Long-Term Debt (Debt Excluding Intergroup Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	$ 6,611
Long-term Debt	6,049	6,463
Long-term Debt, current maturities	(1,211)	(493)
Long-term debt	4,838	5,970
5.7% Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	309
Long-term Debt	308	323
8.5% Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	287
Long-term Debt	284	284
8.25% Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	504
Long-term Debt	501	501
3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2023 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	1,138
Long-term Debt	1,236	1,283
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	469
Long-term Debt	279	265
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2030 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	460
Long-term Debt	254	253
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	486
Long-term Debt	328	329
3.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2031 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	414
Long-term Debt	329	376
QVC 7.125% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	500
Long-term Debt	500	500
QVC 7.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	1,000
Long-term Debt	986	985
QVC 7.375% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	500
Long-term Debt	500	500
QVC Bank Credit Facilities [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	459
Long-term Debt	459	785
Subsidiary Debt [Member]
Long-Term Debt, outstanding principal	85
Long-term Debt	$ 85	$ 79