Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Basis of Presentation (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
General business information    
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interest $ 25 $ 29
Live Programming - U.S.
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 24 hours  
Days per year of programming 364 days  
Live Programming - Japan
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 24 hours  
Distribution - Germany
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 24 hours  
Live Programming - Germany
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 23 hours  
Distribution - U.K.
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 24 hours  
Live Programming - U.K.
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 17 hours  
Live Programming - Italy
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 17 hours  
Recorded Programming - Italy
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 7 hours  
Live Programming - CNRS
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 12 hours  
Recorded Programming - CNRS
   
General business information    
Hours of distribution per day 12 hours  
CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd.
   
General business information    
Equity method investment, ownership percentage 49.00%  
QVC-Japan
   
General business information    
Investment owned, percent of net assets 60.00%  
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners 40.00%  
HSN, Inc.
   
General business information    
Parent ownership in equity investment 37.00%