Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2025 | |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Consolidation |
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of QVC Group, Inc. (formerly named Qurate Retail, Inc.) and its controlled subsidiaries (collectively, "QVC Group," the "Company," “we,” “us,” and “our”) unless the context otherwise requires). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. QVC Group is made up of wholly-owned subsidiaries QVC, Inc. (“QVC”), which includes HSN, Inc. (“HSN”), Cornerstone Brands, Inc. (“CBI”), and other equity investments, and is primarily engaged in the video and online commerce industries in North America, Europe and Asia.
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| Basis of Accounting | The consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The going concern assumption contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents |
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of investments which are readily convertible into cash and have maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition.
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| Restricted Cash |
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash as of December 31, 2025 primarily includes cash deposits to cover potential disputes or other financial obligations with certain counterparties and a cash deposit with a third party trustee that provides financial assurance that the Company will fulfill its obligations in relation to claims under its workers' compensation policy. Restricted cash as of December 31, 2024 primarily includes the above noted cash deposit with a third party trustee
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| Trade Receivables |
Trade Receivables Trade and Other Receivables from major credit cards represents amounts owed to QVC Group from the credit card clearing houses for amounts billed but not yet collected.Trade receivables are reflected net of sales returns. A provision for credit losses is provided as a percentage of accounts receivable based on historical experience in the period of sale and included in selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”). A provision for vendor receivables are determined based on an estimate of probable expected losses and included in cost of goods sold.
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| Inventories |
Inventories
Inventories, consisting primarily of products held for sale, is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the average cost method, which approximates the first-in, first-out method. Assessments about the realizability of inventory require the Company to make judgments based on currently available information about the likely method of disposition including sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, liquidations and the estimated recoverable values of each disposition category.
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| Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
All of the Company's derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive earnings (loss) and are recognized in the statements of operations when the hedged item affects earnings (loss). Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is not designated as a hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings. The Company generally enters into derivative contracts that it intends to designate as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). For all hedging relationships, the Company formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting cash flows of hedged items.
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| Property and Equipment | Property and equipment, including significant improvements, is stated at amortized cost, less impairment losses, if any. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. |
| Internally developed software |
Internally developed software
Internal software development costs are capitalized in accordance with guidance on accounting for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use, and are classified within other intangible assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company amortizes computer software and internal software development costs over an estimated useful life of approximately three years using the straight-line method.
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| Intangible Assets and Television Distribution Rights |
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment upon certain triggering events. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives ( "indefinite lived intangible assets") are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. Our annual impairment assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible assets is performed during the fourth quarter of each year.
When evaluating goodwill for impairment, we may utilize a qualitative assessment for determining whether a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis is necessary for any of our reporting units. The accounting guidance permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. A reporting unit is defined in accounting guidance in accordance with GAAP as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (also known as a component). A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. The Company considers its reporting units to align with its operating segments. The Company considers whether there are any negative macroeconomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, the legal environments and how these factors might impact company specific performance in future periods. As part of the analysis the Company also considers fair value determinations for certain reporting units that have been made at various points throughout the current year and prior year for other purposes. If based on the qualitative analysis it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, the Company performs the quantitative impairment test.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. Developing estimates of fair value requires significant judgments, including making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples, public trading prices and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in QVC Group's valuation analyses are based on management's best estimates considering current marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates in future years. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts.
The accounting guidance also permits entities to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. The accounting guidance also allows entities the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. The entity may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. If the qualitative assessment supports that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeds its fair value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
Television Distribution Rights
The Company enters into affiliation agreements with television providers for carriage of the Company's shopping service, as well as for certain channel placement. If these television providers were to change the number of subscribers to the agreement through acquisition, it may change the amount paid by the Company.
The Company's ability to continue to sell products to its customers is significantly dependent on its ability to maintain and renew these affiliation agreements. In some cases, renewals are not agreed upon prior to the expiration of a given agreement while the programming continues to be carried by the relevant distributor without an effective agreement in place. The Company does not have distribution agreements with some of the cable operators that carry its programming.
Television distribution rights are amortized using the straight-line method over the lives of the individual agreements.
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| Self-Insurance Reserve |
Self-Insurance Reserves
The Company is self-insured for workers compensation and general liability claims up to certain maximum liability amounts and for medical claims up to the stop-loss deductible. Although the amounts accrued are actuarially determined based on analysis of historical trends of losses, settlements, litigation costs and other factors, the amounts the Company will ultimately disburse could differ from such accrued amounts.
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| Impairment of Long-lived Assets |
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of its property and equipment and its intangible assets (other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets) upon a triggering event to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If a triggering event occurs and the carrying amount of the asset group is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset group, including its ultimate disposition, an impairment adjustment is to be recognized. Such adjustment is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such asset groups exceeds their fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar asset groups or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of asset groups. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Asset groups to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
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| Noncontrolling Interests |
Noncontrolling Interests
The Company reports noncontrolling interests of subsidiaries within equity in the balance sheet and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest is presented in the statements of
operations. Also, changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries in which the Company maintains a controlling interest are recorded in equity.
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| Foreign Currency Translation |
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. Dollar. The functional currency of the Company's foreign operations generally is the applicable local currency for each foreign subsidiary. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the spot rate in effect at the applicable reporting date, and the consolidated statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the applicable period. The resulting unrealized cumulative translation adjustment, net of applicable income taxes, is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) in stockholders' equity. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses which are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive earnings (loss) as unrealized (based on the applicable period-end exchange rate) or realized upon settlement of the transactions. These realized and unrealized gains and losses are reported in the Other, net line item in the consolidated statements of operations.
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| Revenue Recognition |
Consumer Product Revenue and Other Revenue. QVC Group's revenue includes sales of consumer products in the following categories: home, apparel, beauty, accessories, electronics and jewelry, which are primarily sold through live merchandise-focused televised shopping programs and via our websites and other interactive media, including catalogs.
Other revenue consists primarily of income generated from our company branded credit cards in which a large consumer financial services company provides revolving credit directly to the Company’s customers for the sole purpose of purchasing merchandise or services with these cards. In return, the Company receives a portion of the net economics of the credit card program.
Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized when obligations with our customers are satisfied; generally this occurs at the time of shipment to our customers consistent with when control of the shipped product passes. The recognized revenue reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods, net of allowances for returns.
The Company recognizes revenue related to its company branded credit cards over time as the credit cards are used by QVC Group's customers.
Sales, value add, use and other taxes we collect concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.
The Company has elected to treat shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer obtains control of the goods as a fulfillment cost and not as a promised good or service. Accordingly, the Company accrues the related shipping costs and recognizes revenue upon delivery of goods to the shipping carrier. In electing this accounting policy, all shipping and handling activities are treated as fulfillment costs.
The Company generally has payment terms with its customers of one year or less and has elected the practical expedient applicable to such contracts not to consider the time value of money.
Significant Judgments. QVC Group’s products are generally sold with a right of return and we may provide other credits or incentives, which are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize. Returns and credits are estimated at contract inception and updated at the end of each reporting period as additional information becomes available. The Company has determined that it is the principal in vendor arrangements as the Company can establish control over the goods prior to shipment. Accordingly, the Company records revenue for these arrangements on a gross basis.
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| Cost of Goods Sold |
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold primarily includes actual product cost, provision for excess and obsolete inventory, buying allowances received from suppliers, shipping and handling costs and warehouse costs.
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| Advertising Costs |
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs generally are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense aggregated $532 million, $484 million and $497 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Advertising costs are reflected in SG&A, including stock-based compensation line item in our consolidated statements of operations and are shown separately in note 15.
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| Stock-Based Compensation |
Stock-Based Compensation
As more fully described in note 11, the Company has granted to its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights relating to shares of QVC Group common stock ("QVC Group common stock") (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value (“GDFV”) of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of liability instruments (such as stock appreciation rights that will be settled in cash) based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date.
During 2025, the Board of Directors of QVC Group and the Compensation Committee of the Board implemented a revised compensation structure for the Company. As a part of this revised compensation structure, certain officers, employees and directors of the Company were paid approximately $55 million in exchange primarily for (1) cancellation of their 2025 RSU grants, as well as cancellation of one half of David Rawlinson II, our President and Chief Executive Officer's 2025 performance cash award, (2) advance payments of the 2025 management bonus plan and (3) for certain officers, advance payments of long term incentive awards and management bonus plans that would have been granted in 2026. As a result of this compensation change, all of the 2025 restricted stock grants and a portion of a 2025 performance award grant were canceled. Additionally, the expense associated with the impacted awards (the 2025 restricted stock grants and a portion of a 2025 performance award grant) will no longer qualify as stock-based compensation expense, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2025.
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| Income Taxes |
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for each taxing jurisdiction in which the Company operates for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Net deferred tax assets are then reduced by a valuation allowance if the Company believes it more likely than not such net deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of an enacted change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
When the tax law requires interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes, the Company recognizes interest expense from the first period the interest would begin accruing according to the relevant tax law. Such interest expense is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Any accrual of penalties related to underpayment of income taxes on uncertain tax positions is included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
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| Leases |
Leases The Company has operating leases, finance leases, and has entered into sale leaseback transactions.
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| Earnings (Loss) Attributable to QVC Group Stockholders and Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share |
Earnings (Loss) Attributable to QVC Group Stockholders and Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (“WASO”) for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented. On May 22, 2025, the Company effected a reverse stock split. Refer to note 1 Basis of Presentation, for additional discussion regarding the Company's reverse stock split.
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| Reclasses and adjustments |
Reclasses and adjustments
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with the current year presentation.
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| Estimates |
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. QVC Group considers (i) fair value measurements of non-financial instruments and (ii) estimates of retail-related adjustments and allowances to be its most significant estimates.
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| New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements |
New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which expands disclosures about specific expense categories at interim and annual reporting periods. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the new standard on the related disclosures.
In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, Financial Instruments–Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets, which simplifies the estimation of expected credit losses for certain current receivables and contract assets under the CECL model, particularly those arising from revenue contracts under ASC 606. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. Prospective application of the new guidance is required. The Company will adopt this new standard as of January 1, 2026 and does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2025 the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. ASU 2025-06 clarifies and modernizes the accounting for costs related to internal-use software by removing all references to project stages throughout ASC 350-40 and clarifying the threshold entities apply to begin capitalizing costs. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance may be applied using a prospective, retrospective or modified transition approach. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impacts related to the new standard.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires more detailed income tax disclosures. The guidance requires entities to disclose disaggregated information about their effective tax rate reconciliation as well as expanded information on income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The effective date for the standard is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted this guidance for the year
ended December 31, 2025 and has applied it prospectively in the financial statements. See note 8 for income tax disclosures.
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