Directv 10-Q 6 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'DIRECTV	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001465112	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	525,442,022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$7,880	'	$7,416	$23,160	$21,686
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	3,441	'	3,288	9,912	9,249
Subscriber service expenses	583	'	566	1,674	1,592
Broadcast operations expenses	98	'	103	305	310
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Subscriber acquisition costs	941	'	944	2,564	2,549
Upgrade and retention costs	411	'	382	1,153	1,056
General and administrative expenses	473	'	447	1,452	1,332
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge	'	166	'	166	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	708	'	618	2,117	1,811
Total operating costs and expenses	6,655	'	6,348	19,343	17,899
Operating profit	1,225	'	1,068	3,817	3,787
Interest income	15	'	17	56	40
Interest expense	-182	'	-204	-618	-622
Other, net	43	'	39	6	13
Income before income taxes	1,101	'	920	3,261	3,218
Income tax expense	-391	'	-348	-1,192	-1,189
Net income	710	'	572	2,069	2,029
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	'	-7	-20	-22
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$699	'	$565	$2,049	$2,007
Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.29	'	$0.91	$3.68	$3.08
Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.28	'	$0.90	$3.65	$3.06
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions):	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	541	'	624	557	651
Diluted (in shares)	545	'	629	562	655

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'	'	'	'
Net income	$710	$572	$2,069	$2,029
Defined benefit plans:	'	'	'	'
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	-1	-1	-1	-1
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost	12	9	12	9
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost	1	'	1	'
Cash flows hedges:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	78	-31	51	-31
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	-61	-3	-13	-3
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-3	-2	-51	-32
Available for sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding losses on securities	'	'	'	-4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period	'	'	1	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	26	-28	'	-62
Comprehensive income	736	544	2,069	1,967
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	-6	-6	-7
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$725	$538	$2,063	$1,960

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,622	$1,902
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $118 and $81	2,527	2,696
Inventories	350	412
Deferred income taxes	73	73
Prepaid expenses and other	457	471
Total current assets	5,029	5,554
Satellites, net	2,443	2,357
Property and equipment, net	6,462	6,038
Goodwill	3,985	4,063
Intangible assets, net	930	832
Investments and other assets	1,739	1,711
Total assets	20,588	20,555
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,017	4,618
Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits	715	565
Current debt	597	358
Total current liabilities	5,329	5,541
Long-term debt	18,635	17,170
Deferred income taxes	1,542	1,672
Other liabilities and deferred credits	1,290	1,203
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	400	400
Stockholders' deficit	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital-$0.01 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 530,852,885 and 586,839,817 shares issued and outstanding of common stock at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	3,671	4,021
Accumulated deficit	-10,037	-9,210
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-242	-242
Total stockholders' deficit	-6,608	-5,431
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$20,588	$20,555

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowances (in dollars)	$118	$81
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, shares authorized	3,950,000,000	3,950,000,000
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, shares issued	530,852,885	586,839,817
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, shares outstanding	530,852,885	586,839,817

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$2,069	$2,029
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	2,117	1,811
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge	166	'
DSN Northwest deconsolidation charge	59	'
Amortization of deferred revenues and deferred credits	-40	-54
Share-based compensation expense	79	77
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	-86	-107
Net foreign currency transaction loss	42	32
Dividends received	38	28
Net gains from sale of investments	-8	-11
Deferred income taxes	-19	41
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-24	-30
Other	-91	76
Change in other operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	200	15
Inventories	53	-97
Prepaid expenses and other	9	146
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-477	-143
Unearned subscriber revenue and deferred credits	152	139
Other, net	116	181
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,355	4,133
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Cash paid for property and equipment	-2,471	-2,160
Cash paid for satellites	-276	-231
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	-47	-4
Proceeds from sale of investments	140	24
Other, net	-158	25
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,812	-2,346
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net	90	'
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	441	'
Repayment of short-term borrowings	-327	'
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility	10	400
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility	-10	-400
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,484	5,190
Debt issuance costs	-8	-35
Repayment of long-term debt	-9	-1,500
Repayment of other long-term obligations	-48	-40
Common shares repurchased and retired	-3,228	-3,828
Stock options exercised	'	2
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	-61	-58
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	24	30
Other, net	6	'
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,636	-239
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents	-187	'
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-280	1,548
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,902	873
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	1,622	2,421
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'	'
Cash paid for interest	784	710
Cash paid for income taxes	$1,035	$881

Description_of_Business_and_Ba

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	'
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 1: Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	DIRECTV, which we sometimes refer to as the company, we, or us, is a leading provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. We operate two direct-to-home, or DTH, business units: DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, which are differentiated by their geographic locations and are engaged in acquiring, promoting, selling and distributing digital entertainment programming primarily via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers. In addition, we own and operate regional sports networks and own a 42% interest in Game Show Network, LLC, or GSN, a television network dedicated to game-related programming and Internet interactive game playing. We account for our investment in GSN using the equity method of accounting.
	•
	DIRECTV U.S.  DIRECTV Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, which we refer to as DIRECTV U.S., is the largest provider of DTH digital television services and the second largest provider in the multi-channel video programming distribution industry in the United States.
	•
	DIRECTV Latin America.  DIRECTV Latin America Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, or DIRECTV Latin America, is a leading provider of DTH digital television services throughout Latin America. DIRECTV Latin America is comprised of: PanAmericana, which provides services in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and certain other countries in the region, and Sky Brasil Servicos Ltda., or Sky Brasil, which is a 93% owned subsidiary. DIRECTV Latin America also includes our 41% equity method investment in Innova, S. de R.L. de C.V., or Sky Mexico, which we include in the PanAmericana segment.
	•
	DIRECTV Sports Networks.  DIRECTV Sports Networks LLC and its subsidiaries, or DSN, is comprised primarily of two wholly owned regional sports networks based in Denver, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a regional sports network based in Seattle, Washington in which DSN retains a noncontrolling interest, each of which operates under the brand name ROOT Sports. As further discussed in Note 2 below, on April 16, 2013, DSN transferred 100% of its interest in a regional sports network based in Seattle, Washington, or DSN Northwest, to NW Sports Net LLC. The Seattle Mariners have a majority interest in NW Sports Net LLC and DSN retains a noncontrolling interest, which we account for using the equity method of accounting. The operating results of DSN are reported as part of the "Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other" reporting segment.
	We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, for interim financial reporting. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) that are necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2013, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on May 8, 2013, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 filed with the SEC on August 2, 2013, and all of our other filings, including Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC after such date and through the date of this report.
	We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported herein. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, our actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.

Divestiture

Divestiture	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Divestiture	'
Divestiture	'
	Note 2: Divestiture
	DSN Northwest Transaction
	On April 16, 2013, DSN transferred 100% of its interest in DSN Northwest to NW Sports Net LLC. Upon completion of the transaction, the Seattle Mariners have a majority interest in NW Sports Net LLC and DSN retains a noncontrolling interest, which we account for using the equity method of accounting. Additionally, DSN provides management oversight and programming services to NW Sports Net LLC as part of management service agreements entered into as part of this transaction. As a result of this transaction, we deconsolidated DSN Northwest and recorded a non-cash, pre-tax charge of approximately $59 million ($56 million after tax) in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill	'
Goodwill	'
	Note 3: Goodwill
	The following table sets forth changes in the carrying amounts of "Goodwill" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets by reportable segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
				DIRECTV Latin
				America					Sports
									Networks,
									Eliminations
		DIRECTV		Sky			PanAmericana		and Other			Total
		U.S.		Brasil
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	3,177	$	380		$	211	$	295		$	4,063
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		(31	)		—		—			(31	)
	DSN Northwest Transaction		—		—			—		(73	)		(73	)
	Acquisitions		11		15			—		—			26
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	3,188	$	364		$	211	$	222		$	3,985

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt	'
Debt	'
	Note 4: Debt
	The following table sets forth our outstanding debt as of:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Current debt
	Current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility	$	35	$	—
	Commercial paper		562		358
	Long-term debt
	Borrowings under BNDES financing facility		50		—
	Senior notes		18,585		17,170
	Total debt	$	19,232	$	17,528
	The amount of interest accrued related to our outstanding debt was $114 million at September 30, 2013 and $246 million at December 31, 2012.
	Senior Notes
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Financing Transactions
	On January 10, 2013, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, $750 million in aggregate principal of 1.750% senior notes due in 2018 with proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of $743 million. We incurred $4 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	On May 13, 2013, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a U.S. registration statement, €500 million ($650 million) in aggregate principal of 2.750% senior notes due in 2023 resulting in proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of €497 million ($646 million). The U.S. dollar amounts reflect the conversion of the €500 million aggregate principal and the €497 million proceeds, net of discount, to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of €1.00/ $1.30 at May 13, 2013. In connection with the issuance of these senior notes, DIRECTV U.S. entered into cross-currency swaps to effectively convert its fixed-rate euro denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt, as further discussed in Note 5. We incurred $4 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Financing Transactions
	On March 8, 2012, DIRECTV U.S. issued the following senior notes in private placement transactions:
		Principal		Proceeds, net
				of discount
		(Dollars in Millions)
	2.400% senior notes due in 2017	$	1,250	$	1,249
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022		1,500		1,499
	5.150% senior notes due in 2042		1,250		1,248
		$	4,000	$	3,996
	We incurred $25 million of debt issuance costs in connection with these transactions.
	On May 15, 2012, DIRECTV U.S. redeemed, pursuant to the terms of its indenture, all of its then outstanding $1,500 million of 7.625% senior notes due in 2016, at a price of 103.813%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, for a total of $1,614 million. We recorded a pre-tax charge of $64 million ($40 million after tax) during the second quarter of 2012, of which $57 million resulted from the premium paid for the redemption and $7 million resulted from the write-off of deferred debt issuance and other transaction costs. The charge was recorded in "Other, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	On September 11, 2012, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, £750 million ($1,208 million) in aggregate principal of 4.375% senior notes due in 2029 with proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of £742 million ($1,194 million). The U.S. dollar amounts reflect the conversion of the £750 million aggregate principal and the £742 million proceeds, net of discount, to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of £1.00/ $1.61 at September 11, 2012. In connection with the issuance of these senior notes, DIRECTV U.S. entered into cross-currency swaps to effectively convert its fixed-rate British pound sterling denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt, as further discussed in Note 5. We incurred $9 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	The following table sets forth our outstanding senior notes:
		Principal amount		Carrying value, net of
				unamortized original
				issue discounts
		September 30,		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	4.750% senior notes due in 2014	$	1,000	$	999	$	999
	3.550% senior notes due in 2015		1,200		1,200		1,200
	3.125% senior notes due in 2016		750		750		750
	3.500% senior notes due in 2016		1,500		1,499		1,498
	2.400% senior notes due in 2017		1,250		1,249		1,249
	1.750% senior notes due in 2018		750		744		—
	5.875% senior notes due in 2019		1,000		995		995
	5.200% senior notes due in 2020		1,300		1,299		1,298
	4.600% senior notes due in 2021		1,000		999		999
	5.000% senior notes due in 2021		1,500		1,495		1,495
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022		1,500		1,499		1,499
	2.750% senior noted due in 2023(1)		676		673		—
	4.375% senior notes due in 2029(1)		1,214		1,201		1,206
	6.350% senior notes due in 2040		500		500		500
	6.000% senior notes due in 2040		1,250		1,235		1,234
	6.375% senior notes due in 2041		1,000		1,000		1,000
	5.150% senior notes due in 2042		1,250		1,248		1,248
	Total senior notes	$	18,640	$	18,585	$	17,170
	-1
	These amounts reflect the remeasurement of the aggregate principal and carrying value of our foreign currency denominated senior notes to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rates in effect at each of the dates presented.
	The fair value of our senior notes was approximately $18,501 million at September 30, 2013 and $18,598 million at December 31, 2012. We calculated the fair values based on quoted market prices of our senior notes, which is a Level 1 input under accounting guidance for fair value measurements of assets and liabilities.
	All of our senior notes were issued by DIRECTV Holdings LLC and DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., or the Co-Issuers, and have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
	Our senior notes mature as follows: $1,000 million in 2014, $1,200 million in 2015, $2,250 million in 2016, $1,250 million in 2017 and $12,940 million in 2018 and thereafter.
	Commercial Paper
	On November 27, 2012, DIRECTV U.S. established a commercial paper program backed by its revolving credit facilities, which provides for the issuance of short-term commercial paper in the United States up to a maximum aggregate principal of $2.5 billion. As of September 30, 2013, we had $562 million of short-term commercial paper outstanding, with a weighted average remaining maturity of 53 days, at a weighted average yield of 0.39%, which may be refinanced on a periodic basis as borrowings mature. As of December 31, 2012, we had $358 million of short-term commercial paper outstanding, with a weighted average remaining maturity of 63 days, at a weighted average yield of 0.54%. Aggregate amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facilities described below and the commercial paper program are limited to $2.5 billion.
	Revolving Credit Facilities
	On September 28, 2012, DIRECTV U.S.' five year, $2.0 billion, revolving credit facility dated February 7, 2011, was terminated and replaced with a three and one-half year, $1.0 billion, revolving credit facility and a five year, $1.5 billion, revolving credit facility. We pay a commitment fee of 0.15% per year for the unused commitment under the revolving credit facilities. Borrowings currently bear interest at a rate equal to the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.25%. Both the commitment fee and the annual interest rate may increase or decrease under certain conditions due to changes in DIRECTV U.S.' long-term, unsecured debt ratings. Under certain conditions, DIRECTV U.S. may increase the borrowing capacity of the revolving credit facilities by an aggregate amount of up to $500 million. Aggregate amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facilities and the commercial paper program are limited to $2.5 billion. As of September 30, 2013, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facilities.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities are unsecured senior obligations of DIRECTV U.S. and will rank equally in right of payment with all of DIRECTV U.S.' existing and future senior debt and will rank senior in right of payment to all of DIRECTV U.S.' future subordinated debt, if any.
Covenants and Restrictions
The revolving credit facilities require DIRECTV U.S. to maintain at the end of each fiscal quarter a specified ratio of indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization. The revolving credit facilities also include covenants that limit DIRECTV U.S.' ability to, among other things, (i) incur additional subsidiary indebtedness, (ii) incur liens, (iii) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (iv) merge or consolidate with another entity, (v) sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, and (vi) change its lines of business. Additionally, the senior notes contain covenants that are similar. If DIRECTV U.S. fails to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of its borrowings under the senior notes could become immediately payable and its revolving credit facilities could be terminated. At September 30, 2013, management believes DIRECTV U.S. was in compliance with all such covenants. The senior notes and revolving credit facilities also provide that the borrowings may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events, coupled with a ratings decline, occur.
DIRECTV Guarantors.    DIRECTV entered into a series of Supplemental Indentures whereby DIRECTV agreed to fully guarantee all of the senior notes outstanding, jointly and severally with most of DIRECTV Holdings LLC's domestic subsidiaries. The Supplemental Indentures provide that DIRECTV unconditionally guarantees that the principal and interest on the respective senior notes will be paid in full when due and that the obligations of the Co-Issuers to the holders of the outstanding senior notes will be performed. The revolving credit facilities and the commercial paper program are also similarly fully guaranteed by DIRECTV.
As a result of the guarantees, holders of the senior notes, the revolving credit debt and the commercial paper have the benefit of DIRECTV's interests in the assets and related earnings of our operations that are not held through DIRECTV Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries. Those operations are primarily our DTH digital television services throughout Latin America which are held by DIRECTV Latin America and our regional sports networks which are held by DSN. However, the subsidiaries that own and operate the DIRECTV Latin America business and the regional sports networks have not guaranteed the senior notes, the revolving credit facilities and the commercial paper program.
The guarantees are unsecured senior obligations of DIRECTV and rank equally in right of payment with all of DIRECTV's existing and future senior debt and rank senior in right of payment to all of DIRECTV's future subordinated debt, if any. The guarantees are effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured obligations, if any, of DIRECTV to the extent of the value of the assets securing the obligations. DIRECTV will not be subject to the covenants contained in each indenture of the senior notes and our guarantees will terminate and be released on the terms set forth in each of the indentures.
BNDES Financing Facility
In March 2013, Sky Brasil entered into a financing facility with Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social, or BNDES, a government owned bank in Brazil, under which Sky Brasil may borrow funds for the purchase of set-top receivers. Our Board of Directors has approved borrowings of up to R$500 million (or approximately $250 million at the then current exchange rate) under the facility. As of September 30, 2013, Sky Brasil had borrowings of $85 million outstanding under the BNDES facility bearing interest at a weighted-average rate of 2.73% per year. Borrowings under the facility are required to be repaid in 30 monthly installments. The U.S. dollar amounts reflect the conversion of the Brazilian real denominated amounts into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of R$2.23 / $1.00 at September 30, 2013.
Borrowings under the BNDES facility mature as follows: $7 million in 2013, $37 million in 2014, $34 million in 2015 and $7 million in 2016. The financing facility is collateralized by the financed set-top receivers with an original purchase price of approximately $104 million based on the exchange rate at the time of purchase.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash of $7 million as of September 30, 2013 and $6 million as of December 31, 2012 was included as part of "Prepaid expenses and other" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These amounts secure certain of our letter of credit obligations and restrictions on the cash will be removed as the letters of credit expire.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Note 5: Derivative Financial Instruments
	We use derivative financial instruments primarily to manage the risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We record derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities at fair value. For derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the unrealized gains or losses on the derivative financial instruments are initially reported in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and subsequently reclassified to earnings in the same periods during which the hedged item affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the unrealized gains and losses on these derivative financial instruments, if any, is recorded immediately in earnings. We evaluate the effectiveness of our derivative financial instruments at inception and on a quarterly basis. We measured no ineffectiveness for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.
	The following table sets forth the fair values of assets and liabilities associated with the derivative financial instruments as of:
		Assets				Liabilities
		September 30,		December 31,		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	74	$	—	$	—	$	17
	Interest rate contracts		—		—		7		—
	Total fair value of derivative financial instruments	$	74	$	—	$	7	$	17
	The fair values of the assets associated with derivative financial instruments are recorded in "Investments and other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the fair value of the liabilities associated with derivative financial instruments are recorded in "Other liabilities and deferred credits" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The following table sets forth the notional amounts of outstanding derivative financial instruments as of:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	1,858	$	1,208
	Interest rate contracts		500		—
	Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments	$	2,358	$	1,208
	Collateral Arrangements.    We have agreements with our derivative instrument counterparties that include collateral provisions which require a party with an unrealized loss position in excess of certain thresholds to post cash collateral for the amount in excess of the threshold. The threshold levels in our collateral agreements are based on each party's credit ratings. We held cash collateral from counterparties of $6 million as of September 30, 2013 and we did not hold any cash collateral from counterparties as of December 31, 2012. We did not have any cash collateral posted with counterparties as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. We do not offset the fair value of collateral, whether the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable), against the fair value of the derivative instruments.
	Cross-Currency Swap Contracts
	On September 11, 2012, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a U.S. registration statement, £750 million in aggregate principal of 4.375% senior notes due in 2029. On May 13, 2013, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a U.S. registration statement, €500 million in aggregate principal of 2.750% senior notes due in 2023. In connection with the issuance of these senior notes, DIRECTV U.S. entered into cross-currency swap contracts to manage the related foreign exchange risk by effectively converting all of the fixed-rate British pound sterling and fixed-rate Euro denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt. These cross-currency swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The terms of the cross-currency swap contracts correspond to the related hedged senior notes and have maturities ranging from May 2023 to September 2029.
	We calculate the fair value of the cross-currency swap contracts using an income-approach model (discounted cash flow analysis), the use of which is considered a Level 2 valuation technique, using observable inputs, such as foreign currency exchange rates, swap rates, cross-currency basis swap spreads and incorporating counterparty credit risk.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, DIRECTV U.S. recorded net remeasurement losses of $22 million in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the remeasurement of the hedged senior notes. To offset these remeasurement losses, we reclassified $22 million ($13 million after tax) from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, DIRECTV U.S. recorded net remeasurement losses of $5 million in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the remeasurement of the hedged senior notes. To offset these remeasurement losses, we reclassified $5 million ($3 million after tax) from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These reclassifications eliminate the impact of the remeasurement of the hedged senior notes from our results of operations.
	Interest Rate Contracts
	DIRECTV U.S. uses various interest rate derivatives, including forward-starting interest rate swaps, to protect against unfavorable interest rate changes related to forecasted issuances of debt. The objective of these arrangements is to hedge our exposure to the variability of future cash flows associated with the interest rate on future debt issuances. These interest rate swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges.
	We calculate the fair value of the interest rate swap contracts using an income-approach model (discounted cash flow analysis), the use of which is considered a Level 2 valuation technique, using observable inputs, such as swap rates and incorporating counterparty credit risk.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Contingencies	'
Contingencies	'
	Note 6: Contingencies
	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
	In connection with our acquisition of Sky Brasil in 2006, our partner who holds the remaining 7% interest, Globo Comunicações e Participações S.A., or Globo, was granted the right, until January 2014, to require us to purchase all, but not less than all, of its shares in Sky Brasil. Upon exercising this right, the fair value of Sky Brasil shares will be determined by mutual agreement or by an outside valuation expert, and we have the option to elect to pay for the Sky Brasil shares in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of both. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we estimated that Globo's remaining 7% equity interest in Sky Brasil had a fair value of approximately $400 million. Adjustments to the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest are recorded to additional paid-in-capital. We determined the fair values using significant unobservable inputs, which are Level 3 inputs under accounting guidance for measuring fair value.
	Venezuela Devaluation and Foreign Currency Exchange Controls
	In February 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a devaluation of the bolivar from the official exchange rate of 4.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar to an official rate of 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. As a result of the devaluation, we recorded a pre-tax charge in "Venezuelan currency devaluation charge" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations of $166 million ($136 million after tax) in the first quarter of 2013, related to the remeasurement of the bolivar denominated net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary as of the date of the devaluation. There also are ongoing impacts to our results of operations subsequent to the devaluation, primarily related to the translation of local currency financial statements at the new official exchange rate. In the event of a future devaluation of the bolivar, we will recognize a charge to earnings based on the amount of bolivar denominated net monetary assets held at the time of such devaluation. Any future devaluation would also result in ongoing impacts to our results of operations.
	Companies operating in Venezuela are required to obtain Venezuelan government approval to exchange Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars at the official exchange rate. Our ability to pay U.S. dollar denominated obligations and repatriate cash generated in Venezuela in excess of local operating requirements is limited, resulting in an increase in the cash balance at our Venezuelan subsidiary. At such time that exchange controls are eased, accumulated cash balances may ultimately be repatriated at less than their currently reported value. As of September 30, 2013, our Venezuelan subsidiary had Venezuelan bolivar denominated net monetary assets of $521 million, including cash of $579 million, based on the official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar at that time.
	Litigation
	Litigation is subject to uncertainties and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not predictable with assurance. Various legal actions, claims and proceedings are pending against us arising in the ordinary course of business. We have established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Some of the matters may involve compensatory, punitive, or treble damage claims, or demands that, if granted, could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures in amounts that could not be estimated at September 30, 2013. After discussion with counsel representing us in those actions, it is the opinion of management that such litigation is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. We expense legal costs as incurred.
	Intellectual Property Litigation.    We are a defendant in several unrelated lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of our businesses. In certain of these cases other industry participants are also defendants, and also in certain of these cases we expect that at least some potential liability would be the responsibility of our equipment vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification provisions. To the extent that the allegations in these lawsuits can be analyzed by us at this stage of their proceedings, we believe the claims are without merit and intend to defend the actions vigorously. We have determined that the likelihood of a material liability in such matters is remote or have made appropriate accruals. The final disposition of these claims is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, if an adverse ruling is made in a lawsuit involving key intellectual property, such ruling could result in a loss that would be material to our consolidated results of operations of any one period. No assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial position.
	Early Cancellation Fees.    In 2008, a number of plaintiffs filed putative class action lawsuits in state and federal courts challenging the early cancellation fees we assess our customers when they do not fulfill their programming commitments. Several of these lawsuits are pending, some in California state court purporting to represent statewide classes, and some in federal courts purporting to represent nationwide classes. The lawsuits seek both monetary and injunctive relief. While the theories of liability vary, the lawsuits generally challenge these fees under state consumer protection laws as both unfair and inadequately disclosed to customers. Our motions to compel arbitration have been granted in all of the federal cases, except as to claims seeking injunctive relief under California statutes. The denial of our motion as to those claims is currently on appeal. We believe that our early cancellation fees are adequately disclosed, and represent reasonable estimates of the costs we incur when customers cancel service before fulfilling their programming commitments.
	State and Federal Inquiries.    From time to time, we receive investigative inquiries or subpoenas from state and federal authorities with respect to alleged violations of state and federal statutes. These inquiries may lead to legal proceedings in some cases. As reported previously, DIRECTV U.S. received a request for information from the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, on issues similar to those resolved in 2011 with a multistate group of state attorneys general. We have been cooperating with the FTC by providing information about our sales and marketing practices and customer complaints and have engaged in ongoing negotiations with FTC staff concerning these issues. The FTC staff has advised that they will refer this matter to the Commissioners to obtain authority to file suit if we are unable to agree upon a resolution of these issues.
	ECAD.    As previously reported, Escritorio Central de Arrecadacao, or ECAD, the organization responsible for collecting performance rights fees under Brazilian law, had outstanding claims against Sky Brasil, along with other video distributors in Brazil. In the third quarter, Sky Brasil entered into an agreement with ECAD whereby Sky Brasil agreed to settle all claims for the period from 2004 through December 31, 2013 for a cash payment of $92 million in September 2013. As a result of this settlement, Sky Brasil recognized a $128 million pre-tax gain from the reversal of amounts previously accrued during such period, of which $70 million was recorded as a reduction in "Broadcast programming and other", $37 million was recorded as a reduction in "Interest expense" and $21 million was recorded in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Sky Brasil had provided letters of credit related to this dispute in the amount of approximately $104 million, which have now been released. The settlement does not include any agreement as to royalties that will apply after December 31, 2013.
	Waste Disposal Inquiry.    On August 20, 2012, DIRECTV U.S. received from the State of California subpoenas and interrogatories related to our generation, handling, recordkeeping, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste, including universal waste, in the State of California, and the training of employees regarding the same. The investigation is jointly conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and the District Attorney for Alameda County and appears to be part of a broader effort to investigate waste handling and disposal processes of a number of industries. We are diligently reviewing our policies and procedures applicable to all facilities and cooperating with the investigation.
	Income Tax Matters
	We have received tax assessments from certain foreign jurisdictions and have agreed to indemnify previously divested businesses for certain tax assessments relating to periods prior to their respective divestitures. These assessments are in various stages of the administrative process or litigation. While the outcome of these assessments and other tax issues cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the ultimate outcome will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
	Satellites
	We may purchase in-orbit and launch insurance to mitigate the potential financial impact of satellite launch and in-orbit failures if the premium costs are considered economic relative to the risk of satellite failure. The insurance generally covers the unamortized book value of covered satellites. We do not insure against lost revenues in the event of a total or partial loss of the capacity of a satellite. We generally rely on in-orbit spare satellites and excess transponder capacity at key orbital slots to mitigate the impact a satellite failure could have on our ability to provide service. At September 30, 2013, the net book value of in-orbit satellites was $1,467 million, all of which was uninsured.
	Other
	We are contingently liable under standby letters of credit and bonds in the aggregate amount of $171 million at September 30, 2013, excluding the letters of credit related to the ECAD dispute which have now been released.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note 7: Related Party Transactions
	In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into transactions with related parties as discussed below. Related parties include Globo, which provides programming and advertising to Sky Brasil, and companies in which we hold equity method investments, including Sky Mexico, GSN and NW Sports Net LLC.
	The majority of payments under contractual arrangements with related parties are pursuant to multi-year programming contracts. Payments under these contracts are typically subject to annual rate increases and are based on the number of subscribers receiving the related programming.
	The following table summarizes revenues and expenses with related parties:
		Three Months				Nine Months
		Ended				Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	2	$	1	$	5	$	3
	Expenses		235		225		717		696
	The following table sets forth the amount of accounts receivable from and accounts payable to related parties as of:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Accounts receivable	$	31	$	26
	Accounts payable		98		90

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Redee

Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	'
Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	'
	Note 8: Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
	Capital Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital
	Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the following capital stock: 3,950,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding shares of preferred stock.
	Share Repurchase Program
	Since 2006 our Board of Directors has approved multiple authorizations for the repurchase of our common stock. In February 2013 our Board of Directors terminated the remaining balance available under the previous authorization and approved a new authorization for up to $4 billion for repurchases of our common stock. As of September 30, 2013, we had approximately $1,589 million remaining under this authorization. The authorization allows us to repurchase our common stock from time to time through open market purchases and negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The timing, nature and amount of such transactions will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, and the program may be suspended, discontinued or accelerated at any time. The sources of funds for the purchases under the remaining authorizations are our existing cash on hand, cash from operations and potential additional borrowings. Purchases are made in the open market, through block trades and other negotiated transactions. Repurchased shares are retired, but remain authorized for registration and issuance in the future.
	The following table sets forth information regarding shares repurchased and retired during the periods presented:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
		(Amounts in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Total cost of repurchased shares	$	3,273		$	3,897
	Average price per share	$	56.46		$	47.67
	Number of shares repurchased and retired		58			82
	Of the $3,273 million in repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $45 million were paid for in October 2013. Of the $3,897 million in repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, $96 million were paid for in October 2012. Amounts repurchased but settled subsequent to the end of such periods are considered non-cash financing activities and excluded from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
	The following tables set forth a reconciliation of stockholders' deficit and redeemable noncontrolling interest for each of the periods presented:
					Stockholders' Deficit
		Common			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Redeemable			Net
		Shares			Stock and			Deficit			Other			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling			Income
					Additional						Comprehensive			Deficit			Interest
					Paid-In						Loss
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013		586,839,817		$	4,021		$	(9,210	)	$	(242	)	$	(5,431	)	$	400
	Net income								2,049						2,049			20		$	2,069
	Stock repurchased and retired		(57,961,428	)		(397	)		(2,876	)					(3,273	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,974,496			(61	)								(61	)
	Share-based compensation expense					79									79
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					24									24
	Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest					6									6			(6	)
	Other					(1	)								(1	)
	Other comprehensive loss											—			—			(14	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013		530,852,885		$	3,671		$	(10,037	)	$	(242	)	$	(6,608	)	$	400
					Stockholders' Deficit
		Common			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Redeemable			Net
		Shares			Stock and			Deficit			Other			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling			Income
					Additional						Comprehensive			Deficit			Interest
					Paid-In						Loss
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2012		691,306,695		$	4,799		$	(7,750	)	$	(156	)	$	(3,107	)	$	265
	Net income								2,007						2,007			22		$	2,029
	Stock repurchased and retired		(81,713,828	)		(567	)		(3,330	)					(3,897	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		2,162,030			(54	)								(54	)
	Share-based compensation expense					77									77
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					30									30
	Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest					7									7			(7	)
	Other					(1	)								(1	)
	Other comprehensive loss											(62	)		(62	)		(15	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2012		611,754,897		$	4,291		$	(9,073	)	$	(218	)	$	(5,000	)	$	265
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The following represents the components of other comprehensive income (loss) for each of the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013									2012
		Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of
					Benefit			Tax						Benefit			Tax
					(Expense)									(Expense)
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Defined benefit plans:
	Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	$	(2	)	$	1		$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	1		$	(1	)
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost		19			(7	)		12			15			(6	)		9
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost		2			(1	)		1			—			—			—
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period		125			(47	)		78			(51	)		20			(31	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income		(99	)		38			(61	)		(5	)		2			(3	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(5	)		2			(3	)		(3	)		1			(2	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	40		$	(14	)	$	26		$	(46	)	$	18		$	(28	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013									2012
	Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of
				Benefit			Tax						Benefit			Tax
				(Expense)									(Expense)
	(Dollars in Millions)
Defined benefit plans:
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	$	(2	)	$	1		$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	1		$	(1	)
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost		19			(7	)		12			15			(6	)		9
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost		2			(1	)		1			—			—			—
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period		83			(32	)		51			(51	)		20			(31	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income		(22	)		9			(13	)		(5	)		2			(3	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(81	)		30			(51	)		(52	)		20			(32	)
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses on securities		—			—			—			(7	)		3			(4	)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period		2			(1	)		1			—			—			—
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	1		$	(1	)	$	—		$	(102	)	$	40		$	(62	)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following represents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss for each of the periods presented:
	Defined			Gains (Losses)			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
	Benefit			on Cash			Currency			Gains			Other
	Plan Items			Flow Hedges			Items			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
										Available for			Loss
										Sale Securities
	(Dollars in Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	(184	)	$	(17	)	$	(40	)	$	(1	)	$	(242	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		12			38			(51	)		1			—
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(172	)	$	21		$	(91	)	$	—		$	(242	)
	Defined			Losses on			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
	Benefit			Cash Flow			Currency			Gains			Other
	Plan Items			Hedges			Items			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
										Available for			Loss
										Sale Securities
	(Dollars in Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2012	$	(151	)	$	—		$	(8	)	$	3		$	(156	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		8			(34	)		(32	)		(4	)		(62	)
Balance as of September 30, 2012	$	(143	)	$	(34	)	$	(40	)	$	(1	)	$	(218	)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Common Share	'
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	Note 9: Earnings Per Common Share
	We compute basic earnings per common share, or EPS, by dividing net income attributable to DIRECTV by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
	Diluted EPS considers the effect of common equivalent shares, which consist entirely of common stock options and restricted stock units issued to employees. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we excluded 0.9 million common stock awards from the computation of diluted EPS because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have had an antidilutive effect. We did not exclude any common stock awards from the computation of diluted EPS during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	The reconciliation of the amounts used in the basic and diluted EPS computation is as follows:
		Income		Shares		Per Share
						Amounts
		(Dollars and Shares
		in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	699		541	$	1.29
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	699		545	$	1.28
	September 30, 2012
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	565		624	$	0.91
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	565		629	$	0.9
		Income		Shares		Per Share
						Amounts
		(Dollars and Shares
		in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,049		557	$	3.68
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.03	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,049		562	$	3.65
	September 30, 2012
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,007		651	$	3.08
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.02	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,007		655	$	3.06

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Note 10: Segment Reporting
	Our reportable segments, which are differentiated by their products and services as well as geographic location, are DIRECTV U.S., Sky Brasil and PanAmericana, which are engaged in acquiring, promoting, selling and distributing digital entertainment programming primarily via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers, and the Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other segment, which includes our regional sports networks that provide programming devoted to local professional sports teams and college sporting events and locally produce their own programming. Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other also includes the corporate office, eliminations and other entities.
	Selected information for our operating segments is reported as follows:
		External			Intersegment			Total			Operating			Depreciation		Operating
		Revenues			Revenues			Revenues			Profit			and		Profit
											(Loss)			Amortization		(Loss) Before
														Expense		Depreciation
																and
																Amortization(1)
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	6,168		$	2		$	6,170		$	987		$	409	$	1,396
	Sky Brasil		883			—			883			169			184		353
	PanAmericana		779			—			779			93			112		205
	DIRECTV Latin America		1,662			—			1,662			262			296		558
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		50			(2	)		48			(24	)		3		(21	)
	Total	$	7,880		$	—		$	7,880		$	1,225		$	708	$	1,933
	September 30, 2012
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	5,767		$	2		$	5,769		$	876		$	375	$	1,251
	Sky Brasil		868			—			868			122			133		255
	PanAmericana		709			—			709			99			101		200
	DIRECTV Latin America		1,577			—			1,577			221			234		455
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		72			(2	)		70			(29	)		9		(20	)
	Total	$	7,416		$	—		$	7,416		$	1,068		$	618	$	1,686
		External			Intersegment			Total			Operating			Depreciation		Operating
		Revenues			Revenues			Revenues			Profit			and		Profit
											(Loss)			Amortization		(Loss) Before
														Expense		Depreciation
																and
																Amortization(1)
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	17,897		$	6		$	17,903		$	3,343		$	1,225	$	4,568
	Sky Brasil		2,790			—			2,790			379			547		926
	PanAmericana		2,286			—			2,286			139			328		467
	DIRECTV Latin America		5,076			—			5,076			518			875		1,393
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		187			(6	)		181			(44	)		17		(27	)
	Total	$	23,160		$	—		$	23,160		$	3,817		$	2,117	$	5,934
	September 30, 2012
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	16,909		$	6		$	16,915		$	3,130		$	1,116	$	4,246
	Sky Brasil		2,587			—			2,587			399			403		802
	PanAmericana		1,983			—			1,983			295			271		566
	DIRECTV Latin America		4,570			—			4,570			694			674		1,368
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		207			(6	)		201			(37	)		21		(16	)
	Total	$	21,686		$	—		$	21,686		$	3,787		$	1,811	$	5,598
	-1
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP can be calculated by adding amounts under the caption "Depreciation and amortization expense" to "Operating profit." This measure should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and Board of Directors use operating profit before depreciation and amortization to evaluate the operating performance of our company and our business segments and to allocate resources and capital to business segments. This metric is also used as a measure of performance for incentive compensation purposes and to measure income generated from operations that could be used to fund capital expenditures, service debt or pay taxes. Depreciation and amortization expense primarily represents an allocation to current expense of the cost of historical capital expenditures and for intangible assets resulting from prior business acquisitions. To compensate for the exclusion of depreciation and amortization expense from operating profit, our management and Board of Directors separately measure and budget for capital expenditures and business acquisitions.
	We believe this measure is useful to investors, along with GAAP measures (such as revenues, operating profit and net income), to compare our operating performance to other communications, entertainment and media service providers. We believe that investors use current and projected operating profit before depreciation and amortization and similar measures to estimate our current or prospective enterprise value and make investment decisions. This metric provides investors with a means to compare operating results exclusive of depreciation and amortization. Our management believes this is useful given the significant variation in depreciation and amortization expense that can result from the timing of capital expenditures, the capitalization of intangible assets, potential variations in expected useful lives when compared to other companies and periodic changes to estimated useful lives.
	The following represents a reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation and amortization to reported net income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
		Three Months						Nine Months
		Ended						Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization	$	1,933		$	1,686		$	5,934		$	5,598
	Depreciation and amortization		(708	)		(618	)		(2,117	)		(1,811	)
	Operating profit		1,225			1,068			3,817			3,787
	Interest income		15			17			56			40
	Interest expense		(182	)		(204	)		(618	)		(622	)
	Other, net		43			39			6			13
	Income before income taxes		1,101			920			3,261			3,218
Income tax expense		(391	)		(348	)		(1,192	)		(1,189	)
Net income		710			572			2,069			2,029
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(11	)		(7	)		(20	)		(22	)
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	699		$	565		$	2,049		$	2,007

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
	Note 11: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	As discussed above in Note 4, DIRECTV has provided a guarantee of all the outstanding senior notes of DIRECTV Holdings LLC and DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., or the Co-issuers.
	The following condensed consolidating financial statements of DIRECTV and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to rules regarding the preparation of consolidating financial statements of Regulation S-X.
	These condensed consolidating financial statements present the condensed consolidating statements of operations and condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	The condensed consolidating financial statements are comprised of DIRECTV, or the Parent Guarantor, its indirect 100% owned subsidiaries, DIRECTV Holdings, DIRECTV Financing and each of DIRECTV Holdings' material subsidiaries (other than DIRECTV Financing), or the Guarantor Subsidiaries, as well as other subsidiaries who are not guarantors of the senior notes, or the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and the eliminations necessary to present DIRECTV's financial statements on a consolidated basis. The Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries consist primarily of DIRECTV's DTH digital television services throughout Latin America which are held by DIRECTV Latin America Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and our regional sports networks which are held by DIRECTV Sports Networks LLC and its subsidiaries.
	The accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements are presented based on the equity method of accounting for all periods presented. Under this method, investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost and adjusted for the subsidiaries' cumulative results of operations, capital contributions and distributions, and other changes in equity. Elimination entries include consolidating and eliminating entries for investments in subsidiaries, intercompany activity and balances, and income taxes.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	6,170		$	1,723		$	(13	)	$	7,880
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other			—			—			2,904			548			(11	)		3,441
	Subscriber service expenses			—			—			391			192			—			583
	Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			68			32			(2	)		98
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			756			185			—			941
	Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			359			52			—			411
	General and administrative expenses			12			—			296			165			—			473
	Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			409			299			—			708
	Total operating costs and expenses			12			—			5,183			1,473			(13	)		6,655
	Operating profit (loss)			(12	)		—			987			250			—			1,225
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			706			820			—			—			(1,526	)		—
	Interest income			3			—			1			13			(2	)		15
	Interest expense			—			(206	)		(1	)		23			2			(182	)
	Other, net			—			—			6			37			—			43
	Income before income taxes			697			614			993			323			(1,526	)		1,101
	Income tax benefit (expense)			2			38			(173	)		(258	)		—			(391	)
	Net income			699			652			820			65			(1,526	)		710
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	699		$	652		$	820		$	54		$	(1,526	)	$	699
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	5,769		$	1,667		$	(20	)	$	7,416
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other			—			—			2,685			621			(18	)		3,288
	Subscriber service expenses			—			—			390			176			—			566
	Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			74			31			(2	)		103
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			757			187			—			944
	Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			340			42			—			382
	General and administrative expenses			17			—			272			158			—			447
	Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			375			243			—			618
	Total operating costs and expenses			17			—			4,893			1,458			(20	)		6,348
	Operating profit (loss)			(17	)		—			876			209			—			1,068
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			576			553			—			—			(1,129	)		—
	Interest income			—			—			1			19			(3	)		17
	Interest expense			—			(188	)		(1	)		(18	)		3			(204	)
	Other, net			(2	)		—			17			24			—			39
	Income before income taxes			557			365			893			234			(1,129	)		920
	Income tax benefit (expense)			8			71			(340	)		(87	)		—			(348	)
	Net income			565			436			553			147			(1,129	)		572
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(7	)		—			(7	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	565		$	436		$	553		$	140		$	(1,129	)	$	565
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	17,903		$	5,306		$	(49	)	$	23,160
Operating costs and expenses
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other			—			—			8,147			1,808			(43	)		9,912
Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,102			572			—			1,674
Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			220			91			(6	)		305
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			1,979			585			—			2,564
Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			1,002			151			—			1,153
General and administrative expenses			53			—			885			514			—			1,452
Venezuelan currency devaluation			—			—			—			166			—			166
Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,225			892			—			2,117
Total operating costs and expenses			53			—			14,560			4,779			(49	)		19,343
Operating profit (loss)			(53	)		—			3,343			527			—			3,817
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,082			2,530			—			—			(4,612	)		—
Interest income			13			—			2			49			(8	)		56
Interest expense			(1	)		(613	)		(2	)		(10	)		8			(618	)
Other, net			(4	)		—			22			(12	)		—			6
Income before income taxes			2,037			1,917			3,365			554			(4,612	)		3,261
Income tax benefit (expense)			12			152			(835	)		(521	)		—			(1,192	)
Net income			2,049			2,069			2,530			33			(4,612	)		2,069
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(20	)		—			(20	)
Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,049		$	2,069		$	2,530		$	13		$	(4,612	)	$	2,049
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Revenues		$	—		$	59		$	16,915		$	4,831		$	(119	)	$	21,686
Operating costs and expenses
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other			—			—			7,549			1,754			(54	)		9,249
Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,096			496			—			1,592
Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			229			87			(6	)		310
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			2,017			532			—			2,549
Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			930			126			—			1,056
General and administrative expenses			33			—			907			451			(59	)		1,332
Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,116			695			—			1,811
Total operating costs and expenses			33			—			13,844			4,141			(119	)		17,899
Operating profit (loss)			(33	)		59			3,071			690			—			3,787
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,032			1,926			—			—			(3,958	)		—
Interest income			—			—			1			48			(9	)		40
Interest expense			(1	)		(575	)		(2	)		(53	)		9			(622	)
Other, net			(6	)		(65	)		26			58			—			13
Income before income taxes			1,992			1,345			3,096			743			(3,958	)		3,218
Income tax benefit (expense)			15			219			(1,170	)		(253	)		—			(1,189	)
Net income			2,007			1,564			1,926			490			(3,958	)		2,029
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(22	)		—			(22	)
Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,007		$	1,564		$	1,926		$	468		$	(3,958	)	$	2,007
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Net income		$	699		$	652		$	820		$	65		$	(1,526	)	$	710
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Defined benefit plans:
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(1	)		—			—			—			—			(1	)
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			12			—			—			—			—			12
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost			1			—			—			—			—			1
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains arising during the period			—			78			—			—			—			78
Reclassification adjustments included in net income			—			(61	)		—			—			—			(61	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—			—			—			(3	)		—			(3	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			12			17			—			(3	)		—			26
Comprehensive income			711			669			820			62			(1,526	)		736
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	711		$	669		$	820		$	51		$	(1,526	)	$	725
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Net income		$	565		$	436		$	553		$	147		$	(1,129	)	$	572
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Defined benefit plans:
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(1	)		—			—			—			—			(1	)
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			9			—			—			—			—			9
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period			—			(31	)		—			—			—			(31	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income			—			(3	)					—			—			(3	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—			—			—			(2	)		—			(2	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			8			(34	)		—			(2	)		—			(28	)
Comprehensive income			573			402			553			145			(1,129	)		544
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(6	)		—			(6	)
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	573		$	402		$	553		$	139		$	(1,129	)	$	538
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Net income		$	2,049		$	2,069		$	2,530		$	33		$	(4,612	)	$	2,069
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Defined benefit plans:
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(1	)		—			—			—			—			(1	)
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			12			—			—			—			—			12
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost			1			—			—			—			—			1
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains arising during the period			—			51			—			—			—			51
Reclassification adjustments included in net income			—			(13	)		—			—			—			(13	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—			—			—			(51	)		—			(51	)
Available for sale securities:
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period			—			—			—			1			—			1
Other comprehensive income (loss)			12			38			—			(50	)		—			—
Comprehensive income (loss)			2,061			2,107			2,530			(17	)		(4,612	)		2,069
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(6	)		—			(6	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,061		$	2,107		$	2,530		$	(23	)	$	(4,612	)	$	2,063
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Net income		$	2,007		$	1,564		$	1,926		$	490		$	(3,958	)	$	2,029
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Defined benefit plans:
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(1	)		—			—			—			—			(1	)
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			9			—			—			—			—			9
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period			—			(31	)		—			—			—			(31	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income			—			(3	)		—			—			—			(3	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—			—			—			(32	)		—			(32	)
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses on securities			—			—			—			(4	)		—			(4	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			8			(34	)		—			(36	)		—			(62	)
Comprehensive income			2,015			1,530			1,926			454			(3,958	)		1,967
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(7	)		—			(7	)
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,015		$	1,530		$	1,926		$	447		$	(3,958	)	$	1,960
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of September 30, 2013
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	ASSETS
	Total current assets		$	872		$	713		$	2,906		$	2,206		$	(1,668	)	$	5,029
	Satellites, net			—			—			1,820			623			—			2,443
	Property and equipment, net			—			—			3,556			2,906			—			6,462
	Goodwill			—			1,828			1,360			797			—			3,985
	Intangible assets, net			—			—			525			405			—			930
	Intercompany receivables			4,597			7,579			19,655			4,120			(35,951	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries			(9,868	)		17,412			—			(11,286	)		3,742			—
	Investments and other assets			105			151			259			1,423			(199	)		1,739
	Total assets		$	(4,294	)	$	27,683		$	30,081		$	1,194		$	(34,076	)	$	20,588
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
	Total current liabilities		$	540		$	742		$	3,424		$	2,291		$	(1,668	)	$	5,329
	Long-term debt			—			18,585			—			50			—			18,635
	Deferred income taxes			—			34			1,429			270			(191	)		1,542
	Intercompany liabilities			1,356			19,655			7,579			7,361			(35,951	)		—
	Other liabilities and deferred credits			418			186			237			457			(8	)		1,290
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			400			—			400
	Stockholders' equity (deficit)
	Capital stock and additional paid-in capital			3,671			14			4,883			(9,009	)		4,112			3,671
	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(10,037	)		(11,555	)		12,529			(497	)		(477	)		(10,037	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(242	)		22			—			(129	)		107			(242	)
	Total stockholders' equity (deficit)			(6,608	)		(11,519	)		17,412			(9,635	)		3,742			(6,608	)
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)		$	(4,294	)	$	27,683		$	30,081		$	1,194		$	(34,076	)	$	20,588
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2012
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	ASSETS
	Total current assets		$	883		$	884		$	2,788		$	2,039		$	(1,040	)	$	5,554
	Satellites, net			—			—			1,795			562			—			2,357
	Property and equipment, net			—			—			3,290			2,748			—			6,038
	Goodwill			—			1,828			1,349			886			—			4,063
	Intangible assets, net			—			—			453			379			—			832
	Intercompany receivables			4,382			6,152			16,355			3,703			(30,592	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries			(8,687	)		15,001			—			(10,915	)		4,601			—
	Investments and other assets			180			91			241			1,294			(95	)		1,711
	Total assets		$	(3,242	)	$	23,956		$	26,271		$	696		$	(27,126	)	$	20,555
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
	Total current liabilities		$	384		$	646		$	3,526		$	2,025		$	(1,040	)	$	5,541
	Long-term debt			—			17,170			—			—			—			17,170
	Deferred income taxes			—			—			1,397			361			(86	)		1,672
	Intercompany liabilities			1,401			16,355			6,152			6,684			(30,592	)		—
	Other liabilities and deferred credits			404			131			195			482			(9	)		1,203
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			400			—			400
	Stockholders' equity (deficit)
	Capital stock and additional paid-in capital			4,021			12			4,802			(6,632	)		1,818			4,021
	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(9,210	)		(10,341	)		10,199			(2,560	)		2,702			(9,210	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(242	)		(17	)		—			(64	)		81			(242	)
	Total stockholders' equity (deficit)			(5,431	)		(10,346	)		15,001			(9,256	)		4,601			(5,431	)
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)		$	(3,242	)	$	23,956		$	26,271		$	696		$	(27,126	)	$	20,555
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	1,096		$	1,568		$	1,623		$	1,701		$	(1,633	)	$	4,355
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,327	)		(1,144	)		—			(2,471	)
Cash paid for satellites			—			—			(154	)		(122	)		—			(276	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(38	)		(9	)		—			(47	)
Proceeds from sale of investments			117			—			12			11			—			140
Return of capital from subsidiary			1,567			—			—			—			(1,567	)		—
Other, net			—			—			(67	)		(91	)		—			(158	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			1,684			—			(1,574	)		(1,355	)		(1,567	)		(2,812	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net			—			90			—			—			—			90
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			—			441			—			—			—			441
Repayment of short-term borrowings			—			(327	)		—			—			—			(327	)
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			10			—			—			—			10
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			(10	)		—			—			—			(10	)
Proceeds from long-term debt			—			1,390			—			94			—			1,484
Debt issuance costs			—			(8	)		—			—			—			(8	)
Repayment of long-term debt			—			—			—			(9	)		—			(9	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(18	)		(30	)		—			(48	)
Common shares repurchased and retired			(3,228	)		—			—			—			—			(3,228	)
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation			—			—			(51	)		(10	)		—			(61	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			—			—			20			4			—			24
Other, net			—			6			—			—			—			6
Intercompany payments (funding)			265			—			3			(268	)		—			—
Cash dividend to Parent			—			(3,200	)		—			—			3,200			—
Net cash used in financing activities			(2,963	)		(1,608	)		(46	)		(219	)		3,200			(1,636	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents			—			—			—			(187	)		—			(187	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(183	)		(40	)		3			(60	)		—			(280	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period			408			728			11			755			—			1,902
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period		$	225		$	688		$	14		$	695		$	—		$	1,622
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	1,186		$	1,822		$	1,173		$	1,616		$	(1,664	)	$	4,133
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,048	)		(1,112	)		—			(2,160	)
Cash paid for satellites			(6	)		—			(139	)		(86	)		—			(231	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(1	)		(3	)		—			(4	)
Proceeds from sale of investments			—			—			24			—			—			24
Return of capital from subsidiary			3,336			—			—			—			(3,336	)		—
Other, net			—			—			(1	)		26			—			25
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			3,330			—			(1,165	)		(1,175	)		(3,336	)		(2,346	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			400			—			—			—			400
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			(400	)		—			—			—			(400	)
Proceeds from long-term debt			—			5,190			—			—			—			5,190
Debt issuance costs			—			(35	)		—			—			—			(35	)
Repayment of long-term debt			—			(1,500	)		—			—			—			(1,500	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(15	)		(25	)		—			(40	)
Common shares repurchased and retired			(3,828	)		—			—			—			—			(3,828	)
Stock options exercised			2			—			—			—			—			2
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation			—			—			(49	)		(9	)		—			(58	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			—			—			25			5			—			30
Intercompany payments (funding)			154			—			14			(168	)		—			—
Cash dividend to Parent			—			(5,000	)		—			—			5,000			—
Net cash used in financing activities			(3,672	)		(1,345	)		(25	)		(197	)		5,000			(239	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			844			477			(17	)		244			—			1,548
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period			129			228			4			512			—			873
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period		$	973		$	705		$	(13	)	$	756		$	—		$	2,421

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill	'
Schedule of goodwill	'
				DIRECTV Latin
				America					Sports
									Networks,
									Eliminations
		DIRECTV		Sky			PanAmericana		and Other			Total
		U.S.		Brasil
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	3,177	$	380		$	211	$	295		$	4,063
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		(31	)		—		—			(31	)
	DSN Northwest Transaction		—		—			—		(73	)		(73	)
	Acquisitions		11		15			—		—			26
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	3,188	$	364		$	211	$	222		$	3,985

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt	'
Schedule of outstanding debt	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Current debt
	Current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility	$	35	$	—
	Commercial paper		562		358
	Long-term debt
	Borrowings under BNDES financing facility		50		—
	Senior notes		18,585		17,170
	Total debt	$	19,232	$	17,528
Schedule of Senior notes issued on 8 March 2012	'
		Principal		Proceeds, net
				of discount
		(Dollars in Millions)
	2.400% senior notes due in 2017	$	1,250	$	1,249
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022		1,500		1,499
	5.150% senior notes due in 2042		1,250		1,248
		$	4,000	$	3,996
Schedule of outstanding senior notes	'
		Principal amount		Carrying value, net of
				unamortized original
				issue discounts
		September 30,		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	4.750% senior notes due in 2014	$	1,000	$	999	$	999
	3.550% senior notes due in 2015		1,200		1,200		1,200
	3.125% senior notes due in 2016		750		750		750
	3.500% senior notes due in 2016		1,500		1,499		1,498
	2.400% senior notes due in 2017		1,250		1,249		1,249
	1.750% senior notes due in 2018		750		744		—
	5.875% senior notes due in 2019		1,000		995		995
	5.200% senior notes due in 2020		1,300		1,299		1,298
	4.600% senior notes due in 2021		1,000		999		999
	5.000% senior notes due in 2021		1,500		1,495		1,495
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022		1,500		1,499		1,499
	2.750% senior noted due in 2023(1)		676		673		—
	4.375% senior notes due in 2029(1)		1,214		1,201		1,206
	6.350% senior notes due in 2040		500		500		500
	6.000% senior notes due in 2040		1,250		1,235		1,234
	6.375% senior notes due in 2041		1,000		1,000		1,000
	5.150% senior notes due in 2042		1,250		1,248		1,248
	Total senior notes	$	18,640	$	18,585	$	17,170
	-1
	These amounts reflect the remeasurement of the aggregate principal and carrying value of our foreign currency denominated senior notes to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rates in effect at each of the dates presented.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Schedule of fair values of assets and liabilities associated with the derivative financial instruments	'
		Assets				Liabilities
		September 30,		December 31,		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	74	$	—	$	—	$	17
	Interest rate contracts		—		—		7		—
	Total fair value of derivative financial instruments	$	74	$	—	$	7	$	17
Schedule of notional amounts of outstanding derivative financial instruments	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	1,858	$	1,208
	Interest rate contracts		500		—
	Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments	$	2,358	$	1,208

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'
Summary of revenues and expenses with related parties	'
		Three Months				Nine Months
		Ended				Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	2	$	1	$	5	$	3
	Expenses		235		225		717		696
Schedule of accounts receivable from and accounts payable to related parties	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Accounts receivable	$	31	$	26
	Accounts payable		98		90

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Redee1

Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	'
Schedule of shares repurchased and retired	'
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
		(Amounts in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Total cost of repurchased shares	$	3,273		$	3,897
	Average price per share	$	56.46		$	47.67
	Number of shares repurchased and retired		58			82
Reconciliation of stockholders' deficit and redeemable noncontrolling interest	'
					Stockholders' Deficit
		Common			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Redeemable			Net
		Shares			Stock and			Deficit			Other			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling			Income
					Additional						Comprehensive			Deficit			Interest
					Paid-In						Loss
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013		586,839,817		$	4,021		$	(9,210	)	$	(242	)	$	(5,431	)	$	400
	Net income								2,049						2,049			20		$	2,069
	Stock repurchased and retired		(57,961,428	)		(397	)		(2,876	)					(3,273	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,974,496			(61	)								(61	)
	Share-based compensation expense					79									79
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					24									24
	Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest					6									6			(6	)
	Other					(1	)								(1	)
	Other comprehensive loss											—			—			(14	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013		530,852,885		$	3,671		$	(10,037	)	$	(242	)	$	(6,608	)	$	400
					Stockholders' Deficit
		Common			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Redeemable			Net
		Shares			Stock and			Deficit			Other			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling			Income
					Additional						Comprehensive			Deficit			Interest
					Paid-In						Loss
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2012		691,306,695		$	4,799		$	(7,750	)	$	(156	)	$	(3,107	)	$	265
	Net income								2,007						2,007			22		$	2,029
	Stock repurchased and retired		(81,713,828	)		(567	)		(3,330	)					(3,897	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		2,162,030			(54	)								(54	)
	Share-based compensation expense					77									77
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					30									30
	Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest					7									7			(7	)
	Other					(1	)								(1	)
	Other comprehensive loss											(62	)		(62	)		(15	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2012		611,754,897		$	4,291		$	(9,073	)	$	(218	)	$	(5,000	)	$	265
Schedule of components of other comprehensive income (loss)	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013									2012
		Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of
					Benefit			Tax						Benefit			Tax
					(Expense)									(Expense)
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Defined benefit plans:
	Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	$	(2	)	$	1		$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	1		$	(1	)
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost		19			(7	)		12			15			(6	)		9
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost		2			(1	)		1			—			—			—
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period		125			(47	)		78			(51	)		20			(31	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income		(99	)		38			(61	)		(5	)		2			(3	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		(5	)		2			(3	)		(3	)		1			(2	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	40		$	(14	)	$	26		$	(46	)	$	18		$	(28	)
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013									2012
		Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of
					Benefit			Tax						Benefit			Tax
					(Expense)									(Expense)
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Defined benefit plans:
	Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	$	(2	)	$	1		$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	1		$	(1	)
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost		19			(7	)		12			15			(6	)		9
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost		2			(1	)		1			—			—			—
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period		83			(32	)		51			(51	)		20			(31	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income		(22	)		9			(13	)		(5	)		2			(3	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		(81	)		30			(51	)		(52	)		20			(32	)
	Available for sale securities:
	Unrealized holding losses on securities		—			—			—			(7	)		3			(4	)
	Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period		2			(1	)		1			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	1		$	(1	)	$	—		$	(102	)	$	40		$	(62	)
Schedule of changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
		Defined			Gains (Losses)			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Benefit			on Cash			Currency			Gains			Other
		Plan Items			Flow Hedges			Items			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
											Available for			Loss
											Sale Securities
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	(184	)	$	(17	)	$	(40	)	$	(1	)	$	(242	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		12			38			(51	)		1			—
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(172	)	$	21		$	(91	)	$	—		$	(242	)
		Defined			Losses on			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Benefit			Cash Flow			Currency			Gains			Other
		Plan Items			Hedges			Items			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
											Available for			Loss
											Sale Securities
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2012	$	(151	)	$	—		$	(8	)	$	3		$	(156	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		8			(34	)		(32	)		(4	)		(62	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2012	$	(143	)	$	(34	)	$	(40	)	$	(1	)	$	(218	)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Common Share	'
Schedule of reconciliation of the amounts used in the basic and diluted EPS	'
		Income		Shares		Per Share
						Amounts
		(Dollars and Shares
		in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	699		541	$	1.29
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	699		545	$	1.28
	September 30, 2012
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	565		624	$	0.91
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	565		629	$	0.9
		Income		Shares		Per Share
						Amounts
		(Dollars and Shares
		in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,049		557	$	3.68
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.03	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,049		562	$	3.65
	September 30, 2012
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,007		651	$	3.08
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.02	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,007		655	$	3.06

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting	'
Selected information for operating segments	'
		External			Intersegment			Total			Operating			Depreciation		Operating
		Revenues			Revenues			Revenues			Profit			and		Profit
											(Loss)			Amortization		(Loss) Before
														Expense		Depreciation
																and
																Amortization(1)
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	6,168		$	2		$	6,170		$	987		$	409	$	1,396
	Sky Brasil		883			—			883			169			184		353
	PanAmericana		779			—			779			93			112		205
	DIRECTV Latin America		1,662			—			1,662			262			296		558
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		50			(2	)		48			(24	)		3		(21	)
	Total	$	7,880		$	—		$	7,880		$	1,225		$	708	$	1,933
	September 30, 2012
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	5,767		$	2		$	5,769		$	876		$	375	$	1,251
	Sky Brasil		868			—			868			122			133		255
	PanAmericana		709			—			709			99			101		200
	DIRECTV Latin America		1,577			—			1,577			221			234		455
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		72			(2	)		70			(29	)		9		(20	)
	Total	$	7,416		$	—		$	7,416		$	1,068		$	618	$	1,686
		External			Intersegment			Total			Operating			Depreciation		Operating
		Revenues			Revenues			Revenues			Profit			and		Profit
											(Loss)			Amortization		(Loss) Before
														Expense		Depreciation
																and
																Amortization(1)
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	17,897		$	6		$	17,903		$	3,343		$	1,225	$	4,568
	Sky Brasil		2,790			—			2,790			379			547		926
	PanAmericana		2,286			—			2,286			139			328		467
	DIRECTV Latin America		5,076			—			5,076			518			875		1,393
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		187			(6	)		181			(44	)		17		(27	)
	Total	$	23,160		$	—		$	23,160		$	3,817		$	2,117	$	5,934
	September 30, 2012
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	16,909		$	6		$	16,915		$	3,130		$	1,116	$	4,246
	Sky Brasil		2,587			—			2,587			399			403		802
	PanAmericana		1,983			—			1,983			295			271		566
	DIRECTV Latin America		4,570			—			4,570			694			674		1,368
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		207			(6	)		201			(37	)		21		(16	)
	Total	$	21,686		$	—		$	21,686		$	3,787		$	1,811	$	5,598
	-1
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP can be calculated by adding amounts under the caption "Depreciation and amortization expense" to "Operating profit." This measure should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and Board of Directors use operating profit before depreciation and amortization to evaluate the operating performance of our company and our business segments and to allocate resources and capital to business segments. This metric is also used as a measure of performance for incentive compensation purposes and to measure income generated from operations that could be used to fund capital expenditures, service debt or pay taxes. Depreciation and amortization expense primarily represents an allocation to current expense of the cost of historical capital expenditures and for intangible assets resulting from prior business acquisitions. To compensate for the exclusion of depreciation and amortization expense from operating profit, our management and Board of Directors separately measure and budget for capital expenditures and business acquisitions.
	We believe this measure is useful to investors, along with GAAP measures (such as revenues, operating profit and net income), to compare our operating performance to other communications, entertainment and media service providers. We believe that investors use current and projected operating profit before depreciation and amortization and similar measures to estimate our current or prospective enterprise value and make investment decisions. This metric provides investors with a means to compare operating results exclusive of depreciation and amortization. Our management believes this is useful given the significant variation in depreciation and amortization expense that can result from the timing of capital expenditures, the capitalization of intangible assets, potential variations in expected useful lives when compared to other companies and periodic changes to estimated useful lives.
Reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation and amortization to reported net income	'
		Three Months						Nine Months
		Ended						Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization	$	1,933		$	1,686		$	5,934		$	5,598
	Depreciation and amortization		(708	)		(618	)		(2,117	)		(1,811	)
	Operating profit		1,225			1,068			3,817			3,787
	Interest income		15			17			56			40
	Interest expense		(182	)		(204	)		(618	)		(622	)
	Other, net		43			39			6			13
	Income before income taxes		1,101			920			3,261			3,218
	Income tax expense		(391	)		(348	)		(1,192	)		(1,189	)
	Net income		710			572			2,069			2,029
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(11	)		(7	)		(20	)		(22	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	699		$	565		$	2,049		$	2,007

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	6,170		$	1,723		$	(13	)	$	7,880
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other			—			—			2,904			548			(11	)		3,441
	Subscriber service expenses			—			—			391			192			—			583
	Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			68			32			(2	)		98
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			756			185			—			941
	Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			359			52			—			411
	General and administrative expenses			12			—			296			165			—			473
	Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			409			299			—			708
	Total operating costs and expenses			12			—			5,183			1,473			(13	)		6,655
	Operating profit (loss)			(12	)		—			987			250			—			1,225
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			706			820			—			—			(1,526	)		—
	Interest income			3			—			1			13			(2	)		15
	Interest expense			—			(206	)		(1	)		23			2			(182	)
	Other, net			—			—			6			37			—			43
	Income before income taxes			697			614			993			323			(1,526	)		1,101
	Income tax benefit (expense)			2			38			(173	)		(258	)		—			(391	)
	Net income			699			652			820			65			(1,526	)		710
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	699		$	652		$	820		$	54		$	(1,526	)	$	699
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	5,769		$	1,667		$	(20	)	$	7,416
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other			—			—			2,685			621			(18	)		3,288
	Subscriber service expenses			—			—			390			176			—			566
	Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			74			31			(2	)		103
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			757			187			—			944
	Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			340			42			—			382
	General and administrative expenses			17			—			272			158			—			447
	Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			375			243			—			618
	Total operating costs and expenses			17			—			4,893			1,458			(20	)		6,348
	Operating profit (loss)			(17	)		—			876			209			—			1,068
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			576			553			—			—			(1,129	)		—
	Interest income			—			—			1			19			(3	)		17
	Interest expense			—			(188	)		(1	)		(18	)		3			(204	)
	Other, net			(2	)		—			17			24			—			39
	Income before income taxes			557			365			893			234			(1,129	)		920
	Income tax benefit (expense)			8			71			(340	)		(87	)		—			(348	)
	Net income			565			436			553			147			(1,129	)		572
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(7	)		—			(7	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	565		$	436		$	553		$	140		$	(1,129	)	$	565
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	17,903		$	5,306		$	(49	)	$	23,160
Operating costs and expenses
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other			—			—			8,147			1,808			(43	)		9,912
Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,102			572			—			1,674
Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			220			91			(6	)		305
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			1,979			585			—			2,564
Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			1,002			151			—			1,153
General and administrative expenses			53			—			885			514			—			1,452
Venezuelan currency devaluation			—			—			—			166			—			166
Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,225			892			—			2,117
Total operating costs and expenses			53			—			14,560			4,779			(49	)		19,343
Operating profit (loss)			(53	)		—			3,343			527			—			3,817
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,082			2,530			—			—			(4,612	)		—
Interest income			13			—			2			49			(8	)		56
Interest expense			(1	)		(613	)		(2	)		(10	)		8			(618	)
Other, net			(4	)		—			22			(12	)		—			6
Income before income taxes			2,037			1,917			3,365			554			(4,612	)		3,261
Income tax benefit (expense)			12			152			(835	)		(521	)		—			(1,192	)
Net income			2,049			2,069			2,530			33			(4,612	)		2,069
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(20	)		—			(20	)
Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,049		$	2,069		$	2,530		$	13		$	(4,612	)	$	2,049
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Revenues		$	—		$	59		$	16,915		$	4,831		$	(119	)	$	21,686
Operating costs and expenses
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other			—			—			7,549			1,754			(54	)		9,249
Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,096			496			—			1,592
Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			229			87			(6	)		310
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			2,017			532			—			2,549
Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			930			126			—			1,056
General and administrative expenses			33			—			907			451			(59	)		1,332
Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,116			695			—			1,811
Total operating costs and expenses			33			—			13,844			4,141			(119	)		17,899
Operating profit (loss)			(33	)		59			3,071			690			—			3,787
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,032			1,926			—			—			(3,958	)		—
Interest income			—			—			1			48			(9	)		40
Interest expense			(1	)		(575	)		(2	)		(53	)		9			(622	)
Other, net			(6	)		(65	)		26			58			—			13
Income before income taxes			1,992			1,345			3,096			743			(3,958	)		3,218
Income tax benefit (expense)			15			219			(1,170	)		(253	)		—			(1,189	)
Net income			2,007			1,564			1,926			490			(3,958	)		2,029
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(22	)		—			(22	)
Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,007		$	1,564		$	1,926		$	468		$	(3,958	)	$	2,007
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income		$	699		$	652		$	820		$	65		$	(1,526	)	$	710
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Defined benefit plans:
	Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(1	)		—			—			—			—			(1	)
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			12			—			—			—			—			12
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost			1			—			—			—			—			1
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized gains arising during the period			—			78			—			—			—			78
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income			—			(61	)		—			—			—			(61	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			—			—			—			(3	)		—			(3	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			12			17			—			(3	)		—			26
	Comprehensive income			711			669			820			62			(1,526	)		736
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
	Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	711		$	669		$	820		$	51		$	(1,526	)	$	725
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income		$	565		$	436		$	553		$	147		$	(1,129	)	$	572
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Defined benefit plans:
	Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(1	)		—			—			—			—			(1	)
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			9			—			—			—			—			9
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized losses arising during the period			—			(31	)		—			—			—			(31	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income			—			(3	)					—			—			(3	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			—			—			—			(2	)		—			(2	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			8			(34	)		—			(2	)		—			(28	)
	Comprehensive income			573			402			553			145			(1,129	)		544
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(6	)		—			(6	)
	Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	573		$	402		$	553		$	139		$	(1,129	)	$	538
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income		$	2,049		$	2,069		$	2,530		$	33		$	(4,612	)	$	2,069
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Defined benefit plans:
	Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(1	)		—			—			—			—			(1	)
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			12			—			—			—			—			12
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost			1			—			—			—			—			1
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized gains arising during the period			—			51			—			—			—			51
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income			—			(13	)		—			—			—			(13	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			—			—			—			(51	)		—			(51	)
	Available for sale securities:
	Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period			—			—			—			1			—			1
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			12			38			—			(50	)		—			—
	Comprehensive income (loss)			2,061			2,107			2,530			(17	)		(4,612	)		2,069
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(6	)		—			(6	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,061		$	2,107		$	2,530		$	(23	)	$	(4,612	)	$	2,063
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
Net income		$	2,007		$	1,564		$	1,926		$	490		$	(3,958	)	$	2,029
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Defined benefit plans:
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(1	)		—			—			—			—			(1	)
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			9			—			—			—			—			9
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period			—			(31	)		—			—			—			(31	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income			—			(3	)		—			—			—			(3	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—			—			—			(32	)		—			(32	)
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses on securities			—			—			—			(4	)		—			(4	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			8			(34	)		—			(36	)		—			(62	)
Comprehensive income			2,015			1,530			1,926			454			(3,958	)		1,967
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(7	)		—			(7	)
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,015		$	1,530		$	1,926		$	447		$	(3,958	)	$	1,960
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of September 30, 2013
				Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
				Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
													Subsidiaries
				(Dollars in Millions)
		ASSETS
		Total current assets		$	872		$	713		$	2,906		$	2,206		$	(1,668	)	$	5,029
		Satellites, net			—			—			1,820			623			—			2,443
		Property and equipment, net			—			—			3,556			2,906			—			6,462
		Goodwill			—			1,828			1,360			797			—			3,985
		Intangible assets, net			—			—			525			405			—			930
		Intercompany receivables			4,597			7,579			19,655			4,120			(35,951	)		—
		Investment in subsidiaries			(9,868	)		17,412			—			(11,286	)		3,742			—
		Investments and other assets			105			151			259			1,423			(199	)		1,739
		Total assets		$	(4,294	)	$	27,683		$	30,081		$	1,194		$	(34,076	)	$	20,588
		LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
		Total current liabilities		$	540		$	742		$	3,424		$	2,291		$	(1,668	)	$	5,329
		Long-term debt			—			18,585			—			50			—			18,635
		Deferred income taxes			—			34			1,429			270			(191	)		1,542
		Intercompany liabilities			1,356			19,655			7,579			7,361			(35,951	)		—
		Other liabilities and deferred credits			418			186			237			457			(8	)		1,290
		Redeemable noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			400			—			400
		Stockholders' equity (deficit)
		Capital stock and additional paid-in capital			3,671			14			4,883			(9,009	)		4,112			3,671
		Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(10,037	)		(11,555	)		12,529			(497	)		(477	)		(10,037	)
		Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(242	)		22			—			(129	)		107			(242	)
		Total stockholders' equity (deficit)			(6,608	)		(11,519	)		17,412			(9,635	)		3,742			(6,608	)
		Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)		$	(4,294	)	$	27,683		$	30,081		$	1,194		$	(34,076	)	$	20,588
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of December 31, 2012
				Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
				Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
													Subsidiaries
				(Dollars in Millions)
		ASSETS
		Total current assets		$	883		$	884		$	2,788		$	2,039		$	(1,040	)	$	5,554
		Satellites, net			—			—			1,795			562			—			2,357
		Property and equipment, net			—			—			3,290			2,748			—			6,038
		Goodwill			—			1,828			1,349			886			—			4,063
		Intangible assets, net			—			—			453			379			—			832
		Intercompany receivables			4,382			6,152			16,355			3,703			(30,592	)		—
		Investment in subsidiaries			(8,687	)		15,001			—			(10,915	)		4,601			—
		Investments and other assets			180			91			241			1,294			(95	)		1,711
		Total assets		$	(3,242	)	$	23,956		$	26,271		$	696		$	(27,126	)	$	20,555
		LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
		Total current liabilities		$	384		$	646		$	3,526		$	2,025		$	(1,040	)	$	5,541
		Long-term debt			—			17,170			—			—			—			17,170
		Deferred income taxes			—			—			1,397			361			(86	)		1,672
		Intercompany liabilities			1,401			16,355			6,152			6,684			(30,592	)		—
		Other liabilities and deferred credits			404			131			195			482			(9	)		1,203
		Redeemable noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			400			—			400
		Stockholders' equity (deficit)
		Capital stock and additional paid-in capital			4,021			12			4,802			(6,632	)		1,818			4,021
		Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(9,210	)		(10,341	)		10,199			(2,560	)		2,702			(9,210	)
		Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(242	)		(17	)		—			(64	)		81			(242	)
		Total stockholders' equity (deficit)			(5,431	)		(10,346	)		15,001			(9,256	)		4,601			(5,431	)
		Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)		$	(3,242	)	$	23,956		$	26,271		$	696		$	(27,126	)	$	20,555
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows from operating activities
	Net cash provided by operating activities		$	1,096		$	1,568		$	1,623		$	1,701		$	(1,633	)	$	4,355
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,327	)		(1,144	)		—			(2,471	)
	Cash paid for satellites			—			—			(154	)		(122	)		—			(276	)
	Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(38	)		(9	)		—			(47	)
	Proceeds from sale of investments			117			—			12			11			—			140
	Return of capital from subsidiary			1,567			—			—			—			(1,567	)		—
	Other, net			—			—			(67	)		(91	)		—			(158	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			1,684			—			(1,574	)		(1,355	)		(1,567	)		(2,812	)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net			—			90			—			—			—			90
	Proceeds from short-term borrowings			—			441			—			—			—			441
	Repayment of short-term borrowings			—			(327	)		—			—			—			(327	)
	Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			10			—			—			—			10
	Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			(10	)		—			—			—			(10	)
	Proceeds from long-term debt			—			1,390			—			94			—			1,484
	Debt issuance costs			—			(8	)		—			—			—			(8	)
	Repayment of long-term debt			—			—			—			(9	)		—			(9	)
	Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(18	)		(30	)		—			(48	)
	Common shares repurchased and retired			(3,228	)		—			—			—			—			(3,228	)
	Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation			—			—			(51	)		(10	)		—			(61	)
	Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			—			—			20			4			—			24
	Other, net			—			6			—			—			—			6
	Intercompany payments (funding)			265			—			3			(268	)		—			—
	Cash dividend to Parent			—			(3,200	)		—			—			3,200			—
	Net cash used in financing activities			(2,963	)		(1,608	)		(46	)		(219	)		3,200			(1,636	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents			—			—			—			(187	)		—			(187	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(183	)		(40	)		3			(60	)		—			(280	)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period			408			728			11			755			—			1,902
	Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period		$	225		$	688		$	14		$	695		$	—		$	1,622
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
												Subsidiaries
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows from operating activities
	Net cash provided by operating activities		$	1,186		$	1,822		$	1,173		$	1,616		$	(1,664	)	$	4,133
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,048	)		(1,112	)		—			(2,160	)
	Cash paid for satellites			(6	)		—			(139	)		(86	)		—			(231	)
	Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(1	)		(3	)		—			(4	)
	Proceeds from sale of investments			—			—			24			—			—			24
	Return of capital from subsidiary			3,336			—			—			—			(3,336	)		—
	Other, net			—			—			(1	)		26			—			25
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			3,330			—			(1,165	)		(1,175	)		(3,336	)		(2,346	)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			400			—			—			—			400
	Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			(400	)		—			—			—			(400	)
	Proceeds from long-term debt			—			5,190			—			—			—			5,190
	Debt issuance costs			—			(35	)		—			—			—			(35	)
	Repayment of long-term debt			—			(1,500	)		—			—			—			(1,500	)
	Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(15	)		(25	)		—			(40	)
	Common shares repurchased and retired			(3,828	)		—			—			—			—			(3,828	)
	Stock options exercised			2			—			—			—			—			2
	Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation			—			—			(49	)		(9	)		—			(58	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			—			—			25			5			—			30
Intercompany payments (funding)			154			—			14			(168	)		—			—
Cash dividend to Parent			—			(5,000	)		—			—			5,000			—
Net cash used in financing activities			(3,672	)		(1,345	)		(25	)		(197	)		5,000			(239	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			844			477			(17	)		244			—			1,548
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period			129			228			4			512			—			873
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period		$	973		$	705		$	(13	)	$	756		$	—		$	2,421

Description_of_Business_and_Ba1

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 16, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	Regional sports networks	Game Show Network, LLC	Sky Brasil	Sky Mexico
	DSN
Ownership interests	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	'	42.00%	'	41.00%
Ownership percentage in subsidiary	'	'	93.00%	'
Ownership interest transferred (as a percent)	100.00%	'	'	'

Divestiture_Details

Divestiture (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 16, 2013
		DSN
Divestitures	'	'
Ownership interest transferred (as a percent)	'	100.00%
Pre-tax charge on deconsolidation	$59	$59
After-tax charge on deconsolidation	'	$56

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
		DIRECTV U.S.	Sky Brasil	PanAmericana	PanAmericana	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	$4,063	$3,177	$380	$211	$211	$295
Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment	-31	'	-31	'	'	'
DSN Northwest Transaction	-73	'	'	'	'	-73
Acquisitions	26	11	15	'	'	'
Goodwill, ending balance	$3,985	$3,188	$364	$211	$211	$222

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt	'	'
Current debt, current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility	$35	'
Current debt, Commercial paper	562	358
Long-term debt, borrowings under BNDES financing facility	50	'
Long-term debt, Senior notes	18,585	17,170
Total debt	19,232	17,528
Interest accrued on outstanding debt	$114	$246

Debt_Details_2

Debt (Details 2)

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 08, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jan. 10, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

13-May-13

13-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 11, 2012

Sep. 11, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

15-May-12

Jun. 30, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

VEF

VEF

USD ($)

Total Senior notes

Total Senior notes

Senior notes 4.750% due 2014

Senior notes 4.750% due 2014

Senior notes 3.550% due 2015

Senior notes 3.550% due 2015

Senior notes 3.125% due 2016

Senior notes 3.125% due 2016

Senior notes 3.500% due 2016

Senior notes 3.500% due 2016

Senior notes 2.400% due 2017

Senior notes 2.400% due 2017

Senior notes 2.400% due 2017

Senior notes 1.750% due in 2018

Senior notes 1.750% due in 2018

Senior notes 5.875% due 2019

Senior notes 5.875% due 2019

Senior notes 5.200% Due 2020

Senior notes 5.200% Due 2020

Senior notes 4.600% due 2021

Senior notes 4.600% due 2021

Senior notes 5.000% due 2021

Senior notes 5.000% due 2021

Senior notes 3.800% due 2022

Senior notes 3.800% due 2022

Senior notes 3.800% due 2022

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 6.350% due 2040

Senior notes 6.350% due 2040

Senior notes 6.000% due 2040

Senior notes 6.000% due 2040

Senior notes 6.375% due 2041

Senior notes 6.375% due 2041

Senior notes 5.150% due 2042

Senior notes 5.150% due 2042

Senior notes 5.150% due 2042

Senior notes 7.625% due 2016

Senior notes 7.625% due 2016

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Debt instrument

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount

$18,640

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000

'

$1,200

'

$750

'

$1,500

'

'

$1,250

'

'

$750

$1,000

'

$1,300

'

$1,000

'

$1,500

'

'

$1,500

'

'

'

$676

'

'

$1,214

'

$500

'

$1,250

'

$1,000

'

'

$1,250

'

'

'

Senior notes

18,585

'

'

'

17,170

'

'

999

999

1,200

1,200

750

750

1,499

1,498

'

1,249

1,249

'

744

995

995

1,299

1,298

999

999

1,495

1,495

'

1,499

1,499

'

'

673

'

'

1,201

1,206

500

500

1,235

1,234

1,000

1,000

'

1,248

1,248

'

'

Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.75%

4.75%

3.55%

3.55%

3.13%

3.13%

3.50%

3.50%

'

2.40%

2.40%

1.75%

1.75%

5.88%

5.88%

5.20%

5.20%

4.60%

4.60%

5.00%

5.00%

'

3.80%

3.80%

2.75%

2.75%

2.75%

4.38%

4.38%

4.38%

4.38%

6.35%

6.35%

6.00%

6.00%

6.38%

6.38%

'

5.15%

5.15%

7.63%

'

Principal

'

'

'

'

'

4,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,250

'

'

750

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500

'

'

650

500

'

1,208

750

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,250

'

'

'

'

Proceeds, net of discount

1,484

5,190

'

'

'

3,996

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,249

'

'

743

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,499

'

'

646

497

'

1,194

742

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,248

'

'

'

'

U.S. dollars based exchange rate

'

'

6.3

4.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.3

'

'

1.61

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes repurchased as a percentage of outstanding principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103.81%

'

Total repayment of long-term debt, including redemption premium and accrued and unpaid interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,614

'

Pre-tax charge on repayment of remaining principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

64

After-tax charge on repayment of remaining principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40

Premium paid for redemption of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

57

Write-off of deferred debt issuance and other transaction costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

Repayment of long-term debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,500

'

Debt_Details_3

Debt (Details 3)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 27, 2012

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 27, 2012

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

Total Senior notes

Total Senior notes

Commercial Paper

Commercial Paper

Commercial Paper

Previous Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility, Series One

Revolving Credit Facility, Series One

Revolving Credit Facility, Series Two

Revolving Credit Facility, Series Two

BNDES Financing Facility

BNDES Financing Facility

BNDES Financing Facility

BNDES Financing Facility

BNDES Financing Facility

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Sky Brasil

Sky Brasil

Sky Brasil

Sky Brasil

Sky Brasil

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

Set-top receivers

item

USD ($)

Debt instrument

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes, fair value

'

'

$18,501,000,000

$18,598,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2013

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,000,000

'

'

'

'

2014

'

'

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,000,000

'

'

'

'

2015

'

'

1,200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

34,000,000

'

'

'

'

2016

'

'

2,250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,000,000

'

'

'

'

2017

'

'

1,250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2018

'

'

12,940,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current debt, Commercial paper

562,000,000

358,000,000

'

'

562,000,000

358,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowing capacity under credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000,000

'

'

'

1,000,000,000

1,000,000,000

1,500,000,000

1,500,000,000

'

'

250,000,000

500,000,000

'

Borrowing capacity under credit facility

'

'

'

'

2,500,000,000

'

2,500,000,000

'

2,500,000,000

2,500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of line of credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'3 years 6 months

'3 years 6 months

'5 years

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

Loans outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

85,000,000

'

'

'

'

U.S. dollars based exchange rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.23

'

'

'

Commitment fee for unused commitment for revolving credit facility (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.15%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior unsecured credit facility, basis for variable interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'London interbank offer rate (LIBOR)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior unsecured credit facility, interest rate added to variable base rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average remaining maturity period

'

'

'

'

'53 days

'63 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average yield (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

0.39%

0.54%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Original purchase price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

104,000,000

Restricted cash

$7,000,000

$6,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.73%

2.73%

'

'

'

Number of monthly installments to repay borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30

30

'

'

'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 11, 2012

Sep. 11, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

13-May-13

13-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 11, 2012

13-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cross-currency swap contracts

Cross-currency swap contracts

Cross-currency swap contracts

Cross-currency swap contracts

Cross-currency swap contracts

Interest rate contracts

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of ineffectiveness measured

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

74

'

'

'

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17

'

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

Total fair value of derivative financial instruments, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

74

'

74

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of derivative financial instruments, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

'

7

'

17

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,358

'

2,358

'

1,208

'

'

1,858

'

1,208

500

Cash collateral from counterparties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal

'

'

'

'

1,208

750

'

'

650

500

'

'

'

'

'

'

750

500

'

'

'

'

Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

4.38%

4.38%

4.38%

4.38%

2.75%

2.75%

2.75%

'

'

'

'

'

4.38%

2.75%

'

'

'

'

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into other, net

-99

-5

-22

-5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22

5

'

'

After tax gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into other, net

-61

-3

-13

-3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

3

'

'

Net foreign currency transaction losses

'

'

$42

$32

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$22

$5

'

'

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	VEF	VEF	USD ($)	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Standby letters of credit
						USD ($)	USD ($)	Broadcast Programming and Other	Interest Expense	Other Income	USD ($)
								USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Loss contingencies	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage	'	'	'	'	'	7.00%	7.00%	'	'	'	'
Estimated fair value of Globo's interest in Sky Brasil	'	$400	'	'	$400	$400	$400	'	'	'	'
Exchange rate set by the Venezuelan government (in bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar)	'	'	6.3	4.3	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax charge related to remeasurement of bolivar denominated net monetary assets due to devaluation	166	166	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated assets in excess liabilities	'	521	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
After-tax charge related to remeasurement of bolivar denominated net monetary assets due to devaluation	136	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Venezuelan bolivars fuerte denominated cash	'	579	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
In-orbit satellites, net book value	'	1,467	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash payment for settlement of claims	'	'	'	'	'	92	'	'	'	'	'
Gain related to settlement with ECAD	'	'	'	'	'	128	'	70	37	21	'
Letters of credit released	'	'	'	'	'	104	'	'	'	'	'
Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Contingent liability for standby letters of credit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$171

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Related party transactions	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$2	$1	$5	$3	'
Expenses	235	225	717	696	'
Accounts receivable	31	'	31	'	26
Accounts payable	$98	'	$98	'	$90

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Redee2

Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Deficit	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	3,950,000,000	3,950,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Redee3

Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details 2) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013
					Maximum
Information regarding shares repurchased and retired	'	'	'	'	'
Stock repurchases authorized	'	'	'	'	$4,000,000,000
Remaining authorization under share repurchase program	'	'	1,589,000,000	'	'
Total cost of repurchased shares	'	'	3,273,000,000	3,897,000,000	'
Average price per share (in dollars per share)	'	'	$56.46	$47.67	'
Number of shares repurchased and retired	'	'	57,961,428	81,713,828	'
Amount paid for stock repurchases	$45,000,000	$96,000,000	$3,228,000,000	$3,828,000,000	'

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Redee4

Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details 3) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Common Stock

Common Stock

Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital

Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital

Accumulated Deficit

Accumulated Deficit

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Total Stockholder's Deficit

Total Stockholder's Deficit

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning balance (in shares)

'

'

586,839,817

'

586,839,817

691,306,695

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance

'

'

($5,431)

'

'

'

$4,021

$4,799

($9,210)

($7,750)

($156)

($242)

($242)

($5,431)

($3,107)

Net income

710

572

2,069

2,029

'

'

'

'

2,049

2,007

'

'

'

2,049

2,007

Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)

'

'

-57,961,428

-81,713,828

-57,961,428

-81,713,828

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchased and retired

'

'

-3,273

-3,897

'

'

-397

-567

-2,876

-3,330

'

'

'

-3,273

-3,897

Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed (in shares)

'

'

'

'

1,974,496

2,162,030

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed

'

'

'

'

'

'

-61

-54

'

'

'

'

'

-61

-54

Share-based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

79

77

'

'

'

'

'

79

77

Tax benefit from share-based compensation

'

'

'

'

'

'

24

30

'

'

'

'

'

24

30

Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

7

'

'

'

'

'

6

7

Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1

-1

'

'

'

'

'

-1

-1

Other comprehensive loss

26

-28

'

-62

'

'

'

'

'

'

-62

'

'

'

-62

Ending balance (in shares)

530,852,885

'

530,852,885

'

530,852,885

611,754,897

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance

($6,608)

'

($6,608)

'

'

'

$3,671

$4,291

($10,037)

($9,073)

($218)

($242)

($242)

($6,608)

($5,000)

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Redee5

Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	'	'	$400	'
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	11	7	20	22
Ending balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	400	'	400	'
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	'	'	'	'
Change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	'	'	400	265
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	20	22
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	'	-6	-7
Other comprehensive loss	'	'	-14	-15
Ending balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	$400	$265	$400	$265

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Redee6

Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	($2)	($2)	($2)	($2)
Tax Benefit (Expense)	1	1	1	1
Net of Tax	-1	-1	-1	-1
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	19	15	19	15
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-7	-6	-7	-6
Net of Tax	12	9	12	9
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	2	'	2	'
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-1	'	-1	'
Net of Tax	1	'	1	'
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	125	-51	83	-51
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-47	20	-32	20
Net of Tax	78	-31	51	-31
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	-99	-5	-22	-5
Tax Benefit (Expense)	38	2	9	2
Net of Tax	-61	-3	-13	-3
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	-5	-3	-81	-52
Tax Benefit (Expense)	2	1	30	20
Net of Tax	-3	-2	-51	-32
Unrealized holding losses on securities:	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	'	'	'	-7
Tax Benefit (Expense)	'	'	'	3
Net of Tax	'	'	'	-4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax	'	'	2	'
Tax Benefit (Expense)	'	'	-1	'
Net of Tax	'	'	1	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	40	-46	1	-102
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-14	18	-1	40
Other comprehensive income (loss)	26	-28	'	-62
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	-242	-156
Other comprehensive income (loss)	26	-28	'	-62
Balance at the end of the period	-242	-218	-242	-218
Defined Benefit Plan Items	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	12	8
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	-184	-151
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	12	8
Balance at the end of the period	-172	-143	-172	-143
Losses on Cash Flow Hedges	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	38	-34
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	-17	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	38	-34
Balance at the end of the period	21	-34	21	-34
Foreign Currency Items	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	-51	-32
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	-40	-8
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	-51	-32
Balance at the end of the period	-91	-40	-91	-40
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available for Sale securities	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	1	-4
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	-1	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	1	-4
Balance at the end of the period	'	($1)	'	($1)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Common Share	'	'	'	'
Common stock awards excluded from the computation of diluted EPS (in shares)	'	'	0.9	'
Basic EPS	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$699	$565	$2,049	$2,007
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	541	624	557	651
Earnings per share attributable to DIRECTV (in dollars per share)	$1.29	$0.91	$3.68	$3.08
Effect of dilutive securities	'	'	'	'
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)	4	5	5	4
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units, per share amount (in dollars per share)	($0.01)	($0.01)	($0.03)	($0.02)
Diluted EPS	'	'	'	'
Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$699	$565	$2,049	$2,007
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	545	629	562	655
Net Income (in dollars per share)	$1.28	$0.90	$3.65	$3.06

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
External revenues	$7,880	$7,416	$23,160	$21,686
Total revenues	7,880	7,416	23,160	21,686
Operating profit (loss)	1,225	1,068	3,817	3,787
Depreciation and amortization expense	708	618	2,117	1,811
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	1,933	1,686	5,934	5,598
DIRECTV U.S.	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
External revenues	6,168	5,767	17,897	16,909
Intersegment revenues	2	2	6	6
Total revenues	6,170	5,769	17,903	16,915
Operating profit (loss)	987	876	3,343	3,130
Depreciation and amortization expense	409	375	1,225	1,116
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	1,396	1,251	4,568	4,246
DIRECTV Latin America	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
External revenues	1,662	1,577	5,076	4,570
Total revenues	1,662	1,577	5,076	4,570
Operating profit (loss)	262	221	518	694
Depreciation and amortization expense	296	234	875	674
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	558	455	1,393	1,368
Sky Brasil	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
External revenues	883	868	2,790	2,587
Total revenues	883	868	2,790	2,587
Operating profit (loss)	169	122	379	399
Depreciation and amortization expense	184	133	547	403
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	353	255	926	802
PanAmericana	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
External revenues	779	709	2,286	1,983
Total revenues	779	709	2,286	1,983
Operating profit (loss)	93	99	139	295
Depreciation and amortization expense	112	101	328	271
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	205	200	467	566
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
External revenues	50	72	187	207
Intersegment revenues	-2	-2	-6	-6
Total revenues	48	70	181	201
Operating profit (loss)	-24	-29	-44	-37
Depreciation and amortization expense	3	9	17	21
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	($21)	($20)	($27)	($16)

Segment_Reporting_Details_2

Segment Reporting (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting	'	'	'	'
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization	$1,933	$1,686	$5,934	$5,598
Depreciation and amortization expense	-708	-618	-2,117	-1,811
Operating profit	1,225	1,068	3,817	3,787
Interest income	15	17	56	40
Interest expense	-182	-204	-618	-622
Other, net	43	39	6	13
Income before income taxes	1,101	920	3,261	3,218
Income tax expense	-391	-348	-1,192	-1,189
Net income	710	572	2,069	2,029
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	-7	-20	-22
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$699	$565	$2,049	$2,007

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$7,880	'	$7,416	$23,160	$21,686
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	3,441	'	3,288	9,912	9,249
Subscriber service expenses	583	'	566	1,674	1,592
Broadcast operations expenses	98	'	103	305	310
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Subscriber acquisition costs	941	'	944	2,564	2,549
Upgrade and retention costs	411	'	382	1,153	1,056
General and administrative expenses	473	'	447	1,452	1,332
Venezuelan currency devaluation	'	166	'	166	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	708	'	618	2,117	1,811
Total operating costs and expenses	6,655	'	6,348	19,343	17,899
Operating profit	1,225	'	1,068	3,817	3,787
Interest income	15	'	17	56	40
Interest expense	-182	'	-204	-618	-622
Other, net	43	'	39	6	13
Income before income taxes	1,101	'	920	3,261	3,218
Income tax benefit (expense)	-391	'	-348	-1,192	-1,189
Net income	710	'	572	2,069	2,029
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	'	-7	-20	-22
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	699	'	565	2,049	2,007
Parent Guarantor	'	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
General and administrative expenses	12	'	17	53	33
Total operating costs and expenses	12	'	17	53	33
Operating profit	-12	'	-17	-53	-33
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	706	'	576	2,082	2,032
Interest income	3	'	'	13	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	-1	-1
Other, net	'	'	-2	-4	-6
Income before income taxes	697	'	557	2,037	1,992
Income tax benefit (expense)	2	'	8	12	15
Net income	699	'	565	2,049	2,007
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	699	'	565	2,049	2,007
Co-Issuers	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	59
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	59
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	820	'	553	2,530	1,926
Interest expense	-206	'	-188	-613	-575
Other, net	'	'	'	'	-65
Income before income taxes	614	'	365	1,917	1,345
Income tax benefit (expense)	38	'	71	152	219
Net income	652	'	436	2,069	1,564
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	652	'	436	2,069	1,564
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	6,170	'	5,769	17,903	16,915
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	2,904	'	2,685	8,147	7,549
Subscriber service expenses	391	'	390	1,102	1,096
Broadcast operations expenses	68	'	74	220	229
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Subscriber acquisition costs	756	'	757	1,979	2,017
Upgrade and retention costs	359	'	340	1,002	930
General and administrative expenses	296	'	272	885	907
Depreciation and amortization expense	409	'	375	1,225	1,116
Total operating costs and expenses	5,183	'	4,893	14,560	13,844
Operating profit	987	'	876	3,343	3,071
Interest income	1	'	1	2	1
Interest expense	-1	'	-1	-2	-2
Other, net	6	'	17	22	26
Income before income taxes	993	'	893	3,365	3,096
Income tax benefit (expense)	-173	'	-340	-835	-1,170
Net income	820	'	553	2,530	1,926
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	820	'	553	2,530	1,926
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,723	'	1,667	5,306	4,831
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	548	'	621	1,808	1,754
Subscriber service expenses	192	'	176	572	496
Broadcast operations expenses	32	'	31	91	87
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Subscriber acquisition costs	185	'	187	585	532
Upgrade and retention costs	52	'	42	151	126
General and administrative expenses	165	'	158	514	451
Venezuelan currency devaluation	'	'	'	166	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	299	'	243	892	695
Total operating costs and expenses	1,473	'	1,458	4,779	4,141
Operating profit	250	'	209	527	690
Interest income	13	'	19	49	48
Interest expense	23	'	-18	-10	-53
Other, net	37	'	24	-12	58
Income before income taxes	323	'	234	554	743
Income tax benefit (expense)	-258	'	-87	-521	-253
Net income	65	'	147	33	490
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	'	-7	-20	-22
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	54	'	140	13	468
Eliminations	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	-13	'	-20	-49	-119
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	-11	'	-18	-43	-54
Broadcast operations expenses	-2	'	-2	-6	-6
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'
General and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	-59
Total operating costs and expenses	-13	'	-20	-49	-119
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	-1,526	'	-1,129	-4,612	-3,958
Interest income	-2	'	-3	-8	-9
Interest expense	2	'	3	8	9
Income before income taxes	-1,526	'	-1,129	-4,612	-3,958
Net income	-1,526	'	-1,129	-4,612	-3,958
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	($1,526)	'	($1,129)	($4,612)	($3,958)
DTV Holdings	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage in subsidiary	100.00%	'	'	100.00%	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'
Net income	$710	$572	$2,069	$2,029
Defined benefit plans:	'	'	'	'
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	-1	-1	-1	-1
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost	12	9	12	9
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost	1	'	1	'
Cash flows hedges:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	78	-31	51	-31
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	-61	-3	-13	-3
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-3	-2	-51	-32
Available for sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding losses on securities	'	'	'	-4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period	'	'	1	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	26	-28	'	-62
Comprehensive income	736	544	2,069	1,967
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	-6	-6	-7
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	725	538	2,063	1,960
Parent Guarantor	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'
Net income	699	565	2,049	2,007
Defined benefit plans:	'	'	'	'
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	-1	-1	-1	-1
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost	12	9	12	9
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost	1	'	1	'
Available for sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12	8	12	8
Comprehensive income	711	573	2,061	2,015
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	711	573	2,061	2,015
Co-Issuers	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'
Net income	652	436	2,069	1,564
Cash flows hedges:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	78	-31	51	-31
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	-61	-3	-13	-3
Available for sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	17	-34	38	-34
Comprehensive income	669	402	2,107	1,530
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	669	402	2,107	1,530
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'
Net income	820	553	2,530	1,926
Available for sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income	820	553	2,530	1,926
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	820	553	2,530	1,926
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'
Net income	65	147	33	490
Cash flows hedges:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-3	-2	-51	-32
Available for sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding losses on securities	'	'	'	-4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period	'	'	1	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-3	-2	-50	-36
Comprehensive income	62	145	-17	454
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	-6	-6	-7
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	51	139	-23	447
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'	'	'	'
Net income	-1,526	-1,129	-4,612	-3,958
Available for sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income	-1,526	-1,129	-4,612	-3,958
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	($1,526)	($1,129)	($4,612)	($3,958)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	$5,029	$5,554	'	'
Satellites, net	2,443	2,357	'	'
Property and equipment, net	6,462	6,038	'	'
Goodwill	3,985	4,063	'	'
Intangible assets, net	930	832	'	'
Investments and other assets	1,739	1,711	'	'
Total assets	20,588	20,555	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	5,329	5,541	'	'
Long-term debt	18,635	17,170	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,542	1,672	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	1,290	1,203	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	400	400	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	3,671	4,021	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-10,037	-9,210	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-242	-242	-218	-156
Total stockholders' deficit	-6,608	-5,431	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	20,588	20,555	'	'
Parent Guarantor	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	872	883	'	'
Intercompany receivables	4,597	4,382	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-9,868	-8,687	'	'
Investments and other assets	105	180	'	'
Total assets	-4,294	-3,242	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	540	384	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	1,356	1,401	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	418	404	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	3,671	4,021	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-10,037	-9,210	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-242	-242	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-6,608	-5,431	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	-4,294	-3,242	'	'
Co-Issuers	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	713	884	'	'
Goodwill	1,828	1,828	'	'
Intercompany receivables	7,579	6,152	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	17,412	15,001	'	'
Investments and other assets	151	91	'	'
Total assets	27,683	23,956	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	742	646	'	'
Long-term debt	18,585	17,170	'	'
Deferred income taxes	34	'	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	19,655	16,355	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	186	131	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	14	12	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-11,555	-10,341	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	22	-17	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-11,519	-10,346	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	27,683	23,956	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	2,906	2,788	'	'
Satellites, net	1,820	1,795	'	'
Property and equipment, net	3,556	3,290	'	'
Goodwill	1,360	1,349	'	'
Intangible assets, net	525	453	'	'
Intercompany receivables	19,655	16,355	'	'
Investments and other assets	259	241	'	'
Total assets	30,081	26,271	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	3,424	3,526	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,429	1,397	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	7,579	6,152	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	237	195	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	4,883	4,802	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	12,529	10,199	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	17,412	15,001	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	30,081	26,271	'	'
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	2,206	2,039	'	'
Satellites, net	623	562	'	'
Property and equipment, net	2,906	2,748	'	'
Goodwill	797	886	'	'
Intangible assets, net	405	379	'	'
Intercompany receivables	4,120	3,703	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-11,286	-10,915	'	'
Investments and other assets	1,423	1,294	'	'
Total assets	1,194	696	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	2,291	2,025	'	'
Long-term debt	50	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes	270	361	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	7,361	6,684	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	457	482	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	400	400	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	-9,009	-6,632	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-497	-2,560	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-129	-64	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-9,635	-9,256	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	1,194	696	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	-1,668	-1,040	'	'
Intercompany receivables	-35,951	-30,592	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	3,742	4,601	'	'
Investments and other assets	-199	-95	'	'
Total assets	-34,076	-27,126	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	-1,668	-1,040	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-191	-86	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	-35,951	-30,592	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	-8	-9	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	4,112	1,818	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-477	2,702	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	107	81	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	3,742	4,601	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	($34,076)	($27,126)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 4) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	'	$4,355	$4,133
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'	'
Cash paid for property and equipment	'	'	-2,471	-2,160
Cash paid for satellites	'	'	-276	-231
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	'	'	-47	-4
Proceeds from sale of investments	'	'	140	24
Other, net	'	'	-158	25
Net cash used in investing activities	'	'	-2,812	-2,346
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'	'
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net	'	'	90	'
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	'	'	441	'
Repayment of short-term borrowings	'	'	-327	'
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility	'	'	10	400
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility	'	'	-10	-400
Proceeds from long-term debt	'	'	1,484	5,190
Debt issuance costs	'	'	-8	-35
Repayment of long-term debt	'	'	-9	-1,500
Repayment of other long-term obligations	'	'	-48	-40
Common shares repurchased and retired	-45	-96	-3,228	-3,828
Stock options exercised	'	'	'	2
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	'	'	-61	-58
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	'	'	24	30
Other, net	'	'	6	'
Net cash used in financing activities	'	'	-1,636	-239
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents	'	'	-187	'
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	'	-280	1,548
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,622	2,421	1,902	873
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	'	'	1,622	2,421
Parent Guarantor	'	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	'	1,096	1,186
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'	'
Cash paid for satellites	'	'	'	-6
Proceeds from sale of investments	'	'	117	'
Return of capital from subsidiary	'	'	1,567	3,336
Net cash used in investing activities	'	'	1,684	3,330
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'	'
Common shares repurchased and retired	'	'	-3,228	-3,828
Stock options exercised	'	'	'	2
Intercompany payments (funding)	'	'	265	154
Net cash used in financing activities	'	'	-2,963	-3,672
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	'	-183	844
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	'	'	408	129
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	'	'	225	973
Co-Issuers	'	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	'	1,568	1,822
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'	'
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net	'	'	90	'
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	'	'	441	'
Repayment of short-term borrowings	'	'	-327	'
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility	'	'	10	400
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility	'	'	-10	-400
Proceeds from long-term debt	'	'	1,390	5,190
Debt issuance costs	'	'	-8	-35
Repayment of long-term debt	'	'	'	-1,500
Other, net	'	'	6	'
Cash dividend to Parent	'	'	-3,200	-5,000
Net cash used in financing activities	'	'	-1,608	-1,345
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	'	-40	477
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	'	'	728	228
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	'	'	688	705
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	'	1,623	1,173
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'	'
Cash paid for property and equipment	'	'	-1,327	-1,048
Cash paid for satellites	'	'	-154	-139
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	'	'	-38	-1
Proceeds from sale of investments	'	'	12	24
Other, net	'	'	-67	-1
Net cash used in investing activities	'	'	-1,574	-1,165
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'	'
Repayment of other long-term obligations	'	'	-18	-15
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	'	'	-51	-49
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	'	'	20	25
Intercompany payments (funding)	'	'	3	14
Net cash used in financing activities	'	'	-46	-25
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	'	3	-17
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	'	'	11	4
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	'	'	14	-13
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	'	1,701	1,616
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'	'
Cash paid for property and equipment	'	'	-1,144	-1,112
Cash paid for satellites	'	'	-122	-86
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	'	'	-9	-3
Proceeds from sale of investments	'	'	11	'
Other, net	'	'	-91	26
Net cash used in investing activities	'	'	-1,355	-1,175
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	'	'	94	'
Repayment of long-term debt	'	'	-9	'
Repayment of other long-term obligations	'	'	-30	-25
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	'	'	-10	-9
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	'	'	4	5
Intercompany payments (funding)	'	'	-268	-168
Net cash used in financing activities	'	'	-219	-197
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents	'	'	-187	'
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	'	-60	244
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	'	'	755	512
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	'	'	695	756
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	'	-1,633	-1,664
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'	'
Return of capital from subsidiary	'	'	-1,567	-3,336
Net cash used in investing activities	'	'	-1,567	-3,336
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'	'
Cash dividend to Parent	'	'	3,200	5,000
Net cash used in financing activities	'	'	$3,200	$5,000