Financial Data by Business Segment (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenue	$ 5,340	$ 5,472
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization	953	813
Depreciation and amortization	344	312
Operating income (loss)	609	501
Capital expenditures	263	111
Cable Networks [Member]
Revenue	2,225	2,128
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization	859	809
Depreciation and amortization	184	176
Operating income (loss)	675	633
Capital expenditures	24	9
Broadcast Television [Member]
Revenue	1,517	1,861
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization	(35)	(14)
Depreciation and amortization	25	23
Operating income (loss)	(60)	(37)
Capital expenditures	8	8
Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Revenue	1,216	1,192
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization	69	6
Depreciation and amortization	4	4
Operating income (loss)	65	2
Capital expenditures	2	1
Theme Parks [Member]
Revenue	462	412
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization	173	157
Depreciation and amortization	72	62
Operating income (loss)	101	95
Capital expenditures	138	47
Headquarters And Other [Member]
Revenue	9	12
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization	(112)	(146)
Depreciation and amortization	59	48
Operating income (loss)	(171)	(194)
Capital expenditures	91	46
Eliminations [Member]
Revenue	(89)	(133)
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization	(1)	1
Depreciation and amortization		(1)
Operating income (loss)	$ (1)	$ 2