CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 818	$ 1,001
Discontinued operations, net of tax	382	10
Net earnings from continuing operations	1,200	1,011
Reconciling items [Abstract]:
Depreciation and amortization	121	138
Feature film and program amortization	2,247	2,159
Equity based compensation	57	63
Equity in net losses and distributions from investee companies	(11)	(34)
Deferred income taxes	(137)	180
Operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions [Abstract]:
Receivables	77	(6)
Inventory, program rights and participations	(2,300)	(2,104)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	175	165
Other, net	78	(108)
Discontinued operations, net	(3)	(20)
Cash provided by operations	1,504	1,444
INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired	(17)	(59)
Capital expenditures	(63)	(42)
Net cash flow used in investing activities	(80)	(101)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Borrowings	1,722	982
Debt repayments	(892)	(582)
Commercial paper	(423)	0
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,404)	(852)
Dividends Paid	(278)	(182)
Excess tax benefits on equity-based compensation awards	27	0
Other, net	(53)	(3)
Net cash flow used in financing activities	(1,301)	(637)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(9)	12
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	114	718
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,021	837
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,135	$ 1,555

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Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).