Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Schedule Of Equity Ownership And Carrying Amount) (Details)

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Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Schedule Of Equity Ownership And Carrying Amount) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method $ 1,213   $ 1,213   $ 1,135
sale of a portion of an equity method affilate subsequent to period end 8.5   8.5    
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments 338        
Gains (losses) on dispositions, net 288 0 288 0  
Other [Member]
          
Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method 148   148   113
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
          
Percentage ownership 18.00%   18.00%    
Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method 189 [1]   189 [1]   184 [1]
Equity Method Investment, Quoted Market Value 1,169   1,169    
Gains (losses) on dispositions, net     288    
Expedia [Member]
          
Shares Underlying Forward 12   12    
Derivative, Forward Price $ 34.316   $ 34.316    
shares pledged as collateral under derivative 12   12    
Pledged Financial Instruments, Not Separately Reported, Loans Receivable Pledged as Collateral 223   223    
Percentage ownership 26.00%   26.00%   26.00%
Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method 643 [2]   643 [2]   621 [2]
Equity Method Investment, Quoted Market Value 1,664   1,664    
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value 577   577    
voting ownership interest in investee         58.00%
HSN, Inc. [Member]
          
Percentage ownership 34.00%   34.00%    
Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method 233   233   217
Equity Method Investment, Quoted Market Value $ 808   $ 808    
[1] In May 2012, Liberty sold approximately 8.5 million shares of TripAdvisor, Inc. for cash proceeds of $338 million. The sale resulted in a $288 million gain recorded in gain (losses) on dispositions, net in the statement of operations.
[2] Liberty entered into a forward sales contract on 12 million shares of Expedia common stock in March 2012 at a per share forward price of $34.316. The forward contract may be settled, in October 2012, in stock or cash, at the election of Liberty. Liberty delivered 12 million shares of Expedia as collateral under the forward contract. The carrying value of the shares, held as collateral by the counterparty, was $223 million and the fair value was $577 million as of June 30, 2012.