Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)

v3.19.3.a.u2
Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Feb. 26, 2020
Feb. 04, 2020
Dec. 06, 2019
Nov. 26, 2019
Jul. 01, 2019
Sep. 13, 2018
Jun. 23, 2016
Jun. 15, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity $ 3,650                 $ 2,650  
Derivative, Notional Amount               $ 125     $ 125
Derivative Liability, Current 1                    
Line of credit facility standby letter of credit 450                    
Line of credit facility uncommitted loan $ 1,500                    
Debt instrument lower range of basis spread on variable rate 0.25%                    
Debt instrument higher range of basis spread on variable rate 0.75%                    
Line of credit facility remaining borrowing capacity $ 2,392                    
Line of credit facility interest rate at period end 3.10% 3.90%                  
Derivative Asset, Current   $ 1                  
Loss on extinguishment of debt $ 0 2 $ 0                
Debt weighted average interest rate 4.70%                    
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount $ 12 13                  
3.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, net of original issue discount                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 3.125%                    
Debt and Lease Obligation $ 0 399                  
5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 5.125%                    
Debt and Lease Obligation $ 500 500                  
4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023, net of original issue discount                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 4.375%                    
Debt and Lease Obligation $ 750 750                  
4.85% Senior Secured Notes due 2024, net of original issue discount                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 4.85%                    
Debt and Lease Obligation $ 600 600                  
4.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2025, net of original issue discount                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 4.45%                    
Debt and Lease Obligation $ 599 599                  
5.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2034, net of original issue discount                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 5.45%                    
Debt and Lease Obligation $ 399 399                  
5.95% Senior Secured Notes due 2043, net of original issue discount                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 5.95%                    
Debt and Lease Obligation $ 300 300                  
6.375% Senior Secured Notes [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 6.375%                    
Debt Instrument, Call Feature 5 years                    
Debt and Lease Obligation $ 225 225             $ 225    
6.25% Senior Secured Notes [Member] [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 6.25%                    
Debt Instrument, Call Feature 5 years                    
Additional Option, Registered Debt           $ 65          
Debt and Lease Obligation $ 500 0       $ 500 $ 435        
250 million interest rate swap [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Derivative, Notional Amount   250                  
Derivative Asset, Current $ 1 $ 4                  
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument lower range of basis spread on variable rate 1.25%                    
Debt instrument higher range of basis spread on variable rate 1.75%                    
Tranche One, Shared with Related Party [Member] | Senior secured credit facility                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity $ 400                 400  
Tranche One, Shared with Related Party [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Line of credit facility standby letter of credit 50                    
QVC [Member] | Senior secured credit facility                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity $ 3,250                 $ 2,250  
Subsequent Event [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage         4.75%            
Debt and Lease Obligation         $ 575            
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity         2,950            
Line of credit facility remaining borrowing capacity         1,692            
Subsequent Event [Member] | Tranche One, Shared with Related Party [Member] | Senior secured credit facility                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Line of credit facility remaining borrowing capacity       $ 175              
Subsequent Event [Member] | QVC [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity         $ 2,550