Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Schedule Of Liberty's Share Of Earnings (Losses) Of Affiliates) (Details)

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Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Schedule Of Liberty's Share Of Earnings (Losses) Of Affiliates) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) $ 43 $ 62 $ 89 $ 119
Liberty Interactive [Member]
        
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) 6 6 26 18
Liberty Interactive [Member] | HSN, Inc. [Member]
        
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) 10 10 34 30
Liberty Interactive [Member] | Other [Member]
        
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) (4) (4) (8) (12)
Liberty Ventures [Member]
        
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) 37 56 63 101
Liberty Ventures [Member] | Expedia [Member]
        
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) 41 [1] 56 [1] 65 [1] 104 [1]
Liberty Ventures [Member] | TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
        
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) 10 [1] 0 [1] 33 [1] 0 [1]
Liberty Ventures [Member] | Other [Member]
        
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) $ (14) $ 0 $ (35) $ (3)
[1] During the fourth quarter of 2011 Expedia, Inc. completed the pro-rata split-off of TripAdvisor, Inc. ("TripAdvisor"), its wholly owned subsidiary. As of the TripAdvisor split-off date, the Company had a 26% economic ownership interest in each of Expedia, Inc. and TripAdvisor and, through ownership of class B common stock with 10 votes per share, had an approximate 58% voting interest in each respective company. Through a stockholders agreement, Liberty has given Barry Diller, Chairman and Senior Executive Officer of both companies, the right to vote all of the common stock owned by Liberty. Through a governance agreement, Liberty has the right to nominate up to 20% of the board members for each entity and currently two members on each company's 10 member board were nominated by Liberty. Because of Liberty's board representation, it was determined that the Company has significant influence over each respective company and the Company continues to apply the equity method of accounting to its interests in TripAdvisor. As discussed above, in May 2012 Liberty sold shares of TripAdvisor which decreased Liberty's ownership percentage below 20%. As Liberty's board representation on the TripAdvisor board continues to be 20%, subsequent to the sale of securities discussed above, it was determined that significant influence still exists and the application of the equity method of accounting is appropriate.