Segment and Revenue Information (Operating Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	$ 695	$ 659	$ 1,923	$ 1,431
Restructuring and other corporate matters	(7)	(35)	(121)	(44)
Gain on sale of assets	0	0	549	0
Interest expense	(115)	(116)	(232)	(234)
Interest income	12	14	26	31
Other items, net	(21)	(24)	(42)	(35)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies	571	533	1,675	1,193
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(119)	(113)	377	(248)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(12)	(20)	(29)	(34)
Net earnings	440	400	2,023	911
Operating Segments [Member] | Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	426	367	956	853
Operating Segments [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	185	245	360	481
Operating Segments [Member] | Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	33	31	50	47
Operating Segments [Member] | Local Media [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	130	128	268	246
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(72)	(77)	(139)	(152)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters	(7)	(35)	(121)	(44)
Gain on sale of assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 549	$ 0