Registration of securities issued in business combination transactions

Retirement, Savings and Deferred Compensation Plans (Details)

v2.4.0.8
Retirement, Savings and Deferred Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 02, 2010
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Deferred Plan        
Interest rate on amounts deferred before December 31, 2005 through a future date originally specified by the employee (as a percent)   12.00%    
Variable rate basis for accrual of interest after future date originally specified by the employee on amounts deferred before December 31, 2005   prime lending rate    
Interest rate margin for accrual of interest after future date originally specified by the employee on amounts deferred before December 31, 2005 (as a percent)   3.00%    
Variable rate basis for accrual of interest after December 31, 2005   prime lending rate    
Interest rate margin for accrual of interest after December 31, 2005 (as a percent)   3.00%    
QVC-U.S.
        
Defined contribution plans        
Period of employee service for beginning of employer contributions   1 year    
Employer match of employee contributions up to 6% of eligible compensation (as a percent) 100.00% 100.00%    
Cost charged to expense, net of forfeitures   $ 11 $ 11 $ 11
QVC-U.S. | Maximum
        
Defined contribution plans        
Percentage of employee's eligible compensation matched by the entity 6.00% 6.00%    
QVC-Germany
        
Defined contribution plans        
Cost charged to expense, net of forfeitures   1 1 1
Period of employee service to become eligible for participation under the plan   6 months    
Contribution rate of employer on eligible annual employee's salary not exceeding the annual social security ceiling (as a percent)   3.00%    
Contribution rate of employer on eligible annual employee's salary exceeding the annual social security ceiling (as a percent)   9.00%    
QVC-U.K.
        
Defined contribution plans        
Percentage of employee's eligible compensation matched by the entity   8.00% 8.00% 8.00%
Cost charged to expense, net of forfeitures   $ 4 $ 3 $ 2
Period of employee service to become eligible for participation under the plan   3 months    
Minimum employee contribution to the plan (as a percent)   4.00%