2.4.0.822204201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)truefalsefalse1false falsefalseD2013Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001254699duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-03-31T00:00:002false falsefalseD2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001254699duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-12-31T00:00:001true 1us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]2false 2us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(a) Cash and cash equivalents</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents were $424 million and $493 million at</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">December 31, 2012 and 2011</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">, respectively. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair values (Level 1).</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for cash and cash equivalents, including the policy for determining which items are treated as cash equivalents. Other information that may be disclosed includes (1) the nature of any restrictions on the entity's use of its cash and cash equivalents, (2) whether the entity's cash and cash equivalents are insured or expose the entity to credit risk, (3) the classification of any negative balance accounts (overdrafts), and (4) the carrying basis of cash equivalents (for example, at cost) and whether the carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4273-108586 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 305 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2122427 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 203 -Paragraph 02-03 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Technical Practice Aid (TPA) -Number 2110 -Paragraph 6 -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 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7, 8, 9, 10 -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. false0Cash and cash equivalents3false 2us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsPolicyus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(b) Restricted cash</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Restricted cash at</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">December 31, 2012 and 2011</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">primarily includes a cash deposit with a third party trustee that provides financial assurance that the Company will fulfill its obligations in relation to claims under its workers' compensation policy.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaEntity's cash and cash equivalents accounting policy with respect to restricted balances. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4273-108586 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 305 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2122427 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.1(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph a -Article 9 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 203 -Paragraph 02-03 false0Restricted cash4false 2us-gaap_TradeAndOtherAccountsReceivablePolicyus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(c) Accounts receivable</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">A provision for customer bad debts is provided as a percentage of accounts receivable based on historical experience and is included within selling, general and administrative expense. A provision for noncustomer bad debt expense, related to amounts due from vendors for unsold and returned products, is provided based on an estimate of the probable expected losses and is included in cost of goods sold.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for trade and other accounts receivables. This disclosure may include the basis at which such receivables are carried in the entity's statements of financial position (for example, net realizable value), how the entity determines the level of its allowance for doubtful accounts, when impairments, charge-offs or recoveries are recognized, and the entity's income recognition policies for such receivables, including its treatment of related fees and costs, its treatment of premiums, discounts or unearned income, when accrual of interest is discontinued, how the entity records payments received on nonaccrual receivables and its policy for resuming accrual of interest on such receivables. If the enterprise holds a large number of similar loans, disclosure may include the accounting policy for the anticipation of prepayments and significant assumptions underlying prepayment estimates for amortization of premiums, discounts, and nonrefundable fees and costs.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3, 4 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -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 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5093-111524 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6378556&loc=d3e10133-111534 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5212-111524 false0Accounts receivable5false 2us-gaap_InventoryPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(d) Inventories</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Inventories, consisting primarily of products held for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the average cost method, which approximates the first-in, first-out method. Assessments about the realizability of inventory require the Company to make judgments based on currently available information about the likely method of disposition including sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, liquidations and the estimated recoverable values of each disposition category.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for major classes of inventories, bases of stating inventories (for example, lower of cost or market), methods by which amounts are added and removed from inventory classes (for example, FIFO, LIFO, or average cost), loss recognition on impairment of inventories, and situations in which inventories are stated above cost. If inventory is carried at cost, this disclosure includes the nature of the cost elements included in inventory.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Paragraph 3, 5-10, 15, 16, 17 -Chapter 4 -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 SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 206 -Paragraph b -Subparagraph i, ii -Chapter 2 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361739&loc=d3e7789-107766 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Section A -Paragraph 9 -Chapter 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 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 330 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386783&loc=d3e4492-108314 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 330 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2126999 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 330 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386783&loc=d3e4556-108314 Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 81-1 -Paragraph 69-75 -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. false0Inventories6false 2us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(e) Property, plant and equipment</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The costs of property, plant and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method beginning in the month of acquisition or in-service date. Transponders under capital leases are stated at the present value of minimum lease payments. When assets are sold or retired, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in net income. The costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company is party to several transponder capacity arrangements as a lessee, which are accounted for as capital leases.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for property, plant and equipment which may include the basis of such assets, depreciation methods used and estimated useful lives, the entity's capitalization policy, including its accounting treatment for costs incurred for repairs and maintenance activities, whether such asset balances include capitalized interest and the method by which such is calculated, how disposals of such assets are accounted for and how impairment of such assets is assessed and recognized.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2155824 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 12, 13 -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 AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Section C -Paragraph 5 -Chapter 9 -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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph d -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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 7 -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 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 8, 9 -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. false0Property, plant and equipment7false 2us-gaap_InterestCapitalizationPolicyPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(f) Capitalized interest</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company capitalizes interest cost incurred on debt during the construction of major projects exceeding one year. Capitalized interest was $2 million, $2 million and $5 million for the years ended</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for interest capitalization.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391 false0Capitalized interest8false 2us-gaap_InternalUseSoftwarePolicyus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(g) Internally developed software</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Internal software development costs are capitalized in accordance with guidance on accounting for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use, and are classified within other intangible assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company amortizes computer software and internal software development costs over an estimated useful life of three years using the straight-line method.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for costs incurred when both (1) the software is acquired, internally developed, or modified solely to meet the entity's internal needs, and (2) during the software's development or modification, no substantive plan exists or is being developed to market the software externally.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 40 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2144505 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2144537 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 6 -Paragraph 4, 6 -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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 98-1 -Paragraph 12, 17-38, 41 -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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 00-2 -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. false0Internally developed software9false 2us-gaap_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsGoodwillPolicyus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(h) Goodwill</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Goodwill represents the excess of costs over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, and more frequently if events and circumstances indicated that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeded the reporting unit's fair value.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:</font> <div style="PADDING-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 10px;"> <table style="text-align:left;FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; TEXT-ALIGN: left;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td colspan="18"></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td width="39%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="6%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="10%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="6%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="5%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="7%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="5%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="6%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="7%"></td> <td width="1%"></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(in millions)</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;" colspan="2"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">QVC-Domestic</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">QVC-International</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">QVC-U.S.</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">QVC-U.K.</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">QVC-Germany</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">QVC-Japan</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">QVC-Italy</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Total</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Balance as of December 31, 2010</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">$</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">4,315</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">932</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">5,247</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Reallocation and exchange rate fluctuations</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;" colspan="2"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(4,315</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">)</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(932</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">)</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">4,169</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">203</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">328</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">393</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">146</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(8</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">)</font></div></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Balance as of December 31, 2011</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;" colspan="2"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">4,169</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">203</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">328</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">393</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">146</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">5,239</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Acquisitions and exchange rate fluctuations</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;" colspan="2"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">21</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">9</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">6</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(44</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">)</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">3</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(5</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">)</font></div></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Balance as of December 31, 2012</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">$</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#8212;</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">4,190</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">212</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">334</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">349</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">149</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">5,234</font></div></td> <td style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td></tr></table></div></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">As as result of the reorganization of the reporting structure in 2011 discussed in note 17, goodwill was reallocated among reporting units on the basis of the relative fair values.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company utilized a qualitative assessment for determining whether step one of the goodwill impairment analysis was necessary, and concluded it was not. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, the Company reviewed the business performance of each reporting unit, evaluated other relevant factors and determined that it was not more likely than not that an impairment existed for any of the Company's reporting units. The Company considered whether there was any negative macroeconomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, the legal environments and how these factors might impact company specific performance in future periods.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">If a step one test would have been necessary based on the qualitative factors, the Company would have compared the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. Developing estimates of fair value requires significant judgments, including making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples, public trading prices and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in the Company's valuation analysis are based on management's best estimates considering current marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates in future years. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts. For those reporting units whose carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second test is required to measure the impairment loss (the Step 2 Test). In the Step 2 Test, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit with any residual value being allocated to goodwill. The difference between such allocated amount and the carrying value of the goodwill is recorded as an impairment charge if the allocated amount is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for goodwill. This accounting policy also may address how an entity assesses and measures impairment of goodwill, how reporting units are determined, how goodwill is allocated to such units, and how the fair values of the reporting units are determined.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2144439 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 18-23, 26, 34 -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. false0Goodwill10false 2us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionsAndTranslationsPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(i) Translation of foreign currencies</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the spot rate in effect at the applicable reporting date, and the consolidated statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the applicable period. The resulting unrealized cumulative translation adjustments, net of applicable income taxes, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in equity.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses, which are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as unrealized (based on the applicable period-end exchange rate) or realized upon settlement of the transactions.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for (1) transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting enterprise's functional currency, (2) translating foreign currency financial statements that are incorporated into the financial statements of the reporting enterprise by consolidation, combination, or the equity method of accounting, and (3) remeasurement of the financial statements of a foreign reporting enterprise in a hyperinflationary economy.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2175856 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2175826 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2175892 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 52 -Paragraph 5, 7-20, 80 -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. false0Translation of foreign currencies11false 2us-gaap_RevenueRecognitionPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(j) Revenue recognition</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company recognizes revenue at the time of delivery to customers. The revenue for shipments in-transit is recorded as deferred revenue.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company's policy is to allow customers to return merchandise for up to thirty days after the date of shipment. An allowance for returned merchandise is provided at the time revenue is recorded as a percentage of sales based on historical experience. The total reduction in net revenue due to returns for the years ended</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">aggregated to $1,965 million, $1,900 million and $1,739 million, respectively.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company evaluates the criteria for reporting revenue gross as a principal versus net as an agent, in determining whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of product sales and related costs or the net amount earned as commissions. Generally, the Company is the primary obligor in the arrangement, has inventory risk, has latitude in establishing the selling price and selecting suppliers, and accordingly, records revenue gross.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Sales and use taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and, therefore, are excluded from net revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction is generally disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18726-107790 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section B -Paragraph Question 1 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 605 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.B.Q1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6600647&loc=d3e214044-122780 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8, 12, 13 -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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18823-107790 false0Revenue recognition12false 2us-gaap_CostOfSalesPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(k) Cost of goods sold</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Cost of goods sold primarily includes actual product cost, provision for obsolete inventory, buying allowances received from suppliers, shipping and handling costs and warehouse costs.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for recognition of costs in the period which correspond to the sales and revenue categories presented in the statement of operations. The accounting policy may include the amount and nature of costs incurred, provisions associated with inventories, purchase discounts, freight and other costs included in cost of sales incurred and recorded in the period. This disclosure also includes the nature of costs of sales incurred and recorded in the statement of operations for the period relating to transactions with related parties.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 2 -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 605 -SubTopic 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2197414 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 605 -SubTopic 50 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6408645&loc=d3e63676-111659 false0Cost of goods sold13false 2us-gaap_AdvertisingCostsPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(l) Advertising costs</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to $91 million, $81 million and $56 million for the</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">. These costs were included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for advertising costs. For those costs that cannot be capitalized, discloses whether such costs are expensed as incurred or the first period in which the advertising takes place. For direct response advertising costs that are capitalized, describes those assets and the accounting policy used, including a description of the qualifying activity, the types of costs capitalized and the related amortization period. An entity also may disclose its accounting policy for cooperative advertising arrangements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 340 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6387522&loc=d3e8384-108330 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 93-7 -Paragraph 49 -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 340 -SubTopic 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2127066 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 340 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6387501&loc=d3e8275-108329 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 02-16 -Paragraph 6 -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. false0Advertising costs14false 2us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationOptionAndIncentivePlansPolicyus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(m) Stock-based compensation</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">As more fully described in note 11, the Company and Liberty have granted certain stock&#8209;based awards to employees of the Company. The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the award).</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations were the following net amounts of stock&#8209;based compensation expense (in millions):</font> <div style="PADDING-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 10px;"> <table style="text-align:left;FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; TEXT-ALIGN: left;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td colspan="4"></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td width="88%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="10%"></td> <td width="1%"></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Year ended:</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;" colspan="3"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; OVERFLOW: hidden;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-LEFT: 20px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">December 31, 2012</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">$</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">34</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-LEFT: 20px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">December 31, 2011</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;" colspan="2"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">22</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cceeff;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td></tr> <tr style="padding:0;"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-LEFT: 20px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">December 31, 2010</font></div></td> <td style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; PADDING-TOP: 2px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;" colspan="2"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">18</font></div></td> <td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;"><br /></font></div></td></tr></table></div></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for stock option and stock incentive plans. This disclosure may include (1) the types of stock option or incentive plans sponsored by the entity (2) the groups that participate in (or are covered by) each plan (3) significant plan provisions and (4) how stock compensation is measured, and the methodologies and significant assumptions used to determine that measurement.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph a -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b),(f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2228939 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 06-11 -Paragraph 7 -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. false0Stock-based compensation15false 2us-gaap_ImpairmentOrDisposalOfLongLivedAssetsPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(n) Impairment of long-lived assets</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, internally developed software and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Impairment charges are recognized as an acceleration of depreciation expense or amortization expense in the consolidated statement of operations.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that certain capitalized customer relationship management (&#8220;CRM&#8221;) software did not meet our service-level expectations and desired functionality. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment of certain CRM assets in the amount of $47 million included in depreciation and amortization in the statement of operations within the QVC-U.S. operating segment.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for recognizing and measuring the impairment of long-lived assets. An entity also may disclose its accounting policy for long-lived assets to be sold. This policy excludes goodwill and intangible assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section CC -Subsection 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2155824 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 7-15, 26, 30-37 -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. false0Impairment of long-lived assets16false 2us-gaap_DerivativesPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; PADDING-TOP: 16px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(o) Derivatives</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging activities in accordance with standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (&#8220;FASB&#8221;), which requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. Fair value is based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. For derivatives designated as hedges, changes in the fair value are either offset against the changes in fair value of the designated hedged item through earnings or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company generally enters into derivative contracts that it intends to designate as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). For all hedging relationships, the Company formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting cash flows of hedged items. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent that the derivative is effective as a hedge, until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative instrument that qualifies as a cash flow hedge is reported in earnings.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">During the</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">, QVC entered into several interest rate swap arrangements to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with interest payments related to its variable rate debt. QVC assesses the effectiveness of its interest rate swaps using the hypothetical derivative method. During</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">2012, 2011 and 2010</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">, QVC's elected interest terms did not effectively match the terms of the swap arrangements. As a result, the swaps did not qualify as cash flow hedges. Changes in fair value of these interest rate swaps of</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">$48 million</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">,</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">$50 million</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">and $37 million were included in gain on financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations in</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: inherit; TEXT-DECORATION: none;">2012, 2011 and 2010</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">, respectively.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for its derivative instruments and hedging activities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph n -Article 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41620-113959 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579245-113959 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579240-113959 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41638-113959 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44 -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 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41675-113959 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 39 -Paragraph 10 -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. false0Derivatives17false 2us-gaap_IncomeTaxPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(p) Income taxes</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using statutory tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of an enacted change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">When the tax law requires interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes, the Company recognizes interest expense from the first period the interest would begin accruing according to the relevant tax law. Such interest expense is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Any accrual of penalties related to underpayment of income taxes on uncertain tax positions is included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for income taxes, which may include its accounting policies for recognizing and measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances, recognizing investment tax credits, operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and other carryforwards, methodologies for determining its effective income tax rate and the characterization of interest and penalties in the financial statements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 4 -Paragraph 11 -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 FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 20 -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21917399&loc=d3e32247-109318 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32840-109319 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 30 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2144749 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 954 -SubTopic 740 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6491622&loc=d3e9504-115650 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2144681 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32809-109319 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21917399&loc=d3e32280-109318 Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 6-34, 43, 47, 49 -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. false0Income taxes18false 2us-gaap_ConsolidationSubsidiariesOrOtherInvestmentsConsolidatedEntitiesPolicyus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(q) Noncontrolling interest</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company reports the noncontrolling interest of QVC-Japan within equity in the consolidated balance sheets and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest is presented in the consolidated statements of operations.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for subsidiaries or other investments that are consolidated, including the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts or transactions and any noncontrolling interest.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2197480 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=d3e5614-111684 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3A-02) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959686&loc=d3e355033-122828 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph a -Article 4 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02, 03, 04 -Article 3A Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 2-6 -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. false0Noncontrolling interest19false 2us-gaap_BusinessCombinationsPolicyus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(r) Business acquisitions</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Acquired businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires the Company to record assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective fair values with the excess of the purchase price over estimated fair values recorded as goodwill. The assumptions made in determining the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities as well as asset lives can materially impact the results of operations. The Company obtains information during due diligence and through other sources to establish respective fair values. Examples of factors and information that the Company uses to determine the fair values include tangible and intangible asset evaluations and appraisals and evaluations of existing contingencies and liabilities. If the initial valuation for an acquisition is incomplete by the end of the quarter in which the acquisition occurred, the Company will record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. The provisional estimate will be finalized as soon as information becomes available, but not later than one year from the acquisition date.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for completed business combinations (purchase method, acquisition method or combination of entities under common control). This accounting policy may include a general discussion of the purchase method or acquisition method of accounting (including for example, the treatment accorded contingent consideration, the identification of assets and liabilities, the purchase price allocation process, how the fair values of acquired assets and liabilities are determined) and the entity's specific application thereof. An entity that acquires another entity in a leveraged buyout transaction generally discloses the accounting policy followed by the acquiring entity in determining the basis used to value its interest in the acquired entity, and the rationale for that accounting policy.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2303973 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 05 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a)-(d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6909625&loc=d3e227-128457 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 6 -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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph a, b, c, d -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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 88-16 -Section SEC Observer Comments -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 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141 -Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 -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. false0Business acquisitions20false 2us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsPolicyus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(s) Investment in affiliate</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The Company holds an investment in China that is accounted for using the equity method. The equity method of accounting is used when we exercise significant influence, but do not have operating control, generally assumed to be 20%-50% ownership. Under the equity method, original investments are recorded at cost and adjusted by our share of undistributed earnings or losses of these companies. The excess of the Company's cost on its underlying interest in the net assets of the affiliate is allocated to identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. This excess is allocated to the affiliate's broadcast license and goodwill in the amounts of $23 million and $1 million, respectively. Equity investments are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for the equity method of accounting for investments in common stock or other interests including unconsolidated subsidiaries, corporate joint ventures, noncontrolling interests in real estate ventures, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. The accounting policy may include information such as: (1) initially recording an investment in the stock of an investee at cost; (2) adjusting the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of acquisition; and (3) adjustments to reflect the investor's share of changes in the investee's capital (dividends). This disclosure may also include a detailed description of the policy for determining the amount of equity method losses recognized after an investment has been reduced to zero as a result of previous losses, reasons for not using the equity method when the investor company owns 20 percent or more of the voting stock of the investee's company (including identification of the significant investee), reasons for using the equity method when the ownership percentage is less than 20 percent, and discussion of recognition of equity method losses when an investor's total investment in an investee includes, in addition to an investment in common stock, other investments such as preferred stock and loans to the investee. An entity also may describe how such investments are assessed for impairment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 02-14 -Paragraph 6 -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 Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number D-46 -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-16 -Paragraph 5 -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 Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 99-10 -Paragraph 6, 7 -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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2196966 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 12 -Article 5 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 159 -Paragraph 18 -Subparagraph f -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 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 5, 6, 16-20 -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 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 98-13 -Paragraph 5, 15 -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. false0Investment in affiliate21false 2us-gaap_UseOfEstimatesus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(t) Use of estimates in the preparation of consolidated financial statements</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates include, but are not limited to, sales returns, uncollectible receivables, inventory obsolescence, medical and other benefit related costs, depreciable lives of fixed assets, internally developed software, valuation of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, income taxes and stock-based compensation.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6143-108592 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6132-108592 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6061-108592 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 94-6 -Paragraph 11, 14 -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. false0Use of estimates in the preparation of consolidated financial statements22false 2us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsPolicyPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:12px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, which amends ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income and requires that companies present information about reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in their interim and annual financial statements. The standard requires that companies present either in a single note, or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its source and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. If a component is not required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety, companies will instead cross reference to the related footnote for additional information. QVC adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2013, and adoption did not have an impact on the QVC's condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.</font></div></div>falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(u) Recent accounting pronouncements</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-04, which amends Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820,</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">, to result in common fair value measurements and disclosures between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments explain how to measure fair value. They do not require additional fair value measurements and are not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The amendments change the wording used to describe fair value measurement requirements and disclosures, but often do not result in a change in the application of current guidance. Certain amendments clarify the intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while certain other amendments change a principle or requirement for fair value measurement or disclosure. QVC adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2012, and adoption did not have an impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, which amends ASC Topic 220,</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Comprehensive Income</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">, to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option of presenting components of comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity. The updated guidance requires that all nonowner changes in shareholders' equity be presented either as a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance is limited to the form and content of the financial statements and disclosures. QVC adopted this guidance, as amended, as of January 1, 2012 and adoption did not have an impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, which amends ASC Subtopic 210-20,</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Offsetting</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">. The guidance requires enhanced disclosures with improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (i) offset in accordance with current guidance or (ii) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in accordance with current guidance. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after January 1, 2013. The guidance is limited to the form and content of disclosures and QVC does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, which amends the guidance on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment. The amendment permits an entity to perform a qualitative impairment assessment before proceeding to the two-step impairment test. The guidance is effective for QVC beginning in fiscal 2013; however, early adoption is permitted. QVC adopted this guidance during the third quarter of 2012. There was no impact to QVC's financial statements upon adoption of this standard.</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: left;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, which amends ASC Topic 220,</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Comprehensive Income</font> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">and requires that companies present information about reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in their interim and annual financial statements. The standard requires that companies present either in a single note, or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its source and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. If a component is not required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety, companies will instead cross reference to the related footnote for additional information. The guidance will be effective for QVC beginning in fiscal 2013 and QVC has not early adopted this standard. ASU 2013-02 is limited to the form and content of disclosures and QVC does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of the adoption of new accounting pronouncements that may impact the entity's financial reporting.No definition available.false0New accounting pronouncements policy23false 2us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustmentDescriptionus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:12px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.</font></div></div>falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: justify;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">(v) Reclassifications</font></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; TEXT-ALIGN: justify;"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: inherit;">Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.</font></div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for reclassifications that affects the comparability of the financial statements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6359566&loc=d3e326-107755 false0Reclassification policyfalseSummary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)UnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.qvc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies223