Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Discontinued Operations (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
0 Months Ended 11 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 28, 2011
Apr. 03, 2008
Feb. 28, 2008
Nov. 19, 2009
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Jun. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2010
Feb. 25, 2010
Dec. 31, 2008
Feb. 26, 2008
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]                        
Investment Owned, Balance, Shares         204,000             512,600,000
Earnings before income taxes (1)         $ 1,127 $ 460 $ 170          
Investment Owned, at Fair Value                       10,143
Ownership Interest In Investee                   14.60%   41.00%
Cash Acquired from Acquisition     463                  
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets     3,665   (10) 36 242          
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)     1,791   58 (782) 45          
Purchase of shares in equity method investee   78,300,000           5,500,000        
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments   1,980                    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount   110,000,000                    
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage       57.00%                
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments       386 49 (64) (44)          
excess amortization in share of earnings (loss)       279                
Equity investments       13,475 567 91            
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions       65.00%                
Cash and cash equivalents       120 2,070 2,090 3,951   2,090   2,228  
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal       2,000 1,295              
Due from Related Parties, Noncurrent       226                
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued 0.88129                      
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax       5,900                
Common Class B [Member]
                       
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]                        
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued       1.11130                
Common Class A [Member]
                       
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]                        
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued       1.11130                
Liberty Entertainment, Inc. [Member]
                       
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]                        
Earnings before income taxes (1)             5,770          
Revenue             $ 240