Accounts receivable Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of period Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of period Reconciliation of accumulated other comprehensive income [Abstract] Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Additional paid-in-capital Earned royalty advances Depreciation of technology, property and equipment Amortization of intangibles Restricted Stock [Member] Unearned Restricted Shares [Member] Stock Options [Member] Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Cash and cash equivalents Balance at Beginning of Period Balance at End of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Interest Change in book overdrafts Class A & Class B common stock Change for the period Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Cost of sales Foreign currency translation adjustment, beginning of period Foreign currency translation adjustment, end of the period Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current Current Liabilities Customer Relationships [Member] Non-cash deferred tax benefit associated with new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred revenue Derivative, Name [Domain] Basis of variable interest rate, reference rate Fixed interest rate Interest rate swap agreements which were also designated as fully effective cash flow hedges Derivative, by Nature [Axis] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Table] Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash Effective tax rates Share-based compensation expense Stock-based compensation Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Adjustments for Error Corrections [Axis] Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] Schedule of Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustment Restatement [Table] Non-cash deferred tax benefits Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income taxes, net Dilutive effect of stock options and other stock awards Intangible Assets Total Intangible Assets [Abstract] Intangible Assets [Abstract] Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract] Finite-lived intangible assets Goodwill Indefinite-lived intangible assets Interest Expense Interest Expense Interest rate swaps [Member] Finished goods LIFO reserve Inventories Total inventories Work-in-process Gross Inventory Inventory value from estimated returns Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity Liabilities and Equity Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity: Current portion of long-term debt Long-Term Debt Cash (Used for) Provided by Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Financing Activities Cash Used for Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Investing Activities Cash Used for Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Operating Activities Net Income Net income Decrease for the Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Noncompete Agreements [Member] Operating Income Operating Income Revenue Net change in operating assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions Changes in other comprehensive income (loss): Change for the period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Cash dividends Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Pension contributions Pension expense, net of contributions Defined Benefit Retirement Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Recognized Net Actuarial Loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses) Net Amortization of Prior Service Cost Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Accrued pension liability Expected Return on Plan Assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets Interest Cost Net Pension Expense Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Service Cost Borrowings of long-term debt Proceeds from exercise of stock options and other Technology, Property & Equipment Additions to technology, property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Paper, cloth and other Repayment of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Purchase of treasury stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Retained earnings Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosure Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of share-based compensation data for awards granted Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment information Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Awards granted (in thousands) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Weighted average fair market value of grant (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Awards granted (in thousands) Weighted average fair market value of grant (in dollars per share) Expected dividend yield (in hundredths) Expected life of options (years) Expected volatility (in hundredths) Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths) Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis] Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Total Current Assets Assets, Current Current Assets Diluted (in shares) Shares used for diluted earnings per share Basic (in shares) Shares used for basic earnings per share Less: Unearned restricted shares Total Assets Assets Intangible Assets Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Other Long-Term Liabilities Share-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair value, fair value disclosure [Member] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Statement [Table] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Assets: Statement [Line Items] Class of Stock [Domain] Treasury stock Treasury Stock, Value Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax, beginning of period Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax, end of period Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Unamortized retirement costs, net of tax, beginning of the period Unamortized retirement costs, net of tax, end of the period Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Change in deferred revenue Other Assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Operating and administrative expenses Anti-dilutive shares excluded for diluted EPS calculation Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Costs and Expenses Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Income Before Taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Class of Stock [Axis] Total Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Provision For Income Taxes Foreign Exchange Transaction Losses Foreign exchange transaction losses Common (in dollars per share) Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Total Costs and Expenses Costs and Expenses Weighted-average Black Scholes fair value assumptions by stock options grants Variable rate loans outstanding Reconciliation of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Weighted average shares outstanding Accrued income taxes Shareholders' Equity Hedging Relationship [Domain] Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used for operating activities: Accounts and royalties payable Other accrued liabilities Accrued employment costs Employee-related Liabilities, Current Comprehensive income Foreign currency translation adjustment Change for the period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unamortized retirement costs, net of tax Change for the period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized (loss)/gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax Accrued Pension Liability Recent Accounting Standards Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block] Segment [Domain] Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member] Amounts Not Allocated to Reportable Segments [Member] Reportable Segment [Member] Amounts Allocated to Reportable Segments [Member] Prior period reclassification adjustment Cash and Cash Equivalents Schedule of Intangible Assets Weighted average number of shares outstanding reconciliation Inventories Defined Benefit Retirement Plans [Abstract] Comprehensive income (loss) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting [Text Block] Reconciliation of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Segment Information [Abstract] Inception date Expiration date Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Hedging Designation [Domain] Notional amount of derivative liability Fair value of derivative liability Hedging Designation [Axis] Adjustments for Error Correction [Domain] Forward exchange contracts [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Other Liabilities [Member] Other Long Term Liabilties [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Interest expense [Member] Cash flow hedge [Member] Not designated as hedging instrument [Member] Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Location [Domain] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Net losses reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Interest Expense (Losses)/gains recognized on derivative instruments Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Designated as hedging instrument [Member] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity [Text Block] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Prepaid And Other Prepaid Expense, Current combined with the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current assets not separately presented elsewhere in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Prepaid and other Product Development Assets Product development assets consist of composition costs and royalty advances to authors. Composition costs, primarily represent the costs incurred to bring an edited commercial manuscript to publication including typesetting, proofreading, design and illustration, etc. Royalty advances to authors are capitalized and, upon publication, are recovered as royalties earned by the authors based on sales of the published works. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION [Abstract] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Unaudited) [Abstract] Income Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Cash Dividends Per Share [Abstract] Cash Dividends Per Share Averge Shares [Abstract] Average Shares CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract] Interest Income and Other May include income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents the earnings of which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money as well as the aggregate amount of other income amounts resulting from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business) also known as other nonoperating income recognized for the period. Such amounts may include: (a) dividends, (b) interest on securities, (c) profits on securities (net of losses), and (d) miscellaneous other income items. Amortization Of Composition Costs The charge against earnings in the period representing the amortization of composition costs. Amortization of composition costs Cash Paid During Period For Cash Paid During the Period for: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Abstract] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (Unaudited) [Abstract] Non Cash Charges And Other May include other expenses included in net income that result in no cash inflows or outflows in the period which are not otherwise defined in the taxonomy as well as gains and other income producing transactions that result in no cash inflows or outflows in the period in which they occur, but increase net income and thus are subtracted (removed) when calculating net cash flow from operating activities using the indirect method. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element. Other non-cash charges Additions To Product Development Assets The cash outflow for composition costs and royalty advances. Composition spending Royalty Advances The expense charged against earnings for the periodic recognition of the advance royalties. These royalties are paid in one accounting period, but are deducted from earnings over time through amortization. For example, royalties that are required to be paid in advance of production from a mineral, oil, or gas property and amortized over the period of right to produce these items. Royalty advances Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Recent Accounting Standards [Abstract] Reconciliation of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Inventories [Abstract] Intangible Assets [Abstract] Intangible Assets [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award fair value assumptions fair value of common stock on grant date The fair value per share of common stock on grant date used in the weighted average fair value assumptions for stock option grants. Fair value of common stock on grant date (in dollars per share) Share-based compensation data for awards granted by the Company [Abstract] Share-based compensation data for awards granted by the Company Direct Contribution To Profit Contribution margin as determined under the variable costing method. Direct Contribution to Profit Shared Services And Administration Costs Corporate headquarter items not allocated to segments. Shared Services and Administration Costs Basis Of Variable Interest Rate Reference Rate Reset Period The period after which the variable interest rate is reset based on the reference rate (e.g., LIBOR, U.S. Treasury Rate). During the term of the derivative instrument, the variable interest rate will be reset at regular intervals corresponding to this reset period. Basis of variable interest rate, reference rate reset period (in months) Term Of Derivative Instrument The term of the derivative instrument which may be presented in a variety of ways (e.g., years, months). Term of derivative instrument (years) Remaining Derivative Number Of Instruments Held The number of remaining derivative instruments of a particular group held by the entity. Remaining interest rate swap agreement Effective Tax Rate Continuing Operations Excluding Tax Benefits Due To New Tax Legislation Enacted A ratio calculated by dividing the reported amount of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations for the period, excluding tax benefits due to new tax legislation enacted, by GAAP-basis pretax income from continuing operations. Effective tax rate excluding tax benefits due to new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. Corporate Income Tax Rate Prior To New Tax Legislation Corporate income tax rate prior to the non-cash deferred tax benefit associated with the new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. Corporate income tax rate prior to the new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. Corporate Income Tax Rate Subsequent To New Tax Legislation Corporate income tax rate subsequent to the non-cash deferred tax benefit associated with the new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. Corporate income tax rate subsequent to the new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. Non-cash deferred tax benefit associated with new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. (per share) The change during the period in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying enacted tax laws on a per share basis. Class A Common Stock [Member] Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of Class A common stock outstanding. Class B Common Stock [Member] Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of Class B common stock outstanding. Iventory Increase [Member] Respresents an increase to the inventory account as a result of reclassification. Accounts And Royalties Payable Reduction [Member] Respresents an decrease to the accounts and royalties payable accounts as a result of reclassification. Royalty Advance from Investing to Operating Activities [Member] Respresents a reclassification of royalty advances from investing to operating activites. Scientific, Technical, Medical and Scholarly [Member] The scientific, technical, medical and scholarly component of the entity. Professional and Trade [Member] Professional/Trade [Member] The professional and trade component of the entity. Higher Education [Member] The higher education component of the entity. Distribution [Member] The distribution component of the entity's shared service and admnistrative costs. Technology Services [Member] The technology component of the entity's shared service and admnistrative costs. Finance [Member] The finance component of the entity's shared service and admnistrative costs. Other Administration [Member] The other administration component of the entity's shared service and admnistrative costs. Core Businesses [Axis] The company's core businesses. Core Businesses [Domain] The company's core businesses. Components of Shared Services and Administration Costs [Axis] The components of the company's shared services and administrative costs. Components Of Shared Services And Administration Costs [Domain] The components of the company's shared services and administrative costs. Finite-lived intangible assets [Member] Finite-lived intangible assets. Infinite-lived intangible assets [Member] Infinite-lived intangible assets. Acquired publishing rights [Member] Acquired publishing rights Brands and trademarks [Member] The rights acquired through registration of a trademark to gain or protect exclusive use of a business name, symbol or other device or style. Schedule of intangible assets, net (Excluding goodwill) [Table] Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets by life category [Axis] The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite or infinite-lived intnagible asset class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets by life category [Domain] The two types of intangible assets by life category (excluding goodwill). Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets by major class name [Axis] Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets by major class name. Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets by major class name [Domain] Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets by major class name Schedule of intangible assets, net (Excluding goodwill) [Line Items] Interest rate swap (revolving credit facility) [Member] Forward based contracts in which two parties agree to swap periodic payments that are fixed at the outset of the swap contract with variable payments based on a market interest rate (index rate) over a specified period. This interest rate swap agreement fixed a portion of the variable interest due on the revolving credit facility. Interest rate swap (term loan) [Member] Forward based contracts in which two parties agree to swap periodic payments that are fixed at the outset of the swap contract with variable payments based on a market interest rate (index rate) over a specified period. This interest rate swap agreement fixed the variable interest due on the term loan. Interest rate swap (variable rate loans) [Member] Forward based contracts in which two parties agree to swap periodic payments that are fixed at the outset of the swap contract with variable payments based on a market interest rate (index rate) over a specified period. This interest rate swap agreement fixed a portion of the variable interest due on the variable rate loans outstanding. Prepaid and other [Member] Amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and the aggregate carrying amount of current assets, as of the balance sheet date, not separately presented elsewhere in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Other accrued liabilities [Member] Obligations, incurred through the balance sheet date and payable, arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Entities [Table] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding