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Sources of Revenue and Other Information by Geographic Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Meeting Fees									$ 937,368	$ 1,181,945	$ 1,360,761
Online Subscription Revenues									349,567	437,385	509,135
In-meeting product sales									127,291	169,101	211,963
Licensing, franchise royalties and other									99,760	128,870	151,399
Net revenue	$ 259,238	$ 273,324	$ 309,754	$ 322,103	$ 327,827	$ 345,184	$ 397,547	$ 409,358	1,164,419	1,479,916	1,724,123
Long-lived assets	58,186				74,650				58,186	74,650	87,052
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									700,972	869,541	1,067,200
Long-lived assets	51,103				67,903				51,103	67,903	79,448
Canada
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									54,277	78,175	95,802
Long-lived assets	2,757				3,149				2,757	3,149	3,070
United Kingdom
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									124,773	156,843	172,783
Long-lived assets	2,938				724				2,938	724	1,192
Continental Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									229,147	298,878	299,403
Long-lived assets	614				1,454				614	1,454	2,083
Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									55,250	76,479	88,935
Long-lived assets	$ 774				$ 1,420				774	1,420	1,259
meeting fees
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Meeting Fees									$ 587,801	$ 744,560	$ 851,626