Document and Entity [Abstract] Document and Entity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Statement, Operating Activities Segment [Axis] Segment, Operating Activities [Domain] Segment, Liberty Capital [Member] Segment, Liberty Capital [Member] Segment, Liberty Entertainment [Member] Segment, Liberty Starz [Member] Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member] Segment, Liberty Interactive [Member] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Parent Company [Member] Statement [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Document Type Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Period Focus CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Segment, Inter-group eliminations [Member] Segment, Inter-group eliminations [Member] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Assets [Abstract] Assets Current [Abstract] Assets Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Trade and other receivables, net Receivables, Net, Current, Total Inventory, net Inventory, Net, Total Program rights Program rights Financial instruments (note 8) Financial instruments (note 8) Current deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Other current assets Other current assets Total current assets Total current assets Investments in available-for-sale securities and other cost investments, including $913 million and $851 million pledged as collateral for share borrowing arrangements (note 6) Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent, Total Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method (note 7) Property and equipment, at cost Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total Accumulated depreciation Accumulated depreciation Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated depreciation Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property and equipment, net Assets Noncurrent [Abstract] Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract] Intangible assets not subject to amortization (note 9): Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Trademarks Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Other Other Intangible assets total Intangible Assets Total Total intangible assets not subject to amortization Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 9) Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 9) Deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent, Total Other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization Other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization (note 10) Total assets Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Intergroup payable (receivable) Intergroup payable (receivable) Derivative Liabilities Current Financial instruments (note 8) Current portion of debt (note 10) Debt, Current, Total Current deferred income tax liabilities Other current liabilities Other current liabilities Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Long-term debt, including $2,322 million and $2,254 million measured at fair value (note 10) Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total Deferred income tax liabilities Other liabilities Other liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Equity Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock value Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional paid-in capital Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of taxes Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained earnings (deficit) Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Liberty Media Corporation Net Assets Total stockholders' equity Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries Total equity Balance Balance Total equity Represents the caption on the face of the balance sheet to indicate that the entity has entered into (1) purchase or supply arrangements that will require expending a portion of its resources to meet the terms thereof, and (2) is exposed to potential losses or, less frequently, gains, arising from (a) possible claims against a company's resources due to future performance under contract terms, and (b) possible losses or likely gains from uncertainties that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events that are deemed likely to occur do occur or fail to occur. This caption alerts the reader that one or more notes to the financial statements disclose pertinent information about the entity's commitments and contingencies. Commitments And Contingencies 09 Commitments and contingencies (note 13) Total liabilities and equity Total liabilities and equity Scenario, Actual [Member] Available-for-sale Securities Pledged as Collateral Carrying value of debt measured at fair value Carrying value of debt measured at fair value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Income Statement [Abstract] Revenue: Net retail sales Net retail sales Communications and programming services Communications and programming services Sales Revenue, Net Total revenues Operating costs and expenses: Cost of sales Cost of sales Operating Operating Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation (note 3) Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation (note 3) Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Costs and Expenses Total operating costs and expenses Operating income (loss) Operating income (loss) Other income (expense): Interest Expense Interest expense Interest expense Intergroup interest income (expense) Intergroup interest income (expense) Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net (note 7) Share of (earnings) losses of affiliates, net Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 8) Realized and unrealized losses on financial instruments, net (note 8) Gains (losses) on dispositions, net (note 6) Gains (losses) on dispositions, net (note 7) Other, net Other, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other income (expense) Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax benefit (expense) Income tax benefit (expense) (note 12) Income tax benefit Earnings (loss) from continuing operations Earnings (loss) from continuing operations Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes (note 2) Earnings from discontinued operations Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes (note 5) Net earnings (loss) Liberty Media Corporation Net Earnings Net earnings (loss) Net earnings Less net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests Less net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders. Net Earnings Loss Attributable To Liberty Media Corporation Shareholders Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders (specific to exhibit 99) Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders (specific to exhibit 99) Net earnings attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders Earnings Per Share Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Media Corporation stockholders per common share (note 4): Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Earnings Per Share Basic Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders per common share (note 4): Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Media Corporation stockholders per common share (note 4): Earnings Per Share Diluted Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders per common share (note 4): Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders per common share (note __): Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes: Foreign currency translation adjustments Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period Recognition of previously unrealized losses (gains) on available-for-sale securities, net Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates Reattribution of other comprehensive earnings between tracking stocks Reattribution of other comprehensive earnings between tracking stocks Other comprehensive earnings (loss) from discontinued operations Other comprehensive earnings (loss) from discontinued operations Other comprehensive earnings (loss) from discontinued operations Other Comprehensive Earnings Other Comprehensive Earnings Other Other Other comprehensive (loss) Other comprehensive earnings (loss) Other comprehensive loss Comprehensive earnings (loss) Comprehensive earnings (loss) Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests Less comprehensive earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent. Comprehensive Earnings Loss Attributable To Liberty Media Corporation Shareholders Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation stockholders (specific to exhibit 99) Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders (specific to exhibit 99) Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Stock-based compensation Stock-based compensation Cash payments for stock-based compensation Cash payments for stock-based compensation Noncash interest expense Noncash interest expense Cash receipts from return on equity investments Cash receipts from return on equity investments Cash receipts from returns on equity investments Cash receipts from returns on equity investments Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net Losses (gains) on disposition of assets, net Losses (gains) on disposition of assets, net Intergroup tax allocation Intergroup tax allocation Intergroup tax payments Intergroup tax payments OtherIntergroupCashTransfersNet Other Intergroup Cash Transfers Net Other intergroup cash transfers, net Deferred income tax (benefit) expense Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Other noncash charges (credits), net Changes in operating assets and liabilities Current and other assets Current assets Payables and other current liabilities Payables and other current liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Cash proceeds from dispositions Cash proceeds from dispositions Proceeds from settlement of financial instruments Proceeds from settlement of financial instruments, net Investments in and loans to cost and equity investees Investments in and loans to cost and equity investees Repayment of loan by equity investee Repayment of loan by equity investee Repayment of loan by equity investee Capital expenditures Capital expended for property and equipment Capital expenditures Net sales of short term investments Net decrease in restricted cash Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash, Total Reattribution of cash Reattribution of cash Other investing activities, net Other investing activities, net Other investing activities, net Other investing activities, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash provided (used) by investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Borrowings of debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Repayments of debt Repayments of debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Intergroup debt borrowings Intergroup Debt Borrowings Intergroup debt borrowings/(repayments) Repurchases of Liberty common stock Repurchases of Liberty common stock Other financing activities, net Other financing activities, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided (used) by financing activities Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash Net cash provided by discontinued operations: Cash provided by operating activities Cash provided by investing activities Cash provided by financing activities Change in available cash held by discontinued operations Change in available cash held by discontinued operations Change in available cash held by discontinued operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations Net cash provided by discontinued operations Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Common stock [Member] Additional paid-in capital [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive earnings [Member] Retained earnings [Member] Noncontrolling interest in equity of subsidiaries [Member] Stock-based compensation for equity awards. Stock compensation Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options Series A Liberty Capital stock repurchases Series A Liberty Capital stock repurchases Series A Liberty Starz stock repurchases Series A Liberty Starz stock repurchases