Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 7 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Aug. 09, 2012
Feb. 27, 2014
Aug. 09, 2012
Apr. 12, 2012
Oct. 13, 2014
Oct. 03, 2014
Dec. 31, 2011
Stock-based compensation allocated to selling, general, and administrative                   $ 108us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 118us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 91us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense              
Stock split, conversion ratio                 0.05us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1                    
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent 1,224us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent       1,313us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent         1,224us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent 1,313us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent                
Available-for-sale securities 1,220us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities       1,309us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities         1,220us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities 1,309us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities                
Land 205us-gaap_Land       208us-gaap_Land         205us-gaap_Land 208us-gaap_Land                
Inventory Valuation Reserves 86us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves       88us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves         86us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves 88us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves                
Advertising Expense                   271us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense 258us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense 247us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense              
Sales Returns and Allowances, Goods                   2,123us-gaap_SalesReturnsAndAllowancesGoods 2,134us-gaap_SalesReturnsAndAllowancesGoods 2,037us-gaap_SalesReturnsAndAllowancesGoods              
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders                   537us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 501us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 1,530us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss              
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 271us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 129us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 87us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 91us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 260us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 122us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 131us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 41us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest   578us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 554us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 605us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest              
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current 92us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent       86us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent         92us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent 86us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent 76us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent             80us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent
Provision for Doubtful Accounts                   95us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts 81us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts 76us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts              
Premiums Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Write Offs Against Allowance                   (87)us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsWriteOffsAgainstAllowance (72)us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsWriteOffsAgainstAllowance (80)us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsWriteOffsAgainstAllowance              
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized 80us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized                 80us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized                  
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition                   2 years                  
Buildings and improvements 935us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross       976us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross         935us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross 976us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross                
Support equipment 847us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross       940us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross         847us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross 940us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross                
Projects in progress 43us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross       77us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross         43us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross 77us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross                
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 2,030us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross       2,201us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross         2,030us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross 2,201us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross                
Depreciation                   158us-gaap_Depreciation 147us-gaap_Depreciation 142us-gaap_Depreciation              
Liberty Interactive Corporation                                      
Basic, Weighted average number of shares outstanding                         559us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_LibertyInteractiveCorporationMember 		           
Potentially dilutive shares (in shares)                         9us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_LibertyInteractiveCorporationMember 		           
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted                         568us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_LibertyInteractiveCorporationMember 		           
Liberty Interactive common stock                                      
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent 4us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		      4us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		        4us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		4us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		               
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount                   1us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		                 
Basic, Weighted average number of shares outstanding                   484us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		519us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		541us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		             
Potentially dilutive shares (in shares)                   8us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		8us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		10us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		             
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted                   492us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		527us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		551us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		             
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders 222us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		83us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		105us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		110us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		157us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		77us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		109us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		95us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		  520us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		438us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		212us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		             
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations                   574us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		500us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember 		               
Liberty Ventures common stock                                      
Stock split, conversion ratio                           2us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		0.05us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		2us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		     
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent 1,220us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		      1,309us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		        1,220us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		1,309us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		               
Basic, Weighted average number of shares outstanding                   87us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		73us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		66us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		             
Potentially dilutive shares (in shares)                   1us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		1us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		1us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		             
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted                   88us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		74us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		67us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		             
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders 36us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		37us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		(28)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		(28)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		84us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		36us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		11us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		(68)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		  17us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		63us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		1,024us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		             
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations                   4us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		54us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		               
Minimum | Equipment [Member]                                      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life                   2 years                  
Minimum | Building and Building Improvements [Member]                                      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life                   8 years                  
Maximum | Equipment [Member]                                      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life                   15 years                  
Maximum | Building and Building Improvements [Member]                                      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life                   20 years                  
Fair Value Opition Securities [Member]                                      
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent 1,220us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= linta_FairValueOpitionSecuritiesMember 		      1,309us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= linta_FairValueOpitionSecuritiesMember 		        1,220us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= linta_FairValueOpitionSecuritiesMember 		1,309us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= linta_FairValueOpitionSecuritiesMember 		               
Other Expense [Member]                                      
Provision for Doubtful Accounts                   (2)us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
/ us-gaap_NonrecurringAdjustmentAxis
= us-gaap_OtherExpenseMember 		1us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
/ us-gaap_NonrecurringAdjustmentAxis
= us-gaap_OtherExpenseMember 		               
Continuing Operations [Member]                                      
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders                       (1)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember 		             
Continuing Operations [Member] | Liberty Interactive common stock                                      
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders                   535us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember 		455us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember 		262us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember 		             
Continuing Operations [Member] | Liberty Ventures common stock                                      
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders                   3us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember 		54us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember 		281us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember 		             
Discontinued Operations [Member]                                      
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders                       295us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember 		             
Discontinued Operations [Member] | Liberty Interactive common stock                                      
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders                   (15)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember 		(17)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember 		(50)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember 		             
Discontinued Operations [Member] | Liberty Ventures common stock                                      
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders                   $ 14us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember 		$ 9us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember 		$ 743us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember 		             
Liberty Ventures common stock | Reattribution Transaction | Liberty Interactive common stock                                      
Ratio applied to the reattribution                                 0.14217linta_StockholdersEquityReattributionRatio
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis
= linta_ReattributionTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		0.14217linta_StockholdersEquityReattributionRatio
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_InteractiveGroupMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis
= linta_ReattributionTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember 		 
Liberty Ventures common stock | Reattribution Transaction | Liberty Ventures common stock                                      
Ratio applied to the reattribution                                   0.14217linta_StockholdersEquityReattributionRatio
/ linta_EconomicPerformanceGroupAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis
= linta_ReattributionTransactionMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= linta_VenturesGroupMember