v2.4.0.8
Investments (Fair Value Method Investments) (Details) (USD $)
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Fair value equity securities held as collateral $ 3,959,000,000 $ 4,143,000,000  
Obligations under prepaid forward sale agreements 811,000,000 1,248,000,000  
Derivative component of prepaid forward sale agreements 2,800,000,000 2,302,000,000  
Total liabilities associated with prepaid forward sale agreements 3,611,000,000 3,550,000,000  
Prepaid forward sale obligations fair value 3,600,000,000 3,600,000,000  
Fair value method 4,345,000,000 4,493,000,000  
Prepaid Forward Obligations Settlement 1,600,000,000    
Total equity securities used to settle prepaid forward obligations 1,400,000,000    
Equity securities held as collateral under our prepaid forward sale agreements acquired during the period 657,000,000    
Proceeds From Sales Of Businesses And Investments 1,083,000,000 3,102,000,000 277,000,000
NBCUniversal Media, LLC [Member]
      
Fair value method 11,000,000 21,000,000  
Clearwire LLC [Member]
      
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities 443,000,000    
Pre-tax gain realized on Clearwire 443,000,000    
Fair Value Investment Shares Sold 89    
Liberty Media Redemption Transaction [Member]
      
Shares Redeemed 6.3    
Proceeds From Sales Of Businesses And Investments 417,000,000    
Fair value of the shares delivered in the Liberty Media exchange transaction $ 937,000,000