Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stock-Based Compensations (Grants) (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Stock-Based Compensations (Grants) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value $ 46,000 $ 47,000 $ 66,000
Common Class A [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number 200,000    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value $ 45.02    
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum 31.90% 31.90% 29.30%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Options granted 496,000 887,818 2,083,429
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value $ 21.36 $ 21.32 $ 14.33
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum 31.90% 33.60% 33.60%
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding WAEP, Beginning of Period $ 46.15    
WAEP granted $ 72.92    
WAEP exercised $ 31.34    
WAEP forfeited/cancelled $ 64.88    
Outstanding WAEP, End of Period $ 0.00    
Exercisable WAEP $ 0.00    
Outstanding options, Beginning Balance 3,217,000    
Options granted 496,000    
Options exercised (151,000)    
Options forfeited/cancelled (34,000)    
Outstanding options, Ending Balance 0    
Exercisable options 0    
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted (3,528,000)    
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Converion in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 50.36    
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum 43.90% 43.90% 29.30%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Options granted 162,347 1,135,622 1,649,511
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value $ 33.95 $ 19.56 $ 12.17
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum 54.20% 47.90% 47.90%
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value $ 124,727    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding WAEP, Beginning of Period $ 19.38    
WAEP granted $ 73.45    
WAEP exercised $ 9.91    
WAEP forfeited/cancelled $ 25.17    
Outstanding WAEP, End of Period $ 36.57    
Exercisable WAEP $ 20.55    
Outstanding options, Beginning Balance 4,996,000    
Options granted 162,000    
Options exercised (600,000)    
Options forfeited/cancelled (1,000)    
Outstanding options, Ending Balance 7,665,000    
Exercisable options 2,163,000    
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted (3,108,000)    
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Converion in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 57.15