Restructuring and Severance Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Restructuring Costs by Segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring and severance costs	$ 23	$ 24	$ 49	$ 54
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining liability, beginning balance			176
Net accruals	23	24	49	54
Cash paid			(71)
Remaining liability, ending balance	154		154
Restructuring Reserve [Abstract]
Restructuring reserve, current	95		95
Restructuring reserve, noncurrent	59		59
2012 activity [Member]
Restructuring Costs by Segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring and severance costs	18	0	40	0
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Net accruals	18	0	40	0
2011 and prior activity [Member]
Restructuring Costs by Segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring and severance costs	5	24	9	54
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Net accruals	5	24	9	54
Employee Terminations [Member]
Restructuring Costs by Segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring and severance costs			42
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining liability, beginning balance			116
Net accruals			42
Cash paid			(59)
Remaining liability, ending balance	99		99
Other Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Costs by Segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring and severance costs			7
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining liability, beginning balance			60
Net accruals			7
Cash paid			(12)
Remaining liability, ending balance	55		55
Networks [Member]
Restructuring Costs by Segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring and severance costs	8	6	22	18
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Net accruals	8	6	22	18
Film and TV Entertainment [Member]
Restructuring Costs by Segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring and severance costs	2	16	8	22
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Net accruals	2	16	8	22
Publishing [Member]
Restructuring Costs by Segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring and severance costs	12	0	18	12
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Net accruals	12	0	18	12
Corporate [Member]
Restructuring Costs by Segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring and severance costs	1	2	1	2
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Net accruals	$ 1	$ 2	$ 1	$ 2