Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (Held for Sale Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 28, 2011 NBC Universal [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 NBCU LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NBCU LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Discontinued Operation Or Asset Disposal Component [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Discontinued Operation Or Asset Disposal Component [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Consumer RV Marine [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Consumer Mexico [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 South Korea CLL [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Baglan Bay [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Business Property [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of NBCU	$ 227	$ 8,951
Ownership Percentage In Newly Formed Entity				49.00%
Pre Tax Gain On Sale Of Business												178
Gain On Sale Of Business Net Of Tax												103
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net					5,019	4,880
Equity Method Investments					18,799	17,955
Deferred income taxes	(541)		(131)				358	205
Assets of businesses held for sale	2,700		711
Liabilities of businesses held for sale	206		345
Current receivables	19,347		19,531
Property, plant and equipment - net	67,388		65,739
Other assets, all	102,953		111,701
Accounts Payable, Current	15,851		16,400
Accrued Liabilities, Current	15,250		14,796
Other Liabilities	67,267		70,653
Consideration Received For Sale Of Business									$ 2,365	$ 1,943	$ 168		$ 2,406