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Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Base subscription contract term | 1 year |  |
Percentage of retail rate charges to affiliates | 60.00% |  |
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable | $ 4,391,000 | $ 2,452,000 | $ 3,030,000
Impairments on non-marketable investments | 0 | 0 | 0
Depreciation expense | 12,820,000 | 10,770,000 | 8,276,000
Goodwill | 884,449,000 | 788,107,000 | 788,107,000
Impairment charge of indefinite lived intangible asset | 0 |  |
Impairment of long-lived assets hold for continued use | 0 | 0 | 0
Impairment of long-lived assets hold for sale | 0 | 0 | 0
Capitalized software costs | 11,500,000 | 6,900,000 | 5,200,000
Advertising expense | $ 109,200,000 | 104,600,000 | 97,100,000
Swap | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Fixed rate of interest | 2.96% |  |
Notional amount | $ 300,000,000 |  |
TEGNA Inc |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill | 884,000,000 |  |
Investments and Other Assets |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Non-marketable investments | 9,400,000 | 9,400,000 |
Marketing and Sales |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable | $ 4,400,000 | $ 2,500,000 | $ 4,600,000

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