Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Description of Business Time Warner Inc. (“Time Warner” or the “Company”) is a leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include television networks and film and TV entertainment. Time Warner classifies its operations into three reportable segments: Turner: consisting principally of cable networks and digital media properties; Home Box Office: consisting principally of premium pay television services domestically and premium pay and basic tier television services internationally; and Warner Bros.: consisting principally of feature film, television, home video and videogame production and distribution. Separation of Time Inc. On June 6, 2014 (the “Distribution Date”), the Company completed the legal and structural separation of the Company's Time Inc. segment from the Company (the “Time Separation”). The Time Separation was effected as a pro rata dividend of all shares of Time Inc. common stock held by Time Warner in a spin-off to Time Warner stockholders. With the completion of the Time Separation, the Company disposed of the Time Inc. segment in its entirety and ceased to consolidate its assets, liabilities and results of operations in the Company's consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the Company has recast its financial information to present the financial condition and results of operations of its former Time Inc. segment as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. For a summary of discontinued operations, see Note 2. In connection with the Time Separation, the Company received $1.4 billion from Time Inc., consisting of proceeds relating to Time Inc.'s acquisition of the IPC publishing business in the U.K. from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Time Warner and a special dividend. Basis of Presentation Changes in Basis of Presentation The 2013 financial information has been recast so that the basis of presentation is consistent with that of the 2014 financial information. This recast reflects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company's former Time Inc. segment as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Interim Financial Statements The consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, they contain all of the adjustments (consisting of those of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applicable to interim periods. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Time Warner included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”). Basis of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include all of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of entities in which Time Warner has a controlling interest (“subsidiaries”). Intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include accounting for asset impairments, multiple-element transactions, allowances for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization, the determination of ultimate revenues as it relates to amortization of capitalized film and programming costs and participations and residuals, home video and videogames product, business combinations, pension and other postretirement benefits, equity-based compensation, income taxes, contingencies, litigation matters, reporting revenue for certain transactions on a gross versus net basis, and the determination of whether the Company should consolidate certain entities. Venezuela Currency Certain of the Company's divisions conduct business in Venezuela. As of September 30, 2014, the Company has $163 million of net Venezuelan Bolivares Fuertes (“VEF”) denominated consolidated monetary assets, primarily consisting of cash and accounts receivable, which have been remeasured at the official exchange rate as published by the Central Bank of Venezuela of 6.3 VEF to each U.S. Dollar. However, because of Venezuelan government-imposed restrictions on the exchange of foreign currency in Venezuela, the Company has not been able to convert VEF earned in Venezuela into U.S. Dollars at the official government rate. While there are two other legal exchange systems available in Venezuela, the Company believes the official exchange rate is appropriate to use as its remeasurement rate at September 30, 2014 for several reasons, including (i) the Company's belief that it is not eligible to access those other exchange systems due to the requirement that an entity be domiciled in Venezuela to participate, (ii) a lack of clarity about those exchange systems' stability and transaction volume and (iii) the Company's eligibility to access Venezuelan currency exchange markets operated by the government in the past several years. If the Company had used the least favorable legal published exchange rate as of September 30, 2014 to remeasure its VEF-denominated consolidated monetary assets, the Company would have recognized foreign exchange losses of approximately $143 million, on a pretax basis, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2014 Share-Based Payment Awards with Performance Targets Attainable After the Requisite Service Period On July 1, 2014, the Company early adopted guidance that clarifies that a performance target that affects the vesting of an award payable in shares and that can be met after the requisite service period is a performance condition. Therefore, compensation expense related to such awards should only be recognized when it becomes probable that the performance target will be met, which could occur after the requisite service period has been satisfied. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits On January 1, 2014, the Company adopted on a prospective basis guidance requiring a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit to be offset against a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In situations in which a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of a jurisdiction or the tax law of a jurisdiction does not require it, and the Company does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit would be presented in the financial statements as a liability and will not be combined with deferred tax assets. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted Revenue Recognition In May 2014, guidance was issued that establishes a new revenue recognition framework in U.S. GAAP for all companies and industries. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue from the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive for those goods or services. The guidance includes a five-step framework to determine the timing and amount of revenue to recognize related to contracts with customers. In addition, this guidance requires new or expanded disclosures related to the judgments made by companies when following this framework. The guidance will become effective on either a full or modified retrospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. Discontinued Operations In April 2014, guidance was issued that raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations. Under this new guidance, a discontinued operation is (i) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results or (ii) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the acquisition date. This guidance also requires expanded or new disclosures for discontinued operations, individually material disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation, an entity's continuing involvement with a discontinued operation following disposal and retained equity method investments in a discontinued operation. This guidance will become effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of Business

Time Warner Inc. (“Time Warner” or the “Company”) is a leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include television networks and film and TV entertainment. Time Warner classifies its operations into three reportable segments: Turner: consisting principally of cable networks and digital media properties; Home Box Office: consisting principally of premium pay television services domestically and premium pay and basic tier television services internationally; and Warner Bros.: consisting principally of feature film, television, home video and videogame production and distribution.

Separation of Time Inc.

On June 6, 2014 (the “Distribution Date”), the Company completed the legal and structural separation of the Company's Time Inc. segment from the Company (the “Time Separation”). The Time Separation was effected as a pro rata dividend of all shares of Time Inc. common stock held by Time Warner in a spin-off to Time Warner stockholders. With the completion of the Time Separation, the Company disposed of the Time Inc. segment in its entirety and ceased to consolidate its assets, liabilities and results of operations in the Company's consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the Company has recast its financial information to present the financial condition and results of operations of its former Time Inc. segment as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. For a summary of discontinued operations, see Note 2.

In connection with the Time Separation, the Company received $1.4 billion from Time Inc., consisting of proceeds relating to Time Inc.'s acquisition of the IPC publishing business in the U.K. from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Time Warner and a special dividend.

Basis of Presentation

Changes in Basis of Presentation

The 2013 financial information has been recast so that the basis of presentation is consistent with that of the 2014 financial information. This recast reflects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company's former Time Inc. segment as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Interim Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, they contain all of the adjustments (consisting of those of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applicable to interim periods. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Time Warner included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”).

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include all of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of entities in which Time Warner has a controlling interest (“subsidiaries”). Intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include accounting for asset impairments, multiple-element transactions, allowances for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization, the determination of ultimate revenues as it relates to amortization of capitalized film and programming costs and participations and residuals, home video and videogames product, business combinations, pension and other postretirement benefits, equity-based compensation, income taxes, contingencies, litigation matters, reporting revenue for certain transactions on a gross versus net basis, and the determination of whether the Company should consolidate certain entities.

Venezuela Currency

Certain of the Company's divisions conduct business in Venezuela. As of September 30, 2014, the Company has $163 million of net Venezuelan Bolivares Fuertes (“VEF”) denominated consolidated monetary assets, primarily consisting of cash and accounts receivable, which have been remeasured at the official exchange rate as published by the Central Bank of Venezuela of 6.3 VEF to each U.S. Dollar. However, because of Venezuelan government-imposed restrictions on the exchange of foreign currency in Venezuela, the Company has not been able to convert VEF earned in Venezuela into U.S. Dollars at the official government rate. While there are two other legal exchange systems available in Venezuela, the Company believes the official exchange rate is appropriate to use as its remeasurement rate at September 30, 2014 for several reasons, including (i) the Company's belief that it is not eligible to access those other exchange systems due to the requirement that an entity be domiciled in Venezuela to participate, (ii) a lack of clarity about those exchange systems' stability and transaction volume and (iii) the Company's eligibility to access Venezuelan currency exchange markets operated by the government in the past several years. If the Company had used the least favorable legal published exchange rate as of September 30, 2014 to remeasure its VEF-denominated consolidated monetary assets, the Company would have recognized foreign exchange losses of approximately $143 million, on a pretax basis, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2014

Share-Based Payment Awards with Performance Targets Attainable After the Requisite Service Period

On July 1, 2014, the Company early adopted guidance that clarifies that a performance target that affects the vesting of an award payable in shares and that can be met after the requisite service period is a performance condition. Therefore, compensation expense related to such awards should only be recognized when it becomes probable that the performance target will be met, which could occur after the requisite service period has been satisfied. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

On January 1, 2014, the Company adopted on a prospective basis guidance requiring a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit to be offset against a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In situations in which a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of a jurisdiction or the tax law of a jurisdiction does not require it, and the Company does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit would be presented in the financial statements as a liability and will not be combined with deferred tax assets. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, guidance was issued that establishes a new revenue recognition framework in U.S. GAAP for all companies and industries. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue from the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive for those goods or services. The guidance includes a five-step framework to determine the timing and amount of revenue to recognize related to contracts with customers. In addition, this guidance requires new or expanded disclosures related to the judgments made by companies when following this framework. The guidance will become effective on either a full or modified retrospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued Operations

In April 2014, guidance was issued that raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations. Under this new guidance, a discontinued operation is (i) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results or (ii) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the acquisition date. This guidance also requires expanded or new disclosures for discontinued operations, individually material disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation, an entity's continuing involvement with a discontinued operation following disposal and retained equity method investments in a discontinued operation. This guidance will become effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.