Credit Agreement Credit Agreement [Member] Represents information related to credit agreement. Return of letters of credit collateral Return of (Payments to collateralize) letters of credit The amount of proceeds from (payments to) collateralize letters of credit. Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Net income (loss) Net (loss) income Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income tax expense (benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect [Abstract] Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Advertising and marketing services Advertising and marketing services revenue Advertising and Marketing Services [Member] Represents the information pertaining to advertising and marketing services. Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Earnings (loss) per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Diluted average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Less accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Principal repayments on long term borrowings due to excess cash flow Principal Repayments On Long Term Borrowings Due To Excess Cash Flow Principal Repayments On Long Term Borrowings Due To Excess Cash Flow Property and equipment, gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Schedule of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Cost (Benefit) Components Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Long-term debt, fair value Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract] Print advertising revenue Print [Member] Represents operating revenue from digital sources. Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Other, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Long-term debt, interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Property and equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Pension and postretirement medical cost (benefit) Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Net income attributable to non-controlling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Accounts receivable, excluding allowance for credit loss Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Subscription Subscription revenue Subscription and Circulation [Member] Impairment Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Curtailment gain Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment Summarized Results of TNI and MNI Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block] Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued (Loss) income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Associated companies Equity Method Investments Unearned revenue Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Amortization of prior service benefit Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] MNI MNI [Member] Information pertaining to Madison Newspapers, Inc. ("MNI"). Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Net cash provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Long-term debt Debt Instrument, Face Amount Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax TNI Partners TNI Partners [Member] Information pertaining to TNI Partners ("TNI"). Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Distributions less than earnings of TNI and MNI lee_DistributionsGreaterLessThanEarningsOfTNIAndMNI Distributions which are greater (less) than the earnings of TNI Partners ("TNI")and Madison Newspapers, Inc.("MNI"). Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Other Other Assets, Noncurrent Multiemployer plans, withdrawal obligation Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation Amortizable intangible assets: Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Decrease in inventories and other Increase (Decrease) in Inventories and Other Operating Assets Newsprint and ink Newsprint and ink Newsprint and ink expense: expenses related to the consumption of newsprint and ink (both inventoried items) Total intangibles, net Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) Net cash (required for) provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Current portion of lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Compensation Labor and Related Expense Payments on long-term debt Payments on long-term debt Repayments of Long-Term Debt Earnings per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EPS [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EPS Curtailment gain Curtailment gain Net Periodic Defined Benefits Expense (Reversal of Expense), Excluding Service Cost Component Pension and OPEB related benefit and other, net Pension And OPEB Related Benefit (Cost) And Other, Net Pension And OPEB Related Benefit (Cost) And Other, Net Lender Name [Axis] Lender Name [Axis] Pension withdrawal cost Pension withdrawal cost lee_MultiemployerPlansWithdrawalCost Amount of the obligation withdrawal cost recognized by withdrawing from a pension or postretirement benefit plan to which two or more unrelated employers contribute where assets contributed by one participating employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. Customer and newspaper subscriber lists Customer and Newspaper Subscriber Lists [Member] Represents information related to customer and newspaper subscriber lists. Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Long-term debt, net of current maturities Long-Term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Total liabilities Liabilities Decrease in pension and other postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations Increase (Decrease) in Obligation, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Total operating expenses Operating expenses Operating Expenses Cash provided by investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Weighted average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Shares issued (redeemed) Shares issued (redeemed) Equity impact of the value of stock issued (redeemed) during the period. Common Class A Common Class A [Member] Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Total current assets Assets, Current Medical Plan Postretirement Medical Plans Postretirement Health Coverage [Member] Non-amortized intangible assets: Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract] Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Document Type Document Type Contract liability revenue recognized Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Operating revenue: Revenues [Abstract] Amortizable intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Cash provided by (required for) operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Common Class B Common Class B [Member] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Investments: Investments [Abstract] Pension and medical plan assets Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan Other Other Long-Term Investments Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Equity method investments, ownership percentage Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners Digital advertising revenue Digital [Member] Represents operating revenue from digital sources. Gain on sale of investment Gain on Sale of Investments Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Distribution from equity method investments Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution Other Other revenue Product and Service, Other [Member] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Total assets Assets Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Land and improvements Land Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Number of state and local jurisdictions Number of State and Local Jurisdictions Number of State and Local Jurisdictions Defined benefit plan, plan assets, contributions by employer Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Compensation and other accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Current maturities of long-term debt Long-Term Debt, Current Maturities Net cash required for financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Total investments Long-Term Investments Inventories Inventory, Net Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Restructuring costs and other Restructuring costs Restructuring Charges Income (loss) before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Prepaid and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Interest cost on projected benefit obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Less weighted average restricted Common Stock (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares, Restricted Stock Pension obligations Liability, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Noncurrent Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Basic average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Buildings and improvements Buildings and Improvements, Gross Common stock transactions, net Proceeds from (Repurchase of) Equity Equity method investment, ownership percentage Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Total operating revenue Operating revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Weighted average amortization period (in years) Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Serial convertible preferred stock, no par value; authorized 500 shares; none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Pension, Postretirement and Postemployment Defined Benefit Plans Retirement Benefits [Text Block] Service cost for benefits earned during the period Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Total equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Loss (Income) before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Allowance for credit loss Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Non-controlling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Forecast Forecast [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Pension Plan Pension Plan [Member] Amortization of net gain (loss) Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity File Number Entity File Number Long-term debt, term (years) Debt Instrument, Term Secured Term Loan Secured Term Loan [Member] Represents information related to secured term loan. Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Payment Arrangements Decrease (increase) in receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Effective income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Defined benefit plan, expected future employer contributions, next fiscal year Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Other intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Proceeds from sales of assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Assets (gain) loss on sales, impairments and other, net Assets (gain) loss on sales, impairments and other, net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Stock compensation APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current (Decrease) increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Construction in process Construction in Progress, Gross Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Non-operating (expense) income: Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Change in income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] The tabular disclosure of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with both finite and infinite lives by major class. Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Deferred income taxes, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Total stockholders' equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Beginning of period End of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Including Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] Interest expense Interest Expense Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Less accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Equity: Equity [Abstract] Accumulated Deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations Postemployment Benefits Liability, Noncurrent Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Revenue Disaggregated by Source Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Other comprehensive loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Multiemployer plans, withdrawal obligation, period (years) lee_MultiemployerPlansWithdrawalObligationPeriod The period of time in which an obligation recognized by withdrawing from a pension or postretirement benefit plan will be paid. Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Mastheads Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Other, net Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Scenario [Domain] Scenario [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Mastheads Mastheads [Member] Represents information related to Mastheads. Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus INN Partners, L.C. INN Partners, L.C. [Member] Information pertaining to INN Partners, L.C. ("TownNews.com"). City Area Code City Area Code ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Total non-operating expense, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Customer and newspaper subscriber lists Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Cash required for financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, No Par Value Stock compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Withdrawal liabilities and other Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Investments In Associated Companies Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Equity in earnings of associated companies Equity in earnings Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Other, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Purchases of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Operating income Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Equipment Machinery and Equipment, Gross Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Other operating expenses Other Cost and Expense, Operating Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Goodwill Goodwill BH Finance BH Finance [Member] Represents information related to BH finance.