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Document And Entity Information (USD $)
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Jun. 30, 2012
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Jan. 31, 2013
Series A [Member]
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Jan. 31, 2013
Series B [Member]
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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| Entity Registrant Name | Liberty Media Corporation | |||
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001560385 | |||
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | |||
| Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer | |||
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 111,247,928 | 9,882,238 | ||
| Document Type | 10-K | |||
| Amendment Flag | false | |||
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2012 | |||
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2012 | |||
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY | |||
| Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | No | |||
| Entity Voluntary Filers | No | |||
| Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | |||
| Entity Public Float | $ 9.4 | |||
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- Definition
If the value is true, then the document is an amendment to previously-filed/accepted document. No definition available.
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- Definition
End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD. No definition available.
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- Definition
This is focus fiscal period of the document report. For a first quarter 2006 quarterly report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, the first fiscal quarter should be given as the fiscal period focus. Values: FY, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, H1, H2, M9, T1, T2, T3, M8, CY. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This is focus fiscal year of the document report in CCYY format. For a 2006 annual report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, fiscal 2006 should be given as the fiscal year focus. Example: 2006. No definition available.
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- Definition
The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD. No definition available.
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- Definition
The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word "Other". No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Indicate number of shares or other units outstanding of each of registrant's classes of capital or common stock or other ownership interests, if and as stated on cover of related periodic report. Where multiple classes or units exist define each class/interest by adding class of stock items such as Common Class A [Member], Common Class B [Member] or Partnership Interest [Member] onto the Instrument [Domain] of the Entity Listings, Instrument. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Indicate "Yes" or "No" whether registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Indicate whether the registrant is one of the following: (1) Large Accelerated Filer, (2) Accelerated Filer, (3) Non-accelerated Filer, (4) Smaller Reporting Company (Non-accelerated) or (5) Smaller Reporting Accelerated Filer. Definitions of these categories are stated in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
State aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to price at which the common equity was last sold, or average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter. The public float should be reported on the cover page of the registrants form 10K. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Indicate "Yes" or "No" if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Indicate "Yes" or "No" if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Is used on Form Type: 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, 20-F, 6-K, 10-K/A, 10-Q/A, 20-F/A, 6-K/A, N-CSR, N-Q, N-1A. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Program rights include unamortized costs relating to rights to exhibit feature films, movies, television series and other acquired programming on networks. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Program rights include unamortized costs relating to rights to exhibit feature films, movies, television series and other acquired programming on networks. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable, pertaining to costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered. Examples include taxes, interest, rent and utilities. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Excess of issue price over par or stated value of the entity's capital stock and amounts received from other transactions involving the entity's stock or stockholders. Includes adjustments to additional paid in capital. Some examples of such adjustments include recording the issuance of debt with a beneficial conversion feature and certain tax consequences of equity instruments awarded to employees. Use this element for the aggregate amount of additional paid-in capital associated with common and preferred stock. For additional paid-in capital associated with only common stock, use the element additional paid in capital, common stock. For additional paid-in capital associated with only preferred stock, use the element additional paid in capital, preferred stock. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are expected to be realized in cash, sold, or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading and which are intended to be sold or mature more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer. Such securities are reported at fair value; unrealized gains (losses) related to Available-for-sale Securities are excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain (loss) of an Available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge is recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as are other than temporary declines in fair value below the cost basis for investments in equity securities and debt securities that an entity intends to sell or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. Other than temporary declines in fair value below the cost basis for debt securities categorized as Available-for-sale that an entity does not intend to sell and for which it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before the recovery of its amortized cost basis are bifurcated into credit losses and losses related to all other factors. Other than temporary declines in fair value below cost basis related to credit losses are recognized in earnings, and losses related to all other factors are recognized in other comprehensive income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Represents the caption on the face of the balance sheet to indicate that the entity has entered into (1) purchase or supply arrangements that will require expending a portion of its resources to meet the terms thereof, and (2) is exposed to potential losses or, less frequently, gains, arising from (a) possible claims against a company's resources due to future performance under contract terms, and (b) possible losses or likely gains from uncertainties that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events that are deemed likely to occur do occur or fail to occur. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Aggregate par or stated value of issued nonredeemable common stock (or common stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer). This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of nonredeemable common shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, which are due within one year (or one business cycle if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The carrying amount of consideration received or receivable as of the balance sheet date on potential earnings that were not recognized as revenue in conformity with GAAP, and which are expected to be recognized as such within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, including sales, license fees, and royalties, but excluding interest income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The noncurrent portion of deferred revenue amount as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue is a liability related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized, and is not expected to be recognized in the next twelve months. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards expected to be realized or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of noncurrent deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards net of valuation allowances expected to be realized or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards net of valuation allowances expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities that are recognized. Liabilities are probable future sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of an entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total of all Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity items (or Partners' Capital, as applicable), including the portion of equity attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total obligations incurred as part of normal operations that are expected to be paid during the following twelve months or within one business cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total debt and equity financial instruments including: (1) securities held-to-maturity, (2) trading securities, and (3) securities available-for-sale which are intended to be held for less than one year or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date of rights not otherwise specified in the taxonomy having a projected indefinite period of benefit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Aggregate carrying amount of current liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer) not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Includes costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered and of liabilities not separately disclosed. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Aggregate par or stated value of issued nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer). This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of nonredeemable preferred shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Gross amount of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The total amount due to the entity within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) from outside sources, including trade accounts receivable, notes and loans receivable, as well as any other types of receivables, net of allowances established for the purpose of reducing such receivables to an amount that approximates their net realizable value. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The current cash, cash equivalents and investments that are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. Includes current cash equivalents and investments that are similarly restricted as to withdrawal, usage or disposal. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cumulative amount of the reporting entity's undistributed earnings or deficit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Face amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Face amount or stated value per share of nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer); generally not indicative of the fair market value per share. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) issued to shareholders (includes related preferred shares that were issued, repurchased, and remain in the treasury). May be all or portion of the number of preferred shares authorized. Excludes preferred shares that are classified as debt. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Aggregate share number for all nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) held by stockholders. Does not include preferred shares that have been repurchased. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total costs of sales and operating expenses for the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The gains (losses) included in earnings resulting from the sale or disposal of tangible assets. This item does not include any gain (loss) recognized on the sale of oil and gas property or timber property. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net proceeds or assets obtained in excess of (less than) the net carrying amount of assets recorded, or assets distributed and liabilities assumed less than (in excess of) estimated litigation liability extinguished, in settlement of a litigation matter. Represents (for other than an insurance entity in its normal claims settlement process), the amount of income (expense) recognized in the period to settle pending or threatened litigation and insurance claims. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Income derived from investments in debt and equity securities and on cash and cash equivalents. Interest income represents earnings which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money. Dividend income represents a distribution of earnings to shareholders by investee companies. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The aggregate amount of income or expense from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Excludes Selling, General and Administrative Expense. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net amount of other income and expense amounts, the components of which are not separately disclosed on the income statement, resulting from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business) also known as other nonoperating income (expense) recognized for the period. Such amounts may include: (a) dividends, (b) interest on securities, (c) net gains or losses on securities, (d) unusual costs, (e) gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions, and (f) miscellaneous other income and expense items. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Aggregate revenue during the period from services rendered in the normal course of business, after deducting allowances and discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Reattribution of other comprehensive earnings between tracking stocks No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to both parent entity and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net of tax amount of the income statement impact of the reclassification adjustment for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The change in other comprehensive income during the reporting period, net of tax, for an item that is not separately disclosed. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net of tax amount, before reclassification adjustments, of the change in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Also includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Cash payments for program rights No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Other noncash charges (credits), net No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Reattribution of cash between tracking stocks. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Cash proceeds from the repayment of loans by cost and equity method investees. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Repayment of loan by Liberty Interactive No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of noncash expense included in interest expense to allocate debt discount and premium, and the costs to issue debt and obtain financing over the related debt instruments. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are the amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Costs and payments related to employee benefits and equity-based compensation, such as pension expense and contributions, other postretirement benefits expense and payments, stock or unit options expense, and amortization of restricted stock or unit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of excess tax benefit (tax deficiency) that arises when compensation cost from non-qualified share-based compensation recognized on the entity's tax return exceeds (is less than) compensation cost from equity-based compensation recognized in financial statements. Excess tax benefit (tax deficiency) increases (decreases) net cash provided by financing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of excess tax benefit (tax deficiency) that arises when compensation cost from non-qualified equity-based compensation recognized on the entity's tax return exceeds (is less than) compensation cost from equity-based compensation recognized in financial statements. Excess tax benefit (tax deficiency) reduces (increases) net cash provided by operating activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The gains (losses) included in results of operations resulting from the sale or disposal of other assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amounts payable to vendors for goods and services received and the amount of obligations and expenses incurred but not paid. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount due from the following types of related parties: a parent company and its subsidiaries; subsidiaries of a common parent; an entity and trust for the benefit of employees, such as pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of the entity's management; an entity and its principal owners, management, or member of their immediate families, affiliates, or other parties with the ability to exert significant influence. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of assets used to generate operating income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net cash inflow or outflow for the increase (decrease) associated with funds that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as funds held in escrow) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as investing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net cash inflow or outflow from financing activity for the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net cash inflow or outflow from investing activity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a debit balance consistent with its label. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The other noncash expense, not otherwise specified in the taxonomy, charged against earnings in the period to allocate the cost of tangible and intangible assets over their remaining economic lives. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net cash outflow or inflow from derivative instruments during the period, which are classified as financing activities, excluding those designated as hedging instruments. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net cash outflow or inflow from other investing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net amount paid (received) by the reporting entity through acquisition or sale and maturities of short-term investments with an original maturity that is three months or less which qualify for treatment as an investing activity based on management's intention and intended by management to be liquidated, if necessary, within the current operating cycle. Includes cash flows from securities classified as trading securities that were acquired for reasons other than sale in the short-term. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash outflow paid by the company to cover an employee's income tax withholding obligation as part of a net-share settlement of a share-based award. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash outflow associated with the purchase of all investments (debt, security, other) during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net cash inflow or outflow from other financing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash inflow from the sale of property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of derivative instruments, including options, swaps, futures, and forward contracts, held at each balance sheet date, that was included in earnings for the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Benefit From Transactions with former Parent No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Change in capitalization from Split-off No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Equity Impact from Reattribution of certain assets and liabilities between from Liberty Interactive prior to Split-Off on a book value basis. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Transfer of tax attributes in split-off No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of adjustment to stockholders' equity associated with an employee's income tax withholding obligation as part of a net-share settlement of a share-based award. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Represents increases or decreases in additional paid in capital not separately disclosed. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized). Alternate captions include the words "stock-based compensation". Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Tax benefit associated with any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The tax benefit results from the deduction by the entity on its tax return for an award of stock that exceeds the cumulative compensation cost for common stock or preferred stock recognized for financial reporting. Includes any resulting tax benefit that exceeds the previously recognized deferred tax asset (excess tax benefits). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Represents an increase in noncontrolling interest from issuance of additional equity interests to noncontrolling interest holders or the sale of a portion of the parent's controlling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net Increase or Decrease in balance of noncontrolling interest in the subsidiary during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to both parent entity and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This element represents movements included in the statement of changes in stockholders' equity which are not separately disclosed or provided for elsewhere in the taxonomy. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Value of stock issued as a result of the exercise of stock options. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Pro Forma Table - Balance Sheet Statement (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
|---|---|---|
| Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items] | ||
| Current assets | $ 2,211 | $ 3,860 |
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method | 3,341 | 563 |
| Other assets | 240 | 238 |
| Total assets | 8,325 | 7,719 |
| Long-term debt | 540 | 1,295 |
| Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries | (8) | (10) |
| Equity | 6,440 | 5,259 |
|
Pro Forma [Member]
|
||
| Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items] | ||
| Current assets | 2,602 | 3,281 |
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 1,392 | 1,859 |
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method | 575 | 482 |
| Other assets | 7,929 | 6,928 |
| Total assets | 12,498 | 12,550 |
| Long-term debt | 2,222 | 2,684 |
| Other liabilities | 3,828 | 5,591 |
| Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries | 2,020 | 350 |
| Equity | $ 4,428 | $ 3,925 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are expected to be realized in cash, sold, or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Basis Of Presentation
|
12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
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| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basis Of Presentation | Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Liberty Media Corporation (formerly named Liberty Spinco, Inc.; see discussion below pertaining to the Spin-Off) ("Liberty" or the "Company" unless the context otherwise requires) represent a combination of the historical financial information of (1) certain video programming and other media related assets and businesses previously attributed to the Starz tracking stock group and the Capital tracking stock group of Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty Interactive" and formerly named Liberty Media Corporation) further described in note 2 and (2) Liberty Media Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries for the period following the date of the Split-Off (defined below). The Split-Off has been accounted for at historical cost due to the pro rata nature of the distribution. During the second quarter of 2010, Liberty Interactive announced that its board of directors authorized its management to proceed with a plan to separate its Liberty Capital and Liberty Starz tracking stock groups from its Liberty Interactive tracking stock group (the "Split-Off"). The Split-Off was completed on September 23, 2011 following the satisfaction of all conditions to the Split-Off. The Split-Off was effected by means of a redemption of all of the outstanding Liberty Capital common stock and Liberty Starz common stock of Liberty Interactive in exchange for all of the common stock of Liberty, which at the time of the Split-Off held all of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Capital and Starz tracking stock groups of Liberty Interactive in accordance with the terms of a Reorganization Agreement (described below). Immediately following the Split-Off Liberty utilized a tracking stock capital structure similar to that used by Liberty Interactive prior to the Split-Off, with two tracking stock groups: one tracking the businesses, assets and liabilities previously attributed to Liberty Interactive's Capital Group ("Capital Group") and the other tracking the businesses, assets and liabilities that were previously attributed to Liberty Interactive's Starz Group ("Starz Group"). As further discussed in note 2, Liberty eliminated its tracking stock structure in November 2011 through the conversion of Liberty Starz common stock into Liberty Capital common stock. These financial statements have been presented using the historical presentation of the Liberty Interactive attributed financial information as a basis for the consolidated financial statements. Previous transactions of the Liberty Capital group and Liberty Starz group have been reflected as transactions of Liberty and the historical transactions of the Liberty Interactive group have been treated as transactions of Liberty Interactive for purposes of these financial statements. Previous transactions between either the Liberty Starz group or the Liberty Capital group and the Liberty Interactive group, including all reattributions, have been reflected at historical cost on a prospective basis (i.e., treated as book value transfers rather than retroactive as-if poolings). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Following the Split-Off, Liberty and Liberty Interactive operate as separate publicly traded companies, and neither has any stock ownership, beneficial or otherwise, in the other. In connection with the Split-Off, Liberty and Liberty Interactive entered into certain agreements in order to govern ongoing relationships between the two companies after the Split-Off and to provide for an orderly transition. These agreements include a Reorganization Agreement, a Services Agreement, a Facilities Sharing Agreement and a Tax Sharing Agreement. The Reorganization Agreement provides for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Split-Off and provisions governing the relationship between Liberty and Liberty Interactive with respect to and resulting from the Split-Off, including cross-indemnities. Pursuant to the Services Agreement, Liberty provides Liberty Interactive with general and administrative services including legal, tax, accounting, treasury and investor relations support. Liberty Interactive will reimburse Liberty for direct, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Liberty in providing these services and for Liberty Interactive's allocable portion of costs associated with any shared services or personnel based on an estimated percentage of time spent providing services to Liberty Interactive. Prior to the Split-Off these costs were being allocated between the tracking stock groups and these amounts have not been significantly different following the completion of the Split-Off. Under the Facilities Sharing Agreement, Liberty Interactive shares office space with Liberty and related amenities at Liberty's corporate headquarters. Under these various agreements approximately $10 million and $2 million of these allocated expenses were reimbursed to Liberty during the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (since the Split-Off date). The Tax Sharing Agreement provides for the allocation and indemnification of tax liabilities and benefits between Liberty Interactive and Liberty and other agreements related to tax matters. Among other things, pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement, Liberty has agreed to indemnify Liberty Interactive, subject to certain limited exceptions, for losses and taxes resulting from the Split-Off to the extent such losses or taxes (i) result primarily from, individually or in the aggregate, the breach of certain restrictive covenants made by Liberty (applicable to actions or failures to act by Liberty and its subsidiaries following the completion of the Split-Off), (ii) result from the Liberty Capital common stock or the Liberty Starz common stock not being treated as stock of Liberty, or being treated as Section 306 stock within the meaning of Section 306(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (iii) result from the Liberty Interactive common stock, the Liberty Capital common stock, or the Liberty Starz common stock not being treated as stock of Liberty Interactive, or being treated as Section 306 stock within the meaning of Section 306(c) of the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (iv) result from Section 355(e) of the Code applying to the Split-Off as a result of the Split-Off being part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire a 50-percent or greater interest (measured by vote or value) in the stock of Liberty, or (v) result from deferred intercompany items or excess loss accounts that are triggered by the Split-Off, and that would otherwise be allocated to Liberty. In addition, Liberty will be required to indemnify Liberty Interactive for any losses or taxes resulting from the failure of the LEI split-off (a previously completed split-off by Liberty Interactive) and related restructuring transactions to be a tax-free transaction described under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) (including any such losses or taxes arising as a result of the completion of the Split-Off), except to the extent that such losses or taxes result primarily from, individually or in the aggregate, a breach of certain restrictive covenants made by Liberty Interactive (applicable to actions or failures to act by Liberty Interactive and its subsidiaries following the completion of the Split-Off). Liberty, through its ownership of interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the media, communications and entertainment industries primarily in North America. During August 2012, the Board of Directors of Starz (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) authorized a plan to distribute to the stockholders of Starz shares of a wholly-owned subsidiary, Liberty Media Corporation ("Liberty" and the “Company” formerly known as Liberty Spinco, Inc.), that holds, as of January 11, 2013, all of the businesses, assets and liabilities of Starz not associated with Starz, LLC (with the exception of the Starz, LLC office building) (the "Spin-Off"). The transaction was effected as a pro-rata dividend of shares of Liberty to the stockholders of Starz. The businesses, assets and liabilities not included in Liberty are part of a separate public company which was renamed Starz. Due to the relative significance of Liberty to Starz (the legal spinnor) and senior management's continued involvement with Liberty following the Spin-Off, Liberty will be treated as the "accounting successor" to Starz for financial reporting purposes, notwithstanding the legal form of the Spin-Off previously described. Therefore, the historical financial statements of Starz will continue to be the historical financial statements of Liberty and will present Starz as discontinued operations upon completion of the Spin-Off in the first quarter of 2013. Therefore, for purposes of these financial statements Liberty is treated as the spinnor for purposes of discussion and as a practical matter of describing all the historical information contained herein. The Spin-Off is intended to be tax-free to stockholders of Liberty. Subsequent to December 31, 2012 two fairly significant transactions were completed which will significantly change the financial statements of Liberty. On January 11, 2013 Liberty completed the Spin-Off, previously discussed, whereas Liberty and Starz are separate public companies. Starz has been treated as an asset held and used, for purposes of these statements as the transaction was not completed until after December 31, 2012 and will be presented as discontinued operations in the first quarter of 2013. Additionally on January 18, 2013 Liberty settled a block transaction with a financial institution taking possession of an additional 50,000,000 shares of SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc. ("SIRIUS XM") as well as converting its remaining SIRIUS XM Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B-1, par value $0.001 per share, into 1,293,509,076 shares of SIRIUS XM Common Stock. As a result of these two transactions Liberty holds more than 50% of the capital stock of SIRIUS XM entitled to vote on any matter, including the election of directors. Following the transactions, Liberty also appointed certain directors to the board of directors and effectively controls the board as of January 18, 2013. This will result in the application of purchase accounting and the consolidation of SIRIUS XM in the first quarter of 2013. Liberty will record a significant gain in the first quarter of 2013 associated with application of purchase accounting based on the difference between fair value and the carrying value of the ownership interest Liberty has in SIRIUS XM. The Pro Forma summarized combined unaudited balance sheets and statements of operation of Liberty using the historical financial statements for both Starz, LLC and SIRIUS XM, not giving effect to any purchase accounting related differences (valuation information was not available at the time for any initial purchase price allocation) which would significantly change these amounts, as if the transactions discussed above occurred for the Balance Sheet data as of such dates and for the Statement of Operations data as if they had occurred on January 1, 2010, are as follows: Summary Balance Sheet Data:
Summary Operations Data:
This Pro Forma information is not representative of Liberty's future financial position, future results of operations or future cash flows nor does it reflect what Liberty's financial position, results of operations or cash flows would have been as if these transactions happened previously and Liberty controlled or discontinued owning these entities during the periods presented. |
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The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| tracking stock [Text Block] | Tracking Stocks Tracking stock is a type of common stock that the issuing company intends to reflect or "track" the economic performance of a particular business or "group," rather than the economic performance of the company as a whole. Immediately following the Split-Off, Liberty had two tracking stocks—Liberty Starz common stock and Liberty Capital common stock, which were intended to track and reflect the economic performance of the businesses and assets attributed to the Starz Group and Capital Group, respectively. On November 28, 2011, Liberty completed the conversion of each outstanding share of Liberty Starz common stock for 0.88129 of a share of the corresponding series of Liberty Capital common stock, with cash paid in lieu of any fractional shares (the "Conversion"). As a result of the Conversion there are no outstanding shares of Liberty Starz tracking stock at December 31, 2011. The Liberty Capital common stock previously traded under the LCAPA and LCAPB ticker symbols; at the date of conversion the ticker symbols changed to LMCA and LMCB. While the Starz Group and the Capital Group had separate collections of businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to them, no group was a separate legal entity and therefore no group could own assets, issue securities or enter into legally binding agreements. Holders of the tracking stocks had no direct claim to the group's stock or assets and were not represented by separate boards of directors. Instead, holders of tracking stock were stockholders of the Company, with a single board of directors and subject to all of the risks and liabilities of the Company. Prior to the Split-Off, during the time that Liberty Interactive had separate tracking stocks outstanding, the following changes in attribution were made between the respective tracking stock groups which impacted the attributed results of the tracking stock groups in those historical periods and the consolidated results of Liberty. On February 25, 2010, Liberty Interactive announced that its board of directors had resolved to effect the following changes in attribution between its Capital Group and its Interactive Group, effective on that date (the "February Reattribution"):
On September 16, 2010, Liberty Interactive's board of directors approved a change in attribution of its interest in Starz Media, LLC along with $15 million in cash from its Capital Group to its Starz Group, effective September 30, 2010 (the "Starz Media Reattribution"). As a result of the Starz Media Reattribution, an intergroup payable of approximately $55 million owed by the Capital Group to the Starz Group was extinguished, and the Starz Group became attributed with approximately $54 million in bank debt, interest rate swaps and any shutdown costs associated with the winding down of the Overture Films business. Notwithstanding the Starz Media Reattribution, certain tax benefits relating to the operation of the Starz Media, LLC business during the time it was attributed to the Capital Group that may be realized from any future sale or other disposition of that business by the Starz Group were attributed to the Capital Group. The Starz Media Reattribution had no impact on the consolidated results of Liberty. On February 9, 2011, Liberty Interactive's board approved a change in attribution of $1,138 million of the 3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2023, the stock into which such debt is exchangeable (approximately 22 million shares of Time Warner, Inc., 5 million shares of Time Warner Cable Inc. and 2 million shares of AOL, Inc. with an aggregate carrying value of $1,215 million at the time of the reattribution) and cash of $264 million from its Capital Group to its Interactive Group (the "TWX Reattribution"). As discussed in note 1, the Liberty Interactive tracking stock businesses and assets remained with Liberty Interactive Corporation in the Split-Off. Liberty has reflected these reattributions discussed above prospectively for the results attributed to the tracking stock groups in prior periods. In each case, the assets and liabilities were reattributed at their book values rather than the estimated fair values of those assets and liabilities that were considered by our board of directors, among other factors, in approving the applicable reattribution. As a result, on a book value basis a change in attribution is reflected as a transfer of net assets between the tracking stocks. The principal reasons for the difference between fair value and book value is (i) the deferred tax liabilities under GAAP are required to be carried at the gross undiscounted basis difference multiplied by the company's effective tax rate whereas on a fair value basis, these future tax liabilities are not expected to be incurred for many years and therefore their present discounted value is substantially less, and (ii) certain of the senior exchangeable debentures are expected to continue to generate interest deductions for tax purposes in excess of the annual cash coupon over their remaining life, the present value of which is not reflected in the book values of the reattributed assets and liabilities. |
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| Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of investments which are readily convertible into cash and have maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition. Receivables Receivables are reflected net of an allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns. Such allowance aggregated $36 million and $39 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Activity in the periods ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 included $1 million, $9 million and zero of bad debt charged to expense, respectively, and $2 million, $2 million and $3 million of write-offs, respectively. Program Rights The cost of program rights for films and television programs exhibited by Starz Networks are generally amortized on a film-by-film basis over the anticipated number of exhibitions. Starz Networks estimates the number of exhibitions based on the number of exhibitions allowed in the agreement and the expected usage of the content. Certain other program rights are amortized to expense using the straight-line method over the respective lives of the agreements. Starz Networks generally has rights to two separate windows under its output agreements. For films with multiple windows, the license fee is allocated between the first and second window based upon the proportionate estimated fair value of each window. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of each window. Changes in estimates could significantly impact programming costs in the future. Investment in Films and Television Programs Investment in films and television programs is included in other assets and generally includes the cost of completed films, television programs and original productions which have been produced by Starz or for which Starz has acquired distribution rights, as well as the cost of films, television programs or original productions in production, pre-production and development. Capitalized costs include production costs, including labor, goods and services, interest and allocable overhead, acquisition of distribution rights, acquisition of story rights and the development of stories less the license fee for original productions, which have aired on the Starz linear channels on demand or on the Internet. Starz allocates the cost of its original productions between the license fee for pay television and the ancillary revenue markets (e.g. home video, digital platforms, international television, etc.) based on the estimated relative fair values of these markets. The license fee associated with original productions is reclassified to program rights when the program is aired. Investment in films and television programs is stated at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated fair value on an individual film basis. Investment in films and television programs are amortized using the individual-film-forecast method, whereby the costs are charged to expense and royalty, participation and residual costs are accrued based on the proportion that current revenue from the films, television programs and original productions bear to an estimate of the remaining unrecognized ultimate revenue. Ultimate revenue estimates do not exceed ten years following the date of initial release or from the date of delivery of the first episode for episodic television series. Estimates of ultimate revenue involve uncertainty and it is therefore possible that reductions in the carrying value of investment in films and television programs may be required as a consequence of changes in management's future revenue estimates. Investment in films and television programs in development or pre-production is periodically reviewed to determine whether they will ultimately be used in the production of a film or television program. Costs of films, television programs and original productions in development or pre-production are charged to expense when a project is abandoned, or generally if the film, television program or original production has not been set for production within three years from the time of the first capitalized transaction. Investment in films and television programs is reviewed for impairment on a title-by-title basis when an event or change in circumstances indicates that a film, television program or original production may be impaired. The estimated fair value for each title is determined using the discounted estimated future cash flow of each title. If the estimated fair value of a film, television program or original production is less than its unamortized cost, the excess of unamortized costs over the estimated fair value is charged to expense. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of investment in films and television programs. Changes in these estimates could significantly impact the impairment analysis in the future. Investments All marketable equity and debt securities held by the Company are classified as available-for-sale ("AFS") and are carried at fair value generally based on quoted market prices. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") permit entities to choose to measure many financial instruments, such as AFS securities, and certain other items at fair value and to recognize the changes in fair value of such instruments in the entity's statement of operations (the "fair value option"). Under other relevant GAAP, entities were required to recognize changes in fair value of AFS securities in the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive earnings. Liberty has entered into economic hedges for certain of its non-strategic AFS securities (although such instruments are not accounted for as fair value hedges by the Company). Changes in the fair value of these economic hedges are reflected in Liberty's statement of operations as unrealized gains (losses). In order to better match the changes in fair value of the subject AFS securities and the changes in fair value of the corresponding economic hedges in the Company's financial statements, Liberty has elected the fair value option for those of its AFS securities which it considers to be non-strategic ("Fair Value Option Securities"). Accordingly, changes in the fair value of Fair Value Option Securities, as determined by quoted market prices, are reported in realized and unrealized gain (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. The total value of AFS securities for which the Company has elected the fair value option aggregated $1,079 million and $1,435 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Other investments in which the Company's ownership interest is less than 20% and are not considered marketable securities are carried at cost. For those investments in affiliates in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, the equity method of accounting is used. Under this method, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize the Company's share of net earnings or losses of the affiliate as they occur rather than as dividends or other distributions are received. Losses are limited to the extent of the Company's investment in, advances to and commitments for the investee. In the event the Company is unable to obtain accurate financial information from an equity affiliate in a timely manner, the Company records its share of earnings or losses of such affiliate on a lag. The Company's share of net earnings or loss of affiliates also includes any other than temporary declines in fair value recognized during the period. Changes in the Company's proportionate share of the underlying equity of an equity method investee, which result from the issuance of additional equity securities by such equity investee, are recognized in equity. The Company continually reviews its equity investments and its AFS securities which are not Non-strategic Securities to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is other than temporary. The primary factors the Company considers in its determination are the length of time that the fair value of the investment is below the Company's carrying value; the severity of the decline; and the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of the investee. In addition, the Company considers the reason for the decline in fair value, be it general market conditions, industry specific or investee specific; analysts' ratings and estimates of 12 month share price targets for the investee; changes in stock price or valuation subsequent to the balance sheet date; and the Company's intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value. If the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair value. In situations where the fair value of an investment is not evident due to a lack of a public market price or other factors, the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to arrive at the estimated fair value of such investment. The Company's assessment of the foregoing factors involves a high degree of judgment and accordingly, actual results may differ materially from the Company's estimates and judgments. Writedowns for AFS securities which are not Non-strategic Securities are included in the consolidated statements of operations as other than temporary declines in fair values of investments. Writedowns for equity method investments are included in share of earnings (losses) of affiliates. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities All of the Company's derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive earnings and are recognized in the statement of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is not designated as a hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings. The Company has entered into several interest rate swap agreements to mitigate the cash flow risk associated with interest payments related to certain of its variable rate debt. None of the Company's derivatives are currently designated as hedges. The fair value of certain of the Company's derivative instruments are estimated using the Black-Scholes model. The Black-Scholes model incorporates a number of variables in determining such fair values, including expected volatility of the underlying security and an appropriate discount rate. The Company obtained volatility rates from pricing services based on the expected volatility of the underlying security over the remaining term of the derivative instrument. A discount rate was obtained at the inception of the derivative instrument and updated each reporting period in which equity collars were outstanding, based on the Company's estimate of the discount rate at which it could currently settle the derivative instrument. The Company considered its own credit risk as well as the credit risk of its counterparties in estimating the discount rate. Considerable management judgment was required in estimating the Black-Scholes variables. Property and Equipment Property and equipment, including significant improvements, is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method using estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years for support equipment and 10 to 40 years for buildings and improvements. Intangible Assets Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment upon certain triggering events. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives (collectively, "indefinite lived intangible assets") are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. Equity method goodwill is also not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment upon certain triggering events. The Company performs at least annually an impairment analysis of goodwill and other intangibles. The Company adopted current accounting guidance, in the prior and current year, relating to the annual assessments of recoverability of goodwill and other intangibles and utilized a qualitative assessment for determining whether step one of the goodwill impairment analysis was necessary. The accounting guidance adopted was issued to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis the Company reviewed the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluated other relevant factors as identified in the relevant accounting guidance to determine whether it was more likely than not that an indicated impairment existed for any of our reporting units. The Company considered whether there was any negative macroenomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, the legal environments and how these factors might impact company specific performance in future periods. As part of the analysis the Company also considered fair value determinations for certain reporting units that had been made at various points throughout the year for other purposes. If a step one test would have been necessary based on the qualitative factors the Company would compare the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. Developing estimates of fair value requires significant judgments, including making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples, public trading prices and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in Liberty's valuation analysis are based on management's best estimates considering current marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates in future years. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts. For those reporting units whose carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second test is required to measure the impairment loss (the "Step 2 Test"). In the Step 2 Test, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit with any residual value being allocated to goodwill. The difference between such allocated amount and the carrying value of the goodwill is recorded as an impairment charge. Impairment of Long-lived Assets The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of its property and equipment and its intangible assets (other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles) to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset, an impairment adjustment is to be recognized. Such adjustment is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such assets exceeds their fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Noncontrolling Interests Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted guidance which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary. Among other matters, (a) the previous limitations on allocation of losses to the noncontrolling interests were eliminated, (b) the noncontrolling interest is reported within equity in the balance sheet and (c) the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest is presented in the statement of income. Also, changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries in which the Company maintains a controlling interest are recorded in equity. Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized as follows:
Accounting guidance was issued to remove from the scope of industry specific revenue accounting guidance for software and software related transactions, tangible products containing software components and non-software components that function together to deliver the product's essential functionality and amended outstanding guidance (1) to provide updated guidance on whether multiple deliverables exist, how the deliverables in an arrangement should be separated, and the consideration allocated; (2) to require an entity to allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of deliverables if a vendor does not have vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price; and (3) to eliminate the use of the residual method and require an entity to allocate revenue using the relative selling price method. Adoption, at the election of the Company, was either on a prospective basis or by retrospective application. The Company adopted the revenue guidance on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2011. There was no financial statement impact on that date as a result of the adoption of the accounting guidance. In the first quarter of 2011, TruePosition, a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, entered into an amended contract with AT&T (one of TruePosition's largest customers) that materially changed the terms of the existing contract. The transition provisions of the new accounting guidance require that when a contract is materially modified it is subject to the current accounting requirements. This resulted in TruePosition recognizing revenue for all the delivered elements meeting the separation criteria, previously deferred under the previous accounting guidance. TruePosition recognized approximately $538 million of revenue and $167 million of deferred cost associated with the delivered elements as of the modification date. Previously, TruePosition did not have Vendor Specific Objective Evidence for the undelivered specified upgrade, which changed the timing of revenue recognition for the entire arrangement. Under the current guidance TruePosition utilized the estimated selling price to determine what portion of the overall consideration to allocate to the delivered and undelivered elements. Additionally, TruePosition's contract with T-Mobile expired in mid-2011; however software maintenance services ordered prior to that date continued to be provided through the year ended December 31, 2011. TruePosition had deferred substantially all of the revenue earned from T-Mobile since the inception of the contract due to an obligation to provide specified upgrades which were not delivered and for which no Vendor Specific Objective Evidence existed. Upon expiration of the software maintenance period, this obligation ceased to exist and, accordingly, TruePosition recognized approximately $491 million and $242 million of previously deferred revenue and costs, respectively. Advertising Costs Advertising costs generally are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense aggregated $85 million, $114 million and $154 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Co-operative marketing costs incurred as part of affiliation agreements with distributors are recognized as advertising expense to the extent an identifiable benefit is received and fair value of the benefit can be reasonably measured. Otherwise, such costs are recorded as a reduction of revenue. Stock-Based Compensation As more fully described in note 14, Liberty has granted to its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to purchase shares of Liberty common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of liability instruments (such as stock appreciation rights that will be settled in cash) based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation (amounts in millions):
As of December 31, 2012, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty equity Awards was approximately $150 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years. Income Taxes The Company was included in the consolidated tax return of Liberty Interactive through the date of the Split-Off. Following the Split-Off the Company files its own consolidated tax return. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for each taxing jurisdiction in which the company operates for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Net deferred tax assets are then reduced by a valuation allowance if the Company believes it more likely than not such net deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of an enacted change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. When the tax law requires interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes, the Company recognizes interest expense from the first period the interest would begin accruing according to the relevant tax law. Such interest expense is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Any accrual of penalties related to underpayment of income taxes on uncertain tax positions is included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Earnings attributable to Liberty Stockholders Per Common Share Basic earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares that were outstanding for the period at the Company. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented. Series A and Series B Liberty Capital Common Stock The basic and diluted EPS calculation is based on the following weighted average outstanding shares (WASO) of Liberty Capital common stock, based on the conversion ratio of 1 to 1 utilized in the Split-Off, prior to the Split-Off, and the actual Liberty Capital common stock after the Split-Off. Excluded from diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2011 are less than a million potential common shares because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Series A and Series B Liberty Starz Common Stock The basic and diluted EPS calculation is based on the following WASO of Liberty Starz common stock, based on the conversion ratio of 1 to 1 utilized in the Split-Off, prior to the Split-Off, and the actual Liberty Starz common stock immediately after the Split-Off. As discussed in note 2, on November 28, 2011 the Company converted each share of Liberty Starz for .88129 of a share of the corresponding series of Liberty Capital common stock (plus cash in lieu of fractional shares) to eliminate the tracking stock structure. Therefore, as of December 31, 2011, there were zero shares of Liberty Starz Common stock outstanding and the Basic and Diluted EPS calculations are through the Conversion date.
Reclasses and adjustments Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with the current year presentation. Additionally, the Company added cash flow statement line items (Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation and Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for stock-based compensation) to reflect certain tax impacts from option exercises for the current and prior year periods presented. Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company considers (i) recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements, (ii) accounting for income taxes, (iii) assessments of other-than-temporary declines in fair value of its investments and (iv) amortization of program rights to be its most significant estimates. The Company holds investments that are accounted for using the equity method. The Company does not control the decision making process or business management practices of these affiliates. Accordingly, the Company relies on management of these affiliates to provide it with accurate financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP that the Company uses in the application of the equity method. In addition, the Company relies on audit reports that are provided by the affiliates' independent auditors on the financial statements of such affiliates. The Company is not aware, however, of any errors in or possible misstatements of the financial information provided by its equity affiliates that would have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Changes in Accounting Principle In prior periods the Company elected to record its share of earnings (loss) for SIRIUS XM and Live Nation on a three-month lag due to timeliness considerations. As of December 31, 2012, the Company was able to obtain financial information for both of these equity method affiliates on a more timely basis and determined it was preferable to record the investment in these affiliates on a current basis as opposed to the previous three-month lag. In accordance with the applicable accounting literature this change in accounting requires retrospective application of the accounting treatment, unless it is considered impracticable. As the Company has all the appropriate information to apply the change on a retrospective basis these financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the investments in SIRIUS XM and Live Nation comparatively for prior periods. The balance of investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method was less by $4 million and the deferred taxes were more by $2 million, than previously reported, as a result of the retrospective application as of December 31, 2011. Additionally, opening retained earnings (deficit) as of January 1, 2010 is less by $5 million than previously reported. The following table presents the changes to the respective statement of operations captions in the prior periods as a result of the application of the change in accounting principle on a retrospective basis:
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The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
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| Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] | Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
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The entire disclosure for supplemental cash flow activities, including cash, noncash, and part noncash transactions, for the period. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value | Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value For assets and liabilities required to be reported at fair value, GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Liberty's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:
The majority of Liberty's Level 2 financial assets are investments in debt related instruments. The Company notes that these assets are not always traded publicly or not considered to be traded on "active markets," as defined in GAAP. The fair values for such instruments are derived from a typical model using observable market data as the significant inputs. The fair value of debt related instruments in the prior year was based on quoted market prices but not considered to be traded on "active markets," as defined by GAAP. Accordingly, those Available-for-sale securities, financial instruments and debt related instruments are reported in the foregoing table as Level 2 fair value. |
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The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Investments In Available-For-Sale Securities And Other Cost Investments
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| Investments in available-for-sale securities and other cost investments [Text Block] | Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities and Other Cost Investments All marketable equity and debt securities held by the Company are classified as available-for-sale ("AFS") and are carried at fair value generally based on quoted market prices. GAAP permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments, such as AFS securities, and certain other items at fair value and to recognize the changes in fair value of such instruments in the entity's statement of operations. The Company previously had entered into economic hedges for certain of its non-strategic AFS securities (although such instruments were not accounted for as fair value hedges by the Company). Changes in the fair value of those economic hedges were reflected in the Company's statement of operations as unrealized gains (losses). In order to better match the changes in fair value of the subject AFS securities and the changes in fair value of the corresponding economic hedges in the Company's financial statements, the Company has elected to account for those of its AFS securities which it considers to be non-strategic ("Fair Value Option Securities") at fair value. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of Fair Value Option Securities, as determined by quoted market prices, are reported in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Investments in AFS securities, including Fair Value Option Securities separately aggregated, and other cost investments are summarized as follows:
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Unrealized Holding Gains and Losses Unrealized holding gains and losses related to investments in AFS securities are summarized below.
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Investments in available-for-sale securities and other cost investments (Table) No definition available.
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Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method | Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method Liberty has various investments accounted for using the equity method. The following table includes the Company's carrying amount and percentage ownership and market value (level 1) of the more significant investments in affiliates at December 31, 2012, and the carrying amount at December 31, 2011:
The following table presents the Company's share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
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Sirius XM Radio Inc. Based on the Company's voting rights and its conclusion that the SIRIUS XM Preferred Stock is in-substance common stock, the Company accounts for its investment in the SIRIUS XM Preferred Stock using the equity method of accounting. Subsequent to year-end the Company acquired additional shares which increased our voting control of SIRIUS XM over 50% and will consolidate the investment in the first quarter of 2013. For further discussion about the the potential impacts to the consolidated financial statements see note 1. Summarized unaudited financial information for SIRIUS XM is as follows: SIRIUS XM Consolidated Balance Sheet
SIRIUS XM Consolidated Statement of Operations
As of December 31, 2012, the SIRIUS XM Preferred Stock and common stock owned had a market value of $9,372 million based on the value of the common stock (level 1) into which it is convertible. |
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The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Financial Instruments
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Financial Instruments | Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
(1) As described above, gains and (losses) on borrowed shares completely offset the gains and (losses) on the same Non-strategic Securities owned by the Company. |
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| Financial Instruments Disclosure [Text Block] | Financial Instruments Borrowed Shares From time to time and in connection with certain of its derivative instruments, the Company borrows shares of the underlying securities from a counterparty and delivers these borrowed shares in settlement of maturing derivative positions. In these transactions, a similar number of shares that are owned by the Company have been posted as collateral with the counterparty. These share borrowing arrangements can be terminated at any time at the Company's option by delivering shares to the counterparty. The counterparty can terminate these arrangements at any time. The liability under these share borrowing arrangements is marked to market each reporting period with changes in value recorded in unrealized gains or losses in the consolidated statement of operations. The shares posted as collateral under these arrangements are marked to market each reporting period with changes in value recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the consolidated statement of operations.The Company settled all the outstanding borrowed share arrangements in the fourth quarter of 2011 by releasing the shares posted as collateral to the counterparty. The fair value of the available-for-sale securities at the time the shares were released to the counterparty was $1,134 million, which completely offset the $1,134 million financial instrument liability related to the share borrowing arrangement. During the year ended December 31, 2011, other borrowed share arrangements were settled in a similar manner that retired $189 million in financial instrument liabilities through the delivery of $189 million in fair value of available-for-sale securities. Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Instruments Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
(1) As described above, gains and (losses) on borrowed shares completely offset the gains and (losses) on the same Non-strategic Securities owned by the Company. |
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The entire disclosure for financial instruments. This disclosure includes, but is not limited to, fair value measurements of short and long term marketable securities, international currencies forward contracts, and auction rate securities. Financial instruments may include hedging and non-hedging currency exchange instruments, derivatives, securitizations and securities available for sale at fair value. Also included are investment results, realized and unrealized gains and losses as well as impairments and risk management disclosures. No definition available.
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of pertinent information about a derivative or group of derivatives on a disaggregated basis, such as for individual instruments, or small groups of similar instruments. May include a combination of the type of instrument, risks being hedged, notional amount, hedge designation, related hedged item, inception date, maturity date, or other relevant item. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] | Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
Other intangible assets not subject to amortization are Franchise Rights ($143 million) owned by ANLBC as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. As of December 31, 2012, the accumulated impairment losses for Starz, LLC was $2,960 million. Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization Intangible assets subject to amortization are comprised of the following:
Customer relationships are amortized over 10-14 years. Amortization expense was $23 million, $32 million and $48 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Based on its amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2012, Liberty expects that amortization expense will be as follows for the next five years (amounts in millions):
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The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Long-Term Debt
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-Term Debt | Debt Debt is summarized as follows:
Starz 5.00% Senior Notes due 2019 In September 2012, Starz, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due September 15, 2019 at par. Proceeds from the notes were used to repay the term loan associated with the Starz Bank Facility. Starz Bank Facility In November 2011, Starz, LLC entered into a Credit Agreement that provides for a $1 billion revolving credit facility, with a $50 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit, and $500 million of term loans. Starz may elect that the loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternative Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a margin of 0.5% to 1.5% or the LIBO Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a margin of 1.5% to 2.5%, depending on Starz's Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Each loan may be prepaid at any time and from time to time without penalty other than customary breakage costs. No mandatory prepayments will be required other than prepayment of the term loans with the net cash proceeds from any issuance or incurrence of notes or term loans intended primarily for issuance to institutional investors, other than incremental term loans. Any amounts prepaid on the revolving facility may be reborrowed. As discussed above the term loan was repaid in conjunction with issuance of the Starz 5.00% Senior Notes due 2019. The payment and performance of Starz's obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by each Material Domestic Subsidiary (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of Starz. In addition, pursuant to Pledge Agreements, the obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a pledge of all of Starz's equity interests held directly or indirectly by the Company and a pledge of all equity interests of each Material Domestic Subsidiary held directly or indirectly by Starz. The Credit Agreement provides for release of the pledges if Starz's Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 1.50 to 1.00 for two consecutive fiscal quarters. The Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including certain restrictions with respect to liens, mergers, sales of assets, transactions with affiliates, indebtedness, dividends and investments and limitations on Starz's Consolidated Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, each as defined in the Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2012 Starz is in compliance with all of its debt covenants. As of December 31, 2012, Starz had approximately $995 million available under the credit facility. Subsidiary Debt Subsidiary debt at December 31, 2012 is comprised of capitalized satellite transponder lease obligations. Five Year Maturities The annual principal maturities of Liberty's debt for each of the next five years is as follows (amounts in millions):
Fair Value of Debt At December 31, 2012 the fair value of the Starz 5.00% Senior Notes was $518 million. Due to its variable rate nature, the Company believes that the carrying amount of its other debt approximated fair value at December 31, 2012. |
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- Definition
The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Income Taxes
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Income Taxes [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] | Income Taxes Income tax benefit (expense) consists of:
Income tax benefit (expense) differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% as a result of the following:
For the year ended December 31, 2012 the significant reconciling items, as noted in the table above, are the result of a capital loss realized on the taxable liquidation of a consolidated subsidiary. The realized capital loss was approximately $289 million and as a result a $101 million federal tax benefit was recorded that offset federal tax expense from capital gains realized during the year ended December 31, 2012. The significant reconciling items for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, as noted in the table above, are the result of settlements reached with the IRS regarding some of our tax positions taken on the Company's prior year tax returns. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company and the IRS agreed to certain tax treatments of several disputed items on the Company's 2010 tax return. Upon settlement, the Company recorded additional tax benefit through the statement of operations due to the reversal of certain tax reserves ($104 million) and settled net tax liabilities previously recorded for cash consideration of $136 million. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company recognized a net federal tax benefit of $211 million due to an agreement reached with the IRS with respect to settlement of certain derivative contracts reported on the Company's 2009 income tax return. Additionally, in fourth quarter of 2010, the Company recognized a deferred tax benefit of $462 million from the sale of certain consolidated subsidiaries. This position was settled as part of the agreement reached with the IRS during the fourth quarter of 2011. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities are presented below:
The Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:
The Company's net decrease in the valuation allowance was $24 million in 2012. The gross change in valuation allowance that affected tax expense was $24 million. At December 31, 2012, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes which, if not utilized to reduce taxable income in future periods, will expire between 2017 and 2027, the majority of which expire in 2017. These net operating loss carryforwards are subject to certain limitations and may not be currently utilized. A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had recorded tax reserves of $29 million related to unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions. If such tax benefits were to be recognized for financial statement purposes, $23 million would be reflected in the Company's tax expense and affect its effective tax rate. The Company's estimate of its unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions requires a high degree of judgment. As of December 31, 2012, the Company's 2001 through 2008 tax years are closed for federal income tax purposes, and the IRS has completed its examination of the Company's 2009 through 2011 tax years. The Company's tax loss carryforwards from its 2008 through 2011 tax years are still subject to adjustment. The Company's 2012 tax year is being examined currently as part of the IRS's Compliance Assurance Process ("CAP") program. Various states are currently examining the Company's prior years state income tax returns. The Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that the amount of the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits will change within the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had no accrued interest and penalties recorded related to uncertain tax positions. |
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The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Stockholders' Equity
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12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] | |
| Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] | Stockholders' Equity Preferred Stock Liberty's preferred stock is issuable, from time to time, with such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in a resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred stock adopted by Liberty's board of directors. As of December 31, 2012, no shares of preferred stock were issued. Common Stock Series A Liberty Capital common stock has one vote per share and Series B Liberty Capital common stock has ten votes per share. Each share of the Series B common stock is exchangeable at the option of the holder for one share of Series A common stock. The Series A and Series B common stock participate on an equal basis with respect to dividends and distributions. As of December 31, 2012, there were 5.2 million shares of Series A Liberty Capital common stock reserved for issuance under exercise privileges of outstanding stock options. In addition to the Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock there are 2 billion shares of Series C Liberty Capital common stock authorized for issuance. Purchases of Common Stock As described in note 2, in November of 2011, Liberty converted each outstanding share of Liberty Starz common stock into 0.88129 of a share of the corresponding series of Liberty Capital common stock, with cash paid in lieu of any fractional shares. Additionally, in November 2009, Liberty Interactive redeemed 90% of its outstanding Liberty Entertainment common stock for shares of LEI, and the Liberty Entertainment common stock was redesignated as Liberty Starz common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company repurchased 15,632,700 shares of Series A Liberty Capital common stock for aggregate cash consideration of $714 million and 835,700 shares of Series A Liberty Starz common stock for aggregate cash consideration of $40 million. During the year ended December 31, 2011 the Company repurchased 5,229,166 shares of Series A Liberty Capital common stock for aggregate cash consideration of $365 million and 1,534,200 shares of Series A Liberty Starz common stock for aggregate cash consideration of $100 million. During the year ended December 31, 2012 the Company repurchased 3,591,271 shares of Series A Liberty Capital common stock for the aggregate cash consideration of $323 million. All of the foregoing shares were repurchased pursuant to a previously announced share repurchase program and have been retired and returned to the status of authorized and available for issuance. |
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The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity, comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, if any, including other comprehensive income (as applicable). Including, but not limited to: (1) balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings; (2) accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and total amount of comprehensive income; (3) amount and nature of changes in separate accounts, including the number of shares authorized and outstanding, number of shares issued upon exercise and conversion, and for other comprehensive income, the adjustments for reclassifications to net income; (4) rights and privileges of each class of stock authorized; (5) basis of treasury stock, if other than cost, and amounts paid and accounting treatment for treasury stock purchased significantly in excess of market; (6) dividends paid or payable per share and in the aggregate for each class of stock for each period presented; (7) dividend restrictions and accumulated preferred dividends in arrears (in aggregate and per share amount); (8) retained earnings appropriations or restrictions, such as dividend restrictions; (9) impact of change in accounting principle, initial adoption of new accounting principle and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements; (10) shares held in trust for Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); (11) deferred compensation related to issuance of capital stock; (12) note received for issuance of stock; (13) unamortized discount on shares; (14) description, terms, and number of warrants or rights outstanding; (15) shares under subscription and subscription receivables, effective date of new retained earnings after quasi-reorganization and deficit eliminated by quasi-reorganization and, for a period of at least ten years after the effective date, the point in time from which the new retained dates; and (16) retroactive effective of subsequent change in capital structure. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Transactions with Officers
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12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Transactions with Officers and Directors [Abstract] | |
| Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] | Transactions with Officers and Directors Chief Executive Officer Compensation Arrangement On December 17, 2009, the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of Liberty approved a new compensation arrangement for its President and Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO"). The arrangement provides for a five year employment term which began on January 1, 2010 and ends December 31, 2014, with an annual base salary of $1.5 million, increasing annually by 5% of the prior year's base salary, and an annual target cash bonus equal to 200% of the applicable year's annual base salary. The arrangement also provides that, in the event the CEO is terminated for "cause" or terminates his employment without "good reason," he will be entitled only to his accrued base salary and any amounts due under applicable law, and he will forfeit all rights to his unvested restricted shares and unvested options. If, however, the CEO is terminated by Liberty without cause or if he terminates his employment for good reason, the arrangement provides for him to receive $7.8 million and for his unvested restricted shares and unvested options to vest pro rata based on the portion of the term elapsed through the termination date plus 18 months and for all vested and accelerated options to remain exercisable until their respective expiration dates. Lastly, in the case of the CEO's death or his disability, the arrangement provides for a payment of $7.8 million, for his unvested restricted shares and unvested options to fully vest and for his vested and accelerated options to remain exercisable until their respective expiration dates. Salary compensation related to services provided by the CEO are allocated from Liberty to Liberty Interactive pursuant to the Services Agreement. Any cash bonus attributable to the performance of Liberty and Liberty Interactive is paid directly by Liberty and Liberty Interactive, respectively. Chairman's Employment Agreement On December 12, 2008, the Committee determined to modify its employment arrangements with its Chairman of the Board, to permit the Chairman to begin receiving payments in 2009 in satisfaction of Liberty's obligations to him under two deferred compensation plans and a salary continuation plan. Under one of the deferred compensation plans (the "8% Plan"), compensation has been deferred by the Chairman since January 1, 1993 and accrues interest at the rate of 8% per annum compounded annually from the applicable date of deferral. The amount owed to the Chairman under the 8% Plan aggregated approximately $2.4 million at December 31, 2008. Under the second plan (the "13% Plan"), compensation was deferred by the Chairman from 1982 until December 31, 1992 and accrues interest at the rate of 13% per annum compounded annually from the applicable date of deferral. The amount owed to the Chairman under the 13% Plan aggregated approximately $20 million at December 31, 2008. Both deferred compensation plans had provided for payment of the amounts owed to him in 240 monthly installments beginning upon termination of his employment. Under his salary continuation plan, the Chairman would have been entitled to receive $15,000 (increased at the rate of 12% per annum compounded annually from January 1, 1998 to the date of the first payment, (the "Base Amount") per month for 240 months beginning upon termination of his employment. The amount owed to the Chairman under the salary continuation plan aggregated approximately $39 million at December 31, 2008. There is no further accrual of interest under the salary continuation plan once payments have begun. The Committee determined to modify all three plans and began making payments to the Chairman in 2009, while he remains employed by the company. By commencing payments under the salary continuation plan, interest ceased to accrue on the Base Amount. As a result of these modifications, the Chairman will receive 240 equal monthly installments as follows: (1) approximately $20,000 under the 8% Plan; (2) approximately $237,000 under the 13% Plan; and (3) approximately $164,000 under the salary continuation plan. The Committee also approved certain immaterial amendments to the Chairman's employment agreement intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. |
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Stock-Based Compensation
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Share-based Compensation [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation | Stock-Based Compensation Liberty - Incentive Plans In connection with the Split-Off, awards with respect to Liberty Interactive's Series A and Series B Liberty Starz and Liberty Capital common stock were converted to awards with respect to Liberty's Series A and Series B Liberty Starz and Liberty Capital common stock pursuant to the Liberty Media Corporation Transitional Stock Adjustment Plan (the "Transitional Plan"). Following the Split-Off and the Conversion, the Transitional Plan governs the terms and conditions of such stock options and SARs (collectively, "Awards"), in respect of a maximum of 1 million shares of Liberty Capital common stock at December 31, 2012, to purchase shares of Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock. No additional grants may be made pursuant to the Transitional Plan. Therefore, the activity associated with such Awards of Liberty Interactive's Series A and Series B Liberty Starz and Liberty Capital common stock, prior to the Split-Off, have been reflected as Awards of Liberty in the consolidated financial statements. Pursuant to the Liberty Media Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan"), the Company may grant Awards to be made in respect of a maximum of 23.8 million shares of Liberty common stock. Awards generally vest over 4-5 years and have a term of 7-10 years. Liberty issues new shares upon exercise of equity awards. Pursuant to the Liberty Media Corporation 2011 Nonemployee Director Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the "2011 NDIP"), the Liberty Board of Directors has the full power and authority to grant eligible nonemployee directors stock options, SARs, stock options with tandem SARs, and restricted stock. In November 2011, the Company exchanged each share of outstanding Liberty Starz common stock for 0.88129 shares of Liberty Capital common stock (plus cash in lieu of fractional share interests). The outstanding Liberty Starz stock options, SARs and restricted stock were also exchanged for Liberty Capital stock options, SARs and restricted stock using the same ratio, and an adjustment was made to the strike price, as applicable, using the same ratio. The exchange of stock options, SARs and restricted stock was considered a modification of the previous Award. However, the impact to compensation expense was not significant. Liberty - Grants of stock options Awards granted in 2012, 2011 and 2010 pursuant to the Incentive Plans discussed above are summarized as follows:
During the year ended December 31, 2012, Liberty granted, primarily to Starz employees, 834,000 options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Capital common stock at a weighted average grant-date fair value of $42.04 per share. These options primarily vest quarterly over a 4 year vesting period. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company entered into a series of transactions with certain officers of Liberty and its subsidiaries, which transactions were associated with stock options, in order to recognize tax deductions in the current year versus future years (the "Option Exchange"). On December 4, 2012 (the "Grant Date"), pursuant to the approval of the Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors, the Company effected the acceleration of each unvested in-the-money option to acquire shares of LMCA held by certain of its and its subsidiaries' officers (collectively, the “ Eligible Optionholders ”). Following this acceleration, also on the Grant Date, each Eligible Optionholder exercised, on a net settled basis, substantially all of his or her outstanding in-the-money vested and unvested options to acquire LMCA shares (the “Eligible Options”), and:
As a result, the Option Exchange was considered a modification under ASC 718 - Stock Compensation, with the following impacts on compensation expense. The unamortized value of the unvested Eligible Options that were exercised, which is $37 million, will be expensed over the vesting periods of the restricted shares attributable to the exercise of those options. The grant of new vested options resulted in incremental compensation expense in the fourth quarter of 2012 of $24 million. The grant of new unvested options resulted in incremental compensation expense totaling $77 million, which will be amortized over the vesting periods of those options. The Company has calculated the grant-date fair value for all of its equity classified awards and any subsequent remeasurement of its liability classified awards using the Black-Scholes Model. The Company estimates the expected term of the Awards based on historical exercise and forfeiture data. For grants made in 2012, 2011 and 2010, the range of expected terms was 1.3 to 9.0 years. The volatility used in the calculation for Awards is based on the historical volatility of Liberty's stocks and the implied volatility of publicly traded Liberty options. The Company uses a zero dividend rate and the risk-free rate for Treasury Bonds with a term similar to that of the subject options. The following table presents the volatilities used by the Company in the Black-Scholes Model for the 2012, 2011 and 2010 grants.
Liberty - Outstanding Awards The following table presents the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of Awards to purchase Liberty common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company.
There were no grants or exercises of any of the Company's Series B options during 2012. The following table provides additional information about outstanding Awards to purchase Liberty Capital common stock at December 31, 2012.
As of December 31, 2012, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty Awards was approximately $150 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years. Liberty - Exercises The aggregate intrinsic value of all options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $494 million, $46 million and $47 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes approximately $358 million related to the intrinsic value of options exercised as a result of the Option Exchange. Liberty - Restricted Stock Associated with the Option Exchange the Company issued approximately 1.5 million shares of unvested restricted Liberty Capital common stock. These shares generally vest over the next two years and as the Option Exchange was accounted for as a modification the compensation expense associated with these restricted shares was treated as incremental compensation, as discussed above, and is included in unrecognized compensation costs under the outstanding Awards section above. The Company had approximately 124,000 unvested restricted shares of Liberty common stock held by certain directors, officers and employees of the Company as of December 31, 2012, not issued under the Option Exchange, with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $58.50 per share. The aggregate fair value of all restricted shares of Liberty Capital common stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $10 million, $14 million and $10 million, respectively. Other Certain of the Company's other subsidiaries have stock based compensation plans under which employees and non-employees are granted options or similar stock based awards. Awards made under these plans vest and become exercisable over various terms. The awards and compensation recorded, if any, under these plans is not significant to the Company. |
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The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Employee Benefit Plans
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] | |
| Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] | Employee Benefit Plans Liberty is the sponsor of the Liberty Media 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Liberty 401(k) Plan"), which provides its employees and the employees of certain of its subsidiaries an opportunity for ownership in the Company and creates a retirement fund. The Liberty 401(k) Plan provides for employees to make contributions to a trust for investment in Liberty common stock, as well as several mutual funds. The Company and its subsidiaries make matching contributions to the Liberty 401(k) Plan based on a percentage of the amount contributed by employees. In addition, certain of the Company's subsidiaries have similar employee benefit plans. Employer cash contributions to all plans aggregated $12 million, $12 million and $12 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
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The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Other Comprehensive Earnings (loss)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] | Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) included in Liberty's consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of equity reflect the aggregate of foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized holding gains and losses on AFS securities and Liberty's share of accumulated other comprehensive earnings of affiliates. The change in the components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes ("AOCI"), is summarized as follows:
The components of other comprehensive earnings (loss) are reflected in Liberty's consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings (loss) net of taxes. The following table summarizes the tax effects related to each component of other comprehensive earnings (loss).
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The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Commitments And Contingencies
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| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commitments And Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Film Rights Starz has entered into an exclusive long-term licensing agreement for theatrically released films from Disney through 2015. The agreement provides Starz with exclusive pay TV rights to exhibit qualifying theatrically released live-action and animated feature films under the Disney, Touchstone, Pixar and Marvel labels. Theatrically released films produced by DreamWorks are not licensed to Starz under the agreement. In addition, Starz is obligated to pay programming fees for all qualifying films that are released theatrically in the U.S. by Sony's Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems Sony Pictures Classics and Tristar labels through 2021, subject to certain limitations. On February 11, 2013, Starz announced a new, multi-year output licensing agreement for theatrically released motion pictures from Sony that extends its relationship with Sony through 2021. The previous agreement had covered motion pictures released theatrically through 2016. The programming fees to be paid by Starz to Disney and Sony are based on the quantity and domestic theatrical exhibition receipts of qualifying films. Starz has also entered into agreements with a number of other motion picture producers and is obligated to pay fees for the rights to exhibit certain films that are released by these producers. The unpaid balance of Programming Fees for films that were available for exhibition by Starz at December 31, 2012 is reflected as a liability, in other liabilities, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The balance due as of December 31, 2012 is payable as follows: $57 million in 2013 and $1 million in 2014. Under the above output agreements, Starz is also obligated to pay fees for the rights to exhibit films that have been released theatrically, but are not available for exhibition by Starz until some future date. These amounts have not been accrued at December 31, 2012. Starz's estimate of amounts payable for rights to future programming (that have been released), including the Disney and Sony agreements, is as follows: $325 million in 2013; $101 million in 2014; $72 million in 2015; $64 million in 2016; $64 million in 2017 and $266 million thereafter. Starz is also obligated to pay fees for films that have not been released in theatres. Starz is unable to estimate the amounts to be paid under these output agreements for films that have not yet been released in theatres; however, such amounts are expected to be significant. Guarantees The Company guarantees Starz's obligations under certain of its studio output agreements. At December 31, 2012, the Company's guarantees for obligations for films released by such date aggregated $399 million. While the guarantee amount for films not yet released is not determinable, such amount is expected to be significant. As noted above, Starz has recognized the liability for a portion of its obligations under the output agreements. As this represents a direct commitment of Starz, a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, the Company has not recorded a separate indirect liability for its guarantee of these obligations. Following the Spin-Off the Company will continue to guarantee certain Starz obligations under certain of its studio output agreements and will determine the financial statement impact, if any, in the first quarter of 2013. In connection with agreements for the sale of assets by the Company or its subsidiaries, the Company may retain liabilities that relate to events occurring prior to its sale, such as tax, environmental, litigation and employment matters. The Company generally indemnifies the purchaser in the event that a third party asserts a claim against the purchaser that relates to a liability retained by the Company. These types of indemnification obligations may extend for a number of years. The Company is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnification obligations as the sale agreements may not specify a maximum amount and the amounts are dependent upon the outcome of future contingent events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time. Historically, the Company has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements and no amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees. Employment Contracts The Atlanta Braves and certain of their players and coaches have entered into long-term employment contracts whereby such individuals' compensation is guaranteed. Amounts due under guaranteed contracts as of December 31, 2012 aggregated $151 million, which is payable as follows: $60 million in 2013, $30 million in 2014, $28 million in 2015, $16 million in 2016. In addition to the foregoing amounts, certain players and coaches may earn incentive compensation under the terms of their employment contracts. Operating Leases The Company leases business offices, has entered into satellite transponder lease agreements and uses certain equipment under lease arrangements. Rental expense under such arrangements amounted to $17 million, $16 million and $18 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. A summary of future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2012 follows (amounts in millions):
It is expected that in the normal course of business, leases that expire generally will be renewed or replaced by leases on other properties; thus, it is anticipated that future lease commitments will not be less than the amount shown for 2012. Litigation The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible the Company may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In connection with a commercial transaction that closed during 2002 among Liberty, Vivendi Universal S.A. (“Vivendi”) and the former USA Holdings, Inc., Liberty brought suit against Vivendi and Universal Studios, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging, among other things, breach of contract and fraud by Vivendi. On June 25, 2012, a jury awarded Liberty damages in the amount of €765 million, plus prejudgment interest, in connection with a finding of breach of contract and fraud by the defendants. On January 17, 2013, the court entered judgment in favor of Liberty in the amount of approximately €945 million, including prejudgment interest. The parties are negotiating the terms of a stay of the execution of the judgment during the pendency of the appeal. Vivendi has filed notice of its appeal of the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and, in that court, Liberty intends to seek a higher rate of pre-judgment interest than what the district court awarded. As a result, the amount that Liberty may ultimately recover in connection with the final resolution of the action, if any, is uncertain. Any recovery by Liberty will not be reflected in our consolidated financial statements until such time as the final disposition of this matter has been reached. Other During the period from March 9, 1999 to August 10, 2001, Liberty Interactive (Liberty's former parent) was included in the consolidated federal income tax return of AT&T and was party to a tax sharing agreement with AT&T (the "AT&T Tax Sharing Agreement"). While Liberty Interactive was a subsidiary of AT&T, Liberty Interactive recorded its stand-alone tax provision on a separate return basis. Under the AT&T Tax Sharing Agreement, Liberty Interactive received a cash payment from AT&T in periods when Liberty Interactive generated taxable losses and such taxable losses were utilized by AT&T to reduce its consolidated income tax liability. To the extent such losses were not utilized by AT&T, such amounts were available to reduce federal taxable income generated by Liberty Interactive in future periods, similar to a net operating loss carryforward, and were accounted for as a deferred federal income tax benefit. Subsequent to Liberty Interactive's split off from AT&T, if adjustments were made to amounts previously paid under the AT&T Tax Sharing Agreement, such adjustments are reflected as adjustments to additional paid-in capital. During the period from March 10, 1999 to December 31, 2002, Liberty Interactive received cash payments from AT&T aggregating $670 million as payment for Liberty Interactive's taxable losses that AT&T utilized to reduce its income tax liability. AT&T requested a refund from Liberty of $70 million, plus accrued interest, relating to losses that it generated in 2002 and 2003 and was able to carry back to offset taxable income previously offset by Liberty Interactive's losses. AT&T had previously asserted that Liberty Interactive's losses caused AT&T to pay $70 million in alternative minimum tax ("AMT") that it would not have been otherwise required to pay had Liberty Interactive's losses not been included in its return. Liberty indemnified Liberty Interactive for the contingent liability and therefore the liability remained with Liberty after the Split-Off. In prior years, a $72 million contingent liability was recorded through additional paid in capital as these liabilities were considered to have been equity transactions with Liberty Interactive's former parent. Additionally, interest was accrued on the liabilities and recorded through interest expense, until the amounts reached an amount the Company considered to be the maximum exposure under the contingent liability. The total liability recorded, including accrued interest was $128 million. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company determined that a requisite amount of time had passed under the applicable state statutes and that the liability should be released. As $72 million was originally set up through additional paid in capital that amount of the liability was relieved against additional paid in capital and the remainder was recorded through the Other, net line item in the Other income (expense) section of the accompanying consolidated Statement of Operations. |
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Information About Liberty's Operating Segments
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Information About Liberty's Operating Segments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Information About Liberty's Operating Segments | Information About Liberty's Operating Segments The Company, through its ownership interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the media, communications and entertainment industries. The Company identifies its reportable segments as (A) those consolidated subsidiaries that represent 10% or more of its consolidated annual revenue, annual Adjusted OIBDA or total assets and (B) those equity method affiliates whose share of earnings represent 10% or more of the Company's annual pre-tax earnings. The segment presentation for prior periods has been conformed to the current period segment presentation, as discussed below. The Company evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue and Adjusted OIBDA. In addition, the Company reviews nonfinancial measures such as subscriber growth and penetration. The Company defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). The Company believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses, including each business's ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company generally accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current prices. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company has identified the following consolidated subsidiaries and equity method affilates as its reportable segments:
During the current year it was determined that SIRIUS XM, due to the change in the investment balance during the year as a result of acquisitions of common stock throughout the period and the significant earnings recognized during the year, was a separate reportable segment. Additionally, TruePosition is no longer considered a reportable segment due to the overall size of the business in comparison to the consolidated results of Liberty. TruePosition in previous years met the quantitative thresholds because of accounting related to certain deferred amounts. We have reflected the results of SIRIUS XM (presented separately) and TruePosition (included in corporate and other) on a comparative basis for all periods presented in the tables below. The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because each segment requires different technologies, distribution channels and marketing strategies. The accounting policies of the segments that are also consolidated subsidiaries are the same as those described in the Company's summary of significant policies. Performance Measures
Other Information
The following table provides a reconciliation of segment Adjusted OIBDA to earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
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- Definition
The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Quarterly Financial Information
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] | Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
(1) The following table presents the amounts reported prior to the application of a change in accounting principle, see note 3 for additional details:
(2) The following table presents the amounts reported prior to the application of a change in accounting principle, see note 3 for additional details:
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The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of investments which are readily convertible into cash and have maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition. |
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| Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Receivables Receivables are reflected net of an allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns. Such allowance aggregated $36 million and $39 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Activity in the periods ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 included $1 million, $9 million and zero of bad debt charged to expense, respectively, and $2 million, $2 million and $3 million of write-offs, respectively. |
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| Program Rights [Policy Text Block] | Program Rights The cost of program rights for films and television programs exhibited by Starz Networks are generally amortized on a film-by-film basis over the anticipated number of exhibitions. Starz Networks estimates the number of exhibitions based on the number of exhibitions allowed in the agreement and the expected usage of the content. Certain other program rights are amortized to expense using the straight-line method over the respective lives of the agreements. Starz Networks generally has rights to two separate windows under its output agreements. For films with multiple windows, the license fee is allocated between the first and second window based upon the proportionate estimated fair value of each window. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of each window. Changes in estimates could significantly impact programming costs in the future. |
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| Film Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Investment in Films and Television Programs Investment in films and television programs is included in other assets and generally includes the cost of completed films, television programs and original productions which have been produced by Starz or for which Starz has acquired distribution rights, as well as the cost of films, television programs or original productions in production, pre-production and development. Capitalized costs include production costs, including labor, goods and services, interest and allocable overhead, acquisition of distribution rights, acquisition of story rights and the development of stories less the license fee for original productions, which have aired on the Starz linear channels on demand or on the Internet. Starz allocates the cost of its original productions between the license fee for pay television and the ancillary revenue markets (e.g. home video, digital platforms, international television, etc.) based on the estimated relative fair values of these markets. The license fee associated with original productions is reclassified to program rights when the program is aired. Investment in films and television programs is stated at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated fair value on an individual film basis. Investment in films and television programs are amortized using the individual-film-forecast method, whereby the costs are charged to expense and royalty, participation and residual costs are accrued based on the proportion that current revenue from the films, television programs and original productions bear to an estimate of the remaining unrecognized ultimate revenue. Ultimate revenue estimates do not exceed ten years following the date of initial release or from the date of delivery of the first episode for episodic television series. Estimates of ultimate revenue involve uncertainty and it is therefore possible that reductions in the carrying value of investment in films and television programs may be required as a consequence of changes in management's future revenue estimates. Investment in films and television programs in development or pre-production is periodically reviewed to determine whether they will ultimately be used in the production of a film or television program. Costs of films, television programs and original productions in development or pre-production are charged to expense when a project is abandoned, or generally if the film, television program or original production has not been set for production within three years from the time of the first capitalized transaction. Investment in films and television programs is reviewed for impairment on a title-by-title basis when an event or change in circumstances indicates that a film, television program or original production may be impaired. The estimated fair value for each title is determined using the discounted estimated future cash flow of each title. If the estimated fair value of a film, television program or original production is less than its unamortized cost, the excess of unamortized costs over the estimated fair value is charged to expense. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of investment in films and television programs. Changes in these estimates could significantly impact the impairment analysis in the future. |
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| Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Investments All marketable equity and debt securities held by the Company are classified as available-for-sale ("AFS") and are carried at fair value generally based on quoted market prices. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") permit entities to choose to measure many financial instruments, such as AFS securities, and certain other items at fair value and to recognize the changes in fair value of such instruments in the entity's statement of operations (the "fair value option"). Under other relevant GAAP, entities were required to recognize changes in fair value of AFS securities in the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive earnings. Liberty has entered into economic hedges for certain of its non-strategic AFS securities (although such instruments are not accounted for as fair value hedges by the Company). Changes in the fair value of these economic hedges are reflected in Liberty's statement of operations as unrealized gains (losses). In order to better match the changes in fair value of the subject AFS securities and the changes in fair value of the corresponding economic hedges in the Company's financial statements, Liberty has elected the fair value option for those of its AFS securities which it considers to be non-strategic ("Fair Value Option Securities"). Accordingly, changes in the fair value of Fair Value Option Securities, as determined by quoted market prices, are reported in realized and unrealized gain (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. The total value of AFS securities for which the Company has elected the fair value option aggregated $1,079 million and $1,435 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Other investments in which the Company's ownership interest is less than 20% and are not considered marketable securities are carried at cost. For those investments in affiliates in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, the equity method of accounting is used. Under this method, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize the Company's share of net earnings or losses of the affiliate as they occur rather than as dividends or other distributions are received. Losses are limited to the extent of the Company's investment in, advances to and commitments for the investee. In the event the Company is unable to obtain accurate financial information from an equity affiliate in a timely manner, the Company records its share of earnings or losses of such affiliate on a lag. The Company's share of net earnings or loss of affiliates also includes any other than temporary declines in fair value recognized during the period. Changes in the Company's proportionate share of the underlying equity of an equity method investee, which result from the issuance of additional equity securities by such equity investee, are recognized in equity. The Company continually reviews its equity investments and its AFS securities which are not Non-strategic Securities to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is other than temporary. The primary factors the Company considers in its determination are the length of time that the fair value of the investment is below the Company's carrying value; the severity of the decline; and the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of the investee. In addition, the Company considers the reason for the decline in fair value, be it general market conditions, industry specific or investee specific; analysts' ratings and estimates of 12 month share price targets for the investee; changes in stock price or valuation subsequent to the balance sheet date; and the Company's intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value. If the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair value. In situations where the fair value of an investment is not evident due to a lack of a public market price or other factors, the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to arrive at the estimated fair value of such investment. The Company's assessment of the foregoing factors involves a high degree of judgment and accordingly, actual results may differ materially from the Company's estimates and judgments. Writedowns for AFS securities which are not Non-strategic Securities are included in the consolidated statements of operations as other than temporary declines in fair values of investments. Writedowns for equity method investments are included in share of earnings (losses) of affiliates. |
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| Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities All of the Company's derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive earnings and are recognized in the statement of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is not designated as a hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings. The Company has entered into several interest rate swap agreements to mitigate the cash flow risk associated with interest payments related to certain of its variable rate debt. None of the Company's derivatives are currently designated as hedges. The fair value of certain of the Company's derivative instruments are estimated using the Black-Scholes model. The Black-Scholes model incorporates a number of variables in determining such fair values, including expected volatility of the underlying security and an appropriate discount rate. The Company obtained volatility rates from pricing services based on the expected volatility of the underlying security over the remaining term of the derivative instrument. A discount rate was obtained at the inception of the derivative instrument and updated each reporting period in which equity collars were outstanding, based on the Company's estimate of the discount rate at which it could currently settle the derivative instrument. The Company considered its own credit risk as well as the credit risk of its counterparties in estimating the discount rate. Considerable management judgment was required in estimating the Black-Scholes variables. |
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| Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Property and Equipment Property and equipment, including significant improvements, is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method using estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years for support equipment and 10 to 40 years for buildings and improvements. |
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| Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Intangible Assets Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment upon certain triggering events. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives (collectively, "indefinite lived intangible assets") are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. Equity method goodwill is also not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment upon certain triggering events. The Company performs at least annually an impairment analysis of goodwill and other intangibles. The Company adopted current accounting guidance, in the prior and current year, relating to the annual assessments of recoverability of goodwill and other intangibles and utilized a qualitative assessment for determining whether step one of the goodwill impairment analysis was necessary. The accounting guidance adopted was issued to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis the Company reviewed the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluated other relevant factors as identified in the relevant accounting guidance to determine whether it was more likely than not that an indicated impairment existed for any of our reporting units. The Company considered whether there was any negative macroenomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, the legal environments and how these factors might impact company specific performance in future periods. As part of the analysis the Company also considered fair value determinations for certain reporting units that had been made at various points throughout the year for other purposes. If a step one test would have been necessary based on the qualitative factors the Company would compare the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. Developing estimates of fair value requires significant judgments, including making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples, public trading prices and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in Liberty's valuation analysis are based on management's best estimates considering current marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates in future years. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts. For those reporting units whose carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second test is required to measure the impairment loss (the "Step 2 Test"). In the Step 2 Test, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit with any residual value being allocated to goodwill. The difference between such allocated amount and the carrying value of the goodwill is recorded as an impairment charge. |
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| Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Impairment of Long-lived Assets The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of its property and equipment and its intangible assets (other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles) to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset, an impairment adjustment is to be recognized. Such adjustment is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such assets exceeds their fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. |
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| Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Noncontrolling Interests Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted guidance which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary. Among other matters, (a) the previous limitations on allocation of losses to the noncontrolling interests were eliminated, (b) the noncontrolling interest is reported within equity in the balance sheet and (c) the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest is presented in the statement of income. Also, changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries in which the Company maintains a controlling interest are recorded in equity. |
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| Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized as follows:
Accounting guidance was issued to remove from the scope of industry specific revenue accounting guidance for software and software related transactions, tangible products containing software components and non-software components that function together to deliver the product's essential functionality and amended outstanding guidance (1) to provide updated guidance on whether multiple deliverables exist, how the deliverables in an arrangement should be separated, and the consideration allocated; (2) to require an entity to allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of deliverables if a vendor does not have vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price; and (3) to eliminate the use of the residual method and require an entity to allocate revenue using the relative selling price method. Adoption, at the election of the Company, was either on a prospective basis or by retrospective application. The Company adopted the revenue guidance on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2011. There was no financial statement impact on that date as a result of the adoption of the accounting guidance. In the first quarter of 2011, TruePosition, a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, entered into an amended contract with AT&T (one of TruePosition's largest customers) that materially changed the terms of the existing contract. The transition provisions of the new accounting guidance require that when a contract is materially modified it is subject to the current accounting requirements. This resulted in TruePosition recognizing revenue for all the delivered elements meeting the separation criteria, previously deferred under the previous accounting guidance. TruePosition recognized approximately $538 million of revenue and $167 million of deferred cost associated with the delivered elements as of the modification date. Previously, TruePosition did not have Vendor Specific Objective Evidence for the undelivered specified upgrade, which changed the timing of revenue recognition for the entire arrangement. Under the current guidance TruePosition utilized the estimated selling price to determine what portion of the overall consideration to allocate to the delivered and undelivered elements. Additionally, TruePosition's contract with T-Mobile expired in mid-2011; however software maintenance services ordered prior to that date continued to be provided through the year ended December 31, 2011. TruePosition had deferred substantially all of the revenue earned from T-Mobile since the inception of the contract due to an obligation to provide specified upgrades which were not delivered and for which no Vendor Specific Objective Evidence existed. Upon expiration of the software maintenance period, this obligation ceased to exist and, accordingly, TruePosition recognized approximately $491 million and $242 million of previously deferred revenue and costs, respectively. |
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| Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Advertising Costs Advertising costs generally are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense aggregated $85 million, $114 million and $154 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Co-operative marketing costs incurred as part of affiliation agreements with distributors are recognized as advertising expense to the extent an identifiable benefit is received and fair value of the benefit can be reasonably measured. Otherwise, such costs are recorded as a reduction of revenue. |
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| Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] | Stock-Based Compensation As more fully described in note 14, Liberty has granted to its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to purchase shares of Liberty common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of liability instruments (such as stock appreciation rights that will be settled in cash) based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation (amounts in millions):
As of December 31, 2012, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty equity Awards was approximately $150 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years. |
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| Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Income Taxes The Company was included in the consolidated tax return of Liberty Interactive through the date of the Split-Off. Following the Split-Off the Company files its own consolidated tax return. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for each taxing jurisdiction in which the company operates for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Net deferred tax assets are then reduced by a valuation allowance if the Company believes it more likely than not such net deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of an enacted change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. When the tax law requires interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes, the Company recognizes interest expense from the first period the interest would begin accruing according to the relevant tax law. Such interest expense is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Any accrual of penalties related to underpayment of income taxes on uncertain tax positions is included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. |
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| Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Earnings attributable to Liberty Stockholders Per Common Share Basic earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares that were outstanding for the period at the Company. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented. Series A and Series B Liberty Capital Common Stock The basic and diluted EPS calculation is based on the following weighted average outstanding shares (WASO) of Liberty Capital common stock, based on the conversion ratio of 1 to 1 utilized in the Split-Off, prior to the Split-Off, and the actual Liberty Capital common stock after the Split-Off. Excluded from diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2011 are less than a million potential common shares because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Series A and Series B Liberty Starz Common Stock The basic and diluted EPS calculation is based on the following WASO of Liberty Starz common stock, based on the conversion ratio of 1 to 1 utilized in the Split-Off, prior to the Split-Off, and the actual Liberty Starz common stock immediately after the Split-Off. As discussed in note 2, on November 28, 2011 the Company converted each share of Liberty Starz for .88129 of a share of the corresponding series of Liberty Capital common stock (plus cash in lieu of fractional shares) to eliminate the tracking stock structure. Therefore, as of December 31, 2011, there were zero shares of Liberty Starz Common stock outstanding and the Basic and Diluted EPS calculations are through the Conversion date.
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| Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company considers (i) recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements, (ii) accounting for income taxes, (iii) assessments of other-than-temporary declines in fair value of its investments and (iv) amortization of program rights to be its most significant estimates. The Company holds investments that are accounted for using the equity method. The Company does not control the decision making process or business management practices of these affiliates. Accordingly, the Company relies on management of these affiliates to provide it with accurate financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP that the Company uses in the application of the equity method. In addition, the Company relies on audit reports that are provided by the affiliates' independent auditors on the financial statements of such affiliates. The Company is not aware, however, of any errors in or possible misstatements of the financial information provided by its equity affiliates that would have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. |
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| Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Reclasses and adjustments Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with the current year presentation. Additionally, the Company added cash flow statement line items (Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation and Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for stock-based compensation) to reflect certain tax impacts from option exercises for the current and prior year periods presented. |
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| Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block] | Changes in Accounting Principle In prior periods the Company elected to record its share of earnings (loss) for SIRIUS XM and Live Nation on a three-month lag due to timeliness considerations. As of December 31, 2012, the Company was able to obtain financial information for both of these equity method affiliates on a more timely basis and determined it was preferable to record the investment in these affiliates on a current basis as opposed to the previous three-month lag. In accordance with the applicable accounting literature this change in accounting requires retrospective application of the accounting treatment, unless it is considered impracticable. As the Company has all the appropriate information to apply the change on a retrospective basis these financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the investments in SIRIUS XM and Live Nation comparatively for prior periods. The balance of investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method was less by $4 million and the deferred taxes were more by $2 million, than previously reported, as a result of the retrospective application as of December 31, 2011. Additionally, opening retained earnings (deficit) as of January 1, 2010 is less by $5 million than previously reported. The following table presents the changes to the respective statement of operations captions in the prior periods as a result of the application of the change in accounting principle on a retrospective basis:
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The right to exploit film and television content acquired from a third party. Program rights are amortized over the anticipated number of exhibitions for output content and on a straight line basis for library content due the usage of such content. No definition available.
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The entire disclosure for reporting accounting changes and error corrections. It includes the conveyance of information necessary for a user of the Company's financial information to understand all aspects and required disclosure information concerning all changes and error corrections reported in the Company's financial statements for the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Disclosure of accounting policy for advertising costs. For those costs that cannot be capitalized, discloses whether such costs are expensed as incurred or the first period in which the advertising takes place. For direct response advertising costs that are capitalized, describes those assets and the accounting policy used, including a description of the qualifying activity, the types of costs capitalized and the related amortization period. An entity also may disclose its accounting policy for cooperative advertising arrangements. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Disclosure of accounting policy for cash and cash equivalents, including the policy for determining which items are treated as cash equivalents. Other information that may be disclosed includes (1) the nature of any restrictions on the entity's use of its cash and cash equivalents, (2) whether the entity's cash and cash equivalents are insured or expose the entity to credit risk, (3) the classification of any negative balance accounts (overdrafts), and (4) the carrying basis of cash equivalents (for example, at cost) and whether the carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Disclosure of accounting policy for subsidiaries or other investments that are consolidated, including the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts or transactions and any noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Disclosure of accounting policy for its derivative instruments and hedging activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Disclosure of accounting policy for computing basic and diluted earnings or loss per share for each class of common stock and participating security. Addresses all significant policy factors, including any antidilutive items that have been excluded from the computation and takes into account stock dividends, splits and reverse splits that occur after the balance sheet date of the latest reporting period but before the issuance of the financial statements. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Disclosure of accounting policy for film costs related to film libraries. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Disclosure of accounting policy for goodwill and intangible assets. This accounting policy also may address how an entity assesses and measures impairment of goodwill and intangible assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Disclosure of accounting policy for recognizing and measuring the impairment of long-lived assets. An entity also may disclose its accounting policy for long-lived assets to be sold. This policy excludes goodwill and intangible assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for income taxes, which may include its accounting policies for recognizing and measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances, recognizing investment tax credits, operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and other carryforwards, methodologies for determining its effective income tax rate and the characterization of interest and penalties in the financial statements. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for investments in financial assets, including marketable securities (debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values), investments accounted for under the equity method and cost method, securities borrowed and loaned, and repurchase and resale agreements. For marketable securities, the disclosure may include the entity's accounting treatment for transfers between investment categories and how the fair values for such securities are determined. Also, for all investments, an entity may describe its policy for assessing, recognizing and measuring impairment of the investment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for reclassifications that affects the comparability of the financial statements. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for property, plant and equipment which may include the basis of such assets, depreciation methods used and estimated useful lives, the entity's capitalization policy, including its accounting treatment for costs incurred for repairs and maintenance activities, whether such asset balances include capitalized interest and the method by which such is calculated, how disposals of such assets are accounted for and how impairment of such assets is assessed and recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for trade and other accounts receivable, and finance, loan and lease receivables, including those classified as held for investment and held for sale. This disclosure may include (1) the basis at which such receivables are carried in the entity's statements of financial position (2) how the level of the valuation allowance for receivables is determined (3) when impairments, charge-offs or recoveries are recognized for such receivables (4) the treatment of origination fees and costs, including the amortization method for net deferred fees or costs (5) the treatment of any premiums or discounts or unearned income (6) the entity's income recognition policies for such receivables, including those that are impaired, past due or placed on nonaccrual status and (7) the treatment of foreclosures or repossessions (8) the nature and amount of any guarantees to repurchase receivables. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction is generally disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for stock option and stock incentive plans. This disclosure may include (1) the types of stock option or incentive plans sponsored by the entity (2) the groups that participate in (or are covered by) each plan (3) significant plan provisions and (4) how stock compensation is measured, and the methodologies and significant assumptions used to determine that measurement. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Basis Of Presentation Pro Forma Information (Tables)
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12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block] | Summary Balance Sheet Data:
Summary Operations Data:
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of pro forma results of operations for a material business acquisition or series of individually immaterial business acquisitions that are material in the aggregate. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block] | The following table presents the changes to the respective statement of operations captions in the prior periods as a result of the application of the change in accounting principle on a retrospective basis:
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| Share-based compensation expense [Table Text Block] | Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation (amounts in millions):
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Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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| Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] |
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Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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| Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] |
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Share-based compensation expense [Table Text Block] No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the weighted average number of shares used in calculating basic net earnings per share (or unit) and diluted earnings per share (or unit). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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|
Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Tables)
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block] |
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of supplemental cash flow information for the periods presented. No definition available.
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Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value (Tables)
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis | Liberty's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of assets, including [financial] instruments measured at fair value that are classified in stockholders' equity, if any, by class that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The disclosures contemplated herein include the fair value measurements at the reporting date by the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall, segregating fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1), significant other observable inputs (Level 2), and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Investments In Available-For-Sale Securities And Other Cost Investments (Tables)
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Investments In Available-For-Sale Securities And Other Cost Investments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block] | Investments in AFS securities, including Fair Value Option Securities separately aggregated, and other cost investments are summarized as follows:
___________________________
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| Unrealized Holdings Gains And Losses | Unrealized holding gains and losses related to investments in AFS securities are summarized below.
___________________________
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities which includes, but is not limited to, changes in the cost basis and fair value, fair value and gross unrealized gain (loss), fair values by type of security, contractual maturity and classification, amortized cost basis, contracts to acquire securities to be accounted for as available-for-sale, debt maturities, transfers to trading, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) net of tax, continuous unrealized loss position fair value, aggregate losses qualitative disclosures, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses or other disclosures related to available for sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the realized and unrealized gains and losses reported in the statement of income which have resulted from the sale and holding of marketable securities, respectively, as well as the sale or disposal of cost method investments. Such amounts would include realized gains and losses on the sale or disposal of trading, available-for-sale, and held-to-maturity securities, unrealized gains and losses on trading securities, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading securities category, realized gains and losses on the sale or disposal of cost method investments, and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of such investments. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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|
Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Tables)
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule Of Equity Ownership And Carrying Amount | Liberty has various investments accounted for using the equity method. The following table includes the Company's carrying amount and percentage ownership and market value (level 1) of the more significant investments in affiliates at December 31, 2012, and the carrying amount at December 31, 2011:
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| Schedule Of Liberty's Share Of Earnings (Losses) Of Affiliates | The following table presents the Company's share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
___________________________
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SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
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| Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SIRIUS XM Consolidated Balance Sheets | SIRIUS XM Consolidated Balance Sheet
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| SIRIUS XM Consolidated Statement Of Operations | SIRIUS XM Consolidated Statement of Operations
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Consolidated balance sheets in affiliates, equity method [text block] No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Consolidated statements of operations in affiliates, equity method [text block] No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Schedule of Liberty's share of earnings (losses) of affiliates [Text Block] No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Tabular disclosure of equity method investments in common stock. The disclosure may include: (a) the name of each investee or group of investments for which combined disclosure is appropriate, (2) the percentage ownership of common stock, (3) the difference, if any, between the carrying amount of an investment and the value of the underlying equity in the net assets and the accounting treatment of difference, if any, and (4) the aggregate value of each identified investment based on its quoted market price, if available. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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|
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)
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12 Months Ended | 60 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2016
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| Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] | Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
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| Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block] | Intangible assets subject to amortization are comprised of the following:
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| Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] | Liberty expects that amortization expense will be as follows for the next five years (amounts in millions):
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the amount of amortization expense expected to be recorded in succeeding fiscal years for finite-lived intangible assets. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life, by either major class or business segment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total which includes a rollforward schedule. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Long-Term Debt (Tables)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2016
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| Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] | Debt is summarized as follows:
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| Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block] | The annual principal maturities of Liberty's debt for each of the next five years is as follows (amounts in millions):
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the combined aggregate amount of maturities and sinking fund requirements for all long-term borrowings for each of the five years following the date of the latest balance sheet date presented. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Income Taxes (Tables)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Income Taxes [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] | Income tax benefit (expense) consists of:
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| Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] | Income tax benefit (expense) differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% as a result of the following:
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| Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] | The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities are presented below:
The Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:
The Co |
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| Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block] | A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
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- Details
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the components of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations for each year presented including, but not limited to: current tax expense (benefit), deferred tax expense (benefit), investment tax credits, government grants, the benefits of operating loss carryforwards, tax expense that results from allocating certain tax benefits either directly to contributed capital or to reduce goodwill or other noncurrent intangible assets of an acquired entity, adjustments of a deferred tax liability or asset for enacted changes in tax laws or rates or a change in the tax status of the entity, and adjustments of the beginning-of-the-year balances of a valuation allowance because of a change in circumstances that causes a change in judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset in future years. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the components of net deferred tax asset or liability recognized in an entity's statement of financial position, including the following: the total of all deferred tax liabilities, the total of all deferred tax assets, the total valuation allowance recognized for deferred tax assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the reconciliation using percentage or dollar amounts of the reported amount of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations for the year to the amount of income tax expense that would result from applying domestic federal statutory tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of tax positions taken in the tax returns filed or to be filed for which it is more likely than not that the tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities (i.e., uncertain tax positions) and other types of income tax contingencies, including: (1) the policy on classification of interest and penalties; (2) a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning and end of the period; the total amount(s) of: (3) unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate, and (4) interest and penalties recognized in each of the income statement and balance sheet; (5) for positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts unrecognized will significantly change within 12 months of the reporting date the: (i) nature of the uncertainty, (ii) nature of the event that could occur that would cause the change, and (iii) an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change or a statement that an estimate of the range cannot be made; and (6) a description of tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Share-based Compensation [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Table Text Block] | Awards granted in 2012, 2011 and 2010 pursuant to the Incentive Plans discussed above are summarized as follows:
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| Table Presents The Number And Weighted Average Exercise Price (WAEP) Of Certain Options And SARs To Purchase Common Stock Granted To Certain Officers, Employees And Directors Of The Company | The following table presents the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of Awards to purchase Liberty common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company.
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| Schedule Of Outstanding Options To Purchase Liberty Common Stock | The following table provides additional information about outstanding Awards to purchase Liberty Capital common stock at December 31, 2012.
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| Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] | The following table presents the volatilities used by the Company in the Black-Scholes Model for the 2012, 2011 and 2010 grants.
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- Definition
Schedule of outstanding options to purchase Liberty common stock [Text Block] No definition available.
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- Definition
Disclosure of components of a stock option or other award plan under which share-based compensation is awarded to employees, typically comprised of the amount of unearned compensation (deferred compensation cost), compensation expense, and changes in the quantity and fair value of the shares granted, exercised, forfeited, and issued and outstanding pertaining to that plan. Disclosure may also include nature and general terms of such arrangements that existed during the period and potential effects of those arrangements on shareholders, effect of compensation cost arising from share-based payment arrangements on the income statement, method of estimating the fair value of the goods or services received, or the fair value of the equity instruments granted, during the period, cash flow effects resulting from share-based payment arrangements and, for registrants that accelerate vesting of out of the money share options, reasons for the decision to accelerate. 0 No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the significant assumptions used during the year to estimate the fair value of stock options, including, but not limited to: (a) expected term of share options and similar instruments, (b) expected volatility of the entity's shares, (c) expected dividends, (d) risk-free rate(s), and (e) discount for post-vesting restrictions. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the weighted-average grant-date fair value of equity options or other equity instruments granted during the year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Other Comprehensive Earnings (loss) (Tables)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] | The change in the components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes ("AOCI"), is summarized as follows:
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| Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] | The components of other comprehensive earnings (loss) are reflected in Liberty's consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings (loss) net of taxes. The following table summarizes the tax effects related to each component of other comprehensive earnings (loss).
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the net gain (loss) and net prior service cost or credit recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the period for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans, and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss) for the period, as those amounts, including amortization of the net transition asset or obligation, are recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Commitments And Contingencies Minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases (Tables)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block] | A summary of future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2012 follows (amounts in millions):
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of future minimum payments required in the aggregate and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years for operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year and the total minimum rentals to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Information About Liberty's Operating Segments (Tables)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Information About Liberty's Operating Segments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Measures By Segment | Performance Measures
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| Other Information By Segment | Other Information
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| Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] | The following table provides a reconciliation of segment Adjusted OIBDA to earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of all significant reconciling items in the reconciliation of total assets from reportable segments to the entity's consolidated assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of all significant reconciling items in the reconciliation of total profit or loss from reportable segments, to the entity's consolidated income before income taxes, extraordinary items, and discontinued operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of all significant reconciling items in the reconciliation of total revenues from reportable segments to the entity's consolidated revenues. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block] |
(1) The following table presents the amounts reported prior to the application of a change in accounting principle, see note 3 for additional details:
(2) The following table presents the amounts reported prior to the application of a change in accounting principle, see note 3 for additional details:
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Tabular disclosure of the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure includes financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income (loss) before extraordinary items and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and earnings per share data. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Basis Of Presentation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Jan. 18, 2013
SIRIUS XM [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
SIRIUS XM [Member]
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| Related Party Costs | $ 2 | $ 10 | ||
| Purchase of shares in equity method investee | 50,000,000 | 312,500,000 | ||
| Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ 0.00 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.001 | |
| Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion | 1,293,509,076 |
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Numbe of shares purchased in equity method investee No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Number of shares issued for each share of convertible preferred stock that is converted. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Face amount or stated value per share of nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer); generally not indicative of the fair market value per share. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Direct costs arising from transactions with related parties who are not affiliates or joint Ventures. These costs are categorized as cost of goods sold. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The sum of the realized and unrealized net gain (loss) on trading securities during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Tracking Stocks (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Nov. 28, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Sep. 30, 2012
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Jun. 30, 2012
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Mar. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2011
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Jun. 30, 2011
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Mar. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Feb. 09, 2011
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Sep. 16, 2010
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Feb. 25, 2010
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Feb. 25, 2010
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]
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Apr. 01, 2009
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]
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Feb. 25, 2010
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member]
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Apr. 01, 2009
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member]
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Feb. 25, 2010
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member]
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Feb. 09, 2011
Time Warner Inc [Member]
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Feb. 09, 2011
Time Warner Cable Inc [Member]
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Feb. 09, 2011
AOL Inc [Member]
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Feb. 25, 2010
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
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Sep. 16, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Feb. 09, 2011
3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2023 [Member]
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| Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued | 0.88129 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ownership Interest In Investee | 14.60% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount of public debt attributed to the Interactive Group | $ 469 | $ 460 | $ 492 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable income reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group to be recognized ratably in tax years 2014 through 2018 | 830 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount of Exchangeables cancelled triggering the taxable income reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | 400 | 350 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash attributed from Capital Group to Interactive Group | 264 | 807 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash attributed from Capital Group to Starz Group | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extinguishment of intergroup loan payable | 55 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans Payable to Bank, Noncurrent | 500 | 500 | 54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount of exchangeable debt securities reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | 1,138 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares amount of exchangeable debt securities reattributed from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group | 22,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 2,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value of Exchangeable Shares | 1,215 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro Forma for Reattribution [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | 2,211 | 3,860 | 2,211 | 3,860 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method | 3,341 | 563 | 3,341 | 563 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 8,325 | 7,719 | 8,325 | 7,719 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 540 | 1,295 | 540 | 1,295 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent's investment | 6,440 | 5,259 | 6,440 | 5,259 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 25 | 111 | 101 | 89 | 293 | 111 | 94 | 459 | 326 | 957 | 195 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 33 | 21 | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | $ (1,229) | $ (1,346) | $ (87) | $ 98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of net taxable income to be recognized ratably in tax years 2014 through 2018 No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Cancellation of principal amount of Exchangeables No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Carrying Value of Exchangeable Shares No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Cash attributed from Capital Group to Interactive Group. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Cash attributed from Capital Group to Starz Group. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Change in attribution from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group of Exchangeable debt securities, principal amount No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Change in attribution from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group of Exchangeable debt securities, shares amount No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Extinguishment of intergroup loan payable No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Ownership interest in investee No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Principal amount of public debt attributed to the Interactive Group No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are expected to be realized in cash, sold, or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The number of new shares issued in the conversion of stock in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of loans from a bank with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer, excluding current portion. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2012
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
TruePosition [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2011
TruePosition [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Equipment [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Maximum [Member]
Equipment [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Maximum [Member]
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
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| Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic | 0 | 51 | 50 | 120 | 85 | 90 | |||||||||
| Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
| Advertising Expense | $ 85 | $ 114 | $ 154 | ||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation | 66 | 32 | 83 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized | 491 | 538 | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of Deferred Charges | 242 | 167 | |||||||||||||
| Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum | 3 years | 10 years | 20 years | 40 years | |||||||||||
| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current | 36 | 39 | |||||||||||||
| Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized | 150 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Value Of Non Strategic Securities | 1,079 | 1,435 | |||||||||||||
| Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition | 1 year 9 months 25 days | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for Doubtful Accounts | (1) | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Charge-offs | $ (2) | $ (2) | $ (3) | ||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted | 0 | 53 | 52 | 124 | 88 | 93 | |||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The total value of Non-Strategic Securities. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The amount of amortization of deferred charges applied against earnings during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of previously reported deferred or unearned revenue that was recognized as revenue during the period. Deferred revenue is a liability related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
As of the balance sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity-based awards made to employees under equity-based compensation awards that have yet to vest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of direct write-downs of financing receivables charged against the allowance. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of the current period expense charged against operations, the offset which is generally to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (the amount expected to be collected). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Earnings Attributable to Shareholders (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
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| Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders | $ 1,414 | $ 836 | $ 1,000 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Change in Accounting Principle (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Jun. 30, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2009
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Scenario, Actual [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Scenario, Actual [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Jun. 30, 2012
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Mar. 31, 2012
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2011
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Jun. 30, 2011
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Mar. 31, 2011
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Scenario, Actual [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Scenario, Actual [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Scenario, Actual [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Scenario, Actual [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
|
| New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Method Investments | $ 3,341 | $ 563 | $ 3,341 | $ 563 | $ 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities | 802 | 409 | 802 | 409 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments | (1,229) | (1,346) | (87) | 98 | (38) | 34 | 98 | (49) | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | (104) | 211 | 600 | 333 | (571) | (14) | 13 | 333 | 571 | (319) | 558 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders | 1,414 | 836 | 1,000 | 24 | (21) | 836 | 1,000 | 812 | 1,021 | 1,007 | 156 | 137 | 385 | (103) | 22 | 279 | 24 | (21) | 607 | 794 | 583 | 815 | 0 | 0 | 229 | 206 | 229 | 206 | ||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 11.78 | $ 0.28 | $ (0.24) | $ 7.14 | $ 8.82 | $ 6.86 | $ 9.06 | $ 8.46 | $ 1.31 | $ 1.13 | $ 4.10 | $ (1.27) | $ 0.27 | $ 3.40 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 11.40 | $ 0.27 | $ (0.22) | $ 6.90 | $ 8.54 | $ 6.63 | $ 8.76 | $ 8.19 | $ 1.27 | $ 1.10 | $ 3.93 | $ (1.27) | $ 0.27 | $ 3.32 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | $ 3,079 | $ 1,665 | $ 3,079 | $ 1,665 | $ 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards net of valuation allowances expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cumulative amount of the reporting entity's undistributed earnings or deficit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] | |||
| Cash paid for interest | $ 20 | $ 12 | $ 66 |
| Cash paid (received) for income taxes | $ 129 | $ 193 | $ 161 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income, net of any cash received during the current period as refunds for the overpayment of taxes. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of cash paid for interest during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nov. 28, 2011
|
Jun. 30, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
Feb. 25, 2010
|
Dec. 31, 2009
|
|
| Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] | |||||||
| Earnings before income taxes (1) | $ 2,012 | $ 1,165 | $ 426 | ||||
| Ownership Interest In Investee | 14.60% | ||||||
| Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets | 22 | (10) | 36 | ||||
| Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | 450 | 72 | (795) | ||||
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | 1,229 | 1,346 | 87 | (98) | |||
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method | 3,341 | 563 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,353 | 2,070 | 2,090 | 3,951 | |||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | $ 540 | ||||||
| Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued | 0.88129 | ||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Ownership interest in investee No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of new shares issued in the conversion of stock in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The gains (losses) included in earnings resulting from the sale or disposal of tangible assets. This item does not include any gain (loss) recognized on the sale of oil and gas property or timber property. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
|
Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
|---|---|---|
| Short term marketable securities | $ 67 | $ 299 |
|
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
|
||
| Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value | 1,224 | 1,845 |
| Short term marketable securities | 0 | 0 |
| Available-for-sale securities | 978 | 1,441 |
|
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
|
||
| Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value | 0 | 21 |
| Short term marketable securities | 67 | 299 |
| Available-for-sale securities | 383 | 410 |
|
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
|
||
| Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value | 0 | 0 |
| Short term marketable securities | 0 | 0 |
| Available-for-sale securities | 0 | 0 |
|
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
|
||
| Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value | 1,224 | 1,866 |
| Short term marketable securities | 67 | 299 |
| Available-for-sale securities | $ 1,361 | $ 1,851 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total debt and equity financial instruments including: (1) securities held-to-maturity, (2) trading securities, and (3) securities available-for-sale which are intended to be held for less than one year or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Investments In Available-For-Sale Securities And Other Cost Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
Jun. 30, 2011
|
Feb. 25, 2010
|
Jun. 30, 2011
Live Nation [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Time Warner Inc [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Sprint [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Viacom, Inc. [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
|
| Sale of Available for Sale Securities, Shares | 5,000,000 | 15,000,000 | 2,000,000 | |||||||
| Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities | $ 225 | $ 84 | $ 105 | |||||||
| Payments for (Proceeds from) Derivative Instrument, Financing Activities | 9 | 0 | (751) | 24 | 33 | 6 | ||||
| Ownership Interest In Investee | 14.60% | |||||||||
| The total value of Non-strategic Securities | 1,079 | 1,435 | ||||||||
| Payments to Acquire Investments | 1,716 | 350 | 405 | 58 | ||||||
| Debt Instrument Principal amount tendered and retired | $ 125 | |||||||||
| Subscription Agreement Shares | 5,500,000 | |||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Debt Instrument Principal amount tendered and retired No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Ownership interest in investee No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Sale of Available for Sale Securities, Shares No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Subscription agreement, shares. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The total value of Non-Strategic Securities. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net cash outflow or inflow from derivative instruments during the period, which are classified as financing activities, excluding those designated as hedging instruments. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash outflow associated with the purchase of all investments (debt, security, other) during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash inflow associated with the sale of debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Investments In Available-For-Sale Securities And Other Cost Investments (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Jun. 30, 2011
|
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | $ 1,392 | $ 1,859 | |||||||||||||
| Subscription agreement, shares | 5.5 | ||||||||||||||
|
Live Nation [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 25 | [1] | 24 | [1] | |||||||||||
|
Other Investments [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 39 | 16 | |||||||||||||
|
SIRIUS XM Debt Securities [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 249 | [2] | 384 | [2] | |||||||||||
|
AFS and cost method investments [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 313 | 424 | |||||||||||||
|
Other AFS Debt Securities [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 56 | 202 | |||||||||||||
|
Other AFS Equity Securities [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 58 | 34 | |||||||||||||
|
Barnes & Noble, Inc. [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 262 | 253 | |||||||||||||
|
Century Link, Inc. [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 70 | 67 | |||||||||||||
|
Viacom, Inc. [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 192 | [3] | 345 | [3] | |||||||||||
|
Sprint [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 0 | [4] | 44 | [4] | |||||||||||
|
Time Warner Cable Inc [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 230 | 150 | |||||||||||||
|
Time Warner Inc [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | 211 | [5] | 340 | [5] | |||||||||||
|
total [Member]
|
|||||||||||||||
| Investments in available-for-sale securities | $ 1,079 | $ 1,435 | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Subscription agreement, shares. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading and which are intended to be sold or mature more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer. Such securities are reported at fair value; unrealized gains (losses) related to Available-for-sale Securities are excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain (loss) of an Available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge is recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as are other than temporary declines in fair value below the cost basis for investments in equity securities and debt securities that an entity intends to sell or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. Other than temporary declines in fair value below the cost basis for debt securities categorized as Available-for-sale that an entity does not intend to sell and for which it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before the recovery of its amortized cost basis are bifurcated into credit losses and losses related to all other factors. Other than temporary declines in fair value below cost basis related to credit losses are recognized in earnings, and losses related to all other factors are recognized in other comprehensive income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Investments In Available-For-Sale Securities And Other Cost Investments (Unrealized Holding Gains And Losses) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Equity Securities [Member]
|
||||||
| Gross unrealized holding gains | $ 2 | $ 1 | ||||
| Gross unrealized holding losses | 0 | [1] | 0 | [1] | ||
|
Debt Securities [Member]
|
||||||
| Gross unrealized holding gains | 37 | 57 | ||||
| Gross unrealized holding losses | $ 0 | [1] | $ 0 | [1] | ||
|
||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities, at a point in time, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities, at a point in time, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. No definition available.
|
|
Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Jun. 30, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
Jun. 30, 2011
Live Nation [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Live Nation [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Live Nation [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Live Nation [Member]
|
Jan. 18, 2013
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
|||||||||||||
| Purchase of shares in equity method investee | 5,500,000 | 11,000,000 | 50,000,000 | 312,500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments | $ 107 | $ 769 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| underlying shares on forward contract | 302,200,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| payment under forward contract | 649 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | (104) | 211 | 600 | 333 | (571) | 2,998 | 14 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | (1,229) | (1,346) | (87) | 98 | 45 | [1],[2] | 22 | [1],[2] | 34 | [1] | (1,367) | [1],[3] | (94) | [1],[3] | 41 | [1],[3] | ||||||||||
| Equity Method Investment, Quoted Market Value | $ 469 | $ 9,372 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
payment under forward contract No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Numbe of shares purchased in equity method investee No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
underlying shares on forward contract No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the aggregate value of each identified investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting based on the quoted market price for those investments in common stock for which a quoted market price is available. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash outflow associated with the purchase of or advances to an equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Schedule Of Equity Ownership And Carrying Amount) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method | $ 3,341 | $ 563 | ||||||||
|
Other [Member]
|
||||||||||
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method | 169 | 126 | ||||||||
|
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
||||||||||
| Percentage ownership | 49.00% | |||||||||
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method | 2,766 | [1],[2] | 82 | [1],[2] | ||||||
| Equity Method Investment, Quoted Market Value | 9,372 | |||||||||
|
Live Nation [Member]
|
||||||||||
| Percentage ownership | 27.00% | |||||||||
| Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method | 406 | [1],[3] | 355 | [1],[3] | ||||||
| Equity Method Investment, Quoted Market Value | $ 469 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the aggregate value of each identified investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting based on the quoted market price for those investments in common stock for which a quoted market price is available. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
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 | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jun. 30, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
||||||||||
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | $ 1,229 | $ 1,346 | $ 87 | $ (98) | |||||||||
|
Other [Member]
|
|||||||||||||
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | 24 | 15 | (23) | ||||||||||
|
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
|||||||||||||
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | 1,367 | [1],[2] | 94 | [1],[2] | (41) | [1],[2] | |||||||
|
Live Nation [Member]
|
|||||||||||||
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | $ (45) | [1],[3] | $ (22) | [1],[3] | $ (34) | [1] | |||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (SIRIUS XM Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
Dec. 31, 2009
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets | $ 2,211 | $ 3,860 | ||
| Property and equipment, net | 207 | 215 | ||
| Goodwill | 332 | 332 | 332 | |
| Deferred tax assets | 114 | 196 | ||
| Other assets | 240 | 238 | ||
| Total assets | 8,325 | 7,719 | ||
| Current liabilities | 385 | 1,230 | ||
| Deferred income taxes | 802 | 409 | ||
| Long-term debt | 536 | 541 | ||
| Other Liabilities, Noncurrent | 131 | 251 | ||
| Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries | (8) | (10) | ||
| Equity | 6,432 | 5,249 | 5,000 | 3,310 |
| Total liabilities and equity | 8,325 | 7,719 | ||
|
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
||||
| Current assets | 1,828 | 1,277 | ||
| Property and equipment, net | 1,572 | 1,674 | ||
| Goodwill | 1,815 | 1,835 | ||
| Deferred tax assets | 1,219 | 0 | ||
| Intangible assets | 2,520 | 2,574 | ||
| Other assets | 101 | 136 | ||
| Total assets | 9,055 | 7,496 | ||
| Current liabilities | 2,315 | 2,248 | ||
| Deferred income taxes | 0 | 1,011 | ||
| Long-term debt | 2,222 | 2,684 | ||
| Other Liabilities, Noncurrent | 478 | 849 | ||
| Equity | 4,040 | 704 | ||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ 9,055 | $ 7,496 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are expected to be realized in cash, sold, or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards net of valuation allowances expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total of all Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity items (or Partners' Capital, as applicable), including the portion of equity attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total obligations incurred as part of normal operations that are expected to be paid during the following twelve months or within one business cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (SIRIUS XM Consolidated Statement Of Operations) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Sep. 30, 2012
|
Jun. 30, 2012
|
Mar. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Sep. 30, 2011
|
Jun. 30, 2011
|
Mar. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Revenue | $ 467 | $ 555 | $ 537 | $ 440 | $ 973 | $ 540 | $ 538 | $ 973 | $ 1,999 | $ 3,024 | $ 2,050 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (414) | (396) | (525) | ||||||||
| Amortization | (23) | (32) | (48) | ||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 25 | 111 | 101 | 89 | 293 | 111 | 94 | 459 | 326 | 957 | 195 |
| Interest expense | (33) | (21) | (65) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 1,686 | 208 | 231 | ||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | 104 | (211) | (600) | (333) | 571 | ||||||
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations | 2,012 | 1,165 | 426 | ||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 2 | 4 | 3 | ||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders | 1,414 | 836 | 1,000 | ||||||||
| Other income (loss), net | 41 | 5 | 10 | ||||||||
|
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
|||||||||||
| Revenue | 3,402 | 3,015 | 2,817 | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 1,230 | (1,122) | (1,099) | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,034 | (949) | (915) | ||||||||
| Restructuring charges and other | 0 | 0 | (64) | ||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 872 | 676 | 465 | ||||||||
| Interest expense | 265 | (305) | (296) | ||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (2,998) | (14) | (5) | ||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders | 3,473 | 427 | 43 | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 266 | (268) | (274) | ||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | (133) | (7) | (120) | ||||||||
| Other income (loss), net | $ 1 | $ 77 | $ (1) | ||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total costs related to goods produced and sold during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate amount of income or expense from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net amount of other income and expense amounts, the components of which are not separately disclosed on the income statement, resulting from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business) also known as other nonoperating income (expense) recognized for the period. Such amounts may include: (a) dividends, (b) interest on securities, (c) net gains or losses on securities, (d) unusual costs, (e) gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions, and (f) miscellaneous other income and expense items. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding asset retirement obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Financial Instruments (Summary Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Jan. 31, 2011
|
|---|---|
|
Sprint [Member]
|
|
| Derivative Asset, unwound | $ 1,134 |
| AFS security delivered for physical settlement of derivative position | 1,134 |
|
Century Link, Inc. [Member]
|
|
| Derivative Asset, unwound | 189 |
| AFS security delivered for physical settlement of derivative position | $ 189 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
AFS security delivered for physical settlement of derivative position No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Derivative Asset, unwound No definition available.
|
|
Financial Instruments (Realized And Unrealized Gains (Losses) On Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|||||
| Realized and unrealized gains on financial instruments, net | $ 232 | $ 68 | $ 260 | ||||
| Net impact from Non-strategic Securities | 310 | 150 | [1] | 415 | [1] | ||
|
Non-Strategic Securities [Member]
|
|||||||
| Realized and unrealized gains on financial instruments, net | 310 | 254 | [1] | 669 | [1] | ||
|
Borrowed Shares [Member]
|
|||||||
| Realized and unrealized gains on financial instruments, net | 0 | (104) | [1] | (254) | [1] | ||
|
Exchangeable Senior Debentures [Member]
|
|||||||
| Realized and unrealized gains on financial instruments, net | 0 | (85) | (111) | ||||
|
Other Financial Instruments [Member]
|
|||||||
| Realized and unrealized gains on financial instruments, net | $ (78) | $ 3 | $ (44) | ||||
|
|||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net impact from Non-strategic Securities. This is the difference between the Mark to market on the Non-strategic Securities and the borrowed shares positions on the same owned Non-strategic Securities. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The accumulated impairment losses related to goodwill as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of other decrease (increase) in the carrying value of goodwill that is not separately disclosed. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date for the rights acquired through a franchise arrangement having an indefinite period of benefit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | |||
| Amortization of Intangible Assets | $ 23 | $ 32 | $ 48 |
| Future Amortization Expense, Year One | 20 | ||
| Future Amortization Expense, Year Two | 15 | ||
| Future Amortization Expense, Year Three | 12 | ||
| Future Amortization Expense, Year Four | 10 | ||
| Future Amortization Expense, Year Five | $ 10 | ||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
|
Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
|
12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Alternative Base Rate [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
LIBO Rate [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Maximum [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Minimum [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Starz 5.00% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Starz, LLC [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Starz 5.00% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Starz 5.00% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Starz 5.00% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Other Debt [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Debt [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Subsidiary Debt [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Subsidiary Debt [Member]
|
|
| Long-term Debt, Fair Value | $ 518,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Senior Notes | 500,000,000 | 500,000,000 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | 0 | 35,000,000 | |||||||||||||
| Long-term Debt | 540,000,000 | 1,295,000,000 | 0 | 750,000,000 | 35,000,000 | 40,000,000 | |||||||||
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | 540,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity | 1,000,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| standby letters of credit | 50,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Loans Payable to Bank, Noncurrent | 500,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum | 0.50% | 1.50% | |||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum | 1.50% | 2.50% | |||||||||||||
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two | 4,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three | 5,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four | 10,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital | 1.50 | 1.00 | |||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity | $ 995,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
standby letters of credit avaialable under Bank Credit Facilities No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of loans from a bank with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer, excluding current portion. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Indebtedness divided by net capital. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Long-Term Debt (Debt Excluding Intergroup Debt) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Sep. 30, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal | $ 540 | ||
| Long-term Debt | 540 | 1,295 | |
| Long-term Debt, current maturities | (4) | (754) | |
| Long-term debt | 536 | 541 | |
|
Other Debt [Member]
|
|||
| Long-term Debt | 0 | 750 | |
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | 0 | ||
|
Starz 5.00% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
|
|||
| Senior Notes | 500 | 500 | 0 |
|
Subsidiary Debt [Member]
|
|||
| Long-term Debt | 35 | 40 | |
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | 35 | ||
|
Starz Bank Facility [Member]
|
|||
| Long-term Debt | 5 | 505 | |
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | $ 5 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, which are due within one year (or one business cycle if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Long-Term Debt Debt Maturities (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2012
|
|---|---|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months | $ 4 |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two | 4 |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three | 5 |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four | 10 |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five | $ 5 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
capital loss deferred tax asset No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
capital loss from taxable liquidation of consolidated subsidiary, gross No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Taxable liquidation of a consolidated subsidiary No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of total income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) during the period in the entity's domestic deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying the provisions of the federally enacted tax law. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards, net of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards expected to be realized or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of noncurrent deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards net of valuation allowances expected to be realized or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards net of valuation allowances expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of the difference between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of the difference between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to the deduction for dividends paid or received under enacted tax laws. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of the difference between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to the disposition of a business (not qualifying for treatment as a discontinued operation) in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of income tax expense or benefit for the period computed by applying the domestic federal statutory tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of the difference, between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the year/accounting period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations, that is attributable to all other items not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of the difference, between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations, that is attributable to state and local income tax expense or benefit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The sum of the differences between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to changes in all income tax contingencies, whether recorded or adjusted, during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The sum of the differences between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to all income tax settlements for the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total increases or decreases in allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Income Taxes Income Tax Expense break out (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract] | ||||||
| Federal | $ (462) | $ (146) | $ (253) | $ (211) | ||
| State and local | (2) | (7) | (8) | |||
| Foreign | (2) | (1) | (5) | |||
| Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | 150 | 261 | 224 | |||
| Federal | (372) | (33) | 734 | |||
| State and local | (78) | (39) | 61 | |||
| Foreign | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | 450 | 72 | (795) | |||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | 104 | (211) | (600) | (333) | 571 | |
| Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract] | ||||||
| Unrecognized Tax Benefits | 158 | 29 | 34 | 29 | 34 | 158 |
| Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions | (5) | (6) | ||||
| Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations | 0 | (118) | ||||
| Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate | 23 | 23 | ||||
| Income Taxes Paid | $ 136 | |||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts paid or payable (or refundable) as determined by applying the provisions of enacted federal tax law to the domestic taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts paid or payable (or refundable) as determined by applying the provisions of foreign enacted tax law to the foreign taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for the period for all income tax obligations as determined by applying the provisions of relevant enacted tax laws to relevant amounts of taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts paid or payable (or refundable) as determined by applying the provisions of enacted state and local tax law to relevant amounts of taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of total income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) during the period in the entity's domestic deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying the provisions of the federally enacted tax law. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of total income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) in the entity's net foreign deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying the provisions of applicable enacted tax laws of countries other than the country of domicile. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The component of total income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) in the entity's state and local deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying the provisions of the applicable enacted tax laws. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The gross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The gross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Income Taxes Deferred taxes (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
|---|---|---|
| Income Taxes [Abstract] | ||
| Net operating and capital loss carryforwards | $ 46 | $ 76 |
| Accrued stock compensation | 7 | 41 |
| Other accrued liabilities | 42 | 60 |
| Deferred revenue | 16 | 18 |
| Other future deductible amounts | 9 | 31 |
| Deferred tax assets | 120 | 226 |
| Valuation allowance | (6) | (30) |
| Net deferred tax assets | 114 | 196 |
| Investments | 794 | 417 |
| Intangible assets | 90 | 100 |
| Other | 19 | 27 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 903 | 544 |
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $ 789 | $ 348 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from deferred income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards, net of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible domestic operating loss carryforwards. Excludes state and local operating loss carryforwards. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences not separately disclosed. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from share-based compensation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from accrued liabilities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards after valuation allowances. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from intangible assets other than goodwill. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and investments in other affiliates which are not controlled nor consolidated. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences not separately disclosed. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nov. 28, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock | $ 323 | $ 465 | $ 754 | |
| Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued | 0.88129 | |||
|
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
|
||||
| Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares | 1,534,200 | 835,700 | ||
| Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock | 100 | 40 | ||
|
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member] | Common Class C [Member]
|
||||
| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 4,000,000,000 | 0 | ||
|
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
|
||||
| Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares | 3,591,271 | 5,229,166 | 15,632,700 | |
| Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock | $ 323 | $ 365 | $ 714 | |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number | 5,219,000 | 7,665,000 | ||
| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 2,000,000,000 | 0 | ||
|
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member] | Common Class C [Member]
|
||||
| Common Stock, Shares Authorized | 2,000,000,000 | |||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of new shares issued in the conversion of stock in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including vested options. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Number of shares that have been repurchased and retired during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Transactions with Officers (Details) (USD $)
|
1 Months Ended | 60 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2008
|
Dec. 31, 2014
|
Dec. 31, 2008
8% Plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
8% Plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2008
13% plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
13% plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2009
13% plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2009
Salary Continuation Plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Salary Continuation Plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2008
Salary Continuation Plan [Member]
|
|
| Officers' Compensation | $ 1,500,000 | |||||||||
| Annual base salary increase | 5.00% | |||||||||
| Annual target cash bonus | 200.00% | |||||||||
| Unvested restricted stock and options compensation | 7,800,000 | |||||||||
| Termination Benefit Period | 18 | |||||||||
| Accrued Interest Rate per Annum compounded annually from applicable date of deferral | 8.00% | 13.00% | 12.00% | |||||||
| Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent | 2,400,000 | 20,000,000 | 39,000,000 | |||||||
| deferred compensation installments | 240 | |||||||||
| Base amount per month under salary continuation plan | 15,000 | |||||||||
| Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Distributions Paid | $ 20,000 | $ 237,000 | $ 164,000 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Accrued Interest Rate per Annum compounded annually from applicable date of deferral No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Annual base salary increase No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Annual target cash bonus No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Base amount per month under salary continuation plan No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
deferred compensation installments No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Officer compensation upon death or termination without cause No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Termination Benefit Period No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of distributions made to the individual during the period. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements. Represents currently earned compensation under compensation arrangements that is not actually paid until a later date. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Expenditures for salaries of officers. Does not include allocated share-based compensation, pension and post-retirement benefit expense or other labor-related non-salary expense. For commercial and industrial companies, excludes any direct and overhead labor that is included in cost of goods sold. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
|
0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nov. 28, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Common Class A [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Common Class A [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Common Class A [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Common Class A [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Common Class A [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
|
Sep. 23, 2011
Transitional Plan [Member]
|
Sep. 23, 2011
2011 Plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Minimum [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Maximum [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Option Exchange [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Option Exchange [Member]
Common Class A [Member]
|
Dec. 04, 2012
Unvested Option Exchange [Member]
|
Dec. 04, 2012
Unvested Option Exchange Incremental [Member]
|
|
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number | 5,219,000 | 7,665,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value | $ 10,000,000 | $ 14,000,000 | $ 10,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value | 494,000,000 | 46,000,000 | 47,000,000 | 34,853,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized | 1,000,000 | 23,800,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Options granted | 834,000 | 162,347 | 1,135,622 | 834,000 | 496,000 | 887,818 | 3,713,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average grant-date fair value of options | $ 42.04 | $ 33.95 | $ 19.56 | $ 21.36 | $ 21.32 | $ 37,250,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty equity awards | 150,000,000 | 150,000,000 | 37,000,000 | 77,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost | $ 24,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average period of recognition related to unvested Liberty equity awards (in years) | 1 year 9 months 25 days | 4 years | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term | 1 year 3 months 19 days | 9 years | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued | 0.88129 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ 93.38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number | 124,000 | 1,485,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ 58.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of new shares issued in the conversion of stock in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
As of the balance sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity-based awards made to employees under equity-based compensation awards that have yet to vest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The total fair value of equity-based awards for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Expected term of share-based compensation awards, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The total accumulated difference between fair values of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options which were exercised (or share units converted) into shares during the reporting period under the plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including vested options. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
An excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the award immediately before the modification. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on stock options awarded. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The estimated measure of the maximum percentage by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The estimated measure of the minimum percentage by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the option plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The total accumulated difference between fair values of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options which were exercised (or share units converted) into shares during the reporting period under the plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including vested options. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their stock options into shares. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Weighted average price at which grantees could have acquired the underlying shares with respect to stock options that were terminated. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on stock options awarded. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Stock-Based Compensation (Outstanding Awards) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Weighted average remaining life (in years) | 6 years 6 months | ||
| Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term | 6 years 2 months 15 days | ||
| Aggregate intrinsic value (000's) | $ 494,000 | $ 46,000 | $ 47,000 |
|
Common Class A [Member] | Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
|||
| Outstanding options | 5,219 | 7,665 | |
| Outstanding WAEP | $ 98.77 | $ 36.57 | |
| Aggregate intrinsic value | 89,992 | ||
| Exercisable options | 1,588 | ||
| Exercisable WAEP | $ 94.06 | ||
| Aggregate intrinsic value (000's) | $ 34,853 | ||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the option plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The total accumulated difference between fair values of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options which were exercised (or share units converted) into shares during the reporting period under the plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of options outstanding. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including vested options. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Weighted average remaining contractual term for option awards outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Weighted average remaining contractual term of exercisable stock options, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
| Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer | $ 12 | $ 12 | $ 12 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss), Share of AOCI of Equity Affiliates Before Tax No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss), Share of AOCI of Equity Affiliates, Net of Tax No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss), Share of AOCI of Equity Affiliates Tax No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
other comprehensive income (loss), other before tax No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
other comprehensive income (loss), other net of tax No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Other comprehensive income (loss), Other Tax No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Other comprehensive Income (loss) Reattribution between tracking stocks, Tax No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Other comprehensive Income (loss) Reattribution beween tracking stocks before tax No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Other comprehensive Income (loss) Reattribution beween tracking stocks Net of Tax No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Before tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to both parent entity and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to both parent entity and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Before tax amount of the income statement impact of the reclassification adjustment for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net of tax amount of the income statement impact of the reclassification adjustment for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Tax effect of the income statement impact of the reclassification adjustment for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Tax effect of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to both parent entity and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Before tax and reclassification adjustments amount of unrealized holding gain (loss) and transfers on available-for-sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Net of tax amount of unrealized holding gain (loss) before reclassification adjustments and transfers on available-for-sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Tax effect of unrealized holding gain (loss) before reclassification adjustments and transfers on available-for-sale securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Benefit From Transactions with former Parent No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Compensation guarantee aggregate total No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Estimated Amounts Payable for Future Programming Five Years After Balance Sheet Date No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Estimated amounts payable to various studios for future programming four years after balance sheet date No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Estimated amounts payable to various studios for future programming one year after balance sheet date No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Estimated amounts payable to various studios for future programming thereafter No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Estimated amounts payable to various studios for future programming three years after balance sheet date No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Estimated amounts payable to various studios for future programming two years after balance sheet date No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Guaranteed employment contract due in four years No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Guaranteed employment contract due, current No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Guaranateed employment contract due in three years No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Guranteed employment contract due in two years No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount or range of possible amounts of gain that could be realized upon the resolution of a contingency. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Rental expense incurred for leased assets including furniture and equipment which has not been recognized in costs and expenses applicable to sales and revenues; for example, cost of goods sold or other operating costs and expenses. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the forth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cash inflow from parent as a source of financing that is recorded as additional paid in capital. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of the recorded unconditional purchase obligation maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amount of the recorded unconditional purchase obligation maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Information About Liberty's Operating Segments (Performance Measures By Segment) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Sep. 30, 2012
|
Jun. 30, 2012
|
Mar. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Sep. 30, 2011
|
Jun. 30, 2011
|
Mar. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Total revenues | $ 467 | $ 555 | $ 537 | $ 440 | $ 973 | $ 540 | $ 538 | $ 973 | $ 1,999 | $ 3,024 | $ 2,050 |
| Adjusted OIBDA | 450 | 1,060 | 324 | ||||||||
| Revenue, Net | 467 | 555 | 537 | 440 | 973 | 540 | 538 | 973 | 1,999 | 3,024 | 2,050 |
|
Starz, LLC [Member]
|
|||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,631 | 1,615 | 1,626 | ||||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | 445 | 449 | 343 | ||||||||
| Revenue, Net | 1,631 | 1,615 | 1,626 | ||||||||
|
ANLBC [Member]
|
|||||||||||
| Total revenues | 225 | 208 | 203 | ||||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | 22 | (6) | 6 | ||||||||
| Revenue, Net | 225 | 208 | 203 | ||||||||
|
SIRIUS XM [Member]
|
|||||||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | 1,202 | 997 | 863 | ||||||||
|
Corporate And Other [Member]
|
|||||||||||
| Total revenues | 143 | 1,201 | 221 | ||||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | (17) | 617 | (25) | ||||||||
| Revenue, Net | 143 | 1,201 | 221 | ||||||||
|
equity method elimination [Member]
|
|||||||||||
| Total revenues | (3,402) | (3,015) | (2,817) | ||||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | (1,202) | (997) | (863) | ||||||||
| Revenue, Net | $ (3,402) | $ (3,015) | $ (2,817) | ||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Adjusted OIBDA is defined by the Company as revenue less operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). This measure of performance excludes depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separateley reported litigation settlements and restructurings and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Information About Liberty's Operating Segments (Reconciliation Of Segment Adjusted OIBDA To Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jun. 30, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Consolidated segment Adjusted OIBDA | $ 450 | $ 1,060 | $ 324 | |
| Stock-based compensation | (66) | (32) | (83) | |
| Gain on legal settlement | 0 | (2) | 48 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | (58) | (69) | (94) | |
| Interest expense | (33) | (21) | (65) | |
| Dividend and interest income | 78 | 79 | 88 | |
| Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | 1,229 | 1,346 | 87 | (98) |
| Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 9) | 232 | 68 | 260 | |
| Gains (losses) on dispositions, net | 22 | (10) | 36 | |
| Other, net | 41 | 5 | 10 | |
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 2,012 | 1,165 | 426 | |
|
Starz, LLC [Member]
|
||||
| Consolidated segment Adjusted OIBDA | 445 | 449 | 343 | |
|
Corporate And Other [Member]
|
||||
| Consolidated segment Adjusted OIBDA | $ (17) | $ 617 | $ (25) | |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Adjusted OIBDA is defined by the Company as revenue less operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). This measure of performance excludes depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separateley reported litigation settlements and restructurings and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The gains (losses) included in earnings resulting from the sale or disposal of tangible assets. This item does not include any gain (loss) recognized on the sale of oil and gas property or timber property. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Income derived from investments in debt and equity securities and on cash and cash equivalents. Interest income represents earnings which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money. Dividend income represents a distribution of earnings to shareholders by investee companies. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net amount of other income and expense amounts, the components of which are not separately disclosed on the income statement, resulting from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business) also known as other nonoperating income (expense) recognized for the period. Such amounts may include: (a) dividends, (b) interest on securities, (c) net gains or losses on securities, (d) unusual costs, (e) gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions, and (f) miscellaneous other income and expense items. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Cash received for the settlement of litigation during the current period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
|
Quarterly Financial Information (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Sep. 30, 2012
|
Jun. 30, 2012
|
Mar. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Sep. 30, 2011
|
Jun. 30, 2011
|
Mar. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
| Revenue | $ 467 | $ 555 | $ 537 | $ 440 | $ 973 | $ 540 | $ 538 | $ 973 | $ 1,999 | $ 3,024 | $ 2,050 |
| Operating income | 25 | 111 | 101 | 89 | 293 | 111 | 94 | 459 | 326 | 957 | 195 |
| Earnings from continuing operations | 103 | 220 | 938 | 151 | |||||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | 1,414 | 836 | 1,000 | ||||||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 11.78 | ||||||||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 11.40 | ||||||||||
|
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
|
|||||||||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | 106 | 221 | 937 | 150 | 356 | (103) | 63 | 291 | |||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 0.88 | $ 1.86 | $ 7.87 | $ 1.24 | $ 3.79 | $ (1.27) | $ 0.78 | $ 3.55 | |||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 0.87 | $ 1.80 | $ 7.62 | $ 1.20 | $ 3.63 | $ (1.27) | $ 0.78 | $ 3.46 | |||
|
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
|
|||||||||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | 49 | 61 | 67 | 52 | |||||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 0.98 | $ 1.20 | $ 1.31 | $ 1.02 | |||||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 0.94 | $ 1.15 | $ 1.26 | $ 0.98 | |||||||
|
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
|
|||||||||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 1,007 | $ 156 | $ 137 | $ 385 | $ (103) | $ 22 | $ 279 | ||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 8.46 | $ 1.31 | $ 1.13 | $ 4.10 | $ (1.27) | $ 0.27 | $ 3.40 | ||||
| Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock | $ 8.19 | $ 1.27 | $ 1.10 | $ 3.93 | $ (1.27) | $ 0.27 | $ 3.32 | ||||
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|