Tracking Stocks (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Sep. 30, 2011 |
Feb. 09, 2011 |
Dec. 31, 2010 |
Sep. 30, 2010 |
Feb. 25, 2010 |
Dec. 31, 2009 |
Feb. 09, 2011
Time Warner Inc [Member]
|
Feb. 09, 2011
Time Warner Cable Inc [Member]
|
Feb. 09, 2011
AOL Inc [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]
|
Apr. 01, 2009
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member]
|
Apr. 01, 2009
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member]
|
Feb. 25, 2010
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member]
|
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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 | 5 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ownership Interest In Investee | 14.60% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Principal amount of public debt attributed to the Interactive Group | 469 | 460 | 492 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate cash of group | 1,937 | 2,090 | 2,596 | 3,951 | 1,059 | 878 | 1,015 | 794 | 878 | 1,212 | 1,581 | 3,157 | |||||||||||
Extinguishment of intergroup loan payable | 55 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans Payable to Bank, Noncurrent | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash attributed from Capital Group to Starz Group | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash attributed from Capital Group to Interactive Group | 264 | 807 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Principal amount of its exchangeable senior debentures and other parent debt attributed to the Capital Group | 750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Value of Exchangeable Shares | $ 1,215 |