<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>219</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>218</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>57</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/StatementOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/StatementOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/BalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0035 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/BalanceSheetParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0040 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/CashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1010 - Disclosure - Description of Business and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1020 - Disclosure - Divestitures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureDivestitures</Role>
      <ShortName>Divestitures</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1030 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Estimate</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureChangeInAccountingEstimate</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Estimate</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1040 - Disclosure - Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureGoodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1050 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1060 - Disclosure - Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1070 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1080 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1090 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1100 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReporting</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1110 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3030 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Estimate (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureChangeInAccountingEstimateTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Estimate (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3040 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3050 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3070 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3080 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficitTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3090 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3100 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3110 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4010 - Disclosure - Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4020 - Disclosure - Divestitures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureDivestituresDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Divestitures (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4030 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Estimate (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureChangeInAccountingEstimateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Estimate (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4040 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4050 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4051 - Disclosure - Debt (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureDebtDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4060 - Disclosure - Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4070 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4080 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4081 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4082 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit (Details 3)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4083 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit (Details 4)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficitDetails4</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit (Details 4)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4090 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerCommonShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4100 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4101 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4110 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4111 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4112 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 3)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4113 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 4)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.directv.com/role/DisclosureCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsDetails4</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 4)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4060 - Disclosure - Contingencies (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4080 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Jun. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0035 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0040 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>dtv-20120630.xml</File>
    <File>dtv-20120630.xsd</File>
    <File>dtv-20120630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>dtv-20120630_def.xml</File>
    <File>dtv-20120630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>dtv-20120630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
