Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable, Gross Accounts receivable Accounts Receivable [Line Items] Accounts Receivable [Line Items] Accounts Receivable [Line Items] Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts Receivable, Net, Total Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts and book returns of $32.7 million and $27.8 million, respectively Accrued Royalties, Current Royalties payable Accrued Salaries, Current Salaries, wages, and commissions payable Accumulated Benefit Obligation [Member] Accumulated Benefit Obligation [Member] Accumulated Benefit Obligation [Member] Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Unrealized gain on short-term investments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Net change in unrealized loss on derivative instruments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Net change in pension and benefit plan liability Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation. Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation [Member] Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation [Member] Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Acquired publication rights and customer-related intangibles, amortization period Acquired publishing rights policy. Acquired Publishing Rights Policy [Text Block] Publishing Rights Acquisition Cost Amortization Period Acquisition Cost Amortization Period Amortization period of acquisition costs Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member] Amortization Amortization expense Adjustments for Error Correction [Domain] Adjustments for Error Correction [Domain] Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued Issuance of common stock for exercise of warrants Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities Advance Royalties, Noncurrent Royalty advances to authors, net Advance royalties. Advance Royalties Policy [Text Block] Royalty Advances Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Advertising Costs and Sample Expenses Advertising Expense Advertising costs Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Allowance for Bad Debt [Member] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable Allowance for bad debt Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accounts receivable, allowance for bad debts and book returns Allowance for Sales Returns [Member] Reserve for Book Returns [Member] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization expense Publishing rights amortization Amortization Of Other Intangible Assets Amortization Of Other Intangible Assets Other intangible asset amortization Amortization Of Pre Publication Costs Amortization Of Pre Publication Costs Pre-publication amortization Anchorage Capital Group Llc [Member] Anchorage Capital Group Llc [Member] Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C [Member] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted EPS Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Asset-backed Securities [Member] Asset-backed Securities [Member] Asset Impairment Charges Impairment of investments Total Impairment Impairment charge for investment in preferred stock, intangible assets, pre-publication costs and fixed assets Impairment charges Asset impairment charges Assets Total Assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Financial assets Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Financial assets Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax Unrealized gains Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax Unrealized losses Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Amortized cost Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities Estimated fair value Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Balance Sheet Details [Line Items] Balance Sheet Details [Line Items] Balance Sheet Details [Line Items] Balance Sheet Details [Table] Balance Sheet Details [Table] Balance Sheet Details [Table] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Bank Time Deposits [Member] Bank Time Deposits [Member] Buildings and equipment. Buildings And Equipment [Member] Building and Building Equipment [Member] Buildings and Improvements, Gross Building and building equipment Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs Transaction cost related to acquisition Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement Business acquisition, date of acquisition agreement Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition Acquisition date Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired Business acquisition, percentage of ownership Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Net loss Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Net sales Business combination allowance for bad debts and book returns. Business Combination Allowance For Bad Debts and Book Returns Allowance for bad debts and book returns Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Business acquisition, purchase price Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred Business acquisition future cash payment Payments of contingent consideration Business combination, consideration transferred placed in escrow for certain indemnification matters, released period. Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Placed In Escrow For Certain Indemnification Matters, Released Period Business acquisition, cash deposited in escrow account Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Consideration Transferred Reduction in purchase price Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets [Abstract] Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets [Abstract] Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents Business acquisitions, cash at closing Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other Business acquisitions, other assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Business combination, recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, current assets, prepublication costs. Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepublication Costs Pre-publication costs Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts and book returns of $2.2 million Business acquisitions, accounts receivable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Royalty Advances to Authors Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Royalty Advances to Authors Royalty advances to authors Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable Business acquisitions, accrued liabilities Accounts payable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other Business acquisitions, other liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill Business acquisitions, other intangible assets Other intangible assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory Inventories Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Total aggregate purchase price of acquisitions Total purchase price Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Other Accruals Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Other Accruals Other accruals Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets Other assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Business acquisitions, property, plant, and equipment Property, plant, and equipment Business combination recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed royalties payable. Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Royalties Payable Royalties payable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net Business acquisitions, goodwill Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block] Basis of Presentation CANADA Canada [Member] Capitalized Computer Software, Gross Capitalized software Capitalized Computer Software, Impairments Impaired amount of software development costs Capitalized software costs. Capitalized Software Costs Policy [Text Block] Capitalized Internal-Use and External-Use Software Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net Property, plant, and equipment acquired under capital lease agreements Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months Future minimum lease payment due under non-cancelable capital lease in 2016 Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years Future minimum lease payment due under non-cancelable capital lease in 2017 Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalent at the end of the period Cash and cash equivalent at the beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents maturity period description. Cash And Cash Equivalents Maturity Period Description Cash and cash equivalents, maturity period Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Change in Accounting Estimate by Type [Axis] Change in Accounting Estimate by Type [Axis] Change in Accounting Estimate, Type [Domain] Change in Accounting Estimate, Type [Domain] Channel one news. Channel One News [Member] Channel One News [Member] Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights Strike price of common stock Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights Common stock equivalents of warrants outstanding Collaboration Arrangement Disclosure [Abstract] Collaboration Arrangement Disclosure [Abstract] Collaboration Arrangement Disclosure [Abstract] Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items] Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items] Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common stock additional capital shares reserved for future issuance. Common Stock Additional Capital Shares Reserved For Future Issuance Common stock additional capital shares reserved for future issuance Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Common stock available for future issuance Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.01 par value: 380,000,000 shares authorized; 145,613,978 and 142,000,019 shares issued at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively; 123,940,510 and 141,917,997 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively Common Stock Warrants [Member] Common Stock Warrants [Member] Common Stock Warrants [Member] Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Line Items] Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Line Items] Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Line Items] Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Table] Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Table] Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Table] Compensation Related Costs [Abstract] Compensation Related Costs [Abstract] Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Income tax expense (benefit) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive Loss Computer Equipment [Member] Capitalized Software [Member] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Number Of Customers Concentration Risk Number Of Customers Concentration risk, number of major customers Concentration Risk, Percentage Consolidated net sales, realized percentage Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract] Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract] Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Income Statement [Table] Condensed Income Statement [Table] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Contingent Liability Related To Surety Bond Contingent Liability Related To Surety Bond Performance related surety bonds for which the Company is contingently liable Corporate and Other [Member] Corporate/other [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Corporate/Other [Member] Cost of Goods and Services Sold, Amortization Amortization of intangible assets, cost of sales Cost of Goods Sold Cost of sales Cost of Goods Sold, Excluding Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Costs and expenses Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Curiosity Ville [Member] Curiosity Ville [Member] Curiosity Ville [Member] Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) U.S.-Federal Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit) Foreign Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total current Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) U.S.-State and other Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member] Customer Related and Other [Member] Customer Relationships [Member] Customer Relationships [Member] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Debt instrument basis spread Debt Instrument, Covenant Description Financial covenants, description Debt Instrument, Date of First Required Payment Principal payment date Debt Instrument, Face Amount Term loan, face amount Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract] Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract] Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract] Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment Repayment frequency Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Debt instrument effective rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease) Reduction in interest rate Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Term loan, due date Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Payment Terms Repayment terms Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Amount to be repaid quarterly Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal Principal Payment, amount Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] Term Loan Due May 21, 2018 [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member] Term Loan Due May 29, 2021 [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage Percentage of principal amount to be repaid quarterly Debt instrument repayment premium percentage. Debt Instrument Repayment Premium Percentage Premium on re-pricing Debt instrument re-pricing period. Debt Instrument Repricing Period Re-pricing period