Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stock-Based Awards (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Stock-Based Awards (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
New awards authorized 8,000,000  
Available for grants 3,100,000  
Stock-based awards maximum term, years 10  
Payments made by HSNi to the taxing authorities for taxes related to RSUs and SARs $ (11,592,000) $ (3,963,000)
Share-based liability 13,800,000  
Unrecognized compensation cost $ 24,800,000  
Weighted average period, years 2.1  
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Shares granted 339,000  
Weighted average fair value $ 12.94  
Vesting period, years 3 years  
Weighted average exercise price $ 35.63  
Volatility factor 46.51%  
Risk-free interest rate 0.92%  
Expected term 5  
Expected dividend yield 1.40%  
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Shares granted 241,000  
Weighted average fair value $ 35.68  
Vesting period, years 3 years  
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Shares granted 26,528  
Weighted average fair value $ 11.53  
Volatility factor 59.70%  
Risk-free interest rate 0.06%  
Expected term 6  
Expected dividend yield 1.36%  
Performance-Based Equity Compensation Program [Member]
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Vesting period, years 3 years