Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 28, 2011
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2012
Common Class A [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Common Class A [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Common Class A [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Common Class A [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
Common Class A [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
Sep. 23, 2011
Transitional Plan [Member]
Sep. 23, 2011
2011 Plan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Maximum [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Option Exchange [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Option Exchange [Member]
Common Class A [Member]
Dec. 04, 2012
Unvested Option Exchange [Member]
Dec. 04, 2012
Unvested Option Exchange Incremental [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number                       5,219,000 7,665,000                    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value           $ 10,000,000 $ 14,000,000 $ 10,000,000                              
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value     494,000,000 46,000,000 47,000,000             34,853,000                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized                               1,000,000 23,800,000            
Options granted     834,000             162,347 1,135,622 834,000   496,000 887,818         3,713,000      
Weighted average grant-date fair value of options     $ 42.04             $ 33.95 $ 19.56     $ 21.36 $ 21.32         $ 37,250,000.00      
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty equity awards   150,000,000 150,000,000                                     37,000,000 77,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost   $ 24,000,000                                          
Weighted average period of recognition related to unvested Liberty equity awards (in years)     1 year 9 months 25 days           4 years                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term                                   1 year 3 months 19 days 9 years        
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued 0.88129                                            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price                       $ 93.38                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number           124,000                             1,485,000    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value           $ 58.50