Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method - Sirius XM Canada (Details)

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Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method - Sirius XM Canada (Details)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
May 25, 2017
CAD ($)
Sep. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2018
USD ($)
item
shares
Sep. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
shares
Sep. 30, 2018
$ / shares
Sep. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Jan. 01, 2018
USD ($)
May 25, 2017
USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Deferred revenue           $ 1,941   $ 2,235 $ 1,899  
Repayments of debt       $ 3,014 $ 4,819          
SIRIUS XM                    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Due to Related Parties, Current               4    
Due to Related Parties, Noncurrent               6    
Due from Related Parties, Current               $ 10    
SEC Schedule, 12-04, Cash Dividends Paid to Registrant, Subsidiaries and Equity Method Investees       104            
SIRIUS XM | Sirius XM Canada                    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Revenue from Related Parties   $ 25 $ 23 $ 72 63          
Percentage ownership 70.00%                 70.00%
Equity Method Investment Voting Interest 33.00%                  
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments           130        
Equity method investment consideration transferred           $ 309        
Issuance of common stock related to investment in Sirius XM Canada (in shares) | shares           35        
Equity method investment, consideration transferred, equity interests issued and issuable           $ 179        
Equity Method Investment, Number of Preferred Shares Owned | shares       591            
SIRIUS XM | Sirius XM Canada | Services Agreement                    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Related Party Transaction, Period Of Agreement 30 years                  
SIRIUS XM | Sirius XM Canada | Services Agreement, Years 1 through 5                    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Related Party Transaction, Payments Receivable, Percent of Gross Revenue 25.00%                  
SIRIUS XM | Sirius XM Canada | Services Agreement, Years 6 through 30                    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Related Party Transaction, Payments Receivable, Percent of Gross Revenue 30.00%                  
SIRIUS XM | Sirius XM Canada | Advisory Services Agreement                    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Related Party Transaction, Period Of Agreement 30 years                  
Related Party Transaction, Payments Receivable, Percent of Gross Revenue 5.00%                  
SIRIUS XM | Sirius XM Canada | Related Party 7.62% Loan                    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Noncurrent                   $ 131
Notes receivable, related parties, maturity period 15 years                  
Related Party Transaction, Rate 7.62%                  
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Annual Principal Repayment Period 60 days                  
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Annual Prepayment Excess Cash Threshold $ 10                  
Sirius XM Canada                    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Number of previous shareholders who hold remainder of voting power | item       2            
SEC Schedule, 12-04, Cash Dividends Paid to Registrant, Subsidiaries and Equity Method Investees       $ 2 $ 4          
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share | $ / shares             $ 1      
Sirius XM Canada | Related Party 7.62% Loan                    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Repayments of debt       $ 3