Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stock-Based Compensations (Grants) (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Stock-Based Compensations (Grants) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value $ 494,000 $ 46,000 $ 47,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Options granted 834,000    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value $ 42.04    
Common Class A [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number 124,000    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value $ 58.50    
Segment, Liberty Starz [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum   31.90% 31.90%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Options granted   496,000 887,818
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value   $ 21.36 $ 21.32
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum   31.90% 33.60%
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum 25.10% 43.90% 43.90%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Options granted   162,347 1,135,622
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value   $ 33.95 $ 19.56
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum 54.20% 54.20% 47.90%
Segment, Liberty Capital [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value $ 34,853    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding WAEP, Beginning of Period $ 36.57    
WAEP granted $ 93.38    
WAEP exercised $ 22.60    
WAEP forfeited/cancelled $ 68.13    
Outstanding WAEP, End of Period $ 98.77    
Exercisable WAEP $ 94.06    
Outstanding options, Beginning Balance 7,665,000    
Options granted 834,000    
Options exercised (1,712,000)    
Options forfeited/cancelled (82,000)    
Outstanding options, Ending Balance 5,219,000    
Exercisable options 1,588,000    
Option Exchange [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Options granted 3,713,000    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value $ 37,250,000.00    
Option Exchange [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number 1,485,000    
Option Exchange [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]      
WAEP granted $ 36.62    
WAEP exercised $ 105.56    
Options granted (5,199,000)    
Options exercised 3,713,000