Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

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

v2.4.0.8
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
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2013
Liberty Interactive [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Interactive [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Liberty Interactive [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Interactive [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Ventures [Member]
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interactive Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Expedia [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Ventures Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Ventures Group [Member]
Equity method investment, other [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Dec. 11, 2012
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Purchase of shares in equity method investee                                                                     4.8  
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 8) $ 29 $ 43 $ 25 $ 89 $ 33 $ 26 $ 46 $ 34 $ (8) $ 63 $ 17 $ 65 $ 33 $ 13 $ 6 $ 33 $ 26 $ 15 $ 10 $ (2) $ (4) $ (13) $ (8) $ 16 $ 37 $ (8) $ 63 $ 27 $ 41 $ 10 [1] $ (11) $ (14) $ (25) $ (35)    
ownership percentage acquired                                                                       4.00%
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid                                                                       $ 300
[1] 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. Following the date of this transaction, TripAdvisor is accounted for as a consolidated subsidiary. See note 1 for additional details of this transaction.