Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)

v3.19.3.a.u2
Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 26, 2019
USD ($)
Mar. 01, 2018
USD ($)
Jan. 31, 2018
$ / shares
Jul. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2018
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Aug. 31, 2016
USD ($)
$ / shares
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Feb. 04, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 06, 2019
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Aug. 21, 2014
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Mar. 18, 2014
USD ($)
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 7,348,000,000            
Fair value of the swap instruments             1,000,000 $ 38,000,000          
Senior Debentures                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount             4,000,000 3,000,000          
8.5% Senior Debentures Due 2029                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 287,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             8.50%            
8.25% Senior Debentures Due 2030                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 504,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             8.25%            
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 431,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             4.00%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount             $ 1,000            
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 | Sprint                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio             3.2265            
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 | Century Link, Inc.                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio             0.7860            
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 433,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             3.75%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount             $ 1,000            
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 | Sprint                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio             2.3578            
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 | Century Link, Inc.                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio             0.5746            
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 251,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             3.50%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount             $ 1,000            
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 | Adjusted face amount per debenture                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt instrument, face amount per debenture             514            
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 | Motorola Solutions                          
Long-term debt                          
principal payment of the debentures             58,000,000            
Payments for settlement of fraction notes             $ 99,000,000            
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio             5.2598            
0.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2043                          
Long-term debt                          
Interest rate (as a percent)             0.75%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount             $ 1,000            
Extraordinary Distribution to Bondholder   $ 11.9399                      
0.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2043 | Time Inc                          
Long-term debt                          
Cash consideration per share due to acquisition | $ / shares     $ 18.50                    
0.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2043 | Charter                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio             3.1648            
0.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2043 | AT&T                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio             7.4199            
1.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal           $ 750,000,000 $ 332,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             1.75%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount           $ 1,000              
1.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046 | Charter                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio           2.9317              
Exchange Price of Shares Attributable to Debentures | $ / shares           $ 341.10              
QVC | Interest Rate Swap                          
Long-term debt                          
Derivative, Notional Amount       $ 125,000,000       $ 250,000,000 $ 125,000,000        
Derivative, Term of Contract       3 years         3 years        
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate               1.05%          
QVC | Maximum | Interest Rate Swap                          
Long-term debt                          
Derivative fair value, net             $ (1,000,000) $ 1,000,000          
QVC | Amendment No. 4 QVC Bank Credit Facility                          
Long-term debt                          
Maximum borrowing capacity               3,650,000,000   $ 2,950,000,000      
QVC | Amendment No. 4 QVC Bank Credit Facility | Alternate Base Rate                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis             alternate base rate            
QVC | Amendment No. 4 QVC Bank Credit Facility | Alternate Base Rate | Minimum                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate             0.25%            
QVC | Amendment No. 4 QVC Bank Credit Facility | Alternate Base Rate | Maximum                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate             0.75%            
QVC | Amendment No. 4 QVC Bank Credit Facility | LIBOR                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis             LIBOR            
QVC | Amendment No. 4 QVC Bank Credit Facility | LIBOR | Minimum                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate             1.25%            
QVC | Amendment No. 4 QVC Bank Credit Facility | LIBOR | Maximum                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate             1.75%            
QVC | Uncommitted Incremental Revolving Loan Commitments or Incremental Term Loans                          
Long-term debt                          
Maximum borrowing capacity               1,500,000,000          
QVC | Portion of Credit Facility Available to QVC or zulily                          
Long-term debt                          
Maximum borrowing capacity               400,000,000          
QVC | Portion of Credit Facility Available to QVC or zulily | Maximum                          
Long-term debt                          
Maximum borrowing capacity               50,000,000          
QVC | Portion of Credit Facility Available Only to QVC                          
Long-term debt                          
Maximum borrowing capacity               3,250,000,000   2,550,000,000      
QVC | Amendment No. 3 QVC Bank Credit Facility                          
Long-term debt                          
Remaining borrowing capacity             $ 2,400,000,000     $ 1,700,000,000      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period             3.10%            
QVC | Credit Facility Portion Available to Zulily And Letters Of Credit                          
Long-term debt                          
Remaining borrowing capacity             $ 400,000,000            
line of credit             $ 23,000,000            
QVC | QVC 3.125% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019                          
Long-term debt                          
Interest rate (as a percent)             3.125%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                         $ 400,000,000
Debt issuance price as percent of par                         99.828
QVC | QVC 5.125% Senior Secured Notes Due 2022                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 500,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             5.125%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount             $ 500,000,000            
QVC | QVC 4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 750,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             4.375%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount             $ 750,000,000            
QVC | QVC 4.85% Senior Secured Notes Due 2024                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 600,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             4.85%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                         $ 600,000,000
Debt issuance price as percent of par                         99.927
QVC | QVC 4.45% Senior Secured Notes Due 2025                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 600,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             4.45%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                       $ 600,000,000  
Debt issuance price as percent of par                       99.860  
QVC | QVC 5.45% Senior Secured Notes Due 2034                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 400,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             5.45%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                       $ 400,000,000  
Debt issuance price as percent of par                       99.784  
QVC | QVC 5.95% Senior Secured Notes due 2043                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 300,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)             5.95%            
Debt Instrument, Face Amount             $ 300,000,000            
QVC | QVC 6.375% Senior Secured Notes Due 2067                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal         $ 225,000,000   $ 225,000,000            
Interest rate (as a percent)         6.375%   6.375%            
Debt instrument, term         5 years                
QVC | Qvc 6.25 Senior Secured Notes Due 2068                          
Long-term debt                          
Outstanding principal             $ 500,000,000       $ 500,000,000    
Interest rate (as a percent) 6.25%           6.25%            
Debt instrument, term 5 years                        
Debt Instrument, Face Amount $ 435,000,000                        
QVC | QVC 4.75 Senior Secured Notes Due 2027                          
Long-term debt                          
Interest rate (as a percent)                   4.75%      
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                   $ 575,000,000      
QVC | Standby Letters of Credit                          
Long-term debt                          
Maximum borrowing capacity               $ 450,000,000          
QVC | Underwriters | Qvc 6.25 Senior Secured Notes Due 2068                          
Long-term debt                          
Debt Instrument, Face Amount $ 65,000,000