Additional Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash payments made for interest			$ (891)	$ (878)
Interest income received			44	38
Cash interest payments, net			(847)	(840)
Cash payments made for income taxes			(1,424)	(844)
Income tax refunds received			43	62
Cash tax payments, net			(1,381)	(782)
Interest Expense, Net [Abstract]
Interest income	39	21	139	72
Interest expense	(346)	(321)	(1,007)	(961)
Total interest expense, net	(307)	(300)	(868)	(889)
Other Income (Loss), Net [Abstract]
Investment gains (losses), net	(78)	12	(57)	67
Loss on equity method investees	(63)	(26)	(83)	(117)
Other	6	(6)	0	(10)
Total other income (loss), net	(135)	(20)	(140)	(60)
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable	499		499		505
Accrued expenses	2,012		2,012		1,724
Participations payable	2,415		2,415		2,302
Programming costs payable	739		739		705
Accrued compensation	880		880		1,047
Accrued interest	364		364		313
Accrued income taxes	143		143		158
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	7,052		7,052		6,754
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Abstract]
Noncurrent tax and interest reserves	1,599		1,599		2,540
Participations payable	1,012		1,012		1,078
Programming costs payable	1,001		1,001		1,076
Noncurrent pension and post retirement liabilities	716		716		696
Deferred compensation	489		489		542
Other noncurrent liabilities	789		789		392
Total other noncurrent liabilities	5,606		5,606		6,324
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Collaborative Arrangement Income Statement Classifications And Amounts Cost of Revenue	69	108	374	351
Maximum [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Collaborative Arrangement Shortfall	90		90
Minimum [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Collaborative Arrangement Shortfall	$ 30		$ 30