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. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Compensation and other accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Pension and postretirement medical benefit Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Advertising and marketing services Advertising and marketing services revenue Advertising and Marketing Services [Member] Represents the information pertaining to advertising and marketing services. Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Other Other Long-Term Investments Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Total non-operating expense, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Print advertising revenue Print [Member] Represents operating revenue from digital sources. Postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations Postemployment Benefits Liability, Noncurrent Gain on sale of investment Gain on Sale of Investments Construction in process Construction in Progress, Gross Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Curtailment gain Curtailment gain Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment Net cash provided by (required for) operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Investments In Associated Companies Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Amortization of prior service benefit Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Long-term debt, interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Total stockholders' equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Equity, Attributable to Parent Serial convertible preferred stock, no par value; authorized 500 shares; none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Company's 50% share of operating income Operating Income (Loss) From Equity Method Investments Amount of operating income (loss) for proportionate share of equity method investee's income (loss). Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Accounts receivable and contract assets, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Land and improvements Land Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Contract liability revenue recognized Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] MNI MNI [Member] Information pertaining to Madison Newspapers, Inc. ("MNI"). Schedule of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Cost (Benefit) Components Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block] Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest TNI Partners TNI Partners [Member] Information pertaining to TNI Partners ("TNI"). Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Earnings net of distributions deemed returns on investment of TNI and MNI Distributions Greater (Less) Than Earnings Of TNI And MNI Distributions which are greater (less) than the earnings of TNI Partners ("TNI")and Madison Newspapers, Inc.("MNI"). Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Deferred income taxes, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated: Net Income (Loss) Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Multiemployer plans, withdrawal obligation Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Other intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Stockholders' equity: Equity, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Service cost for benefits earned during the period Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Stock compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Weighted average amortization period (in years) Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Common Class B Common Class B [Member] Newsprint and ink Newsprint and ink Newsprint and ink expense: expenses related to the consumption of newsprint and ink (both inventoried items) Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent City Area Code City Area Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Defined benefit plan, plan assets, period increase (decrease) Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Period Increase (Decrease) Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Goodwill Goodwill, beginning of period Goodwill, end of period Goodwill Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Earnings per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EPS [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EPS Buildings and improvements Buildings and Improvements, Gross Equity method investment, ownership percentage Percentage of share Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 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 Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Total equity Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Customer and newspaper subscriber lists Customer and Newspaper Subscriber Lists [Member] Represents information related to customer and newspaper subscriber lists. Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Investments: Investments [Abstract] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Distribution from equity method investments Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Shares redeemed Shares issued (redeemed) Equity impact of the value of stock issued (redeemed) during the period. Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Long-term debt, term (years) Debt Instrument, Term Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Other Other revenue Product and Service, Other [Member] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Net income Net income Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net cash required for financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Other, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Accumulated Deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Non-operating (expense) income: Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other Other Assets, Noncurrent Total intangibles, net Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Summarized Results of TNI and MNI Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Increase in receivables and contract assets Increase (Decrease) In Receivables And Contract Assets The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the total amount due within one year (or one operating cycle) from all parties, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities and amount of increase (decrease) in right to consideration in exchange for good or service transferred to customer when right is conditioned on something other than passage of time. Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Digital advertising revenue Digital [Member] Represents operating revenue from digital sources. Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Cash provided by (required for) investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Pension obligations Liability, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Noncurrent Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, No Par Value Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Interest expense Interest Expense Restructuring costs and other Restructuring costs Restructuring Charges Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Property and equipment, gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 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 Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Entity File Number Entity File Number Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Current portion of lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Change in income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Total investments Long-Term Investments 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] Amortizable intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Defined benefit plan, expected future employer contributions, next fiscal year Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year Other Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities (Increase) decrease in inventories and other Increase (Decrease) in Inventories and Other Operating Assets Less accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Long-term debt, fair value Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Accounts receivable, excluding allowance for credit loss Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss Bad debt expense Accounts Receivable, Credit Loss Expense (Reversal) Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Unearned revenue Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Prepaid and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Common Class A Common Class A [Member] Settlement gain Settlement gain Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Allowance for credit loss Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Property and equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Equipment Machinery and Equipment, Gross Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Payment Arrangements Proceeds from sales of assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Non-controlling interests Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Secured Term Loan Secured Term Loan [Member] Represents information related to secured term loan. Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent Subsidiary, Ownership Percentage, Parent Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Less accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Principal payments on long-term debt Principal payments on long-term debt Repayments of Long-Term Debt Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Assets gain on sales, impairments and other, net Assets gain on sales, impairments and other, net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Customer and newspaper subscriber lists Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Defined benefit plan, benefit obligation, lump sum payment for settlement Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Lump Sum Payment for Settlement Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Lump Sum Payment for Settlement Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Total operating revenue Operating revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax Curtailment/Settlement gains Curtailment/Settlement gain Net Periodic Defined Benefits Expense (Reversal of Expense), Excluding Service Cost Component Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Less weighted average restricted Common Stock (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares, Restricted Stock Revenue Disaggregated by Source Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Lender Name [Axis] Lender Name [Axis] Mastheads Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Equity method investments, ownership percentage Subsidiary, Ownership Percentage, Noncontrolling Owner Equity: Equity [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortizable intangible assets: Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Pension and medical plan assets Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan Number of defined benefit plans Number Of Defined Benefit Plans Number Of Defined Benefit Plans Medical Plan Postretirement Medical Plans Postretirement Health Coverage [Member] Amortization of net gain (loss) Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect [Abstract] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Associated companies Equity Method Investments Inventories Inventory, Net Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value 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 Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Long-term debt, net of current maturities Long-Term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Diluted average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Non-amortized intangible assets: Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract] Allocated to sold operations Allocated to sold operations Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Weighted average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic Common stock transactions, net Proceeds from (Repurchase of) Equity Purchases of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Long-term debt Debt Instrument, Face Amount Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Beginning of period End of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Including Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations Total assets Assets Equity in earnings of associated companies Equity in earnings Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Cover [Abstract] Stock compensation APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Compensation Labor and Related Expense Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Earnings per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Withdrawal liabilities and other Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Interest cost on projected benefit obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost 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. Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Pension, Postretirement and Postemployment Defined Benefit Plans Retirement Benefits [Text Block] Other operating expenses Other Cost and Expense, Operating Total operating expenses Operating expenses Operating Expenses Pension Plan Pension Plan [Member] Other, net Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Subscription Subscription revenue Subscription and Circulation [Member] Income before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Cash required for financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Mastheads Mastheads [Member] Represents information related to Mastheads. Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Net cash provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] INN Partners, L.C. INN Partners, L.C. [Member] Information pertaining to INN Partners, L.C. ("TownNews.com"). Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Decrease in pension and other postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations Increase (Decrease) in Obligation, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Basic average common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Effective income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Total liabilities Liabilities Operating revenue: Revenues [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract] Cash (required for) provided by operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Defined benefit plan, benefit obligation, voluntary settlement, number of participants Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Voluntary Settlement, Number of Participants Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Voluntary Settlement, Number of Participants Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Other comprehensive loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax BH Finance BH Finance [Member] Represents information related to BH finance. Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]