Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Accounts payable - trade	$ 161	$ 142
Accrued capital expenditures	131	143
Accrued expenses:
Interest	198	191
Programming costs	320	303
Franchise-related fees	44	50
Compensation	95	123
Other	191	201
Total	$ 1,140	$ 1,153