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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 11 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Nov. 19, 2009
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Dec. 31, 2011
Y
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2009
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Dec. 31, 2008
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Dec. 31, 2011
Equipment [Member]
Y
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Dec. 31, 2011
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Y
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Sep. 23, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
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Sep. 23, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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| Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 3 | 10 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 20 | 40 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent | Ìý | Ìý | $ 534 | $ 788 | $ (76) | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 51 | 50 | 463 | 595 | 596 | 594 | 81 | 90 | 96 |
| Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Share-based Compensation | Ìý | 55 | 49 | 67 | 47 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Advertising Expense | Ìý | Ìý | 242 | 197 | 151 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Sales Returns and Allowances, Goods | Ìý | Ìý | 1,759 | 1,792 | 1,656 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 53 | 52 | 466 | 602 | 605 | 594 | 83 | 93 | 97 |
| Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent | Ìý | Ìý | 378 | 1,104 | 6,538 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent | 0 | Ìý | 912 | 1,892 | 6,462 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current | 80 | Ìý | 80 | 67 | 81 | 74 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Provision for Doubtful Accounts | Ìý | Ìý | 68 | 79 | 74 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Premiums Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Write Offs Against Allowance | Ìý | Ìý | (55) | (93) | (67) | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure | 1,165 | Ìý | 1,165 | 1,109 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized | $ 109 | Ìý | $ 109 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition | Ìý | Ìý | 2.1 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
As of the balance sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity-based awards made to employees under equity-based compensation awards that have yet to vest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, using a decimal to express in number of years. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the parent which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group apportioned to the parent that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items after deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The amount of decrease during the period to the valuation allowance account representing portions of such account associated with premium receivables that have been determined to be absolutely uncollectible or that were sold or transferred, and which receivables were simultaneously written off. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The maximum useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The minimum useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of the current period expense charged against operations, the offset which is generally to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (the amount expected to be collected). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total deduction from sales during the period arising from goods returned by customers (other than under warranty provisions) and price reductions (allowance, price protection agreements) given by the entity. Returns and allowances are a deduction from gross revenue in arriving at net revenue. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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