Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) (Details)

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Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]      
Balance at beginning of period $ (133)    
Distribution of Liberty Expedia Holdings     $ (458)
Cumulative effect of accounting change 6   5
Balance at end of period (55) $ (133)  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]      
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Before-tax amount (49) 155 (97)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Tax (expense) benefit 1 (21) 13
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Net-of-tax amount (48) 134 (84)
Recognition of previously unrealized losses (gains) on debt, net, Before-tax amount 21    
Recognition of previously unrealized losses (gains) on debt, net, Tax (expense) benefit (5)    
Recognition of previously unrealized losses (gains) on debt, net, Net-of-tax amount 16    
Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates, Before-tax amount (3) 5 (8)
Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates, Tax (expense) benefit 1 (2) 3
Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates, Net-of-tax amount (2) 3 (5)
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to debt credit risk adjustments, Before-tax amount 50    
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to debt credit risk adjustments, Tax (expense) benefit (12)    
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to debt credit risk adjustments, Net of tax amount 38    
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, Before-tax amount     (3)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, Tax (expense) benefit     1
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, Net-of-tax amount     (2)
Other, Before-tax amount     10
Other, tax (expense) benefit)     (4)
Other, Net-of-tax amount     6
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), Before-tax amount 19 160 (98)
Other Comprehensive earnings (loss), Tax (expense) benefit (15) (23) 13
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) 4 137 (85)
Foreign currency translation adjustments      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]      
Balance at beginning of period (130) (260) (175)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Qurate Retail, Inc. stockholders (50) 130 (85)
Balance at end of period (180) (130) (260)
Share of AOCI of equity affiliates      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]      
Balance at beginning of period (3) (6) (40)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Qurate Retail, Inc. stockholders (2) 3 (1)
Distribution of Liberty Expedia Holdings     35
Balance at end of period (5) (3) (6)
Comprehensive Earnings Loss Attributable To Debt Credit Risk Adjustment      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]      
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Qurate Retail, Inc. stockholders 38    
Balance at end of period 38    
Other      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]      
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Qurate Retail, Inc. stockholders 16    
Cumulative effect of accounting change 76    
Balance at end of period 92    
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]      
Balance at beginning of period (133) (266) (215)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Qurate Retail, Inc. stockholders 2 133 (86)
Distribution of Liberty Expedia Holdings     35
Cumulative effect of accounting change 76    
Balance at end of period (55) (133) (266)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]      
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) $ 2 $ 133 $ (86)