Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	45,519,000	47,583,000
Class Of Warrant Or Right Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Warrants Or Rights	$ 16.10
Common Class A [Member] | Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	0	2,000,000,000
Common Class B [Member] | Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	0	75,000,000
Common Class A [Member] | Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	4,000,000,000	4,000,000,000
Common Class B [Member] | Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member]
Class Of Warrant Or Right Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Warrants Or Rights	$ 3,000,000
Common Class A [Member] | Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	0	4,000,000,000
Common Class B [Member] | Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	0	150,000,000
Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	45,519,000
Common Class B [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	450,000
Class C [Member]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	4,000,000,000