Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Schedule Of Liberty's Share Of Earnings (Losses) Of Affiliates) (Details)

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Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Schedule Of Liberty's Share Of Earnings (Losses) Of Affiliates) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7) $ 85 $ 140 $ 112
Interactive Group [Member]
      
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7) 28 23 8
Interactive Group [Member] | HSN, Inc. [Member]
      
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7) 40 38 31
Interactive Group [Member] | Other5 [Member]
      
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7) (12) (15) (23)
Ventures Group [Member]
      
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7) 57 117 104
Ventures Group [Member] | Expedia [Member]
      
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7) 67 [1],[2],[3] 119 [1],[2],[3] 103 [1],[2],[3]
Ventures Group [Member] | TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
      
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7) 38 [2],[4] 0 [2],[4] 0 [2],[4]
Ventures Group [Member] | Other5 [Member]
      
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7) $ (48) $ (2) $ 1
[1] During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Expedia, Inc. paid dividends aggregating $23 million and $19 million, respectively, which were recorded as reductions to the investment balance.
[2] During the fourth quarter of 2011 Expedia, Inc. completed the pro-rata split-off of TripAdvisor, a wholly owned subsidiary. Therefore, the Company had a 26% ownership interest in each of Expedia, Inc. and TripAdvisor as of December 31, 2011.
[3] Liberty entered into a forward sales contract on 12 million shares of Expedia common stock in March 2012 at a per share forward price of $34.316. The forward contract was settled in October 2012 for total cash proceeds of $412 million and the 12 million shares of Expedia common stock, previously held as collateral, were released to the counterparty. In the fourth quarter when the forward contract settled, the difference between the fair value of the Expedia shares and the carrying value of the shares ($443 million) was recognized in the gain (loss) on transactions, net line item in the statement of operations.
[4] In May 2012, Liberty sold approximately 8.5 million shares of TripAdvisor for cash proceeds of $338 million. The sale resulted in a $288 million gain recorded in gain (losses) on transactions, net, based on the average cost, in the statement of operations. On December 11, 2012, we acquired approximately 4.8 million additional shares of common stock of TripAdvisor (an additional 4% equity ownership interest), for $300 million, and obtained voting control of TripAdvisor, see note 1 for additional details of the fourth quarter transaction with TripAdvisor.