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Tracking Stocks (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 11 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Nov. 28, 2011
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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, 2010
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Sep. 30, 2010
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Jun. 30, 2010
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Mar. 31, 2010
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Nov. 19, 2009
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2009
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Feb. 09, 2011
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Feb. 25, 2010
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Feb. 26, 2008
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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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Dec. 31, 2010
proforma [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2009
proforma [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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Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2009
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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| Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued | 0.88129 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ownership Interest In Investee | 14.60% | 41.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extinguishment of intergroup loan payable | 55 | 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 | 3,914 | 3,542 | 3,914 | 3,542 | 3,278 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost investments | 3,441 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity investments | 567 | 91 | 13,475 | 567 | 91 | 91 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 7,723 | 10,792 | 7,723 | 10,792 | 9,563 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 1,295 | 2,138 | 1,295 | 2,138 | 818 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent's investment | 5,261 | 5,026 | 5,261 | 5,026 | 5,155 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | 2,050 | 1,853 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 293 | 111 | 94 | 459 | 86 | 74 | 13 | 22 | 957 | 195 | 9 | 195 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 21 | 65 | 132 | (21) | (34) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share of losses of affiliates | 386 | 49 | (64) | (44) | (62) | (82) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net | 170 | 434 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent | $ 812 | $ 1,021 | $ 340 | $ 206 | $ 213 | $ 788 | $ 461 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||