Segment reporting, operating profit before depreciation and amortization.

No definition available.

Name:	dtv_SegmentReportingOperatingProfitBeforeDepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	dtv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

-Article 7

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 18

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dtv_DIRECTVLatinAmericaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dtv_DIRECTVUSMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dtv_PanAmericanaAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dtv_SkyBrasilMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dtv_SportsNetworksEliminationsAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	$ 8,922us-gaap_Revenues	$ 8,374us-gaap_Revenues	$ 8,109us-gaap_Revenues	$ 7,855us-gaap_Revenues	$ 8,594us-gaap_Revenues	$ 7,880us-gaap_Revenues	$ 7,700us-gaap_Revenues	$ 7,580us-gaap_Revenues	$ 33,260us-gaap_Revenues	$ 31,754us-gaap_Revenues	$ 29,740us-gaap_Revenues
Operating profit (loss)	1,255us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	1,222us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	1,424us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	1,227us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	1,333us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	1,225us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	1,350us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	1,242us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	5,128us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	5,150us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	5,085us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Depreciation and amortization expense									2,943	2,828	2,437
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									8,071	7,978	7,522
Capital Expenditures									3,225	3,786	3,349
Segment Assets	25,459us-gaap_Assets				21,905us-gaap_Assets				25,459us-gaap_Assets	21,905us-gaap_Assets	20,555us-gaap_Assets
Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									33,260	31,754	29,740
DIRECTV U.S.
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									26,001	24,676	23,235
Operating profit (loss)									4,749	4,444	4,153
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,722	1,640	1,501
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									6,471	6,084	5,654
Capital Expenditures									1,757	2,050	1,741
Segment Assets	16,719				13,446				16,719	13,446	12,490
DIRECTV U.S. \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									25,993	24,668	23,227
DIRECTV U.S. \| Intersegment elimination
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									8	8	8
DIRECTV Latin America
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									7,061	6,844	6,244
Operating profit (loss)									442	776	955
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,207	1,167	907
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									1,649	1,943	1,862
Capital Expenditures									1,447	1,720	1,598
Segment Assets	7,325				6,858				7,325	6,858	6,286
DIRECTV Latin America \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									7,061	6,844	6,244
Sky Brasil
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									3,887	3,753	3,501
Operating profit (loss)									488	529	555
Depreciation and amortization expense									687	723	533
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									1,175	1,252	1,088
Capital Expenditures									867	961	812
Segment Assets	2,654				2,854				2,654	2,854	2,951
Sky Brasil \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									3,887	3,753	3,501
PanAmericana and Other
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									3,174	3,091	2,743
Operating profit (loss)									(46)	247	400
Depreciation and amortization expense									520	444	374
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									474	691	774
Capital Expenditures									580	759	786
Segment Assets	4,671				4,004				4,671	4,004	3,335
PanAmericana and Other \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									3,174	3,091	2,743
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									198	234	261
Operating profit (loss)									(63)	(70)	(23)
Depreciation and amortization expense									14	21	29
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									(49)	(49)	6
Capital Expenditures									21	16	10
Segment Assets	1,415				1,601				1,415	1,601	1,779
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									206	242	269
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other \| Intersegment elimination
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									$ (8)	$ (8)	$ (8)