Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Narrative) (Details)

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Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2013
Live Nation [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Live Nation [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Live Nation [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Live Nation [Member]
May 01, 2013
Live Nation [Member]
Jan. 18, 2013
SIRIUS XM [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
SIRIUS XM [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
SIRIUS XM [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
SIRIUS XM [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
SIRIUS XM [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Sirius XM Canada [Member]
May 01, 2013
Charter Communications [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Charter Communications [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
SIRIUS XM [Member]
May 01, 2013
SIRIUS XM [Member]
Jan. 18, 2013
Deferred revenue [Member]
SIRIUS XM [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Aggregate Cost                             $ 2,600,000,000        
excess amortization in share of earnings (loss)                               51,000,000      
Purchase of shares in equity method investee       1,700,000   11,000,000     50,000,000           26,900,000        
Warrants acquired                             1,100,000        
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments       19,000,000   107,000,000                          
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (135,000,000) 469,000,000 165,000,000                 3,000,000,000              
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net 32,000,000 (1,346,000,000) (87,000,000)   18,000,000 [1] 45,000,000 22,000,000     (1,229,000,000) (8,000,000) [2],[3] (1,367,000,000) (94,000,000) (7,000,000) [2]   83,000,000 [4]      
Equity Method Investment, Quoted Market Value         1,029,000,000 [1],[5]                 432,000,000 [2]   3,673,000,000 [4],[5]      
Subscriber fee royalty percentage                           15.00%          
Broadcast rights                                 70,000,000    
Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure                                     21,000,000
Due from Related Parties                                 10,000,000    
Due to Related Parties                                 21,000,000    
Revenue from Related Parties                                 49,000,000    
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage         26.00% [1],[5]                 38.00% [2] 27.00% 25.00% [4],[5]      
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Price-Per-Share                             $ 95.50        
Equity method investment, cash paid for acquisition                             1,200,000,000        
shares underlying borrowed share position, unwound               8,100,000               20,300,000   720,000,000  
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity                                   $ 3,000,000,000  
[1] During the first quarter of 2013, Liberty acquired an additional 1.7 million shares of Live Nation for approximately $19 million. During the year ended December 31, 2012 the Company acquired approximately 11 million shares of Live Nation for $107 million.
[2] On January 18, 2013, as discussed in note 4, Liberty acquired an additional 50 million common shares and acquired a controlling interest in SIRIUS XM and as a result consolidates SIRIUS XM as of such date. SIRIUS XM has an investment in SIRIUS XM Canada that was recorded at fair value in purchase accounting. See discussion below of SIRIUS XM Canada.
[3] SIRIUS XM recognized a $3.0 billion tax benefit during the year ended December 31, 2012. SIRIUS XM recorded the tax benefit as the result of significant positive evidence that a valuation allowance was no longer necessary for its recorded deferred tax assets. The Company recognized its portion of this benefit ($1,229 million) based on our ownership percentage at the time of the recognition of the deferred tax benefit by SIRIUS XM.
[4] As discussed below, Liberty acquired its interest in Charter Communications, Inc. during May 2013 for approximately $2.6 billion. Our share of losses related to Charter in 2013 included $51 million of losses due to the amortization of the excess basis of our investment.
[5] See note 11 for details regarding the number and fair value of shares pledged as collateral pursuant to certain margin loan agreements as of December 31, 2013.