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 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2013
Liberty Interactive [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Liberty Interactive [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Liberty Interactive [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Liberty Interactive [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Liberty Interactive [Member]
Other [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Liberty Interactive [Member]
Other [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Other [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Other [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Jun. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Dec. 11, 2012
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Purchase of shares in equity method investee                                                                     4.8  
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) $ 7 $ 35 $ (4) $ 46 $ 20 $ 20 $ 31 $ 24 $ (11) $ (4) $ (24) $ 26 $ (10) $ 24 $ 23 $ (14) $ (21) $ 4 $ 7 $ 20 $ 20 $ 11 $ 9 $ (7) $ (2) $ 3 $ 28 $ (24) $ 26 $ 10 $ 26 $ 12 [1] $ (7) $ (10)    
ownership percentage acquired                                                                       0.00%
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid                                                                       $ 300
[1] On December 11, 2012, we acquired approximately 4.8 million additional shares of common stock of TripAdvisor (an additional 4% equity ownership interest), for $300 million, and obtained voting control of TripAdvisor. Following the date of this transaction, TripAdvisor is accounted for as a consolidated subsidiary. See note 1 for additional details of this transaction.