Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible Assets Details [Abstract]
Impairment charges	$ 0	$ 11,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	1,835,000,000		1,824,000,000
Accumulated amortization	(1,173,000,000)		(1,141,000,000)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	662,000,000		683,000,000
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Total intangible assets, net	6,494,000,000		6,515,000,000
Total intangible assets, gross	7,667,000,000		7,656,000,000
Amortization expense [Abstract]
Amortization expense	26,000,000	27,000,000
Aggregate annual amortization expense for existing intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the following years [Abstract]
2013	101,000,000
2014	89,000,000
2015	78,000,000
2016	68,000,000
2017	42,000,000
FCC licenses [Member]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	5,832,000,000		5,832,000,000
Permits and leasehold agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	901,000,000		889,000,000
Accumulated amortization	(652,000,000)		(635,000,000)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	249,000,000		254,000,000
Franchise agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	479,000,000		477,000,000
Accumulated amortization	(317,000,000)		(309,000,000)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	162,000,000		168,000,000
Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	213,000,000		213,000,000
Accumulated amortization	(32,000,000)		(28,000,000)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	181,000,000		185,000,000
Other intangible assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	242,000,000		245,000,000
Accumulated amortization	(172,000,000)		(169,000,000)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 70,000,000		$ 76,000,000

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The gross carrying amount (including any previously recognized impairment charges) before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of a major finite-lived intangible asset class, an indefinite lived intangible asset class, the total of the gross carrying amount of all finite-lived intangible assets, or the total of the gross carrying amount of all intangible assets. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

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The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

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The loss (gain) resulting from the write-down of the carrying value of assets classified as a disposal group, but one which is not further classified as a discontinued operation, to fair value less cost to sell. A (gain) results from a subsequent increase in fair value less cost to sell, but not in excess of the cumulative loss previously recognized. For example, the write-down of a disposal group subject to a plan of sale, which was not sold in the current period, to its held-for-sale value. The loss (gain) is included in income from continuing operations before income taxes in the income statement.

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Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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Carrying amount of assets (excluding financial assets) that lack physical substance, excluding goodwill, having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

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Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges.

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