Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 5 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 5 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 7 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Dec. 31, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Ventures Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Ventures Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Interactive Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Interactive Group [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Aug. 09, 2012
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Equipment [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Maximum [Member]
Equipment [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Maximum [Member]
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Option Election for Variable Interest Entity [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value Option Election for Variable Interest Entity [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Acquisition-related Costs [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Acquisition-related Costs [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Acquisition-related Costs [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio 0.05                                                                
Available-for-sale Securities                                                         $ 1,716 $ 1,165      
Land   100 105                                                            
Inventory Valuation Reserves   97 93                                                            
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount               1           3           6                          
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum                                                 3 years 8 years 20 years 40 years          
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent   1,530 534 788                                                          
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic               33           541       51 50 559 595 596 81 90                  
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment               0           10       2 2 9 7 9 2 3                  
Share-based Compensation   91 49 67         6 0 0       85 49 67                                
Advertising Expense   271 242 197                                                          
Sales Returns and Allowances, Goods   2,041 1,966 1,792                                                          
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted               33           551       53 52 568 602 605 83 93                  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent   0 378 1,104                                                          
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent   1,530 912 1,892   1,072 (48)   1,064     174 38   466                                    
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current   79 80 67 81                                                        
Provision for Doubtful Accounts   75 68 79                                                     5 0 0
Premiums Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Write Offs Against Allowance   (81) (55) (93)                                                          
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized   170                                                              
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition   1 year 8 months 12 days                                                              
Buildings and improvements   909 844                                                            
Support equipment   948 897                                                            
Projects in progress   213 156                                                            
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross   $ 2,170 $ 2,002