Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 25, 2018
Entity Registrant Name	A. H. Belo Corp
Entity Central Index Key	0001413898
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	ahc
Series A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,173,172
Series B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,469,555

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net Operating Revenue:
Total net operating revenue	$ 49,052	$ 60,559	$ 149,674	$ 184,549
Operating Costs and Expense:
Employee compensation and benefits	21,174	24,642	67,375	79,088
Other production, distribution and operating costs	20,939	27,460	66,786	85,522
Newsprint, ink and other supplies	5,528	5,648	16,300	17,542
Depreciation	2,514	2,607	7,522	7,840
Amortization	199	200	599	599
Asset impairments			(22)	228
Total operating costs and expense	50,354	60,557	158,560	190,819
Operating income (loss)	(1,302)	2	(8,886)	(6,270)
Other income, net	862	2,588	2,641	3,876
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	(440)	2,590	(6,245)	(2,394)
Income tax provision (benefit)	596	10	(661)	261
Net Income (Loss)	$ (1,036)	$ 2,580	$ (5,584)	$ (2,655)
Per Share Basis
Net income (loss), Basic and diluted	$ (0.05)	$ 0.12	$ (0.26)	$ (0.13)
Number of common shares used in the per share calculation:
Basic	21,709,557	21,753,166	21,761,110	21,729,212
Diluted	21,709,557	21,754,627	21,761,110	21,729,212
Advertising And Marketing Services [Member]
Net Operating Revenue:
Total net operating revenue	$ 25,260	$ 34,875	$ 77,398	$ 106,101
Circulation [Member]
Net Operating Revenue:
Total net operating revenue	17,896	18,845	53,564	57,099
Printing, Distribution And Other [Member]
Net Operating Revenue:
Total net operating revenue	$ 5,896	$ 6,839	$ 18,712	$ 21,349

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss)	$ (1,036)	$ 2,580	$ (5,584)	$ (2,655)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Amortization of actuarial losses	158	5,967	473	6,080
Actuarial gains		3,648		3,648
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	158	9,615	473	9,728
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ (878)	$ 12,195	$ (5,111)	$ 7,073

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 58,471	$ 57,660
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $703 and $1,055 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)	19,759	26,740
Inventories	4,193	3,171
Prepaids and other current assets	6,631	13,734
Assets held for sale	1,089	1,089
Total current assets	90,143	102,394
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	421,773	418,730
Less accumulated depreciation	(394,479)	(387,024)
Property, plant and equipment, net	27,294	31,706
Intangible assets, net	3,474	4,073
Goodwill	13,973	13,973
Deferred income taxes, net	6,679	5,355
Other assets	4,123	5,347
Total assets	145,686	162,848
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	7,064	10,303
Accrued compensation and benefits	6,460	8,243
Other accrued expense	5,582	4,275
Advance subscription payments	11,095	11,670
Total current liabilities	30,201	34,491
Long-term pension liabilities	19,746	23,038
Other post-employment benefits	1,165	2,052
Other liabilities	7,533	5,568
Total liabilities	58,645	65,149
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; Authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued
Treasury stock, Series A, at cost; 1,641,925 and 1,430,961 shares held at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	(12,358)	(11,302)
Additional paid-in capital	495,842	494,989
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(24,459)	(24,932)
Accumulated deficit	(372,217)	(361,288)
Total shareholders’ equity	87,041	97,699
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	145,686	162,848
Series A [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; Authorized 125,000,000 shares	209	208
Series B [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; Authorized 125,000,000 shares	$ 24	$ 24

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 703	$ 1,055
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Series A [Member]
Common stock, shares, issued	20,851,728	20,700,292
Series B [Member]
Common stock, shares, issued	2,469,555	2,469,755
Treasury Stock [Member] \| Series A [Member]
Treasury stock Series A, shares held	1,641,925	1,430,961

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member] Series A [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Series B [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Series A [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016			$ 231	$ 499,552		$ (11,233)	$ (39,308)	$ (361,324)	$ 1,234	$ 89,152
Beginning Balance, Shares Common Stock at Dec. 31, 2016	20,620,461	2,472,680
Beginning Balance, Treasury Stock at Dec. 31, 2016					(1,416,881)
Net loss								(2,655)		(2,655)
Other comprehensive income							9,728			9,728
Distributions to noncontrolling interests									(118)	(118)
Issuance of shares for restricted stock units, shares	76,906
Issuance of shares for restricted stock units			1	(1)
Share-based compensation				775						775
Purchases of noncontrolling interests				(5,506)					$ (1,116)	(6,622)
Conversion of Series B to Series A, shares	525	(525)
Dividends								(5,324)		(5,324)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2017			232	494,820		(11,233)	(29,580)	(369,303)		84,936
Ending Balance, Shares Common Stock at Sep. 30, 2017	20,697,892	2,472,155
Ending Balance, Shares Treasury Stock at Sep. 30, 2017					(1,416,881)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2017			232	494,989		(11,302)	(24,932)	(361,288)		97,699
Beginning Balance, Shares Common Stock at Dec. 31, 2017	20,700,292	2,469,755
Beginning Balance, Treasury Stock at Dec. 31, 2017					(1,430,961)
Net loss								(5,584)		(5,584)
Other comprehensive income							473			473
Treasury stock purchases, shares					(210,964)
Treasury stock purchases						(1,056)				(1,056)
Issuance of shares for restricted stock units, shares	151,236
Issuance of shares for restricted stock units			1	(1)
Share-based compensation				854						854
Conversion of Series B to Series A, shares	200	(200)
Dividends								(5,345)		(5,345)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2018			$ 233	$ 495,842		$ (12,358)	$ (24,459)	$ (372,217)		$ 87,041
Ending Balance, Shares Common Stock at Sep. 30, 2018	20,851,728	2,469,555
Ending Balance, Shares Treasury Stock at Sep. 30, 2018					(1,641,925)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating Activities
Net loss	$ (5,584)	$ (2,655)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,121	8,439
Net periodic benefit and contributions related to employee benefit plans	(2,791)	(16,667)
Share-based compensation	854	775
Deferred income taxes	(1,324)
Loss on investment related activity		250
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets	212	(7,118)
Asset impairments	(22)	228
Changes in working capital and other operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	6,981	3,200
Inventories, prepaids and other current assets	6,081	(663)
Other assets	1,224	568
Accounts payable	(3,239)	85
Compensation and benefit obligations	(1,872)	(932)
Other accrued expenses	4,396	(62)
Advanced subscription payments	(575)	(1,064)
Other post-employment benefits	(915)	(174)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	11,547	(15,790)
Investing Activities
Purchases of assets	(4,344)	(7,837)
Sales of assets		8,252
Purchases of investments		(18)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(4,344)	397
Financing Activities
Purchases of noncontrolling interests		(9,231)
Dividends paid	(5,336)	(5,313)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(179)
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,056)
Net cash used for financing activities	(6,392)	(14,723)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	811	(30,116)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	57,660	80,071
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	58,471	49,955
Supplemental Disclosures
Income tax paid, net (refund)	(6,408)	1,200
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Investments in property, plant and equipment payable	97	228
Dividends payable	$ 1,783	$ 1,775

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Note 1: Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards Description of Business. A. H. Belo Corporation and subsidiaries are referred to collectively herein as “A. H. Belo” or the “Company.” The Company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the leading local news and information publishing company in Texas with commercial printing, distribution and direct mail capabilities, as well as a presence in emerging media and digital marketing. While focusing on extending the Company’s media platforms, A. H. Belo delivers news and information in innovative ways to a broad spectrum of audiences with diverse interests and lifestyles. The Company publishes The Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com), Texas’ leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes, and various niche publications targeting specific audiences. In December 2017, the Company completed the sale of the Denton Record-Chronicle and the Company no longer owns newspaper operations in Denton, Texas. Basis of Presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include adjustments of a normal recurring nature which, in the Company’s opinion, are necessary to present fairly the interim consolidated financial information as of and for the periods indicated. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. All dollar amounts presented herein, except share and per share amounts, are in thousands, unless the context indicates otherwise. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist as of the date the financial statements are published, and (iii) the reported amount of net operating revenues and expenses recognized during the periods presented. Adjustments made with respect to the use of estimates often relate to improved information not previously available. Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of financial statements; accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This guidance prescribes a single comprehensive model for entities to use in the accounting of revenue arising from contracts with customers. The core principle contemplated by this new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount reflecting the consideration the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. New disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers are also required. Since May 2014, the FASB issued clarifying updates to the new standard specifically to address certain core principles including the identification of performance obligations, licensing guidance, the assessment of the collectability criterion, the presentation of taxes collected from customers, noncash considerations, contract modifications, and completed contracts at transition. The new guidance will supersede virtually all existing revenue guidance under GAAP and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. There are two transition options available to entities, the full retrospective approach, in which the Company would restate prior periods, or the modified retrospective approach. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective approach as of January 1, 2018; see Note 3 – Revenue. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07 – Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This update clarifies the presentation and classification of the components of net periodic benefit cost in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Specifically, this standard requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be recorded in the same income statement line as other employee compensation costs and all other components of net periodic benefit cost must be presented as non-operating items. The Company adopted this standard retrospectively as of January 1, 2018. The Company’s defined benefit plans have been frozen, so the Company is no longer incurring service costs related to the plans. Therefore, the entire net periodic pension and other post-employment expense (benefit) will be presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in other income, net. As a result of adopting this guidance, total operating costs and expense decreased $5,051 and $3,333 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, with the offsetting change recorded to other income, net. There was no impact to net income (loss), retained earnings and earnings per share. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company completed a de-risking transaction to reduce the Company’s pension liability, which resulted in a charge to pension expense of $5,911; see Note 8 – Pension and Other Retirement Plans. New Accounting Pronouncements. The FASB issued the following accounting pronouncements and guidance, which may be applicable to the Company but have not yet become effective. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 – Leases (Topic 842). This update requires an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all of its leases. The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The asset will generally be based on the liability. For income statement purposes operating leases will result in straight-line expense and finance leases will result in expenses similar to current capital leases. The guidance also requires additional disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Since February 2016, the FASB issued clarifying updates to the new standard that did not change the core principle of ASU 2016-02. The new guidance will supersede virtually all existing lease guidance under GAAP and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company currently anticipates adopting ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach and expects to elect certain available transitional practical expedients. The Company is reviewing its various lease agreements and in the third quarter of 2018, implemented new lease management software. Based on progress to date, the Company believes it will have a significant impact related to how it accounts for real estate operating leases. Upon adoption, the Company expects to record additional assets and liabilities related to leases, but has not yet quantified its impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company is continuing to assess the potential impact of adopting the new standard and expects the assessment to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14 – Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This update modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by removing disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifying the specific requirements of disclosures and adding disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this update and has not yet determined its impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. This update clarifies the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement, or hosting arrangement, that is a service contract. Costs for implementation activities incurred during the application development stage will be capitalized depending on the nature of the costs, while costs incurred during the preliminary project and post implementation stages will be expensed as the activities are performed. The capitalized implementation costs will be expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this update and has not yet determined its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Segment Reporting

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

Note 2: Segment Reporting

The Company identified two reportable segments based on reporting structure and the go-to-market for the Company’s service and product offerings. The two reportable segments are Publishing and Marketing Services.

The Publishing segment includes the Company’s core print and digital operations associated with its newspapers, niche publications and related websites and apps. These operations generate revenue from sales of advertising within its newspaper and digital platforms, subscription and retail sales of its newspapers, commercial printing and distribution services, primarily related to national and regional newspapers, and preprint advertisers. Businesses within the Publishing segment leverage the production facilities, subscriber and advertiser base, and digital news platforms to provide additional contribution margin. The Company evaluates Publishing operations based on operating profit and cash flows from operating activities.

The Marketing Services segment includes the operations of DMV Digital Holdings Company (“DMV Holdings”), Your Speakeasy, LLC (“Speakeasy”) and digital advertising through Connect (programmatic advertising). The Company operates this integrated portfolio of assets within its Marketing Services segment as separate businesses that sell digital marketing and advertising through different channels, including programmatic advertising and content marketing within the social media environment.

Based on the organization of the Company’s structure and organizational chart, the Company’s chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) is its Chief Executive Officer. As of May 17, 2018, Robert W. Decherd became the CODM upon Jim Moroney’s retirement. The CODM allocates resources and capital to the Publishing and Marketing Services segments at the segment level.

The tables below set forth summarized financial information for the Company’s reportable segments.



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Revenue
Publishing	$	43,719	$	52,603	$	133,251	$	160,916
Marketing Services		5,333		7,956		16,423		23,633
Total	$	49,052	$	60,559	$	149,674	$	184,549

Operating Income (Loss)
Publishing	$	(1,554)	$	(834)	$	(9,434)	$	(8,485)
Marketing Services		252		836		548		2,215
Total	$	(1,302)	$	2	$	(8,886)	$	(6,270)

Noncash Expenses
Publishing
Depreciation	$	2,455	$	2,565	$	7,389	$	7,762
Asset impairments		—		—		(22)		228
Pension settlement		—		5,911		—		5,911
Total	$	2,455	$	8,476	$	7,367	$	13,901

Marketing Services
Depreciation	$	59	$	42	$	133	$	78
Amortization		199		200		599		599
Total	$	258	$	242	$	732	$	677



	September 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Total Assets
Publishing	$	124,199	$	137,409
Marketing Services		21,487		25,439
Total	$	145,686	$	162,848

Net periodic pension and other post-employment expense (benefit) is now included in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations; see Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards. As a result of adopting this guidance, Publishing operating costs and operating loss decreased $5,051 and $3,333 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company completed a de-risking transaction to reduce the Company’s pension liability, which resulted in a charge to pension expense of $5,911; see Note 8 – Pension and Other Retirement Plans.

Revenue

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Revenue [Abstract]

Revenue

Note 3: Revenue

Adoption of ASU 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective approach applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018, are presented in accordance with the new guidance under ASU 2014-09, while prior period amounts are not restated.

The table below sets forth the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, due to the adoption of the new revenue guidance. There was no impact to opening retained earnings.



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	As Reported		Balances Without Adoption		Effect of Change (Decrease)		As Reported		Balances Without Adoption		Effect of Change (Decrease)
Revenue
Advertising and marketing services	$	25,260	$	28,278	$	(3,018)	$	77,398	$	86,175	$	(8,777)
Circulation		17,896		18,158		(262)		53,564		54,353		(789)

Expenses
Other production, distribution and operating costs	$	20,939	$	24,219	$	(3,280)	$	66,786	$	76,352	$	(9,566)

The impact to advertising and marketing services revenue was related to digital advertising placed on third-party websites where the Company acted as an agent. Prior to adoption, such revenue was generally recorded gross, but under the new standard this revenue is recorded net. The impact to circulation revenue was related to home delivery subscriptions where the Company recorded revenue for the grace period of newspapers delivered after a subscription expires. Prior to adoption, any non-payment of grace was recorded as bad debt expense, but under the new standard this is considered variable consideration and revenue is directly reduced for the non-payment.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied. This occurs when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Sales tax collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

Accounts receivable are reported net of a valuation reserve that represents an estimate of amounts considered uncollectible. The Company estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical write-off experience and the Company’s knowledge of the customers’ ability to pay amounts due. Accounts are written-off after all collection efforts fail; generally, after one year has expired. Expense for such uncollectible amounts is included in other production, distribution and operating costs.

The table below sets forth revenue disaggregated by revenue source. As stated above, prior period amounts have not been restated under the modified retrospective approach.



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017			2018	2017
Advertising revenue	$	19,927	$	26,919	$	60,975	$	82,468
Digital services		4,191		6,194		12,740		19,902
Other services		1,142		1,762		3,683		3,731
Advertising and marketing services		25,260		34,875		77,398		106,101
Circulation		17,896		18,845		53,564		57,099
Printing, distribution and other		5,896		6,839		18,712		21,349
Total Revenue	$	49,052	$	60,559	$	149,674	$	184,549

Advertising and Marketing Services Revenue

Advertising revenue, included in the Publishing segment results, is generated by selling print and digital advertising products. Print advertising revenue represents sales of advertising space within the Company’s core and niche newspapers, as well as preprinted advertisements inserted into the Company’s core newspapers and niche publications or distributed to non-subscribers through the mail. Digital advertising is generated by selling banner and real estate classified advertising on The Dallas Morning News’ website dallasnews.com, online employment and obituary classified advertising on third-party websites sold under a print/digital bundle package and sales of online automotive classifieds on the cars.com platform.

Digital services and other services revenues are included in the Marketing Services segment results. Digital services revenue includes targeted and multi-channel (programmatic) advertising placed on third-party websites, content development, social media management, search optimization, and other consulting. Other services revenue is primarily generated from the sale of promotional merchandise.

Advertising and marketing services revenue is primarily recognized at a point in time when the ad or service is complete and delivered, based on the customers’ contract price. In addition, certain digital advertising revenue related to website access is recognized over time, based on the customers’ monthly rate.

For ads placed on certain third-party websites, the Company must evaluate whether it is acting as the principal, where revenue is reported on a gross basis, or acting as the agent, where revenue is reported on a net basis. Generally, the Company reports advertising revenue for ads placed on third-party websites on a net basis, meaning the amount recorded to revenue is the amount billed to the customer net of amounts paid to the publisher of the third-party website. The Company is acting as the agent because the publisher controls the advertising inventory.

Circulation

Circulation revenue, included in the Publishing segment results, is generated primarily by selling home delivery and digital subscriptions, as well as single copy sales to non-subscribers. Home delivery and single copy revenue is recognized at a point in time when the paper is delivered or purchased. Digital subscriptions are recognized over time, based on the customers’ monthly rate.

Printing, Distribution and Other

Printing, distribution and other revenue, included in the Publishing segment results, is primarily generated from printing and distribution of other newspapers, as well as production of preprinted advertisements for other newspapers. Printing, distribution and other revenue is recognized at a point in time when the product or service is delivered.

Remaining Performance Obligations

The Company has various Publishing advertising contracts and Marketing Services digital services contracts that range from 13 months to 36 months. The Company recognizes revenue on the advertising contracts over the term of the agreement at a point in time when the service or product is delivered. The Company recognizes revenue on the digital services contracts over time, based on the customers’ monthly rate. At September 30, 2018, the remaining performance obligation was $2,105. The Company expects to recognize $542 over the remainder of 2018 and $1,563 thereafter.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue is recorded when cash payments are received in advance of the Company’s performance, including amounts which are refundable. The short-term and long-term deferred revenue balance as of September 30, 2018, was $11,376. In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the balance increased $33, primarily driven by cash payments received in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, offset by $9,545 of revenue recognized that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2017.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

The Company generally expenses sales commissions and circulation acquisition costs when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within employee compensation and benefits expense and other production, distribution and operating costs expense, respectively.

The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount invoiced for services performed.

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions	Sep. 30, 2018
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Note 4: Acquisitions In February 2017, the Company acquired the remaining 30 percent voting interest in Speakeasy for a cash purchase price of $2,111, and in March 2017, the Company acquired the remaining 20 percent voting interest in DMV Holdings for a cash purchase price of $7,120. The initial purchase of 80 percent voting interest in DMV Holdings occurred in January 2015. DMV Holdings holds all outstanding ownership interests of three Dallas-based businesses, Distribion, Inc., Vertical Nerve, Inc. and CDFX, LLC. These businesses specialize in local marketing automation, search engine marketing, and direct mail and promotional products, respectively. These acquisitions complement the product and service offerings currently available to A. H. Belo clients, thereby strengthening the Company’s diversified product portfolio and allowing for greater penetration in a competitive advertising market. Operating results of the businesses acquired have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations from the initial acquisition date forward. Pro-rata distributions. In connection with the 2015 acquisition of 80 percent voting interest in DMV Holdings, the shareholder agreement provided for a pro-rata distribution of 50 percent and 100 percent of DMV Holdings’ free cash flow for fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. Free cash flow is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization less capital expenditures, debt amortization and interest expense, as applicable. In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded pro-rata distributions to noncontrolling interests of $163 in connection with this agreement based on 2016 free cash flow as defined.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Note 5: Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The table below sets forth goodwill and other intangible assets by reportable segment as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company reorganized reporting units based on reporting structure and the go-to-market for the Company’s service and product offerings. The Company’s Publishing and Marketing Services segments each operate as a single reporting unit.



	September 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Goodwill
Marketing Services	$	13,973	$	13,973

Intangible Assets
Marketing Services
Cost	$	6,470	$	6,470
Accumulated Amortization		(2,996)		(2,397)
Net Carrying Value	$	3,474	$	4,073

Marketing Services’ intangible assets consist of $4,950 of customer relationships with estimated useful lives of 10 years and $1,520 of developed technology with an estimated useful life of five years. In 2017, the Publishing segment’s fully amortized intangible assets were written-off and had no remaining useful life. Aggregate amortization expense was $199 and $599 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $200 and $599 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

As a result of the first quarter 2017 segment reorganization, certain goodwill and intangible assets previously reported in the Marketing Services segment were moved to the Publishing segment, which was fully impaired as of December 31, 2016. Therefore, the Company recorded a noncash goodwill impairment charge of $228 in the first quarter of 2017.

The Company tested the Marketing Services segment’s goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2017, using a discounted cash flow methodology with a peer-based, risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital, combined with a market approach using peer-based earnings multiples. The Company believes the use of a discounted cash flow approach, combined with the market approach, is the most reliable indicator of the estimated fair value of the business. Upon completion of the annual test, it was determined the Marketing Services reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value by approximately 93 percent. Accordingly, no impairment was warranted.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Long-term Incentive Plan

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Long-term Incentive Plan [Abstract]

Long-term Incentive Plan

Note 6: Long-term Incentive Plan

A. H. Belo sponsors a long-term incentive plan (the “Plan”) under which 8,000,000 shares of the Company’s Series A and Series B common stock are authorized for equity-based awards. Awards may be granted to A. H. Belo employees and outside directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted share awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance shares, performance units or stock appreciation rights. In addition, stock options may be accompanied by full and limited stock appreciation rights. Rights and limited stock appreciation rights may also be issued without accompanying stock options. Awards under the Plan were also granted to holders of stock options issued by A. H. Belo’s former parent company in connection with the Company’s separation from its former parent in 2008. Due to the expiration of the Plan on February 8, 2018, A. H. Belo implemented, and shareholders approved, a new long-term incentive plan (the “2017 Plan”) under which an additional 8,000,000 shares of the Company’s Series A and Series B common stock are authorized for equity-based awards. Like its predecessor plan, awards under the 2017 Plan may be granted to A. H. Belo employees and outside directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted share awards, RSUs, performance shares, performance units or stock appreciation rights.

Stock Options. Stock options granted under the Plan are fully vested and exercisable. No options have been granted since 2009, and all compensation expense associated with stock options has been fully recognized as of September 30, 2018.

The table below sets forth a summary of stock option activity under the Plan.



	Number of Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	100,344	$	6.46
Canceled	(97,344)		6.60
Outstanding at September 30, 2018	3,000		2.05

As of September 30, 2018, the aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options was $8 and the weighted average remaining contractual life of the Company’s stock options was less than one year. No options were exercised in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Restricted Stock Units. The Company’s RSUs have service and/or performance conditions and, subject to retirement eligibility, vest over a period of up to three years. Vested RSUs are redeemed 60 percent in A. H. Belo Series A common stock and 40 percent in cash over a period of up to three years. As of September 30, 2018, the liability for the portion of the awards to be redeemed in cash was $939, which is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The table below sets forth a summary of RSU activity under the Company’s long-term incentive plans.



	Total RSUs	Issuance of Common Stock	RSUs Redeemed in Cash	Cash Payments at Closing Price of Stock		Weighted Average Price on Date of Grant
Non-vested at December 31, 2017	224,053					$	6.07
Granted	348,455						5.05
Canceled	(3,711)						6.06
Vested and outstanding	(184,774)						5.38
Vested and issued	(114,248)	68,543	45,705	$	235		6.29
Non-vested at September 30, 2018	269,775						5.13

In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company issued 82,693 shares of Series A common stock and 55,128 shares were redeemed in cash for RSUs that were previously vested as of December 31, 2017. In addition, 337,778 and 290,825 RSUs were vested and outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

The fair value of RSU grants is determined using the closing trading price of the Company’s Series A common stock on the grant date. As of September 30, 2018, unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested RSUs totaled $1,193, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.

Compensation Expense. A. H. Belo recognizes compensation expense for awards granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plans over the vesting period of the award. Compensation expense related to granted RSUs is set forth in the table below.



	RSUs Redeemable in Stock		RSUs Redeemable in Cash		Total RSU Awards Expense
Three Months Ended September 30,
2018	$	134	$	112	$	246
2017		149		82		231
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2018	$	854	$	424	$	1,278
2017		775		399		1,174

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 7: Income Taxes The Company calculates the income tax provision based on the year-to-date pretax loss adjusted for permanent differences and discrete items on a pro-rata basis. Due to the volatility of the newspaper industry, reliable forecasting is unavailable. As such, a discrete tax rate was calculated for the period. In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”) was enacted. The 2017 Tax Act includes a number of changes to existing U.S. tax laws that impact the Company, most notably a reduction of the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The 2017 Tax Act also provides for the acceleration of depreciation for certain assets placed into service after September 27, 2017, as well as prospective changes beginning in 2018, including repeal of the domestic manufacturing deduction, acceleration of tax revenue recognition, capitalization of research and development expenditures, additional limitations on executive compensation and limitations on the deductibility of interest. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will apply in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or paid. Accordingly, the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were remeasured to reflect the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, resulting in a $3,570 decrease in income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company recognized income tax provision (benefit) of $596 and $10 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $(661) and $261 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The income tax provision (benefit) was calculated using the newly enacted income tax rate of 21 percent. The change in income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, resulted in a $669 decrease in income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Effective income tax rates were 10.6 percent and (10.9) percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, was due to changes in the valuation allowance, an increase in the net operating loss deferred tax asset and the effect of the Texas margin tax. The change to the valuation allowance was a decrease of $60 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the pension liability, accrued bonuses and the allowance for bad debt. A refund of $4,095 was received in the third quarter of 2018, for a tax benefit recognized in 2017 related to a capital loss on the sale of the Denton Record-Chronicle in the fourth quarter of 2017, of which a portion was carried back against taxes paid in 2014. In the second quarter of 2018, the Company received a refund of $3,210 for a tax benefit recognized in 2016 that was carried back against taxes paid in 2014. The 2016 tax benefit was the result of the abandonment of the Company’s ownership interest in Wanderful Media, LLC and the sale of the Company’s equity investment in Homesnap, Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Pension and Other Retirement Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Pension and Other Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Pension and Other Retirement Plans

Note 8: Pension and Other Retirement Plans

Defined Benefit Plans. The Company sponsors the A. H. Belo Pension Plans (the “Pension Plans”), which provide benefits to approximately 1,500 current and former employees of the Company. A. H. Belo Pension Plan I provides benefits to certain current and former employees primarily employed with The Dallas Morning News or the A. H. Belo corporate offices. A. H. Belo Pension Plan II provides benefits to certain former employees of The Providence Journal Company. This obligation was retained by the Company upon the sale of the newspaper operations of The Providence Journal. No additional benefits are accruing under the A. H. Belo Pension Plans, as future benefits were frozen.

No contributions are required to the A. H. Belo Pension Plans in 2018 under the applicable tax and labor laws governing pension plan funding. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company made a voluntary contribution of $20,000 to the Pension Plans and using the contribution, in addition to liquidating $23,391 of plan assets, transferred $43,391 of pension liabilities to an insurance company. As a result of this de-risking action, the Company reduced the number of participants in its Pension Plans by 796, or 36 percent. In the three months ended September 30, 2017, a charge to pension expense for $5,911 was recorded to reflect the amortization of losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with this transaction. In addition, the projected benefit obligation was remeasured as of September 30, 2017, which resulted in an actuarial gain of $3,648 that was recorded to other comprehensive income (loss) in the three months ended September 30, 2017; see Note 9 – Shareholders’ Equity. This transaction occurred on September 20, 2017, but the Company elected to use the measurement date practical expedient, allowing the Company to use September 30, 2017, as the alternative measurement date. No material transactions or changes in market conditions occurred between the transaction date and the alternative measurement date.

Net Periodic Pension Expense (Benefit)

The Company’s estimates of net periodic pension expense or benefit are based on the expected return on plan assets, interest on the projected benefit obligations and the amortization of actuarial gains and losses that are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The table below sets forth components of net periodic pension expense (benefit), which are included in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Interest cost	$	1,796	$	2,386	$	5,389	$	7,158
Expected return on plans' assets		(2,894)		(3,313)		(8,681)		(9,940)
Amortization of actuarial loss		168		75		503		224
Recognized settlement loss		—		5,911		—		5,911
Net periodic pension expense (benefit)	$	(930)	$	5,059	$	(2,789)	$	3,353

Defined Contribution Plans. The A. H. Belo Savings Plan (the “Savings Plan”), a defined contribution 401(k) plan, covers substantially all employees of A. H. Belo. Participants may elect to contribute a portion of their pretax compensation as provided by the Savings Plan and the Internal Revenue Code. Employees can contribute up to 100 percent of their annual eligible compensation less required withholdings and deductions up to statutory limits. The Company provides an ongoing dollar-for-dollar match of eligible employee contributions, up to 1.5 percent of the employees’ compensation. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded expense of $199 and $175, respectively, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded expense of $653 and $670, respectively, for matching contributions to the Savings Plan.

Shareholders' Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

Note 9: Shareholders’ Equity

Dividends. On September 5, 2018, the Company’s board of directors declared an $0.08 per share dividend to shareholders of record and holders of RSUs as of the close of business on November 16, 2018, which is payable on December 7, 2018. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $1,783 to accrue for dividends declared but not yet paid.

Treasury Stock. The Company repurchased shares of its common stock pursuant to a publicly announced share repurchase program authorized by the Company’s board of directors. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company resumed open market repurchases under a repurchase plan agreement limited to a total of $2,500. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company repurchased 50,784 shares of its Series A common stock at a total cost of $231.

Outstanding Shares. The Company had Series A and Series B common stock outstanding of 19,209,803 and 2,469,555, respectively, net of treasury shares at September 30, 2018. At December 31, 2017, the Company had Series A and Series B common stock outstanding of 19,269,331 and 2,469,755, respectively, net of treasury shares.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of actuarial gains and losses attributable to the A. H. Belo Pension Plans, gains and losses resulting from Pension Plans’ amendments and other actuarial experience attributable to other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) plans. The Company records amortization of the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss in employee compensation and benefits in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains and losses associated with the A. H. Belo Pension Plans are amortized over the weighted average remaining life expectancy of the Pension Plans’ participants. Gains and losses associated with the Company’s OPEB plans are amortized over the average remaining service period of active OPEB plans’ participants. Net deferred tax assets related to amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are fully reserved.

The tables below set forth the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, as presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.



	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans		Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans
Balance, beginning of period	$	(24,617)	$	(25,099)	$	482	$	(39,195)	$	(39,588)	$	393
Amortization		158		168		(10)		5,967		5,986		(19)
Actuarial gains		—		—		—		3,648		3,648		—
Balance, end of period	$	(24,459)	$	(24,931)	$	472	$	(29,580)	$	(29,954)	$	374



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans		Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans
Balance, beginning of period	$	(24,932)	$	(25,434)	$	502	$	(39,308)	$	(39,737)	$	429
Amortization		473		503		(30)		6,080		6,135		(55)
Actuarial gains		—		—		—		3,648		3,648		—
Balance, end of period	$	(24,459)	$	(24,931)	$	472	$	(29,580)	$	(29,954)	$	374

Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Note 10: Earnings Per Share

The table below sets forth the reconciliations for net income (loss) and weighted average shares used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). The Company’s Series A and Series B common stock equally share in the distributed and undistributed earnings.



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Earnings (Numerator)
Net income (loss)	$	(1,036)	$	2,580	$	(5,584)	$	(2,655)
Less: dividends to participating securities		48		35		142		117
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(1,084)	$	2,545	$	(5,726)	$	(2,772)

Shares (Denominator)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic)		21,709,557		21,753,166		21,761,110		21,729,212
Effect of dilutive securities		—		1,461		—		—
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding (diluted)		21,709,557		21,754,627		21,761,110		21,729,212

Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted	$	(0.05)	$	0.12	$	(0.26)	$	(0.13)

Holders of service-based RSUs participate in A. H. Belo dividends on a one-for-one share basis. Distributed and undistributed income associated with participating securities is included in the calculation of EPS under the two-class method as prescribed under ASC 260 – Earnings Per Share.

The Company considers outstanding stock options and RSUs in the calculation of earnings per share. A total of 610,553 and 615,222 options and RSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were excluded from the calculation because the effect was anti-dilutive.

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2018
Contingencies [Abstract]
Contingencies	Note 11: Contingencies Legal proceedings. From time to time, the Company is involved in a variety of claims, lawsuits and other disputes arising in the ordinary course of business. Management routinely assesses the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes in these matters, as well as the ranges of probable losses to the extent losses are reasonably estimable. Accruals for contingencies are recorded when, in the judgment of management, adverse judgments or outcomes are probable and the financial impact, should an adverse outcome occur, is reasonably estimable. The determination of likely outcomes of litigation matters relates to factors that include, but are not limited to, past experience and other evidence, interpretation of relevant laws or regulations and the specifics and status of each matter. Predicting the outcome of claims and litigation and estimating related costs and financial exposure involves substantial uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from estimates and accruals. In the opinion of management, liabilities, if any, arising from other currently existing claims against the Company would not have a material adverse effect on A. H. Belo’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Sales of Assets	9 Months Ended
Sales of Assets	Sep. 30, 2018
Sales of Assets [Abstract]
Sales of Assets	Note 12: Sales of Assets Sales of Assets. Assets held for sale include long-lived assets being actively marketed for which a sale is considered probable within the next 12 months. These assets are recorded at the lower of their fair value less costs to sell or their carrying value at the time they are classified as assets held for sale. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company announced real estate assets in downtown Dallas, Texas, previously used as the corporate headquarters, are available for sale. These assets, with a total carrying value of $1,089, are reported as assets held for sale as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. See Note 13 – Subsequent Events for additional information. In September 2017, the Company completed the sale of one parcel of land and received net cash proceeds of $8,252, generating a gain of approximately $5,000. Other Dispositions. On December 31, 2017, the Company completed the sale of the outstanding capital stock of the Denton Publishing Company, owner of the Denton Record-Chronicle, to Denton Media Company, Inc. (the “purchaser”). The business did not meet the requirements of a discontinued operation; therefore, all financial results were included in continuing operations. Prior to the disposition, the Denton Record-Chronicle was included in the Publishing segment results. The Company entered into multi-year agreements with the purchaser, effective January 1, 2018, including an advertising services reseller agreement, printing, distribution and content services agreements. The Company also entered into an agreement to provide transition services to the purchaser through June 30, 2018, which has been extended to November 30, 2018, for certain transition services. In connection with the sale, the Company entered into a sublease with Denton Publishing Company for a term ending on July 30, 2023.

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 13: Subsequent Events On October 29, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell real estate assets in downtown Dallas, Texas, previously used as the corporate headquarters, for $33,000. The expected close date is December 28, 2018, and the Company expects to recognize net cash proceeds of approximately $32,000.

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]
Description of Business, Policy	Description of Business. A. H. Belo Corporation and subsidiaries are referred to collectively herein as “A. H. Belo” or the “Company.” The Company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the leading local news and information publishing company in Texas with commercial printing, distribution and direct mail capabilities, as well as a presence in emerging media and digital marketing. While focusing on extending the Company’s media platforms, A. H. Belo delivers news and information in innovative ways to a broad spectrum of audiences with diverse interests and lifestyles. The Company publishes The Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com), Texas’ leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes, and various niche publications targeting specific audiences. In December 2017, the Company completed the sale of the Denton Record-Chronicle and the Company no longer owns newspaper operations in Denton, Texas.
Basis of Presentation, Policy	Basis of Presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include adjustments of a normal recurring nature which, in the Company’s opinion, are necessary to present fairly the interim consolidated financial information as of and for the periods indicated. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. All dollar amounts presented herein, except share and per share amounts, are in thousands, unless the context indicates otherwise. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist as of the date the financial statements are published, and (iii) the reported amount of net operating revenues and expenses recognized during the periods presented. Adjustments made with respect to the use of estimates often relate to improved information not previously available. Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of financial statements; accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This guidance prescribes a single comprehensive model for entities to use in the accounting of revenue arising from contracts with customers. The core principle contemplated by this new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount reflecting the consideration the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. New disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers are also required. Since May 2014, the FASB issued clarifying updates to the new standard specifically to address certain core principles including the identification of performance obligations, licensing guidance, the assessment of the collectability criterion, the presentation of taxes collected from customers, noncash considerations, contract modifications, and completed contracts at transition. The new guidance will supersede virtually all existing revenue guidance under GAAP and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. There are two transition options available to entities, the full retrospective approach, in which the Company would restate prior periods, or the modified retrospective approach. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective approach as of January 1, 2018; see Note 3 – Revenue. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07 – Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This update clarifies the presentation and classification of the components of net periodic benefit cost in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Specifically, this standard requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be recorded in the same income statement line as other employee compensation costs and all other components of net periodic benefit cost must be presented as non-operating items. The Company adopted this standard retrospectively as of January 1, 2018. The Company’s defined benefit plans have been frozen, so the Company is no longer incurring service costs related to the plans. Therefore, the entire net periodic pension and other post-employment expense (benefit) will be presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in other income, net. As a result of adopting this guidance, total operating costs and expense decreased $5,051 and $3,333 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, with the offsetting change recorded to other income, net. There was no impact to net income (loss), retained earnings and earnings per share. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company completed a de-risking transaction to reduce the Company’s pension liability, which resulted in a charge to pension expense of $5,911; see Note 8 – Pension and Other Retirement Plans.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements. The FASB issued the following accounting pronouncements and guidance, which may be applicable to the Company but have not yet become effective. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 – Leases (Topic 842). This update requires an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all of its leases. The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The asset will generally be based on the liability. For income statement purposes operating leases will result in straight-line expense and finance leases will result in expenses similar to current capital leases. The guidance also requires additional disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Since February 2016, the FASB issued clarifying updates to the new standard that did not change the core principle of ASU 2016-02. The new guidance will supersede virtually all existing lease guidance under GAAP and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company currently anticipates adopting ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach and expects to elect certain available transitional practical expedients. The Company is reviewing its various lease agreements and in the third quarter of 2018, implemented new lease management software. Based on progress to date, the Company believes it will have a significant impact related to how it accounts for real estate operating leases. Upon adoption, the Company expects to record additional assets and liabilities related to leases, but has not yet quantified its impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company is continuing to assess the potential impact of adopting the new standard and expects the assessment to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14 – Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This update modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by removing disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifying the specific requirements of disclosures and adding disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this update and has not yet determined its impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. This update clarifies the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement, or hosting arrangement, that is a service contract. Costs for implementation activities incurred during the application development stage will be capitalized depending on the nature of the costs, while costs incurred during the preliminary project and post implementation stages will be expensed as the activities are performed. The capitalized implementation costs will be expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this update and has not yet determined its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Pension And Other Retirement Plans (Policy)	9 Months Ended
Pension And Other Retirement Plans (Policy)	Sep. 30, 2018
Pension and Other Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Pension, Policy	The Company’s estimates of net periodic pension expense or benefit are based on the expected return on plan assets, interest on the projected benefit obligations and the amortization of actuarial gains and losses that are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for pension and other postretirement benefit plans. This accounting policy may address (1) the types of plans sponsored by the entity, and the benefits provided by each plan (2) groups that participate in (or are covered by) each plan (3) how plan assets, liabilities and expenses are measured, including the use of any actuaries and (4) significant assumptions used by the entity to value plan assets and liabilities and how such assumptions are derived.

+ References + Details

Shareholders' Equity (Policy)	9 Months Ended
Shareholders' Equity (Policy)	Sep. 30, 2018
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity, Policy	Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of actuarial gains and losses attributable to the A. H. Belo Pension Plans, gains and losses resulting from Pension Plans’ amendments and other actuarial experience attributable to other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) plans. The Company records amortization of the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss in employee compensation and benefits in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains and losses associated with the A. H. Belo Pension Plans are amortized over the weighted average remaining life expectancy of the Pension Plans’ participants. Gains and losses associated with the Company’s OPEB plans are amortized over the average remaining service period of active OPEB plans’ participants. Net deferred tax assets related to amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are fully reserved.

Segment Reporting (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reportable Segment Information



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Revenue
Publishing	$	43,719	$	52,603	$	133,251	$	160,916
Marketing Services		5,333		7,956		16,423		23,633
Total	$	49,052	$	60,559	$	149,674	$	184,549

Operating Income (Loss)
Publishing	$	(1,554)	$	(834)	$	(9,434)	$	(8,485)
Marketing Services		252		836		548		2,215
Total	$	(1,302)	$	2	$	(8,886)	$	(6,270)

Noncash Expenses
Publishing
Depreciation	$	2,455	$	2,565	$	7,389	$	7,762
Asset impairments		—		—		(22)		228
Pension settlement		—		5,911		—		5,911
Total	$	2,455	$	8,476	$	7,367	$	13,901

Marketing Services
Depreciation	$	59	$	42	$	133	$	78
Amortization		199		200		599		599
Total	$	258	$	242	$	732	$	677



	September 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Total Assets
Publishing	$	124,199	$	137,409
Marketing Services		21,487		25,439
Total	$	145,686	$	162,848

Revenue (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Revenue [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition Reclassification



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	As Reported		Balances Without Adoption		Effect of Change (Decrease)		As Reported		Balances Without Adoption		Effect of Change (Decrease)
Revenue
Advertising and marketing services	$	25,260	$	28,278	$	(3,018)	$	77,398	$	86,175	$	(8,777)
Circulation		17,896		18,158		(262)		53,564		54,353		(789)

Expenses
Other production, distribution and operating costs	$	20,939	$	24,219	$	(3,280)	$	66,786	$	76,352	$	(9,566)

Disaggregated By Revenue Source



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017			2018	2017
Advertising revenue	$	19,927	$	26,919	$	60,975	$	82,468
Digital services		4,191		6,194		12,740		19,902
Other services		1,142		1,762		3,683		3,731
Advertising and marketing services		25,260		34,875		77,398		106,101
Circulation		17,896		18,845		53,564		57,099
Printing, distribution and other		5,896		6,839		18,712		21,349
Total Revenue	$	49,052	$	60,559	$	149,674	$	184,549

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Schedule of identifiable intangible assets



	September 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Goodwill
Marketing Services	$	13,973	$	13,973

Intangible Assets
Marketing Services
Cost	$	6,470	$	6,470
Accumulated Amortization		(2,996)		(2,397)
Net Carrying Value	$	3,474	$	4,073

Long-term Incentive Plan (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Long-term Incentive Plan [Abstract]

Schedule of stock options outstanding activity



	Number of Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	100,344	$	6.46
Canceled	(97,344)		6.60
Outstanding at September 30, 2018	3,000		2.05

Schedule of RSU activity



	Total RSUs	Issuance of Common Stock	RSUs Redeemed in Cash	Cash Payments at Closing Price of Stock		Weighted Average Price on Date of Grant
Non-vested at December 31, 2017	224,053					$	6.07
Granted	348,455						5.05
Canceled	(3,711)						6.06
Vested and outstanding	(184,774)						5.38
Vested and issued	(114,248)	68,543	45,705	$	235		6.29
Non-vested at September 30, 2018	269,775						5.13

Schedule of compensation expense related to stock awards



	RSUs Redeemable in Stock		RSUs Redeemable in Cash		Total RSU Awards Expense
Three Months Ended September 30,
2018	$	134	$	112	$	246
2017		149		82		231
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2018	$	854	$	424	$	1,278
2017		775		399		1,174

Pension and Other Retirement Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Pension and Other Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Periodic Pension Benefit



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Interest cost	$	1,796	$	2,386	$	5,389	$	7,158
Expected return on plans' assets		(2,894)		(3,313)		(8,681)		(9,940)
Amortization of actuarial loss		168		75		503		224
Recognized settlement loss		—		5,911		—		5,911
Net periodic pension expense (benefit)	$	(930)	$	5,059	$	(2,789)	$	3,353

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss



	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans		Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans
Balance, beginning of period	$	(24,617)	$	(25,099)	$	482	$	(39,195)	$	(39,588)	$	393
Amortization		158		168		(10)		5,967		5,986		(19)
Actuarial gains		—		—		—		3,648		3,648		—
Balance, end of period	$	(24,459)	$	(24,931)	$	472	$	(29,580)	$	(29,954)	$	374



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans		Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans
Balance, beginning of period	$	(24,932)	$	(25,434)	$	502	$	(39,308)	$	(39,737)	$	429
Amortization		473		503		(30)		6,080		6,135		(55)
Actuarial gains		—		—		—		3,648		3,648		—
Balance, end of period	$	(24,459)	$	(24,931)	$	472	$	(29,580)	$	(29,954)	$	374

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of earnings per share reconciliation



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Earnings (Numerator)
Net income (loss)	$	(1,036)	$	2,580	$	(5,584)	$	(2,655)
Less: dividends to participating securities		48		35		142		117
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(1,084)	$	2,545	$	(5,726)	$	(2,772)

Shares (Denominator)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic)		21,709,557		21,753,166		21,761,110		21,729,212
Effect of dilutive securities		—		1,461		—		—
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding (diluted)		21,709,557		21,754,627		21,761,110		21,729,212

Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted	$	(0.05)	$	0.12	$	(0.26)	$	(0.13)

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]
Net periodic pension and other post-employment benefit	$ 5,051	$ 3,333
Pension settlement	$ 5,911	$ 5,911

Segment Reporting (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 segment	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments \| segment		2
Net periodic pension and other post-employment benefit	$ 5,051		$ 3,333
Pension settlement	$ 5,911		$ 5,911

Segment Reporting (Reportable Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 49,052	$ 60,559	$ 149,674	$ 184,549
Operating Income (Loss)	(1,302)	2	(8,886)	(6,270)
Depreciation	2,514	2,607	7,522	7,840
Amortization	199	200	599	599
Asset impairments			(22)	228
Pension settlement		5,911		5,911
Total Assets	145,686		145,686		$ 162,848
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	49,052	60,559	149,674	184,549
Operating Income (Loss)	(1,302)	2	(8,886)	(6,270)
Total Assets	145,686		145,686		162,848
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	43,719	52,603	133,251	160,916
Operating Income (Loss)	(1,554)	(834)	(9,434)	(8,485)
Depreciation	2,455	2,565	7,389	7,762
Asset impairments			(22)	228
Total	2,455	8,476	7,367	13,901
Total Assets	124,199		124,199		137,409
Operating Segments [Member] \| Marketing Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	5,333	7,956	16,423	23,633
Operating Income (Loss)	252	836	548	2,215
Depreciation	59	42	133	78
Amortization	199	200	599	599
Total	258	$ 242	732	$ 677
Total Assets	$ 21,487		$ 21,487		$ 25,439

Revenue (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Revenue (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation	$ 2,105
Deferred revenue balance	11,376
Deferred revenue increase	$ 33
Deferred revenue, revenue recognized		$ 9,545
Maximum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	36 months
Minimum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	13 months

Revenue (Remaining Performance Obligations, Start Date ) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation	$ 2,105
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2018-10-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation	542
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation	$ 1,563

Revenue (Revenue Recognition Reclassification) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 49,052	$ 60,559	$ 149,674	$ 184,549
Other production, distribution and operating costs	20,939	27,460	66,786	85,522
Balances Without Adoption [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Other production, distribution and operating costs	24,219		76,352
Effect of Change (Decrease) [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Other production, distribution and operating costs	(3,280)		(9,566)
Advertising And Marketing Services [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue	25,260	34,875	77,398	106,101
Advertising And Marketing Services [Member] \| Balances Without Adoption [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue	28,278		86,175
Advertising And Marketing Services [Member] \| Effect of Change (Decrease) [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue	(3,018)		(8,777)
Circulation [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue	17,896	$ 18,845	53,564	$ 57,099
Circulation [Member] \| Balances Without Adoption [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue	18,158		54,353
Circulation [Member] \| Effect of Change (Decrease) [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ (262)		$ (789)

Revenue (Disaggregated By Revenue Source) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 49,052	$ 60,559	$ 149,674	$ 184,549
Advertising Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue	19,927	26,919	60,975	82,468
Digital Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue	4,191	6,194	12,740	19,902
Other Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue	1,142	1,762	3,683	3,731
Advertising And Marketing Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue	25,260	34,875	77,398	106,101
Circulation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue	17,896	18,845	53,564	57,099
Printing, Distribution And Other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 5,896	$ 6,839	$ 18,712	$ 21,349

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jan. 02, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Distributions to non-controlling interests		$ 179
DMV [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired			80.00%
Fiscal Year 2016 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro-rata distributions, percentage of free-cash-flow	50.00%
Fiscal Year 2015 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro-rata distributions, percentage of free-cash-flow	100.00%
DMV [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Distributions to non-controlling interests		$ 163
Purchase Of Remaining Percent [Member] \| DMV [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	Mar. 01, 2017
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	20.00%
Business Acquisition, Consideration Transferred	$ 7,120
Purchase Of Remaining Percent [Member] \| Speakeasy [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	Feb. 01, 2017
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	30.00%
Business Acquisition, Consideration Transferred	$ 2,111

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 199	$ 200		$ 599	$ 599
Goodwill impairment			$ 228
Marketing Services [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percent of fair value of reporting unit excess of carrying value						93.00%
Goodwill impairment						$ 0
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangibles	4,950			$ 4,950
Definite-lived intangibles, useful life				10 years
Developed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangibles	$ 1,520			$ 1,520
Definite-lived intangibles, useful life				5 years

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Schedule of identifiable intangible assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 13,973	$ 13,973
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Net Carrying Value	3,474	4,073
Operating Segments [Member] \| Marketing Services [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	13,973	13,973
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Cost	6,470	6,470
Accumulated Amortization	(2,996)	(2,397)
Net Carrying Value	$ 3,474	$ 4,073

Long-term Incentive Plan (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based compensation expense
Number of options exercised	0	0
Number of Options Outstanding	3,000		100,344
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding	$ 2.05		$ 6.46
Plan [Member]
Share-based compensation expense
Number of shares authorized	8,000,000
2017 Plan [Member]
Share-based compensation expense
Number of shares authorized	8,000,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based compensation expense
Options, outstanding, intrinsic value	$ 8
Number of options granted	0
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based compensation expense
Weighted average remaining contractual life	1 year
RSUs [Member]
Share-based compensation expense
RSUs Vested and outstanding	337,778		290,825
Number of shares issued	82,693
Number of shares previously vested redeemed in cash	55,128
RSUs Redeemed in cash, liability	$ 939
RSUs, award vesting period	3 years
RSUs, percentage of redemption in common stock	60.00%
RSUs, percentage of redemption in cash	40.00%
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 1,193
Unrecognized compensation cost, weighted-average period	2 years 1 month 6 days

Long-term Incentive Plan (Schedule of stock options outstanding activity) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 $ / shares shares
Stock option activity rollforward
Number of Options, Outstanding, Beginning Balance \| shares	100,344
Number of Options Canceled \| shares	(97,344)
Number of Options, Outstanding, Ending Balance \| shares	3,000
Weighted average price per share
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Beginning Balance \| $ / shares	$ 6.46
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Canceled \| $ / shares	6.60
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Ending Balance \| $ / shares	$ 2.05

Long-term Incentive Plan (Schedule of RSU activity) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares
RSU non-vested rollforward
Number of RSUs Canceled	(3,711)
Weighted Average Price on Date of Grant
Canceled \| $ / shares	$ 6.06
RSUs [Member]
RSU non-vested rollforward
Number of RSUs, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	224,053
Number of RSUs Granted	348,455
Number of RSUs Vested and outstanding	(184,774)
Number of RSUs Vested and issued	(114,248)
Number of RSUs, Outstanding, Ending Balance	269,775
Vested RSUs redeemed for stock, cash, and related payments
Issuance of Common Stock	68,543
RSUs Redeemed in Cash	45,705
Cash Payments at Closing Price of Stock \| $	$ 235
Weighted Average Price on Date of Grant
Beginning balance - Weighted average price \| $ / shares	$ 6.07
Granted \| $ / shares	5.05
Vested and outstanding \| $ / shares	5.38
Vested and issued \| $ / shares	6.29
Ending balance - Weighted average price \| $ / shares	$ 5.13

Long-term Incentive Plan (Schedule of compensation expense related to stock awards) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
RSUs Redeemable in Stock [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 134	$ 149	$ 854	$ 775
RSUs Redeemable in Cash [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	112	82	424	399
RSUs [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 246	$ 231	$ 1,278	$ 1,174

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018
Income Taxes [Abstract]
U.S. corporate income tax rate			21.00%		35.00%
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Change in Tax Rate, Deferred tax asset, income tax expense					$ 3,570
Income tax provision (benefit)	$ 596	$ 10	$ (661)	$ 261
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Expected income tax benefit change			$ 669
Effective Income Tax Rate, Percent			10.60%	(10.90%)
Changes in valuation allowance			$ (60)
Tax, refund received	$ 4,095		$ 4,095			$ 3,210

Pension and Other Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) employee	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) employee	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Number of employee participants \| employee			1,500
Recognized settlement loss		$ 5,911		$ 5,911
Actuarial gains		3,648		3,648
Defined Contribution Plans
Maximum pretax contribution per employee			100.00%
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent			1.50%
Expense recognized	$ 199	$ 175	$ 653	670
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Change in number of employees covered by employer sponsored pension plans \| employee		(796)
Percent of change in number of employees covered by employer sponsored pension plans		36.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount		$ 20,000
Plan assets liquidated				23,391
Pension Liabilities Transferred To Insurance Company		43,391
Recognized settlement loss		5,911		5,911
Actuarial gains		$ 3,648		$ 3,648
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions
Estimated future employer contributions	$ 0		$ 0

Pension and Other Retirement Plans (Schedule of net periodic pension benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Recognized settlement loss		$ 5,911		$ 5,911
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Interest cost	$ 1,796	2,386	$ 5,389	7,158
Expected return on plans' assets	(2,894)	(3,313)	(8,681)	(9,940)
Amortization of actuarial loss	168	75	503	224
Recognized settlement loss		5,911		5,911
Net periodic pension expense (benefit)	$ (930)	$ 5,059	$ (2,789)	$ 3,353

Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 05, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared		Sep. 05, 2018
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share			$ 0.08
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Nov. 16, 2018
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Dec. 07, 2018
Dividends Payable	$ 1,783	$ 1,783			$ 1,775
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount				$ 2,500
Treasury stock purchases, shares	50,784
Treasury stock purchases		$ 1,056
Series A [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Treasury stock purchases	$ 231
Common stock, shares, outstanding	19,209,803	19,209,803		19,269,331
Series B [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares, outstanding	2,469,555	2,469,555		2,469,755

Shareholders' Equity (Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	$ (24,617)	$ (39,195)	$ (24,932)	$ (39,308)
Amortization	158	5,967	473	6,080
Actuarial gains		3,648		3,648
Balance, end of period	(24,459)	(29,580)	(24,459)	(29,580)
Pension Plan [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	(25,099)	(39,588)	(25,434)	(39,737)
Amortization	168	5,986	503	6,135
Actuarial gains		3,648		3,648
Balance, end of period	(24,931)	(29,954)	(24,931)	(29,954)
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	482	393	502	429
Amortization	(10)	(19)	(30)	(55)
Balance, end of period	$ 472	$ 374	$ 472	$ 374

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	9 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	610,553	615,222

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of earnings per share reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (1,036)	$ 2,580	$ (5,584)	$ (2,655)
Less: dividends to participating securities	48	35	142	117
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ (1,084)	$ 2,545	$ (5,726)	$ (2,772)
Shares (Denominator)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic)	21,709,557	21,753,166	21,761,110	21,729,212
Effect of dilutive securities		1,461
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding (diluted)	21,709,557	21,754,627	21,761,110	21,729,212
Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted	$ (0.05)	$ 0.12	$ (0.26)	$ (0.13)

Sales of Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 22, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Sales of Assets [Abstract]
Assets held for sale			$ 1,089	$ 1,089
Net proceeds from sale of land and building	$ 8,252	$ 8,252
Gain on sale of parcel	$ 5,000

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 28, 2018	Oct. 29, 2018
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Net proceeds from sale of real estate assets	$ 32,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sale of real estate assets, amount		$ 33,000