Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) 10-Q 3 Nov 21 2021 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Oct. 22, 2021
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34177
Entity Registrant Name	Discovery, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	35-2333914
Entity Address, Address Line One	230 Park Avenue South
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10003
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	548-5555
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0001437107
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Series A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Series A Common Stock
Trading Symbol	DISCA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		169,207,249
Series B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Series B Common Stock
Trading Symbol	DISCB
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		6,512,378
Series C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Series C Common Stock
Trading Symbol	DISCK
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		330,146,263

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 3,150	$ 2,561	$ 9,004	$ 7,785
Costs and expenses:
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization	1,529	1,003	3,553	2,731
Selling, general and administrative	944	633	2,947	1,913
Depreciation and amortization	341	341	1,043	1,001
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets	0	0	0	38
Restructuring and other charges	7	53	29	75
Gain on disposition	0	0	(72)	0
Total costs and expenses	2,821	2,030	7,500	5,758
Operating income	329	531	1,504	2,027
Interest expense, net	(159)	(161)	(479)	(485)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(6)	(5)	(10)	(76)
Loss from equity investees, net	(9)	(18)	(20)	(62)
Other income (expense), net	78	(28)	255	(92)
Income before income taxes	233	319	1,250	1,312
Income tax (expense) benefit	(36)	11	(144)	(275)
Net income	197	330	1,106	1,037
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(32)	(29)	(116)	(82)
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(9)	(1)	(22)	(7)
Net income available to Discovery, Inc.	$ 156	$ 300	$ 968	$ 948
Series A, B and C Common Stock
Net income per share allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.44	$ 1.47	$ 1.40
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.44	$ 1.46	$ 1.40
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	506	505	503	510
Diluted (in shares)	663	672	665	677
Advertising
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 1,458	$ 1,306	$ 4,510	$ 3,981
Distribution
Revenues:
Revenues	1,379	1,199	4,057	3,647
Other
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 313	$ 56	$ 437	$ 157

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 197	$ 330	$ 1,106	$ 1,037
Other comprehensive income (loss) adjustments, net of tax:
Currency translation	(144)	101	(203)	76
Derivatives	12	22	137	(152)
Comprehensive income	65	453	1,040	961
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(32)	(29)	(116)	(82)
Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(9)	(1)	(22)	(7)
Comprehensive income attributable to Discovery, Inc.	$ 24	$ 423	$ 902	$ 872

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,116	$ 2,091
Receivables, net	2,462	2,537
Content rights and prepaid license fees, net	254	532
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	824	970
Total current assets	6,656	6,130
Noncurrent content rights, net	3,688	3,439
Property and equipment, net	1,310	1,206
Goodwill	12,957	13,070
Intangible assets, net	6,784	7,640
Other noncurrent assets	2,923	2,602
Total assets	34,318	34,087
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,361	2,190
Deferred revenues	625	557
Current portion of debt	349	335
Total current liabilities	3,335	3,082
Noncurrent portion of debt	14,436	15,069
Deferred income taxes	1,248	1,534
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,901	2,019
Total liabilities	20,920	21,704
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 16)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	358	383
Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Additional paid-in capital	11,043	10,809
Treasury stock, at cost: 230 shares	(8,244)	(8,244)
Retained earnings	9,522	8,543
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(717)	(651)
Total Discovery, Inc. stockholders' equity	11,611	10,464
Noncontrolling interests	1,429	1,536
Total equity	13,040	12,000
Total liabilities and equity	34,318	34,087
Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Convertible preferred stock	0	0
Series C-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Convertible preferred stock	0	0
Series A Common Stock
Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	2	2
Series B Common Stock
Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Series C Common Stock
Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	$ 5	$ 5

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Treasury stock (in shares)	230	230
Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	8	8
Preferred stock issued (in shares)	8	8
Preferred stock outstanding (in shares)	8	8
Series C-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	6	6
Preferred stock issued (in shares)	4	4
Preferred stock outstanding (in shares)	4	4
Series A Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock authorized (in shares)	1,700	1,700
Common stock issued (in shares)	170	163
Common stock outstanding (in shares)	169	162
Series B Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock authorized (in shares)	100	100
Common stock issued (in shares)	7	7
Common stock outstanding (in shares)	7	7
Series C Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock authorized (in shares)	2,000	2,000
Common stock issued (in shares)	559	547
Common stock outstanding (in shares)	330	318

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Operating Activities
Net income	$ 1,106	$ 1,037
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Content rights amortization and impairment	2,735	2,118
Depreciation and amortization	1,043	1,001
Deferred income taxes	(502)	(198)
Share-based compensation expense	134	62
Gain on disposition	(72)	0
Equity in losses of equity method investee companies, including cash distributions	57	96
Gain on sale of investments	(20)	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	10	76
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets	0	38
Other, net	(147)	34
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions:
Receivables, net	44	156
Content rights and payables, net	(2,578)	(2,100)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred revenues and other noncurrent liabilities	124	(166)
Foreign currency, prepaid expenses and other assets, net	(20)	32
Cash provided by operating activities	1,914	2,186
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(273)	(290)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments and dissolution of joint venture	498	67
Investments in and advances to equity investments	(137)	(141)
(Payments for) proceeds from derivative instruments, net	(102)	85
Purchases of investments	(103)	(250)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(26)
Other investing activities, net	87	5
Cash used in investing activities	(30)	(550)
Financing Activities
Principal repayments of debt, including premiums to par value and discount payment	(574)	(2,193)
Borrowings from debt, net of discount and issuance costs	0	1,979
Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests	(231)	(216)
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(31)	0
Repurchases of stock	0	(741)
Principal repayments of revolving credit facility	0	(500)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	0	500
Other financing activities, net	25	(101)
Cash used in financing activities	(811)	(1,272)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(69)	40
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	1,004	404
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period	2,122	1,552
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period	$ 3,126	$ 1,956

Consolidated Statements of Equi

Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Cumulative effect of accounting change	Discovery, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity	Discovery, Inc. Stockholders’ EquityCumulative effect of accounting change	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Stock	Retained Earnings	Retained EarningsCumulative effect of accounting change	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019					13	715
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 11,524	$ 2	$ 9,891	$ 2	$ 0	$ 7	$ 10,747	$ (7,374)	$ 7,333	$ 2	$ (822)	$ 1,633
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income available to Discovery, Inc. and attributable to noncontrolling interests	405		377						377			28
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(300)		(300)								(300)
Share-based compensation	21		21				21
Tax settlements associated with share-based plans	(30)		(30)				(30)
Repurchases of stock	(523)		(523)					(523)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(170)											(170)
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans (in shares)						1
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans	32		32				32
Other adjustments to stockholders' equity	1											1
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020					13	716
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	10,962	(3)	9,470	(3)	$ 0	$ 7	10,770	(7,897)	7,712	(3)	(1,122)	1,492
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019					13	715
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	11,524	2	9,891	2	$ 0	$ 7	10,747	(7,374)	7,333	2	(822)	1,633
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(76)
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020					13	716
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	11,597		10,087		$ 0	$ 7	10,825	(8,125)	8,278		(898)	1,510
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020					13	716
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020	10,962	$ (3)	9,470	$ (3)	$ 0	$ 7	10,770	(7,897)	7,712	$ (3)	(1,122)	1,492
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income available to Discovery, Inc. and attributable to noncontrolling interests	296		271						271			25
Other comprehensive income (loss)	101		101								101
Share-based compensation	25		25				25
Tax settlements associated with share-based plans	(1)		(1)				(1)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(27)											(27)
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans	2		2				2
Other adjustments to stockholders' equity	3		2				2					1
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020					13	716
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	11,358		9,867		$ 0	$ 7	10,798	(7,897)	7,980		(1,021)	1,491
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income available to Discovery, Inc. and attributable to noncontrolling interests	329		300						300			29
Other comprehensive income (loss)	123		123								123
Share-based compensation	26		26				26
Repurchases of stock	(228)		(228)					(228)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(10)											(10)
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans	1		1				1
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments to redemption value	(2)		(2)						(2)
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020					13	716
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	11,597		10,087		$ 0	$ 7	10,825	(8,125)	8,278		(898)	1,510
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020					13	717
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	12,000		10,464		$ 0	$ 7	10,809	(8,244)	8,543		(651)	1,536
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income available to Discovery, Inc. and attributable to noncontrolling interests	186		140						140			46
Other comprehensive income (loss)	70		70								70
Share-based compensation	32		32				32
Preferred stock conversion (in shares)					(1)	11
Preferred stock conversion	0
Tax settlements associated with share-based plans	(68)		(68)				(68)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(178)											(178)
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans (in shares)						8
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans	186		186				186
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments to redemption value	(9)		(9)				(8)		(1)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021					12	736
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	12,219		10,815		$ 0	$ 7	10,951	(8,244)	8,682		(581)	1,404
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020					13	717
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	12,000		10,464		$ 0	$ 7	10,809	(8,244)	8,543		(651)	1,536
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(66)
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2021					12	736
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	13,040		11,611		$ 0	$ 7	11,043	(8,244)	9,522		(717)	1,429
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021					12	736
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2021	12,219		10,815		$ 0	$ 7	10,951	(8,244)	8,682		(581)	1,404
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income available to Discovery, Inc. and attributable to noncontrolling interests	710		672						672			38
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)		(4)								(4)
Share-based compensation	41		41				41
Tax settlements associated with share-based plans	(1)		(1)				(1)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(29)											(29)
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans	9		9				9
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments to redemption value	6		6						6
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021					12	736
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2021	12,951		11,538		$ 0	$ 7	11,000	(8,244)	9,360		(585)	1,413
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income available to Discovery, Inc. and attributable to noncontrolling interests	188		156						156			32
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(132)		(132)								(132)
Share-based compensation	43		43				43
Tax settlements associated with share-based plans	(1)		(1)				(1)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(16)											(16)
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans	1		1				1
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments to redemption value	6		6						6
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2021					12	736
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 13,040		$ 11,611		$ 0	$ 7	$ 11,043	$ (8,244)	$ 9,522		$ (717)	$ 1,429

Description of Business and Bas

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Description of Business Discovery, Inc. (“Discovery”, the “Company”, "we", "us" or "our") is a global media company that provides content across multiple distribution platforms, including linear platforms such as pay-television ("pay-TV"), free-to-air and broadcast television, authenticated GO applications, digital distribution arrangements, content licensing arrangements and direct-to-consumer ("DTC") subscription products. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company announced the global launch of its aggregated DTC product, discovery+, and in January 2021, the Company launched discovery+ in the U.S. across several streaming platforms. The Company also operates production studios. The Company has organized its operations into two reportable segments: U.S. Networks, consisting principally of domestic television networks and digital content services, and International Networks, consisting primarily of international television networks and digital content services. Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Discovery and its majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained, including variable interest entities ("VIE") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated. Unaudited Interim Financial Statements These consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, they reflect all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applicable to interim periods. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or future periods. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Discovery’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Form 10-K”). Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include accounting for asset impairments, revenue recognition, estimated credit losses, content rights, leases, depreciation and amortization, business combinations, share-based compensation, income taxes, other financial instruments, contingencies, and the determination of whether the Company should consolidate certain entities. Impact of COVID-19 On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) outbreak to be a global pandemic. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the world, and the duration and severity of its effects and associated economic disruption remain uncertain. The Company continues to closely monitor the impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of its business and geographies, including the impact on its customers, employees, suppliers, vendors, distribution and advertising partners, production facilities, and various other third parties. Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, demand for the Company’s advertising products and services decreased due to economic disruptions from limitations on social and commercial activity. These economic disruptions and the resulting effect on the Company eased during the second half of 2020. The Company currently does not expect the pandemic will have a significant impact on demand during fiscal year 2021. Many of the Company’s third-party production partners that were shut down during most of the second quarter of 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions came back online in the third quarter of 2020 and, as a result, the Company has incurred additional costs to comply with various governmental regulations and implement certain safety measures for the Company's employees, talent, and partners. Additionally, certain sporting events that the Company has rights to were cancelled or postponed, thereby eliminating or deferring the related revenues and expenses, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which occurred in July and August 2021. The postponement of the Olympic Games deferred both Olympic-related revenues and significant expenses from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2021. In response to the impact of the pandemic, the Company employed innovative production and programming strategies, including producing content filmed by its on-air talent and seeking viewer feedback on which content to air. The Company continues to pursue a number of cost savings initiatives, which began during the third quarter of 2020 through the implementation of travel, marketing, production and other operating cost reductions, including personnel reductions, restructurings and resource reallocations to align its expense structure to ongoing changes within the industry. The nature and full extent of COVID-19’s effects on the Company’s operations and results is not yet known and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity and the extent of future surges of COVID-19, vaccine distribution and other actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, among others. The Company will continue to monitor COVID-19 and its impact on the Company’s business results and financial condition. These consolidated financial statements reflect management’s latest estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions. Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Adopted Business Combinations In October 2021, the FASB issued guidance that requires entities to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination as if it had originated the contracts. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, and may be early adopted. The Company early adopted this guidance during the third quarter of 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements for prior acquisitions in the current annual period, and the impact in future periods will be dependent on the contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in future business combinations. Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted LIBOR In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance providing optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships, and other transactions associated with the expected market transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance is for March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 and may not be applied to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, with a few exceptions for certain hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance would have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, if elected. Convertible Instruments

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Dispositions	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS Acquisitions WarnerMedia In May 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with AT&T Inc. to combine WarnerMedia’s ("WarnerMedia") entertainment, sports and news assets with the Company's nonfiction and international entertainment and sports businesses to create a standalone, global entertainment company. The proposed combination transaction will be executed through a Reverse Morris Trust type transaction, under which WarnerMedia will be distributed to AT&T’s shareholders via a pro rata dividend or through an exchange offer or a combination of both, and immediately thereafter, combined with the Company. In connection with the combination transaction, AT&T will receive approximately $43 billion (subject to adjustment) in a combination of cash, debt securities and WarnerMedia’s retention of certain debt. The Company will be considered the accounting acquirer. The Company established an interest rate derivative program to mitigate interest rate risk associated with the anticipated issuance of future fixed-rate debt by WarnerMedia, which is expected to be guaranteed by the Company upon closing of the transaction. (See Note 8.) Immediately prior to closing, all shares of Series A, Series B, and Series C common stock and Series A-1 and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock will be reclassified and converted to one class of the Company's common stock. AT&T’s shareholders that receive WarnerMedia stock in the distribution will receive stock representing 71% of the combined company and the Company's shareholders will own 29% of the combined company, in each case on a fully diluted basis. The Boards of Directors of both AT&T and the Company have approved the transaction. The transaction is anticipated to close in mid-2022, subject to approval by the Company's shareholders and customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. Agreements are in place with Dr. John Malone and Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership to vote in favor of the transaction. The transaction requires, among other things, the consent of Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership under the Company's certificate of incorporation as the sole holder of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, which consent was given pursuant to a consent agreement. In connection with Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership’s entry into the consent agreement and related forfeiture of the significant rights attached to the Series A-1 Preferred Stock in the reclassification of the shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock into common stock, it will receive an increase to the number of shares of common stock of the Company into which the Series A-1 Preferred Stock would be converted. Upon the closing, the impact the issuance of such additional shares of common stock of the Company will be recorded as a transaction expense. No vote by AT&T shareholders is required. The merger agreement contains certain customary termination rights for Discovery and AT&T, including, without limitation, a right for either party to terminate if the transaction is not completed on or before July 15, 2023. Termination under specified circumstances will require Discovery to pay AT&T a termination fee of $720 million or AT&T to pay Discovery a termination fee of $1.8 billion. In anticipation of this combination, in June 2021, Magallanes, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T Inc., entered into a $10 billion term loan that will be guaranteed by the Company and certain material subsidiaries of the Company upon closing of the transaction. Other During 2020, we completed other immaterial acquisitions. Dispositions Great American Country In June 2021, the Company completed the sale of its Great American Country network to Hicks Equity Partners for a sale price of $90 million. The Company recorded a gain of $76 million, based on net assets disposed of $14 million.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	INVESTMENTS The Company’s equity investments consisted of the following (in millions). Category Balance Sheet Location Ownership September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Equity method investments: nC+ Other noncurrent assets 32% $ 153 $ 164 Discovery Solar Ventures, LLC (a) Other noncurrent assets N/A 77 83 All3Media Other noncurrent assets 50% 79 76 Other Other noncurrent assets 236 184 Total equity method investments (b) 545 507 Investments with readily determinable fair values: Sharecare Prepaid expenses and other current assets 73 — Lionsgate Entertainment Corp. Other noncurrent assets 68 54 fuboTV Inc. Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4 32 Total investments with readily determinable fair values 145 86 Equity investments without readily determinable fair values: Group Nine Media (c) Other noncurrent assets 25% 276 276 Formula E (d) Other noncurrent assets 25% 65 65 Other Other noncurrent assets 212 200 Total equity investments without readily determinable fair values 553 541 Total investments $ 1,243 $ 1,134 (a) Discovery Solar Ventures, LLC invests in limited liability companies that sponsor renewable energy projects related to solar energy. These investments are considered VIEs of the Company and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting using the Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value methodology for allocating earnings. (b) Total equity method investments at September 30, 2021 presented above includes a $5 million investment recorded in other noncurrent liabilities. (c) Overall ownership percentage for Group Nine Media is calculated on an outstanding shares basis. The amount shown herein includes a $20 million note receivable balance within other noncurrent assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. (d) Ownership percentage for Formula E includes holdings accounted for as an equity method investment and holdings accounted for as an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value. Equity Method Investments Investments in equity method investees are those for which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not control and is not the primary beneficiary. The Company had no impairment losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. With the exception of nC+, the carrying values of the Company’s equity method investments are consistent with its ownership in the underlying net assets of the investees. A portion of the Scripps Networks purchase price associated with the investment in nC+ was attributed to amortizable intangible assets. This basis difference is included in the carrying value of nC+ and is amortized over time as a reduction of earnings from nC+. Earnings from nC+ were reduced by the amortization of these intangibles of $8 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. Amortization that reduces the Company's equity in earnings of nC+ for future periods is expected to be $40 million. Certain of the Company's other equity method investments are VIEs, for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. As of September 30, 2021, the Company’s maximum exposure for all its unconsolidated VIEs, including the investment carrying values and unfunded contractual commitments made on behalf of VIEs, was approximately $195 million. The Company's maximum estimated exposure excludes the non-contractual future funding of VIEs. The aggregate carrying values of these VIE investments were $114 million as of September 30, 2021 and $123 million as of December 31, 2020. The Company recognized its portion of VIE operating results with net losses of $6 million and $17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and net losses of $21 million and $39 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, in loss from equity investees, net on the consolidated statements of operations. Investments with Readily Determinable Fair Value Investments in entities or other securities in which the Company has no control or significant influence, is not the primary beneficiary, and have a readily determinable fair value are classified as equity investments with readily determinable fair value. The investments are measured at fair value based on a quoted market price per unit in active markets multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs (Level 1). Gains and losses are recorded in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, Sharecare, an investment that was formerly determined to not have a readily determinable fair value, was listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange and reclassified as an investment with readily determinable fair value. Prior to this reclassification, the Company recorded a gain of $77 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 as a result of observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The gains and losses related to the Company's investments with readily determinable fair values for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 are summarized in the table below (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net gains (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities $ (31) $ 9 $ 31 $ (6) Less: Net gains recognized on equity securities sold — — 16 — Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date $ (31) $ 9 $ 15 $ (6) Equity investments without readily determinable fair values assessed under the measurement alternative Equity investments without readily determinable fair value include ownership rights that either (i) do not meet the definition of in-substance common stock or (ii) do not provide the Company with control or significant influence and these investments do not have readily determinable fair values. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company invested $15 million in various equity investments without readily determinable fair values and concluded that its other equity investments without readily determinable fair values had decreased $7 million in fair value as a result of observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had recorded cumulative upward adjustments of $9 million and cumulative impairments of $1 million for its equity investments without readily determinable fair values.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified in the following three categories: Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 3 – Valuations derived from techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. The tables below present assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions). September 30, 2021 Category Balance Sheet Location Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Cash equivalents: Time deposits Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 173 $ — $ 173 Treasury securities Cash and cash equivalents 100 — — 100 Equity securities: Time deposits Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 101 — 101 Mutual funds Prepaid expenses and other current assets 12 — — 12 Company-owned life insurance contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 1 — 1 Mutual funds Other noncurrent assets 210 — — 210 Company-owned life insurance contracts Other noncurrent assets — 31 — 31 Total $ 322 $ 306 $ — $ 628 Liabilities Deferred compensation plan Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 23 $ — $ — $ 23 Deferred compensation plan Other noncurrent liabilities 232 — — 232 Total $ 255 $ — $ — $ 255 December 31, 2020 Category Balance Sheet Location Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Cash equivalents: Time deposits Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 7 $ — $ 7 Treasury securities Cash and cash equivalents 500 — — 500 Equity securities: Money market funds Cash and cash equivalents — 150 — 150 Time deposits Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 250 — 250 Mutual funds Prepaid expenses and other current assets 14 — — 14 Company-owned life insurance contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 4 — 4 Mutual funds Other noncurrent assets 200 — — 200 Company-owned life insurance contracts Other noncurrent assets — 48 — 48 Total $ 714 $ 459 $ — $ 1,173 Liabilities Deferred compensation plan Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 28 $ — $ — $ 28 Deferred compensation plan Other noncurrent liabilities 220 — — 220 Total $ 248 $ — $ — $ 248 Equity securities include money market funds, time deposits, investments in mutual funds held in separate trusts, which are owned as part of the Company's supplemental retirement plans, and company-owned life insurance contracts. The fair value of Level 1 equity securities was determined by reference to the quoted market price per share in active markets multiplied by the number of shares held without consideration of transaction costs. The fair value of the deferred compensation plan liability was determined based on the fair value of the related investments elected by employees. Changes in the fair value of the investments are offset by changes in the fair value of the deferred compensation obligation. Company-owned life insurance contracts are recorded at their cash surrender value, which approximates fair value (Level 2). In addition to the financial instruments listed in the tables above, the Company has other financial instruments, including cash deposits, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and senior notes. The carrying values for such financial instruments, other than the senior notes, each approximated their fair values as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The estimated fair value of the Company’s outstanding senior notes using quoted prices from over-the-counter markets, considered Level 2 inputs, was $17.4 billion and $18.7 billion as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Content Rights

Content Rights	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Content Rights	CONTENT RIGHTS The table below presents the components of content rights (in millions). September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Produced content rights: Completed $ 9,861 $ 8,576 In-production 737 731 Coproduced content rights: Completed 994 888 In-production 65 78 Licensed content rights: Acquired 1,225 1,312 Prepaid 254 556 Content rights, at cost 13,136 12,141 Accumulated amortization (9,194) (8,170) Total content rights, net 3,942 3,971 Current portion (254) (532) Noncurrent portion $ 3,688 $ 3,439 Content expense consisted of the following (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Content amortization $ 1,217 $ 762 $ 2,732 $ 2,110 Other production charges 150 96 333 202 Content impairments 2 1 3 8 Total content expense $ 1,369 $ 859 $ 3,068 $ 2,320

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	GOODWILL Goodwill The carrying value and changes in the carrying value of goodwill attributable to each reportable segment were as follows (in millions). U.S. International Total December 31, 2020 $ 10,813 $ 2,257 $ 13,070 Dispositions — (3) (3) Foreign currency translation and other — (110) (110) September 30, 2021 $ 10,813 $ 2,144 $ 12,957 The carrying amount of goodwill at the U.S. Networks segment included accumulated impairments of $20 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The carrying amount of goodwill at the International Networks segment included accumulated impairments of $1.6 billion as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Impairment Analysis During the second quarter of 2020, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis for the Asia-Pacific reporting unit and determined that the estimated fair value did not exceed its carrying value, which resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge to write-off the remaining $36 million goodwill balance. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company realigned its International Networks management reporting structure. As a result, Australia and New Zealand, which were previously included in the Europe reporting unit, are now included in the Asia-Pacific reporting unit, including associated goodwill. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment for all reporting units, and based on the quantitative impairment analysis for the Company’s Asia-Pacific reporting unit the estimated fair value did not exceed its carrying value, which resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge to write-off the remaining $85 million goodwill balance. The Europe reporting unit, which had headroom of approximately 20%, was the only reporting unit with fair value in excess of carrying value that was 20% or lower. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, management concluded there were no triggering events. Management will continue to monitor this reporting unit for changes in the business environment that could impact recoverability.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	DEBT The table below presents the components of outstanding debt (in millions). September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 4.375% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2021 $ — $ 335 2.375% Senior Notes, euro denominated, annual interest, due March 2022 349 369 3.300% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2022 — 168 3.500% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2022 — 62 2.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2023 796 796 3.250% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due April 2023 192 192 3.800% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2024 450 450 2.500% Senior Notes, sterling denominated, annual interest, due September 2024 539 545 3.900% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due November 2024 497 497 3.450% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2025 300 300 3.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2025 500 500 4.900% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2026 700 700 1.900% Senior Notes, euro denominated, annual interest, due March 2027 699 739 3.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2028 1,700 1,700 4.125% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2029 750 750 3.625% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2030 1,000 1,000 5.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2037 548 548 6.350% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2040 664 664 4.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2042 285 285 4.875% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due April 2043 516 516 5.200% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2047 1,250 1,250 5.300% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2049 750 750 4.650% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2050 1,000 1,000 4.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2055 1,732 1,732 Total debt 15,217 15,848 Unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs, net (a) (432) (444) Debt, net of unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs 14,785 15,404 Current portion of debt (349) (335) Noncurrent portion of debt $ 14,436 $ 15,069 (a) Current portion of unamortized discount, premium, and debt issuance costs, net is not material. . Senior Notes In the third quarter of 2021, Discovery Communications, LLC (“DCL”) and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. ("Scripps"), wholly owned subsidiaries of Discovery Inc., issued notices for the redemption in full of all $168 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of DCL's 3.300% Senior Notes due May 2022 and $62 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of DCL's and Scripps' 3.500% Senior Notes due June 2022 (collectively, the "2022 Notes"). The 2022 Notes were redeemed in July 2021 for an aggregate redemption price of $235 million, plus accrued interest. The redemption included $5 million for premium over par on the 2022 Notes and resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $6 million. In the first quarter of 2021, DCL issued a notice for the redemption in full of all $335 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 4.375% Senior Notes due June 2021 (the “2021 Notes”) in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the 2021 Notes. The 2021 Notes were redeemed in March 2021 for an aggregate redemption price of $339 million, plus accrued interest. The redemption included $3 million for premium over par and resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $3 million. In the third quarter of 2020, Discovery, Inc. commenced five separate private offers to exchange (the “Exchange Offers”) any and all of DCL's outstanding 5.000% Senior Notes due 2037, 6.350% Senior Notes due 2040, 4.950% Senior Notes due 2042, 4.875% Senior Notes due 2043 and 5.200% Senior Notes due 2047 (collectively, the “Old Notes”) for one new series of DCL 4.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2055 (the “New Notes”). Discovery, Inc. completed the Exchange Offers in September 2020, by exchanging $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes for $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of the New Notes (before debt discount of $318 million). The Exchange Offers were accounted for as a debt modification and, as a result, third-party issuance costs totaling $11 million were expensed as incurred. Also, in the third quarter of 2020, the Company completed offers to purchase for cash (the “Cash Offers”) the Old Notes. Approximately $22 million aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes were validly tendered and accepted for purchase by Discovery pursuant to the Cash Offers, for total cash consideration of $27 million, plus accrued interest. The Cash Offers resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $5 million. In the second quarter of 2020, DCL issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due May 2030 and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due May 2050. The proceeds received by DCL were net of a $1 million issuance discount and $20 million of debt issuance costs. DCL used the proceeds from the offering to repurchase $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of DCL's and Scripps Networks' senior notes in a cash tender offer. The repurchase resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $71 million. The loss included $62 million of net premiums to par value and $9 million of other charges. The Company used the remaining proceeds and cash on hand to fully repay the $500 million that was outstanding under its revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2021, all senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and Scripps Networks, except for the remaining $23 million of un-exchanged Scripps Networks senior notes acquired in conjunction with the acquisition of Scripps Networks. Revolving Credit Facility and Commercial Paper Programs In June 2021, DCL entered into a multicurrency revolving credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), replacing the existing $2.5 billion credit agreement, dated February 4, 2016, as amended. DCL has the capacity to initially borrow up to $2.5 billion under the Credit Agreement. Upon the closing of the proposed combination transaction with WarnerMedia, the available commitments may be increased by $3.5 billion, to an aggregate amount not to exceed $6 billion. The Credit Agreement includes a $150 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit. DCL may also request additional commitments up to $1 billion from the lenders upon satisfaction of certain conditions. Obligations under the Credit Agreement are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Discovery, Inc. and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., and will also be guaranteed by the holding company of the WarnerMedia business upon the closing of the proposed combination transaction. The Credit Agreement will be available on a revolving basis until June 2026, with an option for up to two additional 364-day renewal periods subject to the lenders' consent. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants. As of September 30, 2021, DCL was in compliance with all covenants and there were no events of default under the Credit Facility. Additionally, the Company's commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, the Company may issue up to $1.5 billion, including up to $500 million of euro-denominated borrowings. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program. Credit Agreement Financial Covenants The Credit Agreement includes financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00 and a maximum adjusted consolidated leverage ratio of 4.50 to 1.00, which increases to 5.75 to 1.00 upon the closing of the proposed combination transaction with WarnerMedia, with step-downs to 5.00 to 1.00 and 4.50 to 1.00 on the first and second anniversaries of the closing, respectively.

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTSThe Company uses derivative financial instruments to modify its exposure to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company does not enter into or hold derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes. In anticipation of the proposed combination transaction with WarnerMedia, the Company executed forward starting interest rate swap contracts with a total notional value of $5.0 billion, swaption collars with a total notional value of $2.5 billion, and purchase payer swaptions with a total notional value of $7.5 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2021. The objective of these contracts is to mitigate interest rate risk associated with the forecasted issuance of future fixed-rate public debt. Premiums of $142 million were paid at execution and reflected as cash outflows from investing activities. The contracts did not receive hedging designation and changes in the fair value are recognized in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company also unwound and settled foreign exchange cash flow hedges with a total notional value of $245 million. The $9 million pretax accumulated other comprehensive gain will be deferred in other comprehensive income until the hedged transaction occurs or is determined to be no longer probable of occurring within the defined hedged periods. The following table summarizes the impact of derivative financial instruments on the Company's consolidated balance sheets (in millions). There were no amounts eligible to be offset under master netting agreements as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was determined using a market-based approach (Level 2). September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Fair Value Fair Value Notional Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other non- Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Other non- Notional Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other non- Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Other non- Cash flow hedges: Foreign exchange $ 969 $ 9 $ 7 $ 4 $ 5 $ 1,082 $ 2 $ 5 $ 14 $ 17 Interest rate swaps 2,000 57 — 7 — 2,000 — 11 — 89 Net investment hedges: (a) Cross-currency swaps 3,509 46 51 19 86 3,544 34 41 — 154 Foreign exchange 37 4 — — — 44 2 — — — No hedging designation: Foreign exchange 929 3 — 25 50 1,035 — — 2 26 Interest rate swaps 15,000 157 90 — — — — — — — Cross-currency swaps 139 3 — — 4 139 2 — — 13 Total $ 279 $ 148 $ 55 $ 145 $ 40 $ 57 $ 16 $ 299 (a) Excludes £400 million of sterling notes ($539 million equivalent at September 30, 2021) designated as a net investment hedge. (See Note 7.) The following table presents the pretax impact of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on income and other comprehensive income (loss) (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss: Foreign exchange - derivative adjustments $ 15 $ (19) $ 45 $ 50 Interest rate - derivative adjustments 3 53 129 (219) Gains (losses) reclassified into income from accumulated other comprehensive loss: Foreign exchange - advertising revenue 1 — 1 1 Foreign exchange - distribution revenue 2 5 1 25 Foreign exchange - costs of revenues — — — 2 Interest rate - interest expense, net — — (1) 1 If current fair valu es of designated cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2021 remained static over the next twelve months, the Company would reclassify $3 million of net deferred losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income in the next twelve months. The maximum length of time the Company is hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows is 34 years. The following table presents the pretax impact of derivatives designated as net investment hedges on other comprehensive income (loss) (in millions). Other than amounts excluded from effectiveness testing, there were no other gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. Three Months Ended September 30, Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI Location of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Cross currency swaps $ 46 $ (78) Interest expense, net $ 10 $ 10 Foreign exchange contracts 4 (1) Other income (expense), net — — Sterling notes (foreign denominated debt) 14 (23) N/A — — Total $ 64 $ (102) $ 10 $ 10 Nine Months Ended September 30, Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI Location of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Cross currency swaps $ 93 $ 26 Interest expense, net $ 31 $ 33 Foreign exchange contracts 4 3 Other income (expense), net — — Sterling notes (foreign denominated debt) 6 10 N/A — — Total $ 103 $ 39 $ 31 $ 33 The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedges and recognized in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Interest rate swaps $ 106 $ — $ 106 $ — Cross-currency swaps 2 (8) 8 (1) Equity — — — 7 Foreign exchange derivatives (20) 27 (47) (10) Total in other income (expense), net $ 88 $ 19 $ 67 $ (4)

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	EQUITY Repurchase Programs In February 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized additional stock repurchases of up to $2 billion upon completion of its existing $1 billion repurchase authorization announced in May 2019. Under the stock repurchase authorization, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated purchases subject to market conditions and other factors. All common stock repurchases, including prepaid common stock repurchase contracts, have been made through open market transactions and have been recorded as treasury stock on the consolidated balance sheet. Over the life of the Company's repurchase programs and as of September 30, 2021, the Company had repurchased 3 million and 229 million shares of Series A and Series C common stock, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $171 million and $8.2 billion, respectively. There were no stock repurchases during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 11.2 million shares of its common stock for $228 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 30.7 million shares of its common stock for $751 million. Preferred Stock During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Advance Newhouse Programming Partnership converted 0.6 million of its Series C-1 convertible preferred stock into 11.0 million shares of Series C common stock. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Adjustments The table below presents the tax effects related to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassifications made in the consolidated statements of operations (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Pretax Tax benefit (expense) Net-of-tax Pretax Tax benefit (expense) Net-of-tax Currency translation adjustments: Unrealized gains (losses): Foreign currency $ (187) $ 1 $ (186) $ 193 $ (11) $ 182 Net investment hedges 59 (17) 42 (106) 25 (81) Total currency translation adjustments (128) (16) (144) 87 14 101 Derivative adjustments: Unrealized gains (losses) 18 (3) 15 35 (9) 26 Reclassifications from other comprehensive income to net income (3) — (3) (5) 1 (4) Total derivative adjustments 15 (3) 12 30 (8) 22 Other comprehensive income (loss) adjustments $ (113) $ (19) $ (132) $ 117 $ 6 $ 123 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Pretax Tax benefit (expense) Net-of-tax Pretax Tax benefit (expense) Net-of-tax Currency translation adjustments: Unrealized gains (losses): Foreign currency $ (296) $ 15 $ (281) $ 29 $ 46 $ 75 Net investment hedges 88 (10) 78 23 (22) 1 Total currency translation adjustments (208) 5 (203) 52 24 76 Derivative adjustments: Unrealized gains (losses) 174 (36) 138 (168) 40 (128) Reclassifications from other comprehensive income to net income (1) — (1) (29) 5 (24) Total derivative adjustments 173 (36) 137 (197) 45 (152) Other comprehensive income (loss) adjustments $ (35) $ (31) $ (66) $ (145) $ 69 $ (76) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The table below presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Currency Translation Derivatives Pension Plan and SERP Liability Accumulated Beginning balance $ (614) $ 44 $ (15) $ (585) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (144) 15 — (129) Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — (3) — (3) Other comprehensive income (loss) (144) 12 — (132) Ending balance $ (758) $ 56 $ (15) $ (717) Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Currency Translation Derivatives Pension Plan and SERP Liability Accumulated Beginning balance $ (872) $ (142) $ (7) $ (1,021) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 101 26 — 127 Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — (4) — (4) Other comprehensive income (loss) 101 22 — 123 Ending balance $ (771) $ (120) $ (7) $ (898) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Currency Translation Derivatives Pension Plan and SERP Liability Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Beginning balance $ (555) $ (81) $ (15) $ (651) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (203) 138 — (65) Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — (1) — (1) Other comprehensive income (loss) (203) 137 — (66) Ending balance $ (758) $ 56 $ (15) $ (717) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Currency Translation Derivatives Pension Plan and SERP Liability Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Beginning balance $ (847) $ 32 $ (7) $ (822) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 76 (128) — (52) Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — (24) — (24) Other comprehensive income (loss) 76 (152) — (76) Ending balance $ (771) $ (120) $ (7) $ (898)

Revenues and Accounts Receivabl

Revenues and Accounts Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenues and Accounts Receivable	REVENUES AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Disaggregated Revenue The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by revenue source (in millions). Management uses these categories of revenue to evaluate the performance of its businesses and to assess its financial results and forecasts. Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total Revenues: Advertising $ 991 $ 467 $ — $ 1,458 $ 941 $ 365 $ — $ 1,306 Distribution 841 538 — 1,379 696 503 — 1,199 Other 26 290 (3) 313 22 34 — 56 Total $ 1,858 $ 1,295 $ (3) $ 3,150 $ 1,659 $ 902 $ — $ 2,561 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total Revenues: Advertising $ 3,090 $ 1,420 $ — $ 4,510 $ 2,964 $ 1,017 $ — $ 3,981 Distribution 2,465 1,592 — 4,057 2,143 1,504 — 3,647 Other 82 363 (8) 437 64 87 6 157 Total $ 5,637 $ 3,375 $ (8) $ 9,004 $ 5,171 $ 2,608 $ 6 $ 7,785 Accounts Receivable and Credit Losses Receivables include amounts currently due from customers and are presented net of an estimate for lifetime expected credit losses. Allowance for credit losses is measured using historical loss rates for the respective risk categories and incorporating forward-looking estimates. To assess collectability, the Company analyzes market trends, economic conditions, the aging of receivables and customer specific risks, and records a provision for estimated credit losses expected over the lifetime of receivables. The corresponding expense for the expected credit losses is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company does not require collateral with respect to trade receivables. The Company’s accounts receivable balances and the related credit losses arise primarily from distribution and advertising revenue. The Company monitors ongoing credit exposure through active review of customers’ financial conditions, aging of receivable balances, historical collection trends, and expectations about relevant future events that may significantly affect collectability. The allowance for credit losses decreased from $59 million at December 31, 2020 to $54 million at September 30, 2021. The activity in the allowance for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was not material. Contract Liability A contract liability, such as deferred revenue, is recorded when cash is received in advance of the Company's performance. Total deferred revenues, including both current and noncurrent, were $710 million and $649 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Noncurrent deferred revenue is a component of other noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The change in deferred revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily due to cash payments received for which the performance obligation was not satisfied prior to the end of the period, partially offset by revenue recognized during the period, of which $414 million was included in the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2020. Revenue recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 related to the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2019 was $340 million. Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations Most of the Company's distribution contracts are licenses of functional intellectual property where revenue is derived from royalty-based arrangements, for which the guidance allows the application of a practical expedient to record revenues as a function of royalties earned to date instead of estimating incremental royalty contract revenue. Accordingly, in these instances revenue is recognized based upon the royalties earned to date. However, there are certain other distribution arrangements that are fixed price or contain minimum guarantees that extend beyond one year. The Company recognizes revenue for fixed fee distribution contracts on a monthly basis based on minimum monthly fees; by calculating one twelfth of annual license fees specified in its distribution contracts; or based on the pro-rata fees earned calculated on the license fees specified in the distribution contract. The transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations within these fixed price or minimum guarantee distribution revenue contracts was $1.4 billion as of September 30, 2021 and is expected to be recognized over the next six years. The Company's content licensing contracts and sports sublicensing deals are licenses of functional intellectual property. Certain of these arrangements extend beyond one year. The transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations on these long-term contracts was $684 million as of September 30, 2021 and is expected to be recognized over the next four years. The Company's brand licensing contracts are licenses of symbolic intellectual property. Certain of these arrangements extend beyond one year. The transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations on these long-term contracts was $93 million as of September 30, 2021 and is expected to be recognized over the next eleven years. The value of unsatisfied performance obligations disclosed above does not include: (i) contracts involving variable consideration for which revenues are recognized in accordance with the usage-based royalty exception, and (ii) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, such as advertising contracts.

Share-based Compensation

Share-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION The Company has various incentive plans under which performance-based restricted stock units ("PRSUs"), service-based restricted stock units ("RSUs"), stock options, and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") have been issued. The table below presents the components of share-based compensation expense (in millions), which is recorded in selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 PRSUs $ (2) $ 4 $ 10 $ (8) RSUs 29 21 80 58 Stock options 17 8 43 24 SARs (5) (1) 1 (12) Total share-based compensation expense $ 39 $ 32 $ 134 $ 62 Tax benefit recognized $ 6 $ 5 $ 21 $ 12 The Company recorded total liabilities for cash-settled and other liability-settled share-based compensation awards of $23 million and $55 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The current portion of the liability for cash-settled and other liability-settled awards was $20 million and $37 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, 5.9 million stock options were exercised and the Company received proceeds of $159 million from these transactions. The table below presents awards granted (in millions, except weighted-average grant price). Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Awards Weighted-Average Grant Price Awards granted: PRSUs 0.2 $ 58.18 RSUs 2.9 $ 53.66 Stock options 15.5 $ 40.25 The table below presents unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based awards and the weighted-average amortization period over which these expenses will be recognized as of September 30, 2021 (in millions, except years). Unrecognized Compensation Cost Weighted-Average Amortization Period PRSUs $ 2 0.3 RSUs 261 2.4 Stock options 242 2.7 SARs — 0.3 Total unrecognized compensation cost $ 505

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES Income tax expense (benefit) was $36 million and $144 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and an $11 million benefit and $275 million expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. The increase in the three months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily attributable to a deferred tax benefit of $51 million recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2020 as a result of the UK Finance Act 2020 that was enacted in July 2020 and a tax benefit from favorable multi-year state resolution that did not recur in the current quarter. The decrease in income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily attributable to a deferred tax benefit of $151 million as a result of the UK Finance Act 2021 that was enacted in June 2021. Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 reflects an effective income tax rate that differs from the federal statutory tax rate primarily attributable to the effect of foreign operations, which included taxation and allocation of income and losses among multiple foreign jurisdictions. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 reflects an effective income tax rate that differs from the federal statutory tax rate primarily attributable to a deferred tax benefit of $151 million as a result of the UK Finance Act 2021 that was enacted in June 2021, and to a lesser extent, state and local income taxes and favorable noncontrolling interest tax adjustments. The Company's reserves for uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 totaled $407 million and $348 million, respectively. It is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to certain of the Company's uncertain tax positions could decrease by as much as $75 million within the next twelve months as a result of ongoing audits, lapses of statutes of limitations or regulatory developments. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had accrued approximately $59 million and $53 million, respectively, of total interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE The table below sets forth the Company's calculated earnings per share. Earnings per share amounts may not recalculate due to rounding. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Numerator: Net income $ 197 $ 330 $ 1,106 $ 1,037 Less: Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stock (17) (31) (104) (99) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (32) (29) (116) (82) Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests (9) (1) (22) (7) Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments of carrying value to redemption value (redemption value does not equal fair value) — (4) — (3) Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share $ 139 $ 265 $ 864 $ 846 Allocation of net income: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 120 $ 223 $ 738 $ 714 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders 19 42 126 132 Total 139 265 864 846 Add: Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders 17 31 104 99 Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders for diluted net income per share $ 156 $ 296 $ 968 $ 945 Denominator — weighted average: Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — basic 506 505 503 510 Impact of assumed preferred stock conversion 154 165 156 165 Dilutive effect of share-based awards 3 2 6 2 Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — diluted 663 672 665 677 Series C-1 convertible preferred stock outstanding — basic and diluted 4 5 4 5 Basic net income per share allocated to: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 0.24 $ 0.44 $ 1.47 $ 1.40 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders $ 4.57 $ 8.55 $ 28.45 $ 27.11 Diluted net income per share allocated to: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 0.24 $ 0.44 $ 1.46 $ 1.40 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders $ 4.56 $ 8.53 $ 28.20 $ 27.03 The table below presents the details of share-based awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Anti-dilutive share-based awards 32 27 10 26

Supplemental Disclosures

Supplemental Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosures	SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES The following tables present supplemental information related to the consolidated financial statements (in millions). Supplemental Cash Flow Information Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Cash paid for taxes, net $ 555 $ 353 Cash paid for interest, net 515 516 Non-cash investing and financing activities: Unsettled stock repurchases — 14 Accrued purchases of property and equipment 22 33 Assets acquired under finance lease and other arrangements 119 79 Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,116 $ 2,091 Restricted cash - other current assets 10 31 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 3,126 $ 2,122

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONSIn the normal course of business, the Company enters into transactions with related parties. Related parties include entities that share common directorship, such as Liberty Global plc (“Liberty Global”), Liberty Broadband Corporation ("Liberty Broadband") and their subsidiaries and equity method investees (collectively the “Liberty Group”). Discovery’s Board of Directors includes Dr. Malone, who is Chairman of the Board of Liberty Global and beneficially owns approximately 30% of the aggregate voting power with respect to the election of directors of Liberty Global. Dr. Malone is also Chairman of the Board of Liberty Broadband and beneficially owns approximately 46% of the aggregate voting power with respect to the election of directors of Liberty Broadband. The majority of the revenue earned from the Liberty Group relates to multi-year network distribution arrangements. Related party transactions also include revenues and expenses for content and services provided to or acquired from equity method investees, or minority partners of consolidated subsidiaries. The table below presents a summary of the transactions with related parties (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenues and service charges: Liberty Group $ 167 $ 158 $ 507 $ 513 Equity method investees 57 42 181 152 Other 23 26 74 71 Total revenues and service charges $ 247 $ 226 $ 762 $ 736 Expenses $ (62) $ (74) $ (176) $ (168) Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests $ (18) $ (14) $ (231) $ (216) The table below presents receivables due from and payables due to related parties (in millions). September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Receivables $ 177 $ 177 Payables $ 22 $ 43

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Put Rights The Company has granted put rights to certain consolidated subsidiaries, which may be exercised in 2021. Legal Matters

Reportable Segments

Reportable Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segments	REPORTABLE SEGMENTS The Company’s operating segments are determined based on: (i) financial information reviewed by its chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), (ii) internal management and related reporting structure, and (iii) the basis upon which the CEO makes resource allocation decisions. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Company’s, except that certain inter-segment transactions that are eliminated for consolidation are not eliminated at the segment level. Inter-segment transactions primarily include advertising and content purchases. The Company does not report assets by segment because this is not used to allocate resources or evaluate segment performance. The Company evaluates the operating performance of its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted OIBDA. Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding: (i) employee share-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) restructuring and other charges, (iv) certain impairment charges, (v) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, (vi) certain inter-segment eliminations related to production studios, (vii) third-party transaction and integration costs, and (viii) other items impacting comparability. The Company uses this measure to assess the operating results and performance of its segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance, and allocate resources to each segment. The Company believes Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses. The Company excludes employee share-based compensation, restructuring and other charges, certain impairment charges, gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, and acquisition and integration costs from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their impact on comparability between periods. The Company also excludes the depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Certain corporate expenses and inter-segment eliminations related to production studios are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives. Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The tables below present summarized financial information for each of the Company's reportable segments and corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other (in millions). Revenues Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 U.S. Networks $ 1,858 $ 1,659 $ 5,637 $ 5,171 International Networks 1,295 902 3,375 2,608 Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other (3) — (8) 6 Total revenues $ 3,150 $ 2,561 $ 9,004 $ 7,785 Adjusted OIBDA Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 U.S. Networks $ 963 $ 951 $ 2,836 $ 3,029 International Networks (79) 127 287 527 Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other (158) (124) (443) (362) Adjusted OIBDA $ 726 $ 954 $ 2,680 $ 3,194 Reconciliation of Net Income available to Discovery, Inc. to Adjusted OIBDA Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income available to Discovery, Inc. $ 156 $ 300 $ 968 $ 948 Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests 9 1 22 7 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 32 29 116 82 Income tax expense (benefit) 36 (11) 144 275 Income before income taxes 233 319 1,250 1,312 Other (income) expense, net (78) 28 (255) 92 Loss from equity investees, net 9 18 20 62 Loss on extinguishment of debt 6 5 10 76 Interest expense, net 159 161 479 485 Operating income 329 531 1,504 2,027 Gain on disposition — — (72) — Restructuring and other charges 7 53 29 75 Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets — — — 38 Depreciation and amortization 341 341 1,043 1,001 Employee share-based compensation 36 29 124 53 Transaction and integration costs 13 — 52 — Adjusted OIBDA $ 726 $ 954 $ 2,680 $ 3,194

Restructuring and Other Charges

Restructuring and Other Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Other Charges	RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES Restructuring and other charges by reportable segments and corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other were as follows (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 U.S. Networks $ 4 $ 29 $ 5 $ 41 International Networks 4 13 24 17 Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other (1) 11 — 17 Total restructuring and other charges $ 7 $ 53 $ 29 $ 75 Restructuring charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 primarily include charges related to employee relocation and termination costs. During 2020, the Company implemented various cost-savings initiatives including personnel reductions, restructurings and resource reallocations to align its expense structure to ongoing changes within the industry, including economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions are intended to enable the Company to more efficiently operate in a leaner and more directed cost structure and have continued throughout 2021. Changes in restructuring and other liabilities recorded in accrued liabilities by major category were as follows (in millions). U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total December 31, 2020 $ 23 $ 20 $ 15 $ 58 Employee termination accruals, net 5 24 — 29 Cash paid (20) (29) (11) (60) September 30, 2021 $ 8 $ 15 $ 4 $ 27

Description of Business and B_2

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Discovery and its majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained, including variable interest entities ("VIE") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.
Basis of Presentation	Unaudited Interim Financial Statements These consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, they reflect all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applicable to interim periods. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or future periods. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Discovery’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Form 10-K”).
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include accounting for asset impairments, revenue recognition, estimated credit losses, content rights, leases, depreciation and amortization, business combinations, share-based compensation, income taxes, other financial instruments, contingencies, and the determination of whether the Company should consolidate certain entities.
Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Adopted and Not Yet Adopted	Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Adopted Business Combinations In October 2021, the FASB issued guidance that requires entities to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination as if it had originated the contracts. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, and may be early adopted. The Company early adopted this guidance during the third quarter of 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements for prior acquisitions in the current annual period, and the impact in future periods will be dependent on the contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in future business combinations. Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted LIBOR In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance providing optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships, and other transactions associated with the expected market transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance is for March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 and may not be applied to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, with a few exceptions for certain hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance would have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, if elected. Convertible Instruments
Fair Value Measurements	Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified in the following three categories: Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 3 – Valuations derived from techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.
Derivatives	The Company uses derivative financial instruments to modify its exposure to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company does not enter into or hold derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
Segment Reporting	The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Company’s, except that certain inter-segment transactions that are eliminated for consolidation are not eliminated at the segment level. Inter-segment transactions primarily include advertising and content purchases. The Company does not report assets by segment because this is not used to allocate resources or evaluate segment performance.

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Investments [Abstract]
Summary of Investment Holdings	The Company’s equity investments consisted of the following (in millions). Category Balance Sheet Location Ownership September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Equity method investments: nC+ Other noncurrent assets 32% $ 153 $ 164 Discovery Solar Ventures, LLC (a) Other noncurrent assets N/A 77 83 All3Media Other noncurrent assets 50% 79 76 Other Other noncurrent assets 236 184 Total equity method investments (b) 545 507 Investments with readily determinable fair values: Sharecare Prepaid expenses and other current assets 73 — Lionsgate Entertainment Corp. Other noncurrent assets 68 54 fuboTV Inc. Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4 32 Total investments with readily determinable fair values 145 86 Equity investments without readily determinable fair values: Group Nine Media (c) Other noncurrent assets 25% 276 276 Formula E (d) Other noncurrent assets 25% 65 65 Other Other noncurrent assets 212 200 Total equity investments without readily determinable fair values 553 541 Total investments $ 1,243 $ 1,134 (a) Discovery Solar Ventures, LLC invests in limited liability companies that sponsor renewable energy projects related to solar energy. These investments are considered VIEs of the Company and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting using the Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value methodology for allocating earnings. (b) Total equity method investments at September 30, 2021 presented above includes a $5 million investment recorded in other noncurrent liabilities. (c) Overall ownership percentage for Group Nine Media is calculated on an outstanding shares basis. The amount shown herein includes a $20 million note receivable balance within other noncurrent assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. (d) Ownership percentage for Formula E includes holdings accounted for as an equity method investment and holdings accounted for as an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value.
Schedule of Unrealized Gains and Losses Related To Common Stock Investments with Readily Determinable Fair Value	The gains and losses related to the Company's investments with readily determinable fair values for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 are summarized in the table below (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net gains (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities $ (31) $ 9 $ 31 $ (6) Less: Net gains recognized on equity securities sold — — 16 — Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date $ (31) $ 9 $ 15 $ (6)

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The tables below present assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions). September 30, 2021 Category Balance Sheet Location Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Cash equivalents: Time deposits Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 173 $ — $ 173 Treasury securities Cash and cash equivalents 100 — — 100 Equity securities: Time deposits Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 101 — 101 Mutual funds Prepaid expenses and other current assets 12 — — 12 Company-owned life insurance contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 1 — 1 Mutual funds Other noncurrent assets 210 — — 210 Company-owned life insurance contracts Other noncurrent assets — 31 — 31 Total $ 322 $ 306 $ — $ 628 Liabilities Deferred compensation plan Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 23 $ — $ — $ 23 Deferred compensation plan Other noncurrent liabilities 232 — — 232 Total $ 255 $ — $ — $ 255 December 31, 2020 Category Balance Sheet Location Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Cash equivalents: Time deposits Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 7 $ — $ 7 Treasury securities Cash and cash equivalents 500 — — 500 Equity securities: Money market funds Cash and cash equivalents — 150 — 150 Time deposits Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 250 — 250 Mutual funds Prepaid expenses and other current assets 14 — — 14 Company-owned life insurance contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 4 — 4 Mutual funds Other noncurrent assets 200 — — 200 Company-owned life insurance contracts Other noncurrent assets — 48 — 48 Total $ 714 $ 459 $ — $ 1,173 Liabilities Deferred compensation plan Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 28 $ — $ — $ 28 Deferred compensation plan Other noncurrent liabilities 220 — — 220 Total $ 248 $ — $ — $ 248

Content Rights (Tables)

Content Rights (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Schedule of Content Rights	The table below presents the components of content rights (in millions). September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Produced content rights: Completed $ 9,861 $ 8,576 In-production 737 731 Coproduced content rights: Completed 994 888 In-production 65 78 Licensed content rights: Acquired 1,225 1,312 Prepaid 254 556 Content rights, at cost 13,136 12,141 Accumulated amortization (9,194) (8,170) Total content rights, net 3,942 3,971 Current portion (254) (532) Noncurrent portion $ 3,688 $ 3,439
Schedule of Content Rights Expense	Content expense consisted of the following (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Content amortization $ 1,217 $ 762 $ 2,732 $ 2,110 Other production charges 150 96 333 202 Content impairments 2 1 3 8 Total content expense $ 1,369 $ 859 $ 3,068 $ 2,320

Goodwill (Tables)

Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The carrying value and changes in the carrying value of goodwill attributable to each reportable segment were as follows (in millions). U.S. International Total December 31, 2020 $ 10,813 $ 2,257 $ 13,070 Dispositions — (3) (3) Foreign currency translation and other — (110) (110) September 30, 2021 $ 10,813 $ 2,144 $ 12,957

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Outstanding Debt	The table below presents the components of outstanding debt (in millions). September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 4.375% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2021 $ — $ 335 2.375% Senior Notes, euro denominated, annual interest, due March 2022 349 369 3.300% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2022 — 168 3.500% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2022 — 62 2.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2023 796 796 3.250% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due April 2023 192 192 3.800% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2024 450 450 2.500% Senior Notes, sterling denominated, annual interest, due September 2024 539 545 3.900% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due November 2024 497 497 3.450% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2025 300 300 3.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2025 500 500 4.900% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2026 700 700 1.900% Senior Notes, euro denominated, annual interest, due March 2027 699 739 3.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2028 1,700 1,700 4.125% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2029 750 750 3.625% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2030 1,000 1,000 5.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2037 548 548 6.350% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2040 664 664 4.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2042 285 285 4.875% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due April 2043 516 516 5.200% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2047 1,250 1,250 5.300% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2049 750 750 4.650% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2050 1,000 1,000 4.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2055 1,732 1,732 Total debt 15,217 15,848 Unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs, net (a) (432) (444) Debt, net of unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs 14,785 15,404 Current portion of debt (349) (335) Noncurrent portion of debt $ 14,436 $ 15,069 (a) Current portion of unamortized discount, premium, and debt issuance costs, net is not material.

Derivative Financial Instrume_2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	The following table summarizes the impact of derivative financial instruments on the Company's consolidated balance sheets (in millions). There were no amounts eligible to be offset under master netting agreements as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was determined using a market-based approach (Level 2). September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Fair Value Fair Value Notional Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other non- Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Other non- Notional Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other non- Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Other non- Cash flow hedges: Foreign exchange $ 969 $ 9 $ 7 $ 4 $ 5 $ 1,082 $ 2 $ 5 $ 14 $ 17 Interest rate swaps 2,000 57 — 7 — 2,000 — 11 — 89 Net investment hedges: (a) Cross-currency swaps 3,509 46 51 19 86 3,544 34 41 — 154 Foreign exchange 37 4 — — — 44 2 — — — No hedging designation: Foreign exchange 929 3 — 25 50 1,035 — — 2 26 Interest rate swaps 15,000 157 90 — — — — — — — Cross-currency swaps 139 3 — — 4 139 2 — — 13 Total $ 279 $ 148 $ 55 $ 145 $ 40 $ 57 $ 16 $ 299
Schedule of Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges, Effect on Income and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table presents the pretax impact of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on income and other comprehensive income (loss) (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss: Foreign exchange - derivative adjustments $ 15 $ (19) $ 45 $ 50 Interest rate - derivative adjustments 3 53 129 (219) Gains (losses) reclassified into income from accumulated other comprehensive loss: Foreign exchange - advertising revenue 1 — 1 1 Foreign exchange - distribution revenue 2 5 1 25 Foreign exchange - costs of revenues — — — 2 Interest rate - interest expense, net — — (1) 1
Schedule of Net Investment Hedges in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table presents the pretax impact of derivatives designated as net investment hedges on other comprehensive income (loss) (in millions). Other than amounts excluded from effectiveness testing, there were no other gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. Three Months Ended September 30, Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI Location of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Cross currency swaps $ 46 $ (78) Interest expense, net $ 10 $ 10 Foreign exchange contracts 4 (1) Other income (expense), net — — Sterling notes (foreign denominated debt) 14 (23) N/A — — Total $ 64 $ (102) $ 10 $ 10 Nine Months Ended September 30, Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI Location of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Cross currency swaps $ 93 $ 26 Interest expense, net $ 31 $ 33 Foreign exchange contracts 4 3 Other income (expense), net — — Sterling notes (foreign denominated debt) 6 10 N/A — — Total $ 103 $ 39 $ 31 $ 33
Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedges and recognized in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Interest rate swaps $ 106 $ — $ 106 $ — Cross-currency swaps 2 (8) 8 (1) Equity — — — 7 Foreign exchange derivatives (20) 27 (47) (10) Total in other income (expense), net $ 88 $ 19 $ 67 $ (4)

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The table below presents the tax effects related to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassifications made in the consolidated statements of operations (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Pretax Tax benefit (expense) Net-of-tax Pretax Tax benefit (expense) Net-of-tax Currency translation adjustments: Unrealized gains (losses): Foreign currency $ (187) $ 1 $ (186) $ 193 $ (11) $ 182 Net investment hedges 59 (17) 42 (106) 25 (81) Total currency translation adjustments (128) (16) (144) 87 14 101 Derivative adjustments: Unrealized gains (losses) 18 (3) 15 35 (9) 26 Reclassifications from other comprehensive income to net income (3) — (3) (5) 1 (4) Total derivative adjustments 15 (3) 12 30 (8) 22 Other comprehensive income (loss) adjustments $ (113) $ (19) $ (132) $ 117 $ 6 $ 123 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Pretax Tax benefit (expense) Net-of-tax Pretax Tax benefit (expense) Net-of-tax Currency translation adjustments: Unrealized gains (losses): Foreign currency $ (296) $ 15 $ (281) $ 29 $ 46 $ 75 Net investment hedges 88 (10) 78 23 (22) 1 Total currency translation adjustments (208) 5 (203) 52 24 76 Derivative adjustments: Unrealized gains (losses) 174 (36) 138 (168) 40 (128) Reclassifications from other comprehensive income to net income (1) — (1) (29) 5 (24) Total derivative adjustments 173 (36) 137 (197) 45 (152) Other comprehensive income (loss) adjustments $ (35) $ (31) $ (66) $ (145) $ 69 $ (76)
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The table below presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Currency Translation Derivatives Pension Plan and SERP Liability Accumulated Beginning balance $ (614) $ 44 $ (15) $ (585) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (144) 15 — (129) Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — (3) — (3) Other comprehensive income (loss) (144) 12 — (132) Ending balance $ (758) $ 56 $ (15) $ (717) Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Currency Translation Derivatives Pension Plan and SERP Liability Accumulated Beginning balance $ (872) $ (142) $ (7) $ (1,021) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 101 26 — 127 Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — (4) — (4) Other comprehensive income (loss) 101 22 — 123 Ending balance $ (771) $ (120) $ (7) $ (898) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Currency Translation Derivatives Pension Plan and SERP Liability Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Beginning balance $ (555) $ (81) $ (15) $ (651) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (203) 138 — (65) Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — (1) — (1) Other comprehensive income (loss) (203) 137 — (66) Ending balance $ (758) $ 56 $ (15) $ (717) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Currency Translation Derivatives Pension Plan and SERP Liability Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Beginning balance $ (847) $ 32 $ (7) $ (822) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 76 (128) — (52) Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — (24) — (24) Other comprehensive income (loss) 76 (152) — (76) Ending balance $ (771) $ (120) $ (7) $ (898)

Revenues and Accounts Receiva_2

Revenues and Accounts Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by revenue source (in millions). Management uses these categories of revenue to evaluate the performance of its businesses and to assess its financial results and forecasts. Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total Revenues: Advertising $ 991 $ 467 $ — $ 1,458 $ 941 $ 365 $ — $ 1,306 Distribution 841 538 — 1,379 696 503 — 1,199 Other 26 290 (3) 313 22 34 — 56 Total $ 1,858 $ 1,295 $ (3) $ 3,150 $ 1,659 $ 902 $ — $ 2,561 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total Revenues: Advertising $ 3,090 $ 1,420 $ — $ 4,510 $ 2,964 $ 1,017 $ — $ 3,981 Distribution 2,465 1,592 — 4,057 2,143 1,504 — 3,647 Other 82 363 (8) 437 64 87 6 157 Total $ 5,637 $ 3,375 $ (8) $ 9,004 $ 5,171 $ 2,608 $ 6 $ 7,785

Share-based Compensation (Table

Share-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Schedule of Equity-Based Compensation Expense	The table below presents the components of share-based compensation expense (in millions), which is recorded in selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 PRSUs $ (2) $ 4 $ 10 $ (8) RSUs 29 21 80 58 Stock options 17 8 43 24 SARs (5) (1) 1 (12) Total share-based compensation expense $ 39 $ 32 $ 134 $ 62 Tax benefit recognized $ 6 $ 5 $ 21 $ 12
Schedule of Other Share-based Compensation, Activity	The table below presents awards granted (in millions, except weighted-average grant price). Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Awards Weighted-Average Grant Price Awards granted: PRSUs 0.2 $ 58.18 RSUs 2.9 $ 53.66 Stock options 15.5 $ 40.25
Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Cost, Nonvested Awards	The table below presents unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based awards and the weighted-average amortization period over which these expenses will be recognized as of September 30, 2021 (in millions, except years). Unrecognized Compensation Cost Weighted-Average Amortization Period PRSUs $ 2 0.3 RSUs 261 2.4 Stock options 242 2.7 SARs — 0.3 Total unrecognized compensation cost $ 505

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Income Available to Discovery Stockholders	The table below sets forth the Company's calculated earnings per share. Earnings per share amounts may not recalculate due to rounding. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Numerator: Net income $ 197 $ 330 $ 1,106 $ 1,037 Less: Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stock (17) (31) (104) (99) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (32) (29) (116) (82) Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests (9) (1) (22) (7) Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments of carrying value to redemption value (redemption value does not equal fair value) — (4) — (3) Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share $ 139 $ 265 $ 864 $ 846 Allocation of net income: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 120 $ 223 $ 738 $ 714 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders 19 42 126 132 Total 139 265 864 846 Add: Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders 17 31 104 99 Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders for diluted net income per share $ 156 $ 296 $ 968 $ 945 Denominator — weighted average: Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — basic 506 505 503 510 Impact of assumed preferred stock conversion 154 165 156 165 Dilutive effect of share-based awards 3 2 6 2 Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — diluted 663 672 665 677 Series C-1 convertible preferred stock outstanding — basic and diluted 4 5 4 5 Basic net income per share allocated to: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 0.24 $ 0.44 $ 1.47 $ 1.40 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders $ 4.57 $ 8.55 $ 28.45 $ 27.11 Diluted net income per share allocated to: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 0.24 $ 0.44 $ 1.46 $ 1.40 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders $ 4.56 $ 8.53 $ 28.20 $ 27.03
Schedule of Weighted Average Basic And Diluted Shares Outstanding	The table below sets forth the Company's calculated earnings per share. Earnings per share amounts may not recalculate due to rounding. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Numerator: Net income $ 197 $ 330 $ 1,106 $ 1,037 Less: Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stock (17) (31) (104) (99) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (32) (29) (116) (82) Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests (9) (1) (22) (7) Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments of carrying value to redemption value (redemption value does not equal fair value) — (4) — (3) Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share $ 139 $ 265 $ 864 $ 846 Allocation of net income: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 120 $ 223 $ 738 $ 714 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders 19 42 126 132 Total 139 265 864 846 Add: Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders 17 31 104 99 Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders for diluted net income per share $ 156 $ 296 $ 968 $ 945 Denominator — weighted average: Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — basic 506 505 503 510 Impact of assumed preferred stock conversion 154 165 156 165 Dilutive effect of share-based awards 3 2 6 2 Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — diluted 663 672 665 677 Series C-1 convertible preferred stock outstanding — basic and diluted 4 5 4 5 Basic net income per share allocated to: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 0.24 $ 0.44 $ 1.47 $ 1.40 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders $ 4.57 $ 8.55 $ 28.45 $ 27.11 Diluted net income per share allocated to: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 0.24 $ 0.44 $ 1.46 $ 1.40 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders $ 4.56 $ 8.53 $ 28.20 $ 27.03
Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	The table below sets forth the Company's calculated earnings per share. Earnings per share amounts may not recalculate due to rounding. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Numerator: Net income $ 197 $ 330 $ 1,106 $ 1,037 Less: Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stock (17) (31) (104) (99) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (32) (29) (116) (82) Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests (9) (1) (22) (7) Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments of carrying value to redemption value (redemption value does not equal fair value) — (4) — (3) Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share $ 139 $ 265 $ 864 $ 846 Allocation of net income: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 120 $ 223 $ 738 $ 714 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders 19 42 126 132 Total 139 265 864 846 Add: Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders 17 31 104 99 Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders for diluted net income per share $ 156 $ 296 $ 968 $ 945 Denominator — weighted average: Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — basic 506 505 503 510 Impact of assumed preferred stock conversion 154 165 156 165 Dilutive effect of share-based awards 3 2 6 2 Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — diluted 663 672 665 677 Series C-1 convertible preferred stock outstanding — basic and diluted 4 5 4 5 Basic net income per share allocated to: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 0.24 $ 0.44 $ 1.47 $ 1.40 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders $ 4.57 $ 8.55 $ 28.45 $ 27.11 Diluted net income per share allocated to: Series A, B and C common stockholders $ 0.24 $ 0.44 $ 1.46 $ 1.40 Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders $ 4.56 $ 8.53 $ 28.20 $ 27.03
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The table below presents the details of share-based awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Anti-dilutive share-based awards 32 27 10 26

Supplemental Disclosures (Table

Supplemental Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental Cash Flow Information Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Cash paid for taxes, net $ 555 $ 353 Cash paid for interest, net 515 516 Non-cash investing and financing activities: Unsettled stock repurchases — 14 Accrued purchases of property and equipment 22 33 Assets acquired under finance lease and other arrangements 119 79
Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,116 $ 2,091 Restricted cash - other current assets 10 31 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 3,126 $ 2,122

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions, Revenues and Expenses	The table below presents a summary of the transactions with related parties (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenues and service charges: Liberty Group $ 167 $ 158 $ 507 $ 513 Equity method investees 57 42 181 152 Other 23 26 74 71 Total revenues and service charges $ 247 $ 226 $ 762 $ 736 Expenses $ (62) $ (74) $ (176) $ (168) Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests $ (18) $ (14) $ (231) $ (216)
Schedule of Related Party Transactions Receivables	The table below presents receivables due from and payables due to related parties (in millions). September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Receivables $ 177 $ 177 Payables $ 22 $ 43

Reportable Segments (Tables)

Reportable Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Revenues by Segment	Revenues Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 U.S. Networks $ 1,858 $ 1,659 $ 5,637 $ 5,171 International Networks 1,295 902 3,375 2,608 Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other (3) — (8) 6 Total revenues $ 3,150 $ 2,561 $ 9,004 $ 7,785
Schedule of Adjusted OIBDA by Segment	Adjusted OIBDA Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 U.S. Networks $ 963 $ 951 $ 2,836 $ 3,029 International Networks (79) 127 287 527 Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other (158) (124) (443) (362) Adjusted OIBDA $ 726 $ 954 $ 2,680 $ 3,194
Schedule of Reconciliation of Net Income available to Discovery, Inc. to total Adjusted OIBDA	Reconciliation of Net Income available to Discovery, Inc. to Adjusted OIBDA Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income available to Discovery, Inc. $ 156 $ 300 $ 968 $ 948 Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests 9 1 22 7 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 32 29 116 82 Income tax expense (benefit) 36 (11) 144 275 Income before income taxes 233 319 1,250 1,312 Other (income) expense, net (78) 28 (255) 92 Loss from equity investees, net 9 18 20 62 Loss on extinguishment of debt 6 5 10 76 Interest expense, net 159 161 479 485 Operating income 329 531 1,504 2,027 Gain on disposition — — (72) — Restructuring and other charges 7 53 29 75 Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets — — — 38 Depreciation and amortization 341 341 1,043 1,001 Employee share-based compensation 36 29 124 53 Transaction and integration costs 13 — 52 — Adjusted OIBDA $ 726 $ 954 $ 2,680 $ 3,194

Restructuring and Other Charg_2

Restructuring and Other Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs by Reportable Segment	Restructuring and other charges by reportable segments and corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other were as follows (in millions). Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 U.S. Networks $ 4 $ 29 $ 5 $ 41 International Networks 4 13 24 17 Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other (1) 11 — 17 Total restructuring and other charges $ 7 $ 53 $ 29 $ 75
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs Changes in Exit Liabilities	Changes in restructuring and other liabilities recorded in accrued liabilities by major category were as follows (in millions). U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other Total December 31, 2020 $ 23 $ 20 $ 15 $ 58 Employee termination accruals, net 5 24 — 29 Cash paid (20) (29) (11) (60) September 30, 2021 $ 8 $ 15 $ 4 $ 27

Description of Business and B_3

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021segment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2

Acquisitions and Dispositions -

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Acquisitions (Details) - WarnerMedia - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2021	May 31, 2021
AT&T
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration to be transferred		$ 43,000,000,000
AT&T | WarnerMedia
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		71.00%
Contract early termination fee		$ 720,000,000
Concentration early termination fee receivable		$ 1,800,000,000
AT&T | WarnerMedia | Parent Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		29.00%
Magallanes, Inc. | Term Loan
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 10,000,000,000

Acquisitions and Dispositions_2

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Dispositions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on disposition		$ 0	$ 0	$ 72	$ 0
Hicks Equity Partners | Great American Country Network
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale price	$ 90
Gain on disposition	76
Net assets disposed	$ 14

Investments (Schedule of Invest

Investments (Schedule of Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values:	$ 553	$ 541
Total Investments	1,243	1,134
Other noncurrent assets
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 545	507
Other noncurrent assets | nC+
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	32.00%
Equity method investments	$ 153	164
Other noncurrent assets | Discovery Solar Ventures, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 77	83
Other noncurrent assets | All3Media
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%
Equity method investments	$ 79	76
Other noncurrent assets | Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	236	184
Other noncurrent assets | Group Nine Media
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values:	276	276
Note receivable	$ 20
Other noncurrent assets | Group Nine Media | Group Nine Media
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners	25.00%
Other noncurrent assets | Formula E
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values:	$ 65	65
Other noncurrent assets | Formula E | Formula E
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners	25.00%
Other noncurrent assets | Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values:	$ 212	200
Other noncurrent assets | Common Stock | Lionsgate Entertainment Corp.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments with readily determinable fair values:	68	54
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | Common Stock
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments with readily determinable fair values:	145	86
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | Common Stock | Sharecare
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments with readily determinable fair values:	73	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | Common Stock | fuboTV Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments with readily determinable fair values:	4	$ 32
Other noncurrent liabilities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 5

Investments (Equity Method Inve

Investments (Equity Method Investments) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Impairment losses			$ 0	$ 0
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss	$ 195,000,000		195,000,000
Equity method investments	114,000,000		114,000,000		$ 123,000,000
Variable interest entity losses	6,000,000	$ 17,000,000	21,000,000	39,000,000
Various equity method investments, aggregated
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets			8,000,000	$ 8,000,000
Expected future amortization of intangible assets	$ 40,000,000		$ 40,000,000

Investments (Common Stock Inves

Investments (Common Stock Investments with Readily Determinable Fair Value ) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net gains (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities	$ (31)	$ 9	$ 31	$ (6)
Less: Net gains recognized on equity securities sold	0	0	16	0
Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date	(31)	$ 9	15	$ (6)
Sharecare
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity securities without readily determinable fair value, cumulative upward adjustment	$ 77		$ 77

Investments (Equity Investments

Investments (Equity Investments Without Readily Determinable Fair Values Assessed Under the Measurement Alternative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Other Investment Not Readily Marketable [Line Items]
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values:	$ 553	$ 541
Various Equity Investments Without Readily Determinable Fair Values
Other Investment Not Readily Marketable [Line Items]
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values:	15
Equity securities without readily determinable fair value, decrease in fair value	7
Equity securities without readily determinable fair value, cumulative upward adjustment	9
Equity securities without readily determinable fair value, cumulative impairments	$ 1

Fair Value Measurements (Schedu

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis) (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets	$ 628	$ 1,173
Liabilities	255	248
Cash Equivalents
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Time deposits	173	7
Treasury securities	100	500
Equity securities		150
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Time deposits	101	250
Equity securities	12	14
Company-owned life insurance contracts	1	4
Other noncurrent assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Equity securities	210	200
Company-owned life insurance contracts	31	48
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan	23	28
Other noncurrent liabilities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan	232	220
Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets	322	714
Liabilities	255	248
Level 1 | Cash Equivalents
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Time deposits	0	0
Treasury securities	100	500
Equity securities		0
Level 1 | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Time deposits	0	0
Equity securities	12	14
Company-owned life insurance contracts	0	0
Level 1 | Other noncurrent assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Equity securities	210	200
Company-owned life insurance contracts	0	0
Level 1 | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan	23	28
Level 1 | Other noncurrent liabilities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan	232	220
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets	306	459
Liabilities	0	0
Level 2 | Cash Equivalents
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Time deposits	173	7
Treasury securities	0	0
Equity securities		150
Level 2 | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Time deposits	101	250
Equity securities	0	0
Company-owned life insurance contracts	1	4
Level 2 | Other noncurrent assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Equity securities	0	0
Company-owned life insurance contracts	31	48
Level 2 | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan	0	0
Level 2 | Other noncurrent liabilities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan	0	0
Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Liabilities	0	0
Level 3 | Cash Equivalents
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Time deposits	0	0
Treasury securities	0	0
Equity securities		0
Level 3 | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Time deposits	0	0
Equity securities	0	0
Company-owned life insurance contracts	0	0
Level 3 | Other noncurrent assets
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Equity securities	0	0
Company-owned life insurance contracts	0	0
Level 3 | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan	0	0
Level 3 | Other noncurrent liabilities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements (Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior notes, fair value	$ 17.4	$ 18.7

Content Rights (Schedule Of Con

Content Rights (Schedule Of Content Rights) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Licensed content rights:
Accumulated amortization	$ (9,194)	$ (8,170)
Total content rights, net	3,942	3,971
Current portion	(254)	(532)
Noncurrent portion	3,688	3,439
Content rights
Produced content rights:
Completed	9,861	8,576
In-production	737	731
Coproduced content rights:
Completed	994	888
In-production	65	78
Licensed content rights:
Acquired	1,225	1,312
Prepaid	254	556
Content rights, at cost	$ 13,136	$ 12,141
Content rights | Operating Cycle Ended March 31, 2022
Licensed content rights:
Produced and co-produced content rights, expected amortization, percent	57.00%
Licensed content rights, expected amortization, percent	50.00%
Content rights | Operating Cycle Ended March 31, 2023
Licensed content rights:
Produced and co-produced content rights, expected amortization, percent	26.00%
Licensed content rights, expected amortization, percent	22.00%
Content rights | Operating Cycle Ended March 31, 2024
Licensed content rights:
Produced and co-produced content rights, expected amortization, percent	12.00%
Licensed content rights, expected amortization, percent	10.00%

Content Rights (Schedule Of C_2

Content Rights (Schedule Of Content Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Content amortization	$ 1,217	$ 762	$ 2,732	$ 2,110
Other production charges	2	96	3	202
Content impairments	150	1	333	8
Total content expense	$ 1,369	$ 859	$ 3,068	$ 2,320

Goodwill - Goodwill Activity (D

Goodwill - Goodwill Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 13,070
Dispositions	(3)
Foreign currency translation and other	(110)
Ending balance	12,957
U.S. Networks
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10,813
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency translation and other	0
Ending balance	10,813
Goodwill, accumulated impairments	20	$ 20
International Networks
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,257
Dispositions	(3)
Foreign currency translation and other	(110)
Ending balance	2,144
Goodwill, accumulated impairments	$ 1,600	$ 1,600

Goodwill - Goodwill Impairments

Goodwill - Goodwill Impairments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020
Asia Pacific
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill	$ 85	$ 36
Europe
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, headroom threshold, percent	20.00%

Debt (Outstanding Debt) (Detail

Debt (Outstanding Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 15,217	$ 15,848
Unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs, net (a)	(432)	(444)
Debt, net of unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs	14,785	15,404
Current portion of debt	(349)	(335)
Noncurrent portion of debt	$ 14,436	15,069
4.375% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	4.375%
Total debt	$ 0	335
2.375% Senior Notes, euro denominated, annual interest, due March 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	2.375%
Total debt	$ 349	369
3.300% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.30%
Total debt	$ 0	168
3.500% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.50%
Total debt	$ 0	62
2.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	2.95%
Total debt	$ 796	796
3.250% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due April 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.25%
Total debt	$ 192	192
3.800% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.80%
Total debt	$ 450	450
2.500% Senior Notes, sterling denominated, annual interest, due September 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	2.50%
Total debt	$ 539	545
3.900% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due November 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.90%
Total debt	$ 497	497
3.450% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.45%
Total debt	$ 300	300
3.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.95%
Total debt	$ 500	500
4.900% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	4.90%
Total debt	$ 700	700
1.900% Senior Notes, euro denominated, annual interest, due March 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	1.90%
Total debt	$ 699	739
3.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.95%
Total debt	$ 1,700	1,700
4.125% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	4.125%
Total debt	$ 750	750
3.625% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.625%
Total debt	$ 1,000	1,000
5.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2037
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	5.00%		5.00%
Total debt	$ 548	548
6.350% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	6.35%		6.35%
Total debt	$ 664	664
4.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2042
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	4.95%		4.95%
Total debt	$ 285	285
4.875% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due April 2043
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	4.875%		4.875%
Total debt	$ 516	516
5.200% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2047
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	5.20%		5.20%
Total debt	$ 1,250	1,250
5.300% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2049
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	5.30%
Total debt	$ 750	750
4.650% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	4.65%
Total debt	$ 1,000	1,000
4.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2055
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	4.00%		4.00%
Total debt	$ 1,732	$ 1,732

Debt (Senior Notes) (Details)

Debt (Senior Notes) (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)offer	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 15,217,000,000			$ 15,217,000,000		$ 15,848,000,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt		6,000,000	$ 5,000,000		10,000,000	$ 76,000,000
Number of private exchange offers | offer			5
Repayments of revolving credit facility					0	500,000,000
Exchange Offer
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs			$ 11,000,000			$ 11,000,000
3.300% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 0			$ 0		168,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		3.30%			3.30%
3.500% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 0			$ 0		62,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		3.50%			3.50%
4.375% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 0			$ 0		335,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		4.375%			4.375%
4.375% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2021 | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 335,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate	4.375%
Extinguishment of debt, amount	$ 339,000,000
Premium over par	3,000,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ 3,000,000
5.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2037
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 548,000,000			$ 548,000,000		548,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		5.00%	5.00%		5.00%	5.00%
6.350% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 664,000,000			$ 664,000,000		664,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		6.35%	6.35%		6.35%	6.35%
4.950% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2042
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 285,000,000			$ 285,000,000		285,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		4.95%	4.95%		4.95%	4.95%
4.875% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due April 2043
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 516,000,000			$ 516,000,000		516,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		4.875%	4.875%		4.875%	4.875%
5.200% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2047
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 1,250,000,000			$ 1,250,000,000		1,250,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		5.20%	5.20%		5.20%	5.20%
4.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2055
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 1,732,000,000			$ 1,732,000,000		1,732,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		4.00%	4.00%		4.00%	4.00%
4.000% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2055 | Exchange Offer
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount			$ 1,700,000,000			$ 1,700,000,000
Unamortized discount			318,000,000			318,000,000
Old Notes | Exchange Offer
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount exchanged			1,400,000,000			1,400,000,000
Old Notes | Cash Offers
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt			5,000,000
Repurchased face amount			22,000,000			$ 22,000,000
Repayments of notes payable			$ 27,000,000
3.625% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 1,000,000,000			$ 1,000,000,000		1,000,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		3.625%			3.625%
4.650% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 1,000,000,000			$ 1,000,000,000		$ 1,000,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		4.65%			4.65%
Senior Notes | 3.300% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2022 | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 168,000,000			$ 168,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		3.30%			3.30%
Senior Notes | 3.500% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2022 | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 62,000,000			$ 62,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		3.50%			3.50%
Senior Notes | 3.300% Senior Notes Due May 2022 and 3.500% Senior Notes Due June 2022 | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of debt, amount		$ 235,000,000
Premium over par		5,000,000			$ 5,000,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt		6,000,000
Senior Notes | 3.625% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount				$ 1,000,000,000
Senior Notes | 4.650% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount				1,000,000,000
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due May 2030 And May 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount				1,000,000
Debt issuance costs, gross				20,000,000
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due 2021 Through 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt				71,000,000
Repurchased face amount				1,500,000,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net premiums to par value				62,000,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt, other non cash charges				9,000,000
Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of revolving credit facility				$ 500,000,000
Scripps Networks | Senior Notes | Un-exchanged Scripps Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of liabilities assumed		$ 23,000,000			$ 23,000,000

Debt (Revolving Credit Facility

Debt (Revolving Credit Facility) (Details)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Feb. 04, 2016USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total debt		$ 15,217,000,000	$ 15,848,000,000
Commercial paper
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity		1,500,000,000
Total debt		$ 0	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio		3
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio		4.50
Revolving Credit Facility | Closing Of Transaction With WarnerMedia
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio		5.75
Revolving Credit Facility | First Anniversary Of Closing
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio		5
Revolving Credit Facility | Second Anniversary Of Closing
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio		4.50
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 2,500,000,000			$ 2,500,000,000
Number of renewal periods | segment	2
Term of renewal period	364 days
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit | WarnerMedia | AT&T
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 6,000,000,000
Increase in borrowing capacity	3,500,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Commercial paper | Euro Denominated Borrowings
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 500,000,000
Revolver Sublimit For Standby Letters Of Credit | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	150,000,000
Additional Commitments Upon Satisfaction Of Certain Conditions | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,000,000,000

Derivative Financial Instrume_3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Payments for derivative instrument	$ 142
Interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	5,000	$ 5,000
Swaption Collar
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	2,500	2,500
Purchase Payer Swaption
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	7,500	7,500
Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign exchange
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount settled	245
Pretax accumulated other comprehensive gain	9
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Net deferred losses on derivative instruments expected to be reclassified from AOCI to income in the next 12 months		$ 3
Maximum length of time hedged in cash flow hedge		34 years
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign exchange
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 969	$ 969	$ 1,082

Derivative Financial Instrume_4

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Fair Value) (Details) £ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Amounts eligible to be offset under master netting agreements	$ 0		$ 0
Long-term debt, gross	15,217,000,000		15,848,000,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets	279,000,000		40,000,000
Other noncurrent assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets	148,000,000		57,000,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	55,000,000		16,000,000
Other noncurrent liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	145,000,000		299,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	929,000,000		1,035,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	3,000,000		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Other noncurrent assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	25,000,000		2,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Other noncurrent liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	50,000,000		26,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	15,000,000,000		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	157,000,000		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps | Other noncurrent assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	90,000,000		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps | Other noncurrent liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	139,000,000		139,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	3,000,000		2,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps | Other noncurrent assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps | Other noncurrent liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	4,000,000		13,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	969,000,000		1,082,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	9,000,000		2,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Other noncurrent assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	7,000,000		5,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	4,000,000		14,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Other noncurrent liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	5,000,000		17,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	2,000,000,000		2,000,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	57,000,000		0
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps | Other noncurrent assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	0		11,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	7,000,000		0
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate swaps | Other noncurrent liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	0		89,000,000
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Sterling Notes
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	539,000,000	£ 400
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	37,000,000		44,000,000
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	4,000,000		2,000,000
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Other noncurrent assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	0		0
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	0		0
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign exchange | Other noncurrent liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	0		0
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	3,509,000,000		3,544,000,000
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	46,000,000		34,000,000
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps | Other noncurrent assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, Fair Value	51,000,000		41,000,000
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	19,000,000		0
Net investment hedges | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross-currency swaps | Other noncurrent liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, Fair Value	$ 86,000,000		$ 154,000,000

Derivative Financial Instrume_5

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Impact of Items Designated as Cash Flow Hedges) (Details) - Cash Flow Hedging - Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Foreign exchange
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 15	$ (19)	$ 45	$ 50
Foreign exchange | Advertising
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) reclassified into income from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1	0	1	1
Foreign exchange | Distribution
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) reclassified into income from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2	5	1	25
Foreign exchange | Cost of Revenues
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) reclassified into income from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	0	2
Interest rate swaps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	3	53	129	(219)
Interest rate swaps | Other income (expense), net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (losses) reclassified into income from accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1)	$ 1

Derivative Financial Instrume_6

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Impact of Items Designated as Net Investment Hedges) (Details) - Designated as Hedging Instrument - Net investment hedges - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	$ 64	$ (102)	$ 103	$ 39
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing)	10	10	31	33
Sterling Notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	14	(23)	6	10
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing)	0	0	0	0
Cross-currency swaps | Interest expense, net
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	46	(78)	93	26
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing)	10	10	31	33
Foreign exchange
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI			4
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing)	0		$ 0	0
Foreign exchange | Other income (expense), net
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	$ 4	(1)		$ 3
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing)		$ 0

Derivative Financial Instrume_7

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Pre-Tax Impact of Items not Designated as Hedges) (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Other expense, net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total in other income (expense), net	$ 88	$ 19	$ 67	$ (4)
Interest rate swaps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total in other income (expense), net	106	0	106	0
Cross-currency swaps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total in other income (expense), net	2	(8)	8	(1)
Equity
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total in other income (expense), net	0	0	0	7
Foreign exchange
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total in other income (expense), net	$ (20)	$ 27	$ (47)	$ (10)

Equity (Repurchase Programs) (D

Equity (Repurchase Programs) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		29 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Feb. 29, 2020	May 31, 2019
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares repurchased (in shares)	0		0
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares repurchased (in shares)		11,200,000		30,700,000
Shares repurchased, value		$ 228,000,000		$ 751,000,000
Series A Common Stock | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares repurchased (in shares)					3,000,000
Shares repurchased, value					$ 171,000,000
Series C Common Stock | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares repurchased (in shares)					229,000,000
Shares repurchased, value					$ 8,200,000,000
February 2020 Repurchase Program | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount						$ 2,000,000,000
April 2019 Repurchase Program | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount							$ 1,000,000,000

Equity - Convertible Preferred

Equity - Convertible Preferred Stock (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021shares
Series C-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of stock, shares converted (in shares)	600,000
Series C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of stock, shares issued (in shares)	11,000,000

Equity - Other Comprehensive In

Equity - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Adjustments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized (losses) gains, Net-of-tax	$ (129)			$ 127			$ (65)	$ (52)
Reclassifications, Net-of-tax	(3)			(4)			(1)	(24)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(132)	$ (4)	$ 70	123	$ 101	$ (300)	(66)	(76)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Derivative [Line Items]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, Pretax	(113)			117			(35)	(145)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, Tax Benefit (Expense)	(19)			6			(31)	69
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(132)			123			(66)	(76)
Currency Translation
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized (losses) gains, Net-of-tax	(144)			101			(203)	76
Reclassifications, Net-of-tax	0			0			0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income, Pretax	(128)			87			(208)	52
Other comprehensive (loss) income, Tax Benefit (Expense)	(16)			14			5	24
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(144)			101			(203)	76
Currency Translation | Foreign currency
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized (losses) gains, Pretax	(187)			193			(296)	29
Unrealized (losses) gains, Tax Benefit (Expense)	1			(11)			15	46
Unrealized (losses) gains, Net-of-tax	(186)			182			(281)	75
Currency Translation | Net investment hedges
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized (losses) gains, Pretax	59			(106)			88	23
Unrealized (losses) gains, Tax Benefit (Expense)	(17)			25			(10)	(22)
Unrealized (losses) gains, Net-of-tax	42			(81)			78	1
Derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized (losses) gains, Pretax	18			35			174	(168)
Unrealized (losses) gains, Tax Benefit (Expense)	(3)			(9)			(36)	40
Unrealized (losses) gains, Net-of-tax	15			26			138	(128)
Reclassifications, Net-of-tax	(3)			(4)			(1)	(24)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, Pretax	15			30			173	(197)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, Tax Benefit (Expense)	(3)			(8)			(36)	45
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12			22			137	(152)
Derivatives | Income Statement Items
Derivative [Line Items]
Reclassifications, Pretax	(3)			(5)			(1)	(29)
Reclassifications, Tax Benefit (Expense)	0			1			0	5
Reclassifications, Net-of-tax	$ (3)			$ (4)			$ (1)	$ (24)

Equity - Accumulated Other Comp

Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	$ 12,951	$ 12,219	$ 12,000	$ 11,358	$ 10,962	$ 11,524	$ 12,000	$ 11,524
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(129)			127			(65)	(52)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income	(3)			(4)			(1)	(24)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(132)	(4)	70	123	101	(300)	(66)	(76)
Ending balance	13,040	12,951	12,219	11,597	11,358	10,962	13,040	11,597
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	(585)		(651)	(1,021)		(822)	(651)	(822)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(132)			123			(66)	(76)
Ending balance	(717)	(585)		(898)	(1,021)		(717)	(898)
Currency Translation
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	(614)		(555)	(872)		(847)	(555)	(847)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(144)			101			(203)	76
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income	0			0			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(144)			101			(203)	76
Ending balance	(758)	(614)		(771)	(872)		(758)	(771)
Derivatives
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	44		(81)	(142)		32	(81)	32
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	15			26			138	(128)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income	(3)			(4)			(1)	(24)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12			22			137	(152)
Ending balance	56	44		(120)	(142)		56	(120)
Pension Plan and SERP Liability
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	(15)		$ (15)	(7)		$ (7)	(15)	(7)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0			0			0	0
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income	0			0			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0			0			0	0
Ending balance	$ (15)	$ (15)		$ (7)	$ (7)		$ (15)	$ (7)

Revenues and Accounts Receiva_3

Revenues and Accounts Receivable - Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 3,150	$ 2,561	$ 9,004	$ 7,785
Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,458	1,306	4,510	3,981
Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,379	1,199	4,057	3,647
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	313	56	437	157
Operating Segments | U.S. Networks
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,858	1,659	5,637	5,171
Operating Segments | U.S. Networks | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	991	941	3,090	2,964
Operating Segments | U.S. Networks | Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	841	696	2,465	2,143
Operating Segments | U.S. Networks | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	26	22	82	64
Operating Segments | International Networks
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,295	902	3,375	2,608
Operating Segments | International Networks | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	467	365	1,420	1,017
Operating Segments | International Networks | Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	538	503	1,592	1,504
Operating Segments | International Networks | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	290	34	363	87
Operating Segments | Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	(3)	0	(8)	6
Operating Segments | Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other | Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments | Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other | Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments | Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (3)	$ 0	$ (8)	$ 6

Revenues and Accounts Receiva_4

Revenues and Accounts Receivable - Allowance for Credit Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Distribution And Advertising Customers
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Allowance for credit losses	$ 54	$ 59

Revenues and Accounts Receiva_5

Revenues and Accounts Receivable - Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Deferred revenue	$ 710		$ 649
Revenue recognized related to the contract liability (deferred revenues)	$ 414	$ 340

Revenues and Accounts Receiva_6

Revenues and Accounts Receivable - Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations (Details) - Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-07-01 $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)
Distribution
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	$ 1,400
Remaining performance obligations, expected timing of satisfaction, period	6 years
Content Licensing Contracts
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	$ 684
Remaining performance obligations, expected timing of satisfaction, period	4 years
Brand Licensing Contracts
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	$ 93
Remaining performance obligations, expected timing of satisfaction, period	11 years

Share-based Compensation (Equit

Share-based Compensation (Equity-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	$ 39	$ 32	$ 134	$ 62
Tax benefit recognized	6	5	21	12
PRSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	(2)	4	10	(8)
RSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	29	21	80	58
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	17	8	43	24
SARs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	$ (5)	$ (1)	$ 1	$ (12)

Share-based Compensation (Liabi

Share-based Compensation (Liability Classified) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Liability-classified share-based compensation award liability	$ 23	$ 55
Current portion of liability-classified awards	$ 20	$ 37

Share-based Compensation (Stock

Share-based Compensation (Stock Options Exercised) (Details) - Stock options shares in Millions, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options exercised (in shares) | shares	5.9
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | $	$ 159

Share-based Compensation (Award

Share-based Compensation (Awards Granted and Converted During Period) (Details) shares in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021$ / sharesshares
PRSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted, Awards (in shares) | shares	0.2
Awards granted, weighted-average grant price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 58.18
RSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted, Awards (in shares) | shares	2.9
Awards granted, weighted-average grant price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 53.66
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options, granted (in shares) | shares	15.5
Stock options, weighted-average grant price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 40.25

Share-based Compensation (Unrec

Share-based Compensation (Unrecognized Compensation Cost) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Cost	$ 505
PRSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Cost	$ 2
Weighted-Average Amortization Period (years)	3 months 18 days
RSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Cost	$ 261
Weighted-Average Amortization Period (years)	2 years 4 months 24 days
RSUs | Cash Settlement
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Cost	$ 50
Weighted-Average Amortization Period (years)	2 years 7 months 6 days
RSUs | Stock Settlement
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Amortization Period (years)	1 year 2 months 12 days
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Cost	$ 242
Weighted-Average Amortization Period (years)	2 years 8 months 12 days
SARs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Cost	$ 0
Weighted-Average Amortization Period (years)	3 months 18 days

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 36	$ (11)	$ 144	$ 275
Non-cash deferred Income tax benefit	51		151
Unrecognized tax benefits	407		407		$ 348
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits reasonably possible	75		75
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued	$ 59		$ 59		$ 53

Earnings Per Share (Calculated

Earnings Per Share (Calculated Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Numerator:
Net income	$ 197	$ 330	$ 1,106	$ 1,037
Less:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(32)	(29)	(116)	(82)
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(9)	(1)	(22)	(7)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments of carrying value to redemption value (redemption value does not equal fair value)	0	(4)	0	(3)
Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share	139	265	864	846
Allocation of net income:
Total	139	265	864	846
Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
Less:
Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stock	(17)	(31)	(104)	(99)
Add:
Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders	17	31	104	99
Series A, B and C Common Stock and C1 Preferred Stock
Less:
Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share	139	265	864	846
Allocation of net income:
Total	139	265	864	846
Series A, B and C Common Stock
Less:
Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share	120	223	738	714
Allocation of net income:
Total	120	223	738	714
Add:
Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders for diluted net income per share	$ 156	$ 296	$ 968	$ 945
Denominator — weighted average:
Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — basic (in shares)	506	505	503	510
Impact of assumed preferred stock conversion (in shares)	154	165	156	165
Dilutive effect of share-based awards (in shares)	3	2	6	2
Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — diluted (in shares)	663	672	665	677
Basic net income per share allocated to:
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.44	$ 1.47	$ 1.40
Diluted net income per share allocated to:
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.44	$ 1.46	$ 1.40
Series C-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
Less:
Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share	$ 19	$ 42	$ 126	$ 132
Allocation of net income:
Total	$ 19	$ 42	$ 126	$ 132
Denominator — weighted average:
Series C-1 convertible preferred stock outstanding — basic and diluted (in shares)	4	5	4	5
Basic net income per share allocated to:
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.57	$ 8.55	$ 28.45	$ 27.11
Diluted net income per share allocated to:
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.56	$ 8.53	$ 28.20	$ 27.03

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Anti-dilutive share-based awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	32	27	10	26

Supplemental Disclosures (Sched

Supplemental Disclosures (Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Cash paid for taxes, net	$ 555	$ 353
Cash paid for interest, net	515	516
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unsettled stock repurchases	0	14
Accrued purchases of property and equipment	22	33
Assets acquired under finance lease and other arrangements	$ 119	$ 79

Supplemental Disclosures (Sch_2

Supplemental Disclosures (Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,116	$ 2,091
Restricted cash - other current assets	10	31
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$ 3,126	$ 2,122	$ 1,956	$ 1,552

Related Party Transactions (Nar

Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) - Board of Directors Chairman	Sep. 30, 2021
Liberty Global
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate voting power percentage of a related party	30.00%
Liberty Broadband
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate voting power percentage of a related party	46.00%

Related Party Transactions (Sch

Related Party Transactions (Schedule of Related Party Transactions, Revenues and Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total revenues and service charges	$ 247	$ 226	$ 762	$ 736
Expenses	(62)	(74)	(176)	(168)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(18)	(14)		(216)
Liberty Group
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total revenues and service charges	167	158	507	513
Equity method investees
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total revenues and service charges	57	42	181	152
Other
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total revenues and service charges	$ 23	$ 26	$ 74	$ 71

Related Party Transactions (S_2

Related Party Transactions (Schedule of Related Party Transactions, Receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Receivables	$ 177	$ 177
Payables	$ 22	$ 43

Reportable Segments (Schedule o

Reportable Segments (Schedule of Revenues by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,150	$ 2,561	$ 9,004	$ 7,785
Operating Segments | U.S. Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	1,858	1,659	5,637	5,171
Operating Segments | International Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	1,295	902	3,375	2,608
Operating Segments | Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ (3)	$ 0	$ (8)	$ 6

Reportable Segments (Schedule_2

Reportable Segments (Schedule of Adjusted OIBDA by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted OIBDA	$ 726	$ 954	$ 2,680	$ 3,194
Operating Segments | U.S. Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted OIBDA	963	951	2,836	3,029
Operating Segments | International Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted OIBDA	(79)	127	287	527
Operating Segments | Corporate, inter-segment eliminations and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted OIBDA	$ (158)	$ (124)	$ (443)	$ (362)

Reportable Segments (Schedule_3

Reportable Segments (Schedule of Reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Net Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net income available to Discovery, Inc.	$ 156	$ 300	$ 968	$ 948
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	9	1	22	7
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	32	29	116	82
Income tax expense (benefit)	36	(11)	144	275
Income before income taxes	233	319	1,250	1,312
Other (income) expense, net	(78)	28	(255)	92
Loss from equity investees, net	9	18	20	62
Interest expense, net	159	161	479	485
Operating income	329	531	1,504	2,027
Restructuring and other charges	7	53	29	75
Depreciation and amortization	341	341	1,043	1,001
Employee share-based compensation	36	29	124	53
Transaction and integration costs	13	0	52	0
Adjusted OIBDA	$ 726	$ 954	$ 2,680	$ 3,194

Restructuring and Other Charg_3

Restructuring and Other Charges (By Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 7	$ 53	$ 29	$ 75
Operating Segments | U.S. Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	4	29	5	41
Operating Segments | International Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	4	13	24	17
Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other | Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ (1)	$ 11	$ 0	$ 17

Restructuring and Other Charg_4

Restructuring and Other Charges (Liabilities) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)
Restructuring Reserve
Beginning balance	$ 58
Employee termination accruals, net	29
Cash paid	(60)
Ending balance	27
Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other
Restructuring Reserve
Beginning balance	15
Employee termination accruals, net	0
Cash paid	(11)
Ending balance	4
U.S. Networks | Operating Segments
Restructuring Reserve
Beginning balance	23
Employee termination accruals, net	5
Cash paid	(20)
Ending balance	8
International Networks | Operating Segments
Restructuring Reserve
Beginning balance	20
Employee termination accruals, net	24
Cash paid	(29)
Ending balance	$ 15