Inventories and Film Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Inventories:
Programming costs, less amortization	$ 3,402	$ 3,441
DVDs, books, paper and other merchandise	377	360
Total inventories	3,779	3,801
Less: current portion of inventory	(1,899)	(1,920)
Total noncurrent inventories	1,880	1,881
Film costs - Theatrical:
Released, less amortization	687	655
Completed and not released	567	166
In production	1,362	1,379
Development and pre-production	88	98
Film costs - Television:
Released, less amortization	1,016	929
Completed and not released	182	300
In production	497	571
Development and pre-production	6	6
Total film costs	4,405	4,104
Total noncurrent inventories and film costs	6,285	5,985
Film Library Numeric [Abstract]
Film library	$ 1,400	$ 1,498