Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) |
Sep. 30, 2011 |
Dec. 31, 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number | 45,519,000 | 47,583,000 |
| Class Of Warrant Or Right Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Warrants Or Rights | $ 16.10 | |
Common Class A [Member] | Segment, Liberty Capital [Member] |
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| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 0 | 2,000,000,000 |
Common Class B [Member] | Segment, Liberty Capital [Member] |
||
| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 0 | 75,000,000 |
Common Class A [Member] | Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member] |
||
| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 4,000,000,000 | 4,000,000,000 |
Common Class B [Member] | Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member] |
||
| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 150,000,000 | 150,000,000 |
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member] |
||
| Class Of Warrant Or Right Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Warrants Or Rights | $ 3,000,000 | |
Common Class A [Member] | Segment, Liberty Starz [Member] |
||
| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 0 | 4,000,000,000 |
Common Class B [Member] | Segment, Liberty Starz [Member] |
||
| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 0 | 150,000,000 |
Common Class A [Member] |
||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number | 45,519,000 | |
Common Class B [Member] |
||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number | 450,000 | |
Class C [Member] |
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| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 4,000,000,000 |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Class Of Warrant Or Right Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Warrants Or Rights
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including vested options. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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