v3.7.0.1
Investments (Schedule of Investments) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Fair value method $ 823 $ 198
Equity method 2,426 2,376
Cost method 2,700 2,770
Total Investments 5,949 5,344
Less: Current investments 11 97
Noncurrent Investments 5,938 5,247
Snap [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Fair value method 662 0
Other Fair Value Method Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Fair value method 161 198
Atairos [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Equity method 1,624 1,601
Hulu [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Equity method 171 225
Other Equity Method Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Equity method 631 550
AirTouch [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Cost method 1,602 1,599
BuzzFeed [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Cost method 400 400
Other Cost Method Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Cost method 698 771
NBCUniversal Media LLC [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Fair value method 669 6
Equity method 571 561
Cost method 700 696
Total Investments 1,940 1,263
Noncurrent Investments 1,940 1,263
NBCUniversal Media LLC [Member] | Snap [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Fair value method 662 0
NBCUniversal Media LLC [Member] | Other Fair Value Method Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Fair value method 7 6
NBCUniversal Media LLC [Member] | Hulu [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Equity method 171 225
NBCUniversal Media LLC [Member] | Other Equity Method Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Equity method 400 336
NBCUniversal Media LLC [Member] | BuzzFeed [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Cost method 400 400
NBCUniversal Media LLC [Member] | Other Cost Method Investments [Member]    
Fair Value, Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]    
Cost method $ 300 $ 296