Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jul. 07, 2010	Jun. 30, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Jury returned verdict for breach of contract, awarding plaintiff damages	$ 269,400,000
Stipulation with plaintiff on prejudgment interest award	50,000,000
Reduction in unrecognized tax benefits including interest and penalties from settlements with various jurisdictions		126,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits expected reduction due to resolutions of open tax matters		52,000,000
Syndicated programming
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Long-term receivables, net of allowance for credit losses		800,000,000
Mortgage Receivable
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Long-term receivables, net of allowance for credit losses		700,000,000
Allowance for credit losses related to long-term receivables, percentage		3.00%
ESPN STAR Sports
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership interest		50.00%
Guarantee Obligations
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Guaranteed obligations		355,000,000
Remaining debt service obligation guaranteed, principal		84,000,000
Financial Guarantee
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Guaranteed obligations		$ 900,000,000

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

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