v3.20.4
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Jan. 01, 2019
Jan. 01, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Retained earnings   $ 37,457 $ 57,936        
Contract asset   3,501 2,472        
Deferred income tax liability   60,472 59,502        
Noncontrolling interest   17,567 17,713        
Operating lease liability   25,739 25,255        
Operating lease right-of-use assets   24,714 24,039        
Other current assets   (20,231) (18,364)        
Cash   2,842          
Cash and cash equivalents   9,740 12,130 $ 5,204     $ 50,498
Equipment inventories   $ 3,592 2,864        
Estimated period of ultimate revenues, from initial release or from delivery of first episode (years)   10 years          
FCC licenses - typical term (in years)   10 years          
Estimated economic useful life   22 years 3 months 18 days          
Amortization expense   $ 8,239 $ 7,932 $ 8,347      
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Common Stock (in dollars per share)   $ (0.75) $ 1.89 $ 2.85      
Wireless licenses              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Estimated economic useful life   24 years 7 months 6 days          
Orbital slots              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Estimated economic useful life   15 years          
Money Market Funds and Other Cash Equivalents              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Cash equivalents   $ 6,898          
Foreign Jurisdictions              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 2,205          
Minimum | Software              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Amortization period for capitalized software costs   3 years          
Maximum | Software              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Amortization period for capitalized software costs   7 years          
Mexico | Wireless licenses              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Estimated economic useful life   25 years          
Communications | Orbital slots | Intangible Assets, Amortization Period              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Estimated economic useful life 15 years            
Amortization expense   $ 1,504          
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Common Stock (in dollars per share)   $ 0.16          
Latin America | Trade names | Intangible Assets, Amortization Period              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Estimated economic useful life   15 years          
ASU 2016-13              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Retained earnings $ (293)            
Allowance for credit loss 395            
Contract asset (10)            
Deferred income tax liability (105)            
Noncontrolling interest $ (7)            
ASU 2016-02              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Retained earnings         $ 316    
Operating lease liability         22,121    
Operating lease right-of-use assets         22,121    
Net Assets         20,960    
ASU 2019-02 | Programming Inventory Costs              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Other current assets         2,274    
Other assets         $ 2,274    
ASU 2014-09              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Retained earnings           $ 2,342  
Contract asset           1,737  
Deferred income tax liability           787  
Noncontrolling interest           35  
Other assets           (239)  
Deferred contract acquisition costs           1,454  
Other liabilities           (212)  
ASU 2016-01              
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]              
Retained earnings           $ 658