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Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
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12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Nov. 19, 2009
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Dec. 31, 2011
Alternative Base Rate [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
LIBO Rate [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Maximum [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Minimum [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Starz, LLC [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Starz, LLC [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Starz, LLC [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2023 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2023 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Other Debt [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Other Debt [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Subsidiary Debt [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Subsidiary Debt [Member]
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| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | $ 505,000,000 | $ 0 | $ 750,000,000 | $ 40,000,000 | ||||||||||||
| Long-term Debt | 1,295,000,000 | 2,138,000,000 | 505,000,000 | 0 | 0 | 1,283,000,000 | 750,000,000 | 750,000,000 | 40,000,000 | 105,000,000 | ||||||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 1,295,000,000 | 2,000,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Uninvested cash | 660,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity | 1,000,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| standby letters of credit | 50,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Loans Payable to Bank, Noncurrent | 500,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum | 0.75% | 1.75% | ||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum | 1.75% | 2.75% | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two | 29,000,000 | 25,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three | 30,000,000 | 25,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four | 55,000,000 | 50,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital | 1.50 | 1.00 | ||||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity | $ 995,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
standby letters of credit avaialable under Bank Credit Facilities No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of long-term debt maturing in year four following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements, which may include maturities of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed of determinable prices and dates. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of long-term debt maturing in year three following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements, which may include maturities of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed of determinable prices and dates. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of long-term debt maturing in year two following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements, which may include maturities of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of loans from a bank with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer, excluding current portion. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total Aggregate Indebtedness divided by Net Capital. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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