Deferred subscriber fees deferral period.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Deferred upfront payments amortization period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Length of time investment been in continuous loss position considered temporary.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Length of time investment been in continuous loss position evaluated on case by case basis.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Length of time investment been in continuous loss position to be considered as other than temporary.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 720

-SubTopic 35

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 93-7

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs	$ 429	$ 329	$ 373
Minimum
Marketable Investment Securities
The length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value would be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if the decline in value is other-than-temporary	6 months
Length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value is considered other-than-temporary	9 months
Property and Equipment
Useful life of property and equipment	1 year
Revenue Recognition
Period of deferral for the portion of subscriber fees that are deferred	18 months
Maximum
Marketable Investment Securities
Length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value is considered as temporary	6 months
The length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value would be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if the decline in value is other-than-temporary	9 months
Property and Equipment
Useful life of property and equipment	40 years
Long-Term Deferred Revenue, Distribution and Carriage Payments
Deferred upfront payment, amortization period	10 years
Revenue Recognition
Period of deferral for the portion of subscriber fees that are deferred	5 years