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 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2013
Liberty Interactive [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Interactive [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Liberty Interactive [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Interactive [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 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) $ 29 $ 43 $ 25 $ 89 $ 33 $ 26 $ 46 $ 34 $ (8) $ 63 $ 17 $ 65 $ 33 $ 13 $ 6 $ 33 $ 26 $ 15 $ 10 $ (2) $ (4) $ (13) $ (8) $ 16 $ 37 $ (8) $ 63 $ 27 $ 41 $ 10 [1] $ (11) $ (14) $ (25) $ (35)    
ownership percentage acquired                                                                       4.00%
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.