Goodwill

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Goodwill Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill

11.       Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the six months ended June 30, 2011 are as follows (amounts in millions):

		Activision		Blizzard		Distribution		Total
Balance at December 31, 2010		$	6,942	$	178	$	12	$	7,132
	Tax benefit credited to goodwill		(4)		---		---		(4)
	Issuance of contingent consideration		3		---		---		3
	Foreign exchange		(1)		---		---		(1)
Balance at June 30, 2011		$	6,940	$	178	$	12	$	7,130

The tax benefit credited to goodwill represents the tax deduction resulting from the exercise of stock options that were outstanding and vested at the consummation of the Business Combination and included in the purchase price of the Company, to the extent that the tax deduction did not exceed the fair value of those options. Conversely, to the extent that the tax deduction did exceed the fair value of those options, the tax benefit is credited to additional paid-in capital.

Issuance of contingent consideration consists of additional purchase consideration paid during 2011 in relation to a previous acquisition.