Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stock-Based Awards (Narrative) (Detail)

v2.4.0.6
Stock-Based Awards (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
New awards authorized 8,000,000  
Available for grants 3,200,000  
Stock-based awards maximum term, years 10  
Payments made by HSNi to the taxing authorities for taxes related to RSUs and SARs $ 13,965,000 $ 5,381,000
Share-based liability 15,300,000  
Unrecognized compensation cost $ 21,900,000  
Weighted average period, years 2 years  
Performance-Based Equity Compensation Program [Member]
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Vesting period, years 3 years  
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Shares granted 357,000  
Weighted average fair value $ 12.96  
Vesting period, years 3 years  
Weighted average exercise price $ 35.69  
Volatility factor 46.51%  
Risk-free interest rate 0.91%  
Expected term 5 years  
Expected dividend yield 1.40%  
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Shares granted 300,000  
Weighted average fair value $ 35.97  
Vesting period, years 3 years  
Employee Stock [Member]
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Shares granted 25,000  
Weighted average fair value $ 11.53  
Volatility factor 59.70%  
Risk-free interest rate 0.06%  
Expected term 6 months  
Expected dividend yield 1.36%