Long-Term Debt (Debt Excluding Intergroup Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions |
Sep. 30, 2011 |
Dec. 31, 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | $ 6,611 | |
| Long-term Debt | 6,049 | 6,463 |
| Long-term Debt, current maturities | (1,211) | (493) |
| Long-term debt | 4,838 | 5,970 |
5.7% Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 309 | |
| Long-term Debt | 308 | 323 |
8.5% Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 287 | |
| Long-term Debt | 284 | 284 |
8.25% Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 504 | |
| Long-term Debt | 501 | 501 |
3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2023 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 1,138 | |
| Long-term Debt | 1,236 | 1,283 |
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 469 | |
| Long-term Debt | 279 | 265 |
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 460 | |
| Long-term Debt | 254 | 253 |
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 486 | |
| Long-term Debt | 328 | 329 |
3.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 414 | |
| Long-term Debt | 329 | 376 |
QVC 7.125% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 500 | |
| Long-term Debt | 500 | 500 |
QVC 7.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 1,000 | |
| Long-term Debt | 986 | 985 |
QVC 7.375% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 500 | |
| Long-term Debt | 500 | 500 |
QVC Bank Credit Facilities [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 459 | |
| Long-term Debt | 459 | 785 |
Subsidiary Debt [Member] |
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| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 85 | |
| Long-term Debt | $ 85 | $ 79 |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, which are due within one year (or one business cycle if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- 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 | ||||||||||
- 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 | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year (current maturities) or 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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