Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method (Schedule Of Liberty's Share Of Earnings (Losses) Of Affiliates) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7)	$ 11	$ 20
Expedia [Member]
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7)	(2)	13
TripAdvisor, Inc. [Member]
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7)	11	0
HSN, Inc. [Member]
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7)	15	13
Other [Member]
Share of earnings of affiliates, net (note 7)	$ (13)	$ (6)

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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+ Details