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Tracking Stocks (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Nov. 28, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Sep. 30, 2012
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Jun. 30, 2012
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Mar. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2011
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Jun. 30, 2011
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Mar. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Feb. 09, 2011
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Sep. 16, 2010
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Feb. 25, 2010
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Feb. 25, 2010
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]
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Apr. 01, 2009
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]
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Feb. 25, 2010
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member]
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Apr. 01, 2009
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member]
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Feb. 25, 2010
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member]
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Feb. 09, 2011
Time Warner Inc [Member]
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Feb. 09, 2011
Time Warner Cable Inc [Member]
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Feb. 09, 2011
AOL Inc [Member]
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Feb. 25, 2010
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
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Sep. 16, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Feb. 09, 2011
3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2023 [Member]
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| Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued | 0.88129 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ownership Interest In Investee | 14.60% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount of public debt attributed to the Interactive Group | $ 469 | $ 460 | $ 492 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable income reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group to be recognized ratably in tax years 2014 through 2018 | 830 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount of Exchangeables cancelled triggering the taxable income reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | 400 | 350 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash attributed from Capital Group to Interactive Group | 264 | 807 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash attributed from Capital Group to Starz Group | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extinguishment of intergroup loan payable | 55 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans Payable to Bank, Noncurrent | 500 | 500 | 54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount of exchangeable debt securities reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | 1,138 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares amount of exchangeable debt securities reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | 22,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 2,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value of Exchangeable Shares | 1,215 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro Forma for Reattribution [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | 2,211 | 3,860 | 2,211 | 3,860 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method | 3,341 | 563 | 3,341 | 563 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 8,325 | 7,719 | 8,325 | 7,719 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 540 | 1,295 | 540 | 1,295 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent's investment | 6,440 | 5,259 | 6,440 | 5,259 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 25 | 111 | 101 | 89 | 293 | 111 | 94 | 459 | 326 | 957 | 195 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 33 | 21 | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | $ (1,229) | $ (1,346) | $ (87) | $ 98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||