Directv 10-Q 12 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	1-May-14
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'DIRECTV	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001465112	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
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	'	503,824,432
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS	'	'
Revenues	$7,855	$7,580
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	3,383	3,196
Subscriber service expenses	551	537
Broadcast operations expenses	97	110
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Subscriber acquisition costs	827	814
Upgrade and retention costs	321	368
General and administrative expenses	454	469
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge	281	166
Depreciation and amortization expense	714	678
Total operating costs and expenses	6,628	6,338
Operating profit	1,227	1,242
Interest income	13	22
Interest expense	-232	-217
Other, net	57	38
Income before income taxes	1,065	1,085
Income tax expense	-496	-387
Net income	569	698
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-8	'
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	-8
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$561	$690
Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.10	$1.21
Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.09	$1.20
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions):	'	'
Basic (in shares)	511	572
Diluted (in shares)	515	577

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'	'
Net income	$569	$698
Cash flows hedges:	'	'
Unrealized losses arising during the period	-7	-36
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	-8	49
Foreign currency translation adjustments	39	-26
Available for sale securities:	'	'
Unrealized holding gains on securities	'	3
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period	'	-1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	24	-11
Comprehensive income	593	687
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	-16
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$582	$671

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$3,014	$2,180
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $104 and $95	2,483	2,547
Inventories	319	283
Deferred income taxes	146	140
Prepaid expenses and other	487	803
Total current assets	6,449	5,953
Satellites, net	2,468	2,467
Property and equipment, net	6,737	6,650
Goodwill	3,982	3,970
Intangible assets, net	911	920
Investments and other assets	1,973	1,945
Total assets	22,520	21,905
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,286	4,685
Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits	632	589
Current debt	2,460	1,256
Total current liabilities	7,378	6,530
Long-term debt	18,338	18,284
Deferred income taxes	1,838	1,804
Other liabilities and deferred credits	1,478	1,456
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	375
Stockholders' deficit	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital-$0.01 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 507,599,071 and 519,306,232 shares issued and outstanding of common stock at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	3,549	3,652
Accumulated deficit	-10,149	-9,874
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-298	-322
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-6,898	-6,544
Noncontrolling interest	386	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-6,512	-6,544
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$22,520	$21,905

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowances (in dollars)	$104	$95
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	507,599,071	519,306,232
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, shares outstanding	507,599,071	519,306,232

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$569	$698
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	714	678
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge	281	166
Amortization of deferred revenues and deferred credits	-12	-13
Share-based compensation expense	20	34
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	-44	-32
Net foreign currency transaction gain	-6	-6
Net gains from sale of investments	-2	-7
Deferred income taxes	84	95
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-22	-24
Other	15	5
Change in other operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	98	51
Inventories	-36	-10
Prepaid expenses and other	303	43
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-397	-167
Unearned subscriber revenue and deferred credits	43	41
Other, net	-18	-16
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,590	1,536
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Cash paid for property and equipment	-650	-748
Cash paid for satellites	-54	-78
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	-4	-3
Proceeds from sale of investments	4	16
Other, net	-3	-5
Net cash used in investing activities	-707	-818
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net	105	190
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	90	84
Repayment of short-term borrowings	-200	-153
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,260	792
Debt issuance costs	-6	-4
Repayment of long-term debt	-11	'
Repayment of other long-term obligations	-15	-18
Common shares repurchased and retired	-895	-1,378
Prepayment of accelerated share repurchase	'	-230
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	-57	-61
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	22	24
Other, net	-26	'
Net cash provided by (used in) in financing activities	267	-754
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents	-316	-187
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	834	-223
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	2,180	1,902
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3,014	1,679
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'	'
Cash paid for interest	328	325
Cash paid for income taxes	$84	$94

Description_of_Business_and_Ba

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 also 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 two regional sports networks, hold a minority ownership interest in ROOT SPORTS™ Northwest 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 investments in ROOT SPORTS Northwest and 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, Peru, 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 and Other 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. On April 16, 2013, DSN transferred 100% of its interest in the 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, 2013 filed with the SEC on February 24, 2014, 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.

Goodwill

Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill	'
Goodwill	'
	Note 2: Goodwill
	The following table sets forth changes in the carrying amounts of "Goodwill" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
				DIRECTV Latin
				America				Sports
								Networks,
								Eliminations
		DIRECTV		Sky		PanAmericana		and Other		Total
		U.S.		Brasil		and Other
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	3,191	$	346	$	211	$	222	$	3,970
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		12		—		—		12
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	3,191	$	358	$	211	$	222	$	3,982

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt	'
Debt	'
	Note 3: Debt
	The following table sets forth our outstanding debt as of:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Current debt
	Commercial paper	$	195	$	200
	Current portion of long-term debt		2,200		1,000
	Current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility		65		56
	Long-term debt
	Senior notes		18,263		18,203
	Borrowings under BNDES financing facility		75		81
	Total debt	$	20,798	$	19,540
	The amount of interest accrued related to our outstanding debt was $169 million at March 31, 2014 and $271 million at December 31, 2013.
	Senior Notes
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Financing Transactions
	On March 17, 2014, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, $1,250 million in aggregate principal of 4.45% senior notes due in 2024 with proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of $1,245 million. We incurred $7 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	On March 20, 2014, we exercised our early redemption right under the indenture of the 4.750% senior notes due in 2014 ("the 2014 Notes") effective April 24, 2014. The redemption price was based on the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate (as defined in the indenture governing the 2014 Notes) plus 40 basis points, together with accrued and unpaid interest as of April 24, 2014. The aggregate principal amount of the 2014 Notes outstanding on March 20, 2014 was $1,000 million and we made a cash payment of $1,022 million in the second quarter of 2014 to redeem such Notes.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 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.
	The following table sets forth our outstanding senior notes:
		Principal amount		Carrying value, net of
				unamortized original
				issue discounts
		March 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	4.750% senior notes due in 2014	$	1,000	$	1,000	$	1,000
	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		1,499
	2.400% senior notes due in 2017		1,250		1,249		1,249
	1.750% senior notes due in 2018		750		745		744
	5.875% senior notes due in 2019		1,000		996		996
	5.200% senior notes due in 2020		1,300		1,299		1,299
	4.600% senior notes due in 2021		1,000		1,000		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 notes due in 2023(1)		688		685		684
	4.450% senior notes due in 2024		1,250		1,245		—
	4.375% senior notes due in 2029(1)		1,250		1,237		1,229
	5.200% senior notes due in 2033(1)		583		581		577
	6.350% senior notes due in 2040		500		500		500
	6.000% senior notes due in 2040		1,250		1,235		1,235
	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	$	20,521	$	20,463	$	19,203
	-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 $21,078 million at March 31, 2014 and $19,424 million at December 31, 2013. 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 which have not been redeemed mature as follows: $1,200 million in 2015, $2,250 million in 2016, $1,250 million in 2017, $750 million in 2018 and $14,071 million thereafter.
	Commercial Paper
	DIRECTV U.S. has 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 March 31, 2014, we had $195 million of short-term commercial paper outstanding, with a weighted average remaining maturity of 34 days, at a weighted average yield of 0.38%, which may be refinanced on a periodic basis as borrowings mature. Aggregate amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facilities described below and the commercial paper program are limited to $2.5 billion.
	Revolving Credit Facilities
	DIRECTV U.S. has 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 March 31, 2014, 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 rank equally in right of payment with all of DIRECTV U.S.' existing and future senior debt and 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. 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 guarantees all of the senior notes outstanding, jointly and severally with DIRECTV Holdings LLC's material domestic subsidiaries. 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 is not 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. As of March 31, 2014, Sky Brasil had borrowings of $140 million outstanding under the BNDES facility bearing interest at a weighted-average rate of 3.12% per year. As of December 31, 2013, Sky Brasil had borrowings of $137 million outstanding under the BNDES facility bearing interest at a weighted-average rate of 3.07% 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$2.26 / $1.00 at March 31, 2014.
Borrowings under the BNDES facility mature as follows: $48 million in 2014, $64 million in 2015 and $28 million in 2016. The financing facility is collateralized by the financed set-top receivers with an original purchase price of approximately $185 million based on the exchange rate at the time of purchase.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash of $10 million as of March 31, 2014 and $7 million as of December 31, 2013 was included as part of "Prepaid expenses and other" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These amounts secure certain of our letters of credit obligations and restrictions on the cash will be removed as the letters of credit expire.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Note 4: 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 $1 million of ineffectiveness for the three months ended March 31, 2014 related to the settlement of the forward starting interest rate swaps discussed below and no ineffectiveness for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	The following table sets forth the fair values of assets and liabilities associated with the derivative financial instruments as of:
		Assets				Liabilities
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	117	$	112	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate contracts		—		3		—		1
	Total fair value of derivative financial instruments	$	117	$	115	$	—	$	1
	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:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	2,418	$	2,418
	Interest rate swaps		—		500
	Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments	$	2,418	$	2,918
	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 no cash collateral from counterparties as of March 31, 2014 and held $10 million of cash collateral from counterparties as of December 31, 2013. We did not have any cash collateral posted with counterparties as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. 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. On November 13, 2013, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a U.S. registration statement, £350 million in aggregate principal of 5.200% senior notes due in 2033. 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 November 2033.
	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 three months ended March 31, 2014, DIRECTV U.S. recorded net remeasurement losses of $13 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 $13 million ($8 million after tax) from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, DIRECTV U.S. recorded net remeasurement gains of $78 million in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the remeasurement of the hedged senior notes. To offset these remeasurement gains, we reclassified $78 million ($49 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
	On March 17, 2014, DIRECTV U.S. issued $1,250 million in aggregate principal of 4.45% senior notes due in 2024. In connection with this transaction, DIRECTV U.S. settled forward-starting interest rate swaps, which were previously entered into in order to protect against unfavorable interest rate changes related to the forecasted issuance of debt. These interest rate swaps were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges. As of March 31, 2014, we had recorded $10 million in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to these forward-starting interest rate swaps that will be recognized as interest expense over the term of the 4.45% senior notes due in 2024.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Contingencies	'
Contingencies	'
	Note 5: Contingencies
	Venezuela Devaluation and Foreign Currency Exchange Controls
	Companies operating in Venezuela are required to obtain Venezuelan government approval to exchange Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars and such approval has not consistently been granted for several years. Consequently, our ability to pay U.S. dollar denominated obligations and repatriate cash generated in Venezuela in excess of local operating requirements is limited, which has resulted in increases in the cash balance at our Venezuelan subsidiary. 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.
	In the first quarter of 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a new currency exchange system, the Sistema Complementario de Administración de Divisas, or SICAD 1, which is intended to function as an auction system for participants to exchange bolivars for U.S. dollars. The volume of amounts exchanged through such SICAD 1 system, and the resulting exchange rate, are published by the Venezuelan Central Bank. Effective January 24, 2014, the Venezuelan government announced that dividends and royalties would be subject to the SICAD 1 program. The SICAD 1 exchange rate, which was 10.7 bolivars per U.S. dollar as of March 31, 2014, is determined by periodic auctions. Additionally, in February 2014, the Venezuelan government announced SICAD 2, which is an exchange mechanism that became available on March 24, 2014. The exchange rate for SICAD 2 closed at 49.81 bolivars per U.S. dollar as of March 31, 2014.
	We currently believe the SICAD 1 rate is the most representative rate to use for remeasurement, as the official rate of 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar will likely be reserved only for the settlement of U.S. dollar denominated obligations related to purchases of "essential goods and services," and the equity of our Venezuelan subsidiary would be realized, if at all, through permitted dividends paid at the SICAD 1 rate. Therefore, as of March 31, 2014, we are remeasuring our Venezuelan subsidiary's financial statements in U.S. dollars using the exchange rate determined by periodic auctions under SICAD 1, which was 10.7 bolivars per U.S. dollar. Until that date, we used the official exchange 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 $281 million in the first quarter of 2014, related to the remeasurement of the bolivar denominated net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary on March 31, 2014.
	As of March 31, 2014, our Venezuelan subsidiary had Venezuelan bolivar denominated net monetary assets of $408 million, including cash of $453 million, based on the SICAD 1 exchange rate of 10.7 bolivars per U.S. dollar. Using the official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar, our Venezuelan subsidiary reported revenues of approximately $261 million and operating profit of approximately $80 million in the first quarter of 2014, excluding the impact of the $281 million Venezuelan devaluation charge. The exchange rate used to report net monetary assets and operating results of our Venezuelan subsidiary is currently expected to be based on the results of periodic SICAD 1 auctions, which would result in fluctuations in reported amounts that could be material to the results of operations in Venezuela in future periods and could materially affect the comparability of results for our Venezuelan subsidiary between periods. The comparability of our results of operations and financial position in Venezuela will also be affected in the event of additional changes to the exchange rate system and further devaluations of the Venezuelan bolivar.
	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 March 31, 2014. 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.
	International Trade Commission Proceedings.    On April 17, 2014, ViXS Systems, Inc. submitted to the International Trade Commission a request to commence an investigation pursuant to Section 337 of the Tariff Act. The request alleges that certain patents owned by ViXS Systems, Inc. are infringed by components supplied by Entropic Communications, Inc., or by devices that contain those components. Among those accused devices are satellite receivers and other devices for use in systems for receiving the DIRECTV service. DIRECTV LLC, along with Entropic Communications, Inc. and certain companies alleged to be manufacturers of devices for DIRECTV, are identified as respondents. The request seeks an order excluding the accused devices from entry into the United States, and a cease and desist order prohibiting unlawful importation and/or sale of the accused devices after importation. Also on April 17, 2014, ViXS Systems Inc. filed in United States District Court a companion lawsuit alleging infringement of the same patents by the same products of the respondents named in the action before the ITC. The lawsuit seeks an injunction and monetary damages. DIRECTV is in the process of evaluating the claims made in these actions and intends to defend them vigorously.
	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. Further, in certain of these cases, suppliers of equipment to DIRECTV are also defendants, and DIRECTV has contractual obligations to indemnify and hold harmless certain suppliers in those cases. 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 of all claims have been granted in all of the federal cases, except for a case originally filed in Arkansas state court. The denial of our motion to compel arbitration in the California state court case is currently on appeal. We have moved to decertify the class and strike class allegations in the Arkansas federal case. 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.
	SAGAI.    In 2009, Sociedad Argentina de Gestion de Actores Interpretes ("SAGAI") sued DIRECTV Argentina over the payment of performance rights fees. SAGAI claimed that under applicable laws, we are required to pay them 2% of our programming revenues. In the first quarter of 2014, DIRECTV Argentina entered into an agreement with SAGAI whereby DIRECTV agreed to settle all claims for the periods up to December 31, 2013 and agreed on a rate to be paid going forward.
	Waste Disposal Inquiry.    On August 20, 2012, DIRECTV U.S. received from the State of California subpoenas and interrogatories related to our generation, handling, record keeping, 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 a portion of 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 March 31, 2014, the net book value of in-orbit satellites was $1,342 million, all of which was uninsured.
	Other
	As of March 31, 2014, we were contingently liable under standby letters of credit and bonds in the aggregate amount of $259 million primarily related to judicial deposit and payment guarantees in Latin America and insurance deductibles.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note 6: 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
		Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in
		Millions)
	Revenues	$	2	$	2
	Expenses		241		236
	The following table sets forth the amount of accounts receivable from and accounts payable to related parties as of:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Accounts receivable	$	7	$	18
	Accounts payable		87		100
	Long-term liability		85		69

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest	'
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest	'
	Note 7: Stockholders' Deficit and 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 March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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 2014 our Board of Directors approved a new authorization for up to $3.5 billion for repurchases of our common stock. As of March 31, 2014, we had approximately $3,438 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.
	Accelerated Share Repurchase.    On March 20, 2013, we entered into a variable notional/variable maturity accelerated share repurchase agreement, or ASR, with a third-party financial institution to repurchase $300 million to $500 million of our common stock, which was settled during the second quarter of 2013. Under the agreement, we paid $500 million up-front and received an initial delivery of 4.9 million shares. We retired these shares and recorded a $270 million reduction to stockholders' equity in the first quarter of 2013. As of March 31, 2013, $30 million of the $500 million up-front payment was included as a reduction to "Common stock and additional paid-in capital" and $200 million was included in "Prepaid expenses and other" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We accounted for the ASR as a repurchase of common stock for purposes of calculating earnings per share and as a forward contract indexed to our own common stock, which met all of the applicable criteria for equity classification, and, therefore, was not accounted for as a derivative instrument.
	The ASR agreement was settled on April 19, 2013 for a final notional amount of $337 million. Accordingly, we received an additional 1.2 million shares, which were retired, and we received a $163 million cash payment from our counterparty equal to the difference between the $500 million up-front payment and the final notional amount. The final notional amount was determined based upon the volume-weighted average share price of our common stock during the term of the ASR agreement. The number of shares ultimately delivered under the ASR agreement was based upon the final notional amount and the volume-weighted average share price of our common stock during the term of the ASR agreement, less an agreed discount.
	The following table sets forth information regarding shares repurchased and retired during the periods presented:
		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(Amounts in
		Millions, Except
		Per Share
		Amounts)
	Total cost of repurchased shares (1)	$	925		$	1,378
	Average price per share	$	71.53		$	52.09
	Number of shares repurchased and retired		13			26
	-1
	The $1,378 million in repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2013 does not include the $30 million of stock received upon the settlement of the ASR in April 2013.
	Of the $925 million in repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2014, $30 million were paid for in April 2014. 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.
	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. Globo did not exercise its right to require us to purchase its shares in Sky Brasil. That right has now expired and the noncontrolling interest is no longer redeemable. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, during the first quarter of 2014, we reclassified $375 million, which was the fair value of Globo's remaining 7% interest, from "Redeemable noncontrolling interest" to "Noncontrolling interest," a component of stockholders' deficit in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the first quarter of 2014, we discontinued fair value accounting for this equity instrument.
	The following tables set forth a reconciliation of stockholders' deficit for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
					Stockholders' Deficit
		DIRECTV			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Noncontrolling			Total			Redeemable
		Common			Stock and			Deficit			Other			DIRECTV			Interest			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling
		Shares			Additional						Comprehensive			Stockholders'						Deficit			Interest
					Paid-In						Loss			Deficit
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2014		519,306,232		$	3,652		$	(9,874	)	$	(322	)	$	(6,544	)	$	—		$	(6,544	)	$	375
	Net income								561						561			8			569
	Stock repurchased and retired		(12,928,118	)		(89	)		(836	)					(925	)					(925	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,220,957			(57	)								(57	)					(57	)
	Share-based compensation expense					20									20						20
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					22									22						22
	Other					1									1						1
	Other comprehensive income											24			24						24
	CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest																	3			3
	Noncontrolling interest																	375			375			(375	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		507,599,071		$	3,549		$	(10,149	)	$	(298	)	$	(6,898	)	$	386		$	(6,512	)	$	—
	The following tables set forth a reconciliation of stockholders' deficit and redeemable noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2013:
					Stockholders' Deficit
		DIRECTV			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Redeemable			Net
		Common			Stock and			Deficit			Other			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling			Income
		Shares			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								690						690			8		$	698
	Stock repurchased and retired		(26,452,953	)		(181	)		(1,197	)					(1,378	)
	Stock to be received upon settlement of ASR					(30	)								(30	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,960,643			(61	)								(61	)
	Share-based compensation expense					34									34
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					24									24
	Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest					16									16			(16	)
	Other					(1	)								(1	)
	Other comprehensive loss											(11	)		(11	)		8
	Balance as of March 31, 2013		562,347,507		$	3,822		$	(9,717	)	$	(253	)	$	(6,148	)	$	400
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The following represents the components of other comprehensive income (loss) for each of the periods presented:
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014									2013
	Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of
				Benefit			Tax						Benefit			Tax
				(Expense)									(Expense)
	(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period	$	(12	)	$	5		$	(7	)	$	(57	)	$	21		$	(36	)
Reclassification adjustments included in "Other, net"		(13	)		5			(8	)		78			(29	)		49
Foreign currency translation adjustments		63			(24	)		39			(43	)		17			(26	)
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains on securities		—			—			—			5			(2	)		3
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period, included in "Other, net"		—			—			—			(2	)		1			(1	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	38		$	(14	)	$	24		$	(19	)	$	8		$	(11	)
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			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
	Benefit Plan			(Losses) on			Currency			Gains			Other
	Items			Cash Flow			Items			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
				Hedges						Available for			Loss
										Sale
										Securities
	(Dollars in Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	(123	)	$	14		$	(213	)	$	—		$	(322	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(15	)		39			—			24
Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	(123	)	$	(1	)	$	(174	)	$	—		$	(298	)
	Defined			Gains			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
	Benefit Plan			(Losses) on			Currency			Gains			Other
	Items			Cash Flow			Items			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
				Hedges						Available for			Loss
										Sale
										Securities
	(Dollars in Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	(184	)	$	(17	)	$	(40	)	$	(1	)	$	(242	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			13			(26	)		2			(11	)
Balance as of March 31, 2013	$	(184	)	$	(4	)	$	(66	)	$	1		$	(253	)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Common Share	'
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	Note 8: 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. We excluded 0.2 million and 1.7 million common stock awards from the computation of diluted EPS, during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have had an antidilutive effect.
	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
	March 31, 2014
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		511	$	1.1
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		515	$	1.09
	March 31, 2013
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	690		572	$	1.21
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	690		577	$	1.2

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Note 9: 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 and Other, 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
	March 31, 2014
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	6,085		$	2		$	6,087	$	1,243		$	426	$	1,669
	Sky Brasil		939			—			939		148			163		311
	PanAmericana and Other		782			—			782		(174	)		122		(52	)
	DIRECTV Latin America		1,721			—			1,721		(26	)		285		259
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		49			(2	)		47		10			3		13
	Total	$	7,855		$	—		$	7,855	$	1,227		$	714	$	1,941
	March 31, 2013
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	5,788		$	2		$	5,790	$	1,115		$	406	$	1,521
	Sky Brasil		965			—			965		154			157		311
	PanAmericana and Other		763			—			763		(37	)		106		69
	DIRECTV Latin America		1,728			—			1,728		117			263		380
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		64			(2	)		62		10			9		19
	Total	$	7,580		$	—		$	7,580	$	1,242		$	678	$	1,920
	-1
	Operating profit (loss) 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 (loss)." 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
		Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in
		Millions)
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization	$	1,941		$	1,920
	Depreciation and amortization		(714	)		(678	)
	Operating profit		1,227			1,242
	Interest income		13			22
	Interest expense		(232	)		(217	)
	Other, net		57			38
	Income before income taxes		1,065			1,085
	Income tax expense		(496	)		(387	)
	Net income		569			698
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(8	)		(8	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	690

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
	Note 10: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	As discussed above in Note 3, 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 months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, and the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	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. In addition, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries include the entity that is the parent of DIRECTV Holdings.
	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.
	Subsequent to the issuance of our 2013 financial statements, management identified certain corrections that were needed in the presentation of the condensed consolidating financial information. With respect to the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, we previously presented the investment of the parent entity, which is a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, that owns DIRECTV Latin America Holdings, Inc. and DIRECTV Sports Networks LLC in "Investment in subsidiaries" with the corresponding equity of those subsidiaries in "Stockholders' equity (deficit)." We previously recorded the elimination of those amounts in the Eliminations column. We now present the elimination of those amounts, including the elimination of all intercompany receivables and payables within the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries column. Accordingly, we eliminated $410 million from "Investment in subsidiaries" and "Stockholders' equity (deficit)" in the Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and eliminated $3,612 million from "Total current assets" and "Intercompany receivables", "Total current liabilities" and "Intercompany liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013. Also in the Non-Guarantor subsidiaries, we reclassified $19,036 million from "Common stock and additional paid-in-capital" to "Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013 to correctly classify dividends paid to the Parent Guarantor. Lastly, we recorded a $494 million adjustment to "Total current assets" and "Total current liabilities" and related entries to "Investment in subsidiaries" and "Stockholders' equity (deficit)" in the Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets for the Parent Guarantor, Co-Issuers, Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries to reclassify the tax allocation as of December 31, 2013.
	We now present the equity earnings of DIRECTV Holdings, which is a subsidiary of DIRECTV Group, an entity included in Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, in "Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries" in the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations. Accordingly, we present $652 million in "Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries" in the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	Also, in the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows, we present changes from receivable balances of affiliates as investing activities and changes in payable balances of affiliates as financing activities because these changes are a result of a subsidiary's deposit in or withdrawal from its parent cash account under a centralized cash management arrangement. We previously presented all changes from receivable and payable balances of affiliates as financing activities.
	There was no impact to our consolidated results of operations, balance sheet or cash flows as a result of these changes.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,087		$	1,798		$	(30	)	$	7,855
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other		—			—			2,768			641			(26	)		3,383
	Subscriber service expenses		—			—			359			192			—			551
	Broadcast operations expenses		—			—			72			27			(2	)		97
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs		—			—			648			180			(1	)		827
	Upgrade and retention costs		—			—			281			41			(1	)		321
	General and administrative expenses		9			—			290			155			—			454
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		—			—			—			281			—			281
	Depreciation and amortization expense		—			—			426			288			—			714
	Total operating costs and expenses		9			—			4,844			1,805			(30	)		6,628
	Operating profit (loss)		(9	)		—			1,243			(7	)		—			1,227
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries		568			787			—			648			(2,003	)		—
	Interest income		—			—			1			12			—			13
	Interest expense		—			(220	)		(3	)		(9	)		—			(232	)
	Other, net		(2	)		—			5			54			—			57
	Income before income taxes		557			567			1,246			698			(2,003	)		1,065
	Income tax benefit (expense)		4			81			(459	)		(122	)		—			(496	)
	Net income		561			648			787			576			(2,003	)		569
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	648		$	787		$	568		$	(2,003	)	$	561
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	5,790		$	1,811		$	(21	)	$	7,580
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other		—			—			2,601			613			(18	)		3,196
	Subscriber service expenses		—			—			351			186			—			537
	Broadcast operations expenses		—			—			81			32			(3	)		110
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs		—			—			629			185			—			814
	Upgrade and retention costs		—			—			319			49			—			368
	General and administrative expenses		13			—			288			168			—			469
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		—			—			—			166			—			166
	Depreciation and amortization expense		—			—			406			272			—			678
	Total operating costs and expenses		13			—			4,675			1,671			(21	)		6,338
	Operating profit (loss)		(13	)		—			1,115			140			—			1,242
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries		698			793			—			652			(2,143	)		—
	Interest income		6			—			—			19			(3	)		22
	Interest expense		—			(201	)		(1	)		(18	)		3			(217	)
Other, net		(4	)		—			12			30			—			38
Income before income taxes		687			592			1,126			823			(2,143	)		1,085
Income tax benefit (expense)		3			60			(333	)		(117	)		—			(387	)
Net income		690			652			793			706			(2,143	)		698
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	690		$	652		$	793		$	698		$	(2,143	)	$	690
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
Net income	$	561		$	648		$	787		$	576		$	(2,003	)	$	569
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period		—			(7	)		—			—			—			(7	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income		—			(8	)		—			—			—			(8	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		—			—			—			39			—			39
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(15	)		—			39			—			24
Comprehensive income		561			633			787			615			(2,003	)		593
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	633		$	787		$	604		$	(2,003	)	$	582
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
Net income	$	690		$	652		$	793		$	706		$	(2,143	)	$	698
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period		—			(36	)		—			—			—			(36	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income		—			49			—			—			—			49
Foreign currency translation adjustments		—			—			—			(26	)		—			(26	)
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains on securities		—			—			—			3			—			3
Reclassification adjustments recognized for net losses during the period		—			—			—			(1	)		—			(1	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			13			—			(24	)		—			(11	)
Comprehensive income		690			665			793			682			(2,143	)		687
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(16	)		—			(16	)
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$	690		$	665		$	793		$	666		$	(2,143	)	$	671
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2014
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
ASSETS
Total current assets	$	644		$	1,785		$	2,518		$	1,711		$	(209	)	$	6,449
Satellites, net		—			—			1,782			686			—			2,468
Property and equipment, net		—			—			3,724			3,013			—			6,737
Goodwill		—			1,828			1,363			791			—			3,982
Intangible assets, net		—			—			521			398			(8	)		911
Intercompany receivables		5,024			8,441			22,283			1,507			(37,255	)		—
Investment in subsidiaries		(10,556	)		18,633			—			(12,579	)		4,502			—
Investments and other assets		96			199			334			1,453			(109	)		1,973
Total assets	$	(4,792	)	$	30,886		$	32,525		$	(3,020	)	$	(33,079	)	$	22,520
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	$	131		$	2,598		$	3,542		$	1,316		$	(209	)	$	7,378
Long-term debt		—			18,263			—			75			—			18,338
Deferred income taxes		—			6			1,618			323			(109	)		1,838
Intercompany liabilities		1,576			22,262			8,441			4,976			(37,255	)		—
Other liabilities and deferred credits		399			336			291			460			(8	)		1,478
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital		3,549			21			4,963			3,664			(8,648	)		3,549
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(10,149	)		(12,600	)		13,670			(14,016	)		12,946			(10,149	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(298	)		—			—			(204	)		204			(298	)
Total DIRECTV stockholders' equity (deficit)		(6,898	)		(12,579	)		18,633			(10,556	)		4,502			(6,898	)
Noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			386			—			386
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(6,898	)		(12,579	)		18,633			(10,170	)		4,502			(6,512	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$	(4,792	)	$	30,886		$	32,525		$	(3,020	)	$	(33,079	)	$	22,520
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2013
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
ASSETS
Total current assets	$	979		$	1,133		$	2,577		$	1,775		$	(511	)	$	5,953
Satellites, net		—			—			1,810			657			—			2,467
Property and equipment, net		—			—			3,724			2,926			—			6,650
Goodwill		—			1,828			1,363			779			—			3,970
Intangible assets, net		—			—			527			401			(8	)		920
Intercompany receivables		4,750			7,820			20,985			1,387			(34,942	)		—
Investment in subsidiaries		(10,131	)		17,809			—			(12,214	)		4,536			—
Investments and other assets		92			190			361			1,416			(114	)		1,945
Total assets	$	(4,310	)	$	28,780		$	31,347		$	(2,873	)	$	(31,039	)	$	21,905
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	$	448		$	1,476		$	3,812		$	1,305		$	(511	)	$	6,530
Long-term debt		—			18,203			—			81			—			18,284
Deferred income taxes		—			9			1,632			277			(114	)		1,804
Intercompany liabilities		1,387			20,985			7,820			4,750			(34,942	)		—
Other liabilities and deferred credits		399			321			274			470			(8	)		1,456
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			375			—			375
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital		3,652			25			4,930			3,671			(8,626	)		3,652
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(9,874	)		(12,253	)		12,879			(13,574	)		12,948			(9,874	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(322	)		14			—			(228	)		214			(322	)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(6,544	)		(12,214	)		17,809			(10,131	)		4,536			(6,544	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$	(4,310	)	$	28,780		$	31,347		$	(2,873	)	$	(31,039	)	$	21,905
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	594		$	(305	)	$	1,482		$	489		$	(670	)	$	1,590
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment		—			—			(371	)		(279	)		—			(650	)
Cash paid for satellites		—			—			(11	)		(43	)		—			(54	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		—			—			(1	)		(3	)		—			(4	)
Proceeds from sale of investments		—			—			4			—			—			4
Return of capital from subsidiary		400			—			—			—			(400	)		—
Intercompany funding		(117	)		(408	)		(1,464	)		(77	)		2,066			—
Other, net		—			—			—			(3	)		—			(3	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		283			(408	)		(1,843	)		(405	)		1,666			(707	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		—			105			—			—			—			105
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		—			90			—			—			—			90
Repayment of short-term borrowings		—			(200	)		—			—			—			(200	)
Proceeds from long-term debt		—			1,245			—			15			—			1,260
Debt issuance costs		—			(6	)		—			—			—			(6	)
Repayment of long-term debt		—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations		—			—			(6	)		(9	)		—			(15	)
Common shares repurchased and retired		(895	)		—			—			—			—			(895	)
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		(57	)		—			(47	)		(10	)		57			(57	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		22			—			18			4			(22	)		22
Intercompany payments		9			1,465			407			150			(2,031	)		—
Cash dividend to Parent		—			(1,000	)		—			—			1,000			—
Other, net		—			(26	)		—			—			—			(26	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(921	)		1,673			372			139			(996	)		267
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			(316	)		—			(316	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(44	)		960			11			(93	)		—			834
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		498			791			6			885			—			2,180
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	454		$	1,751		$	17		$	792		$	—		$	3,014
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 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 (used in) operating activities	$	570		$	(311	)	$	1,488		$	422		$	(633	)	$	1,536
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment		—			—			(396	)		(352	)		—			(748	)
Cash paid for satellites		—			—			(53	)		(25	)		—			(78	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		—			—			—			(3	)		—			(3	)
Proceeds from sale of investments		—			—			12			4			—			16
Return of capital from subsidiary		1,382			—			—			—			(1,382	)		—
Intercompany funding		(152	)		(391	)		(1,418	)		(78	)		2,039			—
Other, net		—			—			2			(7	)		—			(5	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		1,230			(391	)		(1,853	)		(461	)		657			(818	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		—			190			—			—			—			190
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		—			84			—			—			—			84
Repayment of short-term borrowings		—			(153	)		—			—			—			(153	)
Proceeds from long-term debt		—			743			—			49			—			792
Debt issuance costs		—			(4	)		—			—			—			(4	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations		—			—			(6	)		(12	)		—			(18	)
Common shares repurchased and retired		(1,378	)		—			—			—			—			(1,378	)
Prepayment of accelerated share repurchase		(230	)		—			—			—			—			(230	)
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		(61	)		—			(51	)		(10	)		61			(61	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		24			—			20			4			(24	)		24
Intercompany payments		17			1,418			396			180			(2,011	)		—
Cash dividend to Parent		—			(1,950	)		—			—			1,950			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(1,628	)		328			359			211			(24	)		(754	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			(187	)		—			(187	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		172			(374	)		(6	)		(15	)		—			(223	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		408			728			11			755			—			1,902
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	580		$	354		$	5		$	740		$	—		$	1,679

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill	'
Schedule of goodwill	'
				DIRECTV Latin
				America				Sports
								Networks,
								Eliminations
		DIRECTV		Sky		PanAmericana		and Other		Total
		U.S.		Brasil		and Other
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	3,191	$	346	$	211	$	222	$	3,970
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		12		—		—		12
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	3,191	$	358	$	211	$	222	$	3,982

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt	'
Schedule of outstanding debt	'
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Current debt
	Commercial paper	$	195	$	200
	Current portion of long-term debt		2,200		1,000
	Current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility		65		56
	Long-term debt
	Senior notes		18,263		18,203
	Borrowings under BNDES financing facility		75		81
	Total debt	$	20,798	$	19,540
Schedule of outstanding senior notes	'
		Principal amount		Carrying value, net of
				unamortized original
				issue discounts
		March 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	4.750% senior notes due in 2014	$	1,000	$	1,000	$	1,000
	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		1,499
	2.400% senior notes due in 2017		1,250		1,249		1,249
	1.750% senior notes due in 2018		750		745		744
	5.875% senior notes due in 2019		1,000		996		996
	5.200% senior notes due in 2020		1,300		1,299		1,299
	4.600% senior notes due in 2021		1,000		1,000		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 notes due in 2023(1)		688		685		684
	4.450% senior notes due in 2024		1,250		1,245		—
	4.375% senior notes due in 2029(1)		1,250		1,237		1,229
	5.200% senior notes due in 2033(1)		583		581		577
	6.350% senior notes due in 2040		500		500		500
	6.000% senior notes due in 2040		1,250		1,235		1,235
	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	$	20,521	$	20,463	$	19,203
	-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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Schedule of fair values of assets and liabilities associated with the derivative financial instruments	'
		Assets				Liabilities
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	117	$	112	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate contracts		—		3		—		1
	Total fair value of derivative financial instruments	$	117	$	115	$	—	$	1
Schedule of notional amounts of outstanding derivative financial instruments	'
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	2,418	$	2,418
	Interest rate swaps		—		500
	Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments	$	2,418	$	2,918

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions	'
Summary of revenues and expenses with related parties	'
		Three Months
		Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in
		Millions)
	Revenues	$	2	$	2
	Expenses		241		236
Schedule of accounts receivable from and accounts payable to related parties	'
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Accounts receivable	$	7	$	18
	Accounts payable		87		100
	Long-term liability		85		69

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco1

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest	'
Schedule of shares repurchased and retired	'
		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(Amounts in
		Millions, Except
		Per Share
		Amounts)
	Total cost of repurchased shares (1)	$	925		$	1,378
	Average price per share	$	71.53		$	52.09
	Number of shares repurchased and retired		13			26
	-1
	The $1,378 million in repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2013 does not include the $30 million of stock received upon the settlement of the ASR in April 2013.
Schedule of reconciliation of stockholders' deficit	'
					Stockholders' Deficit
		DIRECTV			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Noncontrolling			Total			Redeemable
		Common			Stock and			Deficit			Other			DIRECTV			Interest			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling
		Shares			Additional						Comprehensive			Stockholders'						Deficit			Interest
					Paid-In						Loss			Deficit
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2014		519,306,232		$	3,652		$	(9,874	)	$	(322	)	$	(6,544	)	$	—		$	(6,544	)	$	375
	Net income								561						561			8			569
	Stock repurchased and retired		(12,928,118	)		(89	)		(836	)					(925	)					(925	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,220,957			(57	)								(57	)					(57	)
	Share-based compensation expense					20									20						20
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					22									22						22
	Other					1									1						1
	Other comprehensive income											24			24						24
	CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest																	3			3
	Noncontrolling interest																	375			375			(375	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		507,599,071		$	3,549		$	(10,149	)	$	(298	)	$	(6,898	)	$	386		$	(6,512	)	$	—
					Stockholders' Deficit
		DIRECTV			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Redeemable			Net
		Common			Stock and			Deficit			Other			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling			Income
		Shares			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								690						690			8		$	698
	Stock repurchased and retired		(26,452,953	)		(181	)		(1,197	)					(1,378	)
	Stock to be received upon settlement of ASR					(30	)								(30	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,960,643			(61	)								(61	)
	Share-based compensation expense					34									34
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					24									24
	Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest					16									16			(16	)
	Other					(1	)								(1	)
	Other comprehensive loss											(11	)		(11	)		8
	Balance as of March 31, 2013		562,347,507		$	3,822		$	(9,717	)	$	(253	)	$	(6,148	)	$	400
Schedule of components of other comprehensive income (loss)	'
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014									2013
		Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net of
					Benefit			Tax						Benefit			Tax
					(Expense)									(Expense)
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized losses arising during the period	$	(12	)	$	5		$	(7	)	$	(57	)	$	21		$	(36	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in "Other, net"		(13	)		5			(8	)		78			(29	)		49
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		63			(24	)		39			(43	)		17			(26	)
	Available for sale securities:
	Unrealized holding gains on securities		—			—			—			5			(2	)		3
	Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during the period, included in "Other, net"		—			—			—			(2	)		1			(1	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	38		$	(14	)	$	24		$	(19	)	$	8		$	(11	)
Schedule of changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
		Defined			Gains			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Benefit Plan			(Losses) on			Currency			Gains			Other
		Items			Cash Flow			Items			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
					Hedges						Available for			Loss
											Sale
											Securities
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	(123	)	$	14		$	(213	)	$	—		$	(322	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(15	)		39			—			24
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	(123	)	$	(1	)	$	(174	)	$	—		$	(298	)
		Defined			Gains			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Benefit Plan			(Losses) on			Currency			Gains			Other
		Items			Cash Flow			Items			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
					Hedges						Available for			Loss
											Sale
											Securities
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	(184	)	$	(17	)	$	(40	)	$	(1	)	$	(242	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			13			(26	)		2			(11	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2013	$	(184	)	$	(4	)	$	(66	)	$	1		$	(253	)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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
	March 31, 2014
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		511	$	1.1
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		515	$	1.09
	March 31, 2013
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	690		572	$	1.21
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	690		577	$	1.2

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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
	March 31, 2014
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	6,085		$	2		$	6,087	$	1,243		$	426	$	1,669
	Sky Brasil		939			—			939		148			163		311
	PanAmericana and Other		782			—			782		(174	)		122		(52	)
	DIRECTV Latin America		1,721			—			1,721		(26	)		285		259
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		49			(2	)		47		10			3		13
	Total	$	7,855		$	—		$	7,855	$	1,227		$	714	$	1,941
	March 31, 2013
	DIRECTV U.S.	$	5,788		$	2		$	5,790	$	1,115		$	406	$	1,521
	Sky Brasil		965			—			965		154			157		311
	PanAmericana and Other		763			—			763		(37	)		106		69
	DIRECTV Latin America		1,728			—			1,728		117			263		380
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other		64			(2	)		62		10			9		19
	Total	$	7,580		$	—		$	7,580	$	1,242		$	678	$	1,920
	-1
	Operating profit (loss) 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 (loss)." 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
		Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in
		Millions)
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization	$	1,941		$	1,920
	Depreciation and amortization		(714	)		(678	)
	Operating profit		1,227			1,242
	Interest income		13			22
	Interest expense		(232	)		(217	)
	Other, net		57			38
	Income before income taxes		1,065			1,085
	Income tax expense		(496	)		(387	)
	Net income		569			698
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(8	)		(8	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	690

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,087		$	1,798		$	(30	)	$	7,855
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other		—			—			2,768			641			(26	)		3,383
	Subscriber service expenses		—			—			359			192			—			551
	Broadcast operations expenses		—			—			72			27			(2	)		97
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs		—			—			648			180			(1	)		827
	Upgrade and retention costs		—			—			281			41			(1	)		321
	General and administrative expenses		9			—			290			155			—			454
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		—			—			—			281			—			281
	Depreciation and amortization expense		—			—			426			288			—			714
	Total operating costs and expenses		9			—			4,844			1,805			(30	)		6,628
	Operating profit (loss)		(9	)		—			1,243			(7	)		—			1,227
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries		568			787			—			648			(2,003	)		—
	Interest income		—			—			1			12			—			13
	Interest expense		—			(220	)		(3	)		(9	)		—			(232	)
	Other, net		(2	)		—			5			54			—			57
	Income before income taxes		557			567			1,246			698			(2,003	)		1,065
	Income tax benefit (expense)		4			81			(459	)		(122	)		—			(496	)
	Net income		561			648			787			576			(2,003	)		569
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	648		$	787		$	568		$	(2,003	)	$	561
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	5,790		$	1,811		$	(21	)	$	7,580
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other		—			—			2,601			613			(18	)		3,196
	Subscriber service expenses		—			—			351			186			—			537
	Broadcast operations expenses		—			—			81			32			(3	)		110
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs		—			—			629			185			—			814
	Upgrade and retention costs		—			—			319			49			—			368
	General and administrative expenses		13			—			288			168			—			469
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		—			—			—			166			—			166
	Depreciation and amortization expense		—			—			406			272			—			678
	Total operating costs and expenses		13			—			4,675			1,671			(21	)		6,338
	Operating profit (loss)		(13	)		—			1,115			140			—			1,242
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries		698			793			—			652			(2,143	)		—
	Interest income		6			—			—			19			(3	)		22
	Interest expense		—			(201	)		(1	)		(18	)		3			(217	)
	Other, net		(4	)		—			12			30			—			38
	Income before income taxes		687			592			1,126			823			(2,143	)		1,085
	Income tax benefit (expense)		3			60			(333	)		(117	)		—			(387	)
	Net income		690			652			793			706			(2,143	)		698
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	690		$	652		$	793		$	698		$	(2,143	)	$	690
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income	$	561		$	648		$	787		$	576		$	(2,003	)	$	569
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized losses arising during the period		—			(7	)		—			—			—			(7	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income		—			(8	)		—			—			—			(8	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		—			—			—			39			—			39
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(15	)		—			39			—			24
	Comprehensive income		561			633			787			615			(2,003	)		593
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
	Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	633		$	787		$	604		$	(2,003	)	$	582
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income	$	690		$	652		$	793		$	706		$	(2,143	)	$	698
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized losses arising during the period		—			(36	)		—			—			—			(36	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income		—			49			—			—			—			49
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		—			—			—			(26	)		—			(26	)
	Available for sale securities:
	Unrealized holding gains on securities		—			—			—			3			—			3
	Reclassification adjustments recognized for net losses during the period		—			—			—			(1	)		—			(1	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			13			—			(24	)		—			(11	)
	Comprehensive income		690			665			793			682			(2,143	)		687
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(16	)		—			(16	)
	Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$	690		$	665		$	793		$	666		$	(2,143	)	$	671
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of March 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	ASSETS
	Total current assets	$	644		$	1,785		$	2,518		$	1,711		$	(209	)	$	6,449
	Satellites, net		—			—			1,782			686			—			2,468
	Property and equipment, net		—			—			3,724			3,013			—			6,737
	Goodwill		—			1,828			1,363			791			—			3,982
	Intangible assets, net		—			—			521			398			(8	)		911
	Intercompany receivables		5,024			8,441			22,283			1,507			(37,255	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries		(10,556	)		18,633			—			(12,579	)		4,502			—
	Investments and other assets		96			199			334			1,453			(109	)		1,973
	Total assets	$	(4,792	)	$	30,886		$	32,525		$	(3,020	)	$	(33,079	)	$	22,520
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
	Total current liabilities	$	131		$	2,598		$	3,542		$	1,316		$	(209	)	$	7,378
	Long-term debt		—			18,263			—			75			—			18,338
	Deferred income taxes		—			6			1,618			323			(109	)		1,838
	Intercompany liabilities		1,576			22,262			8,441			4,976			(37,255	)		—
	Other liabilities and deferred credits		399			336			291			460			(8	)		1,478
	Stockholders' equity (deficit)
	Common stock and additional paid-in capital		3,549			21			4,963			3,664			(8,648	)		3,549
	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(10,149	)		(12,600	)		13,670			(14,016	)		12,946			(10,149	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(298	)		—			—			(204	)		204			(298	)
	Total DIRECTV stockholders' equity (deficit)		(6,898	)		(12,579	)		18,633			(10,556	)		4,502			(6,898	)
	Noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			386			—			386
	Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(6,898	)		(12,579	)		18,633			(10,170	)		4,502			(6,512	)
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$	(4,792	)	$	30,886		$	32,525		$	(3,020	)	$	(33,079	)	$	22,520
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of December 31, 2013
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	ASSETS
	Total current assets	$	979		$	1,133		$	2,577		$	1,775		$	(511	)	$	5,953
	Satellites, net		—			—			1,810			657			—			2,467
	Property and equipment, net		—			—			3,724			2,926			—			6,650
	Goodwill		—			1,828			1,363			779			—			3,970
	Intangible assets, net		—			—			527			401			(8	)		920
	Intercompany receivables		4,750			7,820			20,985			1,387			(34,942	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries		(10,131	)		17,809			—			(12,214	)		4,536			—
	Investments and other assets		92			190			361			1,416			(114	)		1,945
	Total assets	$	(4,310	)	$	28,780		$	31,347		$	(2,873	)	$	(31,039	)	$	21,905
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
	Total current liabilities	$	448		$	1,476		$	3,812		$	1,305		$	(511	)	$	6,530
	Long-term debt		—			18,203			—			81			—			18,284
	Deferred income taxes		—			9			1,632			277			(114	)		1,804
	Intercompany liabilities		1,387			20,985			7,820			4,750			(34,942	)		—
	Other liabilities and deferred credits		399			321			274			470			(8	)		1,456
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			375			—			375
	Stockholders' equity (deficit)
	Common stock and additional paid-in capital		3,652			25			4,930			3,671			(8,626	)		3,652
	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(9,874	)		(12,253	)		12,879			(13,574	)		12,948			(9,874	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(322	)		14			—			(228	)		214			(322	)
	Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(6,544	)		(12,214	)		17,809			(10,131	)		4,536			(6,544	)
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$	(4,310	)	$	28,780		$	31,347		$	(2,873	)	$	(31,039	)	$	21,905
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows from operating activities
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	594		$	(305	)	$	1,482		$	489		$	(670	)	$	1,590
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Cash paid for property and equipment		—			—			(371	)		(279	)		—			(650	)
	Cash paid for satellites		—			—			(11	)		(43	)		—			(54	)
	Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		—			—			(1	)		(3	)		—			(4	)
	Proceeds from sale of investments		—			—			4			—			—			4
	Return of capital from subsidiary		400			—			—			—			(400	)		—
	Intercompany funding		(117	)		(408	)		(1,464	)		(77	)		2,066			—
	Other, net		—			—			—			(3	)		—			(3	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		283			(408	)		(1,843	)		(405	)		1,666			(707	)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		—			105			—			—			—			105
	Proceeds from short-term borrowings		—			90			—			—			—			90
	Repayment of short-term borrowings		—			(200	)		—			—			—			(200	)
	Proceeds from long-term debt		—			1,245			—			15			—			1,260
	Debt issuance costs		—			(6	)		—			—			—			(6	)
	Repayment of long-term debt		—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
	Repayment of other long-term obligations		—			—			(6	)		(9	)		—			(15	)
	Common shares repurchased and retired		(895	)		—			—			—			—			(895	)
	Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		(57	)		—			(47	)		(10	)		57			(57	)
	Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		22			—			18			4			(22	)		22
	Intercompany payments		9			1,465			407			150			(2,031	)		—
	Cash dividend to Parent		—			(1,000	)		—			—			1,000			—
	Other, net		—			(26	)		—			—			—			(26	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(921	)		1,673			372			139			(996	)		267
	Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			(316	)		—			(316	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(44	)		960			11			(93	)		—			834
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		498			791			6			885			—			2,180
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	454		$	1,751		$	17		$	792		$	—		$	3,014
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 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 (used in) operating activities	$	570		$	(311	)	$	1,488		$	422		$	(633	)	$	1,536
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Cash paid for property and equipment		—			—			(396	)		(352	)		—			(748	)
	Cash paid for satellites		—			—			(53	)		(25	)		—			(78	)
	Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		—			—			—			(3	)		—			(3	)
	Proceeds from sale of investments		—			—			12			4			—			16
	Return of capital from subsidiary		1,382			—			—			—			(1,382	)		—
	Intercompany funding		(152	)		(391	)		(1,418	)		(78	)		2,039			—
	Other, net		—			—			2			(7	)		—			(5	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		1,230			(391	)		(1,853	)		(461	)		657			(818	)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		—			190			—			—			—			190
	Proceeds from short-term borrowings		—			84			—			—			—			84
	Repayment of short-term borrowings		—			(153	)		—			—			—			(153	)
	Proceeds from long-term debt		—			743			—			49			—			792
	Debt issuance costs		—			(4	)		—			—			—			(4	)
	Repayment of other long-term obligations		—			—			(6	)		(12	)		—			(18	)
	Common shares repurchased and retired		(1,378	)		—			—			—			—			(1,378	)
	Prepayment of accelerated share repurchase		(230	)		—			—			—			—			(230	)
	Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		(61	)		—			(51	)		(10	)		61			(61	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		24			—			20			4			(24	)		24
Intercompany payments		17			1,418			396			180			(2,011	)		—
Cash dividend to Parent		—			(1,950	)		—			—			1,950			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(1,628	)		328			359			211			(24	)		(754	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			(187	)		—			(187	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		172			(374	)		(6	)		(15	)		—			(223	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		408			728			11			755			—			1,902
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	580		$	354		$	5		$	740		$	—		$	1,679

Description_of_Business_and_Ba1

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 16, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	item	Regional sports networks	Game Show Network, LLC	Sky Brasil	Sky Mexico
		DSN
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'	'
Number of regional sports networks owned and operated by the entity	2	'	'	'	'
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%	'	'	'

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
		DIRECTV U.S.	DIRECTV U.S.	Sky Brasil	PanAmericana and Other	PanAmericana and Other	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	$3,970	$3,191	$3,191	$346	$211	$211	$222	$222
Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment	12	'	'	12	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, ending balance	$3,982	$3,191	$3,191	$358	$211	$211	$222	$222

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt	'	'
Current debt, Commercial paper	$195	$200
Current debt, Current portion of long-term debt	2,200	1,000
Current debt, Current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility	65	56
Long-term debt, Senior notes	18,263	18,203
Long-term debt, borrowings under BNDES financing facility	75	81
Total debt	20,798	19,540
Interest accrued on outstanding debt	$169	$271

Debt_Details_2

Debt (Details 2) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 20, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

6-May-14

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 10, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 17, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Senior notes 4.750% due 2014

Senior notes 4.750% due 2014

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 1.750% due in 2018

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 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 5.200% due 2033

Senior notes 5.200% due 2033

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

Subsequent event

Debt instrument

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis for variable interest rate

'

'

'

'Treasury Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate added to variable base rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

0.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount

$20,521

'

'

$1,000

$1,000

'

'

$1,200

'

$750

'

$1,500

'

$1,250

'

$750

$750

'

$1,000

'

$1,300

'

$1,000

'

$1,500

'

$1,500

'

$688

'

$1,250

$1,250

$1,250

'

$583

'

$500

'

$1,250

'

$1,000

'

$1,250

'

Cash payment to redeem Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,022

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes

20,463

'

19,203

'

1,000

1,000

'

1,200

1,200

750

750

1,499

1,499

1,249

1,249

'

745

744

996

996

1,299

1,299

1,000

999

1,495

1,495

1,499

1,499

685

684

'

1,245

1,237

1,229

581

577

500

500

1,235

1,235

1,000

1,000

1,248

1,248

Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

4.75%

'

'

3.55%

'

3.13%

'

3.50%

'

2.40%

'

1.75%

1.75%

'

5.88%

'

5.20%

'

4.60%

'

5.00%

'

3.80%

'

2.75%

'

4.45%

4.45%

4.38%

'

5.20%

'

6.35%

'

6.00%

'

6.38%

'

5.15%

'

Proceeds, net of discount

1,260

792

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

743

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,245

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Details_3

Debt (Details 3)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Commercial Paper	Revolving Credit Facility	Revolving Credit Facility, Series One	Revolving Credit Facility, Series Two	BNDES Financing Facility	BNDES Financing Facility	BNDES Financing Facility	BNDES Financing Facility
			USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil
							USD ($)	BRL	USD ($)	Set-top receivers
									item	USD ($)
Debt instrument	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior notes, fair value	$21,078,000,000	$19,424,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2014	'	'	'	'	'	'	48,000,000	'	'	'
2015	1,200,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	64,000,000	'	'	'
2016	2,250,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	28,000,000	'	'	'
2017	1,250,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2018	750,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Thereafter	14,071,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current debt, Commercial paper	195,000,000	200,000,000	195,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Borrowing capacity under credit facility	'	'	'	'	1,000,000,000	1,500,000,000	'	'	'	'
Borrowing capacity under credit facility	'	'	2,500,000,000	2,500,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Term of line of credit facility	'	'	'	'	'3 years 6 months	'5 years	'	'	'	'
Loans outstanding	'	'	'	0	'	'	140,000,000	'	137,000,000	'
U.S. dollars based exchange rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.26	'	'
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	'	'	'34 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average yield (as a percent)	'	'	0.38%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum Additional borrowing capacity	'	'	'	500,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Original purchase price	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	185,000,000
Restricted cash	$10,000,000	$7,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	'	3.12%	3.12%	3.07%	'
Number of monthly installments to repay borrowings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	30	'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 17, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 11, 2012

13-May-13

Nov. 13, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 17, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 5.200% due 2033

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

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

Cross-currency swap contracts

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 5.200% due 2033

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of ineffectiveness measured

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

117

'

112

'

'

'

Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

Total fair value of derivative financial instruments, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

117

'

115

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of derivative financial instruments, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,418

'

2,918

'

'

'

2,418

'

2,418

'

'

500

Cash collateral from counterparties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal

20,521

'

1,250

688

583

1,250

1,250

'

'

'

750

500

350

'

'

'

1,250

'

'

Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

4.38%

2.75%

5.20%

4.45%

4.45%

'

'

'

4.38%

2.75%

5.20%

'

'

'

4.45%

'

'

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into other, net

-13

78

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

-78

'

'

'

'

Net foreign currency transaction losses

-6

-6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

-78

'

'

'

'

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

8

-49

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-8

49

'

'

'

'

Amount recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss"

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10

'

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details)	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	VEF	VEF	Venezuelan Subsidiary	SICAD 1	SICAD 2	DIRECTV Latin America	DIRECTV U.S.	DIRECTV U.S.
					USD ($)	VEF	VEF	SAGAI	USD ($)	USD ($)
Loss contingencies	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
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	$281	$166	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
After-tax charge related to remeasurement of bolivar denominated net monetary assets due to devaluation	'	136	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exchange rate (in bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar)	'	'	'	'	'	10.7	49.81	'	'	'
Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated assets in excess liabilities	'	'	'	'	408	'	'	'	'	'
Venezuelan bolivars fuerte denominated cash	'	'	'	'	453	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	7,855	7,580	'	'	261	'	'	'	6,087	5,790
Operating profit	1,227	1,242	'	'	80	'	'	'	1,243	1,115
Percentage of programming revenue claimed	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.00%	'	'
In-orbit satellites, net book value	1,342	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Contingent liability for standby letters of credit	$259	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Related party transactions	'	'	'
Revenues	$2	$2	'
Expenses	241	236	'
Accounts receivable	7	'	18
Accounts payable	87	'	100
Long-term liability	$85	'	$69

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco2

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest	'	'
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_Nonco3

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details 2) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 19, 2013

Mar. 20, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 20, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Mar. 20, 2013

Sky Brasil

Sky Brasil

Accelerated Share Repurchase

Accelerated Share Repurchase

Accelerated Share Repurchase

Accelerated Share Repurchase

Accelerated Share Repurchase

Accelerated Share Repurchase

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Common stock and additional paid-in capital

Prepaid expenses and other

Accelerated Share Repurchase

Accelerated Share Repurchase

Information regarding shares repurchased and retired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchases authorized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,500,000,000

'

Remaining authorization under share repurchase program

'

3,438,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchases authorized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

500,000,000

Amount paid for stock repurchases

30,000,000

895,000,000

1,378,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reduction to stockholders' equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

270,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Final notional amount of share repurchase program

'

'

'

'

'

'

337,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount received equal to the difference between the up-front payment and the final notional amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

163,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total cost of repurchased shares

'

925,000,000

1,378,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average price per share (in dollars per share)

'

$71.53

$52.09

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares repurchased and retired

'

12,928,118

26,425,953

'

'

'

1,200,000

4,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount paid for stock repurchases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

'

'

30,000,000

200,000,000

'

'

'

Estimated fair value of Globo's interest in Sky Brasil

'

'

'

375,000,000

'

375,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

7.00%

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling interest

'

$375,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco4

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Beginning balance (in shares)	519,306,232	'
Balance	($6,544)	'
Net income	569	698
Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)	-12,928,118	-26,425,953
Stock repurchased and retired	-925	-1,378
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed	-57	'
Share-based compensation expense	20	'
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	22	'
Other	1	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	24	-11
CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest	3	'
Noncontrolling interest	375	'
Ending balance (in shares)	507,599,071	'
Balance	-6,512	'
DIRECTV Common Shares	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Beginning balance (in shares)	519,306,232	586,839,817
Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)	-12,928,118	-26,452,953
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed (in shares)	1,220,957	1,960,643
Ending balance (in shares)	507,599,071	562,347,507
Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Balance	3,652	4,021
Stock repurchased and retired	-89	-181
Stock to be received upon settlement of ASR	'	-30
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed	-57	-61
Share-based compensation expense	20	34
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	22	24
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	16
Other	1	-1
Balance	3,549	3,822
Accumulated Deficit	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Balance	-9,874	-9,210
Net income	561	690
Stock repurchased and retired	-836	-1,197
Balance	-10,149	-9,717
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Balance	-322	-242
Other comprehensive income (loss)	24	-11
Balance	-298	-253
Total DIRECTV Stockholders' Deficit	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Balance	-6,544	-5,431
Net income	561	690
Stock repurchased and retired	-925	-1,378
Stock to be received upon settlement of ASR	'	-30
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed	-57	-61
Share-based compensation expense	20	34
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	22	24
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	16
Other	1	-1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	24	-11
Balance	-6,898	-6,148
Noncontrolling Interest	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Net income	8	'
CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest	3	'
Noncontrolling interest	375	'
Balance	$386	'

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco5

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	'
Beginning balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	$375	'
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	8
Noncontrolling interest	375	'
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	'	'
Change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	'
Beginning balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	375	400
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	8
Noncontrolling interest	-375	'
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	-16
Other comprehensive loss	'	8
Ending balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	'	$400

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco6

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
			Defined Benefit Plan Items	Defined Benefit Plan Items	Defined Benefit Plan Items	Defined Benefit Plan Items	Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges	Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges	Foreign Currency Items	Foreign Currency Items	Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available for Sale securities
Unrealized losses arising during the period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	($12)	($57)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax Benefit (Expense)	5	21	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net of Tax	-7	-36	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustments included in "Other, net"	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	-13	78	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax Benefit (Expense)	5	-29	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net of Tax	-8	49	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	63	-43	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-24	17	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net of Tax	39	-26	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding gains on securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	'	5	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax Benefit (Expense)	'	-2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net of Tax	'	3	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during period included in "Other, net"	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax	'	-2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax Benefit (Expense)	'	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net of Tax	'	-1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pre-Tax	38	-19	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-14	8	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	24	-11	'	'	'	'	-15	13	39	-26	2
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	-322	-242	-123	-123	-184	-184	14	-17	-213	-40	-1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	24	-11	'	'	'	'	-15	13	39	-26	2
Balance at the end of the period	($298)	($253)	($123)	($123)	($184)	($184)	($1)	($4)	($174)	($66)	$1

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Common Share	'	'
Common stock options excluded from the computation of diluted EPS (in shares)	0.2	1.7
Basic EPS	'	'
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$561	$690
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	511	572
Earnings per share attributable to DIRECTV (in dollars per share)	$1.10	$1.21
Effect of dilutive securities	'	'
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)	4	5
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units, per share amount (in dollars per share)	($0.01)	($0.01)
Diluted EPS	'	'
Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$561	$690
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	515	577
Net Income (in dollars per share)	$1.09	$1.20

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	$7,855	$7,580
Operating profit (loss)	1,227	1,242
Depreciation and amortization expense	714	678
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	1,941	1,920
DIRECTV Latin America	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	1,721	1,728
Operating profit (loss)	-26	117
Depreciation and amortization expense	285	263
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	259	380
Operating segments	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	7,855	7,580
Operating segments | DIRECTV Latin America	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	1,721	1,728
DIRECTV U.S.	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	6,087	5,790
Operating profit (loss)	1,243	1,115
Depreciation and amortization expense	426	406
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	1,669	1,521
DIRECTV U.S. | Operating segments	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	6,085	5,788
DIRECTV U.S. | Intersegment elimination	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	2	2
Sky Brasil	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	939	965
Operating profit (loss)	148	154
Depreciation and amortization expense	163	157
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	311	311
Sky Brasil | Operating segments	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	939	965
PanAmericana and Other	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	782	763
Operating profit (loss)	-174	-37
Depreciation and amortization expense	122	106
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	-52	69
PanAmericana and Other | Operating segments	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	782	763
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	47	62
Operating profit (loss)	10	10
Depreciation and amortization expense	3	9
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	13	19
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other | Operating segments	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	49	64
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other | Intersegment elimination	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	($2)	($2)

Segment_Reporting_Details_2

Segment Reporting (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting	'	'
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization	$1,941	$1,920
Depreciation and amortization expense	-714	-678
Operating profit	1,227	1,242
Interest income	13	22
Interest expense	-232	-217
Other, net	57	38
Income before income taxes	1,065	1,085
Income tax expense	-496	-387
Net income	569	698
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-8	'
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	-8
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$561	$690

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'
Revenues	$7,855	$7,580
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	3,383	3,196
Subscriber service expenses	551	537
Broadcast operations expenses	97	110
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Subscriber acquisition costs	827	814
Upgrade and retention costs	321	368
General and administrative expenses	454	469
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge	281	166
Depreciation and amortization expense	714	678
Total operating costs and expenses	6,628	6,338
Operating profit	1,227	1,242
Interest income	13	22
Interest expense	-232	-217
Other, net	57	38
Income before income taxes	1,065	1,085
Income tax benefit (expense)	-496	-387
Net income	569	698
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-8	'
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	-8
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	561	690
Reportable legal entity | Parent Guarantor	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
General and administrative expenses	9	13
Total operating costs and expenses	9	13
Operating profit	-9	-13
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	568	698
Interest income	'	6
Other, net	-2	-4
Income before income taxes	557	687
Income tax benefit (expense)	4	3
Net income	561	690
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	561	690
Reportable legal entity | Co-Issuers	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	787	793
Interest expense	-220	-201
Income before income taxes	567	592
Income tax benefit (expense)	81	60
Net income	648	652
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	648	652
Reportable legal entity | Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'
Revenues	6,087	5,790
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	2,768	2,601
Subscriber service expenses	359	351
Broadcast operations expenses	72	81
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Subscriber acquisition costs	648	629
Upgrade and retention costs	281	319
General and administrative expenses	290	288
Depreciation and amortization expense	426	406
Total operating costs and expenses	4,844	4,675
Operating profit	1,243	1,115
Interest income	1	'
Interest expense	-3	-1
Other, net	5	12
Income before income taxes	1,246	1,126
Income tax benefit (expense)	-459	-333
Net income	787	793
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	787	793
Reportable legal entity | Non-guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'
Revenues	1,798	1,811
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	641	613
Subscriber service expenses	192	186
Broadcast operations expenses	27	32
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Subscriber acquisition costs	180	185
Upgrade and retention costs	41	49
General and administrative expenses	155	168
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge	281	166
Depreciation and amortization expense	288	272
Total operating costs and expenses	1,805	1,671
Operating profit	-7	140
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	648	652
Interest income	12	19
Interest expense	-9	-18
Other, net	54	30
Income before income taxes	698	823
Income tax benefit (expense)	-122	-117
Net income	576	706
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-8	'
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	-8
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	568	698
Eliminations	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'
Revenues	-30	-21
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Broadcast programming and other	-26	-18
Broadcast operations expenses	-2	-3
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense	'	'
Subscriber acquisition costs	-1	'
Upgrade and retention costs	-1	'
Total operating costs and expenses	-30	-21
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	-2,003	-2,143
Interest income	'	-3
Interest expense	'	3
Income before income taxes	-2,003	-2,143
Net income	-2,003	-2,143
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	($2,003)	($2,143)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	'	'
Net income	$569	$698
Cash flows hedges:	'	'
Unrealized losses arising during the period	-7	-36
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	-8	49
Foreign currency translation adjustments	39	-26
Available for sale securities:	'	'
Unrealized holding gains on securities	'	3
Reclassification adjustments recognized for net losses during the period	'	-1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	24	-11
Comprehensive income	593	687
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	-16
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	582	671
Reportable legal entity | Parent Guarantor	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	'	'
Net income	561	690
Available for sale securities:	'	'
Comprehensive income	561	690
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	561	690
Reportable legal entity | Co-Issuers	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	'	'
Net income	648	652
Cash flows hedges:	'	'
Unrealized losses arising during the period	-7	-36
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	-8	49
Available for sale securities:	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-15	13
Comprehensive income	633	665
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	633	665
Reportable legal entity | Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	'	'
Net income	787	793
Available for sale securities:	'	'
Comprehensive income	787	793
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	787	793
Reportable legal entity | Non-guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	'	'
Net income	576	706
Cash flows hedges:	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	39	-26
Available for sale securities:	'	'
Unrealized holding gains on securities	'	3
Reclassification adjustments recognized for net losses during the period	'	-1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	39	-24
Comprehensive income	615	682
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-11	-16
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	604	666
Eliminations	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	'	'
Net income	-2,003	-2,143
Available for sale securities:	'	'
Comprehensive income	-2,003	-2,143
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	($2,003)	($2,143)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	$6,449,000,000	$5,953,000,000	'	'
Satellites, net	2,468,000,000	2,467,000,000	'	'
Property and equipment, net	6,737,000,000	6,650,000,000	'	'
Goodwill	3,982,000,000	3,970,000,000	'	'
Intangible assets, net	911,000,000	920,000,000	'	'
Investments and other assets	1,973,000,000	1,945,000,000	'	'
Total assets	22,520,000,000	21,905,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	7,378,000,000	6,530,000,000	'	'
Long-term debt	18,338,000,000	18,284,000,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,838,000,000	1,804,000,000	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	1,478,000,000	1,456,000,000	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	375,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital	3,549,000,000	3,652,000,000	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-10,149,000,000	-9,874,000,000	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-298,000,000	-322,000,000	-253,000,000	-242,000,000
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-6,898,000,000	-6,544,000,000	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	386,000,000	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-6,512,000,000	-6,544,000,000	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	22,520,000,000	21,905,000,000	'	'
Adjustment	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	'	-3,612,000,000	'	'
Intercompany receivables	'	-3,612,000,000	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	'	-410,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	'	-3,612,000,000	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	'	-3,612,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	'	-410,000,000	'	'
Reportable legal entity | Parent Guarantor	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	644,000,000	979,000,000	'	'
Intercompany receivables	5,024,000,000	4,750,000,000	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-10,556,000,000	-10,131,000,000	'	'
Investments and other assets	96,000,000	92,000,000	'	'
Total assets	-4,792,000,000	-4,310,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	131,000,000	448,000,000	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	1,576,000,000	1,387,000,000	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	399,000,000	399,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital	3,549,000,000	3,652,000,000	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-10,149,000,000	-9,874,000,000	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-298,000,000	-322,000,000	'	'
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-6,898,000,000	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-6,898,000,000	-6,544,000,000	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	-4,792,000,000	-4,310,000,000	'	'
Reportable legal entity | Parent Guarantor | Adjustment	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	'	494,000,000	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	'	494,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	'	494,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	'	494,000,000	'	'
Reportable legal entity | Co-Issuers	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	1,785,000,000	1,133,000,000	'	'
Goodwill	1,828,000,000	1,828,000,000	'	'
Intercompany receivables	8,441,000,000	7,820,000,000	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	18,633,000,000	17,809,000,000	'	'
Investments and other assets	199,000,000	190,000,000	'	'
Total assets	30,886,000,000	28,780,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	2,598,000,000	1,476,000,000	'	'
Long-term debt	18,263,000,000	18,203,000,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	6,000,000	9,000,000	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	22,262,000,000	20,985,000,000	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	336,000,000	321,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital	21,000,000	25,000,000	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-12,600,000,000	-12,253,000,000	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	14,000,000	'	'
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-12,579,000,000	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-12,579,000,000	-12,214,000,000	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	30,886,000,000	28,780,000,000	'	'
Reportable legal entity | Co-Issuers | Adjustment	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	'	494,000,000	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	'	494,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	'	494,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	'	494,000,000	'	'
Reportable legal entity | Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	2,518,000,000	2,577,000,000	'	'
Satellites, net	1,782,000,000	1,810,000,000	'	'
Property and equipment, net	3,724,000,000	3,724,000,000	'	'
Goodwill	1,363,000,000	1,363,000,000	'	'
Intangible assets, net	521,000,000	527,000,000	'	'
Intercompany receivables	22,283,000,000	20,985,000,000	'	'
Investments and other assets	334,000,000	361,000,000	'	'
Total assets	32,525,000,000	31,347,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	3,542,000,000	3,812,000,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,618,000,000	1,632,000,000	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	8,441,000,000	7,820,000,000	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	291,000,000	274,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital	4,963,000,000	4,930,000,000	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	13,670,000,000	12,879,000,000	'	'
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	18,633,000,000	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	18,633,000,000	17,809,000,000	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	32,525,000,000	31,347,000,000	'	'
Reportable legal entity | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Adjustment	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	'	494,000,000	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	'	494,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	'	494,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	'	494,000,000	'	'
Reportable legal entity | Non-guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	1,711,000,000	1,775,000,000	'	'
Satellites, net	686,000,000	657,000,000	'	'
Property and equipment, net	3,013,000,000	2,926,000,000	'	'
Goodwill	791,000,000	779,000,000	'	'
Intangible assets, net	398,000,000	401,000,000	'	'
Intercompany receivables	1,507,000,000	1,387,000,000	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-12,579,000,000	-12,214,000,000	'	'
Investments and other assets	1,453,000,000	1,416,000,000	'	'
Total assets	-3,020,000,000	-2,873,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	1,316,000,000	1,305,000,000	'	'
Long-term debt	75,000,000	81,000,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	323,000,000	277,000,000	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	4,976,000,000	4,750,000,000	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	460,000,000	470,000,000	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	375,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital	3,664,000,000	3,671,000,000	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-14,016,000,000	-13,574,000,000	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-204,000,000	-228,000,000	'	'
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-10,556,000,000	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	386,000,000	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-10,170,000,000	-10,131,000,000	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	-3,020,000,000	-2,873,000,000	'	'
Reportable legal entity | Non-guarantor Subsidiaries | Adjustment	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	'	494,000,000	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	'	494,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	'	494,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital	'	-19,036,000,000	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	'	19,036,000,000	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	'	494,000,000	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	-209,000,000	-511,000,000	'	'
Intangible assets, net	-8,000,000	-8,000,000	'	'
Intercompany receivables	-37,255,000,000	-34,942,000,000	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	4,502,000,000	4,536,000,000	'	'
Investments and other assets	-109,000,000	-114,000,000	'	'
Total assets	-33,079,000,000	-31,039,000,000	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	-209,000,000	-511,000,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-109,000,000	-114,000,000	'	'
Intercompany liabilities	-37,255,000,000	-34,942,000,000	'	'
Other liabilities and deferred credits	-8,000,000	-8,000,000	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital	-8,648,000,000	-8,626,000,000	'	'
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	12,946,000,000	12,948,000,000	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	204,000,000	214,000,000	'	'
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	4,502,000,000	'	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	4,502,000,000	4,536,000,000	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	($33,079,000,000)	($31,039,000,000)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 4) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	$1,590	$1,536
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'
Cash paid for property and equipment	'	-650	-748
Cash paid for satellites	'	-54	-78
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	'	-4	-3
Proceeds from sale of investments	'	4	16
Other, net	'	-3	-5
Net cash used in investing activities	'	-707	-818
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net	'	105	190
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	'	90	84
Repayment of short-term borrowings	'	-200	-153
Proceeds from long-term debt	'	1,260	792
Debt issuance costs	'	-6	-4
Repayment of long-term debt	'	-11	'
Repayment of other long-term obligations	'	-15	-18
Common shares repurchased and retired	-30	-895	-1,378
Prepayment of accelerated share repurchase	'	'	-230
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	'	-57	-61
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	'	22	24
Other, net	'	-26	'
Net cash provided by (used in) in financing activities	'	267	-754
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents	'	-316	-187
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	834	-223
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	3,014	2,180	1,902
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	'	3,014	1,679
Reportable legal entity | Parent Guarantor	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	594	570
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'
Return of capital from subsidiary	'	400	1,382
Intercompany funding	'	-117	-152
Net cash used in investing activities	'	283	1,230
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Common shares repurchased and retired	'	-895	-1,378
Prepayment of accelerated share repurchase	'	'	-230
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	'	-57	-61
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	'	22	24
Intercompany payments	'	9	17
Net cash provided by (used in) in financing activities	'	-921	-1,628
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	-44	172
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	'	498	408
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	'	454	580
Reportable legal entity | Co-Issuers	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	-305	-311
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'
Intercompany funding	'	-408	-391
Net cash used in investing activities	'	-408	-391
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net	'	105	190
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	'	90	84
Repayment of short-term borrowings	'	-200	-153
Proceeds from long-term debt	'	1,245	743
Debt issuance costs	'	-6	-4
Intercompany payments	'	1,465	1,418
Cash dividend to Parent	'	-1,000	-1,950
Other, net	'	-26	'
Net cash provided by (used in) in financing activities	'	1,673	328
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	960	-374
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	'	791	728
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	'	1,751	354
Reportable legal entity | Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	1,482	1,488
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'
Cash paid for property and equipment	'	-371	-396
Cash paid for satellites	'	-11	-53
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	'	-1	'
Proceeds from sale of investments	'	4	12
Intercompany funding	'	-1,464	-1,418
Other, net	'	'	2
Net cash used in investing activities	'	-1,843	-1,853
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Repayment of other long-term obligations	'	-6	-6
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	'	-47	-51
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	'	18	20
Intercompany payments	'	407	396
Net cash provided by (used in) in financing activities	'	372	359
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	11	-6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	'	6	11
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	'	17	5
Reportable legal entity | Non-guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	489	422
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'
Cash paid for property and equipment	'	-279	-352
Cash paid for satellites	'	-43	-25
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	'	-3	-3
Proceeds from sale of investments	'	'	4
Intercompany funding	'	-77	-78
Other, net	'	-3	-7
Net cash used in investing activities	'	-405	-461
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	'	15	49
Repayment of long-term debt	'	-11	'
Repayment of other long-term obligations	'	-9	-12
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	'	-10	-10
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	'	4	4
Intercompany payments	'	150	180
Net cash provided by (used in) in financing activities	'	139	211
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents	'	-316	-187
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	-93	-15
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	'	885	755
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	'	792	740
Eliminations	'	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	-670	-633
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'
Return of capital from subsidiary	'	-400	-1,382
Intercompany funding	'	2,066	2,039
Net cash used in investing activities	'	1,666	657
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	'	57	61
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	'	-22	-24
Intercompany payments	'	-2,031	-2,011
Cash dividend to Parent	'	1,000	1,950
Net cash provided by (used in) in financing activities	'	($996)	($24)