Programming and Other Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Acquired program rights	$ 1,773	$ 1,532
Internally produced programming, released	1,746	1,261
Internally produced programming, in process and other	298	392
Publishing, primarily finished goods	49	42
Total programming and other inventory	3,866	3,227
Less current portion	1,427	1,270
Total noncurrent programming and other inventory	2,439	$ 1,957
Internally produced programming to be amortized in next fiscal year	$ 775
Timing of amortization of released programming	In addition, while it is difficult to determine the precise timing of the amortization of the remaining released internally produced programming, the Company estimates that substantially all of the December 31, 2016 balance will be amortized over the next three years.

Programming and Other Inventory (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Acquired program rights

$ 1,773

$ 1,532

Internally produced programming, released

1,746

1,261

Internally produced programming, in process and other

298

392

Publishing, primarily finished goods

Total programming and other inventory

3,866

3,227

Less current portion

1,427

1,270

Total noncurrent programming and other inventory

2,439

$ 1,957

Internally produced programming to be amortized in next fiscal year

$ 775

Timing of amortization of released programming

In addition, while it is difficult to determine the precise timing of the amortization of the remaining released internally produced programming, the Company estimates that substantially all of the December 31, 2016 balance will be amortized over the next three years.

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of acquired program rights.

+ References

No definition available.

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Total current and noncurrent inventory.

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- Definition

The amount of direct negative costs incurred in the production of a direct-to-television film, as well as allocations of production overhead and capitalized interest. Examples of direct negative costs include costs of story and scenario; compensation of cast, directors, producers, extras, and miscellaneous staff; costs of set construction and operations, wardrobe, and accessories; costs of sound synchronization; rental facilities on location; and postproduction costs such as music, special effects, and editing.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 926
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6473108&loc=d3e54431-107959

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The amount of direct negative costs incurred in the release of a direct-to-television film, as well as allocations of production overhead and capitalized interest. Examples of direct negative costs include costs of story and scenario; compensation of cast, directors, producers, extras, and miscellaneous staff; costs of set construction and operations, wardrobe, and accessories; costs of sound synchronization; rental facilities on location; and postproduction costs such as music, special effects, and editing.

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The amount of film costs related to completed films that are expected to be amortized during the upcoming operating cycle.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 926
-SubTopic 20
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- Definition

Amount after valuation and LIFO reserves of inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))
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Inventories not expected to be converted to cash, sold or exchanged within the normal operating cycle.

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Amount, after of valuation reserves and allowances, of inventory, classified as other, expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
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Additional information about the amortization of films costs, including the period required to reach an amortization level of 80 percent, for unamortized film costs for released films, excluding acquired film libraries, that it expects to amortize within three years from the date of the balance sheet.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 3
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