Tracking Stocks (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Jun. 30, 2011
|
Feb. 09, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
Jun. 30, 2010
|
Feb. 25, 2010
|
Dec. 31, 2009
|
Feb. 09, 2011
Time Warner Cable Inc [Member]
|
Feb. 09, 2011
Time Warner Inc [Member]
|
Feb. 09, 2011
AOL Inc [Member]
|
Jun. 30, 2011
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
|
Jun. 30, 2010
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
|
Jun. 30, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Jun. 30, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
|
Jun. 30, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Jun. 30, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2010
Starz Media [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
2029 Exchangeables [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
2030 Exchangeables [Member]
|
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Principal amount of exchangeable debt securities reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | Ìý | $ 1,138 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Shares amount of exchangeable debt securities reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 5 | 22 | 2 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Ownership interest in investee | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 14.60% | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Principal amount of reattributed debt securities from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 469 | 460 | 492 | Ìý | Ìý |
Taxable income reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group to be recognized ratably in tax years 2014 through 2018 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 830 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Principal amount of Exchangeables cancelled triggering the taxable income reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 400 | 350 |
Cash reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 807 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Principal amount of public debt attributed to the Interactive Group | 4,201 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Corporate cash of group | 3,414 | Ìý | 3,179 | 4,106 | Ìý | 4,835 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 1,312 | 1,089 | 1,100 | 884 | 1,035 | 878 | Ìý | 946 | 794 | 1,067 | 1,212 | 2,060 | Ìý | 3,157 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Extinguishment of intergroup loan payable | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 54.9 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Bank debt | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 53.7 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Cash attributed from Capital Group to Starz Group | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 15 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Cash attributed from Capital Group to Interactive Group | Ìý | 264 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Principal amount of its exchangeable senior debentures and other parent debt attributed to the Capital Group | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 750 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Carrying Value of Exchangeable Shares | Ìý | $ 1,215 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |