Income Taxes Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax expense	$ (71)	$ (79)
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	894		824
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current	23		23
Charter Holdco Subsidiaries [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	$ 221		$ 221

For entities that net deferred tax assets and tax liabilities, represents the unclassified net amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, which result from applying the applicable enacted tax rate to net temporary differences and carryforwards pertaining to assets or liabilities. A temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its carrying amount in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that will reverse in ensuing periods.

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The current portion of the aggregate tax effects as of the balance sheet date of all future tax deductions arising from temporary differences between tax basis and generally accepted accounting principles basis recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when permitted under enacted tax laws; after deducting the allocated valuation allowance, if any, to reduce such amount to net realizable value. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, are classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference. An unrecognized tax benefit that is directly related to a position taken in a tax year that results in a net operating loss carryforward is presented as a reduction of the related deferred tax asset.

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- Definition

The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations.

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