Reporting Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,331	$ 3,267	$ 7,283	$ 7,095
Equity-based compensation	(28)	(33)
Operating Income	932	760	1,948	1,800
Interest Expense Net	(103)	(102)	(208)	(206)
Equity in net losses of investee companies	5	15	15	39
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(21)	(87)	(21)	(87)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(1)	(7)	(5)	(7)
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	812	579	1,729	1,539
Total assets	22,427		22,427		22,801
Depreciation and amortization	59	67	121	138
Capital expenditures			63	42
Advertising Revenue	1,073	1,076	2,427	2,469
Feature Film	1,058	1,147	2,524	2,475
Affiliate Fees	992	851	1,935	1,665
Ancillary	236	234	479	576
Eliminations	(28)	(41)	(82)	(90)
Total revenues	3,331	3,267	7,283	7,095
Media Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,190	2,082	4,638	4,462
Adjusted operating income by Segment	893	806	2,022	1,857
Total assets	16,447		16,447		16,404
Total revenues	2,190	2,082	4,638	4,462
Film Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	1,169	1,226	2,727	2,723
Adjusted operating income by Segment	115	39	84	107
Total assets	5,473		5,473		5,593
Total revenues	1,169	1,226	2,727	2,723
Business Intersegment Eliminations Member
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	(28)	(41)	(82)	(90)
Eliminations OI	0	1	0	1
Total revenues	(28)	(41)	(82)	(90)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate expenses	48	53	101	102
Total assets	$ 507		$ 507		$ 804