| Long-Term Debt (Debt Excluding Intergroup Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | 
|---|---|---|
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | $ 6,374 | |
| Long-term Debt | 6,049 | 6,039 | 
| Long-term Debt, current maturities | (1,485) | (1,189) | 
| Long-term debt | 4,564 | 4,850 | 
| 5.7% Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 309 | |
| Long-term Debt | 308 | 308 | 
| 8.5% Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 287 | |
| Long-term Debt | 285 | 285 | 
| 8.25% Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 504 | |
| Long-term Debt | 501 | 501 | 
| 3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2023 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 1,138 | |
| Long-term Debt | 1,395 | 1,275 | 
| 4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 469 | |
| Long-term Debt | 275 | 258 | 
| 3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 460 | |
| Long-term Debt | 254 | 235 | 
| 3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 373 | |
| Long-term Debt | 263 | 341 | 
| 3.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 414 | |
| Long-term Debt | 361 | 334 | 
| QVC 7.125% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 500 | |
| Long-term Debt | 500 | 500 | 
| QVC 7.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 1,000 | |
| Long-term Debt | 987 | 986 | 
| QVC 7.375% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 500 | |
| Long-term Debt | 500 | 500 | 
| QVC Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 302 | |
| Long-term Debt | 302 | 434 | 
| Subsidiary Debt [Member] | ||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 118 | |
| Long-term Debt | $ 118 | $ 82 |