CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Statement Revenues Revenues Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Operating costs and expenses Broadcast Programming and Other Broadcast programming costs include license fees for subscription service programming, pay-per-view programming, live sports and other events. Other costs include continuing service fees paid to third parties for active subscribers and warranty service costs. Broadcast programming and other Subscriber service expenses Subscriber Service Expenses Subscriber service expenses include the costs of customer call centers, billing, remittance processing and certain home services expenses, such as in-home repair costs. Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Costs and Expenses Total operating costs and expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating profit Investment Income, Interest Interest income Interest and Debt Expense Interest expense Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense Income tax benefit (expense) Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Broadcast operations expenses Broadcast Operations Expenses Broadcast operations expenses include broadcast center operating costs, signal transmission expenses (including costs of collecting signals for our local channel offerings), and costs of monitoring, maintaining and insuring our satellites. Also included are engineering expenses associated with deterring theft of our signal. Operating Expenses [Abstract] Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense Subscriber Acquisition Costs Subscriber acquisition costs Subscriber acquisition costs include the cost of set-top receivers and other equipment, commissions we pay to national retailers, independent satellite television retailers, dealers and telcos, and the cost of installation, advertising, marketing and customer call center expenses associated with the acquisition of new subscribers. Upgrade and retention costs Upgrade and retention costs are associated with upgrade efforts for existing subscribers that will result in higher average monthly revenue per subscriber, or ARPU, and lower churn. Upgrade efforts include subscriber equipment upgrade programs for DVR, HD and HD DVR receivers and local channels, multiple set-top receiver offers and similar initiatives. Retention costs also include the costs of installing and providing hardware under the movers program for subscribers relocating to a new residence. Upgrade and Retention Costs General and Administrative Expense General and administrative expenses CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period Inventory, Net Inventories Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred income taxes Assets, Current Total current assets Total current assets Satellites, net Satellites Net The amounts capitalized for satellites currently being constructed and those that have been successfully launched, which include the costs of construction, launch, launch insurance, incentive obligations and related capitalized interest. These assets are held by us for the use in the broadcast of DIRECTV service, for lease by others, or for utilization as a spare. These assets are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year, and are recorded at net of accumulated depreciation. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Goodwill Goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net Intangible assets, net Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND OWNER'S DEFICIT LIABILITIES AND OWNER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred Revenue and Credits, Current Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current portion of long-term debt Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities and deferred credits Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Owner's deficit Owner's equity (deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit) Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total owner's deficit Beginning balance, value Ending balance, value Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and owner's deficit CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows from Operating Activities Cash flows from operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Recognition of Deferred Revenue Amortization of deferred revenues and deferred credits Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation expense Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits Deferred income taxes Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Change in other operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Unearned subscriber revenue and deferred credits Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other, net Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows from Investing Activities Cash flows from investing activities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Cash paid for property and equipment Cash paid for subscriber leased equipment-subscriber acquisitions The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of set-top receivers used in the production of the entity's service for new subscribers. The set-top receivers are capitalized in Property and equipment, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payments to Acquire Subscriber Leased Equipment Subscriber Acquisitions Cash proceeds from debt issuance Proceeds, net of discount Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt Payments of Financing Costs Debt issuance costs Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayment of long-term debt Repayment of long-term debt Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Repayment of other long-term obligations Payments of Dividends Cash dividends to Parent Dividends paid to Parent Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Cash paid for subscriber leased equipment-upgrade and retention The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of set-top receivers used in the production of the entity's service for existing subscribers. The set-top receivers are capitalized in Property and equipment, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payments to Acquire Subscriber Leased Equipment Upgrade and Retention Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Investment in companies, net of cash acquired Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows from Financing Activities Cash flows from financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Interest Paid Cash paid for interest Income Taxes Paid Cash paid for income taxes Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Intangible Assets DIRECTV Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Contingencies Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Document and Entity Information Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Abstract] Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accounts receivable, allowances (in dollars) Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill [Table Text Block] Schedule of intangible assets, net Tabular disclosure of the aggregate amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill. Orbital slots Represents the Orbital slots, an indefinite-lived intangible asset of the entity. Subscriber related Represents the Subscriber related finite-lived intangible asset of the entity. Dealer network Represents the Dealer network, a finite-lived intangible asset of the entity. Distribution rights Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum Estimated Useful Lives, minimum (in years) Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum Estimated Useful Lives, maximum (in years) Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life Estimated Useful Lives (in years) Intangible Assets Gross, Excluding Goodwill Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, before accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Indefinite and finite intangible assets, gross Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Intangible assets, accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Finite-lived intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense Amortization expense for intangible assets Represents the information pertaining to DIRECTV Holdings together with DIRECTV Financing. Co-Issuers Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Investigation and Attorney Fees Investigation and attorney fees Represents investigation and attorney fees paid by the entity. Represents the information pertaining to Liberty Media and affiliates, a related party of the entity. Liberty Media and affiliates Represents the information pertaining to Discovery Communications, Liberty Global and affiliates, a related party of the entity. Discovery Communications, Liberty Global and affiliates Represents the information pertaining to DIRECTV and affiliates, the parent company of the entity and its affiliates, a related party of the entity. DIRECTV and affiliates Related Party Transaction, Revenues from Transactions with Related Party Sales: Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party Purchases: Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Domain] Other related parties Represents the information pertaining to other related parties of the entity. Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Schedule of outstanding senior notes balance Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument [Axis] Represents 3.500 percent senior notes, which are due in 2016. Senior notes 3.500% due 2016 Represents 5.000 percent senior notes, which are due in 2021. Senior notes 5.000% due 2021 Represents 6.375 percent senior notes, which are due in 2041. Senior notes 6.375% due 2041 Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Senior notes, interest rate (as a percent) Deferred Finance Costs, Gross Debt issuance costs Represents 3.550 percent senior notes, which are due in 2015. Senior notes 3.550% due 2015 Represents 5.200 percent senior notes, which are due in 2020. Senior notes 5.200% due 2020 Represents 6.350 percent senior notes, which are due in 2040. Senior notes 6.350% due 2040 Represents 3.125 percent senior notes, which are due in 2016. Senior notes 3.125% due 2016 Represents 4.600 percent senior notes, which are due in 2021. Senior notes 4.600% due 2021 Represents 6.000 percent senior notes, which are due in 2040. Senior notes 6.000% due 2040 Represents 6.375 percent senior notes, which are due in 2015. Senior notes 6.375% due 2015 Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost Write-off of deferred debt issuance and other transaction costs Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Unamortized discount Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium Unamortized bond premium Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Senior notes, fair value Senior Notes, Current Senior notes, current Represents 4.750 percent senior notes, which are due in 2014. Senior notes 4.750% due 2014 Represents 7.625 percent senior notes, which are due in 2016. Senior notes 7.625% due 2016 Represents 5.875 percent senior notes, which are due in 2019. Senior notes 5.875% due 2019 Debt Instrument, Repurchase as Percentage of Outstanding Principal Portion of senior notes repurchased during the period as a percentage of outstanding principal amount. Senior notes repurchased as a percentage of outstanding principal amount (as a percent) Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $66 and $46 Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block] Accounting Change In-orbit Satellites, Net In-orbit satellites, net book value Net book value of in-orbit satellites, all of which is uninsured. Accounts receivable Due from Related Parties, Current Accounts payable Due to Related Parties, Current Income (Loss) from Subsidiaries Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries This item represents the entity's equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries. Amounts are eliminated in consolidation. Ability to borrow under credit facility Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Repayment of long-term debt Extinguishment of Debt, Amount After-tax charge on repayment of remaining principal Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax Credit Facilities Line of Credit Facility Term Represents the term of line of credit facility, in years. Term of line of credit facility (in years) Principal Debt Instrument, Face Amount Principal Proceeds from Contributions from Parent Cash contribution from Parent Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three Senior notes maturing in 2014 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four Senior notes maturing in 2015 Long-term Debt, Maturities Repayments of Principal, after Year Four Senior notes maturing after 2015 Amount of long-term debt maturities after year four following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements, which may include maturities of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed determinable prices and dates. Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Amendment Description Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Conversion Of Stock Percentage Of Ownership In Parent By Shareholder After Conversion Voting interest in the Parent held by shareholder, after conversion (as a percent) Percentage of shareholder's voting interest in the Parent after stock conversion. Conversion Of Stock Percentage Of Ownership In Parent By Shareholder Before Conversion Voting interest in the Parent held by shareholder, prior to conversion (as a percent) Percentage of shareholder's voting interest in the Parent before stock conversion. Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Accounting Change Debt Contingencies Related Party Transactions Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage Commitment fee for unused commitment for revolving credit facility (as a percent) Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments Cash proceeds from sale of equity method investment Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal Gain on sale of equity method investment, before tax Equity Method Investment Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal, Net of Tax Represents the amount of gain (loss) arising from the disposal of an equity method investment, net of tax. Gain on sale of equity method investment, after tax Other Other Noncash Income (Expense) Schedule of Senior Notes Issued [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of information related to the issuance of senior notes by the reporting entity. Schedule of senior notes issued Schedule of Sales to and Purchases from Related Parties [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of sales and purchase transactions during the period with related parties. Schedule of sales to, and purchases from, related parties Schedule of Accounts Receivable from and Accounts Payable to Related Parties [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of amounts due to and due from related parties. Schedule of accounts receivable from and accounts payable to, related parties Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the condensed consolidating statement of operations. Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the condensed consolidating balance sheet. Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows. Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt instrument Extinguishment of Debt Reaquisition Price Reacquisition price of debt extinguished during the period as a percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the debt at the time of its extinguishment. Debt repurchase amount, premium percentage (as a percent) Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transactions Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements [Table] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] Intangible assets Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Indefinite intangible assets, net Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table] Tabular disclosure of the aggregate amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill. Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Finite-lived intangible assets, gross Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Base [Axis] The alternative reference rates that may be used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Base [Domain] Identification of the reference rate that is used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. The London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) The Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR) used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR) The prime interest rate (the interest rate charged by banks to their most creditworthy customers) used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Prime Rate The Fed Funds Rate (the interest rate charged by lending bank to borrowing bank) used to calculate the variable interest rate of the debt instrument. Fed Funds Rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Senior secured credit facility, interest rate added to variable base rate (as a percent) Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis Senior secured credit facility, basis for variable interest rate Cash paid for satellites Payments to Acquire Other Productive Assets Capital stock and additional paid-in capital Common Stock, Including Additional Paid in Capital Supplemental cash flow information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Payments under Tax Sharing Arrangement with Parent The cash outflow from payments by the reporting entity to its parent under the tax sharing arrangement. Payments made to parent under tax sharing arrangement Divestiture Divestiture Equity Method Investments Divestitures [Text Block] The entire disclosure for divestitures of equity method investments, including sale price and gain or loss on sale. Senior Notes, Noncurrent Senior notes, amount outstanding Long-term debt Write-off of Unamortized Debt Discount (Premium) Write-off of the unamortized amount of debt premium or discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the debt instrument. Write-off of unamortized discount Senior Secured Credit Facilities Term Loan C Senior notes maturing in 2016 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five Senior notes maturing after 2016 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal Third Full Fiscal Year Amount of long-term debt maturing within the third full fiscal year following the date of the most recent balance sheet presented in the financial statements. Senior notes maturing in 2014 Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal Fourth Full Fiscal Year Senior notes maturing in 2015 Amount of long-term debt maturing within the fourth full fiscal year following the date of the most recent balance sheet presented in the financial statements. Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal Fifth Full Fiscal Year Senior notes maturing in 2016 Amount of long-term debt maturing within the fifth full fiscal year following the date of the most recent balance sheet presented in the financial statements. Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal After Fifth Full Fiscal Year Senior notes maturing after 2016 Amount of long-term debt maturing after the fifth full fiscal year following the date of the most recent balance sheet presented in the financial statements. Maximum Contract Period for Subscribers under Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements Represents the maximum contract period for the entity's subscribers under multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. Maximum contract period for subscribers under multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements (in years) Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Disclosure of the condensed financial statements (balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows), normally using the registrant (parent) as the sole domain member. If condensed consolidating financial statements are being presented, other domain members (in addition to parent) such as guarantor subsidiaries, non-guarantor subsidiaries, and the consolidation eliminations, will be included in order that the respective monetary amounts for each of the domains will aggregate to the respective amounts on the consolidated financial statements. The line items are the various captions used to compile the condensed financial statements. Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense Costs of Revenues Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization Expense Abstract Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Basis of Presentation Intangible Assets Pre-tax charge on repayment of remaining principal Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt