Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Operating Activities
Net earnings (loss)	$ (252)	$ 473
Less: Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(706)	31
Net earnings from continuing operations	454	442
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	55	57
Stock-based compensation	40	39
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax and distributions	17	22
Change in assets and liabilities, net of investing and financing activities	112	363
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations	678	923
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	41	105
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	719	1,028
Investing Activities
Acquisitions	(21)	(50)
Capital expenditures	(27)	(34)
Investments in and advances to investee companies	(49)	(32)
Proceeds from dispositions	1	21
Other investing activities	14	(7)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations	(82)	(102)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations	(7)	4
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities	(89)	(98)
Financing Activities
Repayments of short-term debt borrowings, net	(420)	0
Repayment of senior debentures	0	(200)
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio	(3)	0
Payment of capital lease obligations	(4)	(4)
Payment of contingent consideration	(7)	0
Dividends	(77)	(73)
Purchase of Company common stock	(531)	(533)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(76)	(46)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	36	6
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation (Note 1)	0	8
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	(1,082)	(842)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(452)	88
Cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations, at beginning of period	622	323
Cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations, at end of period	170	411
Continuing Operations [Member]
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	162	158
Cash paid for income taxes	1	7
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Operating Activities
Less: Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(706)	31
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	11	0
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 12	$ 0