013, the Company made stock awards of 7,681 shares. Stock-based compensation costs resulting from Company stock awards were $11.4 million, $8.9 million and $4.8 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

As of December 31, 2012, there was $50.9 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to this plan. That cost is expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

Stock Options. The Company's employee stock option plan reserves 1,900,000 shares of the Company's Class B common stock for options to be granted under the plan. The purchase price of the shares covered by an option cannot be less than the fair value on the granting date. Options generally vest over four years and have a maximum term of 10 years. At December 31, 2012, there were 351,675 shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan, of which 125,694 shares were subject to options outstanding and 225,981 shares were available for future grants.

Activity related to options outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2012, December 31, 2011 and January 2, 2011 was as follows:


	2012			2011			2010
	Number	Average		Number	Average		Number	Average
	of	Option		of	Option		of	Option
	Shares	Price		Shares	Price		Shares	Price
Beginning of year	129,044	$	494.95	87,919	$	495.05	90,569	$	525.44
Granted	7,500		378.00	51,000		499.45	22,500		395.68
Expired or forfeited	(10,850)		605.82	(9,875)		519.04	(25,150)		515.59
End of Year	125,694	$	478.32	129,044	$	494.95	87,919	$	495.05

Of the shares covered by options outstanding at the end of 2012, 64,021 are now exercisable; 25,423 will become exercisable in 2013; 19,750 will become exercisable in 2014; 14,625 will become exercisable in 2015; and 1,875 will become exercisable in 2016. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded expense of $2.9 million, $2.7 million and $1.4 million related to this plan, respectively. Information related to stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2012 is as follows:

	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
		Weighted				Weighted
	Shares	Average	Weighted		Shares	Average	Weighted
Range of	Outstanding	Remaining	Average		Exercisable	Remaining	Average
Exercise	at	Contractual	Exercise		at	Contractual	Exercise
Prices	12/31/2012	Life (yrs.)	Price		12/31/2012	Life (yrs.)	Price
$343–396	41,000	7.7	$	383.78	22,250	6.9	$	381.54
419–439	21,694	6.5		422.67	16,271	6.5		422.67
503	50,000	8.2		502.58	12,500	8.2		502.58
652	2,000	5.4		651.91	2,000	5.4		651.91
729–763	7,000	3.9		729.67	7,000	3.9		729.67
816	1,000	0.9		816.05	1,000	0.9		816.05
954	3,000	2.0		953.50	3,000	2.0		953.50
	125,694	7.2	$	478.32	64,021	6.3	$	495.72

At December 31, 2012, the intrinsic value for all options outstanding, exercisable and unvested was $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option. The market value of the Company's stock was $365.21 at December 31, 2012. At December 31, 2012, there were 61,673 unvested options related to this plan with an average exercise price of $460.24 and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 8.2 years. At December 31, 2011, there were 83,459 unvested options with an average exercise price of $463.53.

As of December 31, 2012, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to this plan was $5.1 million, which is expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average period of approximately 2.3 years. There were no options exercised during 2012, 2011 and 2010.

All options granted during 2012 and 2010 were at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant. During 2011, the Company granted 50,000 options at an exercise price above the fair market value of its common stock at the date of grant. All other options granted during 2011 were at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant. The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $91.71, $110.67 and $106.70, respectively. Also, in early 2013, an additional 15,000 stock options were granted.

The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes method utilizing the following assumptions:


	2012	2011
Expected life (years)	7	7
Interest rate	1.04%–1.27%	1.49%–2.85%
Volatility	31.71%–31.80%	30.35%–31.24%
Dividend yield	2.54%–2.60%	2.11%–2.74%

The Company also maintains a stock option plan at Kaplan. Under the provisions of this plan, options were issued with an exercise price equal to the estimated fair value of Kaplan's common stock, and options vested ratably over the number of years specified (generally four to five years) at the time of the grant. Upon exercise, an option holder may receive Kaplan shares or cash equal to the difference between the exercise price and the then fair value.

At December 31, 2012, a Kaplan senior manager holds 6,447 Kaplan restricted shares, as well as 759 Kaplan restricted shares issued in 2010 that vest over a three-year period. The fair value of Kaplan's common stock is determined by the Company's compensation committee of the Board of Directors, and in January 2013, the committee set the fair value price at $973 per share. No options were awarded during 2012, 2011 or 2010; no options were exercised during 2012 or 2010 and there are no options outstanding at December 31, 2012. In December 2011, a Kaplan senior manager exercised 2,000 Kaplan stock options at an option price of $652 per option.

Kaplan recorded a stock compensation credit of $1.1 million, $1.3 million and $1.2 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2012, the Company's accrual balance related to Kaplan stock-based compensation totaled $7.0 million. There were no payouts in 2012, 2011 or 2010. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2011 was $1.0 million.

Earnings Per Share. The Company's earnings per share from continuing operations (basic and diluted) for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and January 2, 2011 are presented below:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)			2012		2011		2010
Income from continuing operations attributable to
	The Washington Post Company common stockholders		$	48,041	$	144,704	$	355,091
Less: Amount attributable to participating securities				(3,257)		(1,459)		(2,182)
Basic Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to
	The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders		$	44,784	$	143,245	$	352,909
Plus: Amount attributable to participating securities				3,257		1,459		2,182
Diluted Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to
	The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders		$	48,041	$	144,704	$	355,091
Basic weighted average shares outstanding				7,360		7,826		8,869
Plus: Effect of dilutive shares related to stock options and restricted stock				44		79		62
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding				7,404		7,905		8,931
Income Per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to
	The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders:
		Basic	$	6.09	$	18.30	$	39.78
		Diluted	$	6.09	$	18.30	$	39.76

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the basic earnings per share computed under the two-class method is lower than the diluted earnings per share computed under the if-converted method for participating securities, resulting in the presentation of the lower amount in diluted earnings per share. The 2012, 2011 and 2010 diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of 124,694, 115,294 and 30,225 stock options outstanding, respectively, as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. The 2012 diluted earnings per share amounts also exclude the effects of 52,200 restricted stock awards, as their inclusion would have been antidilutive.

In 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company declared regular dividends totaling $9.80, $9.40 and $9.00 per share, respectively. In December 2012, the Company declared and paid an accelerated cash dividend totaling $9.80 per share, in lieu of regular quarterly dividends that the Company otherwise would have declared and paid in calendar year 2013.

Pension and Postretirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Pension and Postretirement Plans [Abstract]

Pension and Postretirement Plans [Text Block]

13. PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

The Company maintains various pension and incentive savings plans and contributes to multiemployer plans on behalf of certain union-represented employee groups. Most of the Company's employees are covered by these plans.

The Company also provides health care and life insurance benefits to certain retired employees. These employees become eligible for benefits after meeting age and service requirements.

The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

Defined Benefit Plans. The Company's defined benefit pension plans consist of various pension plans and a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) offered to certain executives of the Company.

Effective August 1, 2012, the Company's defined benefit pension plan was amended to provide most of the current participants with a new cash balance benefit. The new cash balance benefit will be funded by the assets of the Company's pension plans. As a result of this new benefit, the Company's matching contribution for its 401(k) Savings Plans was reduced.

In 2012, the Company offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees of The Washington Post newspaper and recorded early retirement expense of $7.5 million. In addition, the Company offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees of Post–Newsweek Media and recorded early retirement expense of $1.0 million. The early retirement program expense for these programs is funded from the assets of the Company's pension plans.

In 2011, the Company offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees of Robinson Terminal Warehouse Corporation and the Post and recorded early retirement expense of $0.6 million. The early retirement program expense for these programs is funded mostly from the assets of the Company's pension plans.

In connection with the Newsweek sale in 2010, the Company recorded $5.3 million in special termination benefits expense and $2.4 million in prior service cost expense; these amounts are included in discontinued operations.

The following table sets forth obligation, asset and funding information for the Company's defined benefit pension plans at December 31, 2012 and 2011:


	Pension Plans
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	1,279,315	$	1,113,205
Service cost		40,344		27,619
Interest cost		59,124		60,033
Amendments		8,508		2,776
Actuarial loss		144,286		140,126
Benefits paid and other		(65,255)		(64,444)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	1,466,322	$	1,279,315
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$	1,816,577	$	1,651,958
Actual return on plan assets		319,823		229,063
Benefits paid and other		(65,255)		(64,444)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year	$	2,071,145	$	1,816,577
Funded Status	$	604,823	$	537,262

	SERP
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	92,863	$	79,403
Service cost		1,467		1,655
Interest cost		4,241		4,342
Amendments		―		369
Actuarial loss		8,428		9,059
Benefits paid and other		(2,937)		(1,965)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	104,062	$	92,863
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$	―	$	―
Employer contributions and other		3,681		3,114
Benefits paid		(3,681)		(3,114)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year	$	―	$	―
Funded Status	$	(104,062)	$	(92,863)

The accumulated benefit obligation for the Company's pension plans at December 31, 2012 and 2011, was $1,349.2 million and $1,191.9 million, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation for the Company's SERP at December 31, 2012 and 2011, was $97.6 million and $86.6 million, respectively. The amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets for its defined benefit pension plans at December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:

	Pension Plans				SERP
(in thousands)	2012		2011		2012		2011
Noncurrent asset	$	604,823	$	537,262	$	―	$	―
Current liability		―		―		(4,368)		(4,002)
Noncurrent liability		―		―		(99,694)		(88,861)
Recognized Asset (Liability)	$	604,823	$	537,262	$	(104,062)	$	(92,863)

Key assumptions utilized for determining the benefit obligation at December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:

	Pension Plans		SERP
	2012	2011	2012	2011
Discount rate	4.0%	4.7%	4.0%	4.7%
Rate of compensation increase	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%

The Company made no contributions to its pension plans in 2012, 2011 and 2010, and the Company does not expect to make any contributions in 2013. The Company made contributions to its SERP of $3.7 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As the plan is unfunded, the Company makes contributions to the SERP based on actual benefit payments.

At December 31, 2012, future estimated benefit payments, excluding charges for early retirement programs, are as follows:


(in thousands)	Pension Plans		SERP
2013	$	75,081	$	4,454
2014	$	74,887	$	4,768
2015	$	75,207	$	4,846
2016	$	76,285	$	5,360
2017	$	78,657	$	5,511
2018–2022	$	429,337	$	30,867

The total cost (benefit) arising from the Company's defined benefit pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and January 2, 2011, including a portion included in discontinued operations, consists of the following components:

		Pension Plans
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Service cost		$	40,344	$	27,619	$	26,976
Interest cost			59,124		60,033		60,329
Expected return on assets			(96,132)		(95,983)		(95,340)
Amortization of transition asset			―		―		(29)
Amortization of prior service cost			3,695		3,605		4,201
Recognized actuarial loss			9,013		―		―
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit) for the Year			16,044		(4,726)		(3,863)
Early retirement programs expense			8,508		634		―
Special termination benefits			―		―		5,295
Recognition of prior service cost			―		―		2,369
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year		$	24,552	$	(4,092)	$	3,801
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations
	Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Current year actuarial (gain) loss		$	(79,405)	$	7,046	$	(126,568)
Amortization of transition asset			―		―		29
Amortization of prior service cost			(3,695)		(1,463)		(6,570)
Recognized net actuarial loss			(9,013)		―		―
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)		$	(92,113)	$	5,583	$	(133,109)
Total Recognized in Total Cost (Benefit) and Other
	Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	(67,561)	$	1,491	$	(129,308)

		SERP
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Service cost		$	1,467	$	1,655	$	1,381
Interest cost			4,241		4,342		4,244
Plan amendment			―		369		―
Amortization of prior service cost			54		260		406
Recognized actuarial loss			1,833		1,411		1,068
Total Cost for the Year		$	7,595	$	8,037	$	7,099
Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in
	Other Comprehensive Income
Current year actuarial loss		$	8,428	$	9,059	$	2,656
Amortization of prior service cost			(54)		(260)		(406)
Recognized net actuarial loss			(1,833)		(1,411)		(877)
Other adjustments			745		―		―
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)		$	7,286	$	7,388	$	1,373
Total Recognized in Total Cost and Other Comprehensive
	Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	14,881	$	15,425	$	8,472

The costs for the Company's defined benefit pension plans are actuarially determined. Below are the key assumptions utilized to determine periodic cost for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and January 2, 2011:

	Pension Plans			SERP
	2012	2011	2010	2012	2011	2010
Discount rate	4.7%	5.6%	6.0%	4.7%	5.6%	6.0%
Expected return on plan assets	6.5%	6.5%	6.5%	―	―	―
Rate of compensation increase	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) includes the following components of unrecognized net periodic cost for the defined benefit plans:

	Pension Plans				SERP
(in thousands)	2012		2011		2012		2011
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	$	(193,469)	$	(105,051)	$	33,725	$	26,385
Unrecognized prior service cost		15,931		19,626		191		245
Gross Amount		(177,538)		(85,425)		33,916		26,630
Deferred tax liability (asset)		71,015		34,170		(13,566)		(10,652)
Net Amount	$	(106,523)	$	(51,255)	$	20,350	$	15,978

During 2013, the Company expects to recognize the following amortization components of net periodic cost for the defined benefit plans:


		2013
(in thousands)	Pension Plans			SERP
Actuarial loss recognition		$	8,588	$	2,569
Prior service cost recognition		$	3,635	$	54

Defined Benefit Plan Assets. The Company's defined benefit pension obligations are funded by a portfolio made up of a relatively small number of stocks and high-quality fixed-income securities that are held by a third-party trustee. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the assets of the Company's pension plans were allocated as follows:

	December 31,
	2012			2011
U.S. equities		64	%		69	%
U.S. fixed income		13	%		10	%
International equities		23	%		21	%
		100	%		100	%

Essentially all of the assets are actively managed by two investment companies. The goal of the investment managers is to produce moderate long-term growth in the value of these assets, while protecting them against large decreases in value. Both of these managers may invest in a combination of equity and fixed-income securities and cash. The managers are not permitted to invest in securities of the Company or in alternative investments. The investment managers cannot invest more than 20% of the assets at the time of purchase in the stock of Berkshire Hathaway or more than 10% of the assets in the securities of any other single issuer, except for obligations of the U.S. Government, without receiving prior approval by the Plan administrator. As of December 31, 2012, the managers can invest no more than 24% of the assets in international stocks at the time the investment is made, and no less than 10% of the assets could be invested in fixed-income securities. None of the assets is managed internally by the Company.

In determining the expected rate of return on plan assets, the Company considers the relative weighting of plan assets, the historical performance of total plan assets and individual asset classes and economic and other indicators of future performance. In addition, the Company may consult with and consider the input of financial and other professionals in developing appropriate return benchmarks.

The Company evaluated its defined benefit pension plan asset portfolio for the existence of significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10% of plan assets) of credit risk as of December 31, 2012. Types of concentrations that were evaluated include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country and individual fund. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the pension plan held common stock in one investment that exceeded 10% of total plan assets. This investment was valued at $223.1 million and $222.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, or approximately 11% and 12%, respectively, of total plan assets. Assets also included $179.9 million and $154.0 million of Berkshire Hathaway Class A and Class B common stock at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the pension plan held investments in one foreign country that exceeded 10% of total plan assets. These investments were valued at $240.4 million and $241.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, or approximately 12% and 13%, respectively, of total plan assets.

Fair value measurements are determined based on the assumption that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability based on a three-tiered hierarchy that draws a distinction between market participant assumptions based on (i) observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1); (ii) inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2); and (iii) unobservable inputs that require the Company to use present value and other valuation techniques in the determination of fair value (Level 3). Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measure. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

The Company's pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:


(in thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Total
At December 31, 2012
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments		$	195,389	$	62,922	$	258,311
Equity securities
	U.S. equities		1,315,378		―		1,315,378
	International equities		482,431		―		482,431
Fixed-income securities
	Corporate debt securities		―		6,054		6,054
	Other fixed income		2,501		313		2,814
Total Investments		$	1,995,699	$	69,289	$	2,064,988
Receivables							6,157
Total						$	2,071,145

At December 31, 2011
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments		$	120,101	$	43,166	$	163,267
Equity securities
	U.S. equities		1,249,079		―		1,249,079
	International equities		381,924		―		381,924
Fixed-income securities
	U.S. Federal agency mortgage-backed securities		―		1,071		1,071
	Corporate debt securities		―		9,203		9,203
	Other fixed income		2,531		8,121		10,652
Total investments		$	1,753,635	$	61,561	$	1,815,196
Receivables							1,381
Total						$	1,816,577

Cash equivalents and other short-term investments. These investments are primarily held in U.S. Treasury securities and registered money market funds. These investments are valued using a market approach based on the quoted market prices of the security, or inputs that include quoted market prices for similar instruments, and are classified as either Level 1 or Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy.

U.S. equities. These investments are held in common and preferred stock of U.S. corporations and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) traded on U.S. exchanges. Common and preferred shares and ADRs are traded actively on exchanges, and price quotes for these shares are readily available. These investments are classified as Level 1 in the valuation hierarchy.

International equities. These investments are held in common and preferred stock issued by non-U.S. corporations. Common and preferred shares are traded actively on exchanges, and price quotes for these shares are readily available. These investments are classified as Level 1 in the valuation hierarchy.

U.S. Federal agency mortgage-backed securities. These investments consist of fixed-income securities issued by Federal Agencies and are valued using a bid evaluation process, with bid data provided by independent pricing sources. These investments are classified as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy.

Corporate debt securities. These investments consist of fixed-income securities issued by U.S. corporations and are valued using a bid evaluation process, with bid data provided by independent pricing sources. These investments are classified as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy.

Other fixed income. These investments consist of fixed-income securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and in private placements and are valued using a quoted market price or bid evaluation process, with bid data provided by independent pricing sources. These investments are classified as Level 1 or Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy.

Other Postretirement Plans. The following table sets forth obligation, asset and funding information for the Company's other postretirement plans at December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Postretirement Plans
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	72,412	$	68,818
Service cost		3,113		2,872
Interest cost		2,735		3,063
Actuarial gain		(11,493)		(55)
Curtailment loss		438		―
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy		(3,337)		(2,286)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	63,868	$	72,412
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$	―	$	―
Employer contributions		3,337		2,286
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy		(3,337)		(2,286)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year	$	―	$	―
Funded Status	$	(63,868)	$	(72,412)

The amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets for its other postretirement plans at December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:

	Postretirement Plans
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Current liability	$	(3,919)	$	(4,548)
Noncurrent liability		(59,949)		(67,864)
Recognized Liability	$	(63,868)	$	(72,412)

In 2012, the Company offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees of The Washington Post newspaper and recorded early retirement expense of $0.4 million.

The Company recorded a curtailment gain of $8.5 million in 2010 due to the sale of Newsweek; the gain is included in discontinued operations.

The discount rates utilized for determining the benefit obligation at December 31, 2012 and 2011, for the postretirement plans were 3.30% and 3.90%, respectively. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2012, was 8.0% for pre-age 65, decreasing to 5.0% in the year 2025 and thereafter. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2012, was 21.8% for the post-age 65 Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan, decreasing to 5.0% in the year 2023 and thereafter, and was 7.0% for the post-age 65 non MA-PD plan, decreasing to 5.0% in the year 2021 and thereafter.

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A change of one percentage point in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:


	1%		1%
(in thousands)	Increase		Decrease
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	5,354	$	(4,740)
Service cost plus interest cost	$	657	$	(560)

The Company made contributions to its postretirement benefit plans of $3.3 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As the plans are unfunded, the Company makes contributions to its postretirement plans based on actual benefit payments.

At December 31, 2012, future estimated benefit payments are as follows:


	Postretirement
(in thousands)	Plans
2013		$	3,919
2014		$	4,081
2015		$	4,288
2016		$	4,521
2017		$	4,623
2018–2022		$	25,998

The total (benefit) cost arising from the Company's other postretirement plans for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and January 2, 2011, including a portion included in discontinued operations, consists of the following components:

		Postretirement Plans
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Service cost		$	3,113	$	2,872	$	3,275
Interest cost			2,735		3,063		3,934
Amortization of prior service credit			(5,608)		(5,650)		(5,026)
Recognized actuarial gain			(1,478)		(1,921)		(2,032)
Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost			(1,238)		(1,636)		151
Curtailment loss (gain)			438		―		(8,583)
Total Benefit for the Year		$	(800)	$	(1,636)	$	(8,432)
Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Current year actuarial gain		$	(11,493)	$	(55)	$	(3,073)
Current year prior service credit			―		―		(6,336)
Amortization of prior service credit			5,608		5,650		5,026
Recognized actuarial gain			1,478		1,921		2,032
Curtailment loss			―		―		4,953
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)		$	(4,407)	$	7,516	$	2,602
Total Recognized in (Benefit) Cost and Other
	Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effect)	$	(5,207)	$	5,880	$	(5,830)

The costs for the Company's postretirement plans are actuarially determined. The discount rates utilized to determine periodic cost for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and January 2, 2011 were 3.90%, 4.60% and 5.25%, respectively.

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, AOCI included the following components of unrecognized net periodic benefit for the postretirement plans:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Unrecognized actuarial gain	$	(25,525)	$	(15,510)
Unrecognized prior service credit		(26,128)		(31,736)
Gross Amount		(51,653)		(47,246)
Deferred tax liability		20,661		18,898
Net Amount	$	(30,992)	$	(28,348)

During 2013, the Company expects to recognize the following amortization components of net periodic cost for the other postretirement plans:


(in thousands)	2013
Actuarial gain recognition	$	(2,240)
Prior service credit recognition	$	(5,547)

Multiemployer Pension Plans. The Company contributes to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover certain union-represented employees. The risks of participating in these multiemployer pension plans are different from single-employer plans as follows:

Assets contributed to the multiemployer pension plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.
If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers.
If the Company chooses to stop participating in some of its multiemployer pension plans, the Company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.

In 2012, The Daily Herald notified the GCIU Employer's Trust Fund of its unilateral withdrawal from the Plan effective November 30, 2012, and recorded a $0.9 million charge based on an estimate of the withdrawal liability.

The Company, through The Washington Post and The Daily Herald newspapers, contributed to the CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan (Employer Identification Number – 13-6212879, Plan Number 001) on behalf of mailers, helpers and utility mailers. As of December 31, 2010, the CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan (the Plan) was in critical (red) status as currently defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and a rehabilitation plan was in effect. There are no surcharges for employers who have adopted the rehabilitation plan, and there is no minimum contribution requirement other than the normal requirement to contribute as provided in the collective bargaining agreement. The Company's collective bargaining agreement expired on May 18, 2003. The Company's contributions to the Plan amounted to $0.1 million in 2011 and $0.6 million in 2010. The Washington Post was listed in the Plan's Form 5500 as providing more than 5% of the total contribution to the Plan for the year ended December 31, 2010.

In 2010, The Washington Post notified the union and the Plan of its unilateral withdrawal from the Plan effective November 30, 2010. In connection with this action, The Washington Post recorded a $20.4 million charge in 2010 based on an estimate of the withdrawal liability. In 2011, the Daily Herald notified the union and the Plan of its unilateral withdrawal from the Plan effective December 18, 2011. In connection with this action, The Daily Herald recorded a $2.4 million charge in 2011 based on an estimate of the withdrawal liability. Payment of the actual withdrawal liability will relieve The Washington Post and The Daily Herald of further liability to the Plan absent certain circumstances prescribed by law.

The Company's total contributions to multiemployer pension plans that are not individually significant amounted to $0.2 million in 2012, $0.3 million in 2011 and $0.4 million in 2010. The Company's total contributions to all multiemployer pension plans amounted to $0.2 million in 2012, $0.4 million in 2011 and $1.0 million in 2010.

Savings Plans. The Company recorded expense associated with retirement benefits provided under incentive savings plans (primarily 401(k) plans) of approximately $17.3 million in 2012, $20.4 million in 2011 and $18.9 million in 2010.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph q
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph m
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-2
-Paragraph 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 30
-Paragraph 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS106-2
-Paragraph 20, 21, 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7, 21, 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Implementation Guide (Q and A)
-Number FAS88
-Paragraph 63
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017

+ Details

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) [Abstract]

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) [Text Block]

14. OTHER NON-OPERATING (EXPENSE) INCOME

A summary of non-operating (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and January 2, 2011, follows:


(in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Impairment write-down on a marketable equity security	$	(17,998)	$	(53,793)	$	―
Gains (losses) on sales or write-downs of cost method investments		6,639		419		―
Foreign currency gains (losses), net		3,132		(3,263)		6,705
Other, net		2,771		1,437		810
Total Other Non-Operating (Expense) Income	$	(5,456)	$	(55,200)	$	7,515

Leases and Other Commitments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Leases And Other Commitments [Abstract]

Leases and Other Commitments [Text Block]

15. LEASES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS

The Company leases real property under operating agreements. Many of the leases contain renewal options and escalation clauses that require payments of additional rent to the extent of increases in the related operating costs.

At December 31, 2012, future minimum rental payments under noncancelable operating leases approximate the following:


(in thousands)
2013	$	131,737
2014		118,524
2015		98,013
2016		88,852
2017		76,573
Thereafter		260,129
	$	773,828

Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $35.9 million due in the future under noncancelable subleases.

Rent expense under operating leases, including a portion reported in discontinued operations, was approximately $127.2 million, $127.8 million and $134.0 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Sublease income was approximately $4.4 million, $2.7 million and $0.5 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company's broadcast subsidiaries are parties to certain agreements that commit them to purchase programming to be produced in future years. At December 31, 2012, such commitments amounted to approximately $25.9 million. If such programs are not produced, the Company's commitment would expire without obligation.

Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Contingencies [Abstract]

Contingencies [Text Block]

16. CONTINGENCIES

Litigation and Legal Matters. The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to the items listed below, other complaints and administrative proceedings and are defendants in various other civil lawsuits that have arisen in the ordinary course of their businesses, including contract disputes; actions alleging negligence, libel, invasion of privacy, trademark, copyright and patent infringement; U.S. Federal False Claims Act (False Claim Act) violations; violations of applicable wage and hour laws; and statutory or common law claims involving current and former students and employees. Although the outcomes of the legal claims and proceedings against the Company cannot be predicted with certainty, based on currently available information, management believes that there are no existing claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Also, based on currently available information, management is of the opinion that the exposure to future material losses from existing legal proceedings is not reasonably possible, or that future material losses in excess of the amounts accrued are not reasonably possible.

A purported class-action complaint was filed against the Company, Donald E. Graham and Hal S. Jones on October 28, 2010, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, by the Plumbers Local #200 Pension Fund. The complaint alleged that the Company and certain of its officers made materially false and misleading statements, or failed to disclose material facts relating to KHE, in violation of the U.S. Federal securities laws. The complaint sought damages, attorneys' fees, costs and equitable/injunctive relief. The Company moved to dismiss the complaint, and on December 23, 2011, the court granted the Company's motion and dismissed the case with prejudice. On January 25, 2012, the Plaintiff filed a motion seeking leave to amend or alter that final judgment, which the court granted in part on March 13, 2012 by allowing the Plaintiff to file an amended complaint. On May 11, 2012, the Company moved to dismiss the amended complaint. The parties await a ruling on the motion to dismiss.

On February 6, 2008, a purported class-action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by purchasers of BAR/BRI bar review courses from July 2006 onward alleging antitrust claims against Kaplan and West Publishing Corporation, BAR/BRI's former owner. On April 10, 2008, the court granted defendants' motion to dismiss, a decision that was reversed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on November 7, 2011.The Ninth Circuit also referred the matter to a mediator for the purpose of exploring a settlement. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the parties reached a comprehensive agreement to settle the matter. The settlement is expected to be presented to the District Court for approval in the first quarter of 2013.

On or about January 17, 2008, an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania contacted KHE's CHI-Broomall campus and made inquiries about the Surgical Technology program, including the program's eligibility for Title IV U.S. Federal financial aid, the program's student loan defaults, licensing and accreditation. Kaplan responded to the information requests and fully cooperated with the inquiry. The DOE also conducted a Program Review at the CHI-Broomall campus, and Kaplan likewise cooperated with the Program Review. On July 22, 2011, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced that it had entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement with Kaplan that resolved the U.S. Attorney's inquiry, provided for the conclusion of the DOE's program review and also settled a previously sealed False Claims Act complaint that had been filed by a former employee of the CHI-Broomall campus. The total amount of all required payments by CHI-Broomall under the agreements was $1.6 million. Pursuant to the comprehensive settlement agreement, the U.S. Attorney inquiry has been closed, the False Claims Act complaint (United States of America ex rel. David Goodstein v. Kaplan, Inc., et al.) was dismissed with prejudice, and the DOE will issue a final program review determination. At this time, Kaplan cannot predict the contents of the pending final program review determination or the ultimate impact the proceedings may have on the CHI-Broomall campus or the KHE business generally.

Several Kaplan subsidiaries were or are subject to four other unsealed cases filed by former employees that include, among other allegations, claims under the False Claims Act relating to eligibility for Title IV funding. The U.S. Government declined to intervene in all cases, and, as previously reported, court decisions in 2011 either dismissed the cases in their entirety or narrowed the scope of their allegations. The four cases are captioned: United States of America ex rel. Carlos Urquilla-Diaz et al. v. Kaplan University et al. (unsealed March 25, 2008); United States of America ex rel. Jorge Torres v. Kaplan Higher Education Corp. (unsealed April 7, 2008); United States of America ex rel. Victoria Gatsiopoulos et al. v. ICM School of Business & Medical Careers et al. (unsealed September 2, 2008); and United States of America ex rel. Charles Jajdelski v. Kaplan Higher Education Corp. et al. (unsealed January 6, 2009).

On August 17, 2011, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued a series of rulings in the Diaz case, which included three separate complaints: Diaz, Wilcox and Gillespie. The court dismissed the Wilcox complaint in its entirety; dismissed all False Claims Act allegations in the Diaz complaint, leaving only an individual employment claim; and dismissed in part the Gillespie complaint, thereby limiting the scope and time frame of its False Claims Act allegations regarding compliance with the U.S. Federal Rehabilitation Act. On October 31, 2012, the court entered summary judgment in favor of the Company as to the sole remaining employment claim in the Diaz complaint. The Gillespie complaint is proceeding to the discovery and dispositive motion phases.

On August 23, 2011, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida dismissed the Torres case in its entirety and entered a final judgment in favor of Kaplan. That case was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, but the appeal was subsequently dismissed for want of prosecution.

On August 9, 2011, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida granted in part Kaplan's motion to dismiss the Gatsiopoulos complaint, which limited the allegations in that complaint to alleged violations of U.S. Federal incentive compensation regulations and so-called “70 percent rules” and an individual employment claim and limited the time frame applicable to these claims. Thereafter, the relators voluntarily dismissed the “false claims” allegations and the remaining employment claim was settled. The complaint was dismissed in the first quarter of 2012.

On July 7, 2011, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada dismissed the Jajdelski case in its entirety and entered a final judgment in favor of Kaplan. On February 13, 2013, the U.S. Circuit Court for the Ninth Judicial Circuit affirmed the dismissal in part, and reversed the dismissal on one allegation under the False Claims Act relating to eligibility for Title IV funding based on claims of false attendance. Kaplan is evaluating the decision and its options for next steps, including seeking a re-hearing in the appellate court.

On October 21, 2010, Kaplan Higher Education Corporation received a subpoena from the office of the Florida Attorney General. The subpoena sought information pertaining to the online and on-campus schools operated by KHE in and outside of Florida. KHE has cooperated with the Florida Attorney General and provided the information requested in the subpoena. Although KHE may receive further requests for information from the Florida Attorney General, there has been no such further correspondence to date. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this inquiry.

On December 21, 2010, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit against Kaplan Higher Education Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, alleging racial bias by Kaplan in requesting credit scores of job applicants seeking financial positions. In March 2011, the court granted in part the Company's motion to dismiss the complaint. On January 28, 2013, the court entered summary judgment in favor of Kaplan Higher Education Corporation and against the EEOC, terminating the case in its entirety. The EEOC will have 60 days in which to file an appeal.

On February 7, 2011, Kaplan Higher Education Corporation received a Civil Investigative Demand from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Illinois. The demand primarily sought information pertaining to Kaplan University's online students who are residents of Illinois. KHE has cooperated with the Illinois Attorney General and provided the requested information. Although KHE may receive further requests for information from the Illinois Attorney General, there has been no such further correspondence to date. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this inquiry.

On April 30, 2011, Kaplan Higher Education Corporation received a Civil Investigative Demand from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Massachusetts. The demand primarily sought information pertaining to KHE Campuses' students who are residents of Massachusetts. KHE has cooperated with the Massachusetts Attorney General and provided the requested information. Although KHE may receive further requests for information from the Massachusetts Attorney General, there has been no such further correspondence to date. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this inquiry.

On July 20, 2011, Kaplan Higher Education Corporation received a subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Delaware. The demand primarily sought information pertaining to Kaplan University's online students and KHE Campuses' students who are residents of Delaware. KHE has cooperated with the Delaware Attorney General and provided the information requested in the subpoena. Although KHE may receive further requests for information from the Delaware Attorney General, there has been no such further correspondence to date. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this inquiry.

Student Financial Aid. The Company's education division derives the majority of its revenues from U.S. Federal financial aid received by its students under Title IV programs administered by the DOE pursuant to the Higher Education Act, as amended. To maintain eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, a school must comply with extensive statutory and regulatory requirements relating to its financial aid management, educational programs, financial strength, administrative capability, compensation practices, facilities, recruiting practices and various other matters. In addition, the school must be licensed or otherwise legally authorized to offer postsecondary educational programs by the appropriate governmental body in the state or states in which it is physically located or is otherwise subject to state authorization requirements, be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the DOE and be certified to participate in the Title IV programs by the DOE. Schools are required periodically to apply for renewal of their authorization, accreditation or certification with the applicable state governmental bodies, accrediting agencies and the DOE. In accordance with DOE regulations, some KHE schools operate individually or are combined into groups of two or more schools for the purpose of determining compliance with certain Title IV requirements, and each school or school group is assigned its own identification number, known as an OPEID number. As a result, the schools in KHE have a total of 30 OPEID numbers. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Higher Education Act or related regulations could result in the restriction or loss of the ability to participate in Title IV programs and subject the Company to financial penalties and refunds. No assurance can be given that the Kaplan schools, or individual programs within schools, will maintain their Title IV eligibility, accreditation and state authorization in the future or that the DOE might not successfully assert that one or more of such schools have previously failed to comply with Title IV requirements.

DOE regulations require schools participating in Title IV programs to calculate correctly and return on a timely basis unearned Title IV funds disbursed to students who withdraw from a program of study prior to completion. These funds must be returned in a timely manner, generally within 45 days of the date the school determines that the student has withdrawn. Under DOE regulations, failure to make timely returns of Title IV program funds for 5% or more of students sampled in a school's annual compliance audit could result in a requirement that the school post a letter of credit in an amount equal to 25% of its prior-year returns of Title IV program funds. If unearned funds are not properly calculated and returned in a timely manner, an institution may be subject to monetary liabilities, fines or other sanctions.

Financial aid and assistance programs are subject to political and governmental budgetary considerations. There is no assurance that such funding will be maintained at current levels. Extensive and complex regulations in the U.S. govern all of the government financial assistance programs in which students participate.

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and January 2, 2011, approximately $882 million, $1,110 million, and $1,460 million, respectively, of the Company's education division revenue was derived from financial aid received by students under Title IV programs. Management believes that the Company's education division schools that participate in Title IV programs are in material compliance with standards set forth in the Higher Education Act and related regulations.

DOE Program Reviews. The DOE has undertaken program reviews at various KHE campus locations and at Kaplan University. Currently, there are four pending program reviews, including Kaplan University. In addition, the Company is awaiting the DOE's final report on the program review at KHE's Broomall, PA, location.

In May 2012, the DOE issued a preliminary report on its 2009 onsite review at Kaplan University containing several findings that required Kaplan University to conduct additional, dated file reviews and submit additional data. In January 2013, Kaplan submitted a response to the DOE's data request and is awaiting a final report on this review. The Company does not expect the final program review report to have a material impact on KHE; however, the results of this and the other open reviews and their impact on Kaplan's operations are uncertain.

The 90/10 Rule. Under regulations referred to as the 90/10 rule, a KHE school would lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV programs for a period of at least two fiscal years if the institution derives more than 90% of its receipts from Title IV programs, as calculated on a cash basis in accordance with the Higher Education Act and applicable DOE regulations, in each of two consecutive fiscal years, commencing with the institution's first fiscal year that ends after August 14, 2008. An institution with Title IV receipts exceeding 90% for a single fiscal year ending after August 14, 2008, will be placed on provisional certification and may be subject to other enforcement measures. The 90/10 rule calculations are performed for each OPEID unit. The largest OPEID reporting unit in KHE in terms of revenue is Kaplan University, which accounted for approximately 65% of the Title IV funds received by the division in 2012. In 2012, Kaplan University derived less than 80% of its receipts from the Title IV programs, and other OPEID units derived between 71% and 88% of their receipts from Title IV programs. For 2012, a portion of the non-Title IV receipts resulted from the Kaplan Value Loan program, which has been discontinued. In 2011, Kaplan University derived less than 82% of its receipts from Title IV programs, and other OPEID units derived between 71% and 88% of their receipts from Title IV programs.

A majority of KHE students are enrolled in certificate and associate's degree programs. Revenue from certificate and associate's degree programs is composed of a higher percentage of Title IV funds than is the case for revenue from its bachelor's and other degree programs. KHE is taking various measures to reduce the percentage of its receipts attributable to Title IV funds, including modifying student payment options; emphasizing direct-pay and employer-paid education programs; encouraging students to carefully evaluate the amount of their Title IV borrowing; eliminating some programs; cash-matching; and developing and offering additional non-Title IV-eligible certificate preparation, professional development and continuing education programs. Some of the other programs may currently be offered by other Kaplan businesses. Absent the adoption of the changes mentioned above, and if current trends continue, management estimates that in 2013, 20 of the KHE Campuses' OPEID units, representing approximately 21% of KHE's 2012 revenues, could have a 90/10 ratio over 90%. As noted above, Kaplan is taking steps to address compliance with the 90/10 rule; however, there can be no guarantee that these measures will be adequate to prevent the 90/10 rule calculations at some or all of the schools from exceeding 90% in the future.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 14
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements [Text Block]

17. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements are determined based on the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability based on a three-tiered hierarchy that draws a distinction between market participant assumptions based on (i) observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1); (ii) inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2); and (iii) unobservable inputs that require the Company to use present value and other valuation techniques in the determination of fair value (Level 3). Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measure. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

The Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:


(in thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Total
At December 31, 2012
Assets
Money market investments (1)		$	―	$	432,670	$	432,670
Marketable equity securities (2)			380,087		―		380,087
Other current investments (3)			14,134		24,717		38,851
	Total Financial Assets	$	394,221	$	457,387	$	851,608

Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)		$	―	$	62,297	$	62,297
7.25% unsecured notes (6)			―		481,424		481,424
AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)			―		51,915		51,915
Interest rate swap (7)			―		1,567		1,567
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	―	$	597,203	$	597,203


At December 31, 2011
Assets
Money market investments (1)		$	―	$	180,136	$	180,136
Marketable equity securities (2)			303,201		―		303,201
Other current investments (3)			15,223		20,250		35,473
Interest rate swap (4)			―		14		14
	Total Financial Assets	$	318,424	$	200,400	$	518,824

Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)		$	―	$	63,403	$	63,403
7.25% unsecured notes (6)			―		460,500		460,500
AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)			―		51,012		51,012
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	―	$	574,915	$	574,915

____________

(1) The Company's money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

(2) The Company's investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.

(3) Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits (with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year).

(4) Included in deferred charges and other assets. The Company utilized a market approach model using the notional amount of the interest rate swap multiplied by the observable inputs of time to maturity and market interest rates.

(5) Includes The Washington Post Company Deferred Compensation Plan and supplemental savings plan benefits under The Washington Post Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which are included in accrued compensation and related benefits.

(6) See Note 10 for carrying amount of these notes and borrowing.

(7) Included in Other liabilities. The Company utilized a market approach model using the notional amount of the interest rate swap multiplied by the observable inputs of time to maturity and market interest rates.

For assets that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, the total fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held, without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured using significant other observable inputs are primarily valued by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability

The Company measures certain assets, including goodwill, intangible assets, property, plant, and equipment, cost and equity-method investments, at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when they are deemed to be impaired. The fair value of these assets is determined with valuation techniques using the best information available, and may include quoted market prices, market comparables, and discounted cash flow models. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded a goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charge of $111.6 million (see Note 2 and 8). The remeasurement of the goodwill and other long-lived assets is classified as a Level 3 fair value assessment due to the significance of unobservable inputs developed in the determination of the fair value.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44A, 44B
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Paragraph 3, 10, 14, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Paragraph 32, 33, 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Business Segments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Business Segments [Abstract]

Business Segments [Text Block]

18. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Basis of Presentation. The Company's organizational structure is based on a number of factors that management uses to evaluate, view and run its business operations, which include, but are not limited to, customers, the nature of products and services and use of resources. The business segments disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Statements are based on this organizational structure and information reviewed by the Company's management to evaluate the business segment results. The Company has seven reportable segments: KHE, KTP, Kaplan International, cable television, newspaper publishing, television broadcasting and other businesses.

The Company evaluates segment performance based on operating income before amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets. The accounting policies at the segments are the same as described in Note 2. In computing income from operations by segment, the effects of equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, interest income, interest expense, other non-operating income and expense items and income taxes are not included. Intersegment sales are not material.

Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used in the Company's operations in each business segment. The Prepaid Pension cost is not included in identifiable assets by segment. Investments in marketable equity securities are discussed in Note 4.

Education. Education products and services are provided by Kaplan, Inc. KHE includes Kaplan's postsecondary education businesses, made up of fixed-facility colleges as well as online postsecondary and career programs. KHE also includes the domestic professional training businesses. KTP includes Kaplan's standardized test preparation and tutoring offerings. Kaplan International includes professional training and postsecondary education businesses outside the United States, as well as English-language programs.

Kaplan sold Kidum in August 2012, EduNeering in April 2012, KLT in February 2012, KCS in October 2011, KVE in July 2011, and Education Connection in April 2010; therefore, the education division's operating results exclude these businesses. As a result, the Kaplan Ventures segment is no longer included as a separate segment as its results have been reclassified to discontinued operations. Also, Kaplan's Colloquy and U.S. Pathways businesses moved from Kaplan Ventures to Kaplan International. Segment operating results of the education division have been restated to reflect these changes.

In response to student demand levels, Kaplan has formulated and implemented restructuring plans at its various businesses that have resulted in significant costs in the past three years, with the objective of establishing lower cost levels in future periods. Across all Kaplan businesses, restructuring costs of $45.2 million, $28.9 million and $27.5 million were recorded in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, as follows:

	Fiscal Year Ended
(in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Accelerated depreciation	$	17,230	$	3,965	$	1,152
Severance		14,349		17,205		15,099
Lease obligation losses		9,794		7,570		5,385
Accelerated amortization of intangible assets		2,595		―		―
Other		1,274		205		5,904
	$	45,242	$	28,945	$	27,540

KHE incurred restructuring costs of $23.4 million, $13.2 million and $9.3 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, from accelerated depreciation and severance and lease obligations. In 2012, these costs were incurred in connection with a plan announced in September 2012 for KHE to close or consolidate operations at 13 ground campuses, along with plans to consolidate facilities and reduce workforce at its online programs. The 2011 and 2010 costs were primarily severance costs from workforce reduction programs.

Kaplan International incurred restructuring costs of $16.4 million and $1.0 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively. These restructuring costs were largely in Australia, where Kaplan is consolidating and restructuring its businesses, and included lease obligations, accelerated depreciation and severance charges.

KTP incurred restructuring costs of $12.5 million and $18.2 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, from lease and severance obligations and accelerated depreciation. In 2010, KTP discontinued certain offerings at its K12 business, resulting in $7.8 million in severance and other closure costs. Also in 2010, KTP began implementing a plan to reorganize its business consistent with the migration of students to Kaplan's online and hybrid test preparation offerings, reducing the number of leased test preparation centers; $10.4 million in lease and severance obligations and accelerated depreciation was recorded. In 2011, implementation of the plan was completed and $12.5 million in additional lease and severance obligations and accelerated depreciation was recorded.

Total accrued restructuring costs at Kaplan were $17.6 million and $10.5 million at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2012, Kaplan International results benefited from a favorable $3.9 million out of period expense adjustment related to certain items in 2011 and 2010. With respect to this out of period expense adjustment, the Company has concluded that it was not material to the Company's financial position or results of operations for 2012, 2011 and 2010 and the related interim periods, based on its consideration of quantitative and qualitative factors.

Cable Television. Cable television operations consist of cable systems offering video, Internet, phone and other services to subscribers in midwestern, western and southern states. The principal source of revenue is monthly subscription fees charged for services.

Newspaper Publishing. Newspaper publishing includes the publication of newspapers in the Washington, DC, area and Everett, WA; newsprint warehousing; and the Company's digital media publishing businesses (primarily washingtonpost.com and Slate). Revenues from newspaper publishing operations are derived from advertising and, to a lesser extent, from circulation. In February 2013, the Company announced that it had signed an agreement to sell The Herald, a daily and Sunday newspaper headquartered in Everett, WA; the transaction is expected to close in March 2013.

Television Broadcasting. Television broadcasting operations are conducted through six VHF television stations serving the Detroit, Houston, Miami, San Antonio, Orlando and Jacksonville television markets. All stations are network-affiliated (except for WJXT in Jacksonville), with revenues derived primarily from sales of advertising time.

Other Businesses. In 2012, Social Code, a marketing solutions provider helping companies with marketing on social-media platforms, was moved from the newspaper publishing segment to other businesses. Due to the disposal of Avenue100 Media Solutions, it is no longer included in the other businesses segment, as its results have been reclassified to discontinued operations. The other businesses operating results have been restated to reflect these changes. Other businesses also includes WaPo Labs, a digital team focused on emerging technologies and new product development, and Celtic Healthcare, Inc. (Celtic), a provider of home health care and hospice services in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions that was acquired by the Company in November 2012.

Corporate Office. Corporate office includes the expenses of the Company's corporate office and a net pension credit.

Geographical Information. The Company's non-U.S. revenues in 2012, 2011 and 2010 totaled approximately $644 million, $594 million and $507 million, respectively, from Kaplan's operations outside the U.S. The Company's long-lived assets in non-U.S. countries (excluding goodwill and other intangible assets), totaled approximately $58 million and $71 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Company information broken down by operating segment and education division:

		Fiscal Year Ended
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Operating Revenues
	Education	$	2,196,496	$	2,404,459	$	2,804,840
	Cable television		787,117		760,221		759,884
	Newspaper publishing		581,686		622,532		675,931
	Television broadcasting		399,691		319,206		342,164
	Other businesses		53,540		25,507		4,442
	Corporate office		―		―		―
	Intersegment elimination		(877)		(780)		(844)
		$	4,017,653	$	4,131,145	$	4,586,417
Income (Loss) from Operations
	Education	$	(105,368)	$	96,286	$	359,584
	Cable television		154,581		156,844		163,945
	Newspaper publishing		(53,702)		(21,204)		(11,115)
	Television broadcasting		191,642		117,089		121,348
	Other businesses		(23,244)		(8,735)		(6,326)
	Corporate office		(19,378)		(14,422)		(24,572)
		$	144,531	$	325,858	$	602,864
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Affiliates, Net			14,086		5,949		(4,133)
Interest Expense, Net			(32,551)		(29,079)		(27,927)
Other (Expense) Income, Net			(5,456)		(55,200)		7,515
Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes		$	120,610	$	247,528	$	578,319
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Education	$	101,183	$	83,735	$	73,351
	Cable television		129,107		126,302		124,834
	Newspaper publishing		25,072		26,336		30,341
	Television broadcasting		13,018		12,448		12,720
	Other businesses		263		―		―
	Corporate office		―		244		1,159
		$	268,643	$	249,065	$	242,405
Amortization of Intangible Assets and Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets
	Education	$	129,312	$	19,417	$	19,202
	Cable television		211		267		327
	Newspaper publishing		654		1,051		1,223
	Television broadcasting		―		―		―
	Other businesses		2,418		1,600		800
	Corporate office		―		―		―
		$	132,595	$	22,335	$	21,552
Net Pension Expense (Credit)
	Education	$	11,584	$	6,345	$	5,707
	Cable television		2,540		1,924		1,919
	Newspaper publishing (1)		42,436		25,283		42,287
	Television broadcasting		4,970		1,669		1,113
	Other businesses		60		17		―
	Corporate office		(36,197)		(36,983)		(34,599)
		$	25,393	$	(1,745)	$	16,427
Capital Expenditures
	Education	$	51,241	$	51,871	$	110,730
	Cable television		150,525		143,225		109,579
	Newspaper publishing		7,746		11,405		10,590
	Television broadcasting		6,401		6,415		6,675
	Other businesses		775		―		―
	Corporate office		―		―		―
		$	216,688	$	212,916	$	237,574

_________________

Includes a $0.9 million, $2.4 million and $20.4 million charge in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to the withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan.

Asset information for the Company's business segments are as follows:


		As of December 31,
(in thousands)		2012		2011
Identifiable Assets
	Education	$	1,988,015	$	2,217,719
	Cable television		1,187,603		1,164,756
	Newspaper publishing		293,592		314,405
	Television broadcasting		374,075		376,259
	Other businesses		81,211		15,381
	Corporate office		180,128		70,902
		$	4,104,624	$	4,159,422
Investments in Marketable Equity Securities			380,087		303,201
Investments in Affiliates			15,535		17,101
Prepaid Pension Cost			604,823		537,262
Total Assets		$	5,105,069	$	5,016,986

The Company's education division comprises the following operating segments:

		Fiscal Year Ended
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Operating Revenues
	Higher education	$	1,149,407	$	1,399,583	$	1,905,038
	Test preparation		284,252		303,093		314,879
	Kaplan international		764,184		704,581		587,781
	Kaplan corporate and other		4,645		4,585		5,537
	Intersegment elimination		(5,992)		(7,383)		(8,395)
		$	2,196,496	$	2,404,459	$	2,804,840
Income (Loss) from Operations
	Higher education	$	27,245	$	148,915	$	406,880
	Test preparation		(10,799)		(28,498)		(32,583)
	Kaplan international		49,069		41,506		49,309
	Kaplan corporate and other		(171,929)		(64,517)		(63,788)
	Intersegment elimination		1,046		(1,120)		(234)
		$	(105,368)	$	96,286	$	359,584
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Higher education	$	58,514	$	48,379	$	42,412
	Test preparation		19,718		15,489		14,095
	Kaplan international		21,173		16,953		12,993
	Kaplan corporate and other		1,778		2,914		3,851
		$	101,183	$	83,735	$	73,351

Amortization of Intangible Assets		$	17,719	$	19,417	$	19,202
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets		$	111,593	$	―	$	―

Pension Expense
	Higher education	$	7,943	$	4,249	$	3,379
	Test preparation		2,007		1,288		1,467
	Kaplan international		241		167		130
	Kaplan corporate and other		1,393		641		731
		$	11,584	$	6,345	$	5,707
Capital Expenditures
	Higher education	$	26,406	$	19,735	$	58,660
	Test preparation		8,211		17,266		32,798
	Kaplan international		16,864		16,304		14,163
	Kaplan corporate and other		(240)		(1,434)		5,109
		$	51,241	$	51,871	$	110,730

Identifiable assets for the Company's education division consist of the following:

		As of December 31,
(in thousands)		2012		2011
Identifiable Assets
	Higher education	$	949,260	$	919,443
	Test preparation		197,672		334,343
	Kaplan international		820,565		810,140
	Kaplan corporate and other		20,518		153,793
		$	1,988,015	$	2,217,719

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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+ Details

Summary of Quarterly Operating Results and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

19. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

Quarterly results of operations and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2012, is as follows:


(in thousands, except per share amounts)		First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
2012 Quarterly Operating Results
Operating Revenues
	Education	$	547,280	$	552,202	$	552,585	$	544,429
	Advertising		170,750		190,086		195,158		229,837
	Circulation and subscriber		215,230		219,286		220,668		222,319
	Other		27,939		33,450		42,923		53,511
			961,199		995,024		1,011,334		1,050,096
Operating Costs and Expenses
	Operating		463,106		464,615		483,622		468,893
	Selling, general and administrative		411,466		400,676		382,961		396,545
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		62,275		62,749		63,739		79,880
	Amortization of intangible assets		3,873		4,428		5,091		7,610
	Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets		―		―		―		111,593
			940,720		932,468		935,413		1,064,521
Income from Operations			20,479		62,556		75,921		(14,425)
	Equity in earnings of affiliates, net		3,888		3,314		4,099		2,785
	Interest income		1,069		775		648		901
	Interest expense		(9,163)		(8,979)		(8,738)		(9,064)
	Other income (expense), net		8,588		(635)		4,163		(17,572)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes			24,861		57,031		76,093		(37,375)
Provision for Income Taxes			11,400		21,000		31,200		8,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations			13,461		36,031		44,893		(45,375)
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax			18,107		16,016		49,054		―
Net Income (Loss)			31,568		52,047		93,947		(45,375)
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			(70)		(11)		71		(64)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company			31,498		52,036		94,018		(45,439)
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends			(451)		(222)		(222)		―
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post
	Company Common Stockholders	$	31,047	$	51,814	$	93,796	$	(45,439)

Amounts Attributable to The Washington Post Company
	Common Stockholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	12,940	$	35,798	$	44,742	$	(45,439)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax			18,107		16,016		49,054		―
Net income (loss) attributable to The Washington Post Company
	common stockholders	$	31,047	$	51,814	$	93,796	$	(45,439)

Per Share Information Attributable to The Washington Post
	Company Common Stockholders
Basic income (loss) per common share from continuing operations		$	1.66	$	4.72	$	6.03	$	(6.57)
Basic income per common share from discontinued operations			2.41		2.12		6.61		―
Basic net income (loss) per common share		$	4.07	$	6.84	$	12.64	$	(6.57)

Diluted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations		$	1.66	$	4.72	$	6.03	$	(6.57)
Diluted income per common share from discontinued operations			2.41		2.12		6.61		―
Diluted net income (loss) per common share		$	4.07	$	6.84	$	12.64	$	(6.57)
Basic average number of common shares outstanding			7,514		7,431		7,272		7,223
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding			7,615		7,545		7,376		7,223
2012 Quarterly comprehensive income		$	59,907	$	47,085	$	95,760	$	16,857

The sum of the four quarters may not necessarily be equal to the annual amounts reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to rounding.

Quarterly results of operations and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2011, is as follows:


(in thousands, except per share amount)		First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
2011 Quarterly Operating Results
Operating Revenues
	Education	$	611,714	$	610,371	$	601,611	$	580,763
	Advertising		177,385		193,352		170,552		213,255
	Circulation and subscriber		214,523		216,606		212,145		213,183
	Other		25,299		28,976		28,190		33,220
			1,028,921		1,049,305		1,012,498		1,040,421
Operating Costs and Expenses
	Operating		463,303		488,577		486,615		465,666
	Selling, general and administrative		438,744		405,729		387,735		397,518
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		61,929		62,615		61,589		62,932
	Amortization of intangible assets		5,176		5,797		6,320		5,042
			969,152		962,718		942,259		931,158
Income from Operations			59,769		86,587		70,239		109,263
	Equity in (losses) earnings of affiliates, net		3,737		3,138		(1,494)		568
	Interest income		982		997		994		1,174
	Interest expense		(7,961)		(7,960)		(8,667)		(8,638)
	Other (expense) income, net		(24,032)		(2,591)		(29,650)		1,073
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes			32,495		80,171		31,422		103,440
Provision for Income Taxes			12,100		29,200		18,600		42,000
Income from Continuing Operations			20,395		50,971		12,822		61,440
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax			(4,766)		(5,208)		(18,788)		291
Net Income (Loss)			15,629		45,763		(5,966)		61,731
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			(14)		40		(16)		(17)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company			15,615		45,803		(5,982)		61,714
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends			(461)		(230)		(226)		―
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company
	Common Stockholders	$	15,154	$	45,573	$	(6,208)	$	61,714

Amounts Attributable to The Washington Post Company
	Common Stockholders
Income from continuing operations		$	19,920	$	50,781	$	12,580	$	61,423
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax			(4,766)		(5,208)		(18,788)		291
Net income (loss) attributable to The Washington Post Company
	common stockholders	$	15,154	$	45,573	$	(6,208)	$	61,714

Per Share Information Attributable to The Washington Post
	Company Common Stockholders
Basic income per common share from continuing operations		$	2.43	$	6.40	$	1.59	$	8.00
Basic (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations			(0.56)		(0.66)		(2.41)		0.03
Basic net income per common share		$	1.87	$	5.74	$	(0.82)	$	8.03

Diluted income per common share from continuing operations		$	2.43	$	6.40	$	1.59	$	8.00
Diluted (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations			(0.56)		(0.66)		(2.41)		0.03
Diluted net income (loss) per common share		$	1.87	$	5.74	$	(0.82)	$	8.03
Basic average number of common shares outstanding			8,046		7,852		7,802		7,601
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding			8,119		7,933		7,883		7,682
2011 Quarterly comprehensive income (loss)		$	40,894	$	37,040	$	(41,225)	$	63,512

The sum of the four quarters may not necessarily be equal to the annual amounts reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to rounding.

Quarterly impact from certain items in 2012 and 2011 (after-tax and diluted EPS amounts):

		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
2012
Goodwill and other long-lived assets impairment charge of $81.9 million
	at Kaplan Test Preparation							$	(11.33)
Charges of $45.5 million in connection with early retirement, severance and other
	restructuring at the education and newspaper publishing divisions ($1.2 million,
	$5.2 million, $7.6 million and $31.1 million in the first, second, third, and
	fourth quarters, respectively)	$	(0.16)	$	(0.69)	$	(1.02)	$	(4.31)
Write-down of marketable equity security of $11.2 million								$	(1.54)
Gain on sale of cost method investment of $3.7 million		$	0.48
Gains, net, of $2.0 million for non-operating unrealized foreign currency gains
	(losses) ($1.7 million gain, $1.6 million loss, $1.9 million gain in the first, second
	and third quarters, respectively)	$	0.22	$	(0.21)	$	0.26	$	―

2011
Charges of $19.4 million in connection with severance and other restructuring at
	the education and newspaper publishing divisions ($1.4 million, $7.3 million, $3.5
	million and $7.3 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	(0.18)	$	(0.91)	$	(0.44)	$	(0.94)
Impairment charges of $5.7 million at one of the Company's affiliates						$	(0.72)
Write-down of a marketable equity security of $34.6 million ($19.8 million and
	$14.9 million in the first and third quarters, respectively)	$	(2.44)			$	(1.89)
Losses, net, of $2.1 million for non-operating unrealized foreign currency gains
	(losses) ($1.7 million gain, $0.2 million gain, $4.2 million loss and $0.3 million
	gain in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	0.21	$	0.03	$	(0.54)	$	0.03

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished.

+ References + Details

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fiscal Periods	Fiscal Year. In 2011, the Company changed its fiscal year from a 52 to 53-week fiscal year ending on the Sunday nearest December 31 to a quarterly month end, with the new fiscal year ending on December 31 of each year. The fiscal years 2012 and 2011, which ended on December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, included approximately 52 weeks. Fiscal year 2010, which ended on January 2, 2011, included 52 weeks. Subsidiaries of the Company report on a calendar-year basis, with the exception of most of the newspaper publishing operations, which report on a 52 to 53-week fiscal year ending on the Sunday nearest December 31.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications. Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2012 presentation, which includes the reclassification of the results of operations of certain businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations. The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed, based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The net assets and results of operations of an acquired entity are included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements from the acquisition date.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less and investments in money market funds with weighted average maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash. Restricted cash represents amounts held for students that were received from U.S. Federal and state governments under various aid grant and loan programs, such as Title IV of the U.S. Federal Higher Education Act of 1965 (Higher Education Act), as amended, that the Company is required to maintain pursuant to U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and other regulations. Restricted cash also includes certain funds that the Company may be required to return if a student who receives Title IV program funds withdraws from a program. At December 31, 2012, restricted cash also includes funds required to be held by higher education institutions in Australia for prepaid tuition.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several financial institutions domestically and internationally. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with investment-grade credit ratings. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of significant customers, and this assessment, combined with the large number and geographical diversity of its customers, limits the Company's concentration of risk with respect to trade accounts receivable.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may be uncollectible in the future. This estimated allowance is based primarily on the aging category, historical trends and management's evaluation of the financial condition of the customer. Accounts receivable also have been reduced by an estimate of advertising rate adjustments and discounts, based on estimates of advertising volumes for contract customers who are eligible for advertising rate adjustments and discounts.
Investments in Marketable Equity Securities	Investments in Marketable Equity Securities. The Company's investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and, therefore, are recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Financial Statements, with the change in fair value during the period excluded from earnings and recorded net of income taxes as a separate component of other comprehensive income. If the fair value of a marketable equity security declines below its cost basis and the decline is considered other than temporary, the Company will record a write-down, which is included in earnings. The Company uses the average cost method to determine the basis of the securities sold or reclassified out of other comprehensive income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts reported in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, the current portion of deferred revenue and the current portion of debt approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value of long-term debt is determined based on a number of observable inputs, including the current market activity of the Company's publicly traded notes, trends in investor demands and market values of comparable publicly traded debt. The fair value of the interest rate hedge is determined based on a number of observable inputs, including time to maturity and market interest rates.
Inventories	Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or current market value. Cost of newsprint is determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost and includes interest capitalized in connection with major long-term construction projects. Replacements and major improvements are capitalized; maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the property, plant and equipment: 3 to 20 years for machinery and equipment, and 20 to 50 years for buildings. The costs of leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful lives or the terms of the respective leases. The cable television division capitalizes costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities and new cable service installations. Costs include all direct labor and materials, as well as certain indirect costs. The cost of subsequent disconnects and reconnects are expensed as they are incurred.
Evaluation of Long-Lived Assets	Evaluation of Long-Lived Assets. The recoverability of long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets is assessed whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. A long-lived asset is considered to not be recoverable when the undiscounted estimated future cash flows are less than the asset's recorded value. An impairment charge is measured based on estimated fair market value, determined primarily using estimated future cash flows on a discounted basis. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, but the fair market value would be reduced for estimated costs to dispose.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identified net assets of businesses acquired. The Company's intangible assets with an indefinite life are principally from franchise agreements at its cable television division, as the Company expects its cable franchise agreements to provide the Company with substantial benefit for a period that extends beyond the foreseeable horizon, and the Company's cable television division historically has obtained renewals and extensions of such agreements for nominal costs and without any material modifications to the agreements. Amortized intangible assets are primarily student and customer relationships and trade names and trademarks, with amortization periods up to 10 years. The Company reviews goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually, as of November 30, for possible impairment. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying value. The Company tests its goodwill at the reporting unit level, which is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. In reviewing the carrying value of indefinite-lived intangible assets at the cable television division, the Company aggregates its cable systems on a regional basis. The Company initially assesses qualitative factors to determine if it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment review or indefinite-lived intangible asset quantitative impairment review. The Company reviews the goodwill for impairment using the two-step process and the indefinite-lived intangible assets using the quantitative process if, based on its assessment of the qualitative factors, it determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, or if it decides to bypass the qualitative assessment. The Company reviews the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets utilizing a discounted cash flow model, and, where appropriate, a market value approach is also utilized to supplement the discounted cash flow model. The Company makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows, discount rates, long-term growth rates and market values to determine each reporting unit's and indefinite-lived intangible asset's estimated fair value. If these estimates or related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges.
Investments in Affiliates	Investments in Affiliates. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in and earnings or losses of affiliates that it does not control, but over which it exerts significant influence. The Company considers whether the fair values of any of its equity method investments have declined below their carrying value whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. If the Company considered any such decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results, product development activities and the overall health of the affiliate's industry), a write-down would be recorded to estimated fair value.
Cost Method Investments	Cost Method Investments. The Company uses the cost method of accounting for its minority investments in nonpublic companies where it does not have significant influence over the operations and management of the investee. Investments are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value as estimated by management. Charges recorded to write down cost method investments to their estimated fair value and gross realized gains or losses upon the sale of cost method investments are included in other (expense) income, net, in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. Fair value estimates are based on a review of the investees' product development activities, historical financial results and projected discounted cash flows.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, the product or service has been delivered and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment. Education revenues. Tuition revenue is recognized ratably over the period of instruction as services are delivered to students, net of any refunds, corporate discounts, scholarships and employee tuition discounts. At Kaplan's Test Preparation (KTP) and International divisions, estimates of average student course length are developed for each course, and these estimates are evaluated on an ongoing basis and adjusted as necessary. Online access revenue is recognized ratably over the period of access. Course material revenue is recognized over the same period as the tuition or online access, if related, or when the products are delivered, if not related. Other revenues, such as student support services, are recognized when the services are provided. Kaplan Higher Education (KHE), through the Kaplan Commitment program, provides first-time students with a risk-free trial period. Under the program, KHE monitors academic progress and conducts assessments to help determine whether students are likely to be successful in their chosen course of study. Students who withdraw or are subject to dismissal during the risk-free trial period do not incur any significant financial obligation. The Company does not recognize revenues related to coursework until the students complete the risk-free period, meet the academic requirements and decide to continue with their studies, at which time the fees become fixed and determinable. Cable television revenues. Cable television revenues are primarily derived from subscriber fees for video, high-speed Internet and phone services, and from advertising. Cable subscriber revenue is recognized monthly as services are delivered. Advertising revenue is recognized when the commercials or programs are aired. Newspaper publishing and television broadcasting revenues. Media advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, when the underlying advertisement is published or broadcast. Revenues from newspaper subscriptions and retail sales are recognized upon the later of delivery or publication date, with adequate provision made for anticipated sales returns. Sales returns. Consistent with industry practice, certain of the Company's products, such as newspapers, are sold with the right of return. The Company records, as a reduction of revenue, the estimated impact of such returns. The Company bases its estimates for sales returns on historical experience and has not experienced significant fluctuations between estimated and actual return activity. Deferred revenue. Amounts received from customers in advance of revenue recognition are deferred as liabilities. Deferred revenue to be earned after one year is included in other noncurrent liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
Leases	Leases. The Company leases substantially all of its educational facilities and enters into various other lease agreements in conducting its business. At the inception of each lease, the Company evaluates the lease agreement to determine whether the lease is an operating or capital lease. Additionally, many of the Company's lease agreements contain renewal options, tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays and/or rent escalation clauses. When such items are included in a lease agreement, the Company records a deferred rent asset or liability in the Consolidated Financial Statements and records these items in rent expense evenly over the terms of the lease. The Company is also required to make additional payments under operating lease terms for taxes, insurance and other operating expenses incurred during the operating lease period; such items are expensed as incurred. Rental deposits are included as other assets in the Consolidated Financial Statements for lease agreements that require payments in advance or deposits held for security that are refundable, less any damages, at the end of the respective lease.
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits	Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits. The Company maintains various pension and incentive savings plans and contributes to multiemployer plans on behalf of certain union-represented employee groups. Substantially all of the Company's employees are covered by these plans. The Company also provides health care and life insurance benefits to certain retired employees. These employees become eligible for benefits after meeting age and service requirements. The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and recognizes changes in that funded status in the fiscal year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. The Company measures changes in the funded status of its plans using the projected unit credit method and several actuarial assumptions, the most significant of which are the discount rate, the long-term rate of asset return and rate of compensation increase. The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
Self-Insurance	Self-Insurance. The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks, including claims related to employee health care and dental care, disability benefits, workers' compensation, general liability, property damage and business interruption. Liabilities associated with these plans are estimated based on, among other things, the Company's historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The expected loss accruals are based on estimates, and while the Company believes that the amounts accrued are adequate, the ultimate loss may differ from the amounts provided.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations; this evaluation is made on an ongoing basis. In the event the Company were to determine that it was able to realize net deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would record an adjustment to the valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. The Company records a liability for the difference between the benefit recognized and measured for financial statement purposes and the tax position taken or expected to be taken on the Company's tax return. Changes in the estimate are recorded in the period in which such determination is made.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation. Income and expense accounts of the Company's non-United States operations where the local currency is the functional currency are translated into United States (U.S.) dollars using the current rate method, whereby operating results are converted at the average rate of exchange for the period, and assets and liabilities are converted at the closing rates on the period end date. Gains and losses on translation of these accounts are accumulated and reported as a separate component of equity and other comprehensive income. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions, including foreign currency denominated intercompany loans on entities with a functional currency in U.S. dollars, are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Equity-Based Compensation	Equity-Based Compensation. The Company measures compensation expense for awards settled in shares based on the grant date fair value of the award. The Company measures compensation expense for awards settled in cash, or that may be settled in cash, based on the fair value at each reporting date. The Company recognizes the expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the award.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is calculated under the two-class method. The Company treats restricted stock as a participating security due to its nonforfeitable right to dividends. Under the two-class method, the Company allocates to the participating securities their portion of dividends declared and undistributed earnings to the extent the participating securities may share in the earnings as if all earnings for the period had been distributed. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated similarly except that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of options and restricted stock issuable under the Company's stock plans. The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, the change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments in marketable equity securities, net changes in cash flow hedge and pension and other postretirement plan adjustments.
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations. A business is classified as a discontinued operation when (i) the operations and cash flows of the business can be clearly distinguished and have been or will be eliminated from the Company's ongoing operations; (ii) the business has either been disposed of or is classified as held for sale; and (iii) the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the business after the disposal transaction. The results of discontinued operations (as well as the gain or loss on the disposal) are aggregated and separately presented in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations, net of income taxes.

Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Discontinued Operations [Abstract]

Summarized Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net Of Tax [Table Text Block]


(in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Operating revenues	$	35,342	$	118,457	$	231,388
Operating costs and expenses		(42,583)		(155,720)		(315,031)
Loss from discontinued operations		(7,241)		(37,263)		(83,643)
Benefit from income taxes		(2,068)		(8,433)		(20,769)
Net Loss from Discontinued Operations		(5,173)		(28,830)		(62,874)
Gain (loss) on sales and disposition of discontinued operations		23,759		2,975		(9,156)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes on sales and disposition of discontinued operations		(64,591)		2,616		5,869
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$	83,177	$	(28,471)	$	(77,899)

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of disposal groups, which may include the gain (loss) recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain (loss), amounts of revenues and pretax profit or loss reported in discontinued operations, the classification and carrying value of the assets and liabilities comprising the disposal group, and the segment in which the disposal group was reported. Also may include the amount of adjustments to amounts previously reported in discontinued operations such as resolution of contingencies arising from the disposal transaction or the operations of the component prior to disposal.

+ References + Details

Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Investments [Abstract]

Investments in Marketable Equity Securities [Table Text Block]


(in thousands)	2012		2011
Total cost	$	195,832	$	169,271
Net unrealized gains		184,255		133,930
Total Fair Value	$	380,087	$	303,201

Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts Receivable [Table Text Block]


(in thousands)		2012		2011
Trade accounts receivable, less estimated returns, doubtful accounts and allowances
	of $35,462 and $50,225	$	379,355	$	375,577
Other accounts receivable			19,849		17,148
		$	399,204	$	392,725

Schedule of Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Returns and Allowance for Advertising Rate Adjustments and Discounts [Table Text Block]


			Additions –				Balance
	Balance at		Charged to				at
	Beginning		Costs and				End of
(in thousands)	of Period		Expenses		Deductions		Period
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns	$	48,199	$	55,605	$	(70,192)	$	33,612
Allowance for advertising rate adjustments and discounts		2,026		15,088		(15,264)		1,850
	$	50,225	$	70,693	$	(85,456)	$	35,462
Year Ended December 31, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns	$	67,007	$	61,327	$	(80,135)	$	48,199
Allowance for advertising rate adjustments and discounts		3,174		11,868		(13,016)		2,026
	$	70,181	$	73,195	$	(93,151)	$	50,225
Year Ended January 2, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns	$	98,286	$	137,888	$	(169,167)	$	67,007
Allowance for advertising rate adjustments and discounts		8,495		12,216		(17,537)		3,174
	$	106,781	$	150,104	$	(186,704)	$	70,181

Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	310,294	$	333,282
Accrued compensation and related benefits		176,102		161,759
	$	486,396	$	495,041

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Land	$	42,992	$	41,093
Buildings		364,844		350,939
Machinery, equipment and fixtures		2,617,344		2,479,823
Leasehold improvements		314,555		304,421
Construction in progress		66,734		95,173
		3,406,469		3,271,449
Less accumulated depreciation		(2,325,232)		(2,119,059)
	$	1,081,237	$	1,152,390

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill [Table Text Block]


				Cable		Newspaper		Television		Other
(in thousands)		Education		Television		Publishing		Broadcasting		Businesses		Total
Balance as of January 2, 2011
	Goodwill	$	1,073,089	$	85,488	$	81,183	$	203,165	$	100,152	$	1,543,077
	Accumulated impairment losses		(15,529)		―		(65,772)		―		(85,419)		(166,720)
			1,057,560		85,488		15,411		203,165		14,733		1,376,357
Acquisitions			78,643		―		―		―		―		78,643
Impairment			―		―		―		―		(11,923)		(11,923)
Dispositions			(21,144)		―		―		―		―		(21,144)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other			(6,936)		―		―		―		―		(6,936)
Balance as of December 31, 2011
	Goodwill		1,116,615		85,488		81,183		203,165		100,152		1,586,603
	Accumulated impairment losses		(8,492)		―		(65,772)		―		(97,342)		(171,606)
			1,108,123		85,488		15,411		203,165		2,810		1,414,997
Acquisitions			7,364		―		―		―		16,242		23,606
Impairment			(102,259)		―		―		―		―		(102,259)
Dispositions			(29,000)		―		―		―		―		(29,000)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other			10,571		―		―		―		―		10,571
Balance as of December 31, 2012
	Goodwill		1,097,058		85,488		81,183		203,165		19,052		1,485,946
	Accumulated impairment losses		(102,259)		―		(65,772)		―		―		(168,031)
		$	994,799	$	85,488	$	15,411	$	203,165	$	19,052	$	1,317,915

Other Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]


			As of December 31, 2012						As of December 31, 2011
			Gross				Net		Gross				Net
		Useful Life	Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying		Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
(in thousands)		Range	Amount		Amortization		Amount		Amount		Amortization		Amount
Amortized Intangible Assets
	Noncompete agreements	2–5 years	$	14,008	$	12,546	$	1,462	$	14,493	$	10,764	$	3,729
	Student and customer relationships	2–10 years		73,693		40,787		32,906		75,734		47,888		27,846
	Databases and technology	3–5 years		6,457		5,707		750		10,514		8,159		2,355
	Trade names and trademarks	2–10 years		26,634		18,185		8,449		36,222		18,936		17,286
	Other	1–25 years		8,849		6,839		2,010		9,971		6,565		3,406
			$	129,641	$	84,064	$	45,577	$	146,934	$	92,312	$	54,622
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Franchise agreements		$	496,321					$	496,321
	Wireless licenses			22,150						22,150
	Licensure and accreditation			7,371						7,862
	Other			13,886						4,308
			$	539,728					$	530,641

Education [Member]

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill [Table Text Block]


		Higher		Test		Kaplan		Kaplan
(in thousands)		Education		Preparation		International		Ventures		Total
Balance as of January 2, 2011
	Goodwill	$	335,226	$	229,486	$	444,940	$	63,437	$	1,073,089
	Accumulated impairment losses		―		(7,037)		―		(8,492)		(15,529)
			335,226		222,449		444,940		54,945		1,057,560
Reallocation, net			91,043		(70,262)		―		(20,781)		―
Acquisitions			422		―		74,803		3,418		78,643
Dispositions			(17,479)		―		―		(3,665)		(21,144)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other			(84)		―		(3,807)		(3,045)		(6,936)
Balance as of December 31, 2011
	Goodwill		409,128		152,187		515,936		39,364		1,116,615
	Accumulated impairment losses		―		―		―		(8,492)		(8,492)
			409,128		152,187		515,936		30,872		1,108,123
Acquisitions			―		―		7,364		―		7,364
Impairment			―		(102,259)		―		―		(102,259)
Dispositions			―		―		―		(29,000)		(29,000)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other			56		―		12,387		(1,872)		10,571

Balance as of December 31, 2012
	Goodwill		409,184		152,187		535,687		―		1,097,058
	Accumulated impairment losses		―		(102,259)		―		―		(102,259)
		$	409,184	$	49,928	$	535,687	$	―	$	994,799

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total. Disclosure details may include, but are not limited to, the carrying amount of goodwill, goodwill acquired during the year, goodwill impairment losses recognized, goodwill written-off due to the sale of a business unit, goodwill not yet allocated, and any other changes to goodwill.

+ References + Details

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Schedule of Income from continuing operations before income taxes, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
U.S.	$	103,094	$	235,653	$	555,646
Non-U.S.		17,516		11,875		22,673
	$	120,610	$	247,528	$	578,319

Schedule of provision for income taxes on income from continuing operations [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	Current		Deferred		Total
2012
U.S. Federal	$	99,424	$	(48,685)	$	50,739
State and Local		14,062		(5,135)		8,927
Non-U.S.		12,631		(697)		11,934
	$	126,117	$	(54,517)	$	71,600
2011
U.S. Federal	$	40,450	$	26,732	$	67,182
State and Local		15,937		10,475		26,412
Non-U.S.		9,129		(823)		8,306
	$	65,516	$	36,384	$	101,900
2010
U.S. Federal	$	137,943	$	12,040	$	149,983
State and Local		28,366		34,011		62,377
Non-U.S.		11,030		(990)		10,040
	$	177,339	$	45,061	$	222,400

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
U.S. Federal taxes at statutory rate		$	42,213	$	86,635	$	202,412
State and local taxes, net of U.S. Federal tax			9,247		4,143		26,689
Valuation allowances against state tax benefits, net of U.S. Federal tax			(3,443)		9,748		13,856
Tax provided on non-U.S. subsidiary earnings and distributions at less
	than the expected U.S. Federal statutory tax rate		(7,320)		(6,882)		(4,327)
Valuation allowances against non-U.S. income tax benefits			15,966		8,072		2,921
Goodwill impairments			12,776		―		―
U.S. Federal Manufacturing Deduction tax (benefit) expense			(3,323)		1,365		(8,419)
Other, net			5,484		(1,181)		(10,732)
Provision for Income Taxes		$	71,600	$	101,900	$	222,400

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Accrued postretirement benefits	$	25,287	$	28,525
Other benefit obligations		123,306		112,646
Accounts receivable		31,073		28,047
State income tax loss carryforwards		34,578		34,506
U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards		2,857		6,301
U.S. Federal capital loss carryforwards		10,837		―
U.S. Federal foreign income tax credit carryforwards		6,781		―
Non-U.S. income tax loss carryforwards		27,039		14,906
Other		58,133		60,881
Deferred Tax Assets		319,891		285,812
Valuation allowances		(78,109)		(59,179)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$	241,782	$	226,633
Property, plant and equipment		175,025		200,054
Prepaid pension cost		241,846		213,663
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities		73,712		53,588
Goodwill and other intangible assets		276,652		291,346
Deferred Tax Liabilities	$	767,235	$	758,651
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net	$	525,453	$	532,018

Schedule of changes in deferred tax valuation allowances [Table Text Block]


			Additions –
	Balance at		Charged to				Balance at
	Beginning		Costs and				End of
(in thousands)	of Period		Expenses		Deductions		Period
Year ended
December 31, 2012	$	59,179	$	18,930		―	$	78,109
December 31, 2011	$	41,359	$	17,820		―	$	59,179
January 2, 2011	$	26,239	$	16,777	$	(1,657)	$	41,359

State [Member]

Schedule of income tax loss carryforwards [Table Text Block]


(in millions)
2013	$	5.7
2014		6.1
2015		5.1
2016		5.4
2017		1.5
2018 and after		642.9
Total	$	666.7

U.S. Federal [Member]

Schedule of income tax loss carryforwards [Table Text Block]


(in millions)
2013	$	0.7
2014		0.7
2015		0.7
2016		0.7
2017		0.7
2018 and after		4.6
Total	$	8.1

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to net realizable value, including identification of the deferred tax asset more likely than not will not be fully realized and the corresponding amount of the valuation allowance.

+ References + Details

Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt [Abstract]

Components of Debt [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	2012		2011
7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	$	397,479	$	397,065
USD Revolving credit borrowing		240,121		―
AUD Revolving credit borrowing		51,915		51,012
Commercial paper borrowings		―		109,671
Other indebtedness		7,196		7,464
Total Debt		696,711		565,212
Less: current portion		(243,327)		(112,983)
Total Long-Term Debt	$	453,384	$	452,229

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Capital Stock, Stock Awards and Stock Options (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options [Abstract]


	2012			2011			2010
	Number	Average		Number	Average		Number	Average
	of	Grant-Date		of	Grant-Date		of	Grant-Date
	Shares	Fair Value		Shares	Fair Value		Shares	Fair Value
Beginning of year, unvested	77,319	$	424.45	48,359	$	498.95	66,020	$	494.97
Awarded	145,348		321.56	44,030		432.09	1,859		442.29
Vested	(7,134)		499.06	(13,132)		722.67	(2,644)		754.81
Forfeited	(7,616)		417.79	(1,938)		436.31	(16,876)		437.06
End of Year, Unvested	207,917	$	350.21	77,319	$	424.45	48,359	$	498.95

Activity Rlated to Stock Options [Table Text Block]


	2012			2011			2010
	Number	Average		Number	Average		Number	Average
	of	Option		of	Option		of	Option
	Shares	Price		Shares	Price		Shares	Price
Beginning of year	129,044	$	494.95	87,919	$	495.05	90,569	$	525.44
Granted	7,500		378.00	51,000		499.45	22,500		395.68
Expired or forfeited	(10,850)		605.82	(9,875)		519.04	(25,150)		515.59
End of Year	125,694	$	478.32	129,044	$	494.95	87,919	$	495.05

	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
		Weighted				Weighted
	Shares	Average	Weighted		Shares	Average	Weighted
Range of	Outstanding	Remaining	Average		Exercisable	Remaining	Average
Exercise	at	Contractual	Exercise		at	Contractual	Exercise
Prices	12/31/2012	Life (yrs.)	Price		12/31/2012	Life (yrs.)	Price
$343–396	41,000	7.7	$	383.78	22,250	6.9	$	381.54
419–439	21,694	6.5		422.67	16,271	6.5		422.67
503	50,000	8.2		502.58	12,500	8.2		502.58
652	2,000	5.4		651.91	2,000	5.4		651.91
729–763	7,000	3.9		729.67	7,000	3.9		729.67
816	1,000	0.9		816.05	1,000	0.9		816.05
954	3,000	2.0		953.50	3,000	2.0		953.50
	125,694	7.2	$	478.32	64,021	6.3	$	495.72

Fair Value of Options Assumptions [Table Text Block]


	2012	2011
Expected life (years)	7	7
Interest rate	1.04%–1.27%	1.49%–2.85%
Volatility	31.71%–31.80%	30.35%–31.24%
Dividend yield	2.54%–2.60%	2.11%–2.74%

Summary of Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

(in thousands, except per share amounts)			2012		2011		2010
Income from continuing operations attributable to
	The Washington Post Company common stockholders		$	48,041	$	144,704	$	355,091
Less: Amount attributable to participating securities				(3,257)		(1,459)		(2,182)
Basic Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to
	The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders		$	44,784	$	143,245	$	352,909
Plus: Amount attributable to participating securities				3,257		1,459		2,182
Diluted Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to
	The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders		$	48,041	$	144,704	$	355,091
Basic weighted average shares outstanding				7,360		7,826		8,869
Plus: Effect of dilutive shares related to stock options and restricted stock				44		79		62
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding				7,404		7,905		8,931
Income Per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to
	The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders:
		Basic	$	6.09	$	18.30	$	39.78
		Diluted	$	6.09	$	18.30	$	39.76

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Defined Benefit Plans [Member]

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

	Pension Plans				SERP
(in thousands)	2012		2011		2012		2011
Noncurrent asset	$	604,823	$	537,262	$	―	$	―
Current liability		―		―		(4,368)		(4,002)
Noncurrent liability		―		―		(99,694)		(88,861)
Recognized Asset (Liability)	$	604,823	$	537,262	$	(104,062)	$	(92,863)

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]


(in thousands)	Pension Plans		SERP
2013	$	75,081	$	4,454
2014	$	74,887	$	4,768
2015	$	75,207	$	4,846
2016	$	76,285	$	5,360
2017	$	78,657	$	5,511
2018–2022	$	429,337	$	30,867

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

	Pension Plans				SERP
(in thousands)	2012		2011		2012		2011
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	$	(193,469)	$	(105,051)	$	33,725	$	26,385
Unrecognized prior service cost		15,931		19,626		191		245
Gross Amount		(177,538)		(85,425)		33,916		26,630
Deferred tax liability (asset)		71,015		34,170		(13,566)		(10,652)
Net Amount	$	(106,523)	$	(51,255)	$	20,350	$	15,978

Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year [Table Text Block]


		2013
(in thousands)	Pension Plans			SERP
Actuarial loss recognition		$	8,588	$	2,569
Prior service cost recognition		$	3,635	$	54

Defined Benefit Plans [Member] | Periodic Cost [Member]

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

	Pension Plans			SERP
	2012	2011	2010	2012	2011	2010
Discount rate	4.7%	5.6%	6.0%	4.7%	5.6%	6.0%
Expected return on plan assets	6.5%	6.5%	6.5%	―	―	―
Rate of compensation increase	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%

Defined Benefit Plans [Member] | Benefit Obligation [Member]

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

	Pension Plans		SERP
	2012	2011	2012	2011
Discount rate	4.0%	4.7%	4.0%	4.7%
Rate of compensation increase	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%

Pension Plans [Member]

Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]


	Pension Plans
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	1,279,315	$	1,113,205
Service cost		40,344		27,619
Interest cost		59,124		60,033
Amendments		8,508		2,776
Actuarial loss		144,286		140,126
Benefits paid and other		(65,255)		(64,444)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	1,466,322	$	1,279,315
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$	1,816,577	$	1,651,958
Actual return on plan assets		319,823		229,063
Benefits paid and other		(65,255)		(64,444)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year	$	2,071,145	$	1,816,577
Funded Status	$	604,823	$	537,262

Summary of Net (Benefit) Costs [Table Text Block]

		Pension Plans
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Service cost		$	40,344	$	27,619	$	26,976
Interest cost			59,124		60,033		60,329
Expected return on assets			(96,132)		(95,983)		(95,340)
Amortization of transition asset			―		―		(29)
Amortization of prior service cost			3,695		3,605		4,201
Recognized actuarial loss			9,013		―		―
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit) for the Year			16,044		(4,726)		(3,863)
Early retirement programs expense			8,508		634		―
Special termination benefits			―		―		5,295
Recognition of prior service cost			―		―		2,369
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year		$	24,552	$	(4,092)	$	3,801
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations
	Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Current year actuarial (gain) loss		$	(79,405)	$	7,046	$	(126,568)
Amortization of transition asset			―		―		29
Amortization of prior service cost			(3,695)		(1,463)		(6,570)
Recognized net actuarial loss			(9,013)		―		―
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)		$	(92,113)	$	5,583	$	(133,109)
Total Recognized in Total Cost (Benefit) and Other
	Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	(67,561)	$	1,491	$	(129,308)

Allocation of the Assets of the Company's Pension Plans [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2012			2011
U.S. equities		64	%		69	%
U.S. fixed income		13	%		10	%
International equities		23	%		21	%
		100	%		100	%

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]


(in thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Total
At December 31, 2012
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments		$	195,389	$	62,922	$	258,311
Equity securities
	U.S. equities		1,315,378		―		1,315,378
	International equities		482,431		―		482,431
Fixed-income securities
	Corporate debt securities		―		6,054		6,054
	Other fixed income		2,501		313		2,814
Total Investments		$	1,995,699	$	69,289	$	2,064,988
Receivables							6,157
Total						$	2,071,145

At December 31, 2011
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments		$	120,101	$	43,166	$	163,267
Equity securities
	U.S. equities		1,249,079		―		1,249,079
	International equities		381,924		―		381,924
Fixed-income securities
	U.S. Federal agency mortgage-backed securities		―		1,071		1,071
	Corporate debt securities		―		9,203		9,203
	Other fixed income		2,531		8,121		10,652
Total investments		$	1,753,635	$	61,561	$	1,815,196
Receivables							1,381
Total						$	1,816,577

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]

Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]

	SERP
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	92,863	$	79,403
Service cost		1,467		1,655
Interest cost		4,241		4,342
Amendments		―		369
Actuarial loss		8,428		9,059
Benefits paid and other		(2,937)		(1,965)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	104,062	$	92,863
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$	―	$	―
Employer contributions and other		3,681		3,114
Benefits paid		(3,681)		(3,114)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year	$	―	$	―
Funded Status	$	(104,062)	$	(92,863)

Summary of Net (Benefit) Costs [Table Text Block]

		SERP
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Service cost		$	1,467	$	1,655	$	1,381
Interest cost			4,241		4,342		4,244
Plan amendment			―		369		―
Amortization of prior service cost			54		260		406
Recognized actuarial loss			1,833		1,411		1,068
Total Cost for the Year		$	7,595	$	8,037	$	7,099
Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in
	Other Comprehensive Income
Current year actuarial loss		$	8,428	$	9,059	$	2,656
Amortization of prior service cost			(54)		(260)		(406)
Recognized net actuarial loss			(1,833)		(1,411)		(877)
Other adjustments			745		―		―
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)		$	7,286	$	7,388	$	1,373
Total Recognized in Total Cost and Other Comprehensive
	Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	14,881	$	15,425	$	8,472

Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]

	Postretirement Plans
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	72,412	$	68,818
Service cost		3,113		2,872
Interest cost		2,735		3,063
Actuarial gain		(11,493)		(55)
Curtailment loss		438		―
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy		(3,337)		(2,286)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	63,868	$	72,412
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$	―	$	―
Employer contributions		3,337		2,286
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy		(3,337)		(2,286)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year	$	―	$	―
Funded Status	$	(63,868)	$	(72,412)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

	Postretirement Plans
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Current liability	$	(3,919)	$	(4,548)
Noncurrent liability		(59,949)		(67,864)
Recognized Liability	$	(63,868)	$	(72,412)

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]


	Postretirement
(in thousands)	Plans
2013		$	3,919
2014		$	4,081
2015		$	4,288
2016		$	4,521
2017		$	4,623
2018–2022		$	25,998

Summary of Net (Benefit) Costs [Table Text Block]

		Postretirement Plans
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Service cost		$	3,113	$	2,872	$	3,275
Interest cost			2,735		3,063		3,934
Amortization of prior service credit			(5,608)		(5,650)		(5,026)
Recognized actuarial gain			(1,478)		(1,921)		(2,032)
Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost			(1,238)		(1,636)		151
Curtailment loss (gain)			438		―		(8,583)
Total Benefit for the Year		$	(800)	$	(1,636)	$	(8,432)
Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Current year actuarial gain		$	(11,493)	$	(55)	$	(3,073)
Current year prior service credit			―		―		(6,336)
Amortization of prior service credit			5,608		5,650		5,026
Recognized actuarial gain			1,478		1,921		2,032
Curtailment loss			―		―		4,953
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)		$	(4,407)	$	7,516	$	2,602
Total Recognized in (Benefit) Cost and Other
	Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effect)	$	(5,207)	$	5,880	$	(5,830)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Unrecognized actuarial gain	$	(25,525)	$	(15,510)
Unrecognized prior service credit		(26,128)		(31,736)
Gross Amount		(51,653)		(47,246)
Deferred tax liability		20,661		18,898
Net Amount	$	(30,992)	$	(28,348)

Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year [Table Text Block]


(in thousands)	2013
Actuarial gain recognition	$	(2,240)
Prior service credit recognition	$	(5,547)

Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]


	1%		1%
(in thousands)	Increase		Decrease
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	5,354	$	(4,740)
Service cost plus interest cost	$	657	$	(560)

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) [Abstract]

Summary of Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block]


(in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Impairment write-down on a marketable equity security	$	(17,998)	$	(53,793)	$	―
Gains (losses) on sales or write-downs of cost method investments		6,639		419		―
Foreign currency gains (losses), net		3,132		(3,263)		6,705
Other, net		2,771		1,437		810
Total Other Non-Operating (Expense) Income	$	(5,456)	$	(55,200)	$	7,515

Leases and Other Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Leases And Other Commitments [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]


(in thousands)
2013	$	131,737
2014		118,524
2015		98,013
2016		88,852
2017		76,573
Thereafter		260,129
	$	773,828

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]


(in thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Total
At December 31, 2012
Assets
Money market investments (1)		$	―	$	432,670	$	432,670
Marketable equity securities (2)			380,087		―		380,087
Other current investments (3)			14,134		24,717		38,851
	Total Financial Assets	$	394,221	$	457,387	$	851,608

Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)		$	―	$	62,297	$	62,297
7.25% unsecured notes (6)			―		481,424		481,424
AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)			―		51,915		51,915
Interest rate swap (7)			―		1,567		1,567
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	―	$	597,203	$	597,203


At December 31, 2011
Assets
Money market investments (1)		$	―	$	180,136	$	180,136
Marketable equity securities (2)			303,201		―		303,201
Other current investments (3)			15,223		20,250		35,473
Interest rate swap (4)			―		14		14
	Total Financial Assets	$	318,424	$	200,400	$	518,824

Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities (5)		$	―	$	63,403	$	63,403
7.25% unsecured notes (6)			―		460,500		460,500
AUD revolving credit borrowing (6)			―		51,012		51,012
	Total Financial Liabilities	$	―	$	574,915	$	574,915

____________

(1) The Company's money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

(2) The Company's investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.

(3) Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits (with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year).

(6) See Note 10 for carrying amount of these notes and borrowing.

Business Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Summary of Segment Reporting Information, by Operating Segment [Text Block]

		Fiscal Year Ended
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Operating Revenues
	Education	$	2,196,496	$	2,404,459	$	2,804,840
	Cable television		787,117		760,221		759,884
	Newspaper publishing		581,686		622,532		675,931
	Television broadcasting		399,691		319,206		342,164
	Other businesses		53,540		25,507		4,442
	Corporate office		―		―		―
	Intersegment elimination		(877)		(780)		(844)
		$	4,017,653	$	4,131,145	$	4,586,417
Income (Loss) from Operations
	Education	$	(105,368)	$	96,286	$	359,584
	Cable television		154,581		156,844		163,945
	Newspaper publishing		(53,702)		(21,204)		(11,115)
	Television broadcasting		191,642		117,089		121,348
	Other businesses		(23,244)		(8,735)		(6,326)
	Corporate office		(19,378)		(14,422)		(24,572)
		$	144,531	$	325,858	$	602,864
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Affiliates, Net			14,086		5,949		(4,133)
Interest Expense, Net			(32,551)		(29,079)		(27,927)
Other (Expense) Income, Net			(5,456)		(55,200)		7,515
Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes		$	120,610	$	247,528	$	578,319
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Education	$	101,183	$	83,735	$	73,351
	Cable television		129,107		126,302		124,834
	Newspaper publishing		25,072		26,336		30,341
	Television broadcasting		13,018		12,448		12,720
	Other businesses		263		―		―
	Corporate office		―		244		1,159
		$	268,643	$	249,065	$	242,405
Amortization of Intangible Assets and Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets
	Education	$	129,312	$	19,417	$	19,202
	Cable television		211		267		327
	Newspaper publishing		654		1,051		1,223
	Television broadcasting		―		―		―
	Other businesses		2,418		1,600		800
	Corporate office		―		―		―
		$	132,595	$	22,335	$	21,552
Net Pension Expense (Credit)
	Education	$	11,584	$	6,345	$	5,707
	Cable television		2,540		1,924		1,919
	Newspaper publishing (1)		42,436		25,283		42,287
	Television broadcasting		4,970		1,669		1,113
	Other businesses		60		17		―
	Corporate office		(36,197)		(36,983)		(34,599)
		$	25,393	$	(1,745)	$	16,427
Capital Expenditures
	Education	$	51,241	$	51,871	$	110,730
	Cable television		150,525		143,225		109,579
	Newspaper publishing		7,746		11,405		10,590
	Television broadcasting		6,401		6,415		6,675
	Other businesses		775		―		―
	Corporate office		―		―		―
		$	216,688	$	212,916	$	237,574


		As of December 31,
(in thousands)		2012		2011
Identifiable Assets
	Education	$	1,988,015	$	2,217,719
	Cable television		1,187,603		1,164,756
	Newspaper publishing		293,592		314,405
	Television broadcasting		374,075		376,259
	Other businesses		81,211		15,381
	Corporate office		180,128		70,902
		$	4,104,624	$	4,159,422
Investments in Marketable Equity Securities			380,087		303,201
Investments in Affiliates			15,535		17,101
Prepaid Pension Cost			604,823		537,262
Total Assets		$	5,105,069	$	5,016,986

Education [Member]

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Schedule of Restructuring Costs

	Fiscal Year Ended
(in thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Accelerated depreciation	$	17,230	$	3,965	$	1,152
Severance		14,349		17,205		15,099
Lease obligation losses		9,794		7,570		5,385
Accelerated amortization of intangible assets		2,595		―		―
Other		1,274		205		5,904
	$	45,242	$	28,945	$	27,540

Summary of Segment Reporting Information, by Operating Segment [Text Block]

		Fiscal Year Ended
(in thousands)		2012		2011		2010
Operating Revenues
	Higher education	$	1,149,407	$	1,399,583	$	1,905,038
	Test preparation		284,252		303,093		314,879
	Kaplan international		764,184		704,581		587,781
	Kaplan corporate and other		4,645		4,585		5,537
	Intersegment elimination		(5,992)		(7,383)		(8,395)
		$	2,196,496	$	2,404,459	$	2,804,840
Income (Loss) from Operations
	Higher education	$	27,245	$	148,915	$	406,880
	Test preparation		(10,799)		(28,498)		(32,583)
	Kaplan international		49,069		41,506		49,309
	Kaplan corporate and other		(171,929)		(64,517)		(63,788)
	Intersegment elimination		1,046		(1,120)		(234)
		$	(105,368)	$	96,286	$	359,584
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
	Higher education	$	58,514	$	48,379	$	42,412
	Test preparation		19,718		15,489		14,095
	Kaplan international		21,173		16,953		12,993
	Kaplan corporate and other		1,778		2,914		3,851
		$	101,183	$	83,735	$	73,351

Amortization of Intangible Assets		$	17,719	$	19,417	$	19,202
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets		$	111,593	$	―	$	―

Pension Expense
	Higher education	$	7,943	$	4,249	$	3,379
	Test preparation		2,007		1,288		1,467
	Kaplan international		241		167		130
	Kaplan corporate and other		1,393		641		731
		$	11,584	$	6,345	$	5,707
Capital Expenditures
	Higher education	$	26,406	$	19,735	$	58,660
	Test preparation		8,211		17,266		32,798
	Kaplan international		16,864		16,304		14,163
	Kaplan corporate and other		(240)		(1,434)		5,109
		$	51,241	$	51,871	$	110,730

		As of December 31,
(in thousands)		2012		2011
Identifiable Assets
	Higher education	$	949,260	$	919,443
	Test preparation		197,672		334,343
	Kaplan international		820,565		810,140
	Kaplan corporate and other		20,518		153,793
		$	1,988,015	$	2,217,719

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

+ References + Details

Summary of Quarterly Operating Results and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]


(in thousands, except per share amounts)		First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
2012 Quarterly Operating Results
Operating Revenues
	Education	$	547,280	$	552,202	$	552,585	$	544,429
	Advertising		170,750		190,086		195,158		229,837
	Circulation and subscriber		215,230		219,286		220,668		222,319
	Other		27,939		33,450		42,923		53,511
			961,199		995,024		1,011,334		1,050,096
Operating Costs and Expenses
	Operating		463,106		464,615		483,622		468,893
	Selling, general and administrative		411,466		400,676		382,961		396,545
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		62,275		62,749		63,739		79,880
	Amortization of intangible assets		3,873		4,428		5,091		7,610
	Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets		―		―		―		111,593
			940,720		932,468		935,413		1,064,521
Income from Operations			20,479		62,556		75,921		(14,425)
	Equity in earnings of affiliates, net		3,888		3,314		4,099		2,785
	Interest income		1,069		775		648		901
	Interest expense		(9,163)		(8,979)		(8,738)		(9,064)
	Other income (expense), net		8,588		(635)		4,163		(17,572)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes			24,861		57,031		76,093		(37,375)
Provision for Income Taxes			11,400		21,000		31,200		8,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations			13,461		36,031		44,893		(45,375)
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax			18,107		16,016		49,054		―
Net Income (Loss)			31,568		52,047		93,947		(45,375)
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			(70)		(11)		71		(64)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company			31,498		52,036		94,018		(45,439)
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends			(451)		(222)		(222)		―
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post
	Company Common Stockholders	$	31,047	$	51,814	$	93,796	$	(45,439)

Amounts Attributable to The Washington Post Company
	Common Stockholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	12,940	$	35,798	$	44,742	$	(45,439)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax			18,107		16,016		49,054		―
Net income (loss) attributable to The Washington Post Company
	common stockholders	$	31,047	$	51,814	$	93,796	$	(45,439)

Per Share Information Attributable to The Washington Post
	Company Common Stockholders
Basic income (loss) per common share from continuing operations		$	1.66	$	4.72	$	6.03	$	(6.57)
Basic income per common share from discontinued operations			2.41		2.12		6.61		―
Basic net income (loss) per common share		$	4.07	$	6.84	$	12.64	$	(6.57)

Diluted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations		$	1.66	$	4.72	$	6.03	$	(6.57)
Diluted income per common share from discontinued operations			2.41		2.12		6.61		―
Diluted net income (loss) per common share		$	4.07	$	6.84	$	12.64	$	(6.57)
Basic average number of common shares outstanding			7,514		7,431		7,272		7,223
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding			7,615		7,545		7,376		7,223
2012 Quarterly comprehensive income		$	59,907	$	47,085	$	95,760	$	16,857

The sum of the four quarters may not necessarily be equal to the annual amounts reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to rounding.


(in thousands, except per share amount)		First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
2011 Quarterly Operating Results
Operating Revenues
	Education	$	611,714	$	610,371	$	601,611	$	580,763
	Advertising		177,385		193,352		170,552		213,255
	Circulation and subscriber		214,523		216,606		212,145		213,183
	Other		25,299		28,976		28,190		33,220
			1,028,921		1,049,305		1,012,498		1,040,421
Operating Costs and Expenses
	Operating		463,303		488,577		486,615		465,666
	Selling, general and administrative		438,744		405,729		387,735		397,518
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		61,929		62,615		61,589		62,932
	Amortization of intangible assets		5,176		5,797		6,320		5,042
			969,152		962,718		942,259		931,158
Income from Operations			59,769		86,587		70,239		109,263
	Equity in (losses) earnings of affiliates, net		3,737		3,138		(1,494)		568
	Interest income		982		997		994		1,174
	Interest expense		(7,961)		(7,960)		(8,667)		(8,638)
	Other (expense) income, net		(24,032)		(2,591)		(29,650)		1,073
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes			32,495		80,171		31,422		103,440
Provision for Income Taxes			12,100		29,200		18,600		42,000
Income from Continuing Operations			20,395		50,971		12,822		61,440
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax			(4,766)		(5,208)		(18,788)		291
Net Income (Loss)			15,629		45,763		(5,966)		61,731
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			(14)		40		(16)		(17)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company			15,615		45,803		(5,982)		61,714
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends			(461)		(230)		(226)		―
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company
	Common Stockholders	$	15,154	$	45,573	$	(6,208)	$	61,714

Amounts Attributable to The Washington Post Company
	Common Stockholders
Income from continuing operations		$	19,920	$	50,781	$	12,580	$	61,423
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax			(4,766)		(5,208)		(18,788)		291
Net income (loss) attributable to The Washington Post Company
	common stockholders	$	15,154	$	45,573	$	(6,208)	$	61,714

Per Share Information Attributable to The Washington Post
	Company Common Stockholders
Basic income per common share from continuing operations		$	2.43	$	6.40	$	1.59	$	8.00
Basic (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations			(0.56)		(0.66)		(2.41)		0.03
Basic net income per common share		$	1.87	$	5.74	$	(0.82)	$	8.03

Diluted income per common share from continuing operations		$	2.43	$	6.40	$	1.59	$	8.00
Diluted (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations			(0.56)		(0.66)		(2.41)		0.03
Diluted net income (loss) per common share		$	1.87	$	5.74	$	(0.82)	$	8.03
Basic average number of common shares outstanding			8,046		7,852		7,802		7,601
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding			8,119		7,933		7,883		7,682
2011 Quarterly comprehensive income (loss)		$	40,894	$	37,040	$	(41,225)	$	63,512

The sum of the four quarters may not necessarily be equal to the annual amounts reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to rounding.

Schedule Of Quarterly Impact From Certain Items [Table Text Block]

		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
2012
Goodwill and other long-lived assets impairment charge of $81.9 million
	at Kaplan Test Preparation							$	(11.33)
Charges of $45.5 million in connection with early retirement, severance and other
	restructuring at the education and newspaper publishing divisions ($1.2 million,
	$5.2 million, $7.6 million and $31.1 million in the first, second, third, and
	fourth quarters, respectively)	$	(0.16)	$	(0.69)	$	(1.02)	$	(4.31)
Write-down of marketable equity security of $11.2 million								$	(1.54)
Gain on sale of cost method investment of $3.7 million		$	0.48
Gains, net, of $2.0 million for non-operating unrealized foreign currency gains
	(losses) ($1.7 million gain, $1.6 million loss, $1.9 million gain in the first, second
	and third quarters, respectively)	$	0.22	$	(0.21)	$	0.26	$	―

2011
Charges of $19.4 million in connection with severance and other restructuring at
	the education and newspaper publishing divisions ($1.4 million, $7.3 million, $3.5
	million and $7.3 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	(0.18)	$	(0.91)	$	(0.44)	$	(0.94)
Impairment charges of $5.7 million at one of the Company's affiliates						$	(0.72)
Write-down of a marketable equity security of $34.6 million ($19.8 million and
	$14.9 million in the first and third quarters, respectively)	$	(2.44)			$	(1.89)
Losses, net, of $2.1 million for non-operating unrealized foreign currency gains
	(losses) ($1.7 million gain, $0.2 million gain, $4.2 million loss and $0.3 million
	gain in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	0.21	$	0.03	$	(0.54)	$	0.03

Organization and Nature of Operations (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012 categories
Number of television broadcast stations	6
Number of education business categories	3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 year
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Amortized intangible assets useful life maximum	10
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	3
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	20
Building [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	20
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	50

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Pre-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition								$ 23,759	$ 2,975	$ (9,156)
Newsweek [Member]
Pension credit excluded from reclassification										25,800
Accelerated depreciation and property, plant and equipment write-downs										$ 4,700
Kaplan Virtual Education [Member]
After-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition					$ (1,200)
Kaplan Compliance Solutions [Member]
After-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition				$ 1,500
Sale of Kaplan Learning Technologies [Member]
After-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition			$ (1,900)
Sale of Kaplan EduNeering [Member]
After-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition						$ 18,500
Sales of Kaplan EduNeering and Kaplan Learning Technologies [Member]
Income tax benefits in connection with sales and/or dispositions of businesses							$ 23,200
Sale of Kidum [Member]
Pre-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition		$ 3,600
After-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition		$ 10,200
Disposition of Avenue 100 Media Solutions Inc. [Member]
Pre-tax gain (loss) on sale and/or disposition	$ (5,700)
Income tax benefits in connection with sales and/or dispositions of businesses	$ 44,500

Discontinued Operations (Summarized Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net Of Tax) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Operating revenues									$ 35,342	$ 118,457	$ 231,388
Operating costs and expenses									(42,583)	(155,720)	(315,031)
Loss from discontinued operations									(7,241)	(37,263)	(83,643)
Benefit from income taxes									(2,068)	(8,433)	(20,769)
Net Loss from Discontinued Operations									(5,173)	(28,830)	(62,874)
Gain (loss) on sales and disposition of discontinued operations									23,759	2,975	(9,156)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes on sales and disposition of discontinued operations									(64,591)	2,616	5,869
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$ 0	$ 49,054	$ 16,016	$ 18,107	$ 291	$ (18,788)	$ (5,208)	$ (4,766)	$ 83,177	$ (28,471)	$ (77,899)

- Definition

Pretax gain (loss), not previously recognized and resulting from the sale of a business component, which is recognized at the date of sale. A gain (loss) reflects the amount by which the consideration received exceeds (is exceeded by) the net carrying amount (reflecting previous provisions for loss on disposal, if any) of the disposal group.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Income tax expense or benefit attributable to Income or Loss from discontinued operations during the phase-out period.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Tax expense or benefit on the gain (loss), not previously recognized and resulting from the sale of a business component, which is recognized at the date of sale. A gain (loss) reflects the amount by which the consideration received exceeds (is exceeded by) the net carrying amount (reflecting previous provisions for loss on disposal, if any) of the disposal group.

+ References + Details

- Definition

This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items before deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 43
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 47
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 15

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 13
-Article 7

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e957-107759

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.14)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Discontinued Operations (Operating Results After Reclassifying Certain Operations As Discontinued Operations) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Operating Revenues [Abstract]
Education	$ 544,429	$ 552,585	$ 552,202	$ 547,280	$ 580,763	$ 601,611	$ 610,371	$ 611,714	$ 2,196,496	$ 2,404,459	$ 2,804,840
Advertising	229,837	195,158	190,086	170,750	213,255	170,552	193,352	177,385	785,831	754,544	833,605
Circulation and subscriber	222,319	220,668	219,286	215,230	213,183	212,145	216,606	214,523	877,503	856,457	857,290
Other	53,511	42,923	33,450	27,939	33,220	28,190	28,976	25,299	157,823	115,685	90,682
Total operating revenues	1,050,096	1,011,334	995,024	961,199	1,040,421	1,012,498	1,049,305	1,028,921	4,017,653	4,131,145	4,586,417
Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract]
Operating	468,893	483,622	464,615	463,106	465,666	486,615	488,577	463,303	1,880,236	1,904,161	1,850,402
Selling, general and administrative	396,545	382,961	400,676	411,466	397,518	387,735	405,729	438,744	1,591,648	1,629,726	1,869,194
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	79,880	63,739	62,749	62,275	62,932	61,589	62,615	61,929	268,643	249,065	242,405
Amortization of intangible assets	7,610	5,091	4,428	3,873	5,042	6,320	5,797	5,176	21,002	22,335	21,552
Total operating costs and expenses	1,064,521	935,413	932,468	940,720	931,158	942,259	962,718	969,152	3,873,122	3,805,287	3,983,553
Income from Operations	(14,425)	75,921	62,556	20,479	109,263	70,239	86,587	59,769	144,531	325,858	602,864
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net	2,785	4,099	3,314	3,888	568	(1,494)	3,138	3,737	14,086	5,949	(4,133)
Interest income	901	648	775	1,069	1,174	994	997	982	3,393	4,147	2,576
Interest expense	(9,064)	(8,738)	(8,979)	(9,163)	(8,638)	(8,667)	(7,960)	(7,961)	(35,944)	(33,226)	(30,503)
Other (expense) income, net	(17,572)	4,163	(635)	8,588	1,073	(29,650)	(2,591)	(24,032)	(5,456)	(55,200)	7,515
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	(37,375)	76,093	57,031	24,861	103,440	31,422	80,171	32,495	120,610	247,528	578,319
Provision for Income Taxes	8,000	31,200	21,000	11,400	42,000	18,600	29,200	12,100	71,600	101,900	222,400
Income from Continuing Operations	(45,375)	44,893	36,031	13,461	61,440	12,822	50,971	20,395	49,010	145,628	355,919
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	0	49,054	16,016	18,107	291	(18,788)	(5,208)	(4,766)	83,177	(28,471)	(77,899)
Net Income (Loss)	(45,375)	93,947	52,047	31,568	61,731	(5,966)	45,763	15,629	132,187	117,157	278,020
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(64)	71	(11)	(70)	(17)	(16)	40	(14)	(74)	(7)	94
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company	(45,439)	94,018	52,036	31,498	61,714	(5,982)	45,803	15,615	132,113	117,150	278,114
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	0	(222)	(222)	(451)	0	(226)	(230)	(461)	(895)	(917)	(922)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders	(45,439)	93,796	51,814	31,047	61,714	(6,208)	45,573	15,154	131,218	116,233	277,192
Amounts Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(45,439)	44,742	35,798	12,940	61,423	12,580	50,781	19,920	48,041	144,704	355,091
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	0	49,054	16,016	18,107	291	(18,788)	(5,208)	(4,766)	83,177	(28,471)	(77,899)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders	$ (45,439)	$ 93,796	$ 51,814	$ 31,047	$ 61,714	$ (6,208)	$ 45,573	$ 15,154	$ 131,218	$ 116,233	$ 277,192
Per Share Information Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders
Basic income per common share from continuing operations	$ (6.57)	$ 6.03	$ 4.72	$ 1.66	$ 8.00	$ 1.59	$ 6.40	$ 2.43	$ 6.09	$ 18.30	$ 39.78
Basic income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations	0	6.61	2.12	2.41	0.03	(2.41)	(0.66)	(0.56)	11.30	(3.60)	(8.72)
Basic net income (loss) per common share	(6.57)	12.64	6.84	4.07	8.03	(0.82)	5.74	1.87	17.39	14.70	31.06
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations	(6.57)	6.03	4.72	1.66	8.00	1.59	6.40	2.43	6.09	18.30	39.76
Diluted (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations	0	6.61	2.12	2.41	0.03	(2.41)	(0.66)	(0.56)	11.30	(3.60)	(8.72)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share	$ (6.57)	$ 12.64	$ 6.84	$ 4.07	$ 8.03	$ (0.82)	$ 5.74	$ 1.87	$ 17.39	$ 14.70	$ 31.04

Investments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 02, 2011

Apr. 03, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jan. 02, 2011

Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities

$ 2,000,000

Gain on sales of marketable equity securities

500,000

Impairment write-down on a marketable equity security

17,998,000

$ 53,793,000

$ 0

Company's investments in marketable equity securities

^[1]

380,087,000

303,201,000

New investments in marketable equity securities

45,000,000

$ 0

Unrealized gain on investment

184,255,000

133,930,000

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member]

Company's investments in marketable equity securities

$ 334,900,000

$ 286,400,000

Percentage of total fair value of the Company's investments in marketable equity securities

88.00%

94.00%

Percentage Of Common Stock Held By Investee Company

23.00%

Percentage Of Investment Held In Investee Company

less than 1%

Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains

$ 177,600,000

$ 129,100,000

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]

Shares held in investee company

2,214

Berkshire Hathaway Inc [Member] | Class B Common Stock [Member]

Shares held in investee company

424,250

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. [Member]

Impairment write-down on a marketable equity security

$ 23,100,000

$ 30,700,000

Bowater Mersey Paper Company [Member]

Impairment charge on the Company's investment in affiliate

$ 9,200,000

Percentage of equity method investment ownership sold

49.00%

Classified Ventures LLC [Member]

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

16.50%

Strayer Education Inc. [Member]

Amount of time investment had been in an unrealized loss position

almost six months

Impairment write-down on a marketable equity security

$ 18,000,000

[1]	The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.

Investments (Investments in Marketable Equity Securities) (Details 1) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Total cost

$ 195,832

$ 169,271

Net unrealized gains

184,255

133,930

Total Fair Value

^[1]

$ 380,087

$ 303,201

[1]	The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.

- Definition

Equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading which are intended be sold within one year from the balance sheet date or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 16
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 43
-Chapter 3
-Section A
-Paragraph 4, 5
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 13, 17
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379932&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26626-111562

+ Details

Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Narrative) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Cash overdrafts	$ 0.9	$ 2.1

Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable, less estimated returns, doubtful accounts and allowances				$ 379,355	$ 375,577
Other accounts receivable				19,849	17,148
Accounts receivable, net				399,204	392,725
Returns, doubtful accounts and allowances	$ 50,225	$ 50,225	$ 70,181	35,462	50,225
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities				310,294	333,282
Accrued compensation and related benefits				176,102	161,759
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities				486,396	495,041
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Begining of Period	50,225	70,181	106,781
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	70,693	73,195	150,104
Deductions	(85,456)	(93,151)	(186,704)
Balance at End of Period	35,462	50,225	70,181
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns [Member]
Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Returns, doubtful accounts and allowances	48,199	48,199	67,007	33,612	48,199
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Begining of Period	48,199	67,007	98,286
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	55,605	61,327	137,888
Deductions	(70,192)	(80,135)	(169,167)
Balance at End of Period	33,612	48,199	67,007
Allowance for advertising rate adjustments and discounts [Member]
Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Returns, doubtful accounts and allowances	2,026	2,026	8,495	$ 1,850	$ 2,026
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Begining of Period	2,026	3,174	8,495
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	15,088	11,868	12,216
Deductions	(15,264)	(13,016)	(17,537)
Balance at End of Period	$ 1,850	$ 2,026	$ 3,174

Property, Plant and Equipment (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	$ 79,880	$ 63,739	$ 62,749	$ 62,275	$ 62,932	$ 61,589	$ 62,615	$ 61,929	$ 268,643	$ 249,065	$ 242,405

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land	$ 42,992	$ 41,093
Buildings	364,844	350,939
Machinery, equipment and fixtures	2,617,344	2,479,823
Leasehold improvements	314,555	304,421
Construction in progress	66,734	95,173
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,406,469	3,271,449
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,325,232)	(2,119,059)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 1,081,237	$ 1,152,390

- Definition

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

+ References + Details

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012 USD ($) business	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) business	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) business	Jan. 02, 2011 USD ($) business
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cost of acquisition \| $		$ 55.6	$ 136.5	$ 14.1
Number of businesses acquired		5	5	6
Assumed debt \| $			$ 5.5
Celtic Healthcare, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the noncontrolling interest \| $	$ 5.9
Education [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired		3
Kaplan International [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired			3	1
Kaplan Ventures [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired			1	1
Test Preparation [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired				2
Higher Education [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired			1
Other Businesses [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired		1
Other Businesses [Member] \| Celtic Healthcare, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired	1
Other Businesses and Cable Television [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired				2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Oct. 03, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charges	$ 111,593	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0						$ 111,593	$ 0	$ 0
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 7,610	$ 5,091	$ 4,428	$ 3,873	$ 5,042	$ 6,320	$ 5,797	$ 5,176		21,002	$ 22,335	$ 21,552
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2013										15,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2014										9,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2015										7,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2016										6,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2017										5,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, after 2017										$ 4,000
Online Lead Generation Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets						$ 11,900			$ 27,500

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 1,586,603	$ 1,543,077
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(171,606)	(166,720)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,414,997	1,376,357
Acquisitions	23,606	78,643
Impairment	(102,259)	(11,923)
Dispositions	(29,000)	(21,144)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	10,571	(6,936)
Goodwill, ending balance	1,485,946	1,586,603
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(168,031)	(171,606)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,317,915	1,414,997
Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,116,615	1,073,089
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(8,492)	(15,529)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,108,123	1,057,560
Acquisitions	7,364	78,643
Impairment	(102,259)	0
Dispositions	(29,000)	(21,144)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	10,571	(6,936)
Goodwill, ending balance	1,097,058	1,116,615
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)	(8,492)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	994,799	1,108,123
Higher Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	409,128	335,226
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	409,128	335,226
Reallocation, net		91,043
Acquisitions	0	422
Impairment	0
Dispositions	0	(17,479)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	56	(84)
Goodwill, ending balance	409,184	409,128
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	409,184	409,128
Test Preparation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	152,187	229,486
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0	(7,037)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	152,187	222,449
Reallocation, net		(70,262)
Acquisitions	0	0
Impairment	102,259
Dispositions	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	152,187	152,187
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	49,928	152,187
Kaplan International [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	515,936	444,940
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	515,936	444,940
Reallocation, net		0
Acquisitions	7,364	74,803
Impairment	0
Dispositions	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	12,387	(3,807)
Goodwill, ending balance	535,687	515,936
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	535,687	515,936
Kaplan Ventures [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	39,364	63,437
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(8,492)	(8,492)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	30,872	54,945
Reallocation, net		(20,781)
Acquisitions	0	3,418
Impairment	0
Dispositions	(29,000)	(3,665)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	(1,872)	(3,045)
Goodwill, ending balance	0	39,364
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	(8,492)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	0	30,872
Cable Television [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	85,488	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	85,488	85,488
Acquisitions	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	85,488	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	85,488	85,488
Newspaper Publishing [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	81,183	81,183
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(65,772)	(65,772)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	15,411	15,411
Acquisitions	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	81,183	81,183
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(65,772)	(65,772)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	15,411	15,411
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	203,165	203,165
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	203,165	203,165
Acquisitions	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	203,165	203,165
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	203,165	203,165
Other Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	100,152	100,152
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(97,342)	(85,419)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	2,810	14,733
Acquisitions	16,242	0
Impairment	0	(11,923)
Dispositions	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	19,052	100,152
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	(97,342)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 19,052	$ 2,810

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Details) 2 $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) year	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) year
Amortized intangible assets [Abstract]
Useful Life, maximum (in years) \| year	10
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 129,641	$ 146,934
Accumulated Amortization	84,064	92,312
Net Carrying Amount	45,577	54,622
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	539,728	530,641
Franchise Agreements [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	496,321	496,321
Wireless Licenses [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	22,150	22,150
Licensure and Accreditation [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	7,371	7,862
Other [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 13,886	$ 4,308
Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Amortized intangible assets [Abstract]
Useful Life, minimum (in years) \| year	2	2
Useful Life, maximum (in years) \| year	5	5
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 14,008	$ 14,493
Accumulated Amortization	12,546	10,764
Net Carrying Amount	$ 1,462	$ 3,729
Student and Customer Relationships [Member]
Amortized intangible assets [Abstract]
Useful Life, minimum (in years) \| year	2	2
Useful Life, maximum (in years) \| year	10	10
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 73,693	$ 75,734
Accumulated Amortization	40,787	47,888
Net Carrying Amount	$ 32,906	$ 27,846
Databases and Technology [Member]
Amortized intangible assets [Abstract]
Useful Life, minimum (in years) \| year	3	3
Useful Life, maximum (in years) \| year	5	5
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 6,457	$ 10,514
Accumulated Amortization	5,707	8,159
Net Carrying Amount	$ 750	$ 2,355
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]
Amortized intangible assets [Abstract]
Useful Life, minimum (in years) \| year	2	2
Useful Life, maximum (in years) \| year	10	10
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 26,634	$ 36,222
Accumulated Amortization	18,185	18,936
Net Carrying Amount	$ 8,449	$ 17,286
Other [Member]
Amortized intangible assets [Abstract]
Useful Life, minimum (in years) \| year	1	1
Useful Life, maximum (in years) \| year	25	25
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 8,849	$ 9,971
Accumulated Amortization	6,839	6,565
Net Carrying Amount	$ 2,010	$ 3,406

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
U.S. Federal Manufacturing Deduction tax (benefit) expense	$ (3,323,000)	$ 1,365,000	$ (8,419,000)
Tax benefits with respect to losses from discontinued operations	66,700,000	5,800,000	$ 14,900,000
Excess of book value over tax basis of investment	64,200,000	60,600,000
Deferred state income tax asset	34,578,000	34,506,000
Deferred tax assets, net	241,782,000	226,633,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards	2,857,000	6,301,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to U.S. Federal capital loss carryforwards	10,837,000	0
Deferred tax assets with respect to U.S. Federal foreign tax credit carryforwards	6,781,000	0
Deferred tax assets with respect to non U.S. income tax loss carryforwards	27,039,000	14,906,000
Valuation allowance	78,109,000	59,179,000
State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	666,700,000
Valuation allowance related to operating loss carryforwards	34,600,000
Valuation allowance	48,200,000
U.S. Federal [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets with respect to U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards	2,900,000
Capital loss carryforwards	27,800,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to U.S. Federal capital loss carryforwards	10,800,000
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	6,800,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to U.S. Federal foreign tax credit carryforwards	6,800,000
Income tax loss carryforwards obtained as a result of prior stock acqusitions	8,100,000
Valuation allowance	0
Deferred income tax assets related to undistributed earnings of investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries		700,000
non-U.S. [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Impairment charges related to non-U.S. affiliates		9,200,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to non U.S. income tax loss carryforwards	27,000,000
Tax loss carryforwards as a result of operating losses and prior stock acquisitions	93,000,000
Tax loss carryforwards from operating losses and prior stock acquisitions that can be carried forward indefinitely	84,600,000
Valuation allowance	29,900,000
Valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets recorded for the tax losses carryforward	25,200,000
non-U.S. [Member] \| Through 2017 [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax loss carryforwards subject to expiration	3,000,000
non-U.S. [Member] \| After 2017 [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax loss carryforwards subject to expiration	5,400,000
U.S. Federal and State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred income tax liabilities related to undistributed earnings of investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries	1,700,000
Additional deferred tax liabilitites due to excess of book value over tax basis of investment	14,700,000	$ 13,400,000
Tax Loss Carryforwards [Member] \| State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets, net	$ 0

Income Taxes (Income from Operations) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Income (Loss) from Operations before Extraordinary Items [Abstract]
U.S.									$ 103,094	$ 235,653	$ 555,646
Foreign									17,516	11,875	22,673
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$ (37,375)	$ 76,093	$ 57,031	$ 24,861	$ 103,440	$ 31,422	$ 80,171	$ 32,495	$ 120,610	$ 247,528	$ 578,319

Income Taxes (Provision for Income Taxes Components) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Provision for income taxes on income from continuing operations [Abstract]
U.S. Federal, Current									$ 99,424	$ 40,450	$ 137,943
State and Local, Current									14,062	15,937	28,366
Non-U.S.									12,631	9,129	11,030
Total income tax, Current									126,117	65,516	177,339
U.S. Federal, Deferred									(48,685)	26,732	12,040
State and Local, Deferred									(5,135)	10,475	34,011
Non-U.S.									(697)	(823)	(990)
Total income tax, Deferred									(54,517)	36,384	45,061
U.S. Federal, Total									50,739	67,182	149,983
State and Local, Total									8,927	26,412	62,377
Non-U.S.									11,934	8,306	10,040
Total provision for income tax	$ 8,000	$ 31,200	$ 21,000	$ 11,400	$ 42,000	$ 18,600	$ 29,200	$ 12,100	$ 71,600	$ 101,900	$ 222,400

Income Taxes (Income Tax Reconciliation) (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
U.S. Federal taxes at statutory rate									$ 42,213	$ 86,635	$ 202,412
State and local taxes, net of U.S. Federal tax									9,247	4,143	26,689
Tax provided on non-U.S. subsidiary earnings and distributions at less than the expected U.S. Federal statutory tax rate									(7,320)	(6,882)	(4,327)
Goodwill impairments									12,776	0	0
U.S. Federal Manufacturing Deduction tax (benefit) expense									(3,323)	1,365	(8,419)
Other, net									5,484	(1,181)	(10,732)
Total provision for income tax	$ 8,000	$ 31,200	$ 21,000	$ 11,400	$ 42,000	$ 18,600	$ 29,200	$ 12,100	71,600	101,900	222,400
State [Member]
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
Valuation allowance against tax benefits									(3,443)	9,748	13,856
non-U.S. [Member]
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
Valuation allowance against tax benefits									$ 15,966	$ 8,072	$ 2,921

Income Taxes (Deferred Income Taxes Components) (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Income Taxes [Abstract]
Accrued postretirement benefits	$ 25,287	$ 28,525
Other benefit obligations	123,306	112,646
Accounts receivable	31,073	28,047
State income tax loss carryforwards	34,578	34,506
U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards	2,857	6,301
U.S. Federal capital loss carryforwards	10,837	0
U.S Federal foreign income tax credit carryforwards	6,781	0
Non-U.S. income tax loss carryforwards	27,039	14,906
Other	58,133	60,881
Deferred tax assets	319,891	285,812
Valuation allowance	(78,109)	(59,179)
Deferred tax assets, net	241,782	226,633
Property, plant and equipment	175,025	200,054
Prepaid pension cost	241,846	213,663
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	73,712	53,588
Goodwill and other intangible assets	276,652	291,346
Deferred tax liabilities	767,235	758,651
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	$ 525,453	$ 532,018

Income Taxes (Operating Loss Carryforwards) (Details 5) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	$ 666.7
U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	8.1
2013 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	5.7
2013 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	0.7
2014 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	6.1
2014 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	0.7
2015 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	5.1
2015 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	0.7
2016 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	5.4
2016 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	0.7
2017 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	1.5
2017 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	0.7
2018 and after [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	642.9
2018 and after [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	$ 4.6

Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Valluation Allowances) (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Balance at Begining of Period	$ 50,225	$ 70,181	$ 106,781
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	70,693	73,195	150,104
Deductions	(85,456)	(93,151)	(186,704)
Balance at End of Period	35,462	50,225	70,181
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance [Member]
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Balance at Begining of Period	59,179	41,359	26,239
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	18,930	17,820	16,777
Deductions	0	0	(1,657)
Balance at End of Period	$ 78,109	$ 59,179	$ 41,359

Debt (Narrative) (Details)
$ in Millions

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 07, 2011

AUD ($)

Jun. 17, 2011

USD ($)

Jan. 31, 2009

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Jan. 02, 2011

USD ($)

Dec. 20, 2012

USD ($)

Jun. 17, 2011

AUD ($)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Commercial paper borrowings

$ 0

$ 109,671,000

Average borrowings outstanding

$ 483,300,000

$ 426,700,000

Weighted average interest rate of borrowings

6.70%

7.00%

Net interest expense incurred

$ 32,600,000

$ 29,100,000

$ 27,900,000

Carrying value of debt instrument

397,479,000

$ 397,065,000

Commercial Paper [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Commercial paper borrowings

$ 0

Interest rate of debt instrument

0.50%

7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest rate of debt instrument

7.25%

Debt Instrument, Maturity date

Feb. 01, 2019

Face amount of debt issued

$ 400,000,000

Notes repurchase percentage of principal amount to be eligible for redemption

101.00%

Fair value of debt instrument

^[1]

$ 481,424,000

$ 460,500,000

Carrying value of debt instrument

$ 397,500,000

397,100,000

Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement Dated, August 8, 2006 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Borrowings outstanding

$ 0

Termination of credit agreement

$ 500,000,000

Four-Year Revolving Credit Agreement Dated, June 17, 2011 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt Instrument, Maturity date

Jun. 17, 2015

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 700,000,000

Minimum fee percentage for line of credit facility

0.08%

Maximum fee percentage for line of credit facility

0.20%

Line of credit facility minimum requirement of shareholder's equity

1,500,000,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms

Any borrowings are made on an unsecured basis and bear interest at (a) for U.S. dollar borrowings, at the Company’s option, either (i) a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of JPMorgan’s prime rate, 0.50 percent above the Federal funds rate or the one-month eurodollar rate plus 1%, or (ii) the eurodollar rate for the applicable interest period; or (b) for Australian dollar borrowings, the bank bill rate, in each case plus an applicable margin that depends on the Company’s long-term debt ratings.

AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Borrowings outstanding

$ 50.0

$ 51,915,000

51,012,000

Current borrowing capacity

$ 50.0

USD $450 million portion of Revolver [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Borrowings outstanding

$ 240,121,000

$ 0

$ 240,000,000

Interest rate of debt instrument

1.5107%

Current borrowing capacity

$ 450,000,000

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Types Of Interest Rate Derivatives Used

interest rate swap

Notional Amount of Cash Flow Hedge Instruments

$ 50.0

Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge

March 7, 2015

Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate

4.5275%

Other Indebtedness [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Minimum interest rate

0.00%

Maximum interest rate

6.00%

Debt Instrument, Maturity year, start

2013

Debt Instrument, Maturity year, end

2017

[1]	See Note 10 for carrying amount of these notes and borrowing.

Debt (Details 1) $ in Thousands, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 20, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2011 AUD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	$ 397,479		$ 397,065
Commercial paper borrowings	0		109,671
Other indebtedness	7,196		7,464
Total Debt	696,711		565,212
Less: current portion	(243,327)		(112,983)
Total Long-Term Debt	453,384		452,229
USD [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit borrowing	240,121	$ 240,000	0
Interest rate of debt instrument		1.5107%
AUD [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit borrowing	$ 51,915		$ 51,012	$ 50.0

Redeemable Preferred Stock (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
Redeemable Preferred Stock (Details) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Absract]
Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value per share	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Redeemable Preferred Stock, liquidation value per share	$ 1,000	1,000
Redeemable by at any time on or after	Oct. 01, 2015
Redeemable Preferred Stock, redemption value per share	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Number of times dividends payable in a year per share	Four times a year
Dividends payable per share	$ 80.00

- Definition

The per share liquidation preference (or restrictions) of stock classified as temporary equity that has a preference in involuntary liquidation considerably in excess of the par or stated value of the shares. The liquidation preference is the difference between the preference in liquidation and the par or stated values of the share. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Amount to be paid per share that is classified as temporary equity by entity upon redemption. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

+ References + Details

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Narrative) (Details)	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Feb. 28, 2013 shares	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) year $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jan. 02, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2011 shares	Jan. 03, 2010 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cost of shares repurchased by company \| $			$ 103,196,000	$ 248,055,000	$ 404,816,000
Shares subject to award outstanding	77,319		207,917	77,319	48,359			66,020
Awarded, Number of Shares			145,348	44,030	1,859
Shares subject to stock options outstanding	129,044		125,694	129,044	87,919			90,569
Market value of company's stock \| $ / shares			$ 365.21
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year			7.2
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 494.95		$ 478.32	$ 494.95	$ 495.05			$ 525.44
Granted, Number of Shares			7,500	51,000	22,500
Dividends declared per common share \| $ / shares			$ 9.80	$ 9.40	$ 9.00
Accelerated dividends in lieu of regular quarterly dividends in 2013 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividends declared per common share \| $ / shares			$ 9.80
Education [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based Compensation Expense \| $			$ (1,100,000)	$ (1,300,000)		$ (1,200,000)
Accrual balance related to stock based compensation \| $			7,000,000
Stock compensation payouts \| $	$ 0		$ 0	0		$ 0
Kaplan Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			generally four to five years
Shares subject to stock options outstanding			0
Intrinsic value of options exercised \| $				$ 1,000,000
Granted, Number of Shares			0	0		0
Exercised, Number of Shares			0			0
Kaplan Stock Option [Member] \| Senior Manager [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercised, Number of Shares	2,000
Exercised, Average Option Price \| $ / shares	$ 652			$ 652
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Conversion of Class A shares to Class B			10,000	11,500
Conversion of stock from Class A to Class B, percentage			1.00%	1.00%
Common Stock, shares outstanding	1,229,383		1,219,383	1,229,383
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Right to elect Board of Directors percentage			30.00%
Shares repurchased by company			301,231	644,948	1,057,940
Cost of shares repurchased by company \| $			$ 103,200,000	$ 248,100,000	$ 404,800,000
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased							750,000
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased remaining under previous authorization							43,573
Authorized shares remaining for repurchase			192,243
Common Stock, shares outstanding	6,361,617		6,208,118	6,361,617
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| Stock Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for issuance			351,675
Shares available for future awards			225,981
Stock-based Compensation Expense \| $			$ 2,900,000	$ 2,700,000	$ 1,400,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense \| $			$ 5,100,000
Years over which cost expected to be recognized \| year			2.3
Shares reserved for options granted under the plan			1,900,000
Vesting period			four years
Option Vesting Period, Maximum			10 years
Shares subject to stock options outstanding			125,694
Options outstanding exercisable now			64,021
Options outstanding exercisable in 2013			25,423
Options outstanding exercisable in 2014			19,750
Options outstanding exercisable in 2015			14,625
Options outstanding exercisable in 2016			1,875
Intrinsic value of options outstanding \| $			$ 100,000
Intrinsic value of options exercisable \| $			100,000
Intrinsic value of options unvested \| $			$ 100,000
Options unvested, shares	83,459		61,673	83,459
Options unvested, average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 463.53		$ 460.24	$ 463.53
Options unvested, weighted average remaining contractual term, years \| year			8.2
Granted, Number of Shares		15,000
Weighted average fair value, granted options \| $ / shares			$ 91.71	$ 110.67	$ 106.70
Exercised, Number of Shares			0	0	0
Antidilutive securities, shares			124,694	115,294	30,225
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Exercise price above fair market value of common stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of Shares				50,000
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for issuance			302,055
Shares subject to award outstanding			207,917
Shares available for future awards			94,138
Share awards outstanding, restriction will lapse in 2013			28,555
Share awards outstanding, restriction will lapse in 2014			2,674
Share awards outstanding, restriction will lapse in 2015			41,968
Share awards outstanding, restriction will lapse in 2016			24,850
Share awards outstanding, restriction will lapse in 2017			67,370
Share awards outstanding, restriction will lapse in 2018			42,500
Awarded, Number of Shares		7,681
Stock-based Compensation Expense \| $			$ 11,400,000	$ 8,900,000	$ 4,800,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense \| $			$ 50,900,000
Years over which cost expected to be recognized \| year			2.3
Kaplan Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			three-year period
Fair value of company common stock \| $ / shares			$ 973
Kaplan Restricted Stock [Member] \| Senior Manager [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares subject to award outstanding			759
Common Stock, shares outstanding			6,447

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Stock Awards Rollforward) (Details 1) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Stock Awards Rollforward [Abstract]
Beginning of year, unvested, Number of Shares	77,319	48,359	66,020
Awarded, Number of Shares	145,348	44,030	1,859
Vested, Number of Shares	(7,134)	(13,132)	(2,644)
Forfeited, Number of Shares	(7,616)	(1,938)	(16,876)
End of year, unvested, Number of Shares	207,917	77,319	48,359
Beginning of year, Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$ 424.45	$ 498.95	$ 494.97
Awarded, Average Grant-Date Fair Value	321.56	432.09	442.29
Vested, Average Grant-Date Fair Value	499.06	722.67	754.81
Forfeited, Average Grant-Date Fair Value	417.79	436.31	437.06
End of year, Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$ 350.21	$ 424.45	$ 498.95

- Definition

The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

+ References + Details

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Stock Options Rollforward) (Details 2) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Stock Options Rollforward [Abstract]
Beginning of year, Number of Shares	129,044	87,919	90,569
Granted, Number of Shares	7,500	51,000	22,500
Expired or forfeited, Number of Shares	(10,850)	(9,875)	(25,150)
End of year, Number of Shares	125,694	129,044	87,919
Beginning of year, Average Option Price	$ 494.95	$ 495.05	$ 525.44
Granted, Average Option Price	378.00	499.45	395.68
Expired or forfeited, Average Option Price	605.82	519.04	515.59
End of year, Average Option Price	$ 478.32	$ 494.95	$ 495.05

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Options Outstanding and Exercisable) (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 year $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2011 $ / shares shares	Jan. 02, 2011 $ / shares shares	Jan. 03, 2010 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding \| shares	125,694	129,044	87,919	90,569
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	7.2
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 478.32	$ 494.95	$ 495.05	$ 525.44
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable \| shares	64,021
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	6.3
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 495.72
Exercise Price Range of $343-$396 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding \| shares	41,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	7.7
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 383.78
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable \| shares	22,250
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	6.9
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 381.54
Exercise Price Range of $419-$439 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding \| shares	21,694
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	6.5
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 422.67
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable \| shares	16,271
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	6.5
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 422.67
Exercise Price $503 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding \| shares	50,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	8.2
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 502.58
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable \| shares	12,500
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	8.2
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 502.58
Exercise Price $652 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding \| shares	2,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	5.4
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 651.91
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable \| shares	2,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	5.4
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 651.91
Exercise Price Range of $729-$763 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding \| shares	7,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	3.9
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 729.67
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable \| shares	7,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	3.9
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 729.67
Exercise Price $816 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding \| shares	1,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	0.9
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 816.05
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable \| shares	1,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	0.9
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 816.05
Exercise Price $954 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding \| shares	3,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	2.0
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 953.50
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable \| shares	3,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| year	2.0
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 953.50

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Fair Value Assumptions) (Details 4) - year	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Expected life	7	7
Interest rate, minimum	1.04%	1.49%
Interest rate, maximum	1.27%	2.85%
Volatility, minimum	31.71%	30.35%
Volatility, maximum	31.80%	31.24%
Dividend yield, minimum	2.54%	2.11%
Dividend yield, maximum	2.60%	2.74%

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Earnings Per Share) (Details 5) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders	$ (45,439)	$ 44,742	$ 35,798	$ 12,940	$ 61,423	$ 12,580	$ 50,781	$ 19,920	$ 48,041	$ 144,704	$ 355,091
Less: Amount attributable to participating securities									(3,257)	(1,459)	(2,182)
Basic income from continuing operations attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders									44,784	143,245	352,909
Plus: Amount attributable to participating securities									3,257	1,459	2,182
Diluted income from continuing operations attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders									$ 48,041	$ 144,704	$ 355,091
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	7,223	7,272	7,431	7,514	7,601	7,802	7,852	8,046	7,360	7,826	8,869
Plus: Effect of dilutive shares related to stock options and restricted stock									44	79	62
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	7,223	7,376	7,545	7,615	7,682	7,883	7,933	8,119	7,404	7,905	8,931
Income Per Share From Continuing Operations To Common Stockholders [Abstract]
Basic	$ (6.57)	$ 6.03	$ 4.72	$ 1.66	$ 8.00	$ 1.59	$ 6.40	$ 2.43	$ 6.09	$ 18.30	$ 39.78
Diluted	$ (6.57)	$ 6.03	$ 4.72	$ 1.66	$ 8.00	$ 1.59	$ 6.40	$ 2.43	$ 6.09	$ 18.30	$ 39.76

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Pension and Postretirement Plans (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) investment country companies	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) investment country	Jan. 02, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement program expense	$ 8,508,000	$ 634,000	$ 0
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charge	886,000	2,415,000	20,355,000
Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement program expense	8,508,000	634,000	0
Special termination benefits	0	0	5,295,000
Recognition Of Prior Service Cost Related To Dispositions Including Discontinued Operations	0	0	2,369,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	1,349,200,000	1,191,900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	0	0	0
Estimated employer contributions in next fiscal year	$ 0
Number of investment companies actively managing plan assets \| companies	2
Amount of plan assets managed internally by the company	None
Pension Plans [Member] \| Newsweek [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Special termination benefits			5,300,000
Recognition Of Prior Service Cost Related To Dispositions Including Discontinued Operations			2,400,000
Pension Plans [Member] \| Washington Post Newspaper [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement program expense	$ 7,500,000
Pension Plans [Member] \| Robinson Terminal Warehouse and Washington Post Newspaper [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement program expense		600,000
Pension Plans [Member] \| Post-Newsweek Media [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement program expense	1,000,000
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to multiemployer pension plans	200,000	400,000	1,000,000
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member] \| CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to multiemployer pension plans		100,000	600,000
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member] \| Other individually insignificant multiemployer pension plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to multiemployer pension plans	200,000	300,000	400,000
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member] \| Washington Post Newspaper [Member] \| CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charge			20,400,000
Percentage of total contribution by the Company				more than 5%
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member] \| Daily Herald [Member] \| CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charge		2,400,000
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member] \| Daily Herald [Member] \| GCIU Employer's Trust Fund [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charge	900,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	97,600,000	86,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	3,681,000	3,114,000
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	3,337,000	2,286,000
Curtailment gain	$ 438,000	$ 0	$ (8,583,000)
Discount rate to determine benefit obligation	3.30%	3.90%
Discount rate to determine periodic cost	3.90%	4.60%	5.25%
Other Postretirement Plans [Member] \| Pre-Age 65 [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed health care cost trend rate	8.00%
Direction of change for assumed health care cost trend rate	decreasing
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	5.00%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate	2025
Other Postretirement Plans [Member] \| Post-Age 65 MA-PD Plan [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed health care cost trend rate	21.80%
Direction of change for assumed health care cost trend rate	decreasing
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	5.00%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate	2023
Other Postretirement Plans [Member] \| Post-Age 65 Non MA-PD Plan [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed health care cost trend rate	7.00%
Direction of change for assumed health care cost trend rate	decreasing
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	5.00%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate	2021
Other Postretirement Plans [Member] \| Newsweek [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Curtailment gain			$ 8,500,000
Other Postretirement Plans [Member] \| Washington Post Newspaper [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Curtailment gain	$ 400,000
Savings Plan [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Expense associated with the retirement benefits provided under incentive savings plans	$ 17,300,000	$ 20,400,000	$ 18,900,000
Berkshire Hathaway Common Stock [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation maximum percentage of assets, singular equity security, without prior approval by plan administrator	20.00%
Value of investments	$ 179,900,000	154,000,000
Foreign Investments [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation maximum percentage of assets, equity securities	24.00%
Single Equity Concentration [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation maximum percentage of assets, singular equity security, without prior approval by plan administrator	10.00%
Value of investments	$ 223,100,000	$ 222,400,000
Percentage of total plan assets	11.00%	12.00%
Number of investments the company's pension plan held which individually exceed 10% of total plan assets \| investment	1	1
Concentration In Single Entity, Type Of Industry, Foreign Country Or Individual Fund [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of plan assets considered as significant concentrations in pension plans	10.00%
Fixed income securities [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage of assets, fixed-income securities, range minimum	10.00%
Geographic Concentration [Member] \| Foreign Investments [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Value of investments	$ 240,400,000	$ 241,400,000
Percentage of total plan assets	12.00%	13.00%
Number of foreign countries for which the companys pension plan holds investments that exceed 10% of total plan assets \| country	1	1

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Obligation, Asset, and Funding Information) (Details 1) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$ 1,816,577,000
Fair value of assets at end of year	2,071,145,000	$ 1,816,577,000
Pension Plans [Member]
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at begining of year	1,279,315,000	1,113,205,000
Service cost	40,344,000	27,619,000	$ 26,976,000
Interest cost	59,124,000	60,033,000	60,329,000
Amendments	8,508,000	2,776,000
Actuarial loss (gain)	144,286,000	140,126,000
Benefits paid and other	(65,255,000)	(64,444,000)
Benefit obligation at end of year	1,466,322,000	1,279,315,000	1,113,205,000
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	1,816,577,000	1,651,958,000
Actual return on plan assets	319,823,000	229,063,000
Employer contributions and other	0	0	0
Benefits paid and other	(65,255,000)	(64,444,000)
Fair value of assets at end of year	2,071,145,000	1,816,577,000	1,651,958,000
Funded status	604,823,000	537,262,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at begining of year	92,863,000	79,403,000
Service cost	1,467,000	1,655,000	1,381,000
Interest cost	4,241,000	4,342,000	4,244,000
Amendments	0	369,000	0
Actuarial loss (gain)	8,428,000	9,059,000
Benefits paid and other	(3,681,000)	(3,114,000)
Benefits paid and other	(2,937,000)	(1,965,000)
Benefit obligation at end of year	104,062,000	92,863,000	79,403,000
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions and other	3,681,000	3,114,000
Benefits paid and other	(3,681,000)	(3,114,000)
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status	(104,062,000)	(92,863,000)
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at begining of year	72,412,000	68,818,000
Service cost	3,113,000	2,872,000	3,275,000
Interest cost	2,735,000	3,063,000	3,934,000
Actuarial loss (gain)	(11,493,000)	(55,000)
Curtailment loss	438,000	0
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy	(3,337,000)	(2,286,000)
Benefit obligation at end of year	63,868,000	72,412,000	68,818,000
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions and other	3,337,000	2,286,000
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy	(3,337,000)	(2,286,000)
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status	$ (63,868,000)	$ (72,412,000)

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Consolidated Balance Sheet) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Pension Plans [Member]
Noncurrent asset	$ 604,823	$ 537,262
Current liability	0	0
Noncurrent liability	0	0
Recognized asset (liability)	604,823	537,262
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Noncurrent asset	0	0
Current liability	(4,368)	(4,002)
Noncurrent liability	(99,694)	(88,861)
Recognized asset (liability)	(104,062)	(92,863)
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Current liability	(3,919)	(4,548)
Noncurrent liability	(59,949)	(67,864)
Recognized asset (liability)	$ (63,868)	$ (72,412)

- Definition

This represents the noncurrent liability for underfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

+ References

+ Details

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Key Assumptions - Obligation) (Details 3) - Benefit Obligation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.00%	4.70%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.00%	4.70%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Future Estimated Benefit Payments) (Details 4) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2013	$ 75,081
2014	74,887
2015	75,207
2016	76,285
2017	78,657
2018-2022	429,337
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2013	4,454
2014	4,768
2015	4,846
2016	5,360
2017	5,511
2018-2022	30,867
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2013	3,919
2014	4,081
2015	4,288
2016	4,521
2017	4,623
2018-2022	$ 25,998

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Total Benefit/Cost) (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	$ 16,044	$ (4,726)	$ (3,863)
Early retirement program expense	8,508	634	0
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year	25,393	(1,745)	16,427
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Current year actuarial gain (loss)	82,470	(16,048)	126,987
Current year prior service credit	0	0	6,336
Amortization of transition asset	0	0	29
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)	1,859	3,925	(1,952)
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	89,234	(18,395)	126,471
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	40,344	27,619	26,976
Interest cost	59,124	60,033	60,329
Plan amendment	8,508	2,776
Expected return on assets	(96,132)	(95,983)	(95,340)
Amortization of transition asset	0	0	(29)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	3,695	3,605	4,201
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	9,013	0	0
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	16,044	(4,726)	(3,863)
Early retirement program expense	8,508	634	0
Special termination benefits	0	0	5,295
Recognition of prior service cost	0	0	2,369
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year	24,552	(4,092)	3,801
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Current year actuarial gain (loss)	(79,405)	7,046	(126,568)
Amortization of transition asset	0	0	29
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)	(3,695)	(1,463)	(6,570)
Recognized actuarial (loss) gain	(9,013)	0	0
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	(92,113)	5,583	(133,109)
Total Recognized in Total (Benefit) Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	(67,561)	1,491	(129,308)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1,467	1,655	1,381
Interest cost	4,241	4,342	4,244
Plan amendment	0	369	0
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	54	260	406
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	1,833	1,411	1,068
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year	7,595	8,037	7,099
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Current year actuarial gain (loss)	8,428	9,059	2,656
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)	(54)	(260)	(406)
Recognized actuarial (loss) gain	(1,833)	(1,411)	(877)
Other adjustments	745	0	0
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	7,286	7,388	1,373
Total Recognized in Total (Benefit) Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	14,881	15,425	8,472
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	3,113	2,872	3,275
Interest cost	2,735	3,063	3,934
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(5,608)	(5,650)	(5,026)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	(1,478)	(1,921)	(2,032)
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)	(1,238)	(1,636)	151
Curtailment gain	438	0	(8,583)
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year	(800)	(1,636)	(8,432)
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Current year actuarial gain (loss)	(11,493)	(55)	(3,073)
Current year prior service credit	0	0	(6,336)
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)	5,608	5,650	5,026
Recognized actuarial (loss) gain	1,478	1,921	2,032
Curtailment loss	0	0	4,953
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	(4,407)	7,516	2,602
Total Recognized in Total (Benefit) Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	$ (5,207)	$ 5,880	$ (5,830)

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Key Assumptions - Cost) (Details 6) - Periodic Cost [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.70%	5.60%	6.00%
Expected return on plan assets	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.70%	5.60%	6.00%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details 7) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net amount	$ 117,169	$ 63,625
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	(193,469)	(105,051)
Unrecognized prior service cost	15,931	19,626
Gross amount	(177,538)	(85,425)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	71,015	34,170
Net amount	(106,523)	(51,255)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	33,725	26,385
Unrecognized prior service cost	191	245
Gross amount	33,916	26,630
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(13,566)	(10,652)
Net amount	20,350	15,978
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	(25,525)	(15,510)
Unrecognized prior service cost	(26,128)	(31,736)
Gross amount	(51,653)	(47,246)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	20,661	18,898
Net amount	$ (30,992)	$ (28,348)

- Definition

The total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph i
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e653-108580

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

- Definition

Amount related to the pretax cost of benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation, which has not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

+ References

+ Details

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Future Amortization of Net Periodic Cost) (Details 8) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial loss recognition	$ 8,588
Prior service cost recognition	3,635
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial loss recognition	2,569
Prior service cost recognition	54
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial loss recognition	(2,240)
Prior service cost recognition	$ (5,547)

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Asset Allocation) (Details 9)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity securities	64.00%	69.00%
U.S. Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
U.S. fixed income	13.00%	10.00%
International equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity securities	23.00%	21.00%

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets) (Details 10) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	$ 2,071,145	$ 1,816,577
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	258,311	163,267
U.S. equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	1,315,378	1,249,079
International equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	482,431	381,924
U S Federal agency mortgage- backed securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value		1,071
Corporate debt securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	6,054	9,203
Other fixed income securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	2,814	10,652
Total investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	2,064,988	1,815,196
Receivables [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	6,157	1,381
Level 1 [Member] \| Cash equivalents and other short-term investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	195,389	120,101
Level 1 [Member] \| U.S. equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	1,315,378	1,249,079
Level 1 [Member] \| International equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	482,431	381,924
Level 1 [Member] \| U S Federal agency mortgage- backed securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value		0
Level 1 [Member] \| Corporate debt securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| Other fixed income securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	2,501	2,531
Level 1 [Member] \| Total investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	1,995,699	1,753,635
Level 2 [Member] \| Cash equivalents and other short-term investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	62,922	43,166
Level 2 [Member] \| U.S. equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| International equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| U S Federal agency mortgage- backed securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value		1,071
Level 2 [Member] \| Corporate debt securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	6,054	9,203
Level 2 [Member] \| Other fixed income securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	313	8,121
Level 2 [Member] \| Total investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	$ 69,289	$ 61,561

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates) (Details 11) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Pension and Postretirement Plans [Abstract]
Benefit obligation at end of year, 1% Increase	$ 5,354
Benefit obligation at end of year, 1% Decrease	(4,740)
Service cost plus interest cost, 1% Increase	657
Service cost plus interest cost, 1% Decrease	$ (560)

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Impairment write-down of a marketable equity security									$ (17,998)	$ (53,793)	$ 0
Gains (losses) on sales or write-downs of cost method investments									6,639	419	0
Foreign currency gain (loss), net									3,132	(3,263)	6,705
Other, net									2,771	1,437	810
Total Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	$ (17,572)	$ 4,163	$ (635)	$ 8,588	$ 1,073	$ (29,650)	$ (2,591)	$ (24,032)	$ (5,456)	$ (55,200)	$ 7,515

- Definition

The aggregate foreign currency transaction gain (loss) (both realized and unrealized) included in determining net income for the reporting period. Excludes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. For certain enterprises, primarily banks, that are dealers in foreign exchange, foreign currency transaction gains (losses) may be disclosed as dealer gains (losses).

+ References + Details

Leases and Other Commitments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Leases And Other Commitments [Abstract]
Minimum sublease rentals due in future under noncancelable subleases	$ 35.9
Rent expense under operating leases, including a portion reported in discontinued operations	127.2	$ 127.8	$ 134.0
Sublease income	4.4	$ 2.7	$ 0.5
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Leases And Other Commitments [Abstract]
Purchase commitment	$ 25.9

Leases and Other Commitments (Details 1) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Leases And Other Commitments [Abstract]
Future minimum lease payments for 2013	$ 131,737
Future minimum lease payments for 2014	118,524
Future minimum lease payments for 2015	98,013
Future minimum lease payments for 2016	88,852
Future minimum lease payments for 2017	76,573
Future minimum lease payments after 2017	260,129
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, total	$ 773,828

Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) programs OPEIDnumbers claims cases	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Feb. 13, 2013 allegations	Jul. 22, 2011 USD ($)
Number of existing legal claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material effect on the Company's business \| claims		0
DOE regulations for unearned Title IV funds		These funds must be returned in a timely manner, generally within 45 days of the date the school determines that the student has withdrawn. Under DOE regulations, failure to make timely returns of Title IV program funds for 5% or more of students sampled in a school’s annual compliance audit could result in a requirement that the school post a letter of credit in an amount equal to 25% of its prior-year returns of Title IV program funds.
Portion of regulations under 90/10 rule		a KHE school would lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV programs for a period of at least two fiscal years if the institution derives more than 90% of its receipts from Title IV programs, as calculated on a cash basis in accordance with the Higher Education Act and applicable DOE regulations, in each of two consecutive fiscal years, commencing with the institution’s first fiscal year that ends after August 14, 2008. An institution with Title IV receipts exceeding 90% for a single fiscal year ending after August 14, 2008, will be placed on provisional certification and may be subject to other enforcement measures.
Jajdelski case [Member]
Number of allegations not dismissed \| allegations					1
EEOC case against KHEC in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio [Member]
Amount of time EEOC has to file an appeal	60 days
KHE's Broomall, PA location [Member]
Amount payable under agreement \| $						$ 1.6
Number of pending DOE program reviews \| programs		1
Higher Education [Member]
Amount of OPEID numbers \| OPEIDnumbers		30
Education division revenue derived from financial aid received by students under Title IV programs \| $		$ 882.0	$ 1,110.0	$ 1,460.0
Percentage of Title IV revenue received from largest OPEID reporting unit		65.00%
Management's estimated outcome absent proposed changes		20 of the KHE Campuses’ OPEID units, representing approximately 21% of KHE’s 2012 revenues, could have a 90/10 ratio over 90%
Various KHE campus locations and Kaplan University [Member]
Number of pending DOE program reviews \| programs		4
Kaplan University [Member]
Percentage of receipts derived from Title IV		less than 80%	less than 82%
Education [Member]
Number of unsealed cases filed by former employees under the U.S. Federal False Claims Act \| cases		4
Other OPEID units [Member]
Percentage of receipts derived from Title IV		71% and 88%	between 71% and 88%

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	$ 111,593	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 111,593	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Assets

Money market investments

^[1]

$ 432,670

$ 180,136

Marketable equity securities

^[2]

380,087

303,201

Other current investments

^[3]

38,851

35,473

Interest rate swap

^[4]

Total Financial Assets

851,608

518,824

Liabilities:

Deferred compensation plan liabilities

^[5]

62,297

63,403

Interest rate swap

^[6]

1,567

Total Financial Liabilities

597,203

574,915

7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]

Liabilities:

7.25% unsecured notes

^[7]

481,424

460,500

AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]

Liabilities:

AUD Revolving credit borrowing

^[7]

51,915

51,012

Level 1 [Member]

Assets

Money market investments

^[1]

Marketable equity securities

^[2]

380,087

303,201

Other current investments

^[3]

14,134

15,223

Interest rate swap

^[4]

Total Financial Assets

394,221

318,424

Liabilities:

Deferred compensation plan liabilities

^[5]

Interest rate swap

^[6]

Total Financial Liabilities

Level 1 [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]

Liabilities:

7.25% unsecured notes

^[7]

Level 1 [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]

Liabilities:

AUD Revolving credit borrowing

^[7]

Level 2 [Member]

Assets

Money market investments

^[1]

432,670

180,136

Marketable equity securities

^[2]

Other current investments

^[3]

24,717

20,250

Interest rate swap

^[4]

Total Financial Assets

457,387

200,400

Liabilities:

Deferred compensation plan liabilities

^[5]

62,297

63,403

Interest rate swap

^[6]

1,567

Total Financial Liabilities

597,203

574,915

Level 2 [Member] | 7.25% Unsecured Notes due February 1, 2019 [Member]

Liabilities:

7.25% unsecured notes

^[7]

481,424

460,500

Level 2 [Member] | AUD $50 million portion of Revolver [Member]

Liabilities:

AUD Revolving credit borrowing

^[7]

$ 51,915

$ 51,012

[1]	The Company’s money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
[2]	The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.
[3]	Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits (with original maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year).
[4]	Included in deferred charges and other assets. The Company utilized a market approach model using the notional amount of the interest rate swap multiplied by the observable inputs of time to maturity and market interest rates.
[5]	Includes The Washington Post Company Deferred Compensation Plan and supplemental savings plan benefits under The Washington Post Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which are included in accrued compensation and related benefits.
[6]	Included in Other liabilities. The Company utilized a market approach model using the notional amount of the interest rate swap multiplied by the observable inputs of time to maturity and market interest rates.
[7]	See Note 10 for carrying amount of these notes and borrowing.

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Business Segments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) segments	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 campus
Number of reportable segments \| segments		7
Number Of Television Broadcast Stations		6
Education [Member]
Number of campuses announced to close or consolidate \| campus						13
Accrued restructuring costs		$ 17.6	$ 10.5
Foreign Revenues		644.0	594.0		$ 507.0
Foreign long-lived assets		58.0	71.0
Higher Education [Member]
Restructuring costs		23.4	13.2		9.3
Test Preparation [Member]
Restructuring costs			12.5	$ 18.2
Test Preparation [Member] \| Severance and other closure costs [Member]
Restructuring costs					7.8
Test Preparation [Member] \| Lease and severance obligations and accelerated depreciation [Member]
Restructuring costs			12.5		$ 10.4
Kaplan International [Member]
Restructuring costs		$ 16.4	$ 1.0
Kaplan International [Member] \| Related to certain items recorded in 2011 and 2010 [Member]
Prior periods adjustments	$ 3.9

Business Segments (Restructuring Costs) (Details 1) - Education [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restructuring Cost [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation	$ 17,230	$ 3,965	$ 1,152
Severance	14,349	17,205	15,099
Lease obligation losses	9,794	7,570	5,385
Accelerated amortization of intangible assets	2,595	0	0
Other	1,274	205	5,904
Total restructuring costs	$ 45,242	$ 28,945	$ 27,540

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period, comprised of costs associated with restructuring activities not otherwise specified in the taxonomy pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, but excludes costs associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset and severance costs associated with established compensation plans.

+ References + Details

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination or a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and costs associated with one-time termination benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS146-1
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5-8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 112
-Paragraph 7
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146
-Paragraph 8-13, 20
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)(10)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Business Segments (Information by Operating Segment) (Details 2) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Oct. 02, 2011

Jul. 03, 2011

Apr. 03, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jan. 02, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Operating revenues

$ 1,050,096

$ 1,011,334

$ 995,024

$ 961,199

$ 1,040,421

$ 1,012,498

$ 1,049,305

$ 1,028,921

$ 4,017,653

$ 4,131,145

$ 4,586,417

Income (loss) from operations

(14,425)

75,921

62,556

20,479

109,263

70,239

86,587

59,769

144,531

325,858

602,864

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net

2,785

4,099

3,314

3,888

568

(1,494)

3,138

3,737

14,086

5,949

(4,133)

Interest expense, net

(32,551)

(29,079)

(27,927)

Other income (expense), net

(17,572)

4,163

(635)

8,588

1,073

(29,650)

(2,591)

(24,032)

(5,456)

(55,200)

7,515

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

(37,375)

76,093

57,031

24,861

103,440

31,422

80,171

32,495

120,610

247,528

578,319

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

79,880

63,739

62,749

62,275

62,932

61,589

62,615

61,929

268,643

249,065

242,405

Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets

132,595

22,335

21,552

Amortization of intangible assets

7,610

5,091

4,428

3,873

5,042

$ 6,320

$ 5,797

$ 5,176

21,002

22,335

21,552

Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets

111,593

$ 0

111,593

Pension expense (credit)

25,393

(1,745)

16,427

Capital expenditures

216,688

212,916

237,574

Identifiable assets

4,104,624

4,159,422

4,104,624

4,159,422

Investment in Marketable Equity Securities

^[1]

380,087

303,201

380,087

303,201

Investments In Affiliates

15,535

17,101

15,535

17,101

Prepaid Pension Cost

604,823

537,262

604,823

537,262

Total Assets

5,105,069

5,016,986

5,105,069

5,016,986

Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan Withdrawal Charge

886

2,415

20,355

Education [Member]

Operating revenues

2,196,496

2,404,459

2,804,840

$ 2,804,840

Income (loss) from operations

(105,368)

96,286

359,584

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

101,183

83,735

73,351

Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets

129,312

19,417

19,202

Amortization of intangible assets

17,719

19,417

19,202

Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets

111,593

Pension expense (credit)

11,584

6,345

5,707

Capital expenditures

51,241

51,871

110,730

Identifiable assets

1,988,015

2,217,719

1,988,015

2,217,719

Higher Education [Member]

Operating revenues

1,149,407

1,399,583

1,905,038

Income (loss) from operations

27,245

148,915

406,880

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

58,514

48,379

42,412

Pension expense (credit)

7,943

4,249

3,379

Capital expenditures

26,406

19,735

58,660

Identifiable assets

949,260

919,443

949,260

919,443

Test Preparation [Member]

Operating revenues

284,252

303,093

314,879

Income (loss) from operations

(10,799)

(28,498)

(32,583)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

19,718

15,489

14,095

Pension expense (credit)

2,007

1,288

1,467

Capital expenditures

8,211

17,266

32,798

Identifiable assets

197,672

334,343

197,672

334,343

Kaplan International [Member]

Operating revenues

764,184

704,581

587,781

Income (loss) from operations

49,069

41,506

49,309

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

21,173

16,953

12,993

Pension expense (credit)

241

167

130

Capital expenditures

16,864

16,304

14,163

Identifiable assets

820,565

810,140

820,565

810,140

Kaplan Corporate and Other [Member]

Operating revenues

4,645

4,585

5,537

Income (loss) from operations

(171,929)

(64,517)

(63,788)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

1,778

2,914

3,851

Pension expense (credit)

1,393

641

731

Capital expenditures

(240)

(1,434)

5,109

Identifiable assets

20,518

153,793

20,518

153,793

Cable Television [Member]

Operating revenues

787,117

760,221

759,884

Income (loss) from operations

154,581

156,844

163,945

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

129,107

126,302

124,834

Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets

211

267

327

Pension expense (credit)

2,540

1,924

1,919

Capital expenditures

150,525

143,225

109,579

Identifiable assets

1,187,603

1,164,756

1,187,603

1,164,756

Newspaper Publishing [Member]

Operating revenues

581,686

622,532

675,931

Income (loss) from operations

(53,702)

(21,204)

(11,115)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

25,072

26,336

30,341

Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets

654

1,051

1,223

Pension expense (credit)

^[2]

42,436

25,283

42,287

Capital expenditures

7,746

11,405

10,590

Identifiable assets

293,592

314,405

293,592

314,405

Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan Withdrawal Charge

900

2,400

20,400

Television Broadcasting [Member]

Operating revenues

399,691

319,206

342,164

Income (loss) from operations

191,642

117,089

121,348

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

13,018

12,448

12,720

Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets

Pension expense (credit)

4,970

1,669

1,113

Capital expenditures

6,401

6,415

6,675

Identifiable assets

374,075

376,259

374,075

376,259

Other Businesses [Member]

Operating revenues

53,540

25,507

4,442

Income (loss) from operations

(23,244)

(8,735)

(6,326)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

263

Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets

2,418

1,600

800

Pension expense (credit)

Capital expenditures

775

Identifiable assets

81,211

15,381

81,211

15,381

Corporate Office [Member]

Operating revenues

Income (loss) from operations

(19,378)

(14,422)

(24,572)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

244

1,159

Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets

Pension expense (credit)

(36,197)

(36,983)

(34,599)

Capital expenditures

Identifiable assets

$ 180,128

$ 70,902

180,128

70,902

Intersegment Elimination [Member]

Operating revenues

(877)

(780)

$ (844)

Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Education [Member]

Operating revenues

(5,992)

(7,383)

(8,395)

Income (loss) from operations

$ 1,046

$ (1,120)

$ (234)

[1]	The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.
[2]	Includes a $0.9 million, $2.4 million and $20.4 million charge in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to the withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan.

Summary of Quarterly Operating Results and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Quarterly Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2011
Operating Revenues [Abstract]
Education	$ 544,429	$ 552,585	$ 552,202	$ 547,280	$ 580,763	$ 601,611	$ 610,371	$ 611,714	$ 2,196,496	$ 2,404,459	$ 2,804,840
Advertising	229,837	195,158	190,086	170,750	213,255	170,552	193,352	177,385	785,831	754,544	833,605
Circulation and subscriber	222,319	220,668	219,286	215,230	213,183	212,145	216,606	214,523	877,503	856,457	857,290
Other	53,511	42,923	33,450	27,939	33,220	28,190	28,976	25,299	157,823	115,685	90,682
Total operating revenues	1,050,096	1,011,334	995,024	961,199	1,040,421	1,012,498	1,049,305	1,028,921	4,017,653	4,131,145	4,586,417
Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract]
Operating	468,893	483,622	464,615	463,106	465,666	486,615	488,577	463,303	1,880,236	1,904,161	1,850,402
Selling, general and administrative	396,545	382,961	400,676	411,466	397,518	387,735	405,729	438,744	1,591,648	1,629,726	1,869,194
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	79,880	63,739	62,749	62,275	62,932	61,589	62,615	61,929	268,643	249,065	242,405
Amortization of intangible assets	7,610	5,091	4,428	3,873	5,042	6,320	5,797	5,176	21,002	22,335	21,552
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	111,593	0	0	0					111,593	0	0
Total operating costs and expenses	1,064,521	935,413	932,468	940,720	931,158	942,259	962,718	969,152	3,873,122	3,805,287	3,983,553
Income from Operations	(14,425)	75,921	62,556	20,479	109,263	70,239	86,587	59,769	144,531	325,858	602,864
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net	2,785	4,099	3,314	3,888	568	(1,494)	3,138	3,737	14,086	5,949	(4,133)
Interest income	901	648	775	1,069	1,174	994	997	982	3,393	4,147	2,576
Interest expense	(9,064)	(8,738)	(8,979)	(9,163)	(8,638)	(8,667)	(7,960)	(7,961)	(35,944)	(33,226)	(30,503)
Other income (expense), net	(17,572)	4,163	(635)	8,588	1,073	(29,650)	(2,591)	(24,032)	(5,456)	(55,200)	7,515
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	(37,375)	76,093	57,031	24,861	103,440	31,422	80,171	32,495	120,610	247,528	578,319
Provision for Income Taxes	8,000	31,200	21,000	11,400	42,000	18,600	29,200	12,100	71,600	101,900	222,400
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	(45,375)	44,893	36,031	13,461	61,440	12,822	50,971	20,395	49,010	145,628	355,919
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	0	49,054	16,016	18,107	291	(18,788)	(5,208)	(4,766)	83,177	(28,471)	(77,899)
Net Income (Loss)	(45,375)	93,947	52,047	31,568	61,731	(5,966)	45,763	15,629	132,187	117,157	278,020
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(64)	71	(11)	(70)	(17)	(16)	40	(14)	(74)	(7)	94
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company	(45,439)	94,018	52,036	31,498	61,714	(5,982)	45,803	15,615	132,113	117,150	278,114
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	0	(222)	(222)	(451)	0	(226)	(230)	(461)	(895)	(917)	(922)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders	(45,439)	93,796	51,814	31,047	61,714	(6,208)	45,573	15,154	131,218	116,233	277,192
Amounts Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders
Income from continuing operations	(45,439)	44,742	35,798	12,940	61,423	12,580	50,781	19,920	48,041	144,704	355,091
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	49,054	16,016	18,107	291	(18,788)	(5,208)	(4,766)	83,177	(28,471)	(77,899)
Net income (loss) attributable to The Washington Post Company common stockholders	$ (45,439)	$ 93,796	$ 51,814	$ 31,047	$ 61,714	$ (6,208)	$ 45,573	$ 15,154	$ 131,218	$ 116,233	$ 277,192
Per Share Information Attributable to The Washington Post Company Common Stockholders
Basic income (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$ (6.57)	$ 6.03	$ 4.72	$ 1.66	$ 8.00	$ 1.59	$ 6.40	$ 2.43	$ 6.09	$ 18.30	$ 39.78
Basic income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations	0	6.61	2.12	2.41	0.03	(2.41)	(0.66)	(0.56)	11.30	(3.60)	(8.72)
Basic net income (loss) per common share	(6.57)	12.64	6.84	4.07	8.03	(0.82)	5.74	1.87	17.39	14.70	31.06
Diluted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations	(6.57)	6.03	4.72	1.66	8.00	1.59	6.40	2.43	6.09	18.30	39.76
Diluted income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations	0	6.61	2.12	2.41	0.03	(2.41)	(0.66)	(0.56)	11.30	(3.60)	(8.72)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share	$ (6.57)	$ 12.64	$ 6.84	$ 4.07	$ 8.03	$ (0.82)	$ 5.74	$ 1.87	$ 17.39	$ 14.70	$ 31.04
Average number of common shares outstanding, basic	7,223	7,272	7,431	7,514	7,601	7,802	7,852	8,046	7,360	7,826	8,869
Average number of common shares outstanding, diluted	7,223	7,376	7,545	7,615	7,682	7,883	7,933	8,119	7,404	7,905	8,931
Quarterly comprehensive income (loss)	$ 16,857	$ 95,760	$ 47,085	$ 59,907	$ 63,512	$ (41,225)	$ 37,040	$ 40,894

Summary of Quarterly Operating Results and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Quarterly Impact of Certain Items) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Impairment charges at one of the Company's affiliates, after tax						$ 5.7				$ 5.7
Impairment charges at one of the Company's affiliates, per share						$ 0.72
Write-down of marketable equity securities, after tax	$ 11.2					$ 14.9		$ 19.8	$ 11.2	34.6
Write-down of marketable equity securities, per share	$ 1.54					$ 1.89		$ 2.44
Gain on sale of cost method investment, after tax	$ 3.7								3.7
Gain on sale of cost method investment, per share	$ 0.48
Non-operating unrealized foreign currency gains (losses), after tax		$ 1.9	$ (1.6)	$ 1.7	$ 0.3	$ (4.2)	$ 0.2	$ 1.7	2.0	(2.1)
Non-operating unrealized foreign currency gains (losses), per share	$ 0	$ 0.26	$ (0.21)	$ 0.22	$ 0.03	$ (0.54)	$ 0.03	$ 0.21
Test Preparation [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment, after tax	$ 81.9								81.9
Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment, per share	$ 11.33
Education And Newspaper Publishing Divisions [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Early retirement, severance and other restructuring costs, after tax	$ 31.1	$ 7.6	$ 5.2	$ 1.2	$ 7.3	$ 3.5	$ 7.3	$ 1.4	$ 45.5	$ 19.4
Early retirement, severance and other restructuring costs, per share	$ 4.31	$ 1.02	$ 0.69	$ 0.16	$ 0.94	$ 0.44	$ 0.91	$ 0.18