|
Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mar. 31, 2013
|
Mar. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Live Programming - U.S.
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Live Programming - U.S.
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Live Programming - Japan
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Live Programming - Japan
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Distribution - Germany
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Live Programming - Germany
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Live Programming - Germany
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Distribution - U.K.
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Distribution - U.K.
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Live Programming - U.K.
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Live Programming - U.K.
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Live Programming - Italy
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Live Programming - Italy
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Recorded Programming - Italy
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Recorded Programming - Italy
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Live Programming - CNRS
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Recorded Programming - CNRS
|
Mar. 31, 2013
CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd.
|
Jul. 04, 2012
CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd.
|
Dec. 31, 2012
CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd.
Live Programming - CNRS
|
Dec. 31, 2012
CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd.
Recorded Programming - CNRS
|
Mar. 31, 2013
QVC-Japan
|
Dec. 31, 2012
QVC-Japan
|
Mar. 31, 2013
HSN, Inc.
|
Dec. 31, 2012
HSN, Inc.
|
|
| General business information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hours of distribution per day | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 23 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 17 hours | 17 hours | 17 hours | 17 hours | 7 hours | 7 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | |||||||||||
| Days per year of programming | 364 days | 364 days | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity method investment, ownership percentage | 49.00% | 49.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment owned, percent of net assets | 60.00% | 60.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners | 40.00% | 40.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend paid to noncontrolling interest | $ 25 | $ 29 | $ 29 | $ 50 | $ 63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent ownership in equity investment | 37.00% | 37.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||