Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)

v3.8.0.1
Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Jun. 23, 2016
Jun. 15, 2016
Aug. 21, 2014
Mar. 18, 2014
Mar. 18, 2013
Jul. 02, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity       $ 2,650          
Line of credit facility standby letter of credit       300          
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 $ 877                
Line of credit facility interest rate at period end 3.00%                
Derivative, notional amount         $ 125        
Interest rate swap arrangements (note 8) $ 2 $ 2              
Loss on extinguishment of debt $ 0 0 $ 21            
Debt weighted average interest rate 4.20%                
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount $ 16 $ 18              
3.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, net of original issue discount                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 3.125%           3.125%    
Total debt             $ 400    
Debt issuance price percentage             99.828%    
5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 5.125%               5.125%
Total debt                 $ 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%             4.375%  
Total debt               $ 750  
Debt issuance price percentage               99.968%  
4.85% Senior Secured Notes due 2024, net of original issue discount                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 4.85%           4.85%    
Total debt             $ 600    
Debt issuance price percentage             99.927%    
4.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2025, net of original issue discount                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 4.45%         4.45%      
Total debt           $ 600      
Debt issuance price percentage           99.86%      
5.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2034, net of original issue discount                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 5.45%         5.45%      
Total debt           $ 400      
Debt issuance price percentage           99.784%      
5.95% Senior Secured Notes due 2043, net of original issue discount                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage 5.95%             5.95%  
Total debt               $ 300  
Debt issuance price percentage               99.973%  
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          
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       2,250          
QVC Portion Maturing on March 9, 2020 [Member] | Senior secured credit facility                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity       $ 140