2.4.0.821006501 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parentheticals)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$D2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001254699duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-12-31T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$D2011http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001254699duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-12-31T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3false USDfalsefalse$D2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001254699duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 1us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]2false 2us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTaxus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse2100000021USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse1000000010USD$falsetruefalse3truefalsefalse10000001USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect, net of reclassification adjustments, of the change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity. Also includes the following: gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts; foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; and gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) that has been designated and qualified as a hedging instrument for hedging of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669646-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e640-108580 false2Foreign currency translation adjustments, income tax expense3false 2us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTaxus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2800000028falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect, net of reclassification adjustments, of the change in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Also includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669646-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e640-108580 false2Cash flow hedging derivatives, income tax expense4false 2us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTaxus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse90000009falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect of unrealized holding gain (loss) before reclassification adjustments and transfers on available-for-sale securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e640-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 25 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (e,f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669646-108580 false2Unrealized loss on investment, income tax benefit5false 2us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeTaxus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse3300000033USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect of the income statement impact of the reclassification adjustment for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e689-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e640-108580 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 25 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Reclassification adjustment for gain recognized in net income, tax benefitfalseConsolidated Statement of Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.qvc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfEquityParentheticals35