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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, net changes in cash flow hedge, and pension and other postretirement plan adjustments.

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncemets

The cumulative effect of the changes to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of adopting the new guidance was as follows:



(in thousands)	Balance as of December 31, 2017		Adjustments			Balance as of January 1, 2018
Assets
Accounts receivable, net	$	620,319	$	2,142		$	622,461
Inventories and contracts in progress	60,612		246			60,858
Other current assets	66,253		6,343			72,596
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	526,323	$	88		$	526,411
Deferred revenue	339,454		(346		)	339,108
Deferred income taxes	362,701		2,066			364,767
Equity
Retained earnings	$	5,791,724	$	6,923		$	5,798,647



(in thousands)	As Previously Reported		Adjustment			Upon Adoption
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Operating expenses	$	1,359,842	$	94,501		$	1,454,343
Selling, general and administrative expenses	909,592		(21,802		)	887,790
Income from Operations	209,102		(72,699		)	136,403
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net	—		72,699			72,699
Income Before Income Taxes	182,789		—			182,789

Year Ended December 31, 2016
Operating expenses	$	1,180,945	$	89,085		$	1,270,030
Selling, general and administrative expenses	904,517		(8,420		)	896,097
Income from Operations	303,534		(80,665		)	222,869
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net	—		80,665			80,665
Income Before Income Taxes	250,658		—			250,658

Other new pronouncements issued but not effective until after December 31, 2018, are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Prospective Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

The cumulative effect of the changes to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of adopting the new guidance was as follows:



(in thousands)	Balance as of December 31, 2017		Adjustments			Balance as of January 1, 2018
Assets
Accounts receivable, net	$	620,319	$	2,142		$	622,461
Inventories and contracts in progress	60,612		246			60,858
Other current assets	66,253		6,343			72,596
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	526,323	$	88		$	526,411
Deferred revenue	339,454		(346		)	339,108
Deferred income taxes	362,701		2,066			364,767
Equity
Retained earnings	$	5,791,724	$	6,923		$	5,798,647

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles

The effect of these changes to the Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2017 and 2016 is as follows:



(in thousands)	As Previously Reported		Adjustment			Upon Adoption
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Operating expenses	$	1,359,842	$	94,501		$	1,454,343
Selling, general and administrative expenses	909,592		(21,802		)	887,790
Income from Operations	209,102		(72,699		)	136,403
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net	—		72,699			72,699
Income Before Income Taxes	182,789		—			182,789

Year Ended December 31, 2016
Operating expenses	$	1,180,945	$	89,085		$	1,270,030
Selling, general and administrative expenses	904,517		(8,420		)	896,097
Income from Operations	303,534		(80,665		)	222,869
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net	—		80,665			80,665
Income Before Income Taxes	250,658		—			250,658

Acquisitions and Dispositions of Businesses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Acquisitions And Dispositions [Abstract]

Schedule of assets acquired and liabilities assumed

The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions was allocated as follows, based on acquisition date fair values to the following assets and liabilities (excluding measurement period adjustments recorded in subsequent years):



	Purchase Price Allocation
	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Accounts receivable	$	2,344		$	12,502		$	8,538
Inventory	1,268			25,253			878
Property, plant and equipment	1,518			29,921			3,940
Goodwill	41,840			143,149			184,118
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	—			33,800			53,110
Amortized intangible assets	78,427			170,658			28,267
Other assets	5,198			1,880			1,420
Pension and other postretirement benefits liabilities	—			(59,116		)	—
Other liabilities	(7,678		)	(12,177		)	(21,892		)
Deferred income taxes	(4,900		)	(37,289		)	(11,009		)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			(3,666		)	—
Aggregate purchase price, net of cash acquired	$	118,017		$	304,915		$	247,370

Acqusition Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the Company’s results as if the current year acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of 2017. The unaudited pro forma information also includes the 2017 acquisitions as if they occurred at the beginning of 2016 and the 2016 acquisitions as if they had occurred at the beginning of 2015:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018		2017		2016
Operating revenues	$	2,735,879	$	2,725,046	$	2,570,416
Net income	273,688		311,397		175,021

Information related to a Disposal Group

The revenue and operating income related to the KU business disposed of is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018		2017		2016
Revenue	$	91,526	$	430,645	$	500,914
Operating income	213		17,869		39,498

Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Investments [Abstract]

Investments in Marketable Equity Securities

Investments in marketable equity securities consist of the following:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Total cost	$	282,563		$	269,343
Gross unrealized gains	216,111			266,972
Gross unrealized losses	(2,284		)	—
Total Fair Value	$	496,390		$	536,315

Loss on marketable equity securities

The net loss on marketable equity securities comprised the following:



	Year ended
(in thousands)	December 31, 2018
Loss on marketable equity securities, net	$	(15,843	)
Plus: Net losses in earnings from marketable equity securities sold	4,271
Net unrealized losses in earnings from marketable equity securities still held at the end of the year	$	(11,572	)

Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of the following:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018		2017
Receivables from contracts with customers, less doubtful accounts of $14,775 and $22,975	$	538,021	$	600,215
Other receivables	44,259		20,104
	$	582,280	$	620,319

Schedule of Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The changes in allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:



(in thousands)	Balance at Beginning of Period		Additions – Charged to Costs and Expenses		Deductions			Balance at End of Period
2018	$	22,975	$	10,209	$	(18,409	)	$	14,775
2017	$	26,723	$	33,830	$	(37,578	)	$	22,975
2016	$	27,854	$	29,718	$	(30,849	)	$	26,723

Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018		2017
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	337,123	$	385,927
Accrued compensation and related benefits	149,455		140,396
	$	486,578	$	526,323

Inventories and Contracts in Progress (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Inventories and Contracts in Progress [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventories and Contracts in Progress

Inventories and contracts in progress consist of the following:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018		2017
Raw materials	$	37,248	$	30,429
Work-in-process	11,633		10,258
Finished goods	17,861		18,851
Contracts in progress	2,735		1,074
	$	69,477	$	60,612

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Land	$	15,965		$	16,190
Buildings	108,683			107,932
Machinery, equipment and fixtures	382,064			387,914
Leasehold improvements	206,170			215,445
Construction in progress	68,064			16,649
	780,946			744,130
Less accumulated depreciation	(487,861		)	(484,772		)
	$	293,085		$	259,358

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, were as follows:



(in thousands)	Education			Television Broadcasting		Healthcare			Other Businesses			Total
As of December 31, 2016
Goodwill	$	1,111,003		$	168,345	$	59,640		$	142,501		$	1,481,489
Accumulated impairment losses	(350,850		)	—		—			(7,685		)	(358,535		)
	760,153			168,345		59,640			134,816			1,122,954
Acquisitions	19,174			22,470		10,181			91,324			143,149
Impairment	—			—		—			(7,616		)	(7,616		)
Dispositions	—			—		(412		)	—			(412		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	41,635			—		—			—			41,635
As of December 31, 2017
Goodwill	1,171,812			190,815		69,409			233,825			1,665,861
Accumulated impairment losses	(350,850		)	—		—			(15,301		)	(366,151		)
	820,962			190,815		69,409			218,524			1,299,710
Acquisitions	20,424			—		217			21,199			41,840
Dispositions	(11,191		)	—		—			—			(11,191		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(32,647		)	—		—			—			(32,647		)
As of December 31, 2018
Goodwill	1,128,699			190,815		69,626			255,024			1,644,164
Accumulated impairment losses	(331,151		)	—		—			(15,301		)	(346,452		)
	$	797,548		$	190,815	$	69,626		$	239,723		$	1,297,712

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets consist of the following:



		As of December 31, 2018						As of December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Useful Life Range	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Amortized Intangible Assets
Student and customer relationships	2–10 years (1)	$	282,761	$	114,429	$	168,332	$	260,464	$	83,690	$	176,774
Trade names and trademarks	2–10 years	87,285		39,825		47,460		50,286		25,596		24,690
Network affiliation agreements	10 years	17,400		3,408		13,992		17,400		1,668		15,732
Databases and technology	3–6 years	27,041		8,471		18,570		19,563		5,008		14,555
Noncompete agreements	2–5 years	1,088		838		250		930		467		463
Other	1–8 years	24,530		9,873		14,657		13,430		7,668		5,762
		$	440,105	$	176,844	$	263,261	$	362,073	$	124,097	$	237,976
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Trade names and trademarks		$	80,102					$	82,745
FCC licenses		18,800						18,800
Licensure and accreditation		150						650
		$	99,052					$	102,195

____________


(1)	As of December 31, 2017, the student and customer relationships’ minimum useful life was 1 year.

Education [Member]

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill

The changes in carrying amount of goodwill at the Company’s education division were as follows:



(in thousands)	Kaplan International			Higher Education			Test Preparation			Professional (U.S.)			Total
As of December 31, 2016
Goodwill	$	555,185		$	205,494		$	166,098		$	184,226		$	1,111,003
Accumulated impairment losses	—			(131,023		)	(102,259		)	(117,568		)	(350,850		)
	555,185			74,471			63,839			66,658			760,153
Acquisitions	19,174			—			—			—			19,174
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	41,502			—			—			133			41,635
As of December 31, 2017
Goodwill	615,861			205,494			166,098			184,359			1,171,812
Accumulated impairment losses	—			(131,023		)	(102,259		)	(117,568		)	(350,850		)
	615,861			74,471			63,839			66,791			820,962
Acquisitions	62			—			822			19,540			20,424
Dispositions	—			(11,191		)	—			—			(11,191		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(32,499		)	(40		)	—			(108		)	(32,647		)
As of December 31, 2018
Goodwill	583,424			174,564			166,920			203,791			1,128,699
Accumulated impairment losses	—			(111,324		)	(102,259		)	(117,568		)	(331,151		)
	$	583,424		$	63,240		$	64,661		$	86,223		$	797,548

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Schedule of Income Before Income Taxes, Domestic and Foreign

Income before income taxes consists of the following:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018		2017		2016
U.S.	$	257,312	$	134,276	$	227,457
Non-U.S.	66,196		48,513		23,201
	$	323,508	$	182,789	$	250,658

Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes on Income

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes consists of the following:



(in thousands)	Current		Deferred			Total
Year Ended December 31, 2018
U.S. Federal	$	46,059	$	16,718		$	62,777
State and Local	2,240		(23,809		)	(21,569		)
Non-U.S.	10,924		(32		)	10,892
	$	59,223	$	(7,123	)	$	52,100
Year Ended December 31, 2017
U.S. Federal	$	10,743	$	(153,217	)	$	(142,474	)
State and Local	5,930		3,306			9,236
Non-U.S.	10,079		3,459			13,538
	$	26,752	$	(146,452	)	$	(119,700	)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
U.S. Federal	$	56,342	$	33,959		$	90,301
State and Local	6,325		(5,164		)	1,161
Non-U.S.	8,463		(18,725		)	(10,262		)
	$	71,130	$	10,070		$	81,200

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
U.S. Federal taxes at statutory rate (see above)	$	67,937		$	63,976		$	87,731
State and local taxes, net of U.S. Federal tax	(1,279		)	6,949			(2,965		)
Valuation allowances against state tax benefits, net of U.S. Federal tax	(15,767		)	(946		)	3,196
Stock-based compensation	(1,731		)	(6,023		)	—
Valuation allowances against other non-U.S. income tax benefits	1,322			(1,935		)	(12,688		)
Goodwill impairments and dispositions	—			—			(5,631		)
U.S. Federal Manufacturing Deduction tax benefits	—			(1,329		)	(6,012		)
Write-off of deferred taxes related to intercompany loans	—			—			10,965
Deferred tax impact of U.S. Federal tax rate reduction to 21%, net of state tax impact	—			(153,336		)	—
Deferred tax benefit on unremitted non-U.S. subsidiary earnings related to the Tax Act	—			(28,324		)	—
Other, net	1,618			1,268			6,604
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes	$	52,100		$	(119,700	)	$	81,200

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Deferred income taxes consist of the following:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Employee benefit obligations	$	68,392		$	84,148
Accounts receivable	4,449			5,481
State income tax loss carryforwards	34,107			35,434
State capital loss carryforwards	1,093			—
U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards	2,100			2,857
U.S. Federal foreign income tax credit carryforwards	987			2,522
Non-U.S. income tax loss carryforwards	15,868			18,797
Non-U.S. capital loss carryforwards	3,609			2,336
Other	14,657			26,546
Deferred Tax Assets	145,262			178,121
Valuation allowances	(33,120		)	(48,742		)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$	112,142		$	129,379
Prepaid pension cost	269,412			283,604
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	51,242			70,827
Goodwill and other intangible assets	88,798			109,428
Property, plant and equipment	9,997			11,248
Non-U.S. withholding tax	1,726			1,606
Deferred Tax Liabilities	$	421,175		$	476,713
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net	$	309,033		$	347,334

Schedule of Changes in Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance

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



(in thousands)	Balance at Beginning of Period		Tax Expense and Revaluation		Deductions			Balance at End of Period
Year ended
December 31, 2018	$	48,742	$	4,413	$	(20,035	)	$	33,120
December 31, 2017	$	41,319	$	7,423	$	—		$	48,742
December 31, 2016	$	69,545	$	4,709	$	(32,935	)	$	41,319

Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward

The following summarizes the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, for the respective periods:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017		2016
Beginning unrecognized tax benefits	$	17,331		$	17,331	$	17,331
Increases related to current year tax positions	—			—		—
Increases related to prior year tax positions	500			—		—
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	(12,187		)	—		—
Decreases related to settlement with tax authorities	—			—		—
Decreases due to lapse of applicable statutes of limitations	(3,161		)	—		—
Ending unrecognized tax benefits	$	2,483		$	17,331	$	17,331

State [Member]

Schedule of Income Tax Loss Carryforwards



(in millions)
2019	$	1.8
2020	15.5
2021	17.1
2022	0.3
2023	5.0
2024 and after	659.2
Total	$	698.9

U.S. Federal [Member]

Schedule of Income Tax Loss Carryforwards



(in millions)
2019	$	3.3
2020	3.3
2021	1.1
2022	0.9
2023	0.4
2024 and after	0.9
Total	$	9.9

Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Debt

The Company’s borrowings consist of the following:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
5.75% unsecured notes due June 1, 2026 ⁽¹⁾	$	394,675		$	—
7.25% unsecured notes due February 1, 2019	—			399,507
U.K. Credit facility ⁽²⁾	82,366			93,671
Other indebtedness	96			109
Total Debt	477,137			493,287
Less: current portion	(6,360		)	(6,726		)
Total Long-Term Debt	$	470,777		$	486,561

____________


(1)	The carrying value is net of $5.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2018.


(2)	The carrying value is net of $0.2 million and $0.4 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

- 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 1
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 9: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
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-Section 55
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 10: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21475-112644

+ Details

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis

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



	As of December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Total
Assets
Money market investments⁽¹⁾	$	—	$	75,500	$	75,500
Marketable equity securities⁽²⁾	496,390		—		496,390
Other current investments⁽³⁾	11,203		6,988		18,191
Interest rate swap ⁽⁴⁾	—		369		369
Total Financial Assets	$	507,593	$	82,857	$	590,450
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities⁽⁵⁾	$	—	$	36,080	$	36,080



	As of December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Money market investments ⁽¹⁾	$	—	$	217,628	$	—	$	217,628
Marketable equity securities ⁽²⁾	536,315		—		—		536,315
Other current investments ⁽³⁾	9,831		11,007		—		20,838
Total Financial Assets	$	546,146	$	228,635	$	—	$	774,781
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities ⁽⁵⁾	$	—	$	43,414	$	—	$	43,414
Interest rate swap ⁽⁶⁾	—		244		—		244
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest ⁽⁷⁾	—		—		10,331		10,331
Total Financial Liabilities	$	—	$	43,658	$	10,331	$	53,989

____________


(1)	The Company’s money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and the value considers the liquidity of the counterparty.


(2)	The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are held in common shares of U.S. corporations that are actively traded on U.S. stock exchanges. Price quotes for these shares are readily available. Investments in marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale in 2017 prior to the adoption of the new accounting guidance (see Note 2).


(3)	Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits. 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 fair value hierarchy.


(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)


(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)	The fair value of the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest is based on an EBITDA multiple, adjusted for working capital and other items, which approximates fair value.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated by revenue source for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Education Revenue
Kaplan international	$	719,982		$	697,999		$	696,362
Higher education	342,085			431,425			501,784
Test preparation	256,102			273,298			286,556
Professional (U.S.)	134,187			115,839			115,263
Kaplan corporate and other	1,142			294			214
Intersegment elimination	(2,483		)	(2,079		)	(1,718		)
	1,451,015			1,516,776			1,598,461
Television broadcasting	505,549			409,916			409,718
Manufacturing	487,619			414,193			241,604
Healthcare	149,275			154,202			146,962
SocialCode	58,728			62,077			58,851
Other	43,880			34,733			26,433
Intersegment elimination	(100		)	(51		)	(139		)
Total Revenue	$	2,695,966		$	2,591,846		$	2,481,890

Contract with Customer, Liability

The following table presents the change in the Company’s deferred revenue balance during the year ended December 31, 2018:



	As of
	December 31, 2018		January 1, 2018		%
(in thousands)	December 31, 2018		January 1, 2018		Change
Deferred revenue	$	311,214	$	342,640	(9)

Capitalized Contract Cost

The following table presents changes in the Company’s costs to obtain a contract asset during the year ended December 31, 2018:



(in thousands)	Balance at Beginning of Year		Costs Associated with New Contracts		Less: Costs Amortized during the Year			Other			Balance at End of Year
2018	$	16,043	$	55,664	$	(49,284	)	$	(1,112	)	$	21,311

Capital Stock, Stock Awards and Stock Options (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

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

Activity Related to Stock Awards

Activity related to stock awards under the 2012 incentive compensation plan for the year ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:



	Number of Shares		Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Beginning of year, unvested	51,575		$	744.07
Awarded	375		875.40
Vested	(14,275	)	694.81
Forfeited	(5,475	)	863.21
End of Year, unvested	32,200		747.18

Activity Related to Stock Options

Activity related to options outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:



	Number of Shares		Average Option Price
Beginning of year	185,520		$	565.65
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(588	)	281.18
Expired or forfeited	—		—
End of Year	184,932		566.55

Information related to stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2018, is as follows:



	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Shares Outstanding at 12/31/2018	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Shares Exercisable at 12/31/2018	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price
$244–276	3,674	2.5	$	259.19	3,674	2.5	$	259.19
325	77,258	2.1	325.26		77,258	2.1	325.26
719	77,258	5.8	719.15		51,504	5.8	719.15
805–872	26,742	7.0	865.02		12,702	6.9	866.03
	184,932	4.4	566.55		145,138	3.9	510.69

Fair Value of Options Assumptions

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



	2017
Expected life (years)	8
Interest rate	2.28%
Volatility	26.93%
Dividend yield	0.85%

Summary of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The following reflects the Company’s net income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations using the two-class method:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2018			2017			2016
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$	271,206		$	302,044		$	168,590
Less: Dividends paid–common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	(28,617		)	(28,329		)	(27,325		)
Undistributed earnings	242,589			273,715			141,265
Percent allocated to common stockholders	99.39		%	99.06		%	98.79		%
	241,115			271,150			139,562
Add: Dividends paid–common stock outstanding	28,423			28,060			26,962
Numerator for basic earnings per share	269,538			299,210			166,524
Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	10			17			9
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	269,548		$	299,227		$	166,533
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding	5,333			5,516			5,559
Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	37			36			30
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	5,370			5,552			5,589
Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:
Basic earnings per share	$	50.55		$	54.24		$	29.95
Diluted earnings per share	$	50.20		$	53.89		$	29.80

Antidilutive Weighted Average Restricted Stock and Options [Table Text Block]

Diluted earnings per share excludes the following weighted average potential common shares, as the effect would be antidilutive, as computed under the treasury stock method:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018	2017	2016
Weighted average restricted stock	23	30	40

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Defined Benefit Plans [Member]

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet

The amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for its defined benefit pension plans are as follows:



	Pension Plans				SERP
	As of December 31				As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018		2017		2018			2017
Noncurrent asset	$	1,003,558	$	1,056,777	$	—		$	—

Current liability	—		—		(6,321		)	(5,838		)
Noncurrent liability	—		—		(96,227		)	(104,244		)
Recognized Asset (Liability)	$	1,003,558	$	1,056,777	$	(102,548	)	$	(110,082	)

Schedule of Estimated Benefit Payments

At December 31, 2018, future estimated benefit payments, excluding charges for early retirement programs, are as follows:



(in thousands)	Pension Plans		SERP
2019	$	76,245	$	6,456
2020	$	76,715	$	6,743
2021	$	75,956	$	6,946
2022	$	75,909	$	7,078
2023	$	75,389	$	7,149
2024–2028	$	367,130	$	35,656

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) includes the following components of unrecognized net periodic cost for the defined benefit plans:



	Pension Plans						SERP
	As of December 31						As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	$	(313,809	)	$	(461,779	)	$	17,270		$	27,225
Unrecognized prior service cost	7,273			270			1,037			320
Gross Amount	(306,536		)	(461,509		)	18,307			27,545
Deferred tax liability (asset)	82,765			124,607			(4,943		)	(7,437		)
Net Amount	$	(223,771	)	$	(336,902	)	$	13,364		$	20,108

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

Schedule of Assumptions Used

Key assumptions utilized for determining the benefit obligation are as follows:



	Pension Plans		SERP
	As of December 31		As of December 31
	2018	2017	2018	2017
Discount rate	4.3%	3.6%	4.3%	3.6%
Rate of compensation increase – age graded	5.0%–1.0%	5.0%–1.0%	5.0%–1.0%	5.0%–1.0%
Cash balance interest crediting rate	3.50% with phase in to 4.30% in 2021	2.23% with phase in to 3.00% in 2020	—	—

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

Schedule of Assumptions Used

The costs for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans are actuarially determined. Below are the key assumptions utilized to determine periodic cost:



	Pension Plans			SERP
	Year Ended December 31			Year Ended December 31
	2018	2017	2016	2018	2017	2016
Discount rate ⁽¹⁾	4.0%/3.6%	4.1%	4.3%	3.6%	4.1%	4.3%
Expected return on plan assets	6.25%	6.25%	6.5%	—	—	—
Rate of compensation increase	Age graded (5.0%–1.0%)	Age graded (5.0%–1.0%)	4.0%	Age graded (5.0%–1.0%)	Age graded (5.0%–1.0%)	4.0%
Cash balance interest crediting rate	2.23% with phase in to 3.00% in 2020	1.57% with phase in to 3.00% in 2020	1.41% with phase in to 3.00% in 2019	—	—	—

____________


(1)	As a result of the Kaplan University transaction, the Company remeasured the accumulated and projected benefit obligation of the pension plan as of March 22, 2018. The remeasurement changed the discount rate from 3.6% for the period January 1 to March 23, 2018 to 4.0% for the period after March 23, 2018.

Pension Plans [Member]

Schedule of Obligation, Asset and Funding Information

The following table sets forth obligation, asset and funding information for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans:



	Pension Plans
	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	1,286,694		$	1,160,897
Service cost	18,221			18,687
Interest cost	46,787			47,925
Amendments	7,183			75
Actuarial (gain) loss	(81,851		)	73,191
Acquisitions	—			58,600
Benefits paid	(63,852		)	(74,506		)
Special termination benefits	—			1,825
Curtailment	(836		)	—
Settlement	(95,777		)	—
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	1,116,569		$	1,286,694
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$	2,343,471		$	2,042,490
Actual return on plan assets	(63,715		)	375,487
Benefits paid	(63,852		)	(74,506		)
Settlement	(95,777		)	—
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year	$	2,120,127		$	2,343,471
Funded Status	$	1,003,558		$	1,056,777

Schedule of Net (Benefit) Costs

The total (benefit) cost arising from the Company’s defined benefit pension plans consists of the following components:



	Pension Plans
	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Service cost	$	18,221		$	18,687		$	20,461
Interest cost	46,787			47,925			51,608
Expected return on assets	(129,220		)	(121,411		)	(121,470		)
Amortization of prior service cost	150			170			297
Recognized actuarial gain	(9,969		)	(4,410		)	—
Net Periodic Benefit for the Year	(74,031		)	(59,039		)	(49,104		)
Curtailment	(806		)	—			—
Settlement	(26,917		)	—			(17,993		)
Early retirement programs and special separation benefit expense	—			1,825			—
Total Benefit for the Year	$	(101,754	)	$	(57,214	)	$	(67,097	)
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Current year actuarial loss (gain)	$	111,084		$	(180,885	)	$	147,779
Current year prior service cost	7,183			75			—
Amortization of prior service cost	(150		)	(170		)	(297		)
Recognized net actuarial gain	9,969			4,410			—
Curtailment and settlement	26,887			—			17,993
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	154,973		$	(176,570	)	$	165,475
Total Recognized in Total Benefit and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	53,219		$	(233,784	)	$	98,378

Allocation of the Assets of the Company's Pension Plans

The assets of the Company’s pension plans were allocated as follows:



	As of December 31
	2018		2017
U.S. equities	53	%	53	%
U.S. stock index fund	28	%	30	%
U.S. fixed income	13	%	11	%
International equities	6	%	6	%
	100	%	100	%

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis

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



	As of December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments	$	2,068	$	269,544	$	—	$	271,612
Equity securities
U.S. equities	1,115,323		—		—		1,115,323
International equities	131,912		—		—		131,912
U.S. stock index fund	—		—		601,395		601,395
Total Investments	$	1,249,303	$	269,544	$	601,395	$	2,120,242
Payable for settlement of investments purchased, net							(115		)
Total							$	2,120,127



	As of December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments	$	73,877	$	181,638	$	—	$	255,515
Equity securities
U.S. equities	1,242,139		—		—		1,242,139
International equities	138,640		—		—		138,640
U.S. stock index fund	—		—		706,202		706,202
Total Investments	$	1,454,656	$	181,638	$	706,202	$	2,342,496
Receivables							975
Total							$	2,343,471

Schedule of Effect of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Changes in Plan Assets

The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in pension assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, using Level 3 inputs:



	U.S. Stock Index Fund
	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Balance at Beginning of Year	$	706,202		$	622,865
Purchases, sales, and settlements, net	(80,000		)	(50,000		)
Actual return on plan assets:
Gains relating to assets sold	2,819			6,796
(Losses) gains relating to assets still held at year-end	(27,626		)	126,541
Balance at End of Year	$	601,395		$	706,202

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]

Schedule of Obligation, Asset and Funding Information



	SERP
	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	110,082		$	106,526
Service cost	819			858
Interest cost	3,865			4,233
Amendments	1,028			—
Actuarial (gain) loss	(7,552		)	4,041
Benefits paid	(5,694		)	(5,576		)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	102,548		$	110,082
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$	—		$	—
Employer contributions	5,694			5,576
Benefits paid	(5,694		)	(5,576		)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year	$	—		$	—
Funded Status	$	(102,548	)	$	(110,082	)

Schedule of Net (Benefit) Costs



	SERP
	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Service cost	$	819		$	858		$	985
Interest cost	3,865			4,233			4,384
Amortization of prior service cost	311			455			457
Recognized actuarial loss	2,403			1,774			2,659
Total Cost for the Year	$	7,398		$	7,320		$	8,485
Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Current year actuarial (gain) loss	$	(7,552	)	$	4,041		$	1,120
Current year prior service cost	1,028			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost	(311		)	(455		)	(457		)
Recognized net actuarial loss	(2,403		)	(1,774		)	(2,659		)
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	(9,238	)	$	1,812		$	(1,996	)
Total Recognized in Total Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	(1,840	)	$	9,132		$	6,489

Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Schedule of Obligation, Asset and Funding Information

The following table sets forth obligation, asset and funding information for the Company’s other postretirement plans:



	Postretirement Plans
	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	22,785		$	24,171
Service cost	892			1,028
Interest cost	620			779
Amendments	(12,473		)	—
Actuarial gain	(2,519		)	(2,830		)
Acquisitions	—			516
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy	(782		)	(879		)
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$	8,523		$	22,785
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$	—		$	—
Employer contributions	782			879
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy	(782		)	(879		)
Fair Value of Assets at End of Year	$	—		$	—
Funded Status	$	(8,523	)	$	(22,785	)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet

The amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for its other postretirement plans are as follows:



	Postretirement Plans
	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Current liability	$	(1,399	)	$	(1,920	)
Noncurrent liability	(7,124		)	(20,865		)
Recognized Liability	$	(8,523	)	$	(22,785	)

Schedule of Estimated Benefit Payments

At December 31, 2018, future estimated benefit payments are as follows:



(in thousands)	Postretirement Plans
2019	$	1,399
2020	$	1,273
2021	$	1,083
2022	$	1,015
2023	$	856
2024–2028	$	2,308

Schedule of Net (Benefit) Costs

The total (benefit) cost arising from the Company’s other postretirement plans consists of the following components:



	Postretirement Plans
	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Service cost	$	892		$	1,028		$	1,386
Interest cost	620			779			1,230
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,408		)	(148		)	(335		)
Recognized actuarial gain	(3,783		)	(3,891		)	(1,502		)
Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost for the Year	(3,679		)	(2,232		)	779
Curtailment	(3,380		)	—			—
Total (Benefit) Cost for the Year	$	(7,059	)	$	(2,232	)	$	779
Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Current year actuarial gain	$	(2,519	)	$	(2,830	)	$	(14,984	)
Current year prior service credit	(12,473		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service credit	1,408			148			335
Recognized actuarial gain	3,783			3,891			1,502
Curtailment and settlement	3,380			—			—
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	(6,421	)	$	1,209		$	(13,147	)
Total Recognized in (Benefit) Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)	$	(13,480	)	$	(1,023	)	$	(12,368	)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

AOCI included the following components of unrecognized net periodic benefit for the postretirement plans:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Unrecognized actuarial gain	$	(22,861	)	$	(24,125	)
Unrecognized prior service credit	(7,863		)	(178		)
Gross Amount	(30,724		)	(24,303		)
Deferred tax liability	8,295			6,561
Net Amount	$	(22,429	)	$	(17,742	)

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]

Summary of Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)

A summary of non-operating income (expense) is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Loss on guarantor obligations	$	(17,518	)	$	—		$	—
Net gain on cost method investments	11,663			—			—
Net gain (loss) on sales of businesses	8,157			(569		)	18,931
Foreign currency (loss) gain, net	(3,844		)	3,310			(39,890		)
Gain on sale of cost method investments	2,845			16			794
Impairment of cost method investments	(2,697		)	(200		)	(29,365		)
Net gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	2,539			—			34,072
Gain on formation of a joint venture	—			—			3,232
Net losses on sales or write-down of marketable equity securities	—			—			(1,791		)
Other, net	958			1,684			1,375
Total Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)	$	2,103		$	4,241		$	(12,642	)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Summary of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The other comprehensive (loss) income consists of the following components:



	Year Ended December 31, 2018
	Before-Tax			Income			After-Tax
(in thousands)	Amount			Tax			Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Translation adjustments arising during the year	$	(35,584	)	$	—		$	(35,584	)
Pension and other postretirement plans:
Actuarial loss	(101,013		)	27,273			(73,740		)
Prior service credit	4,262			(1,151		)	3,111
Amortization of net actuarial gain included in net income	(11,349		)	3,064			(8,285		)
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income	(947		)	256			(691		)
Curtailments and settlements included in net income	(30,267		)	8,172			(22,095		)
	(139,314		)	37,614			(101,700		)
Cash flow hedge:
Gain for the year	551			(104		)	447
Other Comprehensive Loss	$	(174,347	)	$	37,510		$	(136,837	)



	Year Ended December 31, 2017
	Before-Tax			Income			After-Tax
(in thousands)	Amount			Tax			Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Translation adjustments arising during the year	$	33,175		$	—		$	33,175
Adjustment for sale of a business with foreign operations	137			—			137
	33,312			—			33,312
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains for the year	112,086			(44,834		)	67,252
Pension and other postretirement plans:
Actuarial gain	179,674			(48,511		)	131,163
Prior service cost	(75		)	20			(55		)
Amortization of net actuarial gain included in net income	(6,527		)	2,612			(3,915		)
Amortization of net prior service cost included in net income	477			(191		)	286
	173,549			(46,070		)	127,479
Cash flow hedge:
Gain for the year	112			(19		)	93
Other Comprehensive Income	$	319,059		$	(90,923	)	$	228,136



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	Before-Tax			Income			After-Tax
(in thousands)	Amount			Tax			Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Translation adjustments arising during the year	$	(22,149	)	$	—		$	(22,149	)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains for the year	55,507			(22,203		)	33,304
Reclassification adjustment for realization of loss on sale of available-for-sale securities included in net income	1,879			(752		)	1,127
	57,386			(22,955		)	34,431
Pension and other postretirement plans:
Actuarial loss	(133,915		)	53,566			(80,349		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net income	1,157			(463		)	694
Amortization of net prior service cost included in net income	419			(167		)	252
Curtailments and settlements included in net income	(17,993		)	7,197			(10,796		)
	(150,332		)	60,133			(90,199		)
Cash flow hedge:
Loss for the year	(334		)	57			(277		)
Other Comprehensive Loss	$	(115,429	)	$	37,235		$	(78,194	)

Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:



(in thousands, net of taxes)	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities			Unrealized Gain on Pensions and Other Postretirement Plans			Cash Flow Hedge			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
As of December 31, 2016	$	(26,998	)	$	92,931		$	170,830		$	(277	)	$	236,486
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	33,175			67,252			131,108			(29		)	231,506
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	137			—			(3,629		)	122			(3,370		)
Net other comprehensive income	33,312			67,252			127,479			93			228,136
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings as a result of tax reform	—			34,706			36,227			—			70,933
As of December 31, 2017	6,314			194,889			334,536			(184		)	535,555
Reclassification of unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities to retained earnings as a result of adoption of new guidance	—			(194,889		)	—			—			(194,889		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(35,584		)	—			(70,629		)	579			(105,634		)
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			(31,071		)	(132		)	(31,203		)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	(35,584		)	—			(101,700		)	447			(136,837		)
As of December 31, 2018	$	(29,270	)	$	—		$	232,836		$	263		$	203,829

Summary of Amounts and Line Items of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The amounts and line items of reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31									Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments:
Adjustment for sales of businesses with foreign operations	$	—		$	137		$	—		Other income (expense), net
Unrealized Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities:
Realized loss for the year	—			—			1,879			Other income (expense), net
	—			—			(752		)	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
	—			—			1,127			Net of tax
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(11,349		)	(6,527		)	1,157			(1)
Amortization of net prior service (credit) cost	(947		)	477			419			(1)
Curtailment and settlement gains	(30,267		)	—			(17,993		)	(1)
	(42,563		)	(6,050		)	(16,417		)	Before tax
	11,492			2,421			6,567			Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
	(31,071		)	(3,629		)	(9,850		)	Net of tax
Cash Flow Hedge
	(163		)	152			16			Interest expense
	31			(30		)	(3		)	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
	(132		)	122			13			Net of tax
Total reclassification for the year	$	(31,203	)	$	(3,370	)	$	(8,710	)	Net of tax

____________


(1)	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement plan cost (see Note 14) and are included in non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Leases and Other Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Leases And Other Commitments [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases

At December 31, 2018, future minimum rental payments under noncancelable operating leases approximate the following:



(in thousands)
2019	$	101,009
2020	84,945
2021	72,031
2022	53,709
2023	47,091
Thereafter	115,948
	$	474,733

Business Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Summary of Segment Reporting Information, by Operating Segment

Company information broken down by operating segment and education division:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Operating Revenues
Education	$	1,451,015		$	1,516,776		$	1,598,461
Television broadcasting	505,549			409,916			409,718
Healthcare	149,275			154,202			146,962
Other businesses	590,227			511,003			326,888
Corporate office	—			—			—
Intersegment elimination	(100		)	(51		)	(139		)
	$	2,695,966		$	2,591,846		$	2,481,890
Income (Loss) from Operations
Education	$	97,136		$	77,687		$	95,321
Television broadcasting	210,533			139,258			202,863
Healthcare	(8,401		)	(2,569		)	2,799
Other businesses	(246		)	(19,263		)	(24,901		)
Corporate office	(52,861		)	(58,710		)	(53,213		)
	$	246,161		$	136,403		$	222,869
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Affiliates, Net	14,473			(3,249		)	(7,937		)
Interest Expense, Net	(32,549		)	(27,305		)	(32,297		)
Debt Extinguishment Costs	(11,378		)	—			—
Non-Operating Pension and Postretirement Benefit Income, Net	120,541			72,699			80,665
Loss on Marketable Equity Securities, net	(15,843		)	—			—
Other Income (Expense), Net	2,103			4,241			(12,642		)
Income Before Income Taxes	$	323,508		$	182,789		$	250,658
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
Education	$	28,099		$	32,906		$	41,187
Television broadcasting	13,204			12,179			9,942
Healthcare	2,577			4,583			2,805
Other businesses	11,835			11,723			9,570
Corporate office	1,007			1,118			1,116
	$	56,722		$	62,509		$	64,620
Amortization of Intangible Assets and Impairment of Goodwill and
Other Long-Lived Assets
Education	$	9,362		$	5,162		$	7,516
Television broadcasting	5,632			6,349			251
Healthcare	14,855			7,905			6,701
Other businesses	25,674			31,385			13,806
Corporate office	—			—			—
	$	55,523		$	50,801		$	28,274
Pension Service Cost
Education	$	8,753		$	9,720		$	11,803
Television broadcasting	2,188			1,942			1,714
Healthcare	573			665			—
Other businesses	1,373			1,125			1,118
Corporate office	5,334			5,235			5,826
	$	18,221		$	18,687		$	20,461
Capital Expenditures
Education	$	54,159		$	27,520		$	26,497
Television broadcasting	27,013			16,802			27,453
Healthcare	1,741			2,987			2,954
Other businesses	15,154			9,771			13,093
Corporate office	—			—			715
	$	98,067		$	57,080		$	70,712

Asset information for the Company’s business segments is as follows:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018		2017
Identifiable Assets
Education	$	1,568,747	$	1,592,097
Television broadcasting	452,853		455,884
Healthcare	108,596		129,856
Other businesses	827,113		855,399
Corporate office	162,971		182,905
	$	3,120,280	$	3,216,141
Investments in Marketable Equity Securities	496,390		536,315
Investments in Affiliates	143,813		128,590
Prepaid Pension Cost	1,003,558		1,056,777
Total Assets	$	4,764,041	$	4,937,823

Education [Member]

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Schedule of Restructuring Costs

Across all Kaplan businesses, restructuring costs of $9.1 million and $11.9 million were recorded in 2017 and 2016, respectively, as follows:



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Accelerated depreciation	$	339	$	1,815
Lease obligation losses	—		2,694
Severance	6,099		5,902
Other	2,627		1,441
	$	9,065	$	11,852

Summary of Segment Reporting Information, by Operating Segment

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



	Year Ended December 31
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Operating Revenues
Kaplan international	$	719,982		$	697,999		$	696,362
Higher education	342,085			431,425			501,784
Test preparation	256,102			273,298			286,556
Professional (U.S.)	134,187			115,839			115,263
Kaplan corporate and other	1,142			294			214
Intersegment elimination	(2,483		)	(2,079		)	(1,718		)
	$	1,451,015		$	1,516,776		$	1,598,461
Income (Loss) from Operations
Kaplan international	$	70,315		$	51,623		$	48,398
Higher education	15,217			16,719			39,196
Test preparation	19,096			11,507			9,599
Professional (U.S.)	28,608			27,558			27,436
Kaplan corporate and other	(36,064		)	(29,863		)	(29,279		)
Intersegment elimination	(36		)	143			(29		)
	$	97,136		$	77,687		$	95,321
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment
Kaplan international	$	15,755		$	14,892		$	17,523
Higher education	4,826			9,117			13,816
Test preparation	3,941			5,286			6,287
Professional (U.S.)	3,096			3,041			3,006
Kaplan corporate and other	481			570			555
	$	28,099		$	32,906		$	41,187
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$	9,362		$	5,162		$	7,516
Pension Service Cost
Kaplan international	$	298		$	264		$	268
Higher education	4,310			5,269			6,544
Test preparation	2,611			2,755			3,072
Professional (U.S.)	1,162			913			1,076
Kaplan corporate and other	372			519			843
	$	8,753		$	9,720		$	11,803
Capital Expenditures
Kaplan international	$	44,469		$	21,667		$	16,252
Higher education	4,045			2,158			3,140
Test preparation	681			1,038			4,672
Professional (U.S.)	4,845			2,475			2,224
Kaplan corporate and other	119			182			209
	$	54,159		$	27,520		$	26,497

Asset information for the Company’s education division is as follows:



	As of December 31
(in thousands)	2018		2017
Identifiable Assets
Kaplan international	$	1,101,040	$	1,115,919
Higher education	126,752		231,986
Test preparation	145,308		130,938
Professional (U.S.)	166,916		91,630
Kaplan corporate and other	28,731		21,624
	$	1,568,747	$	1,592,097

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Results of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Quarterly results of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2018, is as follows:



(in thousands, except per share amounts)	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Operating Revenues	$	659,436		$	672,677		$	674,766		$	689,087
Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating	365,151			440,655			448,920			432,706
Selling, general and administrative	225,045			141,378			131,081			152,624
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	14,642			13,619			13,648			14,813
Amortization of intangible assets	10,384			11,399			12,269			13,362
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—			—			8,109			—
	615,222			607,051			614,027			613,505
Income from Operations	44,214			65,626			60,739			75,582
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	2,579			931			9,537			1,426
Interest income	1,372			1,901			611			1,469
Interest expense	(8,071		)	(17,165		)	(6,135		)	(6,531		)
Debt extinguishment costs	—			(11,378		)	—			—
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net	21,386			23,041			22,214			53,900
(Loss) gain on marketable equity securities, net	(14,102		)	(2,554		)	44,962			(44,149		)
Other income (expense), net	9,187			2,333			3,142			(12,559		)
Income Before Income Taxes	56,565			62,735			135,070			69,138
Provision for Income Taxes	13,600			16,100			10,000			12,400
Net Income	42,965			46,635			125,070			56,738
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(74		)	(69		)	(6		)	(53		)
Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	$	42,891		$	46,566		$	125,064		$	56,685
Quarterly Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$	53,703		$	13,345		$	119,862		$	(52,541	)

Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
Basic net income per common share	$	7.84		$	8.69		$	23.43		$	10.69
Basic average number of common shares outstanding	5,436			5,325			5,302			5,270
Diluted net income per common share	$	7.78		$	8.63		$	23.28		$	10.61
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding	5,473			5,362			5,337			5,309

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, 2017, is as follows:



(in thousands, except per share amounts)	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Operating Revenues	$	582,717		$	676,087		$	657,225		$	675,817
Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating	325,687			381,747			374,987			371,922
Selling, general and administrative	225,289			208,973			228,051			225,477
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	14,652			15,871			16,002			15,984
Amortization of intangible assets	6,836			10,531			10,923			12,897
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—			9,224			312			78
	572,464			626,346			630,275			626,358
Income from Operations	10,253			49,741			26,950			49,459
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net	649			1,331			(532		)	(4,697		)
Interest income	1,363			1,173			861			3,184
Interest expense	(8,129		)	(9,035		)	(8,619		)	(8,103		)
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net	18,801			18,620			17,621			17,657
Other income (expense), net	849			4,069			1,963			(2,640		)
Income Before Income Taxes	23,786			65,899			38,244			54,860
Provision for (Benefit From) Income Taxes	2,700			23,900			13,400			(159,700		)
Net Income	21,086			41,999			24,844			214,560
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	—			(3		)	(60		)	(382		)
Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders	$	21,086		$	41,996		$	24,784		$	214,178
Quarterly Comprehensive Income	$	39,368		$	59,135		$	64,029		$	367,648

Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders
Basic net income per common share	$	3.77		$	7.51		$	4.45		$	38.76
Basic average number of common shares outstanding	5,535			5,539			5,518			5,473
Diluted net income per common share	$	3.75		$	7.46		$	4.42		$	38.52
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding	5,569			5,577			5,554			5,509

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

Quarterly impact from certain items in 2018 and 2017 (after-tax and diluted EPS amounts):



		First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
2018
Ÿ	Intangible asset impairment charge of $5.8 million at the healthcare business							$	(1.08	)
Ÿ	A $3.0 million reduction to operating expenses from property, plant, and equipment gains in connection with the spectrum repacking mandate of the FCC ($0.2 million, $0.6 million, $0.8 million and $1.4 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	0.04		$	0.11		$	0.14		$	0.26
Ÿ	Interest expense of $6.2 million related to the settlement of a mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest				$	(1.14	)
Ÿ	Debt extinguishment costs of $8.6 million				$	(1.60	)
Ÿ	A $22.2 million settlement gain related to a bulk lump sum pension offering and curtailment gain related to changes in the Company’s postretirement healthcare benefit plan										$	4.11
Ÿ	Losses, net, of $12.6 million on marketable equity securities ($10.7 million loss, $1.9 million loss, $33.6 million gain, and $33.6 million loss in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	(1.94	)	$	(0.36	)	$	6.26		$	(6.28	)
Ÿ	Non-operating gain, net, of $5.7 million from sales, write-ups and impairments of cost method and equity method investments, and related to sales of land and businesses, including losses on guarantor lease obligations ($3.6 million gain, $1.8 million gain, $8.0 million gain, and $7.7 million loss in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	0.65		$	0.34		$	1.48		$	(1.43	)
Ÿ	Gain of $1.8 million on the Kaplan University Transaction	$	0.33
Ÿ	Losses, net, of $2.9 million for non-operating foreign currency (losses) gains ($0.1 million gain, $1.7 million loss, $0.1 million loss, and $1.2 million loss in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	0.02		$	(0.32	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.23	)
Ÿ	A nonrecurring discrete $17.8 million deferred state tax benefit related to the release of valuation allowances							$	3.31
Ÿ	Income tax benefit of $1.8 million related to stock compensation	$	0.33



2017
Ÿ	Charges of $6.3 million related to restructuring and non-operating Separation Incentive Program charges at the education division ($0.3 million, $0.4 million, $1.1 million and $4.5 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.20	)	$	(0.81	)
Ÿ	Goodwill and long-lived assets impairment charges of $5.8 million at other businesses				$	(1.03	)
Ÿ	Gains, net, of $2.1 million for non-operating foreign currency gains (losses) ($1.1 million gain, $2.2 million gain, $0.9 million gain and $2.1 million loss in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively)	$	0.19		$	0.39		$	0.16		$	(0.37	)
Ÿ	Net deferred tax benefits of $177.5 million related to the Tax Act										$	31.68
Ÿ	Income tax benefit of $5.9 million related to stock compensation	$	1.06

Organization and Nature of Operations (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 TelevisionStation Category
Education [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Number of education business categories \| Category	4
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Number of television broadcast stations owned	7
JacksonvilleFL [Member] \| Television Broadcasting [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Number of television broadcast stations owned	2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 22, 2018	Mar. 22, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018 business	Dec. 31, 2018 business	Jun. 30, 2018
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maximum Term of Contract				1 year
Graham Healthcare Group [Member] \| Graham Holdings Company [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent					90.00%
Hoover Treated Wood Products [Member] \| Graham Holdings Company [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent			97.72%	97.72%
Transferred over Time [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of Revenue				80.00%
Kaplan International [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Performance Obligations				1
Number of business lines			1	1
Higher Education [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Performance Obligations		1	1
Number of Performance Obligations In Contract With Tuition Cap		2
Transition and Operations Support Agreement Initial Term	30 years
Television Broadcasting [Member] \| Advertising Revenue [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Performance Obligations				1
Revenue Recognition, Maximum Period between Recognition of Revenue and Receipt of Payment				60 days
Television Broadcasting [Member] \| Retransmission Revenue [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Performance Obligations				1
Revenue Recognition, Maximum Period between Recognition of Revenue and Receipt of Payment				60 days
Manufacturing [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of business lines			4	4
Revenue Recognition, Maximum Period between Recognition of Revenue and Receipt of Payment				90 days
Manufacturing [Member] \| Transferred over Time [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of Revenue				27.00%
Health Care [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Performance Obligations				1
Revenue Recognition, Maximum Period between Recognition of Revenue and Receipt of Payment				60 days
Health Care [Member] \| Other Healthcare Services [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Performance Obligations				1
SocialCode [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Performance Obligations				1
Revenue Recognition, Maximum Period between Recognition of Revenue and Receipt of Payment				100 days
Minimum [Member] \| Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)				3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Building [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)				20 years
Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Investment maturity length				3 months
Amortized Intangible Assets, Useful Life (in years)				10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)				20 years
Maximum [Member] \| Building [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)				50 years

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 689,087	$ 674,766	$ 672,677	$ 659,436	$ 675,817	$ 657,225	$ 676,087	$ 582,717	$ 2,695,966	$ 2,591,846	$ 2,481,890
Costs and Expenses	613,505	$ 614,027	$ 607,051	615,222	626,358	$ 630,275	$ 626,346	$ 572,464	2,449,805	2,455,443	$ 2,259,021
Retained earnings	$ 6,236,125				5,791,724				6,236,125	5,791,724		$ 5,798,647
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption												6,923
Retained Earnings [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption												201,812
Retained Earnings [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption				$ 194,900
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Retained earnings												$ 6,923
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues									(1,700)
Costs and Expenses									(600)
Retained earnings					$ 5,791,724					$ 5,791,724
Kaplan University Transaction [Member] \| Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenues									$ (4,500)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Item Effected [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 582,280	$ 622,461	$ 620,319
Inventories and contracts in progress	69,477	60,858	60,612
Other current assets	82,723	72,596	66,253
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	486,578	526,411	526,323
Deferred revenue	308,728	339,108	339,454
Deferred income taxes	322,421	364,767	362,701
Retained earnings	$ 6,236,125	5,798,647	5,791,724
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net			620,319
Inventories and contracts in progress			60,612
Other current assets			66,253
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			526,323
Deferred revenue			339,454
Deferred income taxes			362,701
Retained earnings			$ 5,791,724
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net		2,142
Inventories and contracts in progress		246
Other current assets		6,343
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		88
Deferred revenue		(346)
Deferred income taxes		2,066
Retained earnings		$ 6,923

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronoucements) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Item Effected [Line Items]
Operating expenses	$ 432,706	$ 448,920	$ 440,655	$ 365,151	$ 371,922	$ 374,987	$ 381,747	$ 325,687	$ 1,687,432	$ 1,454,343	$ 1,270,030
Selling, general and administrative expenses	152,624	131,081	141,378	225,045	225,477	228,051	208,973	225,289	650,128	887,790	896,097
Income from Operations	75,582	60,739	65,626	44,214	49,459	26,950	49,741	10,253	246,161	136,403	222,869
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net	53,900	22,214	23,041	21,386	17,657	17,621	18,620	18,801	120,541	72,699	80,665
Income Before Income Taxes	$ 69,138	$ 135,070	$ 62,735	$ 56,565	$ 54,860	$ 38,244	$ 65,899	$ 23,786	$ 323,508	182,789	250,658
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Operating expenses										1,454,343	1,270,030
Selling, general and administrative expenses										887,790	896,097
Income from Operations										136,403	222,869
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net										72,699	80,665
Income Before Income Taxes										182,789	250,658
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] \| Previously Reported [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Operating expenses										1,359,842	1,180,945
Selling, general and administrative expenses										909,592	904,517
Income from Operations										209,102	303,534
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net										0	0
Income Before Income Taxes										182,789	250,658
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] \| Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Operating expenses										94,501	89,085
Selling, general and administrative expenses										(21,802)	(8,420)
Income from Operations										(72,699)	(80,665)
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net										72,699	80,665
Income Before Income Taxes										$ 0	$ 0

Acquisitions and Dispositions of Businesses (Narrative) (Details)			1 Months Ended							3 Months Ended								9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 22, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2019 USD ($) business	Sep. 30, 2018 business	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2018 business	Jan. 31, 2018 business	Apr. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) business	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) business	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) business	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) business	Aug. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 12, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cost of acquisition																			$ 121,100,000	$ 318,900,000	$ 258,000,000
Pension and other post retirement benefits liabilities														$ 59,100,000						$ 59,100,000
Number of businesses acquired \| business																			8	6	5
Document Fiscal Year Focus																			2018
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired																			$ 111,546,000	$ 299,938,000	$ 245,084,000
Acquisition-related costs										$ 1,500,000				4,100,000					1,500,000	4,100,000	1,500,000
Goodwill expected to be deductible for income tax purposes										32,300,000				11,000,000					32,300,000	11,000,000	22,200,000
Revenues of acquired companies since acquisition date																			28,800,000
Operating loss of acquired companies since acquisition date																			(2,900,000)
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests																			413,000	(446,000)	(3,026,000)
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business																			8,157,000	(569,000)	18,931,000
Interest expense										$ 6,531,000	$ 6,135,000	$ 17,165,000	$ 8,071,000	$ 8,103,000	$ 8,619,000	$ 9,035,000	$ 8,129,000		$ 37,902,000	$ 33,886,000	$ 35,390,000
Residential Healthcare Group Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest purchased									20.00%
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests									$ 3,000,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Redemption Value									$ 24,000,000
Celtic Healthcare Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest exchanged									20.00%
Graham Healthcare Group [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests									$ 4,100,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners									10.00%
Residential And Michigan Hospital Joint Venture [Member] \| Residential Healthcare Group Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage Of Joint Venture Sold									60.00%
Ownership percentage of investment in affiliate									40.00%
Education [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired \| business																			5	2	3
Number Of Businesses Disposed \| business																			3
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business																			$ 8,200,000
Education [Member] \| Professional (U.S.) [Member] \| College for Financial Planning [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																								100.00%
Education [Member] \| Professional (U.S.) [Member] \| Professional Publications, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																									100.00%
Education [Member] \| Kaplan International [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired \| business							1
Education [Member] \| Kaplan International [Member] \| Genesis [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																										100.00%
Education [Member] \| Kaplan International [Member] \| Red Marker [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																										100.00%
Education [Member] \| Kaplan International [Member] \| Mander Portman Woodward [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																													100.00%
Education [Member] \| Kaplan International [Member] \| Osborne Books [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																												100.00%
Education [Member] \| Kaplan International [Member] \| Kaplan Australia [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number Of Businesses Disposed \| business				1										1
Education [Member] \| Test Preparation [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number Of Businesses Disposed \| business						1
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Transition and Operations Support Agreement Initial Term		30 years
Transition and Operations Support Agreement Buy-Out Option Eligible Year		6 years
Transition and Operations Support Agreement Renewal Periods		5 years
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business													$ 4,300,000						4,300,000
Gain Related to Contingent Consideration																		$ 1,900,000	$ 1,900,000
First Five Years of Transition and Operations Support Agreement		5 years
Number of Consecutive Years of Purdue University Global Cash Operating Losses		3 years
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Annual Purdue University Global Cash Operating Losses		$ 25,000,000
Aggregate Purdue University Global Cash Operating Losses		$ 75,000,000
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| Kaplan [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of Cost Efficiencies		20.00%
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| Purdue University Global [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of Cost Efficiencies		20.00%
Advance Related To Kaplan University Transaction		$ 20,000,000
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| After June 30, 2048 [Member] \| Kaplan [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Kaplan University Transaction Termination Fee		75.00%
Purdue University Global Final Payment Note Duration		10 years
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| After June 30, 2024 [Member] \| Kaplan [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Kaplan University Transaction Termination Fee		125.00%
Purdue University Global Final Payment Note Duration		10 years
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| After June 30, 2023 [Member] \| Purdue University Global [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of Revenue Remaining To Be Paid		10.00%
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| After June 30, 2027 [Member] \| Kaplan [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Kaplan Share of Purdue University Global Revenue		12.50%
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2027 [Member] \| Kaplan [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Kaplan Share of Purdue University Global Revenue		13.00%
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| March 22, 2018 through June 30, 2022 [Member] \| Kaplan [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Kaplan Share of Purdue University Global Revenue		12.50%
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member] \| March 22, 2018 through June 30, 2023 [Member] \| Purdue University Global [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amount of Priority Payment Per Year Beyond Costs		$ 10,000,000
Other Businesses [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired \| business																			2	1	2
Other Businesses [Member] \| Hoover Treated Wood Products [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired								97.72%
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired								$ 206,800,000
Fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest acquired								$ 3,700,000
Other Businesses [Member] \| SocialCode [Member] \| Marketplace Strategy [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																						100.00%
Other Businesses [Member] \| Group Dekko [Member] \| Electri-Cable Assemblies [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																											100.00%
Other Businesses [Member] \| Group Dekko [Member] \| Furnlite Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																							100.00%
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired \| business																				2
Graham Healthcare Group [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired \| business																			1	1
Graham Healthcare Group [Member] \| Hometown Home Health and Hospice [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired																100.00%
Graham Healthcare Group [Member] \| Graham Healthcare Group [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired \| business				1
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Other Businesses [Member] \| Auto dealerships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	4.70%		4.70%
Number of businesses acquired \| business			2
Amount Borrowed to Finance Business Acquisition	$ 30,000,000		$ 30,000,000
Percentage of interest acquired	90.00%		90.00%
Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest expense																					$ 2,700,000
Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member] \| Graham Healthcare Group [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest expense					$ 6,200,000
10-Year Borrowing to Finance Acquisition [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member] \| Other Businesses [Member] \| Auto dealerships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	10 years

Acquisitions and Dispositions of Businesses (Acquired assets and liabilities assumed) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Goodwill	$ 1,297,712	$ 1,299,710	$ 1,122,954
Pension and other post retirement benefits liabilities		(59,100)
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	2,344	12,502	8,538
Inventory	1,268	25,253	878
Property, plant and equipment	1,518	29,921	3,940
Goodwill	41,840	143,149	184,118
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	0	33,800	53,110
Amortized intangible assets	78,427	170,658	28,267
Other assets	5,198	1,880	1,420
Pension and other post retirement benefits liabilities	0	(59,116)	0
Other liabilities	(7,678)	(12,177)	(21,892)
Deferred income tax liability	(4,900)	(37,289)	(11,009)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	(3,666)	0
Aggregate purchase price, net of cash received	$ 118,017	$ 304,915	$ 247,370

Acquisitions and Dispositions of Businesses (Pro Forma Financials) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Acquisitions And Dispositions [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Pro Forma Operating revenues	$ 2,735,879	$ 2,725,046	$ 2,570,416
Pro Forma Net income	$ 273,688	$ 311,397	$ 175,021

Acquisitions and Dispositions of Businesses (Significant Component) (Details 3) - Kaplan University Transaction [Member] - Higher Education [Member] - Education [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Revenue	$ 91,526	$ 430,645	$ 500,914
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Operating Income	$ 213	$ 17,869	$ 39,498

Investments (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
Investments (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 GBP (£)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 GBP (£) shares	Dec. 31, 2017 GBP (£) shares
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Money market investments	$ 75,500,000					$ 217,600,000					$ 75,500,000	$ 217,600,000
Marketable equity securities	496,390,000										496,390,000
Marketable equity securities						536,315,000						536,315,000
Cash paid for new marketable equity securities											42,700,000	0	$ 48,300,000
Marketable equity securities purchased													47,900,000
Cumulative realized gain (loss) on marketable securities											0	0	(1,791,000)
Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities											66,700,000	0	29,700,000
Loss on sales of marketable equity securities													8,100,000
Gain on sales of marketable equity securities											37,300,000		6,200,000
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment						2,800,000
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net	1,426,000	$ 9,537,000	$ 931,000		$ 2,579,000	(4,697,000)	$ (532,000)	$ 1,331,000	$ 649,000		14,473,000	(3,249,000)	(7,937,000)
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Amount	30,600,000					$ 19,900,000					30,600,000	19,900,000
Gains on cost method investments	$ 3,200,000	8,500,000									11,663,000	$ 0	$ 0
Impairment loss on cost method investments											$ 2,697,000
Markel Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares held in investment \| shares	28,000					28,000					28,000	28,000		28,000	28,000
Marketable equity securities	$ 29,100,000										$ 29,100,000
Marketable equity securities						$ 31,900,000						$ 31,900,000
Intersection [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of investment in affiliate	11.00%										11.00%			11.00%
HomeHero [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment										$ 8,400,000
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net		2,100,000
One Investment [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net		$ 5,800,000
Graham Healthcare Group [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties											$ 12,100,000	$ 18,300,000
Graham Healthcare Group [Member] \| Residential Home Health Illinois [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of investment in affiliate	40.00%										40.00%			40.00%
Graham Healthcare Group [Member] \| Residential Hospice Illinois [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of investment in affiliate	42.50%										42.50%			42.50%
Graham Healthcare Group [Member] \| Residential And Michigan Hospital Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of investment in affiliate	40.00%										40.00%			40.00%
Graham Healthcare Group [Member] \| Celtic Healthcare Allegheny Health Network Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of investment in affiliate	40.00%										40.00%			40.00%
KIHL [Member] \| York Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of investment in affiliate	45.00%										45.00%			45.00%
Loan commitment to affiliate \| £														£ 25,000,000
Advances to Affiliate \| £														£ 22,000,000	£ 16,000,000
Payments to Fund Long-term Loans to Related Parties \| £				£ 6,000,000
Loan Receivable, Payment Term	25 years
Loan Receivable Fixed Interest Rate	7.00%

Investments (Investments in Marketable Equity Securities) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments [Abstract]
Total cost	$ 282,563
Total cost		$ 269,343
Gross unrealized gains	216,111
Gross unrealized gains		266,972
Gross unrealized losses	(2,284)
Gross unrealized losses		0
Total Fair Value	$ 496,390
Total Fair Value		$ 536,315

Investments Investments (Loss on Marketable Equity Securities) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments [Abstract]
Loss on marketable equity securities, net	$ (44,149)	$ 44,962	$ (2,554)	$ (14,102)	$ (15,843)	$ 0	$ 0
Plus: Net losses in earnings from marketable equity securities sold					4,271
Net unrealized losses in earnings from marketable equity securities still held at the end of the year					$ 11,572

Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Cash overdrafts	$ 0.3	$ 6.0

Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Receivables from contracts with customers, less doubtful accounts	$ 538,021	$ 600,215
Other receivables	44,259	20,104
Accounts receivable, net	582,280	620,319		$ 622,461
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	14,775	22,975
Accounts Payable, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	337,123	385,927
Accrued compensation and related benefits	149,455	140,396
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	486,578	526,323		$ 526,411
Allowance for doubtful accounts[Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	22,975	26,723	$ 27,854
Additions - Charged to Costs and Expenses	10,209	33,830	29,718
Deductions	(18,409)	(37,578)	(30,849)
Balance at End of Period	$ 14,775	$ 22,975	$ 26,723

Inventories and Contracts in Progress (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventories and Contracts in Progress [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 37,248		$ 30,429
Work-in-process	11,633		10,258
Finished goods	17,861		18,851
Contracts in Progress	2,735		1,074
Inventories and contracts in progress	$ 69,477	$ 60,858	$ 60,612

Property, Plant and Equipment (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	$ 14,813	$ 13,648	$ 13,619	$ 14,642	$ 15,984	$ 16,002	$ 15,871	$ 14,652	$ 56,722	$ 62,509	$ 64,620
Interest Costs Capitalized									$ 800	$ 300	$ 400
Graham Healthcare Group [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment impairment charges		$ 200				$ 400
Other Businesses [Member] \| Forney [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment impairment charges							$ 600

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land	$ 15,965	$ 16,190
Buildings	108,683	107,932
Machinery, equipment and fixtures	382,064	387,914
Leasehold improvements	206,170	215,445
Construction in progress	68,064	16,649
Property, plant and equipment, gross	780,946	744,130
Less accumulated depreciation	(487,861)	(484,772)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 293,085	$ 259,358

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) business	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 0	$ 8,109	$ 0	$ 0	$ 78	$ 312	$ 9,224	$ 0		$ 8,109	$ 9,614	$ 1,603
Goodwill, Impairment Loss											7,616
Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss											0
Other Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of businesses recorded impairment of goodwill \| business									1
Goodwill, Impairment Loss									$ 1,600		$ 7,616
Forney [Member] \| Other Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges							$ 8,600

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Finite-lived Intangible Assets) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 0	$ 8,109	$ 0	$ 0	$ 78	$ 312	$ 9,224	$ 0	$ 8,109	$ 9,614	$ 1,603
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets	13,362	12,269	$ 11,399	$ 10,384	$ 12,897	$ 10,923	$ 10,531	$ 6,836	47,414	$ 41,187	$ 26,671
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2019	52,000								52,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2020	49,000								49,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2021	43,000								43,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2022	37,000								37,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, 2023	29,000								29,000
Estimated amortization of intangible assets, after 2023	$ 53,000								$ 53,000
Graham Healthcare Group [Member]
Amortized Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets		$ 7,900

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		$ 1,665,861	$ 1,481,489
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		(366,151)	(358,535)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance		1,299,710	1,122,954
Acquisitions		41,840	143,149
Impairment			(7,616)
Dispositions		(11,191)	(412)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(32,647)	41,635
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 1,481,489	1,644,164	1,665,861
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(358,535)	(346,452)	(366,151)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,122,954	1,297,712	1,299,710
Education [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		1,171,812	1,111,003
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		(350,850)	(350,850)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance		820,962	760,153
Acquisitions		20,424	19,174
Impairment			0
Dispositions		(11,191)	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(32,647)	41,635
Goodwill, ending balance	1,111,003	1,128,699	1,171,812
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(350,850)	(331,151)	(350,850)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	760,153	797,548	820,962
Education [Member] \| Kaplan International [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		615,861	555,185
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		0	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance		615,861	555,185
Acquisitions		62	19,174
Dispositions		0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(32,499)	41,502
Goodwill, ending balance	555,185	583,424	615,861
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	555,185	583,424	615,861
Education [Member] \| Higher Education [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		205,494	205,494
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		(131,023)	(131,023)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance		74,471	74,471
Acquisitions		0	0
Dispositions		(11,191)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(40)	0
Goodwill, ending balance	205,494	174,564	205,494
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(131,023)	(111,324)	(131,023)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	74,471	63,240	74,471
Education [Member] \| Test Preparation [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		166,098	166,098
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		(102,259)	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance		63,839	63,839
Acquisitions		822	0
Dispositions		0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	166,098	166,920	166,098
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)	(102,259)	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	63,839	64,661	63,839
Education [Member] \| Professional (U.S.) [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		184,359	184,226
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		(117,568)	(117,568)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance		66,791	66,658
Acquisitions		19,540	0
Dispositions		0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		(108)	133
Goodwill, ending balance	184,226	203,791	184,359
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(117,568)	(117,568)	(117,568)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	66,658	86,223	66,791
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		190,815	168,345
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		0	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance		190,815	168,345
Acquisitions		0	22,470
Impairment			0
Dispositions		0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	168,345	190,815	190,815
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	168,345	190,815	190,815
Graham Healthcare Group [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		69,409	59,640
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		0	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance		69,409	59,640
Acquisitions		217	10,181
Impairment			0
Dispositions		0	(412)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	59,640	69,626	69,409
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	59,640	69,626	69,409
Other Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		233,825	142,501
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		(15,301)	(7,685)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance		218,524	134,816
Acquisitions		21,199	91,324
Impairment	(1,600)		(7,616)
Dispositions		0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	142,501	255,024	233,825
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(7,685)	(15,301)	(15,301)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 134,816	$ 239,723	$ 218,524

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Details 2) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

$ 440,105

$ 362,073

176,844

124,097

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

263,261

237,976

Student and Customer Relationships [Member]

99,052

102,195

^[1]

282,761

260,464

^[1]

114,429

83,690

Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]

^[1]

168,332

176,774

87,285

50,286

39,825

25,596

Network affiliation agreements [Member]

$ 47,460

$ 24,690

10 years

$ 17,400

3,408

1,668

Databases and Technology [Member]

13,992

15,732

27,041

19,563

8,471

5,008

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

18,570

14,555

1,088

930

838

467

250

463

Other [Member]

24,530

13,430

9,873

7,668

Minimum [Member] | Student and Customer Relationships [Member]

$ 14,657

$ 5,762

Minimum [Member] | Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]

^[1]

2 years

1 year

Minimum [Member] | Databases and Technology [Member]

2 years

Minimum [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]

3 years

Minimum [Member] | Other [Member]

2 years

1 year

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member] | Student and Customer Relationships [Member]

10 years

Maximum [Member] | Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]

^[1]

10 years

Maximum [Member] | Databases and Technology [Member]

10 years

Maximum [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]

6 years

Maximum [Member] | Other [Member]

5 years

Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]

8 years

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

$ 80,102

$ 82,745

FCC licenses [Member]

Licensure and Accreditation [Member]

18,800

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

$ 150

$ 650

[1]	As of December 31, 2017, the student and customer relationships’ minimum useful life was 1 year.

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Write-off of deferred taxes related to intercompany loans			$ 0	$ 0	$ 10,965,000
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)			(7,123,000)	(146,452,000)	10,070,000
Deferred state income tax asset	$ 35,434,000		34,107,000	35,434,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards	2,857,000		2,100,000	2,857,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to non U.S. income tax loss carryforwards	18,797,000		15,868,000	18,797,000
Valuation Allowance, Amount	48,742,000		33,120,000	48,742,000
Deferred income tax liabilities related to undistributed earnings of investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries	1,606,000		1,726,000	1,606,000
Interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits			600,000
Penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits			0
Reduction In Federal Tax Rate [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability	153,300,000
Change in Tax on non-US Subsidiary Earnings [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability	28,300,000
Adjustment [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)					(5,600,000)
State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire			698,900,000
Deferred state income tax asset			34,100,000
Non-U.S.deferred tax asset related to capital loss carryforwards	0		1,093,000	0
Valuation Allowance, Amount			22,200,000
Valuation allowance related to operating loss carryforwards			17,900,000
Valuation allowance released			(15,767,000)	(946,000)	3,196,000
Unrecognized tax benefit that would impact the effective tax rate			2,500,000
State [Member] \| Education [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount			(20,000,000)
U.S. Federal [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards obtained as a result of prior stock acqusitions			9,900,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards			2,100,000
Foreign tax credit carryforwards			1,000,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to U.S. Federal foreign tax credit carryforwards	2,522,000		987,000	2,522,000
Federal tax impact of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate			500,000
non-U.S. [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax loss carryforwards as a result of operating losses and prior stock acquisitions			58,100,000
Deferred tax assets with respect to non U.S. income tax loss carryforwards			15,900,000
Valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets recorded for the tax losses carryforward			6,100,000
Tax loss carryforwards from operating losses and prior stock acquisitions that can be carried forward indefinitely			46,800,000
Non-U.S.deferred tax asset related to capital loss carryforwards	2,336,000		3,609,000	2,336,000
Valuation Allowance, Amount			9,900,000
Valuation allowance released			1,322,000	(1,935,000)	$ (12,688,000)
non-U.S. [Member] \| Through 2023 [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax loss carryforwards subject to expiration			8,400,000
non-U.S. [Member] \| After 2023 [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax loss carryforwards subject to expiration			2,900,000
U.S. Federal and State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Excess of book value over tax basis of investment	113,200,000		226,100,000	113,200,000
Australian Taxation Office [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount		$ 19,300,000
Capital loss carryforwards to 2013 tax year [Member] \| Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Refund from Settlement with Taxing Authority	$ 9,700,000			$ 9,700,000
Capital loss carryforward [Member] \| non-U.S. [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Carryforward amount			12,000,000
Valuation Allowance, Amount			$ 3,600,000

Income Taxes (Income from Operations) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes [Abstract]
U.S.									$ 257,312	$ 134,276	$ 227,457
Non-U.S.									66,196	48,513	23,201
Income Before Income Taxes	$ 69,138	$ 135,070	$ 62,735	$ 56,565	$ 54,860	$ 38,244	$ 65,899	$ 23,786	$ 323,508	$ 182,789	$ 250,658

Income Taxes (Provision for Income Taxes Components) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
U.S. Federal, Current									$ 46,059	$ 10,743	$ 56,342
State and Local, Current									2,240	5,930	6,325
Non-U.S., Current									10,924	10,079	8,463
Total income tax, Current									59,223	26,752	71,130
U.S. Federal, Deferred									16,718	(153,217)	33,959
State and Local, Deferred									(23,809)	3,306	(5,164)
Non-U.S., Deferred									(32)	3,459	(18,725)
Total income tax, Deferred									(7,123)	(146,452)	10,070
U.S. Federal, Total									62,777	(142,474)	90,301
State and Local, Total									(21,569)	9,236	1,161
Non-U.S., Total									10,892	13,538	(10,262)
Total provision for income tax	$ 12,400	$ 10,000	$ 16,100	$ 13,600	$ (159,700)	$ 13,400	$ 23,900	$ 2,700	$ 52,100	$ (119,700)	$ 81,200

Income Taxes (Income Tax Reconciliation) (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
U.S. Federal taxes at statutory rate									$ 67,937	$ 63,976	$ 87,731
State and local taxes, net of U.S. Federal tax									(1,279)	6,949	(2,965)
Stock based compensation				$ 1,800				$ 5,900	(1,731)	(6,023)	0
Goodwill impairments and dispositions									0	0	(5,631)
U.S. Federal Manufacturing Deducation tax benefits									0	(1,329)	(6,012)
Write-off of deferred taxes related to intercompany loans									0	0	10,965
Deferred tax impact of U.S. Federal tax rate reduction to 21%, net of state tax impact									0	(153,336)	0
Deferred tax benefit on unremitted non-U.S. subsidiary earnings									0	(28,324)	0
Other, net									1,618	1,268	6,604
Total provision for income tax	$ 12,400	$ 10,000	$ 16,100	$ 13,600	$ (159,700)	$ 13,400	$ 23,900	$ 2,700	52,100	(119,700)	81,200
State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation allowance against tax benefits									(15,767)	(946)	3,196
non-U.S. [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation allowance against tax benefits									$ 1,322	$ (1,935)	$ (12,688)

Income Taxes (Deferred Income Taxes Components) (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities [Line Items]
Employee benefit obligations	$ 68,392	$ 84,148
Accounts receivable	4,449	5,481
State income tax loss carryforwards	34,107	35,434
U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards	2,100	2,857
Non-U.S. income tax loss carryforwards	15,868	18,797
Other	14,657	26,546
Deferred tax assets	145,262	178,121
Valuation allowance	(33,120)	(48,742)
Deferred tax assets, net	112,142	129,379
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	51,242	70,827
Goodwill and other intangible assets	88,798	109,428
Property, plant and equipment	9,997	11,248
Non-U.S. withholding tax	1,726	1,606
Deferred tax liabilities	421,175	476,713
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net	309,033	347,334
non-U.S. [Member]
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities [Line Items]
Capital loss carryforwards	3,609	2,336
Non-U.S. income tax loss carryforwards	15,900
Valuation allowance	(9,900)
U.S. Federal [Member]
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities [Line Items]
U.S. Federal income tax loss carryforwards	2,100
U.S Federal foreign income tax credit carryforwards	987	2,522
State [Member]
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities [Line Items]
State income tax loss carryforwards	34,100
Capital loss carryforwards	1,093	0
Valuation allowance	(22,200)
Pension Plan [Member]
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities [Line Items]
Prepaid pension cost	$ 269,412	$ 283,604

Income Taxes (Operating Loss Carryforwards) (Details 5) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	$ 698.9
U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	9.9
2019 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	1.8
2019 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	3.3
2020 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	15.5
2020 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	3.3
2021 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	17.1
2021 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	1.1
2022 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	0.3
2022 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	0.9
2023 [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	5.0
2023 [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	0.4
2024 and after [Member] \| State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to expire	659.2
2024 and after [Member] \| U.S. Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax loss carryforwards to be fully utilized	$ 0.9

Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Valluation Allowances) (Details 6) - Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 48,742	$ 41,319	$ 69,545
Tax Expense and Revaluation	4,413	7,423	4,709
Deductions	(20,035)	0	(32,935)
Balance at End of Period	$ 33,120	$ 48,742	$ 41,319

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefits Rollforward) (Details 7) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Beginning unrecognized tax benefits	$ 17,331	$ 17,331	$ 17,331
Increases related to current year tax positions	0	0	0
Increases related to prior year tax positions	500	0	0
Decrease related to prior year tax positions	(12,187)	0	0
Decreases related to settlement with tax authorities	0	0	0
Decreases due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(3,161)	0	0
Ending unrecognized tax benefits	$ 2,483	$ 17,331	$ 17,331

Debt (Narrative) (Details)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 29, 2018

USD ($)

May 30, 2018

USD ($)

Jul. 14, 2016

GBP (£)

Jun. 30, 2018

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2018

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2018

USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2018

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2017

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2017

USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2017

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2016

USD ($)

Jul. 25, 2016

GBP (£)

Debt extinguishment costs

$ 0

$ (11,378,000)

$ 0

$ (11,378,000)

$ 0

Average borrowings outstanding

$ 517,200,000

$ 493,200,000

Weighted average interest rate of borrowings

5.60%

6.30%

$ (32,549,000)

$ (27,305,000)

(32,297,000)

Interest income

1,469,000

611,000

1,901,000

1,372,000

$ 3,184,000

$ 861,000

$ 1,173,000

$ 1,363,000

5,353,000

6,581,000

3,093,000

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

$ 6,531,000

$ 6,135,000

$ 17,165,000

$ 8,071,000

$ 8,103,000

$ 8,619,000

$ 9,035,000

$ 8,129,000

$ 37,902,000

$ 33,886,000

35,390,000

Redemption of notes outstanding

Interest rate

7.25%

$ 400,000,000

Debt extinguishment costs

$ 11,400,000

Fair value of debt instrument

$ 414,700,000

Carrying value of debt instrument

$ 0

$ 399,507,000

$ 0

$ 399,507,000

Other Indebtedness [Member]

5.75% Unsecured Notes due June 1, 2026 [Member]

Interest rate

2.00%

Maturity year

Dec. 31, 2026

Debt instrument, face amount

$ 5,300,000

Interest rate

5.75%

$ 400,000,000

Fair value of debt instrument

406,700,000

Carrying value of debt instrument

^[1]

394,675,000

$ 0

394,675,000

$ 0

Kaplan Four Year Credit Agreement Dated July 14, 2016 [Member]

200,000

400,000

200,000

400,000

Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement Dated June 29, 2015 [Member]

^[2]

82,366,000

93,671,000

82,366,000

93,671,000

Five-Year Credit Agreement dated May 30, 2018 [Member]

$ 0

Credit facility current borrowing capacity

$ 300,000,000

Debt covenant net leverage ratio, maximum

$ 0

3.5

Debt covenant interest coverage ratio, minimum

3.5

Debt Instrument, Term

5 years

Multicurrency $100 million portion of revolver [Member]

Credit facility current borrowing capacity

$ 100,000,000

USD $200 million portion of revolver [Member]

Credit facility current borrowing capacity

$ 200,000,000

Minimum [Member] | Five-Year Credit Agreement dated May 30, 2018 [Member]

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.15%

Maximum [Member] | Five-Year Credit Agreement dated May 30, 2018 [Member]

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.25%

Eurodollar [Member] | Five-Year Credit Agreement dated May 30, 2018 [Member]

Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member] | Five-Year Credit Agreement dated May 30, 2018 [Member]

1.00%

Education [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]

0.50%

Derivative, Notional Amount | £

£ 75,000,000

Interest rate swap percentage rate

2.01%

Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate

0.51%

Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.50%

Education [Member] | Kaplan Four Year Credit Agreement Dated July 14, 2016 [Member]

Credit facility current borrowing capacity | £

£ 75,000,000

Line of Credit | £

£ 75,000,000

Debt covenant net leverage ratio, maximum

3.5

Debt covenant interest coverage ratio, minimum

3.5

Debt Instrument, Term

4 years

Education [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Kaplan Four Year Credit Agreement Dated July 14, 2016 [Member]

Education [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Kaplan Four Year Credit Agreement Dated July 14, 2016 [Member]

1.25%

Debt Instrument, Redemption, First Anniversary [Member] | Education [Member] | Kaplan Four Year Credit Agreement Dated July 14, 2016 [Member]

1.75%

Debt Instrument Price Percentage Of Outstanding Balance Redeemed

6.66%

Debt Instrument, Redemption, Second Anniversary [Member] | Education [Member] | Kaplan Four Year Credit Agreement Dated July 14, 2016 [Member]

Debt Instrument Price Percentage Of Outstanding Balance Redeemed

6.66%

Debt Instrument, Redemption, Third Anniversary [Member] | Education [Member] | Kaplan Four Year Credit Agreement Dated July 14, 2016 [Member]

Debt Instrument Price Percentage Of Outstanding Balance Redeemed

6.66%

Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member]

Interest income

$ 2,300,000

Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member] | Graham Healthcare Group [Member]

$ 2,700,000

$ 6,200,000

[1]	The carrying value is net of $5.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2018.
[2]	The carrying value is net of $0.2 million and $0.4 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Debt (Details 1) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

5.75% Unsecured Notes due June 1, 2026 [Member]

Other indebtedness

$ 96

$ 109

Total Debt

477,137

493,287

Less: current portion

(6,360)

(6,726)

Total Long-Term Debt

470,777

486,561

Unsecured notes

^[1]

394,675

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

5,300

Kaplan Four Year Credit Agreement Dated July 14, 2016 [Member]

Unsecured notes

399,507

^[2]

82,366

93,671

$ 200

$ 400

[1]	The carrying value is net of $5.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2018.
[2]	The carrying value is net of $0.2 million and $0.4 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Gains on cost method investments	$ 3,200	$ 8,500								$ 11,663	$ 0	$ 0
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	$ 0	$ 8,109	$ 0	$ 0	$ 78	$ 312	$ 9,224	$ 0		$ 8,109	9,614	1,603
Impairment of cost method investment											$ (200)	(29,365)
Vocational School Company [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of cost method investment					$ (12,000)				$ (15,000)			$ (27,000)

Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Assets

$ 75,500

$ 217,600

496,390

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

536,315

Assets

^[1]

75,500

217,628

^[2]

496,390

^[2]

536,315

^[3]

18,191

20,838

^[4]

369

590,450

774,781

^[5]

36,080

43,414

^[6]

244

^[7]

10,331

Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

53,989

Assets

^[1]

^[2]

496,390

^[2]

536,315

^[3]

11,203

9,831

^[4]

507,593

546,146

^[5]

^[6]

^[7]

Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Assets

^[1]

75,500

217,628

^[2]

^[2]

^[3]

6,988

11,007

^[4]

369

82,857

228,635

^[5]

$ 36,080

43,414

^[6]

244

^[7]

Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

43,658

Assets

^[1]

^[2]

^[3]

^[5]

^[6]

^[7]

10,331

$ 10,331

[1]	The Company’s money market investments are included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and the value considers the liquidity of the counterparty.
[2]	The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are held in common shares of U.S. corporations that are actively traded on U.S. stock exchanges. Price quotes for these shares are readily available. Investments in marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale in 2017 prior to the adoption of the new accounting guidance (see Note 2).
[3]	Includes U.S. Government Securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds and time deposits. 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 fair value hierarchy
[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 Graham Holdings Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan and supplemental savings plan benefits under the Graham Holdings Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which are included in accrued compensation and related benefits. These plans measure the market value of a participant’s balance in a notional investment account that is comprised primarily of mutual funds, which are based on observable market prices. However, since the deferred compensation obligations are not exchanged in an active market, they are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on deferred compensation are included in operating income.
[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]	The fair value of the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest is based on an EBITDA multiple, adjusted for working capital and other items, which approximates fair value.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized	$ 259.2
Test Preparation [Member] \| Long-term Contract with Customer [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 5.6
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Percentage of Revenue Expected to be Recognized Over Next 12 Months	81.00%
Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of Revenue	80.00%
Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of Revenue	20.00%
U.S. [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of Revenue	76.00%
Non U.S. [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of Revenue	24.00%

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Disaggregation of Revenue) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 2,695,966	$ 2,591,846	$ 2,481,890
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(100)	(51)	(139)
Kaplan International [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	719,982	697,999	696,362
Higher Education [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	342,085	431,425	501,784
Test Preparation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	256,102	273,298	286,556
Professional (U.S.) [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	134,187	115,839	115,263
Kaplan Corporate and Other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	1,142	294	214
Education Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(2,483)	(2,079)	(1,718)
Education [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	1,451,015	1,516,776	1,598,461
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	505,549	409,916	409,718
Manufacturing [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	487,619	414,193	241,604
Health Care [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	149,275	154,202	146,962
SocialCode [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	58,728	62,077	58,851
Other Businesses [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 43,880	$ 34,733	$ 26,433

Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Contract Liability) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue	$ 311,214	$ 342,640
Deferred Revenue, Period Decrease Percentage	(9.00%)

Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Capitalized Contract Cost) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract Costs Capitalized During the Period	$ 55,664
Costs amortized during the period	(49,284)
Change in Capitalized Contract Cost, Other	(1,112)
Balance of costs to obtain a contract	$ 21,311	$ 16,043

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019	Feb. 25, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 09, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cost of shares repurchased by company			$ 118,030,000	$ 50,770,000	$ 108,948,000
Shares subject to award outstanding			32,200	51,575
Number of shares forfeited due to modification			5,475
Number of shares awarded in 2019			375
Exercised, Number of Shares			588
Number of shares granted			0
Stock options outstanding			184,932	185,520
Dividends declared per common share			$ 5.32	$ 5.08	$ 4.84
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares excluded from earnings per share			2,650	5,250	5,450
Kaplan Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercised, Number of Shares			0	0	0
Number of shares granted			0	0	0
Stock options outstanding			0
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares excluded from earnings per share			104,000	104,000	102,000
Maximum [Member] \| Kaplan Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			5 years
Minimum [Member] \| Kaplan Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			4 years
Education [Member] \| Kaplan Stock Option and Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 500,000	$ 1,200,000	$ 600,000
Accrual balance related to stock based compensation			11,300,000
Stock compensation payouts			$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
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			199,023	88,361	229,498
Cost of shares repurchased by company			$ 118,000,000	$ 50,800,000	$ 108,900,000
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased						500,000
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased remaining under previous authorization						163,237
Authorized shares remaining for repurchase			273,655
Market value of company's stock			$ 640.58
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share awards outstanding, restriction will lapse in 2019			18,500
Share awards outstanding, restriction will lapse in 2020			250
Share awards outstanding, restriction will lapse in 2021			13,450
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 4,400,000	8,100,000	11,000,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense			$ 3,600,000
Years over which cost expected to be recognized			11 months 4 days
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 2,000,000	$ 2,000,000	$ 2,400,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense			$ 4,400,000
Years over which cost expected to be recognized			2 years 3 months 18 days
Options outstanding exercisable now			145,138
Options outstanding exercisable in 2019			17,333
Options outstanding exercisable in 2020			17,334
Options outstanding exercisable in 2021			4,459
Options outstanding exercisable in 2022			333
Options outstanding exercisable in 2023			335
Intrinsic value of options outstanding			$ 25,800,000
Intrinsic value of options exercisable			25,800,000
Intrinsic value of options unvested			$ 0
Options unvested, shares			39,794	57,126
Options unvested, average exercise price			$ 770.29	$ 770.67
Options unvested, weighted average remaining contractual term, years			6 years 3 months 18 days	7 years 2 months 12 days
Exercised, Number of Shares			588	3,476	4,726
Intrinsic value of options exercised			$ 200,000	$ 700,000	$ 1,200,000
Tax benefit from stock option exercises			$ 100,000	$ 300,000	$ 500,000
Weighted average fair value, granted options				$ 120.47
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares awarded in 2019		16,665
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| 2003 Employee Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for stock awards granted under the plan			1,900,000
Shares reserved for issuance			79,001
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| 2003 Employee Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			10 years
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| 2003 Employee Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			6 years
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] \| Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for stock awards granted under the plan			772,588
Shares reserved for issuance			575,208
Shares subject to award outstanding			138,131
Shares available for future awards			437,077
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] \| 2017 Options Granted [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period				6 years
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			10 years
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			6 years
Kaplan Restricted Stock [Member] \| Senior Manager [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares subject to award outstanding			7,206
Kaplan Restricted Stock [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of company common stock	$ 1,575
Exercise Price Above Fair Market Value Of Common Stock [Member] \| Class B Common Stock [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares granted			0	2,000	0

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Stock Awards Rollforward) (Details 1)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year, unvested, Number of Shares \| shares	51,575
Awarded, Number of Shares \| shares	375
Vested, Number of Shares \| shares	(14,275)
Forfeited, Number of Shares \| shares	(5,475)
End of year, unvested, Number of Shares \| shares	32,200
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning of year, Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 744.07
Awarded, Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	875.40
Vested, Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	694.81
Forfeited, Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	863.21
End of year, Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 747.18

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Stock Options Rollforward) (Details 2) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning, Number of Shares	185,520
Granted, Number of Shares	0
Exercised, Number of Shares	(588)
Expired or forfeited, Number of Shares	0
End, Number of Shares	184,932	185,520
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Beginning, Average Option Price (in dollars per share)	$ 565.65
Granted, Average Option Price (in dollars per share)	0.00
Exercised, Average Option Price (in dollars per share)	281.18
Expired or forfeited, Average Option Price (in dollars per share)	0.00
End, Average Option Price (in dollars per share)	$ 566.55	$ 565.65
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Common Class B [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Exercised, Number of Shares	(588)	(3,476)	(4,726)

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Options Outstanding and Exercisable) (Details 3) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding	184,932	185,520
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	4 years 4 months 24 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 566.55	$ 565.65
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable	145,138
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	3 years 10 months 24 days
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 510.69
Exercise Price Range of $244-$276 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Low Exercise Price Range	244
High Exercise Price Range	$ 276
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding	3,674
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 6 months
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 259.19
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable	3,674
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 6 months
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 259.19
Exercise Price $325 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Low Exercise Price Range	$ 325
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding	77,258
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 1 month 6 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 325.26
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable	77,258
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 1 month 6 days
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 325.26
Exercise Price $719 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Low Exercise Price Range	$ 719
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding	77,258
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	5 years 9 months 18 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 719.15
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable	51,504
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	5 years 9 months 18 days
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 719.15
Exercise Price Range of $805-$872 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Low Exercise Price Range	805
High Exercise Price Range	$ 872
Options Outstanding, Shares Outstanding	26,742
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 865.02
Options Exercisable, Shares Exercisable	12,702
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 10 months 24 days
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 866.03

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Fair Value Assumptions) (Details 4)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life (in years)	8 years
Interest rate	2.28%
Volatility (percentage)	26.93%
Dividend yield	0.85%

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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$ 56,685	$ 125,064	$ 46,566	$ 42,891	$ 214,178	$ 24,784	$ 41,996	$ 21,086	$ 271,206	$ 302,044	$ 168,590
Less: Dividends paid–common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares									(28,617)	(28,329)	(27,325)
Undistributed earnings									$ 242,589	$ 273,715	$ 141,265
Percent allocated to common stockholders									99.39%	99.06%	98.79%
Undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders									$ 241,115	$ 271,150	$ 139,562
Add: Dividends paid–common stock outstanding									28,423	28,060	26,962
Numerator for basic earnings per share									269,538	299,210	166,524
Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options									10	17	9
Numerator for diluted earnings per share									$ 269,548	$ 299,227	$ 166,533
Basic average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	5,270	5,302	5,325	5,436	5,473	5,518	5,539	5,535	5,333	5,516	5,559
Denominator for diluted earnings per share (shares)									5,370	5,552	5,589
Basic net income per common share (in usd per share)	$ 10.69	$ 23.43	$ 8.69	$ 7.84	$ 38.76	$ 4.45	$ 7.51	$ 3.77	$ 50.55	$ 54.24	$ 29.95
Income Per Share From Continuing Operations To Common Stockholders [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 10.61	$ 23.28	$ 8.63	$ 7.78	$ 38.52	$ 4.42	$ 7.46	$ 3.75	$ 50.20	$ 53.89	$ 29.80
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Add: Effect of dilutive stock options (shares)									37	36	30

Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options (Antidilutive Shares) (Details 6) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Capital Stock, Stock Awards, and Stock Options [Abstract]
Antidilutive Restricted Stock	23	30	40

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Narrative) (Details)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Pension and Postretirement Plans (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Investment companies	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Investment companies	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Investment	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) multiemployer_plan Investment companies	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) multiemployer_plan Investment	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) multiemployer_plan
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement and special separation benefit program expense							$ 0	$ 1,825,000	$ 0
Expense associated with the retirement benefits provided under incentive savings plans							$ 8,600,000	$ 7,500,000	$ 7,500,000
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of multiemployer plans contributed to \| multiemployer_plan							1	1	1
Contributions to multiemployer pension plans							$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement and special separation benefit program expense							0	1,825,000	0
Settlement		$ 26,900,000			$ 18,000,000		26,917,000	0	17,993,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 1,097,300,000	1,097,300,000	$ 1,261,800,000				1,097,300,000	1,261,800,000
Company contributions							0	0
Estimated employer contributions in next fiscal year	$ 0	$ 0					0
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit) for the Year							(74,031,000)	(59,039,000)	(49,104,000)
Curtailment							$ 806,000	$ 0	0
Percent of Plan Assets Managed Internally by Company							46.00%
Percent Of Plan Assets Managed By Investment Companies							54.00%
Number of investment companies actively managing plan assets \| companies	2	2					2
Percentage of total plan assets	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%				100.00%	100.00%
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 102,200,000	$ 102,200,000	$ 108,000,000				$ 102,200,000	$ 108,000,000
Company contributions							5,694,000	5,576,000
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Company contributions							782,000	879,000
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit) for the Year							(3,679,000)	(2,232,000)	779,000
Curtailment							$ 3,380,000	$ 0	$ 0
Discount rate to determine benefit obligation	3.69%	3.69%	3.11%				3.69%	3.11%
Discount rate to determine periodic cost	4.04%					3.11%		3.31%	3.45%
Other Postretirement Plans [Member] \| Pre-Age 65 [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed health care cost trend rate	7.41%	7.41%					7.41%
Direction of change for assumed health care cost trend rate							decreasing
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.50%	4.50%					4.50%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate							2026
Other Postretirement Plans [Member] \| Post-Age 65 [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed health care cost trend rate	7.96%	7.96%					7.96%
Direction of change for assumed health care cost trend rate							decreasing
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.50%	4.50%					4.50%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate							2026
Other Postretirement Plans [Member] \| Medicare Advantage [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed health care cost trend rate	12.74%	12.74%					12.74%
Direction of change for assumed health care cost trend rate							decreasing
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	4.50%	4.50%					4.50%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate							2028
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%
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	$ 945,600,000	$ 945,600,000	$ 1,079,300,000				$ 945,600,000	$ 1,079,300,000
Percentage of total plan assets	45.00%	45.00%	46.00%				45.00%	46.00%
Single Equity Concentration [Member] \| Equity securities [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of investments the company's pension plan held which individually exceed 10% of total plan assets \| Investment	1	1	1				1	1
Single Equity Concentration [Member] \| Equity funds [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of investments the company's pension plan held which individually exceed 10% of total plan assets \| Investment	1	1	1				1	1
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Total [Member] \| 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%
Separation Incentive Program [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member] \| Forney [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement and special separation benefit program expense				$ 900,000
Education [Member] \| Separation Incentive Program [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement and special separation benefit program expense			$ 900,000
Maximum [Member] \| Foreign Investments [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage of assets	23.00%	23.00%					23.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Fixed income securities [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Retirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage of assets	10.00%	10.00%					10.00%

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Obligation, Asset, and Funding Information) (Details 1) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at begining of year	$ 1,286,694,000	$ 1,160,897,000
Service cost	18,221,000	18,687,000	$ 20,461,000
Interest cost	46,787,000	47,925,000	51,608,000
Amendments	7,183,000	75,000
Actuarial (gain) loss	(81,851,000)	73,191,000
Acquisitions	0	58,600,000
Benefits paid	(63,852,000)	(74,506,000)
Special termination benefits	0	1,825,000
Curtailment	(836,000)	0
Settlement	(95,777,000)	0
Benefit obligation at end of year	1,116,569,000	1,286,694,000	1,160,897,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	2,343,471,000	2,042,490,000
Actual return on plan assets	(63,715,000)	375,487,000
Employer contributions	0	0
Benefits paid	(63,852,000)	(74,506,000)
Settlement	(95,777,000)	0
Fair value of assets at end of year	2,120,127,000	2,343,471,000	2,042,490,000
Funded status	1,003,558,000	1,056,777,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at begining of year	110,082,000	106,526,000
Service cost	819,000	858,000	985,000
Interest cost	3,865,000	4,233,000	4,384,000
Amendments	1,028,000	0
Actuarial (gain) loss	(7,552,000)	4,041,000
Benefits paid	(5,694,000)	(5,576,000)
Benefit obligation at end of year	102,548,000	110,082,000	106,526,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions	5,694,000	5,576,000
Benefits paid	(5,694,000)	(5,576,000)
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status	(102,548,000)	(110,082,000)
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at begining of year	22,785,000	24,171,000
Service cost	892,000	1,028,000	1,386,000
Interest cost	620,000	779,000	1,230,000
Amendments	(12,473,000)	0
Actuarial (gain) loss	(2,519,000)	(2,830,000)
Acquisitions	0	516,000
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy	(782,000)	(879,000)
Benefit obligation at end of year	8,523,000	22,785,000	24,171,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions	782,000	879,000
Benefits paid, net of Medicare subsidy	(782,000)	(879,000)
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status	$ (8,523,000)	$ (22,785,000)

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Consolidated Balance Sheet) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Noncurrent asset	$ 1,003,558	$ 1,056,777
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Noncurrent asset	1,003,558	1,056,777
Current liability	0	0
Noncurrent liability	0	0
Recognized asset (liability)	1,003,558	1,056,777
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Noncurrent asset	0	0
Current liability	(6,321)	(5,838)
Noncurrent liability	(96,227)	(104,244)
Recognized asset (liability)	(102,548)	(110,082)
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current liability	(1,399)	(1,920)
Noncurrent liability	(7,124)	(20,865)
Recognized asset (liability)	$ (8,523)	$ (22,785)

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Key Assumptions - Obligation) (Details 3) - Benefit Obligation [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	4.30%	3.60%
Cash balance interest crediting rate	3.50%	2.23%
Ultimate cash balance interest crediting rate	4.30%	3.00%
Year that reaches ultimate cash balance interest crediting rate	2021	2020
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	4.30%	3.60%
Cash balance interest crediting rate	0.00%	0.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Rate of compensation increase (percent)	5.00%	5.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Rate of compensation increase (percent)	5.00%	5.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Rate of compensation increase (percent)	1.00%	1.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Rate of compensation increase (percent)	1.00%	1.00%

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Future Estimated Benefit Payments) (Details 4) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2019	$ 76,245
2020	76,715
2021	75,956
2022	75,909
2023	75,389
2024-2028	367,130
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2019	6,456
2020	6,743
2021	6,946
2022	7,078
2023	7,149
2024-2028	35,656
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2019	1,399
2020	1,273
2021	1,083
2022	1,015
2023	856
2024-2028	$ 2,308

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Total Benefit/Cost) (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Early retirement programs and special separation benefit expense			$ 0	$ 1,825	$ 0
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year			18,221	18,687	20,461
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Current year actuarial gain (loss)			101,013	(179,674)	133,915
Current year prior service cost			(4,262)	75	0
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)			947	(477)	(419)
Recognized net actuarial gain (loss)			11,349	6,527	(1,157)
Curtailments and settlements			30,267	0	17,993
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)			139,314	(173,549)	150,332
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost			18,221	18,687	20,461
Interest cost			46,787	47,925	51,608
Expected return on assets			(129,220)	(121,411)	(121,470)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			150	170	297
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)			(9,969)	(4,410)	0
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit) for the Year			(74,031)	(59,039)	(49,104)
Curtailment			(806)	0	0
Settlement	$ (26,900)	$ (18,000)	(26,917)	0	(17,993)
Early retirement programs and special separation benefit expense			0	1,825	0
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year			(101,754)	(57,214)	(67,097)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Current year actuarial gain (loss)			111,084	(180,885)	147,779
Current year prior service cost			7,183	75	0
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)			(150)	(170)	(297)
Recognized net actuarial gain (loss)			9,969	4,410	0
Curtailments and settlements			26,887	0	17,993
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)			154,973	(176,570)	165,475
Total Recognized in Total (Benefit) Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)			53,219	(233,784)	98,378
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost			819	858	985
Interest cost			3,865	4,233	4,384
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			311	455	457
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)			2,403	1,774	2,659
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year			7,398	7,320	8,485
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Current year actuarial gain (loss)			(7,552)	4,041	1,120
Current year prior service cost			1,028	0	0
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)			(311)	(455)	(457)
Recognized net actuarial gain (loss)			(2,403)	(1,774)	(2,659)
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)			(9,238)	1,812	(1,996)
Total Recognized in Total (Benefit) Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)			(1,840)	9,132	6,489
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost			892	1,028	1,386
Interest cost			620	779	1,230
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			(1,408)	(148)	(335)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)			(3,783)	(3,891)	(1,502)
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit) for the Year			(3,679)	(2,232)	779
Curtailment			(3,380)	0	0
Total Cost (Benefit) for the Year			(7,059)	(2,232)	779
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Current year actuarial gain (loss)			(2,519)	(2,830)	(14,984)
Current year prior service cost			(12,473)	0	0
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)			1,408	148	335
Recognized net actuarial gain (loss)			3,783	3,891	1,502
Curtailments and settlements			3,380	0	0
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)			(6,421)	1,209	(13,147)
Total Recognized in Total (Benefit) Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Before Tax Effects)			$ (13,480)	$ (1,023)	$ (12,368)

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Key Assumptions - Cost) (Details 6) - Periodic Cost [Member]

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 23, 2018

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2018

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Pension Plans [Member]

Expected return on plan assets (percent)

Discount rate (percent)

3.60%

4.00%

4.10%

4.30%

6.25%

6.50%

Cash balance interest crediting rate

4.00%

2.23%

1.57%

1.41%

Ultimate cash balance interest crediting rate

3.00%

Year that reaches ultimate cash balance interest crediting rate

2020

2019

Pension Plans [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Pension Plans [Member] | Maximum [Member]

1.00%

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]

5.00%

Expected return on plan assets (percent)

Discount rate (percent)

3.60%

4.10%

4.30%

0.00%

Cash balance interest crediting rate

4.00%

0.00%

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member] | Maximum [Member]

1.00%

5.00%

[1]

As a result of the Kaplan University transaction, the Company remeasured the accumulated and projected benefit obligation of the pension plan as of March 22, 2018. The remeasurement changed the discount rate from 3.6% for the period January 1 to March 23, 2018 to 4.0% for the period after March 23, 2018.

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details 7) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net amount	$ (232,836)	$ (334,536)
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	(313,809)	(461,779)
Unrecognized prior service cost	7,273	270
Gross amount	(306,536)	(461,509)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	82,765	124,607
Net amount	(223,771)	(336,902)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	17,270	27,225
Unrecognized prior service cost	1,037	320
Gross amount	18,307	27,545
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(4,943)	(7,437)
Net amount	13,364	20,108
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	(22,861)	(24,125)
Unrecognized prior service cost	(7,863)	(178)
Gross amount	(30,724)	(24,303)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	8,295	6,561
Net amount	$ (22,429)	$ (17,742)

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Asset Allocation) (Details 8) - Pension Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Allocation (Percent)	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Allocation (Percent)	53.00%	53.00%
U.S. stock index fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Allocation (Percent)	28.00%	30.00%
U.S. fixed income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Allocation (Percent)	13.00%	11.00%
International equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Allocation (Percent)	6.00%	6.00%

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets) (Details 9) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	$ 2,120,127	$ 2,343,471	$ 2,042,490
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	2,120,127	2,343,471
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	271,612	255,515
U.S. equities \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	1,115,323	1,242,139
International equities \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	131,912	138,640
U.S. stock index fund [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	601,395	706,202
Total investments [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	2,120,242	2,342,496
Receivables (Payables) for settlement of investments purchased, net [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	(115)	975
Level 1 [Member] \| Cash equivalents and other short-term investments [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	2,068	73,877
Level 1 [Member] \| U.S. equities \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	1,115,323	1,242,139
Level 1 [Member] \| International equities \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	131,912	138,640
Level 1 [Member] \| U.S. stock index fund [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| Total investments [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	1,249,303	1,454,656
Level 2 [Member] \| Cash equivalents and other short-term investments [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	269,544	181,638
Level 2 [Member] \| U.S. equities \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| International equities \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| U.S. stock index fund [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| Total investments [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	269,544	181,638
Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	601,395	706,202	$ 622,865
Level 3 [Member] \| Cash equivalents and other short-term investments [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 3 [Member] \| U.S. equities \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 3 [Member] \| International equities \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	0	0
Level 3 [Member] \| U.S. stock index fund [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	601,395	706,202
Level 3 [Member] \| Total investments [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	$ 601,395	$ 706,202

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Reconciliation of Change in Pension Plan Assets Fair Value Using Level 3 Inputs) (Details 10) - Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$ 706,202	$ 622,865
Purchases, sales and settlements, net	(80,000)	(50,000)
Gains relating to assets sold	2,819	6,796
(Losses) gains relating to assets still held at year-end	(27,626)	126,541
Fair value of assets at end of year	$ 601,395	$ 706,202

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) business	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule of Non-Operating (Expense) Income [Line Items]
Loss on Guarantor Lease Obligations											$ 17,518	$ 0	$ 0
Gains on cost method investments		$ 3,200	$ 8,500								11,663	0	0
Net gain (loss) on sales of businesses											8,157	(569)	18,931
Impairment of cost method investment												200	29,365
Net gain on sale of property, plant and equipment							$ 34,100				2,539	0	34,072
Gain on formation of a joint venture											0	$ 0	3,232
Sale Of KHE Campuses Business [Member]
Schedule of Non-Operating (Expense) Income [Line Items]
Loss on Guarantor Lease Obligations									$ 17,500		17,500
Education [Member]
Schedule of Non-Operating (Expense) Income [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) on sales of businesses											$ 8,200
Number Of Businesses Disposed \| business											3
Residential Healthcare Group Inc [Member] \| Residential And Michigan Hospital Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Non-Operating (Expense) Income [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of investment in affiliate	40.00%						40.00%
Gain on formation of a joint venture	$ 3,200
Vocational School Company [Member]
Schedule of Non-Operating (Expense) Income [Line Items]
Impairment of cost method investment					$ 12,000	$ 15,000							$ 27,000
Higher Education [Member] \| Education [Member] \| Kaplan University Transaction [Member]
Schedule of Non-Operating (Expense) Income [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) on sales of businesses				$ 4,300							$ 4,300
Gain Related to Contingent Consideration										$ 1,900	$ 1,900
Kaplan Corporate and Other [Member] \| Colloquy [Member] \| Education [Member]
Schedule of Non-Operating (Expense) Income [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) on sales of businesses								$ 18,900

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Loss on guarantor obligations										$ (17,518)	$ 0	$ 0
Net gain on cost method investments	$ 3,200	$ 8,500								11,663	0	0
Net gain (loss) on sales of businesses										8,157	(569)	18,931
Foreign currency (loss) gain, net										(3,844)	3,310	(39,890)
Gain on sale of cost method investments										2,845	16	794
Impairment of cost method investments										(2,697)
Impairment of cost method investment											(200)	(29,365)
Net gain on sale of property, plant and equipment									$ 34,100	2,539	0	34,072
Gain on formation of a joint venture										0	0	3,232
Net losses on sales or write-down of marketable equity securities										0	0	(1,791)
Other, net										958	1,684	1,375
Other income (expense), net	$ (12,559)	$ 3,142	$ 2,333	$ 9,187	$ (2,640)	$ 1,963	$ 4,069	$ 849		$ 2,103	$ 4,241	$ (12,642)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Components of OCI) (Details 1) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

$ (174,347)

$ 319,059

$ (115,429)

37,510

(90,923)

37,235

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]

(136,837)

228,136

(78,194)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax

33,175

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax

(35,584)

33,175

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax

137

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax

137

(35,584)

33,312

(22,149)

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available- for- Sale Securities [Member]

(35,584)

33,312

(22,149)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax

55,507

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax

(22,203)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax

67,252

33,304

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax

1,879

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax

(752)

1,127

112,086

57,386

(44,834)

(22,955)

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

67,252

34,431

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax

(70,629)

131,108

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax

(42,563)

(6,050)

(16,417)

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax

11,492

2,421

6,567

(31,071)

(3,629)

(9,850)

(139,314)

173,549

(150,332)

37,614

(46,070)

60,133

Net Actuarial Loss [Member]

(101,700)

127,479

(90,199)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax

(101,013)

179,674

(133,915)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax

27,273

(48,511)

53,566

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax

(73,740)

131,163

(80,349)

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax

^[1]

(11,349)

(6,527)

1,157

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax

3,064

2,612

(463)

(8,285)

(3,915)

694

Net Prior Service Cost [Member]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax

4,262

(75)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax

(1,151)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax

3,111

(55)

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax

^[1]

(947)

477

419

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax

256

(191)

(167)

(691)

286

252

Curtailments and settlements Included in Net Income [Member]

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax

^[1]

(30,267)

(17,993)

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax

8,172

7,197

(22,095)

(10,796)

Cash Flow Hedge

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax

579

(29)

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax

(132)

122

551

112

(334)

(104)

(19)

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

$ 447

$ 93

$ (277)

[1]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement plan cost (see Note 14) and are included in non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI balances) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
As of	$ 2,915,145	$ 2,452,941	$ 2,490,698
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	(136,837)	228,136	(78,194)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings as a result of tax reform		0
As of	2,916,782	2,915,145	2,452,941
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
As of	535,555	236,486
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as a result of adoption of new guidance	(194,889)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(105,634)	231,506
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(31,203)	(3,370)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	(136,837)	228,136
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings as a result of tax reform		70,933
As of	203,829	535,555	236,486
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
As of	6,314	(26,998)
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as a result of adoption of new guidance	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(35,584)	33,175
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	137
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	(35,584)	33,312	(22,149)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings as a result of tax reform		0
As of	(29,270)	6,314	(26,998)
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available- for- Sale Securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
As of	194,889	92,931
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as a result of adoption of new guidance	(194,889)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	0	67,252	33,304
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	1,127
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	0	67,252	34,431
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings as a result of tax reform		34,706
As of	0	194,889	92,931
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Pensions and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
As of	334,536	170,830
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as a result of adoption of new guidance	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(70,629)	131,108
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(31,071)	(3,629)	(9,850)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	(101,700)	127,479	(90,199)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings as a result of tax reform		36,227
As of	232,836	334,536	170,830
Cash Flow Hedge
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
As of	(184)	(277)
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as a result of adoption of new guidance	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	579	(29)
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(132)	122
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax	447	93	(277)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings as a result of tax reform		0
As of	$ 263	$ (184)	$ (277)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Reclassifications out of AOCI) (Details 3) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Sep. 30, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Other (expense) income, net

$ 12,559

$ (3,142)

$ (2,333)

$ (9,187)

$ 2,640

$ (1,963)

$ (4,069)

$ (849)

$ (2,103)

$ (4,241)

$ 12,642

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

6,531

6,135

17,165

8,071

8,103

8,619

9,035

8,129

37,902

33,886

35,390

12,400

10,000

16,100

13,600

(159,700)

13,400

23,900

2,700

52,100

(119,700)

81,200

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

$ (56,738)

$ (125,070)

$ (46,635)

$ (42,965)

$ (214,560)

$ (24,844)

$ (41,999)

$ (21,086)

(271,408)

(302,489)

(169,458)

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]

(31,203)

(3,370)

(8,710)

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

137

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

137

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Other (expense) income, net

137

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available- for- Sale Securities [Member]

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

1,879

(752)

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available- for- Sale Securities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

1,127

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Other (expense) income, net

1,879

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

(752)

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

1,127

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

(42,563)

(6,050)

(16,417)

11,492

2,421

6,567

Net Actuarial Loss [Member]

(31,071)

(3,629)

(9,850)

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

^[1]

(11,349)

(6,527)

1,157

3,064

2,612

(463)

Net Prior Service Cost [Member]

(8,285)

(3,915)

694

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

^[1]

(947)

477

419

256

(191)

(167)

Curtailment (Gains) Losses Included in Net Income [Member]

(691)

286

252

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

^[1]

(30,267)

(17,993)

8,172

7,197

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

(22,095)

(10,796)

Cash Flow Hedge

Cash Flow Hedge | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

(132)

122

Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

(163)

152

(30)

(3)