Bank Financing and Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Bank Financing And Debt Details [Abstract]
Senior debt (3.375% - 8.875% due 2012 - 2056)	$ 5,871,000,000		$ 5,925,000,000
Obligations under capital leases	74,000,000		78,000,000
Less current portion	22,000,000		24,000,000
Total long-term debt from continuing operations, net of current portion	5,902,000,000		5,958,000,000
Total Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	5,945,000,000		6,003,000,000
Bank Financing And Debt Parenthetical [Abstract]
Minimum interest rate of senior debt	3.375%
Maximum interest rate of senior debt	8.875%
Earliest maturity date of senior debt	2012
Latest maturity date of senior debt	2056
Net unamortized premium (discount) on senior debt	(2,000,000)		4,000,000
Increase in carrying value of debt relating to previously settled fair value hedges	27,000,000		75,000,000
Face value of senior debt	5,850,000,000		5,850,000,000
Senior debt not guaranteed by CBS Operations Inc.	52,000,000
Debt due within one year reflecting intent and ability to refinance on a long-term basis	490,000,000
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain on early extinguishment of debt	25,000,000	0
Credit Facility [Abstract]
Commercial paper borrowings	0
Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility	2,000,000,000
Availability under the credit facility	1,980,000,000
Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio [Member]
Debt Covenants [Line Items]
Credit Facility covenant description	4.0x
Minimum Consolidated Coverage Ratio [Member]
Debt Covenants [Line Items]
Credit Facility covenant description	3.0x
Consolidated Leverage Ratio [Member]
Debt Covenants [Line Items]
Credit Facility covenant compliance	1.7x
Consolidated Coverage Ratio [Member]
Debt Covenants [Line Items]
Credit Facility covenant compliance	8.3x
6.750% Senior Notes Due 2056 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt instrument	700,000,000
Interest rate	6.75%
3.375% Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuances	700,000,000
Interest rate	3.375%
Continuing Operations [Member]
Total Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	5,924,000,000		5,982,000,000
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Total Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 21,000,000		$ 21,000,000