Information About Liberty's Operating Segments (Other Information By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions |
9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2011 |
Sep. 30, 2010 |
Dec. 31, 2010 |
|
| Total assets | $ 17,025 | $ 26,600 | |
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method (note 7) | 1,066 | 949 | |
| Capital expenditures | 192 | 176 | |
QVC [Member] |
|||
| Total assets | 13,206 | ||
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method (note 7) | 0 | ||
| Capital expenditures | 154 | ||
Corporate And Other [Member] |
|||
| Total assets | 2,378 | ||
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method (note 7) | 1,051 | ||
| Capital expenditures | 0 | ||
E-commerce [Member] |
|||
| Total assets | 1,441 | ||
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method (note 7) | 15 | ||
| Capital expenditures | $ 38 | ||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|