Directv Inactive 10-K25 Feb 152014 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 13, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	DIRECTV
Entity Central Index Key	1465112
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$34,022,895,210
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		502,801,382
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenues	$8,922	$8,374	$8,109	$7,855	$8,594	$7,880	$7,700	$7,580	$33,260	$31,754	$29,740
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other									14,930	13,991	13,028
Subscriber service expenses									2,320	2,242	2,137
Broadcast operations expenses									430	409	414
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs									3,659	3,419	3,397
Upgrade and retention costs									1,456	1,547	1,427
General and administrative expenses									2,113	2,002	1,815
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge								166	281	166
Depreciation and amortization expense									2,943	2,828	2,437
Total operating costs and expenses									28,132	26,604	24,655
Operating profit	1,255	1,222	1,424	1,227	1,333	1,225	1,350	1,242	5,128	5,150	5,085
Interest income									68	72	59
Interest expense									-898	-840	-842
Other, net									150	106	140
Income before income taxes									4,448	4,488	4,442
Income tax expense									-1,673	-1,603	-1,465
Net income									2,775	2,885	2,977
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									-19	-26	-28
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$778	$611	$806	$561	$810	$699	$660	$690	$2,756	$2,859	$2,949
Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.55	$1.22	$1.60	$1.10	$1.55	$1.29	$1.19	$1.21	$5.46	$5.22	$4.62
Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.53	$1.21	$1.59	$1.09	$1.53	$1.28	$1.18	$1.20	$5.40	$5.17	$4.58
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions):
Basic (in shares)									505	548	638
Diluted (in shares)									510	553	644

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income	$2,775	$2,885	$2,977
Defined benefit plans:
Gains (losses) related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	-49	22	-45
Prior service credit arising during the period	21
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost	10	38	12
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost		1
Cash flow hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-87	80	-10
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	117	-49	-7
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-108	-173	-32
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses on securities			-4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during period		1
Other comprehensive loss	-96	-80	-86
Comprehensive income	2,679	2,805	2,891
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-10	-20	-13
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$2,669	$2,785	$2,878

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,635	$2,180
Accounts receivable, net	2,800	2,547
Inventories	299	283
Deferred income taxes	68	140
Prepaid expenses and other	1,017	803
Total current assets	8,819	5,953
Satellites, net	3,040	2,467
Property and equipment, net	6,721	6,650
Goodwill	3,929	3,970
Intangible assets, net	994	920
Investments and other assets	1,956	1,945
Total assets	25,459	21,905
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	5,048	4,685
Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits	584	589
Current debt	1,327	1,256
Total current liabilities	6,959	6,530
Long-term debt	19,485	18,284
Deferred income taxes	1,726	1,804
Other liabilities and deferred credits	2,117	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, 502,733,342 and 519,306,232 shares issued and outstanding of DIRECTV common stock at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	3,613	3,652
Accumulated deficit	-8,408	-9,874
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-418	-322
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-5,213	-6,544
Noncontrolling interest	385
Total stockholders' deficit	-4,828	-6,544
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$25,459	$21,905

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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	502,733,342	519,306,232
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, shares outstanding	502,733,342	519,306,232

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (USD $)	DIRECTV Common Shares	Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total DIRECTV Stockholder's Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	DIRECTV Common Shares	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		$4,799	($7,750)	($156)	($3,107)		($3,107)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	691,306,695
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income							2,977
Net income			2,949		2,949		2,949
Stock repurchased and retired		-739	-4,409		-5,148		-5,148
Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)	-106,691,615						-106,691,615
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		-54			-54		-54
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed (in shares)	2,224,737
Share-based compensation expense		109			109		109
Tax benefit from share-based compensation		30			30		30
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		-122			-122		-122
Other		-2			-2		-2
Other comprehensive loss				-86	-86		-86
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012		4,021	-9,210	-242	-5,431		-5,431
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	586,839,817
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income							2,885
Net income			2,859		2,859		2,859
Stock repurchased and retired		-477	-3,523		-4,000		-4,000
Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)	-69,510,155						-69,510,155
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		-61			-61		-61
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed (in shares)	1,976,570
Share-based compensation expense		100			100		100
Tax benefit from share-based compensation		23			23		23
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		45			45		45
Other		1			1		1
Other comprehensive loss				-80	-80		-80
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		3,652	-9,874	-322	-6,544		-6,544
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	519,306,232
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income							2,775
Net income			2,756		2,756	19	2,756
Stock repurchased and retired		-130	-1,256		-1,386		-1,386
Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)	-18,774,194						-18,774,194
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		-36			-36		-36
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed (in shares)	2,201,304
Share-based compensation expense		104			104		104
Tax benefit from share-based compensation		23			23		23
Other			-34		-34		-34
Other comprehensive loss				-96	-96		-96
CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest						-9	-9
Noncontrolling interest						375	375
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		$3,613	($8,408)	($418)	($5,213)	$385	($4,828)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	502,733,342

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST 2 (USD $)	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	Total
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Beginning balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest at Dec. 31, 2011	$265
Change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest
Net income	28	28
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	122
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-15
Ending balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest at Dec. 31, 2012	400
Change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest
Net income	26	26
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	-45
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-6
Ending balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest at Dec. 31, 2013	375	375
Change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest
Net income		19
Noncontrolling interest	($375)	$375
Ending balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest at Dec. 31, 2014

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$2,775	$2,885	$2,977
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	2,943	2,828	2,437
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge	281	166
DSN Northwest deconsolidation charge		59
Amortization of deferred revenues and deferred credits	-48	-53	-75
Share-based compensation expense	104	100	109
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	-133	-198	-131
Net foreign currency transaction loss	87	52	34
Dividends received	28	41	79
Net gains from sale of investments	-19	-8	-122
Deferred income taxes	166	323	-102
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-23	-24	-30
Other	31	-7	85
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-242		-50
Inventories	-16	118	-206
Prepaid expenses and other	-81	-334	58
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	361	272	370
Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits	-5	26	28
Other, net	160	148	173
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,369	6,394	5,634
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Cash paid for property and equipment	-2,940	-3,409	-2,960
Cash paid for satellites	-285	-377	-389
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	-47	-66	-16
Proceeds from sale of investments	32	257	24
Other, net	-123	-158	-22
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,363	-3,753	-3,363
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Issuance (repayment) of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		-155	156
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	301	556	202
Repayment of short-term borrowings	-501	-559
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility		10	400
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility		-10	-400
Proceeds from long-term debt	2,650	2,099	5,190
Debt issuance costs	-14	-12	-36
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,066	-15	-1,500
Repayment of other long-term obligations	-69	-63	-51
Common shares repurchased and retired	-1,386	-4,000	-5,175
Stock options exercised	21		3
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	-60	-61	-61
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	23	24	30
Other, net	-67	10
Net cash used in financing activities	-168	-2,176	-1,242
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents	-383	-187
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,455	278	1,029
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	2,180	1,902	873
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	4,635	2,180	1,902
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest	886	840	781
Cash paid for income taxes	$1,513	$1,479	$1,406

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Description of Business
Description of Business
	Note 1: Description of Business
	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, and also own non-controlling interests in two others, ROOT SPORTS™ Northwest and ROOT SPORTS Houston. We own a 42% interest in Game Show Network LLC, or GSN, a television network dedicated to game-related programming and Internet interactive game playing. We account for our investment in ROOT SPORTS Northwest, ROOT SPORTS Houston 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 two regional sports networks based in Seattle, Washington and Houston, Texas in which DSN retains a noncontrolling interest, each of which operates under the brand name ROOT SPORTS. As further discussed in Note 4 below, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in the regional sports network based in Houston, Texas, or Houston Sports Holdings, LLC, or HSH, in the fourth quarter of 2014, 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.
	Proposed AT&T Merger Transaction
	On May 18, 2014, DIRECTV and AT&T Inc., or AT&T, announced that they entered into a definitive agreement under which DIRECTV will combine with AT&T in a stock and cash transaction. The Agreement and Plan of Merger, which was included as Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 19, 2014, or the Merger Agreement, was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors of each company and was approved by our stockholders at a special meeting held on September 25, 2014.
	Subject to the conditions in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the merger, our shareholders will receive $95.00 per share, subject to adjustments as described below under the terms of the merger, comprised of $28.50 per share in cash and $66.50 per share in AT&T stock. The stock portion will be subject to a collar such that our shareholders will receive 1.905 AT&T shares if AT&T stock price is below $34.90 at closing and 1.724 AT&T shares if AT&T stock price is above $38.58 at closing. If AT&T stock price at closing is between $34.90 and $38.58, our shareholders will receive a number of shares between 1.724 and 1.905, equal to $66.50 in value based on a volume-weighted average as provided in the Merger Agreement. The value of the shares may differ on the date of exchange. The transaction is subject to review by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission. The transaction has been reviewed and approved by Brazil telecommunications and Mexican antitrust authorities. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2015.
	In connection with the proposed combination, we have made certain representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement, including, among other things, covenants by DIRECTV to conduct its business in the ordinary course during the interim period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and consummation of the merger and not to take certain actions prior to the closing of the merger without the prior approval of AT&T.
	Also, during the third quarter of 2014, we entered into an agreement with the National Football League, or NFL, to renew and extend our rights to exclusively distribute the NFL Sunday Ticket service, or the NFL Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, AT&T had the right to terminate the Merger Agreement or not consummate the merger if we failed to enter into a contract with the NFL providing for exclusive distribution rights for "NFL Sunday Ticket" service. AT&T has confirmed to us that the NFL Agreement satisfies the requirements of the Merger Agreement.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Note 2: Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation
	We present our accompanying financial statements on a consolidated basis and include our accounts and those of our domestic and foreign subsidiaries that we control through equity ownership or for which we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary, after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements
	We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, 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.
	Revenue Recognition
	We enter into multiple deliverable revenue arrangements with our subscribers under which we provide DIRECTV receiving equipment, services and programming during their contract period, of up to two years. We allocate consideration to each deliverable in the arrangement based on its relative selling price. We determine the selling price of the DIRECTV receiving equipment using our best estimate. We determine the selling price for services based on prices charged by third parties. We determine the selling price of the programming using our standard programming rates. The DIRECTV receiving equipment, services and programming are each considered separate units of accounting.
	We recognize subscription and pay-per-view revenues and seasonal live sporting events when programming is broadcast to subscribers. We recognize subscriber fees for multiple set top receivers and warranty services as revenue, as earned. We recognize advertising revenues when the related services are performed. We defer programming payments received from subscribers in advance of the broadcast as "Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets until earned. We recognize revenues to be received under contractual commitments on a straight line basis over the minimum contractual period. We report revenues net of customer credits and discounted promotions.
	Broadcast Programming and Other
	We recognize the costs of television programming distribution rights when we distribute the related programming. We recognize the costs of television programming rights to distribute live sporting events for a season or tournament to expense using the straight-line method over the course of the season or tournament.
	We defer advance payments in the form of cash and equity instruments from programming content providers for carriage of their signal and recognize them as a reduction of "Broadcast programming and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the related contract term. We record equity instruments at fair value based on quoted market prices or values determined by management.
	Subscriber Acquisition Costs
	Subscriber acquisition costs consist of costs we incur to acquire new subscribers. We include the cost of set-top receivers and other equipment, commissions we pay to national retailers, independent satellite television retailers, dealers and regional telephone companies, which we refer to as telcos, and the cost of installation, advertising, marketing and customer call center expenses associated with the acquisition of new subscribers in subscriber acquisition costs. We expense these costs as incurred, or when subscribers activate the DIRECTV® service, as appropriate, except for the cost of set-top receivers leased to new subscribers, which we capitalize in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and depreciate over their estimated useful lives. In certain countries in Latin America, where our customer agreements provide for the lease of the entire DIRECTV or SKY System, we also capitalize the costs of the other customer premises equipment and related installation costs in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Although paid in advance, the retailer or dealer earns substantially all commissions paid for customer acquisitions over 12 months from the date of subscriber activation. Should the subscriber cancel our service during such 12 month service period, we are reimbursed for the unearned portion of the commission by the retailer or dealer and record a decrease to subscriber acquisition costs. We include the amount of our set-top receivers capitalized each period for subscriber acquisition activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under the caption "Cash paid for property and equipment." See Note 6 for additional information.
	Upgrade and Retention Costs
	Upgrade and retention costs consist primarily of costs we incur for upgrade efforts for existing subscribers. We include the costs of subscriber equipment upgrade programs for digital video recorder, or DVR, high-definition, or HD, and HD DVR receivers, our multiple set-top receiver offers and other similar initiatives. Retention costs also include the costs of installing and providing hardware under our movers program for subscribers relocating to a new residence. We expense these costs as incurred, except for the cost of set-top receivers leased to existing subscribers, which we capitalize in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We include the amount of our set-top receivers capitalized each period for upgrade and retention activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under the caption "Cash paid for property and equipment." See Note 6 for additional information.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit and highly liquid investments we purchase with original maturities of three months or less.
	Inventories
	We state inventories at the lower of average cost or market. Inventories consist of finished goods for DIRECTV System equipment and DIRECTV System access cards.
	Property and Equipment, Satellites and Depreciation
	We carry property and equipment, and satellites, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The amounts we capitalize for satellites currently being constructed and those that have been successfully launched include the costs of construction, launch, launch insurance, incentive obligations and capitalized interest. We generally compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We amortize leasehold improvements over the lesser of the life of the asset or term of the lease.
	Capitalized Software Costs
	We capitalize certain software costs incurred, either from internal or external sources, as part of "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and depreciate these costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software. We recognize planning, training, support and maintenance costs incurred either prior to or following the implementation phase as expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period in which they occur. We had unamortized capitalized software costs of $941 million as of December 31, 2014 and $771 million as of December 31, 2013. We recorded depreciation expense of $391 million in 2014, $331 million in 2013 and $292 million in 2012 in "Depreciation and amortization expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are carried at historical cost and are subject to write-down, as needed, based upon an impairment analysis that we must perform at least annually, or sooner if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not result in an impairment loss. We perform our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each year. We use estimates of fair value to determine the amount of impairment, if any, of goodwill and intangibles assets with indefinite lives. The goodwill evaluation requires the estimation of the fair value of reporting units where we record goodwill. We determine fair values primarily using estimated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved, when appropriate. If an impairment loss results from the annual impairment test, we would record the loss as a pre-tax charge to operating income.
	We amortize other intangible assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 4 to 20 years.
	Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
	We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, other than goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. We consider the carrying value of a long-lived asset impaired when the anticipated undiscounted future cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, we would recognize a loss based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. We determine fair value primarily using estimated future cash flows associated with the asset under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved, or other valuation techniques. We determine losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of in a similar manner, except that we reduce the fair value for the cost of disposal.
	Foreign Currency
	The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for most of our foreign operations. We recognize gains and losses resulting from remeasurement of these operations' foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities and transactions into the U.S. dollar in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	We also have foreign operations where the local currency is their functional currency. Accordingly, these foreign entities translate assets and liabilities from their local currencies to U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates while income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates in effect during the year. We record the resulting translation adjustment as part of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss," a separate component of stockholders' deficit in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Investments
	We maintain investments in equity securities of unaffiliated companies. We carry non-marketable equity securities at cost. We consider marketable equity securities available-for-sale and they are carried at current fair value based on quoted market prices with unrealized gains or losses (excluding other-than-temporary losses), net of taxes, reported as part of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We regularly review our investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is "other-than-temporary." We consider, among other factors: the magnitude and duration of the decline; the financial health and business outlook of the investee, including industry and sector performance, changes in technology, and operational and financing cash flow factors; and our intent and ability to hold the investment. If we judge the decline in fair value to be other-than-temporary, we write-down the cost basis of the security to fair value and recognize the amount in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as part of "Other, net" and record it as a reclassification adjustment from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	We account for investments in which we own at least 20% of the voting securities or have significant influence under the equity method of accounting. We record equity method investments at cost and adjust for the appropriate share of the net earnings or losses of the investee. We record investee losses up to the amount of the investment plus advances and loans made to the investee, and financial guarantees made on behalf of the investee.
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	For derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedges, the change in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recognized in earnings in the current period. 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 do not offset assets and liabilities related to our derivative financial instruments.
	Debt Issuance Costs
	We defer costs we incur to issue debt and amortize these costs to interest expense using the straight-line method over the term of the respective obligation.
	Share-Based Payment
	We grant restricted stock units and common stock options to certain employees and shares of stock to our directors as part of their annual compensation for Board services.
	We record compensation expense equal to the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of up to three years, reduced for estimated forfeitures and adjusted for anticipated payout percentages related to the achievement of performance targets.
	Sales Taxes
	Sales taxes collected and remitted to state and local authorities are recorded on a net basis.
	Income Taxes
	We determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which we expect the differences to reverse. We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax provisions, assessing the likelihood of recovering our deferred tax assets, and evaluating tax positions.
	We recognize a benefit in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for uncertain tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination, measured at the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns, for which the benefit has not yet been recognized in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to the uncertainty of whether such benefits will be ultimately realized. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations at such time that the benefit is effectively settled.
	Advertising Costs
	We expense advertising costs primarily in "Subscriber acquisition costs" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as incurred. Advertising costs for print and media related to national advertising campaigns, net of payments received from programming content providers for marketing support, were $578 million in 2014, $548 million in 2013 and $514 million in 2012.
	Market Concentrations and Credit Risk
	We sell programming services and extend credit, in amounts generally not exceeding $200 each, to a large number of individual residential subscribers throughout the United States and most of Latin America. As applicable, we maintain allowances for anticipated losses.
	Fair Value Measurement
	We determine the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities based on the three level valuation hierarchy established for classification of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability and may be observable or unobservable. The three level hierarchy of inputs is as follows:
	Level 1: Valuation is based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2: Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or other inputs that are observable, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3: Valuation is based upon other unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments and other assets, accounts payable, short-term borrowings and amounts included in accrued liabilities and other meeting the definition of a financial instrument approximated their fair values at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

New_Accounting_Standard

New Accounting Standard	12 Months Ended
New Accounting Standard	Dec. 31, 2014
New Accounting Standard
New Accounting Standard
	Note 3: New Accounting Standard
	Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606. This is a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard which will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard creates a five-step model for revenue recognition that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering contract terms and relevant facts and circumstances. The five-step model includes (1) identifying the contract, (2) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations and (5) recognizing revenue when each performance obligation has been satisfied. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and allows for either a full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Acquisiton_and_Divestiture

Acquisiton and Divestiture	12 Months Ended
Acquisiton and Divestiture	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisition and Divestiture
Acquisition and Divestiture
	Note 4: Acquisition and Divestiture
	Houston Sports Holdings, LLC
	In November 2014, DSN acquired a 60% equity interest in Houston Sports Holdings, LLC, a regional sports network which broadcasts games for Major League Baseball's Houston Astros and the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets. The remaining 40% equity interest was acquired by AT&T. Following the close of the transaction, we contributed $30 million in cash for the operations of the regional sports network. Due to certain governance arrangements which limit our ability to control HSH, we account for our investment in HSH as an equity method investment.
	DSN Northwest Transaction
	On April 16, 2013, DSN transferred 100% of its interest in DSN Northwest to NW Sports Net LLC. Upon completion of the transaction, the Seattle Mariners have a majority interest in NW Sports Net LLC and DSN retains a noncontrolling interest, which we account for using the equity method of accounting. Additionally, DSN provides management oversight and programming services to NW Sports Net LLC as part of management service agreements entered into as part of this transaction. As a result of this transaction, we deconsolidated DSN Northwest and recorded a non-cash, pre-tax charge of approximately $59 million ($56 million after tax) in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accounts_Receivable_Net

Accounts Receivable, Net	12 Months Ended
Accounts Receivable, Net	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts Receivable, Net
	Note 5: Accounts Receivable, Net
	The following table sets forth the amounts recorded for "Accounts receivable, net" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31:

		2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Subscriber	$	1,889		$	1,775
	Telco		579			475
	Trade and other		441			392

	Total		2,909			2,642
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		(109	)		(95	)

	Accounts receivable, net	$	2,800		$	2,547

Satellites_Net_and_Property_an

Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net	Dec. 31, 2014
Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net
Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net
	Note 6: Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net
	The following table sets forth the amounts recorded for "Satellites, net" and "Property and equipment, net" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31:

		Estimated			2014			2013
		Useful Lives
		(years)
					(Dollars in Millions)
	Satellites		16-Oct		$	3,599		$	3,164
	Satellites under construction		—			1,234			1,066

	Total					4,833			4,230
	Less: Accumulated depreciation					(1,793	)		(1,763	)

	Satellites, net				$	3,040		$	2,467


	Land		—		$	76		$	41
	Buildings and leasehold improvements		Feb-40			548			434
	Machinery and equipment		23-Feb			2,221			2,069
	Capitalized software		3			3,478			2,923
	Subscriber leased set-top equipment		7-Mar			10,445			10,176
	Construction in-progress		—			557			677

	Total					17,325			16,320
	Less: Accumulated depreciation					(10,604	)		(9,670	)

	Property and equipment, net				$	6,721		$	6,650


	We capitalized interest costs of $35 million in 2014, $41 million in 2013 and $24 million in 2012 as part of the cost of our property and satellites under construction. Depreciation expense, which includes amortization of property and equipment and satellites held under capital leases, was $2,889 million in 2014, $2,780 million in 2013 and $2,342 million in 2012.
	The following table sets forth property and equipment leased to our subscribers as of December 31:

		2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Subscriber leased set-top equipment	$	10,445		$	10,176
	Less: Accumulated depreciation of subscriber leased equipment		(6,175	)		(5,778	)

	Subscriber leased set-top equipment, net	$	4,270		$	4,398

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net	12 Months Ended
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
	Note 7: Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
	The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amounts of "Goodwill" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets by segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

				DIRECTV Latin America					Sports
									Networks,
									Eliminations
		DIRECTV		Sky Brasil			PanAmericana and Other		and Other			Total
		U.S.		Sky Brasil			PanAmericana and Other					Total
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	3,177	$	380		$	211	$	295		$	4,063
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		(49	)		—		—			(49	)
	DSN Northwest Transaction		—		—			—		(73	)		(73	)
	Acquisitions		14		15			—		—			29

	Balance as of December 31, 2013		3,191		346			211		222			3,970
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		(41	)		—		—			(41	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	3,191	$	305		$	211	$	222		$	3,929


	The following table sets forth the components for "Intangible assets, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of:

				December 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Estimated		Gross			Accumulated		Net			Gross			Accumulated		Net
		Useful		Amount			Amortization		Amount			Amount			Amortization		Amount
		Lives
		(years)
				(Dollars in Millions)
	Orbital slots		Indefinite	$	432		$	—	$	432		$	432		$	—	$	432
	Satellite rights		15		78			25		53			88			22		66
	Subscriber related		10-May		330			310		20			363			336		27
	Dealer network		15		130			130		—			130			127		3
	Trade name, spectrum licenses and other		20-Apr		483			91		392			350			61		289
	Distribution agreements		20-Jun		159			62		97			123			20		103

	Total intangible assets			$	1,612		$	618	$	994		$	1,486		$	566	$	920


	Amortization expense of intangible assets was $54 million in 2014, $48 million in 2013 and $95 million in 2012.
	Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows: $57 million in 2015, $57 million in 2016, $57 million in 2017, $55 million in 2018, $51 million in 2019 and $285 million thereafter.
	We performed our annual impairment tests for goodwill and orbital slots in the fourth quarters of 2014, 2013 and 2012. The estimated fair values for each reporting unit and the orbital slots exceeded our carrying values, and accordingly, no impairment losses were recorded during 2014, 2013 or 2012. Additionally, there are no accumulated impairment losses as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
Investments	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Investments
	Note 8: Investments
	Equity Method Investments
	Sky Mexico. DIRECTV accounts for the excess of the carrying value for its investment in Sky Mexico over DIRECTV's share of Sky Mexico's equity in memo accounts allocated to goodwill and definite lived intangibles attributable to affiliate and advertising relationships. We recognized $1 million in 2014, $1 million in 2013 and $4 million in 2012 of amortization on definite lived intangibles in equity earnings of Sky Mexico related to these assets.
	Game Show Network. DIRECTV accounts for the excess of the carrying value for its investment in GSN over DIRECTV's share of GSN's equity in memo accounts allocated to goodwill and definite lived intangibles attributable to affiliate and advertising relationships. We recognized $7 million in 2014, $7 million in 2013 and $10 million in 2012 of amortization on definite lived intangibles in equity earnings of GSN related to these assets.
	In December 2012, we sold an 18% interest in GSN for $234 million to our equity partner, which reduced our ownership interest from 60% to 42%. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $111 million ($68 million after tax) on the sale in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, which represents the difference between the selling price and the carrying amount of the portion of our equity method investment sold. We received the cash proceeds from the sale of $234 million in 2013 and included the amount as cash flows from investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the $234 million sale price was a non-cash investing activity for purposes of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	The following table sets forth the carrying value of our investments which we account for under the equity method of accounting as of December 31:

		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Sky Mexico	$	675	$	644
	GSN		345		324
	NW Sports Net LLC		100		92
	Other equity method investments		265		179

	Total investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting	$	1,385	$	1,239


	The following table sets forth equity in earnings and losses of our investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting for the years ended December 31:

		2014		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Sky Mexico	$	58	$	134	$	62
	GSN		21		33		42
	Other		54		31		27

	Total net equity earnings for investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting	$	133	$	198	$	131


	We received cash dividends of $28 million in 2014, $41 million in 2013 and $79 million in 2012 from companies that we account for under the equity method. Undistributed earnings from equity method investments were $600 million as of December 31, 2014 and $488 million as of December 31, 2013.
	Equity Securities
	We had investments in non-marketable equity securities of $61 million as of December 31, 2014 and $73 million as of December 31, 2013, which were stated at cost. We had investments in marketable equity securities of $1 million as of December 31, 2013, which were carried at fair market value. We had no investments in marketable equity securities as of December 31, 2014.

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
	Note 9: Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
	The following table sets forth the significant components of "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31:

		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Programming costs	$	2,521	$	2,368
	Accounts payable		1,584		1,070
	Payroll and employee benefits		411		392
	Other		532		855

	Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	5,048	$	4,685


	As of December 31, 2014, there were $23 million of amounts payable to vendors for property and equipment and no amounts payable for satellites in "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which is considered a non-cash investing activity for purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2013 there were $70 million of amounts payable to vendors for property and equipment and no amounts payable for satellites in "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which is considered a non-cash investing activity for purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
Debt	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt
Debt
	Note 10: Debt
	The following table sets forth our outstanding debt as of December 31:

			2014			2013
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Current debt
	Commercial paper		$	—		$	200
	Current portion of long-term debt			1,200			1,000
	Current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility			127			56
	Long-term debt
	Senior notes			19,327			18,203
	Borrowings under BNDES financing facility			140			81
	Borrowings under Desenvolve SP financing facility			18			—

	Total debt		$	20,812		$	19,540


	2014 Financing Transactions
	In March 2014, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, $1,250 million in aggregate principal of 4.450% 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.
	Also in March 2014, DIRECTV U.S. exercised its 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 was $1,000 million and we made a cash payment of $1,022 million to redeem such Notes.
	In December 2014, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, $1,200 million in aggregate principal of 3.950% senior notes due in 2025 with proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of $1,192 million. We incurred $7 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	2013 Financing Transactions
	In January 2013, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, $750 million in aggregate principal of 1.750% senior notes due in 2018 resulting in proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of $743 million. We incurred $4 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	In May 2013, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, €500 million ($650 million) in aggregate principal of 2.750% senior notes due in 2023 resulting in proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of €497 million ($646 million). The U.S. dollar amounts reflect the conversion of the €500 million aggregate principal and the €497 million proceeds, net of discount, to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of €1.00/ $1.30 at May 13, 2013. In connection with the issuance of these senior notes, DIRECTV U.S. entered into cross-currency swaps to effectively convert its fixed-rate Euro denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt, as further discussed in Note 11. We incurred $4 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	In November 2013, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, £350 million ($560 million) in aggregate principal of 5.200% senior notes due in 2033 resulting in proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of £349 million ($558 million). The U.S. dollar amounts reflect the conversion of the £350 million aggregate principal and the £349 million proceeds, net of discount, to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of £1.00/ $1.60 at November 13, 2013. In connection with the issuance of these senior notes, DIRECTV U.S. entered into cross-currency swaps to effectively convert its fixed-rate British pound sterling denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt, as further discussed in Note 11. We incurred $4 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	2012 Financing Transactions
	In the first quarter of 2012, DIRECTV U.S. borrowed and repaid $400 million under its $2 billion revolving credit facility, which was terminated on September 28, 2012, and replaced with a three and one-half year, $1 billion revolving credit facility and a five year, $1.5 billion revolving credit facility.
	In March 2012, DIRECTV U.S. issued the following senior notes in private placement transactions:

			Principal			Proceeds, net of discount
			(Dollars in Millions)
	2.400% senior notes due in 2017		$	1,250		$	1,249
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022			1,500			1,499
	5.150% senior notes due in 2042			1,250			1,248

			$	4,000		$	3,996


	We incurred $25 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	In May 2012, DIRECTV U.S. redeemed, pursuant to the terms of its indenture, all of its then outstanding $1,500 million of 7.625% senior notes due in 2016, at a price of 103.813%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, for a total of $1,614 million. We recorded a pre-tax charge of $64 million ($40 million after tax) during the second quarter of 2012, of which $57 million resulted from the premium paid for the redemption and $7 million resulted from the write-off of deferred debt issuance and other transaction costs. The charge was recorded in "Other, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	In September 2012, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, £750 million ($1,208 million) in aggregate principal of 4.375% senior notes due in 2029 resulting in proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of £742 million ($1,194 million). The U.S. dollar amounts reflect the conversion of the £750 million aggregate principal and the £742 million proceeds, net of discount, to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of £1.00/ $1.61 at September 11, 2012. In connection with the issuance of these senior notes, DIRECTV U.S. entered into cross-currency swaps to effectively convert its fixed-rate British pound sterling denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt, as further discussed in Note 11. We incurred $9 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	In November 2012, DIRECTV U.S. established a $2.5 billion commercial paper program backed by its revolving credit facilities, as discussed in further detail below. For the year ended December 31, 2012, borrowings under the commercial paper program, net of repayments, were $358 million.
	Senior Notes
	The following table sets forth our outstanding senior notes balance as of December 31:

			Principal amount			Carrying value, net of
						unamortized original
						issue discounts or
						including premiums
			2014			2014			2013
			(Dollars in Millions)
	4.750% senior notes due in 2014		$	—		$	—		$	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			746			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			999			999
	5.000% senior notes due in 2021 (1)			1,500			1,506			1,495
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022 (1)			1,500			1,520			1,499
	2.750% senior notes due in 2023 (2)			605			602			684
4.450% senior notes due in 2024 (1)			1,250			1,285			—
3.950% senior notes due in 2025			1,200			1,192			—
4.375% senior notes due in 2029 (2)			1,168			1,157			1,229
5.200% senior notes due in 2033 (2)			545			543			577
6.350% senior notes due in 2040			500			500			500
6.000% senior notes due in 2040			1,250			1,236			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		$	20,518		$	20,527		$	19,203




-1	The carrying values as of December 31, 2014 include the following fair value adjustments: an increase of $10 million for the 5.000% senior notes due in 2021, an increase of $20 million for the 3.800% senior notes due in 2022 and an increase of $39 million for the 4.450% senior notes due in 2024.
-2	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 $22,044 million at December 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 the 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.
The principal amount of our senior notes mature as follows: $1,200 million in 2015, $2,250 million in 2016, $1,250 million in 2017, $750 million in 2018, $1,000 million in 2019 and $14,068 million thereafter. The amount of interest accrued related to our outstanding debt was $278 million at December 31, 2014 and $271 million at December 31, 2013.
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 December 31, 2014 we had no short-term commercial paper outstanding. As of December 31, 2013, we had $200 million of short-term commercial paper outstanding, with a weighted average maturity of 133 days, at a weighted average yield of 0.41%. 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 $1.0 billion revolving credit facility, which expires in February 2016, and a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility, which expires in September 2017. 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 December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facilities.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities are unsecured senior obligations of DIRECTV U.S. and will rank equally in right of payment with all of DIRECTV U.S.' existing and future senior debt and will rank senior in right of payment to all of DIRECTV U.S.' future subordinated debt, if any.
Covenants and Restrictions
The revolving credit facilities require DIRECTV U.S. to maintain at the end of each fiscal quarter a specified ratio of indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization. The revolving credit facilities also include covenants that limit DIRECTV U.S.' ability to, among other things, (i) incur additional subsidiary indebtedness, (ii) incur liens, (iii) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (iv) merge or consolidate with another entity, (v) sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, and (vi) change its lines of business. Additionally, the senior notes contain covenants that are similar. If DIRECTV U.S. fails to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of its borrowings under the senior notes could become immediately payable and its revolving credit facilities could be terminated. The senior notes provide that the borrowings may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events, coupled with a ratings decline, occur. The revolving credit facilities provide that the borrowings may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events occur.
DIRECTV Guarantors. DIRECTV entered into a series of Supplemental Indentures whereby DIRECTV agreed to fully guarantee all of the senior notes outstanding, jointly and severally with most of DIRECTV Holdings LLC's domestic subsidiaries. The Supplemental Indentures provide that DIRECTV unconditionally guarantees that the principal and interest on the respective senior notes will be paid in full when due and that the obligations of the Co-Issuers to the holders of the outstanding senior notes will be performed. The revolving credit facilities and the commercial paper program are also similarly fully guaranteed by DIRECTV.
As a result of the guarantees, holders of the senior notes, the revolving credit debt and the commercial paper have the benefit of DIRECTV's interests in the assets and related earnings of our operations that are not held through DIRECTV Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries. Those operations are primarily our DTH digital television services throughout Latin America which are held by DIRECTV Latin America and our regional sports networks which are held by DSN. However, the subsidiaries that own and operate the DIRECTV Latin America business and the regional sports networks have not guaranteed the senior notes, the revolving credit facilities and the commercial paper program.
The guarantees are unsecured senior obligations of DIRECTV and rank equally in right of payment with all of DIRECTV's existing and future senior debt and rank senior in right of payment to all of DIRECTV's future subordinated debt, if any. The guarantees are effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured obligations, if any, of DIRECTV to the extent of the value of the assets securing the obligations. DIRECTV 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.
Desenvolve SP Financing Facility
In the second quarter of 2014, Sky Brasil entered into a Brazilian real denominated financing facility with Desenvolve SP, an agency created by the Sao Paulo State Government for economic development, under which Sky Brasil may borrow funds for the construction of a satellite and broadcast facility. Each borrowing under the facility, including accrued interest, will be repaid in a single installment five years from the date of such borrowing. The financing facility is secured by a third party bank guarantee. As of December 31, 2014, Sky Brasil had borrowings of R$48 million ($18 million) under the facility bearing interest of 2.5% per year, with a maturity of 2019. 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$2.66 / $1.00 at December 31, 2014.
BNDES Financing Facility
In March 2013, Sky Brasil entered into a Brazilian real denominated 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 December 31, 2014, Sky Brasil had borrowings of R$710 million ($267 million) outstanding under the BNDES facility bearing interest at a weighted-average rate of 5.11% per year. As of December 31, 2013, Sky Brasil had borrowings of R$320 million ($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 rates of R$2.66 / $1.00 and R$2.34 / $1.00 as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Borrowings under the BNDES facility mature as follows: R$338 million ($127 million) in 2015, R$274 million ($103 million) in 2016 and R$98 million ($37 million) in 2017. The financing facility is collateralized by the financed set-top receivers with an original purchase price of approximately R$1,024 million ($385 million) based on the exchange rate of R$2.66 / $1.00 as of December 31, 2014.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash of $10 million as of December 31, 2014 and $7 million as of December 31, 2013 is included as part of "Prepaid expenses and other" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These amounts secure certain of our letter of credit obligations and restrictions on the cash will be removed as the letters of credit expire.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
Derivative Financial Instruments	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments
	Note 11: 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 do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We record derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities at fair value. We calculate the fair value of derivative 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 yield curves, foreign currency exchange rates, and incorporating counterparty credit risk, as applicable. For derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedges, the change in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recognized in earnings in the current period. 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.
	The following table sets forth the fair values of assets and liabilities associated with the derivative financial instruments as of:

		Assets				Liabilities
		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	8	$	112	$	24	$	—
	Interest rate swap contracts		—		3		—		1
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swap contracts		12		—		6		—

	Total derivative financial instruments	$	20	$	115	$	30	$	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 values 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:

		December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	2,418	$	2,418
	Interest rate swaps		—		500
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps		3,000		—

	Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments	$	5,418	$	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 December 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 December 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 the same maturities as that of the hedged senior notes.
	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 2014, DIRECTV U.S. recorded net remeasurement gains of $189 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 $189 million ($117 million after tax) from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During 2013, DIRECTV U.S. recorded net remeasurement losses of $80 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 $80 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. We measured no ineffectiveness for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 related to these cross-currency swap contracts.
	Interest Rate Lock Contracts
	Periodically we enter into interest rate lock contracts such as forward starting swaps and treasury locks to hedge against changes in interest payments attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate during the period leading up to a forecasted issuance of fixed rate debt. These interest rate locks are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. On March 17, 2014, DIRECTV U.S. issued $1,250 million in aggregate principal of 4.450% senior notes due in 2024. In connection with this transaction, DIRECTV U.S. settled all then-outstanding forward-starting interest rate swaps, which were previously entered into 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 a result of settling these forward-starting interest rate swaps, we recognized $1 million of ineffectiveness in earnings during 2014. As of December 31, 2014, we had recorded $9 million in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to these forward-starting interest rate swaps that is being recognized as interest expense over the term of the 4.450% senior notes due in 2024.
	Fixed-to-Floating Interest Rate Swap Contracts
	DIRECTV U.S. may enter into fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts from time to time in order to manage its interest rate exposure. We designate such swaps as fair value hedges. Depending on market conditions, the mix of our fixed interest rate and floating interest rate debt and other factors, we may periodically discontinue these fair value hedges and terminate our fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts by settling the contracts or by entering into offsetting contracts.
	During 2014, DIRECTV U.S. entered into interest rate swap contracts with a total notional amount of $3,000 million, converting a portion of the total aggregate principal amounts of the 5.000% senior notes due in 2021, the 3.800% senior notes due in 2022 and the 4.450% senior notes due in 2024 from a fixed to floating interest rate. Also during 2014, DIRECTV U.S. discontinued the fair value hedges and settled certain of those fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts. As a result of these settlements, DIRECTV U.S. received cash proceeds in the aggregate of $104 million, which are included in "Net cash provided by operations" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of December 31, 2014, there was $67 million of favorable adjustments to the carrying value of the senior notes, which will be amortized to "Interest expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the remaining term of the hedged senior notes. In connection with the settlement of the fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts, we recognized a $26 million gain in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The total notional amount of DIRECTV U.S.' fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps was $3,000 million as of December 31, 2014; however these swaps were settled in the first quarter of 2015.
	We calculate the fair value of the interest rate swap contracts using an income-approach model (discounted cash flow analysis), the use of which is considered a Level 2 valuation technique, using observable inputs, such as yield curves. The difference between the change in the fair value of these interest rate swap contracts and the fair value of the related senior notes as a result of changes in the benchmark interest rate was a $39 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was recognized in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The periodic interest settlements for the interest rate swap contracts are recorded in "Interest expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
	Note 12: Income Taxes
	We base our income tax expense or benefit on reported "Income before income taxes." Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes, as measured by applying currently enacted tax laws.
	"Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations consisted of the following for the years ended December 31:

			2014			2013			2012
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Current tax expense:
	U.S. federal		$	1,296		$	911		$	980
	Foreign			240			293			309
	State and local			102			176			113

	Total			1,638			1,380			1,402

	Deferred tax expense (benefit):
	U.S. federal			(56	)		224			(25	)
	Foreign			38			34			63
	State and local			53			(35	)		25

	Total			35			223			63

	Total income tax expense		$	1,673		$	1,603		$	1,465


	"Income before income taxes" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations included the following components for the years ended December 31:

			2014			2013			2012
			(Dollars in Millions)
	U.S. income		$	3,853		$	3,509		$	3,442
	Foreign income			595			979			1,000

	Total		$	4,448		$	4,488		$	4,442


	Our income tax expense was different than the amount computed using the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate for the reasons set forth in the following table for the years ended December 31:

			2014			2013			2012
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Expected expense at U.S. federal statutory income tax rate		$	1,557		$	1,571		$	1,555
	U.S. state and local income tax expense, net of federal benefit			71			91			87
	Change in unrecognized tax benefits and settlements			28			(28	)		(154	)
	Foreign taxes, net of federal tax benefits			(49	)		(21	)		(3	)
	Change in valuation allowance			—			(16	)		3
	Currency devaluation			121			29			—
	Tax credits			(79	)		(44	)		(30	)
	Other			24			21			7

	Total income tax expense		$	1,673		$	1,603		$	1,465


	Temporary differences and carryforwards that gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 were as follows:

			2014						2013
			Deferred			Deferred			Deferred			Deferred
			Tax			Tax			Tax			Tax
			Assets			Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Accruals and advances		$	433		$	313		$	471		$	275
	Prepaid expenses			—			40			—			32
	State taxes			52			—			33			—
	Depreciation, amortization and asset impairment charges			—			1,785			—			1,745
	Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards			842			—			847			—
	Programming contract liabilities			33			—			18			—
	Unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses			—			11			—			23
Tax basis differences in investments and affiliates			219			837			203			853
Other			—			1			—			10

Subtotal			1,579			2,987			1,572			2,938
Valuation allowance			(346	)		—			(367	)		—

Total deferred taxes		$	1,233		$	2,987		$	1,205		$	2,938


Included in "Prepaid expenses and other" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are $465 million at December 31, 2014 and $423 million at December 31, 2013 of prepaid income taxes. Included in "Investments and other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are $18 million at December 31, 2014 of long term prepaid income taxes and $1 million at December 31, 2013 of noncurrent deferred tax assets. Included in "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are $97 million at December 31, 2014 and $70 million at December 31, 2013 of current deferred tax liabilities.
We assessed the deferred tax assets for the respective periods for recoverability and, where applicable, we recorded a valuation allowance to reduce the total deferred tax assets to an amount that will, more likely than not, be realized in the future.
The valuation allowance balances of $346 million at December 31, 2014 and $367 million at December 31, 2013, are primarily attributable to unused foreign net operating losses which are available for carry forward. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the decrease in the valuation allowance was primarily attributable to a reduction in the deferred tax asset on foreign net operating losses due to currency fluctuations.
Although realization is not assured, we have concluded that it is more likely than not that our unreserved deferred tax assets will be realized in the ordinary course of operations based on available positive and negative evidence, including scheduling of deferred tax liabilities and projected income from operating activities. The underlying assumptions we use in forecasting future taxable income require significant judgment and take into account our recent performance.
As of December 31, 2014, we have $23 million of federal net operating loss carryforward which expires between 2027 and 2032. The utilization of the federal net operating loss carryforward is subject to an annual limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, however we believe that we will have sufficient taxable income during the limitation period to utilize all of the carryforward. We also have foreign tax credit carryovers of $221 million which expire between 2016 and 2024, state net operating loss carryforwards of $2 million which expire in 2030, and approximately $1.3 billion of foreign net operating losses that are primarily attributable to operations in Brazil with varying expiration dates.
As a result of the currency exchange process in Venezuela since 2010, exclusive of the payment of some intercompany obligations, we have been unable to repatriate excess cash balances. As of December 31, 2014, the cumulative amount of earnings upon which U.S. income taxes have not been provided is approximately $558 million. Should these earnings be distributed in the form of dividends, the distributions would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the statutory rate of 35 percent, less foreign tax credits available to offset such distributions. Because the time or manner of repatriation is uncertain, we cannot determine the impact of local taxes, withholding taxes and foreign tax credits associated with the future repatriation of such earnings and therefore cannot quantify the potential tax liability.
No income tax provision has been made for the portion of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, excluding Venezuela, deemed permanently reinvested that amounted to approximately $103 million in 2014. It is not practicable to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the investments in these foreign subsidiaries.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

		Gross Unrecognized
		Tax Benefits
		(Dollars in Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2012		$	390
Increases in tax positions for the current year			35
Decreases in tax positions for prior years			(6	)
Expirations of the statute of limitations			(141	)

Balance as of December 31, 2012			278
Increases in tax positions for prior years			126
Decreases in tax positions for prior years			(3	)
Increases in tax positions for the current year			214
Settlements with taxing authorities			(25	)
Expirations of the statute of limitations			(1	)

Balance as of December 31, 2013			589
Increases in tax positions for prior years			47
Decreases in tax positions for prior years			(53	)
Increases in tax positions for the current year			209
Settlements with taxing authorities			(6	)
Expirations of the statute of limitations			(2	)

Balance as of December 31, 2014		$	784


As of December 31, 2014, our unrecognized tax benefits totaled $784 million, including $669 million of tax positions the recognition of which would affect the annual effective income tax rate.
We recorded interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits of $12 million in 2014, $38 million in 2013 and $12 million in 2012 in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We have accrued, as part of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties of $67 million as of December 31, 2014, and $70 million as of December 31, 2013.
We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in many state and foreign jurisdictions. For U.S. federal tax purposes, the tax years 2010 through 2013 remain open for examination. The California tax years 2001 through 2013 remain open to examination and the income tax returns in the other state and foreign tax jurisdictions in which we have operations are generally subject to examination for a period of three years after filing of the respective return including any amendments.
We engage in continuous discussions and negotiations with federal, state, and foreign taxing authorities and reevaluate our uncertain tax positions, and, while it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter or tax position, we believe that our unrecognized tax benefits will not change materially during the next twelve months.

Capital_Lease_Obligations

Capital Lease Obligations	12 Months Ended
Capital Lease Obligations	Dec. 31, 2014
Capital Lease Obligations
Capital Lease Obligations
	Note 13: Capital Lease Obligations
	We include the current and noncurrent portions of the present value of the net minimum lease payments under capital leases for satellites and vehicles in "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" and "Other liabilities and deferred credits" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table sets forth the present value of the net minimum lease payments under capital leases for satellites and vehicles as of December 31, 2014, along with total minimum lease payments for each of the years ending December 31:

		Minimum Lease Payments
		(Dollars in Millions)
	2015	$	149
	2016		145
	2017		137
	2018		125
	2019		120
	Thereafter		598

	Total minimum lease payments		1,274
	Less: Amount representing interest		(292	)

	Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	982


	Excluded from the table above are future payments under the contract for the lease of the ISDLA-2 satellite currently under construction for DIRECTV Latin America, which we will account for as a capital lease at the time the satellite is placed into service. See Note 21 for further discussion.
	We include assets held under capitalized leases in "Satellites, net" and "Property and Equipment, net" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table sets forth assets held under capital leases as of December 31:

		2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Satellites under capital leases	$	1,116		$	484
	Less: Accumulated amortization		(311	)		(251	)

	Satellites, net under capital leases	$	805		$	233


	Property and equipment under capital leases	$	149		$	140
	Less: Accumulated amortization		(74	)		(53	)

	Property and equipment, net under capital leases	$	75		$	87


	We paid interest for capital leases of $37 million in 2014, $41 million in 2013 and $47 million in 2012.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
	Note 14: Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
	Most of our employees are eligible to participate in our funded non-contributory defined benefit pension plan, which provides defined benefits based on either years of service and final average salary, or eligible compensation while employed by us. Additionally, we maintain a funded contributory defined benefit plan for employees who elected to participate prior to 1991, and an unfunded, nonqualified pension plan for certain eligible employees. For participants in the contributory pension plan, we also maintain a postretirement benefit plan for those retirees eligible to participate in health care and life insurance benefits generally until they reach age 65. Participants may become eligible for these health care and life insurance benefits if they retire from our company between the ages of 55 and 65. The health care plan is contributory with participants' contributions subject to adjustment annually; the life insurance plan is non-contributory.
	The components of the pension benefit obligation and the other postretirement benefit obligation, including amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are shown below for the years ended December 31:

			Pension						Other
			Benefits						Postretirement
									Benefits
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Change in Net Benefit Obligation
	Net benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	568		$	664		$	18		$	21
	Service cost			37			38			1			1
	Interest cost			27			27			1			1
	Plan participants' contributions			1			1			—			—
	Actuarial (gain) loss			81			(12	)		1			(4	)
	Benefits paid			(39	)		(41	)		(1	)		(1	)
	Plan change			(33	)		—			—			—
	Settlements			—			(109	)		—			—

	Net benefit obligation at end of year			642			568			20			18

	Change in Plan Assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			407			495			—			—
	Actual return on plan assets			33			54			—			—
	Employer contributions			26			7			1			1
	Plan participants' contributions			1			1			—			—
	Benefits paid			(39	)		(41	)		(1	)		(1	)
	Settlements			—			(109	)		—			—

	Fair value of plan assets at end of year			428			407			—			—

	Funded status at end of year		$	(214	)	$	(161	)	$	(20	)	$	(18	)


	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	(14	)	$	(9	)	$	(1	)	$	(1	)
	Other liabilities and deferred credits			(200	)		(152	)		(19	)		(17	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss			141			126			(2	)		(3	)
	Amounts recognized in the accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
	Unamortized net amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of taxes			162			125			(2	)		(3	)
	Unamortized amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan provisions, net of taxes			(21	)		1			—			—

	Total		$	141		$	126		$	(2	)	$	(3	)


	We estimate that the following amounts will be amortized from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets into net periodic benefit cost during the year ending December 31, 2015:

			Pension			Other
			Benefits			Postretirement
						Benefits
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Expense resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions		$	23		$	—
	Credit resulting from changes in plan provisions			(4	)		—
	The accumulated benefit obligation for all pension plans was $583 million at December 31, 2014 and $493 million as of December 31, 2013.
	Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31:

			2014			2013
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Accumulated benefit obligation		$	583		$	97
	Fair value of plan assets			428			—
	Information for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31:

			2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
Projected benefit obligation		$	642		$	568
Fair value of plan assets			428			407
Components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:

		Pension									Other
		Benefits									Postretirement
											Benefits
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Benefits earned during the year		$	37		$	38		$	32		$	1		$	1		$	1
Interest accrued on benefits earned in prior years			27			27			30			1			1			1
Expected return on plan assets			(28	)		(35	)		(34	)		—			—			—
Amortization components
Amount resulting from changes in plan provisions			1			1			1			—			—			—
Net amount resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions			16			28			19			—			—			—
Settlement loss			—			39			—			—			—			—

Net periodic benefit cost		$	53		$	98		$	48		$	2		$	2		$	2


Assumptions
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:

		Pension						Other
		Benefits						Postretirement
								Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Discount rate—Qualified Plans			3.97	%		4.86	%		3.74	%		4.37	%
Discount rate—Non-Qualified Plans			3.83	%		4.75	%		—	%		—	%
Rate of compensation increase			4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:

		Pension									Other
		Benefits									Postretirement
											Benefits
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Discount rate—Qualified Plan			4.86	%		3.92	%		4.99	%		4.37	%		3.47	%		4.48	%
Discount rate—Non-Qualified Plans			4.75	%		3.91	%		4.92	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets			7.50	%		7.50	%		7.75	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
Rate of compensation increase			4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%
We base our expected long-term return on plan assets assumption on a periodic review and modeling of the plans' asset allocation and liability structure over a long-term horizon. Expectations of returns for each asset class are the most important of the assumptions used in the review and modeling and are based on the forward looking expectations for asset class returns, historical data and economic/financial market theory.
The following table provides assumed health care costs trend rates:

		2014			2013			2012
Health care cost trend rate			7.00	%		7.50	%		8.00	%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)			5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
Year that trend rate reaches the ultimate trend rate			2019			2018			2017
Plan Assets
Our investment policy includes various guidelines and procedures designed to ensure we invest assets in a manner necessary to meet expected future benefits earned by participants. The investment guidelines consider a broad range of economic conditions. Central to the policy are target allocation ranges by major asset categories. The policy range for plan assets are 20% to 60% equity securities, 30% to 50% debt securities, 0% to 40% alternatives and other types of investments.
The objectives of the target allocations are to maintain investment portfolios that diversify risk through prudent asset allocation parameters, achieve asset returns that meet or exceed the plans' actuarial assumptions, and achieve asset returns that are competitive with like institutions employing similar investment strategies.
The investment policy is periodically reviewed by us and a designated third-party fiduciary for investment matters. We establish and administer the policy in a manner so as to comply at all times with applicable government regulations.
The fair value measurements of the plan assets as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

					Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014
		Total			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Percentage of
					in Active			Observable			Unobservable			Plan Assets
					Markets for			Inputs			Inputs			as of
					Identical			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			December 31,
					Assets									2014
					(Level 1)
		(Dollars in millions)
Asset Category
Common collective trusts
Cash and cash equivalents		$	3		$	—		$	3		$	—			1	%
Equity securities:
U.S. large-cap			72			—			72			—			17	%
U.S. mid-cap growth			16			—			16			—			4	%
International large-cap value			80			—			80			—			19	%
Emerging markets growth			5			—			5			—			1	%
Domestic real estate			24			24			—			—			6	%
Fixed income			158			—			158			—			37	%
Partnership and joint venture interests			26			—			—			26			6	%
Insurance contracts at contract value			2			—			2			—			—	%
Hedge funds			42			—			—			42			9	%

Total		$	428		$	24		$	336		$	68			100	%


The fair value measurements of the plan assets as of December 31, 2013 were as follows:

					Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
		Total			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Percentage of
					in Active			Observable			Unobservable			Plan Assets
					Markets for			Inputs			Inputs			as of
					Identical			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			December 31,
					Assets									2013
					(Level 1)
		(Dollars in millions)
Asset Category
Common collective trusts
Cash and cash equivalents		$	6		$	—		$	6		$	—			1	%
Equity securities:
U.S. large-cap			58			—			58			—			14	%
U.S. mid-cap growth			15			—			15			—			4	%
International large-cap value			69			—			69			—			17	%
Emerging markets growth			5			—			5			—			1	%
Domestic real estate			27			27			—			—			7	%
Fixed income			144			—			144			—			35	%
Partnership and joint venture interests			31			—			—			31			8	%
Insurance contracts at contract value			2			—			2			—			—	%
Hedge funds			50			—			—			50			13	%

Total		$	407		$	27		$	299		$	81			100	%


There were no directly owned shares of DIRECTV common stock included in plan assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
The fair value measurement of plan assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) changed during 2013 and 2014 due to the following:

		Partnerships			Hedge			Total
		and Joint			Funds
		Venture
		Interests
		(Dollars in Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2013		$	31		$	44		$	75
Unrealized gains			2			6			8
Purchases and sales			(2	)		—			(2	)

Balance as of December 31, 2013			31			50			81
Realized gains (losses)			(1	)		2			1
Purchases and sales			(4	)		(10	)		(14	)

Balance as of December 31, 2014		$	26		$	42		$	68


Cash Flows
Contributions
We expect to contribute approximately $30 million to our qualified pension plans and make payments of $13 million to our nonqualified pension plan participants in 2015.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
We expect the following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, to be paid by the plans during the years ending December 31:

		Estimated Future
		Benefit Payments
		Pension			Other
		Benefits			Postretirement
					Benefits
		(Dollars in Millions)
2015		$	44		$	1
2016			58			1
2017			58			2
2018			52			2
2019			53			2
2020-2024			292			10
We maintain 401(k) plans for qualified employees. We match a portion of our employee contributions and our match amounted to $37 million in 2014, $34 million in 2013 and $30 million in 2012.
We have disclosed certain amounts associated with estimated future postretirement benefits other than pensions and characterized such amounts as "other postretirement benefit obligation." Notwithstanding the recording of such amounts and the use of these terms, we do not admit or otherwise acknowledge that such amounts or existing postretirement benefit plans of our company (other than pensions) represent legally enforceable liabilities of us.

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest
	Note 15: Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest
	Capital Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital
	Our certificate of incorporation provides for 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. The DIRECTV common stock is entitled to one vote per share and trades on the NASDAQ, under the ticker "DTV". As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no outstanding shares of preferred stock.
	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.
	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 an authorization for up to $3.5 billion for repurchases of our common stock. On May 18, 2014 DIRECTV and AT&T entered into a definitive agreement, under which AT&T would combine with DIRECTV in a stock and cash transaction. As a result, we have suspended the share repurchase program and agreed to not purchase, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of our capital stock during the pendency of the proposed transaction and without AT&T's consent.
	The following table sets forth information regarding shares repurchased and retired for the years ended December 31:

			2014			2013			2012
			(Amounts in Millions,
			Except Per Share Amounts)
	Total cost of repurchased and retired shares		$	1,386		$	4,000		$	5,148
	Average price per share		$	73.82		$	57.54		$	48.24
	Number of shares repurchased and retired			19			70			107
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The following table sets forth the components of "Other comprehensive income (loss)" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31:

			2014									2013									2012
			Pre-tax			Tax			Net			Pre-tax			Tax			Net			Pre-tax			Tax			Net
			Amount			Benefit			Amount			Amount			Benefit			Amount			Amount			Benefit			Amount
						(Expense)									(Expense)									(Expense)
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Defined benefit plans:
	Gains (losses) related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period		$	(78	)	$	29		$	(49	)	$	35		$	(13	)	$	22		$	(73	)	$	28		$	(45	)
	Prior service credit arising during the period			33			(12	)		21			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost (1)			16			(6	)		10			66			(28	)		38			19			(7	)		12
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost (1)			—			—			—			2			(1	)		1			—			—			—
	Cash flow hedges:
	Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period			(142	)		55			(87	)		129			(49	)		80			(16	)		6			(10	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in "Other, net"			189			(72	)		117			(80	)		31			(49	)		(11	)		4			(7	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			(146	)		38			(108	)		(223	)		50			(173	)		(53	)		21			(32	)
	Available for sale securities:
	Unrealized holding losses on securities			—			—			—			—			—			—			(7	)		3			(4	)
	Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during period in "Other, net"			—			—			—			2			(1	)		1			—			—			—

	Other comprehensive loss		$	(128	)	$	32		$	(96	)	$	(69	)	$	(11	)	$	(80	)	$	(141	)	$	55		$	(86	)




	-1	Amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income components related to defined benefits plans are included in the computation of net period pension costs (See Note 14).
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following represents the changes in the components of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for each of the years presented:

			Defined			Gains (Losses)			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
			Benefit Plan			on Cash			Currency			Gains			Other
			Items			Flow Hedges			Items			(Losses)			Comprehensive
												on Available			Loss
												for Sale
												Securities
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2012		$	(151	)	$	—		$	(8	)	$	3		$	(156	)
	Other comprehensive loss			(33	)		(17	)		(32	)		(4	)		(86	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2012			(184	)		(17	)		(40	)		(1	)		(242	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			61			31			(173	)		1			(80	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2013			(123	)		14			(213	)		—			(322	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			(18	)		30			(108	)		—			(96	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2014		$	(141	)	$	44		$	(321	)	$	—		$	(418	)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Common Share	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings Per Common Share
	Note 16: Earnings Per Common Share
	We compute basic earnings per common share, or EPS, by dividing net income 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 unvested restricted stock units issued to employees. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 we excluded 1 million common stock options from the computation of diluted EPS 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 was as follows:

		Income		Shares		Per Share
		Income		Shares		Amounts
		(Dollars and Shares in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,756		505	$	5.46
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.06	)

	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,756		510	$	5.4


	Year Ended December 31, 2013:
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,859		548	$	5.22
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.05	)

	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,859		553	$	5.17


	Year Ended December 31, 2012:
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,949		638	$	4.62
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		6		(0.04	)

	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,949		644	$	4.58

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
Share-Based Compensation	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation
Share-Based Compensation
	Note 17: Share-Based Compensation
	Under the DIRECTV 2010 Stock Plan, or the DIRECTV Plan, as approved by DIRECTV stockholders on June 3, 2010, and as amended by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on December 19, 2013, shares, rights or options to acquire up to 40 million shares of common stock plus (i) the number of shares that are subject to available and outstanding awards as of December 19, 2013, referred to as Outstanding Award Shares, plus (ii) the number of shares of common stock constituting outstanding award shares but which, after December 19, 2013, are forfeited, expire or are canceled without the delivery of shares of common stock or otherwise result in the return of such shares to us, were authorized for grant through June 2, 2020, subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Under the DIRECTV Plan, we issue new shares of our common stock when restricted stock units are distributed and when stock options are exercised.
	The following table presents amounts recorded related to share-based compensation:

			For the Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Share-based compensation expense recognized		$	104		$	100		$	109
	Tax benefits associated with share-based compensation expense			38			37			41
	Actual tax benefits realized for the deduction of share-based compensation expense			56			66			60
	As of December 31, 2014, there was $116 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units and stock options that we expect to recognize as follows: $75 million in 2015, $38 million in 2016 and $3 million in 2017.
	Restricted Stock Units
	The Compensation Committee has granted restricted stock units under our stock plan to certain of our employees and executives. Annual awards are mostly performance based, generally vest over three years and provide for final payments in shares of our common stock. Final payment can be increased or decreased from the target award amounts based on our performance over a three-year performance period in comparison with pre-established targets. We determine the fair value of restricted stock units based on the closing stock price of our common shares on the date of grant.
	Changes in the status of outstanding restricted stock units were as follows:

			Stock Units			Weighted-Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2014			5,813,983		$	47.4
	Granted			1,614,990			76.11
	Vested and distributed			(2,085,056	)		44.29
	Forfeited			(239,511	)		58.76

	Nonvested at December 31, 2014			5,104,406		$	58.13


	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014			5,071,323		$	56.53


	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the year ended December 31, 2013 was $49.05. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the year ended December 31, 2012 was $41.72.
	The total fair value of restricted stock units vested and distributed was $153 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, $181 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 and $139 million during the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Stock Options
	The Compensation Committee has also granted stock options to acquire our common stock under the DIRECTV Plan to certain of our executives. The exercise price of options granted is equal to the per share closing price of the common stock on the date the options were granted. These nonqualified options generally vest over one to three years, expire ten years from date of grant and are subject to earlier termination under certain conditions.
	Changes in the status of outstanding options were as follows:

			Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-			Aggregate
			Under			Average			Average			Intrinsic
			Option			Exercise			Remaining			Value
						Price			Contractual
									Term
									(in years)			(in millions)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014			3,379,209		$	30.2
	Granted			223,573			75.02
	Exercised			(1,155,676	)		20.57
	Forfeited or expired			(12,291	)		65.19

	Outstanding at December 31, 2014			2,434,815		$	38.71			5.3		$	117


	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014			2,434,815		$	38.71			5.3		$	117


	Exercisable at December 31, 2014			1,480,604		$	29.31			3.5		$	85


	The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $67 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, $1 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 and $26 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, based on the intrinsic value of individual awards on the date of exercise.
	The following table presents the estimated weighted-average grant-date fair value for the stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 under the DIRECTV Plan using the Black-Scholes valuation model along with the weighted-average assumptions used in the fair value calculations. Expected stock volatility is based primarily on the historical volatility of our common stock. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected option life is based on historical exercise behavior and other factors.

			2014			2013			2012
	Estimated grant-date fair value		$	26.68		$	16.84			$
	Estimated grant-date fair value		$	26.68		$	16.84			15.83
	Expected stock volatility			29.2	%		30.0	%		29.0	%
Risk-free interest rate			2.19	%		1.38	%		1.08% - 1.41	%
Expected option life (in years)			7.0			7.0			7.0
As part of the Liberty Transaction on November 19, 2009, we assumed 16.7 million stock options and stock appreciation rights, and issued 1.1 million shares of common stock to holders of restricted stock units. The holders of the majority of the equity instruments assumed as a result of the Liberty Transaction did not become DIRECTV employees or directors. Accordingly, we recognize those equity instruments as a liability that is subject to fair value measurement at each reporting date pursuant to accounting rules for non-employee awards. We include that liability within "Other liabilities and deferred credits" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Of the 16.7 million equity instruments assumed, 8.8 million were held by persons other than employees or directors. As of December 31, 2014, 0.1 million non-employee awards remained outstanding with a fair value of approximately $6 million. As of December 31, 2013, there were 0.3 million non-employee awards outstanding with a fair value of approximately $18 million. We recorded net losses of $3 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, $7 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 and $4 million during the year ended December 31, 2012 to "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for losses recognized for exercised options and the adjustment of the liability to fair value.
The following table presents the estimated per share weighted-average fair value as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 for the equity instruments issued to persons other than employees and directors carried as a liability using the Black-Scholes valuation model along with the weighted-average assumptions used in the fair value calculations. Expected stock volatility is based primarily on the historical volatility of our common stock. The risk-free rates for periods within the contractual lives of the options are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the measurement date. The expected option life is based on the contractual life of the awards.

		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
Estimated fair value			$			$			$
Estimated fair value			68.74			53.45			34.59
Expected stock volatility			18.8	%		20.0	%		22.8	%
Range of risk-free interest rates			0.04 - 0.67	%		0.07 - 0.78	%		0.02 - 0.36	%
Range of expected option lives (in years)			0.4 - 2.4			0.2 - 3.4			0.2 - 4.4
The intrinsic value of awards assumed as part of the Liberty Transaction carried as a liability that were exercised was $2 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, $1 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 and $3 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, based on the intrinsic value of individual awards on the date of exercise.
Beginning in 2009, we implemented a net exercise plan pursuant to which we only issue new shares in connection with employee option exercises equal to the intrinsic value of the exercised award on the exercise date reduced by the sum of (i) the amount of statutory employee withholding taxes and (ii) the option exercise price, divided by the current market price of our common stock. As a result, we no longer receive cash in connection with the exercise of most stock options, but rather issue significantly fewer shares. We do receive cash for the exercise of certain non-employee stock options. We received cash for the settlement of stock options of $21 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. We received no cash for the settlement of stock options during the year ended December 31, 2013, and we received cash of $3 million for the settlement of stock options during the year ended December 31, 2012. In addition, the Company is required to pay the employee withholding taxes to taxing authorities, the cash payments for which are reported in "Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Other_Income_and_Expenses

Other Income and Expenses	12 Months Ended
Other Income and Expenses	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses
Other Income and Expenses
	Note 18: Other Income and Expenses
	The following table sets forth the components of "Other, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31:

			2014			2013			2012
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates (1)		$	133		$	198		$	131
	Interest rate swap gain			39			—			—
	Net gains from sale of investments			26			8			122
	Net foreign currency transaction loss			(22	)		(52	)		(34	)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(19	)		—			(64	)
	Other			(4	)		(3	)		(11	)
	Fair-value loss on non-employee stock options			(3	)		(7	)		(4	)
	DSN Northwest deconsolidation charge			—			(59	)		—
	ECAD settlement gain			—			21			—

	Total		$	150		$	106		$	140




	-1	Includes an increase in equity earnings from Sky Mexico of approximately $60 million related to the recognition of certain one-time tax benefits in 2013.
	See Note 8 regarding equity method investments and net gains and losses recorded on the sale of investments.

RelatedParty_Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related-Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2014
Related-Party Transactions
Related-Party Transactions
	Note 19: 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 for the years ended December 31:

		2014		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	10	$	9	$	5
	Expenses		1,068		965		874
	The following table sets forth the amount of accounts receivable from and liabilities to related parties as of December 31:

		2014		2013
		(Dollars in
		Millions)
	Accounts receivable	$	26	$	18
	Accounts payable		123		100
	Short-term liability		149		0
	Long-term liability		1		69

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
Segment Reporting	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting
	Note 20: Segment Reporting
	Our reportable segments, which are differentiated by their products and services as well as geographic location, are DIRECTV U.S., Sky Brasil and PanAmericana, which are engaged in acquiring, promoting, selling and distributing digital entertainment programming primarily via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers, and the Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other segment, which includes our regional sports networks that provide programming devoted to local professional sports teams and college sporting events and locally produce their own programming. Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other also includes the corporate office, eliminations and other entities.
	The following table sets forth selected information for the results of operations for each of our reporting segments:

			External			Intersegment			Total			Operating			Depreciation			Operating Profit
			Revenues			Revenues			Revenues			Profit			and			(Loss) Before
												(Loss)			Amortization			Depreciation and
															Expense			Amortization (1)
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	25,993		$	8		$	26,001		$	4,749		$	1,722		$	6,471
	Sky Brasil			3,887						3,887			488			687			1,175
	Sky Brasil			3,887			—			3,887			488			687			1,175
	PanAmericana and Other			3,174			—			3,174			(46	)		520			474

	DIRECTV Latin America			7,061			—			7,061			442			1,207			1,649
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			206			(8			198			(63			14			(49
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			206			(8	)		198			(63	)		14			(49	)

	Total		$	33,260		$	—		$	33,260		$	5,128		$	2,943		$	8,071


	Year Ended December 31, 2013:
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	24,668		$	8		$	24,676		$	4,444		$	1,640		$	6,084
	Sky Brasil			3,753						3,753			529			723			1,252
	Sky Brasil			3,753			—			3,753			529			723			1,252
	PanAmericana and Other			3,091			—			3,091			247			444			691

	DIRECTV Latin America			6,844			—			6,844			776			1,167			1,943
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			242			(8			234			(70			21			(49
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			242			(8	)		234			(70	)		21			(49	)

	Total		$	31,754		$	—		$	31,754		$	5,150		$	2,828		$	7,978


	Year Ended December 31, 2012:
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	23,227		$	8		$	23,235		$	4,153		$	1,501		$	5,654
	Sky Brasil			3,501						3,501			555			533			1,088
	Sky Brasil			3,501			—			3,501			555			533			1,088
	PanAmericana and Other			2,743			—			2,743			400			374			774

	DIRECTV Latin America			6,244			—			6,244			955			907			1,862
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			269			(8			261			(23			29			6
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			269			(8	)		261			(23	)		29			6

	Total		$	29,740		$	—		$	29,740		$	5,085		$	2,437		$	7,522




	-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 (loss) 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 our 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 (loss) 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:

			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization		$	8,071		$	7,978		$	7,522
	Depreciation and amortization expense			(2,943	)		(2,828	)		(2,437	)

	Operating profit			5,128			5,150			5,085
	Interest income			68			72			59
	Interest expense			(898	)		(840	)		(842	)
Other, net			150			106			140

Income before income taxes			4,448			4,488			4,442
Income tax expense			(1,673	)		(1,603	)		(1,465	)

Net income			2,775			2,885			2,977
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			(19	)		(26	)		(28	)

Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,756		$	2,859		$	2,949


The following table sets forth capital expenditures and segment assets for each of our reporting segments:

		Years Ended and As of December 31,
		2014						2013						2012
		Capital			Segment			Capital			Segment			Capital			Segment
		Expenditures			Assets			Expenditures			Assets			Expenditures			Assets
		(Dollars in Millions)
DIRECTV U.S.		$	1,757		$	16,719		$	2,050		$	13,446		$	1,741		$	12,490
Sky Brasil			867			2,654			961			2,854			812			2,951
PanAmericana and Other			580			4,671			759			4,004			786			3,335

DIRECTV Latin America			1,447			7,325			1,720			6,858			1,598			6,286
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			21			1,415			16			1,601			10			1,779

Total		$	3,225		$	25,459		$	3,786		$	21,905		$	3,349		$	20,555


The following table sets forth revenues earned from subscribers located in different geographic areas. Property is grouped by its physical location.

		Years Ended and As of December 31,
		2014						2013						2012
		Revenues			Net Property &			Revenues			Net Property &			Revenues			Net Property &
		Revenues			Satellites			Revenues			Satellites			Revenues			Satellites
		(Dollars in Millions)
United States		$	26,370		$	6,909		$	25,088		$	6,248		$	23,678		$	5,694
Latin America and the Caribbean
Brazil			3,887			1,582			3,753			1,597			3,501			1,626
Other			3,003			1,270			2,913			1,272			2,561			1,075

Total Latin America and the Caribbean			6,890			2,852			6,666			2,869			6,062			2,701

Total		$	33,260		$	9,761		$	31,754		$	9,117		$	29,740		$	8,395

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
	Note 21: Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	At December 31, 2014, minimum future commitments under noncancelable operating leases having lease terms in excess of one year were primarily for real property and aggregated to $963 million, payable as follows: $108 million in 2015, $102 million in 2016, $98 million in 2017, $98 million in 2018, $100 million in 2019 and $457 million thereafter. Certain of these leases contain escalation clauses and renewal or purchase options, which we have not considered in the amounts disclosed. Rental expenses under operating leases were $133 million in 2014, $129 million in 2013 and $118 million in 2012.
	At December 31, 2014, our minimum payments under agreements to purchase broadcast programming, regional professional sports team rights and the purchase of services that we have outsourced to third parties, such as billing services, and satellite telemetry, tracking and control, satellite construction and launch contracts and broadcast center services aggregated to $16,330 million, payable as follows: $2,158 million in 2015, $2,011 million in 2016, $1,780 million in 2017, $1,693 million in 2018, $1,883 million in 2019 and $6,805 million thereafter.
	Satellite Commitments
	DIRECTV U.S. has contracted for the construction and launch of one new satellite, D15, which we expect to launch in the first half of 2015. D15 is expected to provide additional HD, replacement, and backup capacity for DIRECTV U.S. Additionally, DIRECTV Latin America has entered into a contract for the lease of one additional satellite for PanAmericana: ISDLA-2, which we expect to launch in the fourth quarter of 2015. ISDLA-1, which was launched in October 2014 and has been placed into service, is in the process of becoming the primary satellite for PanAmericana with a substantial increase in channel capacity from the current satellite, and ISDLA-2 will serve as an in-orbit spare for ISDLA-1. As a part of the lease agreement for ISDLA-1 and ISDLA-2, which we expect to account for as a capital lease, we are required to make prepayments prior to the launch of the satellites and commencement of the lease. Prepayments related to this agreement totaled $88 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and $105 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, and are included as "Cash paid for satellites" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
	In addition, DIRECTV Latin America has contracted for the construction and launch of a new satellite for Sky Brasil, SKY-Brasil 1, which we expect to launch in the second quarter of 2016. SKY-Brasil 1 is expected to provide additional channel and HD capacity for Sky Brasil.
	Total future cash payments under these agreements aggregate to $937 million, payable as follows: $172 million in 2015, $108 million in 2016, $50 million in 2017, $50 million in 2018, $50 million in 2019 and $507 million thereafter.
	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, and limited our ability to import set-top receivers and other equipment, limiting the growth of our business in Venezuela.
	In February 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar from the official exchange rate of 4.3 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar to an official rate of 6.3 Venezuelan 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 Venezuelan 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 12.0 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2014, is determined by periodic auctions. 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 was 49.99 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2014. Additionally, in February 2015, the Venezuelan government announced that the SICAD 2 exchange mechanism would no longer be available and created SIMADI, a new open market currency exchange system.
	We currently believe the SICAD 1 rate is the most representative rate to use for remeasurement, as the official rate of 6.3 Venezuelan 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 December 31, 2014, we are continuing to remeasure our Venezuelan subsidiary's financial statements in U.S. dollars using the exchange rate determined by periodic auctions under SICAD 1, which was 12.0 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar. Prior to March 31, 2014, we used the official exchange rate of 6.3 Venezuelan 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 December 31, 2014, our Venezuelan subsidiary had Venezuelan bolivar denominated net monetary assets of $481 million, including cash of $481 million, based on the SICAD 1 exchange rate of 12.0 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar. In 2014, our Venezuelan subsidiary generated revenues of approximately $900 million and operating profit before depreciation and amortization of approximately $400 million, excluding the impact of the $281 million Venezuelan devaluation charge, as well as the impact of additional exchange rate losses in Venezuela recorded during 2014. The exchange rate used to report net monetary assets and operating results of our Venezuelan subsidiary is currently based on the results of periodic SICAD 1 auctions, which is expected to 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 currency exchange rate system, further devaluations of the Venezuelan bolivar or if we determine in the future that a rate other than the SICAD 1 rate is appropriate for the remeasurement of our Venezuelan bolivar denominated net monetary assets.
	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 December 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.
	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 any 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 those 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 the likelihood of a material liability in such matters is remote or have made appropriate accruals and the final disposition of these claims is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position. However, if an adverse ruling is made in a lawsuit involving key intellectual property, such ruling could possibly 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. As previously reported, 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. We have reached a settlement in principle with the individual plaintiffs in the federal cases and are finalizing the settlement agreements. In the California state court action, the denial of our motion to compel arbitration is currently on appeal. We believe that our early cancellation fees are adequately disclosed, and represent reasonable estimates of the costs we incur when customers cancel service before fulfilling their programming commitments.
	State and Federal Inquiries. From time to time, we receive investigative inquiries or subpoenas from state and federal authorities with respect to alleged violations of state and federal statutes. These inquiries may lead to legal proceedings in some cases.
	FTC Investigation. 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. We have engaged in ongoing negotiations with FTC staff concerning these issues. The FTC staff has recently advised us that they have obtained authority from the Commissioners to file suit and that the damages sought by the FTC in such a proceeding could be substantial. However, until suit is filed, the parties are continuing to engage in discussions regarding a potential settlement.
	Waste Disposal Inquiry. In August 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 continuing to review our policies and procedures applicable to all facilities and cooperating with the investigation.
	Other. We are subject to other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. The amount of ultimate liability with respect to such actions is not expected to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
	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 result 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 December 31, 2014, the net book value of in-orbit satellites was $1,806 million all of which was uninsured.
	Other
	As of December 31, 2014, we were contingently liable under standby letters of credit and bonds in the aggregate amount of $316 million primarily related to judicial deposit and payment guarantees in Latin America and insurance deductibles.

Selected_Quarterly_Data_Unaudi

Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)	Dec. 31, 2014
Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
	Note 22: Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
	The following table presents unaudited selected quarterly data for the years presented:
		1st		2nd		3rd		4th
		(Dollars in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	2014 Quarters
	Revenues	$	7,855	$	8,109	$	8,374	$	8,922
	Operating profit		1,227		1,424		1,222		1,255
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		561		806		611		778
	Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share	$	1.10	$	1.60	$	1.22	$	1.55
	Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share	$	1.09	$	1.59	$	1.21	$	1.53
	2013 Quarters
	2013 Quarters
	Revenues	$	7,580	$	7,700	$	7,880	$	8,594
	Operating profit		1,242		1,350		1,225		1,333
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		690		660		699		810
	Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share	$	1.21	$	1.19	$	1.29	$	1.55
	Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share	$	1.20	$	1.18	$	1.28	$	1.53

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	12 Months Ended
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	Note 23: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	As discussed above in Note 10, 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. Also, restricted net assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary, which is included within Non-Guarantor subsidiaries, exceeded 25% of total consolidated net assets and as such, the required condensed parent company information is included as part of the condensed consolidating financial statements below. For additional information regarding the Venezuelan restricted net assets see Note 21.
	These condensed consolidating financial statements present the condensed consolidating statements of operations, condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 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 LLC and DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc. and each of DIRECTV Holdings LLC's material subsidiaries (other than DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc.), 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 and our regional sports networks which are held by DSN and its subsidiaries which are comprised primarily of two regional sports networks. 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.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	26,001		$	7,417		$	(158	)	$	33,260
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other			—			—			12,343			2,727			(140	)		14,930
	Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,519			804			(3	)		2,320
	Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			303			134			(7	)		430
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			2,853			809			(3	)		3,659
	Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			1,276			184			(4	)		1,456
	General and administrative expenses			98			1			1,235			780			(1	)		2,113
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge			—			—			—			281			—			281
	Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,722			1,221			—			2,943

	Total operating costs and expenses			98			1			21,251			6,940			(158	)		28,132

	Operating profit (loss)			(98	)		(1	)		4,750			477			—			5,128
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,807			3,053			—			2,518			(8,378	)		—
	Interest income			1			2			2			63			—			68
	Interest expense			(1	)		(858	)		(4	)		(35	)		—			(898	)
	Other, net			18			19			32			81			—			150

	Income before income tax			2,727			2,215			4,780			3,104			(8,378	)		4,448
	Income tax benefit (expense)			29			303			(1,727	)		(278	)		—			(1,673	)

	Net income			2,756			2,518			3,053			2,826			(8,378	)		2,775
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(19	)		—			(19	)

	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,756		$	2,518		$	3,053		$	2,807		$	(8,378	)	$	2,756


	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	24,676		$	7,141		$	(63	)	$	31,754
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other			—			—			11,616			2,430			(55	)		13,991
	Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,474			768			—			2,242
	Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			293			124			(8	)		409
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			2,642			777			—			3,419
	Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			1,350			197			—			1,547
	General and administrative expenses			70			—			1,217			715			—			2,002
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge			—			—			—			166			—			166
	Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,640			1,188			—			2,828

	Total operating costs and expenses			70			—			20,232			6,365			(63	)		26,604

Operating profit (loss)			(70	)		—			4,444			776			—			5,150
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,900			2,880			—			2,349			(8,129	)		—
Interest income			16			—			2			62			(8	)		72
Interest expense			(1	)		(824	)		(3	)		(20	)		8			(840	)
Other, net			(7	)		—			29			84			—			106

Income before income taxes			2,838			2,056			4,472			3,251			(8,129	)		4,488
Income tax benefit (expense)			21			293			(1,592	)		(325	)		—			(1,603	)

Net income			2,859			2,349			2,880			2,926			(8,129	)		2,885
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(26	)		—			(26	)

Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,859		$	2,349		$	2,880		$	2,900		$	(8,129	)	$	2,859


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
Revenues		$	—		$	59		$	23,235		$	6,583		$	(137	)	$	29,740
Operating costs and expenses
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other			—			—			10,743			2,355			(70	)		13,028
Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,464			673			—			2,137
Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			306			116			(8	)		414
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			2,673			724			—			3,397
Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			1,253			174			—			1,427
General and administrative expenses			42			1			1,201			630			(59	)		1,815
Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,501			936			—			2,437

Total operating costs and expenses			42			1			19,141			5,608			(137	)		24,655

Operating profit (loss)			(42	)		58			4,094			975			—			5,085
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,980			2,819			—			2,286			(8,085	)		—
Interest income			2			1			—			68			(12	)		59
Interest expense			(2	)		(773	)		(3	)		(76	)		12			(842	)
Other, net			(4	)		(65	)		33			176			—			140

Income before income taxes			2,934			2,040			4,124			3,429			(8,085	)		4,442
Income tax benefit (expense)			15			246			(1,305	)		(421	)		—			(1,465	)

Net income			2,949			2,286			2,819			3,008			(8,085	)		2,977
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(28	)		—			(28	)

Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,949		$	2,286		$	2,819		$	2,980		$	(8,085	)	$	2,949


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
Net income		$	2,756		$	2,518		$	3,053		$	2,826		$	(8,378	)	$	2,775
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Defined benefit plans:
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(49	)		—			—			—			—			(49	)
Prior service credit arising during the period			21			—			—			—			—			21
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			10			—			—			—			—			10
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period			(87	)		(87	)		—			(87	)		174			(87	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income			117			117			—			117			(234	)		117
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(99	)		—			—			(108	)		99			(108	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)			(87	)		30			—			(78	)		39			(96	)

Comprehensive income			2,669			2,548			3,053			2,748			(8,339	)		2,679
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(10	)		—			(10	)

Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,669		$	2,548		$	3,053		$	2,738		$	(8,339	)	$	2,669


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
Net income		$	2,859		$	2,349		$	2,880		$	2,926		$	(8,129	)	$	2,885
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Defined benefit plans:
Gains related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			22			—			—			—			—			22
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			38			—			—			—			—			38
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost			1			—			—			—			—			1
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains arising during the period			80			80			—			80			(160	)		80
Reclassification adjustments included in net income			(49	)		(49	)		—			(49	)		98			(49	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(167	)		—			—			(173	)		167			(173	)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses on securities recognized during the period			1			—			—			1			(1	)		1

Other comprehensive income (loss)			(74	)		31			—			(141	)		104			(80	)

Comprehensive income			2,785			2,380			2,880			2,785			(8,025	)		2,805
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(20	)		—			(20	)

Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,785		$	2,380		$	2,880		$	2,765		$	(8,025	)	$	2,785


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
Net income		$	2,949		$	2,286		$	2,819		$	3,008		$	(8,085	)	$	2,977
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Defined benefit plans:
Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(45	)		—			—			—			—			(45	)
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			12			—			—			—			—			12
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period			(10	)		(10	)		—			(10	)		20			(10	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income			(7	)		(7	)		—			(7	)		14			(7	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(17	)		—			—			(32	)		17			(32	)
Unrealized holding losses on securities			(4	)		—			—			(4	)		4			(4	)

Other comprehensive loss			(71	)		(17	)		—			(53	)		55			(86	)

Comprehensive income			2,878			2,269			2,819			2,955			(8,030	)		2,891
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(13	)		—			(13	)

Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,878		$	2,269		$	2,819		$	2,942		$	(8,030	)	$	2,878


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2014

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
ASSETS
Total current assets		$	1,201		$	3,690		$	2,964		$	1,592		$	(628	)	$	8,819
Satellites, net			—			—			1,717			1,323			—			3,040
Property and equipment, net			—			—			3,891			2,830			—			6,721
Goodwill			—			1,828			1,363			738			—			3,929
Intangible assets, net			—			—			512			490			(8	)		994
Intercompany receivables			4,975			11,698			28,132			1,143			(45,948	)		—
Investment in subsidiaries			(9,341	)		21,337			—			(10,725	)		(1,271	)		—
Other assets			134			99			670			1,185			(132	)		1,956

Total assets		$	(3,031	)	$	38,652		$	39,249		$	(1,424	)	$	(47,987	)	$	25,459


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities		$	527		$	1,454		$	4,244		$	1,362		$	(628	)	$	6,959
Long-term debt			—			19,327			—			158			—			19,485
Deferred income taxes			—			33			1,736			89			(132	)		1,726
Intercompany liabilities			1,212			28,110			11,698			4,928			(45,948	)		—
Other liabilities and deferred credits			443			453			234			995			(8	)		2,117
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital			3,613			432			5,403			3,489			(9,324	)		3,613
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(8,408	)		(11,202	)		15,934			(12,554	)		7,822			(8,408	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(418	)		45			—			(276	)		231			(418	)

Total DIRECTV stockholders' equity (deficit)			(5,213	)		(10,725	)		21,337			(9,341	)		(1,271	)		(5,213	)
Noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			385			—			385

Total stockholders' equity (deficit)			(5,213	)		(10,725	)		21,337			(8,956	)		(1,271	)		(4,828	)

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)		$	(3,031	)	$	38,652		$	39,249		$	(1,424	)	$	(47,987	)	$	25,459


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2013

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(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			4,799			7,820			20,988			1,386			(34,993	)		—
Investment in subsidiaries			(10,177	)		17,812			—			(12,247	)		4,612			—
Other assets			92			190			361			1,416			(114	)		1,945

Total assets		$	(4,307	)	$	28,783		$	31,350		$	(2,907	)	$	(31,014	)	$	21,905


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities		$	448		$	1,478		$	3,812		$	1,303		$	(511	)	$	6,530
Long-term debt			—			18,203			—			81			—			18,284
Deferred income taxes			—			9			1,632			277			(114	)		1,804
Intercompany liabilities			1,390			21,019			7,820			4,764			(34,993	)		—
Other liabilities and deferred credits			399			321			274			470			(8	)		1,456
Redeemable noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			375			—			375
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital			3,652			25			4,930			3,671			(8,626	)		3,652
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(9,874	)		(12,286	)		12,882			(13,620	)		13,024			(9,874	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(322	)		14			—			(228	)		214			(322	)

Total stockholders' equity (deficit)			(6,544	)		(12,247	)		17,812			(10,177	)		4,612			(6,544	)

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)		$	(4,307	)	$	28,783		$	31,350		$	(2,907	)	$	(31,014	)	$	21,905


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	1,056		$	(2,008	)	$	6,471		$	1,962		$	(1,112	)	$	6,369

Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,684	)		(1,256	)		—			(2,940	)
Cash paid for satellites			—			—			(73	)		(212	)		—			(285	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(1	)		(46	)		—			(47	)
Proceeds from sale of investments			—			—			16			16			—			32
Return of capital from subsidiary			425			—			—			—			(425	)		—
Intercompany payments (funding)			270			(1,258	)		(5,969	)		159			6,798			—
Other, net			—			—			—			(123	)		—			(123	)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			695			(1,258	)		(7,711	)		(1,462	)		6,373			(3,363	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			—			301			—			—			—			301
Repayment of short-term borrowings			—			(501	)		—			—			—			(501	)
Proceeds from long-term debt			—			2,437			—			213			—			2,650
Debt issuance costs			—			(14	)		—			—			—			(14	)
Repayment of long-term debt			—			(1,000	)		—			(66	)		—			(1,066	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(30	)		(39	)		—			(69	)
Common shares repurchased and retired			(1,386	)		—			—			—			—			(1,386	)
Stock Options Exercised			21			—			—			—			—			21
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation			(60	)		—			(50	)		(10	)		60			(60	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			23			—			19			4			(23	)		23
Intercompany payments (funding)			(167	)		5,965			1,315			(315	)		(6,798	)		—
Cash dividend to Parent			—			(1,500	)		—			—			1,500			—
Other, net			—			(22	)		—			(45	)		—			(67	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(1,569	)		5,666			1,254			(258	)		(5,261	)		(168	)

Effect of exchange rate changes in Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents			—			—			—			(383	)		—			(383	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			182			2,400			14			(141	)		—			2,455
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year			498			791			6			885			—			2,180

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		$	680		$	3,191		$	20		$	744		$	—		$	4,635


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	2,300		$	(1,902	)	$	6,525		$	1,811		$	(2,340	)	$	6,394

Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,852	)		(1,557	)		—			(3,409	)
Cash paid for satellites			—			—			(198	)		(179	)		—			(377	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(53	)		(13	)		—			(66	)
Proceeds from sale of investments			—			—			12			245			—			257
Return of capital from subsidiary			1,897			—			—			—			(1,897	)		—
Intercompany funding			(248	)		(1,157	)		(5,537	)		(188	)		7,130			—
Other, net			—			—			(67	)		(91	)		—			(158	)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			1,649			(1,157	)		(7,695	)		(1,783	)		5,233			(3,753	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net			—			(155	)		—			—			—			(155	)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			—			556			—			—			—			556
Repayment of short-term borrowings			—			(559	)		—			—			—			(559	)
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			10			—			—			—			10
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			(10	)		—			—			—			(10	)
Proceeds from long-term debt			—			1,947			—			152			—			2,099
Debt issuance costs			—			(12	)		—			—			—			(12	)
Repayment of long-term debt			—			—			—			(15	)		—			(15	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(24	)		(39	)		—			(63	)
Common shares repurchased and retired			(4,000	)		—			—			—			—			(4,000	)
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			178			5,535			1,220			197			(7,130	)		—
Cash dividend to Parent			—			(4,200	)		—			—			4,200			—
Other, net			—			10			—			—			—			10

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(3,859	)		3,122			1,165			289			(2,893	)		(2,176	)

Effect of exchange rate changes in Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents			—			—			—			(187	)		—			(187	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			90			63			(5	)		130			—			278
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year			408			728			11			755			—			1,902

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		$	498		$	791		$	6		$	885		$	—		$	2,180


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	2,055		$	(1,820	)	$	5,947		$	1,608		$	(2,156	)	$	5,634

Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,488	)		(1,472	)		—			(2,960	)
Cash paid for satellites			—			—			(253	)		(136	)		—			(389	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(7	)		(9	)		—			(16	)
Proceeds from sale of investments			—			—			24			—			—			24
Return of capital from subsidiary			3,775			—			—			—			(3,775	)		—
Intercompany funding			(369	)		(917	)		(5,118	)		(4	)		6,408			—
Other, net			—			—			—			(22	)		—			(22	)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			3,406			(917	)		(6,842	)		(1,643	)		2,633			(3,363	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net			—			156			—			—			—			156
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			—			202			—			—			—			202
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			400			—			—			—			400
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			(400	)		—			—			—			(400	)
Proceeds from long-term debt			—			5,190			—			—			—			5,190
Debt issuance costs			—			(36	)		—			—			—			(36	)
Repayment of long-term debt			—			(1,500	)		—			—			—			(1,500	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(21	)		(30	)		—			(51	)
Common shares repurchased and retired			(5,175	)		—			—			—			—			(5,175	)
Stock options exercised			3			—			—			—			—			3
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation			(61	)		—			(52	)		(9	)		61			(61	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			30			—			25			5			(30	)		30
Intercompany payments			21			5,125			950			312			(6,408	)		—
Cash dividend to Parent			—			(5,900	)		—			—			5,900			—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(5,182	)		3,237			902			278			(477	)		(1,242	)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			279			500			7			243			—			1,029
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year			129			228			4			512			—			873

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		$	408		$	728		$	11		$	755		$	—		$	1,902

SCHEDULE_IIVALUATION_AND_QUALI

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	Dec. 31, 2014
SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

	Description		Balance at			Additions charged			Additions charged			Deductions (b)		Balance at
	Description		beginning of year			to costs and expenses			to other accounts (a)			Deductions (b)		end of year
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts deducted from accounts receivable		$	(95	)	$	(311	)	$	(175	)	$	472	$	(109	)
	Year Ended December 31, 2013:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts deducted from accounts receivable			(81	)		(318	)		(174	)		478		(95	)
	Year Ended December 31, 2012:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts deducted from accounts receivable			(79	)		(332	)		(149	)		479		(81	)


	(a)	Primarily reflects the recovery of accounts previously written-off.
	(b)	Primarily relates to accounts written-off.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
	Principles of Consolidation
	We present our accompanying financial statements on a consolidated basis and include our accounts and those of our domestic and foreign subsidiaries that we control through equity ownership or for which we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary, after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.


Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements
	We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, 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.


Revenue Recognition
	Revenue Recognition
	We enter into multiple deliverable revenue arrangements with our subscribers under which we provide DIRECTV receiving equipment, services and programming during their contract period, of up to two years. We allocate consideration to each deliverable in the arrangement based on its relative selling price. We determine the selling price of the DIRECTV receiving equipment using our best estimate. We determine the selling price for services based on prices charged by third parties. We determine the selling price of the programming using our standard programming rates. The DIRECTV receiving equipment, services and programming are each considered separate units of accounting.
	We recognize subscription and pay-per-view revenues and seasonal live sporting events when programming is broadcast to subscribers. We recognize subscriber fees for multiple set top receivers and warranty services as revenue, as earned. We recognize advertising revenues when the related services are performed. We defer programming payments received from subscribers in advance of the broadcast as "Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets until earned. We recognize revenues to be received under contractual commitments on a straight line basis over the minimum contractual period. We report revenues net of customer credits and discounted promotions.


Broadcast Programming and Other
	Broadcast Programming and Other
	We recognize the costs of television programming distribution rights when we distribute the related programming. We recognize the costs of television programming rights to distribute live sporting events for a season or tournament to expense using the straight-line method over the course of the season or tournament.
	We defer advance payments in the form of cash and equity instruments from programming content providers for carriage of their signal and recognize them as a reduction of "Broadcast programming and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the related contract term. We record equity instruments at fair value based on quoted market prices or values determined by management.


Subscriber Acquisition Costs
	Subscriber Acquisition Costs
	Subscriber acquisition costs consist of costs we incur to acquire new subscribers. We include the cost of set-top receivers and other equipment, commissions we pay to national retailers, independent satellite television retailers, dealers and regional telephone companies, which we refer to as telcos, and the cost of installation, advertising, marketing and customer call center expenses associated with the acquisition of new subscribers in subscriber acquisition costs. We expense these costs as incurred, or when subscribers activate the DIRECTV® service, as appropriate, except for the cost of set-top receivers leased to new subscribers, which we capitalize in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and depreciate over their estimated useful lives. In certain countries in Latin America, where our customer agreements provide for the lease of the entire DIRECTV or SKY System, we also capitalize the costs of the other customer premises equipment and related installation costs in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Although paid in advance, the retailer or dealer earns substantially all commissions paid for customer acquisitions over 12 months from the date of subscriber activation. Should the subscriber cancel our service during such 12 month service period, we are reimbursed for the unearned portion of the commission by the retailer or dealer and record a decrease to subscriber acquisition costs. We include the amount of our set-top receivers capitalized each period for subscriber acquisition activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under the caption "Cash paid for property and equipment." See Note 6 for additional information.


Upgrade and Retention Costs
	Upgrade and Retention Costs
	Upgrade and retention costs consist primarily of costs we incur for upgrade efforts for existing subscribers. We include the costs of subscriber equipment upgrade programs for digital video recorder, or DVR, high-definition, or HD, and HD DVR receivers, our multiple set-top receiver offers and other similar initiatives. Retention costs also include the costs of installing and providing hardware under our movers program for subscribers relocating to a new residence. We expense these costs as incurred, except for the cost of set-top receivers leased to existing subscribers, which we capitalize in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We include the amount of our set-top receivers capitalized each period for upgrade and retention activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under the caption "Cash paid for property and equipment." See Note 6 for additional information.


Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit and highly liquid investments we purchase with original maturities of three months or less.


Inventories
	Inventories
	We state inventories at the lower of average cost or market. Inventories consist of finished goods for DIRECTV System equipment and DIRECTV System access cards.


Property and Equipment, Satellites and Depreciation
	Property and Equipment, Satellites and Depreciation
	We carry property and equipment, and satellites, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The amounts we capitalize for satellites currently being constructed and those that have been successfully launched include the costs of construction, launch, launch insurance, incentive obligations and capitalized interest. We generally compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We amortize leasehold improvements over the lesser of the life of the asset or term of the lease.


Capitalized Software Costs
	Capitalized Software Costs
	We capitalize certain software costs incurred, either from internal or external sources, as part of "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and depreciate these costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software. We recognize planning, training, support and maintenance costs incurred either prior to or following the implementation phase as expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period in which they occur. We had unamortized capitalized software costs of $941 million as of December 31, 2014 and $771 million as of December 31, 2013. We recorded depreciation expense of $391 million in 2014, $331 million in 2013 and $292 million in 2012 in "Depreciation and amortization expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.


Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are carried at historical cost and are subject to write-down, as needed, based upon an impairment analysis that we must perform at least annually, or sooner if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not result in an impairment loss. We perform our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each year. We use estimates of fair value to determine the amount of impairment, if any, of goodwill and intangibles assets with indefinite lives. The goodwill evaluation requires the estimation of the fair value of reporting units where we record goodwill. We determine fair values primarily using estimated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved, when appropriate. If an impairment loss results from the annual impairment test, we would record the loss as a pre-tax charge to operating income.
	We amortize other intangible assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 4 to 20 years.


Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
	Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
	We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, other than goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. We consider the carrying value of a long-lived asset impaired when the anticipated undiscounted future cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, we would recognize a loss based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. We determine fair value primarily using estimated future cash flows associated with the asset under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved, or other valuation techniques. We determine losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of in a similar manner, except that we reduce the fair value for the cost of disposal.


Foreign Currency
	Foreign Currency
	The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for most of our foreign operations. We recognize gains and losses resulting from remeasurement of these operations' foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities and transactions into the U.S. dollar in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	We also have foreign operations where the local currency is their functional currency. Accordingly, these foreign entities translate assets and liabilities from their local currencies to U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates while income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates in effect during the year. We record the resulting translation adjustment as part of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss," a separate component of stockholders' deficit in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


Investments
	Investments
	We maintain investments in equity securities of unaffiliated companies. We carry non-marketable equity securities at cost. We consider marketable equity securities available-for-sale and they are carried at current fair value based on quoted market prices with unrealized gains or losses (excluding other-than-temporary losses), net of taxes, reported as part of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We regularly review our investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is "other-than-temporary." We consider, among other factors: the magnitude and duration of the decline; the financial health and business outlook of the investee, including industry and sector performance, changes in technology, and operational and financing cash flow factors; and our intent and ability to hold the investment. If we judge the decline in fair value to be other-than-temporary, we write-down the cost basis of the security to fair value and recognize the amount in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as part of "Other, net" and record it as a reclassification adjustment from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	We account for investments in which we own at least 20% of the voting securities or have significant influence under the equity method of accounting. We record equity method investments at cost and adjust for the appropriate share of the net earnings or losses of the investee. We record investee losses up to the amount of the investment plus advances and loans made to the investee, and financial guarantees made on behalf of the investee.


Derivative Financial Instruments
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	For derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedges, the change in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recognized in earnings in the current period. 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 do not offset assets and liabilities related to our derivative financial instruments.


Debt Issuance Costs
	Debt Issuance Costs
	We defer costs we incur to issue debt and amortize these costs to interest expense using the straight-line method over the term of the respective obligation.


Share-Based Payment
	Share-Based Payment
	We grant restricted stock units and common stock options to certain employees and shares of stock to our directors as part of their annual compensation for Board services.
	We record compensation expense equal to the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of up to three years, reduced for estimated forfeitures and adjusted for anticipated payout percentages related to the achievement of performance targets.


Sales Taxes
	Sales Taxes
	Sales taxes collected and remitted to state and local authorities are recorded on a net basis.


Income Taxes
	Income Taxes
	We determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which we expect the differences to reverse. We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax provisions, assessing the likelihood of recovering our deferred tax assets, and evaluating tax positions.
	We recognize a benefit in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for uncertain tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination, measured at the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns, for which the benefit has not yet been recognized in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to the uncertainty of whether such benefits will be ultimately realized. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations at such time that the benefit is effectively settled.


Advertising Costs
	Advertising Costs
	We expense advertising costs primarily in "Subscriber acquisition costs" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as incurred. Advertising costs for print and media related to national advertising campaigns, net of payments received from programming content providers for marketing support, were $578 million in 2014, $548 million in 2013 and $514 million in 2012.


Market Concentrations and Credit Risk
	Market Concentrations and Credit Risk
	We sell programming services and extend credit, in amounts generally not exceeding $200 each, to a large number of individual residential subscribers throughout the United States and most of Latin America. As applicable, we maintain allowances for anticipated losses.


Fair Value Measurement
	Fair Value Measurement
	We determine the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities based on the three level valuation hierarchy established for classification of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability and may be observable or unobservable. The three level hierarchy of inputs is as follows:
	Level 1: Valuation is based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2: Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or other inputs that are observable, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3: Valuation is based upon other unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments and other assets, accounts payable, short-term borrowings and amounts included in accrued liabilities and other meeting the definition of a financial instrument approximated their fair values at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Accounts_Receivable_Net_Tables

Accounts Receivable, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Accounts Receivable, Net (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable, Net
Schedule of accounts receivable, net

		2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Subscriber	$	1,889		$	1,775
	Telco		579			475
	Trade and other		441			392

	Total		2,909			2,642
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		(109	)		(95	)

	Accounts receivable, net	$	2,800		$	2,547

Satellites_Net_and_Property_an1

Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net
Schedule of Satellites, net and Property and Equipment, net

		Estimated			2014			2013
		Useful Lives
		(years)
					(Dollars in Millions)
	Satellites		16-Oct		$	3,599		$	3,164
	Satellites under construction		—			1,234			1,066

	Total					4,833			4,230
	Less: Accumulated depreciation					(1,793	)		(1,763	)

	Satellites, net				$	3,040		$	2,467


	Land		—		$	76		$	41
	Buildings and leasehold improvements		Feb-40			548			434
	Machinery and equipment		23-Feb			2,221			2,069
	Capitalized software		3			3,478			2,923
	Subscriber leased set-top equipment		7-Mar			10,445			10,176
	Construction in-progress		—			557			677

	Total					17,325			16,320
	Less: Accumulated depreciation					(10,604	)		(9,670	)

	Property and equipment, net				$	6,721		$	6,650




Schedule of capitalized subscriber leased equipment
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Subscriber leased set-top equipment	$	10,445		$	10,176
	Less: Accumulated depreciation of subscriber leased equipment		(6,175	)		(5,778	)

	Subscriber leased set-top equipment, net	$	4,270		$	4,398

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
Schedule of goodwill
				DIRECTV Latin America					Sports
									Networks,
									Eliminations
		DIRECTV		Sky Brasil			PanAmericana and Other		and Other			Total
		U.S.		Sky Brasil			PanAmericana and Other					Total
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	3,177	$	380		$	211	$	295		$	4,063
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		(49	)		—		—			(49	)
	DSN Northwest Transaction		—		—			—		(73	)		(73	)
	Acquisitions		14		15			—		—			29

	Balance as of December 31, 2013		3,191		346			211		222			3,970
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		(41	)		—		—			(41	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	3,191	$	305		$	211	$	222		$	3,929




Schedule of intangible assets, net
				December 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Estimated		Gross			Accumulated		Net			Gross			Accumulated		Net
		Useful		Amount			Amortization		Amount			Amount			Amortization		Amount
		Lives
		(years)
				(Dollars in Millions)
	Orbital slots		Indefinite	$	432		$	—	$	432		$	432		$	—	$	432
	Satellite rights		15		78			25		53			88			22		66
	Subscriber related		10-May		330			310		20			363			336		27
	Dealer network		15		130			130		—			130			127		3
	Trade name, spectrum licenses and other		20-Apr		483			91		392			350			61		289
	Distribution agreements		20-Jun		159			62		97			123			20		103

	Total intangible assets			$	1,612		$	618	$	994		$	1,486		$	566	$	920

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Investments (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Schedule of carrying value of investments accounted under equity method of accounting
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Sky Mexico	$	675	$	644
	GSN		345		324
	NW Sports Net LLC		100		92
	Other equity method investments		265		179

	Total investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting	$	1,385	$	1,239




Schedule of equity in earnings and losses of investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting

		2014		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Sky Mexico	$	58	$	134	$	62
	GSN		21		33		42
	Other		54		31		27

	Total net equity earnings for investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting	$	133	$	198	$	131

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L1

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Significant components of Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Programming costs	$	2,521	$	2,368
	Accounts payable		1,584		1,070
	Payroll and employee benefits		411		392
	Other		532		855

	Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	5,048	$	4,685

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Debt (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt
Schedule of outstanding debt
			2014		2013
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Current debt
	Commercial paper		$	—	$	200
	Current portion of long-term debt			1,200		1,000
	Current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility			127		56
	Long-term debt
	Senior notes			19,327		18,203
	Borrowings under BNDES financing facility			140		81
	Borrowings under Desenvolve SP financing facility			18		—

	Total debt		$	20,812	$	19,540




Schedule of Senior notes issued in March 2012
			Principal		Proceeds, net of discount
			(Dollars in Millions)
	2.400% senior notes due in 2017		$	1,250	$	1,249
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022			1,500		1,499
	5.150% senior notes due in 2042			1,250		1,248

			$	4,000	$	3,996




Schedule of outstanding senior notes
			Principal amount		Carrying value, net of
					unamortized original
					issue discounts or
					including premiums
			2014		2014		2013
			(Dollars in Millions)
	4.750% senior notes due in 2014		$	—	$	—	$	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		746		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		999		999
	5.000% senior notes due in 2021 (1)			1,500		1,506		1,495
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022 (1)			1,500		1,520		1,499
	2.750% senior notes due in 2023 (2)			605		602		684
	4.450% senior notes due in 2024 (1)			1,250		1,285		—
	3.950% senior notes due in 2025			1,200		1,192		—
	4.375% senior notes due in 2029 (2)			1,168		1,157		1,229
	5.200% senior notes due in 2033 (2)			545		543		577
	6.350% senior notes due in 2040			500		500		500
	6.000% senior notes due in 2040			1,250		1,236		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		$	20,518	$	20,527	$	19,203




	-1	The carrying values as of December 31, 2014 include the following fair value adjustments: an increase of $10 million for the 5.000% senior notes due in 2021, an increase of $20 million for the 3.800% senior notes due in 2022 and an increase of $39 million for the 4.450% senior notes due in 2024.
	-2	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)	12 Months Ended
Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments
Schedule of fair values of assets and liabilities associated with the derivative financial instruments
		Assets				Liabilities
		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	8	$	112	$	24	$	—
	Interest rate swap contracts		—		3		—		1
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swap contracts		12		—		6		—

	Total derivative financial instruments	$	20	$	115	$	30	$	1




Schedule of notional amounts of outstanding derivative financial instruments
		December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	2,418	$	2,418
	Interest rate swaps		—		500
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps		3,000		—

	Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments	$	5,418	$	2,918

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Schedule of components of provision for income tax
		2014			2013			2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Current tax expense:
	U.S. federal	$	1,296		$	911		$	980
	Foreign		240			293			309
	State and local		102			176			113

	Total		1,638			1,380			1,402

	Deferred tax expense (benefit):
	U.S. federal		(56	)		224			(25	)
	Foreign		38			34			63
	State and local		53			(35	)		25

	Total		35			223			63

	Total income tax expense	$	1,673		$	1,603		$	1,465




Schedule of income before income taxes, by jurisdictions
		2014			2013			2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	U.S. income	$	3,853		$	3,509		$	3,442
	Foreign income		595			979			1,000

	Total	$	4,448		$	4,488		$	4,442




Schedule of reconciliation of income tax expense
		2014			2013			2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Expected expense at U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	$	1,557		$	1,571		$	1,555
	U.S. state and local income tax expense, net of federal benefit		71			91			87
	Change in unrecognized tax benefits and settlements		28			(28	)		(154	)
	Foreign taxes, net of federal tax benefits		(49	)		(21	)		(3	)
	Change in valuation allowance		—			(16	)		3
	Currency devaluation		121			29			—
	Tax credits		(79	)		(44	)		(30	)
	Other		24			21			7

	Total income tax expense	$	1,673		$	1,603		$	1,465




Schedule of temporary differences and carryforwards that gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities
		2014						2013
		Deferred			Deferred			Deferred			Deferred
		Tax			Tax			Tax			Tax
		Assets			Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Accruals and advances	$	433		$	313		$	471		$	275
	Prepaid expenses		—			40			—			32
	State taxes		52			—			33			—
	Depreciation, amortization and asset impairment charges		—			1,785			—			1,745
	Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards		842			—			847			—
	Programming contract liabilities		33			—			18			—
	Unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses		—			11			—			23
	Tax basis differences in investments and affiliates		219			837			203			853
	Other		—			1			—			10

	Subtotal		1,579			2,987			1,572			2,938
	Valuation allowance		(346	)		—			(367	)		—

	Total deferred taxes	$	1,233		$	2,987		$	1,205		$	2,938




Schedule of reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits
		Gross Unrecognized
		Tax Benefits
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2012	$	390
	Increases in tax positions for the current year		35
	Decreases in tax positions for prior years		(6	)
	Expirations of the statute of limitations		(141	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2012		278
	Increases in tax positions for prior years		126
	Decreases in tax positions for prior years		(3	)
	Increases in tax positions for the current year		214
	Settlements with taxing authorities		(25	)
	Expirations of the statute of limitations		(1	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2013		589
	Increases in tax positions for prior years		47
	Decreases in tax positions for prior years		(53	)
	Increases in tax positions for the current year		209
	Settlements with taxing authorities		(6	)
	Expirations of the statute of limitations		(2	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	784

Capital_Lease_Obligations_Tabl

Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Capital Lease Obligations
Schedule of future minimum capital lease payments
		Minimum Lease Payments
		(Dollars in Millions)
	2015	$	149
	2016		145
	2017		137
	2018		125
	2019		120
	Thereafter		598

	Total minimum lease payments		1,274
	Less: Amount representing interest		(292	)

	Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	982




Schedule of assets held under capital leases
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Satellites under capital leases	$	1,116		$	484
	Less: Accumulated amortization		(311	)		(251	)

	Satellites, net under capital leases	$	805		$	233


	Property and equipment under capital leases	$	149		$	140
	Less: Accumulated amortization		(74	)		(53	)

	Property and equipment, net under capital leases	$	75		$	87

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Schedule of components of pension benefit obligation and the other postretirement benefit obligation including amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
		Pension						Other
		Benefits						Postretirement
								Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Change in Net Benefit Obligation
	Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	568		$	664		$	18		$	21
	Service cost		37			38			1			1
	Interest cost		27			27			1			1
	Plan participants' contributions		1			1			—			—
	Actuarial (gain) loss		81			(12	)		1			(4	)
	Benefits paid		(39	)		(41	)		(1	)		(1	)
	Plan change		(33	)		—			—			—
	Settlements		—			(109	)		—			—

	Net benefit obligation at end of year		642			568			20			18

	Change in Plan Assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		407			495			—			—
	Actual return on plan assets		33			54			—			—
	Employer contributions		26			7			1			1
	Plan participants' contributions		1			1			—			—
	Benefits paid		(39	)		(41	)		(1	)		(1	)
	Settlements		—			(109	)		—			—

	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		428			407			—			—

	Funded status at end of year	$	(214	)	$	(161	)	$	(20	)	$	(18	)


	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	(14	)	$	(9	)	$	(1	)	$	(1	)
	Other liabilities and deferred credits		(200	)		(152	)		(19	)		(17	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss		141			126			(2	)		(3	)
	Amounts recognized in the accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
	Unamortized net amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of taxes		162			125			(2	)		(3	)
	Unamortized amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan provisions, net of taxes		(21	)		1			—			—

	Total	$	141		$	126		$	(2	)	$	(3	)




Schedule of amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost during the next fiscal year
	We estimate that the following amounts will be amortized from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets into net periodic benefit cost during the year ending December 31, 2015:

		Pension			Other
		Benefits			Postretirement
					Benefits
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Expense resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions	$	23		$	—
	Credit resulting from changes in plan provisions		(4	)		—


Schedule of pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	583		$	97
	Fair value of plan assets		428			—


Schedule of pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Projected benefit obligation	$	642		$	568
	Fair value of plan assets		428			407


Schedule of components of net periodic benefit cost
		Pension									Other
		Benefits									Postretirement
											Benefits
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost
	Benefits earned during the year	$	37		$	38		$	32		$	1		$	1		$	1
	Interest accrued on benefits earned in prior years		27			27			30			1			1			1
	Expected return on plan assets		(28	)		(35	)		(34	)		—			—			—
	Amortization components
	Amount resulting from changes in plan provisions		1			1			1			—			—			—
	Net amount resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions		16			28			19			—			—			—
	Settlement loss		—			39			—			—			—			—

	Net periodic benefit cost	$	53		$	98		$	48		$	2		$	2		$	2




Schedule of weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
		Pension						Other
		Benefits						Postretirement
								Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Discount rate—Qualified Plans		3.97	%		4.86	%		3.74	%		4.37	%
	Discount rate—Non-Qualified Plans		3.83	%		4.75	%		—	%		—	%
	Rate of compensation increase		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%


Schedule of weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
		Pension									Other
		Benefits									Postretirement
											Benefits
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Discount rate—Qualified Plan		4.86	%		3.92	%		4.99	%		4.37	%		3.47	%		4.48	%
	Discount rate—Non-Qualified Plans		4.75	%		3.91	%		4.92	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		7.50	%		7.50	%		7.75	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
	Rate of compensation increase		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%


Schedule of assumed health care costs trend rates
		2014			2013			2012
	Health care cost trend rate		7.00	%		7.50	%		8.00	%
	Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)		5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
	Year that trend rate reaches the ultimate trend rate		2019			2018			2017


Schedule of fair value measurements of the plan assets
					Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014
		Total			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Percentage of
					in Active			Observable			Unobservable			Plan Assets
					Markets for			Inputs			Inputs			as of
					Identical			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			December 31,
					Assets									2014
					(Level 1)
		(Dollars in millions)
	Asset Category
	Common collective trusts
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3		$	—		$	3		$	—			1	%
	Equity securities:
	U.S. large-cap		72			—			72			—			17	%
	U.S. mid-cap growth		16			—			16			—			4	%
	International large-cap value		80			—			80			—			19	%
	Emerging markets growth		5			—			5			—			1	%
	Domestic real estate		24			24			—			—			6	%
	Fixed income		158			—			158			—			37	%
	Partnership and joint venture interests		26			—			—			26			6	%
	Insurance contracts at contract value		2			—			2			—			—	%
	Hedge funds		42			—			—			42			9	%

	Total	$	428		$	24		$	336		$	68			100	%



					Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
		Total			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Percentage of
					in Active			Observable			Unobservable			Plan Assets
					Markets for			Inputs			Inputs			as of
					Identical			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			December 31,
					Assets									2013
					(Level 1)
		(Dollars in millions)
	Asset Category
	Common collective trusts
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	6		$	—		$	6		$	—			1	%
	Equity securities:
	U.S. large-cap		58			—			58			—			14	%
	U.S. mid-cap growth		15			—			15			—			4	%
	International large-cap value		69			—			69			—			17	%
	Emerging markets growth		5			—			5			—			1	%
	Domestic real estate		27			27			—			—			7	%
	Fixed income		144			—			144			—			35	%
	Partnership and joint venture interests		31			—			—			31			8	%
	Insurance contracts at contract value		2			—			2			—			—	%
	Hedge funds		50			—			—			50			13	%

	Total	$	407		$	27		$	299		$	81			100	%




Schedule of fair value measurement of plans assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
		Partnerships			Hedge			Total
		and Joint			Funds
		Venture
		Interests
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	31		$	44		$	75
	Unrealized gains		2			6			8
	Purchases and sales		(2	)		—			(2	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2013		31			50			81
	Realized gains (losses)		(1	)		2			1
	Purchases and sales		(4	)		(10	)		(14	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	26		$	42		$	68




Schedule of expected benefit payments
		Estimated Future
		Benefit Payments
		Pension			Other
		Benefits			Postretirement
					Benefits
		(Dollars in Millions)
	2015	$	44		$	1
	2016		58			1
	2017		58			2
	2018		52			2
	2019		53			2
	2020-2024		292			10

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco1

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest
Schedule of shares repurchased and retired
			2014			2013			2012
			(Amounts in Millions,
			Except Per Share Amounts)
	Total cost of repurchased and retired shares		$	1,386		$	4,000		$	5,148
	Average price per share		$	73.82		$	57.54		$	48.24
	Number of shares repurchased and retired			19			70			107


Schedule of components of other comprehensive income (loss)
			2014									2013									2012
			Pre-tax			Tax			Net			Pre-tax			Tax			Net			Pre-tax			Tax			Net
			Amount			Benefit			Amount			Amount			Benefit			Amount			Amount			Benefit			Amount
						(Expense)									(Expense)									(Expense)
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Defined benefit plans:
	Gains (losses) related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period		$	(78	)	$	29		$	(49	)	$	35		$	(13	)	$	22		$	(73	)	$	28		$	(45	)
	Prior service credit arising during the period			33			(12	)		21			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost (1)			16			(6	)		10			66			(28	)		38			19			(7	)		12
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost (1)			—			—			—			2			(1	)		1			—			—			—
	Cash flow hedges:
	Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period			(142	)		55			(87	)		129			(49	)		80			(16	)		6			(10	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in "Other, net"			189			(72	)		117			(80	)		31			(49	)		(11	)		4			(7	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			(146	)		38			(108	)		(223	)		50			(173	)		(53	)		21			(32	)
	Available for sale securities:
	Unrealized holding losses on securities			—			—			—			—			—			—			(7	)		3			(4	)
	Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during period in "Other, net"			—			—			—			2			(1	)		1			—			—			—

	Other comprehensive loss		$	(128	)	$	32		$	(96	)	$	(69	)	$	(11	)	$	(80	)	$	(141	)	$	55		$	(86	)




	-1	Amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income components related to defined benefits plans are included in the computation of net period pension costs (See Note 14).


Schedule of changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
			Defined			Gains (Losses)			Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
			Benefit Plan			on Cash			Currency			Gains			Other
			Items			Flow Hedges			Items			(Losses)			Comprehensive
												on Available			Loss
												for Sale
												Securities
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2012		$	(151	)	$	—		$	(8	)	$	3		$	(156	)
	Other comprehensive loss			(33	)		(17	)		(32	)		(4	)		(86	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2012			(184	)		(17	)		(40	)		(1	)		(242	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			61			31			(173	)		1			(80	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2013			(123	)		14			(213	)		—			(322	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			(18	)		30			(108	)		—			(96	)

	Balance as of December 31, 2014		$	(141	)	$	44		$	(321	)	$	—		$	(418	)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Common Share
Schedule of reconciliation of the amounts used in the basic and diluted EPS
		Income		Shares		Per Share
		Income		Shares		Amounts
		(Dollars and Shares in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,756		505	$	5.46
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.06	)

	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,756		510	$	5.4


	Year Ended December 31, 2013:
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,859		548	$	5.22
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		5		(0.05	)

	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,859		553	$	5.17


	Year Ended December 31, 2012:
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,949		638	$	4.62
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		6		(0.04	)

	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	2,949		644	$	4.58

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation
Schedule of amounts recorded related to share-based compensation
		For the Years Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Share-based compensation expense recognized	$	104		$	100		$	109
	Tax benefits associated with share-based compensation expense		38			37			41
	Actual tax benefits realized for the deduction of share-based compensation expense		56			66			60


Schedule of changes in the status of outstanding restricted stock units

		Stock Units			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2014		5,813,983		$	47.4
	Granted		1,614,990			76.11
	Vested and distributed		(2,085,056	)		44.29
	Forfeited		(239,511	)		58.76

	Nonvested at December 31, 2014		5,104,406		$	58.13


	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014		5,071,323		$	56.53




Schedule of changes in the status of outstanding options
		Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-			Aggregate
		Under			Average			Average			Intrinsic
		Option			Exercise			Remaining			Value
					Price			Contractual
								Term
								(in years)			(in millions)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		3,379,209		$	30.2
	Granted		223,573			75.02
	Exercised		(1,155,676	)		20.57
	Forfeited or expired		(12,291	)		65.19

	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		2,434,815		$	38.71			5.3		$	117


	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014		2,434,815		$	38.71			5.3		$	117


	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		1,480,604		$	29.31			3.5		$	85




Share-Based Payment
Schedule of share-based payment award, valuation assumptions used in the fair value calculations

		2014			2013			2012
	Estimated grant-date fair value	$	26.68		$	16.84			$
	Estimated grant-date fair value	$	26.68		$	16.84			15.83
	Expected stock volatility		29.2	%		30.0	%		29.0	%
	Risk-free interest rate		2.19	%		1.38	%		1.08% - 1.41	%
	Expected option life (in years)		7.0			7.0			7.0


Liberty Transaction \| Persons Other Than Employees And Directors
Share-Based Payment
Schedule of weighted average fair values for stock-based awards assumed along with assumptions used in the fair value calculations
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Estimated fair value		$			$			$
	Estimated fair value		68.74			53.45			34.59
	Expected stock volatility		18.8	%		20.0	%		22.8	%
	Range of risk-free interest rates		0.04 - 0.67	%		0.07 - 0.78	%		0.02 - 0.36	%
	Range of expected option lives (in years)		0.4 - 2.4			0.2 - 3.4			0.2 - 4.4

Other_Income_and_Expenses_Tabl

Other Income and Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Other Income and Expenses (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses
Schedule of other income and expenses
			2014			2013			2012
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates (1)		$	133		$	198		$	131
	Interest rate swap gain			39			—			—
	Net gains from sale of investments			26			8			122
	Net foreign currency transaction loss			(22	)		(52	)		(34	)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(19	)		—			(64	)
	Other			(4	)		(3	)		(11	)
	Fair-value loss on non-employee stock options			(3	)		(7	)		(4	)
	DSN Northwest deconsolidation charge			—			(59	)		—
	ECAD settlement gain			—			21			—

	Total		$	150		$	106		$	140




	-1	Includes an increase in equity earnings from Sky Mexico of approximately $60 million related to the recognition of certain one-time tax benefits in 2013.

RelatedParty_Transactions_Tabl

Related-Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Related-Party Transactions (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Related-Party Transactions
Summary of revenues and expenses with related parties
		2014		2013		2012
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	10	$	9	$	5
	Expenses		1,068		965		874


Schedule of accounts receivable from and liabilities to related parties
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in
		Millions)
	Accounts receivable	$	26	$	18
	Accounts payable		123		100
	Short-term liability		149		0
	Long-term liability		1		69

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting
Selected information for operating segments

			External			Intersegment			Total			Operating			Depreciation		Operating Profit
			Revenues			Revenues			Revenues			Profit			and		(Loss) Before
												(Loss)			Amortization		Depreciation and
															Expense		Amortization (1)
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	25,993		$	8		$	26,001		$	4,749		$	1,722	$	6,471
	Sky Brasil			3,887						3,887			488			687		1,175
	Sky Brasil			3,887			—			3,887			488			687		1,175
	PanAmericana and Other			3,174			—			3,174			(46	)		520		474

	DIRECTV Latin America			7,061			—			7,061			442			1,207		1,649
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			206			(8			198			(63			14		(49
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			206			(8	)		198			(63	)		14		(49	)

	Total		$	33,260		$	—		$	33,260		$	5,128		$	2,943	$	8,071


	Year Ended December 31, 2013:
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	24,668		$	8		$	24,676		$	4,444		$	1,640	$	6,084
	Sky Brasil			3,753						3,753			529			723		1,252
	Sky Brasil			3,753			—			3,753			529			723		1,252
	PanAmericana and Other			3,091			—			3,091			247			444		691

	DIRECTV Latin America			6,844			—			6,844			776			1,167		1,943
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			242			(8			234			(70			21		(49
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			242			(8	)		234			(70	)		21		(49	)

	Total		$	31,754		$	—		$	31,754		$	5,150		$	2,828	$	7,978


	Year Ended December 31, 2012:
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	23,227		$	8		$	23,235		$	4,153		$	1,501	$	5,654
	Sky Brasil			3,501						3,501			555			533		1,088
	Sky Brasil			3,501			—			3,501			555			533		1,088
	PanAmericana and Other			2,743			—			2,743			400			374		774

	DIRECTV Latin America			6,244			—			6,244			955			907		1,862
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			269			(8			261			(23			29		6
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			269			(8	)		261			(23	)		29		6

	Total		$	29,740		$	—		$	29,740		$	5,085		$	2,437	$	7,522




	-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 (loss) 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 our Board of Directors separately measure and budget for capital expenditures and business acquisitions.


Reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation and amortization to reported net income

			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization		$	8,071		$	7,978		$	7,522
	Depreciation and amortization expense			(2,943	)		(2,828	)		(2,437	)

	Operating profit			5,128			5,150			5,085
	Interest income			68			72			59
	Interest expense			(898	)		(840	)		(842	)
	Other, net			150			106			140

	Income before income taxes			4,448			4,488			4,442
	Income tax expense			(1,673	)		(1,603	)		(1,465	)

	Net income			2,775			2,885			2,977
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			(19	)		(26	)		(28	)

	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,756		$	2,859		$	2,949




Schedule of capital expenditures and segment assets

			Years Ended and As of December 31,
			2014						2013						2012
			Capital			Segment			Capital			Segment			Capital		Segment
			Expenditures			Assets			Expenditures			Assets			Expenditures		Assets
			(Dollars in Millions)
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	1,757		$	16,719		$	2,050		$	13,446		$	1,741	$	12,490
	Sky Brasil			867			2,654			961			2,854			812		2,951
	PanAmericana and Other			580			4,671			759			4,004			786		3,335

	DIRECTV Latin America			1,447			7,325			1,720			6,858			1,598		6,286
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			21			1,415			16			1,601			10		1,779

	Total		$	3,225		$	25,459		$	3,786		$	21,905		$	3,349	$	20,555




Schedule of revenue and property, by geographical areas

			Years Ended and As of December 31,
			2014						2013						2012
			Revenues			Net Property &			Revenues			Net Property &			Revenues		Net Property &
			Revenues			Satellites			Revenues			Satellites			Revenues		Satellites
			(Dollars in Millions)
	United States		$	26,370		$	6,909		$	25,088		$	6,248		$	23,678	$	5,694
	Latin America and the Caribbean
	Brazil			3,887			1,582			3,753			1,597			3,501		1,626
	Other			3,003			1,270			2,913			1,272			2,561		1,075

	Total Latin America and the Caribbean			6,890			2,852			6,666			2,869			6,062		2,701

	Total		$	33,260		$	9,761		$	31,754		$	9,117		$	29,740	$	8,395

Selected_Quarterly_Data_Unaudi1

Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
Schedule of unaudited quarterly data
		1st		2nd		3rd		4th
		(Dollars in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	2014 Quarters
	Revenues	$	7,855	$	8,109	$	8,374	$	8,922
	Operating profit		1,227		1,424		1,222		1,255
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		561		806		611		778
	Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share	$	1.10	$	1.60	$	1.22	$	1.55
	Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share	$	1.09	$	1.59	$	1.21	$	1.53
	2013 Quarters
	2013 Quarters
	Revenues	$	7,580	$	7,700	$	7,880	$	8,594
	Operating profit		1,242		1,350		1,225		1,333
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		690		660		699		810
	Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share	$	1.21	$	1.19	$	1.29	$	1.55
	Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share	$	1.20	$	1.18	$	1.28	$	1.53

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	26,001		$	7,417		$	(158	)	$	33,260
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other			—			—			12,343			2,727			(140	)		14,930
	Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,519			804			(3	)		2,320
	Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			303			134			(7	)		430
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			2,853			809			(3	)		3,659
	Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			1,276			184			(4	)		1,456
	General and administrative expenses			98			1			1,235			780			(1	)		2,113
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge			—			—			—			281			—			281
	Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,722			1,221			—			2,943

	Total operating costs and expenses			98			1			21,251			6,940			(158	)		28,132

	Operating profit (loss)			(98	)		(1	)		4,750			477			—			5,128
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,807			3,053			—			2,518			(8,378	)		—
	Interest income			1			2			2			63			—			68
	Interest expense			(1	)		(858	)		(4	)		(35	)		—			(898	)
	Other, net			18			19			32			81			—			150

	Income before income tax			2,727			2,215			4,780			3,104			(8,378	)		4,448
	Income tax benefit (expense)			29			303			(1,727	)		(278	)		—			(1,673	)

	Net income			2,756			2,518			3,053			2,826			(8,378	)		2,775
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(19	)		—			(19	)

	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,756		$	2,518		$	3,053		$	2,807		$	(8,378	)	$	2,756


	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	24,676		$	7,141		$	(63	)	$	31,754
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other			—			—			11,616			2,430			(55	)		13,991
	Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,474			768			—			2,242
	Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			293			124			(8	)		409
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			2,642			777			—			3,419
	Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			1,350			197			—			1,547
	General and administrative expenses			70			—			1,217			715			—			2,002
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge			—			—			—			166			—			166
	Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,640			1,188			—			2,828

	Total operating costs and expenses			70			—			20,232			6,365			(63	)		26,604

	Operating profit (loss)			(70	)		—			4,444			776			—			5,150
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,900			2,880			—			2,349			(8,129	)		—
	Interest income			16			—			2			62			(8	)		72
	Interest expense			(1	)		(824	)		(3	)		(20	)		8			(840	)
	Other, net			(7	)		—			29			84			—			106

Income before income taxes			2,838			2,056			4,472			3,251			(8,129	)		4,488
Income tax benefit (expense)			21			293			(1,592	)		(325	)		—			(1,603	)

Net income			2,859			2,349			2,880			2,926			(8,129	)		2,885
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(26	)		—			(26	)

Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,859		$	2,349		$	2,880		$	2,900		$	(8,129	)	$	2,859


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
Revenues		$	—		$	59		$	23,235		$	6,583		$	(137	)	$	29,740
Operating costs and expenses
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other			—			—			10,743			2,355			(70	)		13,028
Subscriber service expenses			—			—			1,464			673			—			2,137
Broadcast operations expenses			—			—			306			116			(8	)		414
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs			—			—			2,673			724			—			3,397
Upgrade and retention costs			—			—			1,253			174			—			1,427
General and administrative expenses			42			1			1,201			630			(59	)		1,815
Depreciation and amortization expense			—			—			1,501			936			—			2,437

Total operating costs and expenses			42			1			19,141			5,608			(137	)		24,655

Operating profit (loss)			(42	)		58			4,094			975			—			5,085
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries			2,980			2,819			—			2,286			(8,085	)		—
Interest income			2			1			—			68			(12	)		59
Interest expense			(2	)		(773	)		(3	)		(76	)		12			(842	)
Other, net			(4	)		(65	)		33			176			—			140

Income before income taxes			2,934			2,040			4,124			3,429			(8,085	)		4,442
Income tax benefit (expense)			15			246			(1,305	)		(421	)		—			(1,465	)

Net income			2,949			2,286			2,819			3,008			(8,085	)		2,977
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(28	)		—			(28	)

Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,949		$	2,286		$	2,819		$	2,980		$	(8,085	)	$	2,949




Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income		$	2,756		$	2,518		$	3,053		$	2,826		$	(8,378	)	$	2,775
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Defined benefit plans:
	Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(49	)		—			—			—			—			(49	)
	Prior service credit arising during the period			21			—			—			—			—			21
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			10			—			—			—			—			10
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized losses arising during the period			(87	)		(87	)		—			(87	)		174			(87	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income			117			117			—			117			(234	)		117
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			(99	)		—			—			(108	)		99			(108	)

	Other comprehensive income (loss)			(87	)		30			—			(78	)		39			(96	)

	Comprehensive income			2,669			2,548			3,053			2,748			(8,339	)		2,679
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(10	)		—			(10	)

	Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,669		$	2,548		$	3,053		$	2,738		$	(8,339	)	$	2,669


	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income		$	2,859		$	2,349		$	2,880		$	2,926		$	(8,129	)	$	2,885
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Defined benefit plans:
	Gains related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			22			—			—			—			—			22
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			38			—			—			—			—			38
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost			1			—			—			—			—			1
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized gains arising during the period			80			80			—			80			(160	)		80
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income			(49	)		(49	)		—			(49	)		98			(49	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			(167	)		—			—			(173	)		167			(173	)
	Reclassification adjustment for net losses on securities recognized during the period			1			—			—			1			(1	)		1

	Other comprehensive income (loss)			(74	)		31			—			(141	)		104			(80	)

	Comprehensive income			2,785			2,380			2,880			2,785			(8,025	)		2,805
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(20	)		—			(20	)

	Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,785		$	2,380		$	2,880		$	2,765		$	(8,025	)	$	2,785


	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income		$	2,949		$	2,286		$	2,819		$	3,008		$	(8,085	)	$	2,977
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Defined benefit plans:
	Loss related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period			(45	)		—			—			—			—			(45	)
	Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost			12			—			—			—			—			12
	Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period			(10	)		(10	)		—			(10	)		20			(10	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income			(7	)		(7	)		—			(7	)		14			(7	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(17	)		—			—			(32	)		17			(32	)
Unrealized holding losses on securities			(4	)		—			—			(4	)		4			(4	)

Other comprehensive loss			(71	)		(17	)		—			(53	)		55			(86	)

Comprehensive income			2,878			2,269			2,819			2,955			(8,030	)		2,891
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			(13	)		—			(13	)

Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV		$	2,878		$	2,269		$	2,819		$	2,942		$	(8,030	)	$	2,878




Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of December 31, 2014

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	ASSETS
	Total current assets		$	1,201		$	3,690		$	2,964		$	1,592		$	(628	)	$	8,819
	Satellites, net			—			—			1,717			1,323			—			3,040
	Property and equipment, net			—			—			3,891			2,830			—			6,721
	Goodwill			—			1,828			1,363			738			—			3,929
	Intangible assets, net			—			—			512			490			(8	)		994
	Intercompany receivables			4,975			11,698			28,132			1,143			(45,948	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries			(9,341	)		21,337			—			(10,725	)		(1,271	)		—
	Other assets			134			99			670			1,185			(132	)		1,956

	Total assets		$	(3,031	)	$	38,652		$	39,249		$	(1,424	)	$	(47,987	)	$	25,459


	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
	Total current liabilities		$	527		$	1,454		$	4,244		$	1,362		$	(628	)	$	6,959
	Long-term debt			—			19,327			—			158			—			19,485
	Deferred income taxes			—			33			1,736			89			(132	)		1,726
	Intercompany liabilities			1,212			28,110			11,698			4,928			(45,948	)		—
	Other liabilities and deferred credits			443			453			234			995			(8	)		2,117
	Stockholders' equity (deficit)
	Common stock and additional paid-in capital			3,613			432			5,403			3,489			(9,324	)		3,613
	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(8,408	)		(11,202	)		15,934			(12,554	)		7,822			(8,408	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(418	)		45			—			(276	)		231			(418	)

	Total DIRECTV stockholders' equity (deficit)			(5,213	)		(10,725	)		21,337			(9,341	)		(1,271	)		(5,213	)
	Noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			385			—			385

	Total stockholders' equity (deficit)			(5,213	)		(10,725	)		21,337			(8,956	)		(1,271	)		(4,828	)

	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)		$	(3,031	)	$	38,652		$	39,249		$	(1,424	)	$	(47,987	)	$	25,459


	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of December 31, 2013

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(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			4,799			7,820			20,988			1,386			(34,993	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries			(10,177	)		17,812			—			(12,247	)		4,612			—
	Other assets			92			190			361			1,416			(114	)		1,945

	Total assets		$	(4,307	)	$	28,783		$	31,350		$	(2,907	)	$	(31,014	)	$	21,905


	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
	Total current liabilities		$	448		$	1,478		$	3,812		$	1,303		$	(511	)	$	6,530
	Long-term debt			—			18,203			—			81			—			18,284
	Deferred income taxes			—			9			1,632			277			(114	)		1,804
	Intercompany liabilities			1,390			21,019			7,820			4,764			(34,993	)		—
	Other liabilities and deferred credits			399			321			274			470			(8	)		1,456
Redeemable noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			375			—			375
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital			3,652			25			4,930			3,671			(8,626	)		3,652
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(9,874	)		(12,286	)		12,882			(13,620	)		13,024			(9,874	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(322	)		14			—			(228	)		214			(322	)

Total stockholders' equity (deficit)			(6,544	)		(12,247	)		17,812			(10,177	)		4,612			(6,544	)

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)		$	(4,307	)	$	28,783		$	31,350		$	(2,907	)	$	(31,014	)	$	21,905




Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows from operating activities
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	1,056		$	(2,008	)	$	6,471		$	1,962		$	(1,112	)	$	6,369

	Cash flows from investing activities
	Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,684	)		(1,256	)		—			(2,940	)
	Cash paid for satellites			—			—			(73	)		(212	)		—			(285	)
	Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(1	)		(46	)		—			(47	)
	Proceeds from sale of investments			—			—			16			16			—			32
	Return of capital from subsidiary			425			—			—			—			(425	)		—
	Intercompany payments (funding)			270			(1,258	)		(5,969	)		159			6,798			—
	Other, net			—			—			—			(123	)		—			(123	)

	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			695			(1,258	)		(7,711	)		(1,462	)		6,373			(3,363	)

	Cash flows from financing activities
	Proceeds from short-term borrowings			—			301			—			—			—			301
	Repayment of short-term borrowings			—			(501	)		—			—			—			(501	)
	Proceeds from long-term debt			—			2,437			—			213			—			2,650
	Debt issuance costs			—			(14	)		—			—			—			(14	)
	Repayment of long-term debt			—			(1,000	)		—			(66	)		—			(1,066	)
	Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(30	)		(39	)		—			(69	)
	Common shares repurchased and retired			(1,386	)		—			—			—			—			(1,386	)
	Stock Options Exercised			21			—			—			—			—			21
	Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation			(60	)		—			(50	)		(10	)		60			(60	)
	Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			23			—			19			4			(23	)		23
	Intercompany payments (funding)			(167	)		5,965			1,315			(315	)		(6,798	)		—
	Cash dividend to Parent			—			(1,500	)		—			—			1,500			—
	Other, net			—			(22	)		—			(45	)		—			(67	)

	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(1,569	)		5,666			1,254			(258	)		(5,261	)		(168	)

	Effect of exchange rate changes in Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents			—			—			—			(383	)		—			(383	)

	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			182			2,400			14			(141	)		—			2,455
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year			498			791			6			885			—			2,180

	Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		$	680		$	3,191		$	20		$	744		$	—		$	4,635


	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

			Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
			Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows from operating activities
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	2,300		$	(1,902	)	$	6,525		$	1,811		$	(2,340	)	$	6,394

	Cash flows from investing activities
	Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,852	)		(1,557	)		—			(3,409	)
	Cash paid for satellites			—			—			(198	)		(179	)		—			(377	)
	Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(53	)		(13	)		—			(66	)
	Proceeds from sale of investments			—			—			12			245			—			257
	Return of capital from subsidiary			1,897			—			—			—			(1,897	)		—
	Intercompany funding			(248	)		(1,157	)		(5,537	)		(188	)		7,130			—
	Other, net			—			—			(67	)		(91	)		—			(158	)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			1,649			(1,157	)		(7,695	)		(1,783	)		5,233			(3,753	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net			—			(155	)		—			—			—			(155	)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			—			556			—			—			—			556
Repayment of short-term borrowings			—			(559	)		—			—			—			(559	)
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			10			—			—			—			10
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			(10	)		—			—			—			(10	)
Proceeds from long-term debt			—			1,947			—			152			—			2,099
Debt issuance costs			—			(12	)		—			—			—			(12	)
Repayment of long-term debt			—			—			—			(15	)		—			(15	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(24	)		(39	)		—			(63	)
Common shares repurchased and retired			(4,000	)		—			—			—			—			(4,000	)
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			178			5,535			1,220			197			(7,130	)		—
Cash dividend to Parent			—			(4,200	)		—			—			4,200			—
Other, net			—			10			—			—			—			10

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(3,859	)		3,122			1,165			289			(2,893	)		(2,176	)

Effect of exchange rate changes in Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents			—			—			—			(187	)		—			(187	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			90			63			(5	)		130			—			278
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year			408			728			11			755			—			1,902

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		$	498		$	791		$	6		$	885		$	—		$	2,180


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor			Co-Issuers			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	2,055		$	(1,820	)	$	5,947		$	1,608		$	(2,156	)	$	5,634

Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment			—			—			(1,488	)		(1,472	)		—			(2,960	)
Cash paid for satellites			—			—			(253	)		(136	)		—			(389	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired			—			—			(7	)		(9	)		—			(16	)
Proceeds from sale of investments			—			—			24			—			—			24
Return of capital from subsidiary			3,775			—			—			—			(3,775	)		—
Intercompany funding			(369	)		(917	)		(5,118	)		(4	)		6,408			—
Other, net			—			—			—			(22	)		—			(22	)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			3,406			(917	)		(6,842	)		(1,643	)		2,633			(3,363	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net			—			156			—			—			—			156
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			—			202			—			—			—			202
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			400			—			—			—			400
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility			—			(400	)		—			—			—			(400	)
Proceeds from long-term debt			—			5,190			—			—			—			5,190
Debt issuance costs			—			(36	)		—			—			—			(36	)
Repayment of long-term debt			—			(1,500	)		—			—			—			(1,500	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations			—			—			(21	)		(30	)		—			(51	)
Common shares repurchased and retired			(5,175	)		—			—			—			—			(5,175	)
Stock options exercised			3			—			—			—			—			3
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation			(61	)		—			(52	)		(9	)		61			(61	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			30			—			25			5			(30	)		30
Intercompany payments			21			5,125			950			312			(6,408	)		—
Cash dividend to Parent			—			(5,900	)		—			—			5,900			—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(5,182	)		3,237			902			278			(477	)		(1,242	)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			279			500			7			243			—			1,029
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year			129			228			4			512			—			873

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		$	408		$	728		$	11		$	755		$	—		$	1,902

Description_of_Business_Detail

Description of Business (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 16, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	18-May-14
	Apr. 16, 2013	item	18-May-14
Game Show Network, LLC
Ownership interests
Ownership percentage of equity method investment		42.00%
Sky Brasil
Ownership interests
Ownership percentage in subsidiary		93.00%
DSN
Ownership interests
Number of regional sports networks owned and operated by the entity		2
Number of regional sports networks the company as a noncontrolling interest in		2
Ownership interest transferred (as a percent)	100.00%
AT&T
Proposed AT&T Merger Transaction
Stock price at closing, low end (in dollars per share)			$34.90
Stock price at closing, high end (in dollars per share)			$38.58
AT&T \| DIRECTV
Proposed AT&T Merger Transaction
Share price (in dollars per share)			$95
Share price in cash (in dollars per share)			$28.50
Share price in stock (in dollars per share)			$66.50
Stock portion of shares to be received by shareholders if stock price is below $34.90 at closing			1.905
Stock portion of shares to be received by shareholders if stock price is above $38.58 at closing			1.724
Sky Mexico
Ownership interests
Ownership percentage of equity method investment		41.00%

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue Recognition
Maximum contract period for subscribers under multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements	2 years
Subscriber Acquisition Costs
Period over which commissions for customer acquisitions are earned by retailer or dealer	12 months
Minimum
Goodwill and Intangibles Assets
Estimated useful lives	4 years
Maximum
Goodwill and Intangibles Assets
Estimated useful lives	20 years

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ3

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Capitalized Software Costs
Unamortized capitalized software costs	$941	$771
Depreciation expense of capitalized software costs	$391	$331	$292

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ4

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Advertising Costs
Advertising expense	$578,000,000	$548,000,000	$514,000,000
Maximum
Share-Based Payment
Requisite service period over which compensation expense for stock based awards is recognized	3 years
Market Concentrations and Credit Risk
Amount of credit extended to individual residential subscribers	$200

Acquisiton_and_Divestiture_Det

Acquisiton and Divestiture (Details) (HSH, USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014
DSN
Acquisitions
Equity interest acquired (as a percent)	60.00%
Contribution to regional sports network for operations	$30
AT and T
Acquisitions
Equity interest acquired (as a percent)	40.00%

Acqusition_and_Divestiture_Det

Acqusition and Divestiture (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 16, 2013
Divestitures
Pre-tax charge on deconsolidation	$59
DSN
Divestitures
Ownership interest transferred (as a percent)		100.00%
Pre-tax charge on deconsolidation		59
After-tax charge on deconsolidation		$56

Accounts_Receivable_Net_Detail

Accounts Receivable, Net (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, gross	$2,909	$2,642
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	-109	-95
Accounts receivable, net	2,800	2,547
Subscriber
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, gross	1,889	1,775
Telco
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, gross	579	475
Trade and other
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, gross	$441	$392

Satellites_Net_and_Property_an2

Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Satellites, total	$4,833	$4,230
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-1,793	-1,763
Satellites, net	3,040	2,467
Property and equipment, total	17,325	16,320
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-10,604	-9,670
Property and equipment, net	6,721	6,650
Depreciation expense, including amortization of property and equipment and satellites held under capital leases	2,889	2,780	2,342
Interest costs capitalized	35	41	24
Land
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, total	76	41
Building and Leasehold Improvements
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, total	548	434
Building and Leasehold Improvements \| Minimum
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Estimated useful lives	2 years
Building and Leasehold Improvements \| Maximum
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Machinery and equipment
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, total	2,221	2,069
Machinery and equipment \| Minimum
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Estimated useful lives	2 years
Machinery and equipment \| Maximum
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Estimated useful lives	23 years
Capitalized Software
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, total	3,478	2,923
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Subscriber leased equipment - set-top receivers
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, total	10,445	10,176
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-6,175	-5,778
Property and equipment, net	4,270	4,398
Subscriber leased equipment - set-top receivers \| Minimum
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Subscriber leased equipment - set-top receivers \| Maximum
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Estimated useful lives	7 years
Construction in-progress
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, total	557	677
Satellites
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Satellites, total	3,599	3,164
Satellites \| Minimum
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Satellites \| Maximum
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Estimated useful lives	16 years
Satellites under construction
Satellites, net and property and equipment, net
Satellites, total	$1,234	$1,066

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	$3,970	$4,063
Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment	-41	-49
DSN Northwest Transaction		-73
Acquisitions		29
Goodwill, ending balance	3,929	3,970
DIRECTV U.S.
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance		3,177
Acquisitions		14
Goodwill, ending balance	3,191	3,191
Sky Brasil
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	346	380
Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment	-41	-49
Acquisitions		15
Goodwill, ending balance	305	346
PanAmericana and Other
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance			211
Goodwill, ending balance	211	211	211
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance		295
DSN Northwest Transaction		-73
Goodwill, ending balance	$222	$222

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible assets
Intangible assets, gross amount	$1,612	$1,486
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	618	566
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total	994	920
Amortization expense of intangible assets	54	48	95
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets
2015	57
2016	57
2017	57
2018	55
2019	51
Thereafter	285
Goodwill impairment losses	0	0	0
Minimum
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	4 years
Maximum
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Satellite rights
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross amount	78	88
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	25	22
Finite-lived intangible assets, net amount	53	66
Subscriber related
Intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross amount	330	363
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	310	336
Finite-lived intangible assets, net amount	20	27
Subscriber related \| Minimum
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Subscriber related \| Maximum
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Dealer network
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross amount	130	130
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	130	127
Finite-lived intangible assets, net amount		3
Trade names, spectrum licenses and other
Intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross amount	483	350
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	91	61
Finite-lived intangible assets, net amount	392	289
Trade names, spectrum licenses and other \| Minimum
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	4 years
Trade names, spectrum licenses and other \| Maximum
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Distribution agreements
Intangible assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross amount	159	123
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	62	20
Finite-lived intangible assets, net amount	97	103
Distribution agreements \| Minimum
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	6 years
Distribution agreements \| Maximum
Intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Orbital slots
Intangible assets
Indefinite intangible assets	432	432
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets
Accumulated impairment losses	$0	$0

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012
Equity Method Investments
Investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting		$1,385	$1,239
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates		133	198	131
Dividends received		28	41	79
Undistributed earnings from equity method investments		600	488
Sky Mexico
Equity Method Investments
Investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting		675	644
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates		58	134	62
Amortization of definite lived intangibles in equity earnings		1	1	4
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		41.00%
Game Show Network, LLC
Equity Method Investments
Investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting		345	324
Cash proceeds from sale of equity method investment			234
Gain on sale of equity method investment, before tax	111
Gain on sale of equity method investment, after tax	68
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates		21	33	42
Amortization of definite lived intangibles in equity earnings		7	7	10
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	42.00%			42.00%	60.00%
Sale of ownership interest in GSN (as a percent)	18.00%
Exercise price purchase of additional interest by parties	234
NW Sports Net LLC
Equity Method Investments
Investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting		100	92
Other equity method investments
Equity Method Investments
Investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting		265	179
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates		$54	$31	$27

Investments_Details_2

Investments (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments
Non-marketable equity securities	$61	$73
Marketable equity securities, carried at fair value	$0	$1

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L2

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Programming costs	$2,521	$2,368
Accounts payable	1,584	1,070
Payroll and employee benefits	411	392
Other	532	855
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	5,048	4,685
Accounts payable to vendors for property and equipment	23	70
Accounts payable to vendors for satellites	$0	$0

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current debt, Commercial paper		$200
Current debt, Current portion of long-term debt	1,200	1,000
Long-term debt, Senior notes	19,327	18,203
Total debt	20,812	19,540
BNDES Financing Facility
Current debt, Current portion of borrowings under financing facility	127	56
Long-term debt, borrowings under financing facility	140	81
Desenvolve SP Credit Facility
Long-term debt, borrowings under financing facility	$18

Debt_Details_2

Debt (Details 2)	12 Months Ended					1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended									1 Months Ended				1 Months Ended									12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended					1 Months Ended										1 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	31-May-13	31-May-13	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	31-May-12
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	VEF	VEF	Total Senior notes	Senior notes 4.750% due 2014	Senior notes 4.750% due 2014	Senior notes 4.750% due 2014	Senior notes 4.750% due 2014	Senior notes 3.550% due 2015	Senior notes 3.550% due 2015	Senior notes 3.125% due 2016	Senior notes 3.125% due 2016	Senior notes 3.500% due 2016	Senior notes 3.500% due 2016	Senior notes 2.400% due 2017	Senior notes 2.400% due 2017	Senior notes 2.400% due 2017	Senior notes 2.400% due 2017	Senior notes 1.750% due 2018	Senior notes 1.750% due 2018	Senior notes 1.750% due 2018	Senior notes 5.875% due 2019	Senior notes 5.875% due 2019	Senior notes 5.200% Due 2020	Senior notes 5.200% Due 2020	Senior notes 4.600% due 2021	Senior notes 4.600% due 2021	Senior notes 5.000% due 2021	Senior notes 5.000% due 2021	Senior notes 3.800% due 2022	Senior notes 3.800% due 2022	Senior notes 3.800% due 2022	Senior notes 3.800% due 2022	Senior notes 2.750% due 2023	Senior notes 2.750% due 2023	Senior notes 2.750% due 2023	Senior notes 2.750% due 2023	Senior notes 4.450% due 2024	Senior notes 4.450% due 2024	Senior Notes 3.950% due 2025	Senior notes 4.375% due 2029	Senior notes 4.375% due 2029	Senior notes 4.375% due 2029	Senior notes 4.375% due 2029	Senior notes 5.200% due 2033	Senior notes 5.200% due 2033	Senior notes 5.200% due 2033	Senior notes 5.200% due 2033	Senior notes 6.350% due 2040	Senior notes 6.350% due 2040	Senior notes 6.000% due 2040	Senior notes 6.000% due 2040	Senior notes 6.375% due 2041	Senior notes 6.375% due 2041	Senior notes 5.150% due 2042	Senior notes 5.150% due 2042	Senior notes 5.150% due 2042	Senior notes 5.150% due 2042	Senior notes 7.625% due 2016
						USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)		USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	GBP (£)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	GBP (£)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)		USD ($)
Debt instrument
Basis for variable interest rate							Treasury Rate
Interest rate added to variable base rate (as a percent)							40.00%
Principal amount	$20,518					$4,000	$1,000				$1,200		$750		$1,500		$1,250	$1,250			$750	$750		$1,000		$1,300		$1,000		$1,500		$1,500	$1,500			$650	€ 500	$605		$1,250	$1,250	$1,200	$1,208	£ 750	$1,168		$560	£ 350	$545		$500		$1,250		$1,000		$1,250	$1,250
Cash payment to redeem Notes								1,022																																																					1,614
Senior notes	20,527	19,203								1,000	1,200	1,200	750	750	1,499	1,499		1,249	1,249			746	744	996	996	1,299	1,299	999	999	1,506	1,495		1,520	1,499				602	684		1,285	1,192			1,157	1,229			543	577	500	500	1,236	1,235	1,000	1,000		1,248	1,248
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)							4.75%		4.75%		3.55%		3.13%		3.50%		2.40%	2.40%		2.40%	1.75%	1.75%		5.88%		5.20%		4.60%		5.00%		3.80%	3.80%		3.80%	2.75%	2.75%	2.75%		4.45%	4.45%	3.95%	4.38%	4.38%	4.38%		5.20%	5.20%	5.20%		6.35%		6.00%		6.38%		5.15%	5.15%		5.15%	7.63%
Proceeds, net of discount	2,650	2,099	5,190			3,996											1,249				743											1,499				646	497			1,245		1,192	1,194	742			558	349									1,248
U.S. dollars based exchange rate				6.3	4.3																															1.3							1.61				1.6
Debt issuance costs						25															4															4				7		7	9				4
Fair value adjustment																														10			20								39
Senior notes repurchased as a percentage of outstanding principal amount																																																													103.81%
Pre-tax charge on repayment of remaining principal	19		64																																																										64
After-tax charge on repayment of remaining principal																																																													40
Premium paid for redemption of debt																																																													57
Write-off of deferred debt issuance and other transaction costs																																																													7
Repayment of long-term debt																																																													$1,500

Debt_Details_3

Debt (Details 3)

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Nov. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 28, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 27, 2012

Sep. 28, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Commercial Paper.

Previous Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility, Series One

Revolving Credit Facility, Series Two

Desenvolve SP Credit Facility

BNDES Financing Facility

USD ($)

Sky Brasil

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

BRL

Set-top receivers

item

USD ($)

BRL

Debt instrument

Senior notes, fair value

$22,044,000,000

$19,424,000,000

2015

1,200,000,000

127,000,000

338,000,000

2016

2,250,000,000

103,000,000

274,000,000

2017

1,250,000,000

37,000,000

98,000,000

2018

750,000,000

2019

1,000,000,000

Thereafter

14,068,000,000

Interest accrued on outstanding debt

278,000,000

271,000,000

Borrowings under the credit facility

400,000,000

Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility

400,000,000

Current debt, Commercial paper

200,000,000

358,000,000

Borrowing capacity under credit facility

2,000,000,000

1,000,000,000

1,500,000,000

Borrowing capacity under credit facility

2,500,000,000

Installment period of repayment from date of each borrowing

5 years

Term of line of credit facility

3 years 6 months

5 years

Loans outstanding

18,000,000

48,000,000

267,000,000

710,000,000

137,000,000

320,000,000

U.S. dollars based exchange rate

2.66

2.34

2.66

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

133 days

Weighted average yield (as a percent)

0.41%

Additional borrowing capacity

500,000,000

Original purchase price

385,000,000

1,024,000,000

Restricted cash

$10,000,000

$7,000,000

Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)

2.50%

5.11%

3.07%

Number of monthly installments to repay borrowings

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)

12 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

31-May-13

Dec. 31, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

31-May-13

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

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 5.000% due 2021

Senior notes 3.800% due 2022

Cash flow hedges

Cross-currency swap contracts

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate lock contracts

Fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Cash flow hedges

Fair Value Hedges

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

Cash flow hedges

USD ($)

Senior notes 5.000% due in 2021 and senior notes 3.800% due in 2022 and senior notes 4.450% due in 2024

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Derivative financial instruments

Assets

$20

$115

$112

$12

Liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments

5,418

2,918

2,418

500

3,000

Cash collateral from counterparties

Principal

20,518

1,168

1,208

750

605

650

500

545

560

350

1,250

1,500

750

500

3,000

Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)

4.38%

2.75%

5.20%

4.45%

5.00%

3.80%

4.38%

2.75%

4.45%

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into other, net

189

-80

-11

189

-80

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

117

-49

-7

117

-49

Amount of ineffectiveness measured

Net foreign currency transaction gains (losses)

189

-80

Aggregate cash proceeds received

104

Increase in carrying amount of debt instrument

Gain on termination of derivative financial instruments

Amount recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss"

Amount of ineffectiveness measured

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current tax expense:
U.S. federal	$1,296	$911	$980
Foreign	240	293	309
State and local	102	176	113
Total	1,638	1,380	1,402
Deferred tax expense (benefit):
U.S. federal	-56	224	-25
Foreign	38	34	63
State and local	53	-35	25
Total	35	223	63
Total income tax expense	1,673	1,603	1,465
Income before income taxes
U.S. income	3,853	3,509	3,442
Foreign income	595	979	1,000
Income before income taxes	4,448	4,488	4,442
Reconciliation of income tax expense
Expected expense at U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	1,557	1,571	1,555
U.S. state and local income tax expense, net of federal benefit	71	91	87
Change in unrecognized tax benefits and settlements	28	-28	-154
Foreign taxes, net of federal tax benefits	-49	-21	-3
Change in valuation allowance		-16	3
Currency devaluation	121	29
Tax credits	-79	-44	-30
Other	24	21	7
Total income tax expense	1,673	1,603	1,465
Deferred Tax Assets
Accruals and advances	433	471
State taxes	52	33
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	842	847
Programming contract liabilities	33	18
Tax basis differences in investments and affiliates	219	203
Subtotal	1,579	1,572
Valuation allowance	-346	-367
Total deferred taxes	1,233	1,205
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Accruals and advances	313	275
Prepaid expenses	40	32
Depreciation, amortization and asset impairment charges	1,785	1,745
Unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses	11	23
Tax basis differences in investments and affiliates	837	853
Other	1	10
Total deferred taxes	2,987	2,938
Noncurrent deferred tax assets included in Investment and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	18	1
Current deferred tax liabilities included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	97	70
Prepaid income taxes included in Prepaid expenses and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	$465	$423

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
U.S. federal
Income Taxes
Operating loss carryforward	$23
Foreign
Income Taxes
Operating loss carryforward	1,300
Tax credit carryforward	221
State and local
Income Taxes
Operating loss carryforward	$2

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries deemed permanently reinvested
U.S. federal income tax statutory rate	35.00%
U.S. federal
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries deemed permanently reinvested
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries deemed permanently reinvested	103
Venezuela
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries deemed permanently reinvested
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries deemed permanently reinvested	558

Income_Taxes_Details_4

Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at the beginning of the period	$589	$278	$390
Increases in tax positions for prior years	47	126
Decreases in tax positions for prior years	-53	-3	-6
Increases in tax positions for the current year	209	214	35
Settlements with taxing authorities	-6	-25
Expirations of the statute of limitations	-2	-1	-141
Balance at the end of the period	784	589	278
Portion of Unrecognized tax benefits which would affect the annual effective income tax rate	669
Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense	12	38	12
Accrued interest and penalties for unrecognized tax benefits	$67	$70
Period for which income tax returns are subject to examination in other state and foreign tax jurisdictions	3 years

Capital_Lease_Obligations_Deta

Capital Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Future minimum capital lease payments
2015	$149
2016	145
2017	137
2018	125
2019	120
Thereafter	598
Total minimum lease payments	1,274
Less: Amount representing interest	-292
Present value of net minimum lease payments	982
Assets held under capital lease
Interest paid on capital leases	37	41	47
Satellite
Assets held under capital lease
Assets held under capital lease, gross	1,116	484
Assets held under capital lease, accumulated amortization	-311	-251
Assets held under capital lease, net	805	233
Property and equipment
Assets held under capital lease
Assets held under capital lease, gross	149	140
Assets held under capital lease, accumulated amortization	-74	-53
Assets held under capital lease, net	$75	$87

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits
Change in Net Benefit Obligation
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	$568	$664
Service cost	37	38	32
Interest cost	27	27	30
Plan participants' contributions	1	1
Actuarial (gain) loss	81	-12
Benefits paid	-39	-41
Plan change	-33
Settlements		-109
Net benefit obligation at end of year	642	568	664
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	407	495
Actual return on plan assets	33	54
Employer contributions	26	7
Plan participants' contributions	1	1
Benefits paid	-39	-41
Settlements		-109
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	428	407	495
Funded status at end of year	-214	-161
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-14	-9
Other liabilities and deferred credits	-200	-152
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	141	126
Amounts recognized in the accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
Unamortized net amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of taxes	162	125
Unamortized amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan provisions, net of taxes	-21	1
Total	141	126
Amount amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost
Expense resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions	23
Credit resulting from changes in plan provisions	-4
Accumulated benefit obligation	583	493
Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Plan benefits, participating employees age limit	65 years
Change in Net Benefit Obligation
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	18	21
Service cost	1	1	1
Interest cost	1	1	1
Actuarial (gain) loss	1	-4
Benefits paid	-1	-1
Net benefit obligation at end of year	20	18	21
Change in Plan Assets
Employer contributions	1	1
Benefits paid	-1	-1
Funded status at end of year	-20	-18
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-1	-1
Other liabilities and deferred credits	-19	-17
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	-2	-3
Amounts recognized in the accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
Unamortized net amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of taxes	-2	-3
Total	($2)	($3)
Other Postretirement Benefits \| Minimum
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Employees' retirement age, eligible for participation in the plan	55 years
Other Postretirement Benefits \| Maximum
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Employees' retirement age, eligible for participation in the plan	65 years

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme3

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Information for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets	$428
Assumed health care costs trend rates
Health care cost trend rate (as a percent)	7.00%	7.50%	8.00%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate, as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Year that trend rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2019	2018	2017
Other investment
Target allocation by major asset categories
Minimum target allocation (as a percent)	0.00%
Maximum target allocation (as a percent)	40.00%
Debt securities
Target allocation by major asset categories
Minimum target allocation (as a percent)	30.00%
Maximum target allocation (as a percent)	50.00%
Equity securities:
Target allocation by major asset categories
Minimum target allocation (as a percent)	20.00%
Maximum target allocation (as a percent)	60.00%
Pension Benefits
Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Accumulated benefit obligation	583	97
Information for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	642	568
Fair value of plan assets	428	407
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Benefits earned during the year	37	38	32
Interest accrued on benefits earned in prior years	27	27	30
Expected return on plan assets	-28	-35	-34
Net periodic benefit cost	53	98	48
Amortization components
Amount resulting from changes in plan provisions	1	1	1
Net amount resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions	16	28	19
Settlement loss		39
Assumptions
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension costs
Expected long-term return on plan assets (as a percent)	7.50%	7.50%	7.75%
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Pension Benefits \| Qualified Plans
Assumptions
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.97%	4.86%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension costs
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.86%	3.92%	4.99%
Pension Benefits \| Non-Qualified Plans
Assumptions
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.83%	4.75%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension costs
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.75%	3.91%	4.92%
Other Postretirement Benefits
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Benefits earned during the year	1	1	1
Interest accrued on benefits earned in prior years	1	1	1
Net periodic benefit cost	$2	2	2
Assumptions
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension costs
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Other Postretirement Benefits \| Qualified Plans
Assumptions
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.74%	4.37%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension costs
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.37%	3.47%	4.48%

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme4

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Number of shares of common stock included in plan assets	0
401 (k) plans
Employer contributions match	$37	$34	$30
Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	428	407	495
Percentage of plan assets	100.00%	100.00%
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	428	407	495
Expected future benefit payments
2015	44
2016	58
2017	58
2018	52
2019	53
2020-2024	292
Pension Benefits \| Qualified Plans
Contributions
Expected contribution in 2014	30
Pension Benefits \| Non-Qualified Plans
Contributions
Expected contribution in 2014	9
Other Postretirement Benefits
Expected future benefit payments
2015	1
2016	1
2017	2
2018	2
2019	2
2020-2024	10
Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	428	407
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	428	407
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	24	27
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	24	27
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	336	299
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	336	299
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	68	81
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	81	75
Unrealized gains		8
Realized gains (losses)	1
Purchases and sales	-14	-2
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	68	81
Cash and cash equivalents \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Percentage of plan assets	1.00%	1.00%
Cash and cash equivalents \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	3	6
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	3	6
Cash and cash equivalents \| Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	3	6
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	3	6
U.S. large-cap \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Percentage of plan assets	17.00%	14.00%
U.S. large-cap \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	72	58
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	72	58
U.S. large-cap \| Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	72	58
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	72	58
U.S. mid-cap growth \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Percentage of plan assets	4.00%	4.00%
U.S. mid-cap growth \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	16	15
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	16	15
U.S. mid-cap growth \| Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	16	15
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	16	15
International large-cap value \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Percentage of plan assets	19.00%	17.00%
International large-cap value \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	80	69
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	80	69
International large-cap value \| Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	80	69
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	80	69
Emerging markets growth \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Percentage of plan assets	1.00%	1.00%
Emerging markets growth \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	5	5
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	5	5
Emerging markets growth \| Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	5	5
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	5	5
Domestic real estate \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Percentage of plan assets	6.00%	7.00%
Domestic real estate \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	24	27
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	24	27
Domestic real estate \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	24	27
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	24	27
Fixed income \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Percentage of plan assets	37.00%	35.00%
Fixed income \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	158	144
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	158	144
Fixed income \| Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	158	144
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	158	144
Partnership and joint venture interests \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Percentage of plan assets	6.00%	8.00%
Partnership and joint venture interests \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	26	31
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	26	31
Partnership and joint venture interests \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	26	31
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	31	31
Unrealized gains		2
Realized gains (losses)	-1
Purchases and sales	-4	-2
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	26	31
Insurance contracts at contract value \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	2	2
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2	2
Insurance contracts at contract value \| Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	2	2
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2	2
Hedge funds \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Percentage of plan assets	9.00%	13.00%
Hedge funds \| Total \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	42	50
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	42	50
Hedge funds \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans
Fair value of plan assets	42	50
Fair value measurement of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	50	44
Unrealized gains		6
Realized gains (losses)	2
Purchases and sales	-10
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$42	$50

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco2

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	item	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
Number of votes per share of common stock	1
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco3

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2014
Information regarding shares repurchased and retired
Total cost of repurchased and retired shares	$1,386,000,000	$4,000,000,000	$5,148,000,000
Average price per share (in dollars per share)	$73.82	$57.54	$48.24
Number of shares repurchased and retired	18,774,194	69,510,155	106,691,615
Amount paid for stock repurchases	1,386,000,000	4,000,000,000	5,175,000,000
Estimated fair value of Globo's interest in Sky Brasil		375,000,000
Sky Brasil
Information regarding shares repurchased and retired
Estimated fair value of Globo's interest in Sky Brasil		375,000,000
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage		7.00%
Maximum
Information regarding shares repurchased and retired
Stock repurchases authorized				$3,500,000,000

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco4

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Gains (losses) related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period
Pre-Tax	($78)	$35	($73)
Tax Benefit (Expense)	29	-13	28
Net of Tax	-49	22	-45
Prior service credit arising during the period
Pre-Tax	33
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-12
Net of Tax	21
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost
Pre-Tax	16	66	19
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-6	-28	-7
Net of Tax	10	38	12
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost
Pre-Tax		2
Tax Benefit (Expense)		-1
Net of Tax		1
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
Pre-Tax	-142	129	-16
Tax Benefit (Expense)	55	-49	6
Net of Tax	-87	80	-10
Reclassification adjustments included in "Other, net"
Pre-Tax	189	-80	-11
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-72	31	4
Net of Tax	117	-49	-7
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Pre-Tax	-146	-223	-53
Tax Benefit (Expense)	38	50	21
Net of Tax	-108	-173	-32
Unrealized holding losses on securities:
Pre-Tax			-7
Tax Benefit (Expense)			3
Net of Tax			-4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses recognized during period in "Other, net"
Pre-tax		2
Tax Benefit (Expense)		-1
Net of Tax		1
Other comprehensive loss
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Total	-128	-69	-141
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Total	32	-11	55
Other comprehensive loss	-96	-80	-86
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at the beginning of the period	-322	-242	-156
Other comprehensive loss	-96	-80	-86
Balance at the end of the period	-418	-322	-242
Defined Benefit Plan Items
Other comprehensive loss
Other comprehensive loss	-18	61	-33
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at the beginning of the period	-123	-184	-151
Other comprehensive loss	-18	61	-33
Balance at the end of the period	-141	-123	-184
Cash flow hedges
Other comprehensive loss
Other comprehensive loss	30	31	-17
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at the beginning of the period	14	-17
Other comprehensive loss	30	31	-17
Balance at the end of the period	44	14	-17
Foreign Currency Items
Other comprehensive loss
Other comprehensive loss	-108	-173	-32
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at the beginning of the period	-213	-40	-8
Other comprehensive loss	-108	-173	-32
Balance at the end of the period	-321	-213	-40
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available for Sale securities
Other comprehensive loss
Other comprehensive loss		1	-4
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at the beginning of the period		-1	3
Other comprehensive loss		1	-4
Balance at the end of the period			($1)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Common Share
Common stock options excluded from the computation of diluted EPS (in shares)										1	1
Basic EPS
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$778	$611	$806	$561	$810	$699	$660	$690	$2,756	$2,859	$2,949
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding									505	548	638
Earnings per share attributable to DIRECTV (in dollars per share)	$1.55	$1.22	$1.60	$1.10	$1.55	$1.29	$1.19	$1.21	$5.46	$5.22	$4.62
Effect of dilutive securities
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)									5	5	6
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units, per share amount (in dollars per share)									($0.06)	($0.05)	($0.04)
Diluted EPS
Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV									$2,756	$2,859	$2,949
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding									510	553	644
Net Income (in dollars per share)	$1.53	$1.21	$1.59	$1.09	$1.53	$1.28	$1.18	$1.20	$5.40	$5.17	$4.58

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 03, 2010
Share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense recognized	$104	$100	$109
Tax benefits associated with share-based compensation expense	38	37	41
Actual tax benefits realized for the deduction of share-based compensation expense	56	66	60
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units and stock options	116
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units and stock options expected to be recognized in the next fiscal year	75
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units and stock options expected to be recognized in the second fiscal year	38
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units and stock options expected to be recognized in the third fiscal year	3
Maximum
Share-Based Payment
Performance period	3 years
Restricted Stock Units
Share-Based Payment
Vesting period under stock plans	3 years
Performance period	3 years
Changes in the status of outstanding restricted stock units
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	5,813,983
Granted (in shares)	1,614,990
Vested and distributed (in shares)	-2,085,056
Forfeited (in shares)	-239,511
Nonvested at the end of the period (in shares)	5,104,406	5,813,983
Vested and expected to vest at the end of year (in shares)	5,071,323
Weighted-average grant date fair value
Nonvested units outstanding, at beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$47.40
Granted (in dollars per share)	$76.11	$49.05	$41.72
Vested and Distributed (in dollars per share)	$44.29
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$58.76
Non-vested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$58.13	$47.40
Expected to vest weighted-average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$56.53
Additional General Disclosures
Total fair value of awards vested and distributed	$153	$181	$139
DIRECTV Plan
Share-Based Payment
Number of shares authorized under stock-based compensation plan				40,000,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail1

Share-Based Compensation (Details 2) (Stock Options, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Shares Under Option
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	3,379,209
Granted (in shares)	223,573
Exercised (in shares)	-1,155,676
Forfeited or expired (in shares)	-12,291
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	2,434,815	3,379,209
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in shares)	2,434,815
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	1,480,604
Weighted-average exercise price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$30.20
Granted (in dollars per share)	$75.02
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$20.57
Forfeited or expired (in dollars per share)	$65.19
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$38.71	$30.20
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$38.71
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$29.31
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding at the end of the period	5 years 3 months 18 days
Vested and expected to vest, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 6 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars)	$117
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in dollars)	117
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars)	85
Total intrinsic value of options exercised in the period	$67	$1	$26
Non Qualified
Share-Based Payment
Expiration period under stock plans	10 years
Non Qualified \| Minimum
Share-Based Payment
Vesting period under stock plans	1 year
Non Qualified \| Maximum
Share-Based Payment
Vesting period under stock plans	3 years

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail2

Share-Based Compensation (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 19, 2009
Additional General Disclosures
Stock options exercised	$21		$3
Net loss recognized for exercised options and fair value adjustment	3	7	4
Stock Options & Stock Appreciation Rights \| Persons Other Than Employees And Directors
Additional General Disclosures
Intrinsic value of awards assumed which were exercised	2	1	3
DIRECTV Plan \| Stock Options
Assumptions used in the fair value calculations for stock options granted
Estimated grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$26.68	$16.84	$15.83
Expected stock volatility (as a percent)	29.20%	30.00%	29.00%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	2.19%	1.38%
Range of risk-free interest rates, minimum (as a percent)			1.08%
Range of risk-free interest rates, maximum (as a percent)			1.41%
Expected option life (in years)	7 years	7 years	7 years
Liberty Transaction
Share-Based Payment
Number of common stock options and stock appreciation rights issued by LEI, assumed (in shares)				16.7
Liberty Transaction \| Persons Other Than Employees And Directors
Assumptions used in the fair value calculations for stock options granted
Estimated fair value (in dollars per share)	$68.74	$53.45	$34.59
Expected stock volatility (as a percent)	18.80%	20.00%	22.80%
Range of risk-free interest rates, minimum (as a percent)	0.04%	0.07%	0.02%
Range of risk-free interest rates, maximum (as a percent)	0.67%	0.78%	0.36%
Additional General Disclosures
Awards outstanding (in shares)	0.1	0.3		8.8
Fair value of awards outstanding	6	18
Net loss recognized for exercised options and fair value adjustment	$3	$7	$4
Liberty Transaction \| Persons Other Than Employees And Directors \| Minimum
Assumptions used in the fair value calculations for stock options granted
Expected option life (in years)	4 months 24 days	2 months 12 days	2 months 12 days
Liberty Transaction \| Persons Other Than Employees And Directors \| Maximum
Assumptions used in the fair value calculations for stock options granted
Expected option life (in years)	2 years 4 months 24 days	3 years 4 months 24 days	4 years 4 months 24 days
Liberty Transaction \| Restricted Stock Units
Share-Based Payment
Number of common stock issued to LEI Plan holders				1.1

Other_Income_and_Expenses_Deta

Other Income and Expenses (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Income and Expenses
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	$133	$198	$131
Interest rate swap gain	39
Net gains from sale of investments	26	8	122
Net foreign currency transaction loss	-22	-52	-34
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	-19		-64
Other	-4	-3	-11
Fair-value loss on non-employee stock options	-3	-7	-4
DSN Northwest deconsolidation charge		-59
ECAD settlement gain		21
Total	150	106	140
Sky Mexico
Other Income and Expenses
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	58	134	62
Ownership interests
Increase in earnings		$60

RelatedParty_Transactions_Deta

Related-Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Related-Party Transactions
Revenues	$10	$9	$5
Expenses	1,068	965	874
Accounts receivable	26	18
Accounts payable	123	100
Short-term liability	149
Long-term liability	$1	$69

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	$8,922	$8,374	$8,109	$7,855	$8,594	$7,880	$7,700	$7,580	$33,260	$31,754	$29,740
Operating profit (loss)	1,255	1,222	1,424	1,227	1,333	1,225	1,350	1,242	5,128	5,150	5,085
Depreciation and amortization expense									2,943	2,828	2,437
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									8,071	7,978	7,522
Capital Expenditures									3,225	3,786	3,349
Segment Assets	25,459				21,905				25,459	21,905	20,555
Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									33,260	31,754	29,740
DIRECTV U.S.
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									26,001	24,676	23,235
Operating profit (loss)									4,749	4,444	4,153
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,722	1,640	1,501
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									6,471	6,084	5,654
Capital Expenditures									1,757	2,050	1,741
Segment Assets	16,719				13,446				16,719	13,446	12,490
DIRECTV U.S. \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									25,993	24,668	23,227
DIRECTV U.S. \| Intersegment elimination
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									8	8	8
DIRECTV Latin America
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									7,061	6,844	6,244
Operating profit (loss)									442	776	955
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,207	1,167	907
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									1,649	1,943	1,862
Capital Expenditures									1,447	1,720	1,598
Segment Assets	7,325				6,858				7,325	6,858	6,286
DIRECTV Latin America \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									7,061	6,844	6,244
Sky Brasil
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									3,887	3,753	3,501
Operating profit (loss)									488	529	555
Depreciation and amortization expense									687	723	533
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									1,175	1,252	1,088
Capital Expenditures									867	961	812
Segment Assets	2,654				2,854				2,654	2,854	2,951
Sky Brasil \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									3,887	3,753	3,501
PanAmericana and Other
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									3,174	3,091	2,743
Operating profit (loss)									-46	247	400
Depreciation and amortization expense									520	444	374
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									474	691	774
Capital Expenditures									580	759	786
Segment Assets	4,671				4,004				4,671	4,004	3,335
PanAmericana and Other \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									3,174	3,091	2,743
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									198	234	261
Operating profit (loss)									-63	-70	-23
Depreciation and amortization expense									14	21	29
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization									-49	-49	6
Capital Expenditures									21	16	10
Segment Assets	1,415				1,601				1,415	1,601	1,779
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other \| Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									206	242	269
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other \| Intersegment elimination
Segment reporting information
Total revenues									($8)	($8)	($8)

Segment_Reporting_Details_2

Segment Reporting (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization									$8,071	$7,978	$7,522
Depreciation and amortization expense									-2,943	-2,828	-2,437
Operating profit	1,255	1,222	1,424	1,227	1,333	1,225	1,350	1,242	5,128	5,150	5,085
Interest income									68	72	59
Interest expense									-898	-840	-842
Other, net									150	106	140
Income before income taxes									4,448	4,488	4,442
Income tax expense									-1,673	-1,603	-1,465
Net income									2,775	2,885	2,977
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									-19	-26	-28
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$778	$611	$806	$561	$810	$699	$660	$690	$2,756	$2,859	$2,949

Segment_Reporting_Details_3

Segment Reporting (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue and property by geographic areas
Revenues	$8,922	$8,374	$8,109	$7,855	$8,594	$7,880	$7,700	$7,580	$33,260	$31,754	$29,740
Net Property & Satellites	9,761				9,117				9,761	9,117	8,395
United States
Revenue and property by geographic areas
Revenues									26,370	25,088	23,678
Net Property & Satellites	6,909				6,248				6,909	6,248	5,694
Latin America and the Caribbean
Revenue and property by geographic areas
Revenues									6,890	6,666	6,062
Net Property & Satellites	2,852				2,869				2,852	2,869	2,701
Brazil
Revenue and property by geographic areas
Revenues									3,887	3,753	3,501
Net Property & Satellites	1,582				1,597				1,582	1,597	1,626
Other
Revenue and property by geographic areas
Revenues									3,003	2,913	2,561
Net Property & Satellites	$1,270				$1,272				$1,270	$1,272	$1,075

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 24, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	VEF	VEF	Sky Brasil	Venezuelan Subsidiary	Standby letters of credit	SICAD 1	SICAD 2	DIRECTV U.S.	DIRECTV U.S.	DIRECTV U.S.	DIRECTV Latin America	DIRECTV Latin America	DIRECTV Latin America
														USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	VEF	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
																			item			item
Noncancelable operating leases
Minimum future commitments under noncancelable operating leases	$963								$963
2015	108								108
2016	102								102
2017	98								98
2018	98								98
2019	100								100
Thereafter	457								457
Rental expenses									133	129	118
Unrecorded purchase commitments
Minimum payments under agreements to purchase	16,330								16,330
2015	2,158								2,158
2016	2,011								2,011
2017	1,780								1,780
2018	1,693								1,693
2019	1,883								1,883
Thereafter	6,805								6,805
Satellite Commitments payments
Total cash payment under lease agreements	937								937
Cash payments under lease agreements payable in 2015	172								172
Cash payments under lease agreements payable in 2016	108								108
Cash payments under lease agreements payable in 2017	50								50
Cash payments under lease agreements payable in 2018	50								50
Cash payments under lease agreements payable in 2019	50								50
Cash payments under lease agreements payable thereafter	507								507
Loss contingencies
Number of construction and launch satellites contracts																			1			1
Prepayments related to capital lease																						88	105
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage														7.00%
Estimated fair value of Globo's interest in Sky Brasil					375					375				375
Exchange rate (in bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar)																	12	49.99
Exchange rate set by the Venezuelan government (in bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar)												6.3	4.3
Revenues	8,922	8,374	8,109	7,855	8,594	7,880	7,700	7,580	33,260	31,754	29,740				900				26,001	24,676	23,235	7,061	6,844	6,244
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization															400
Pre-tax charge related to remeasurement of bolivar denominated net monetary assets due to devaluation								166	281	166
After-tax charge related to remeasurement of bolivar denominated net monetary assets due to devaluation								136
Gain related to settlement with ECAD										21
Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated assets in excess liabilities															481
Venezuelan bolivars fuerte denominated cash															481
In-orbit satellites, net book value	1,806								1,806
Other
Contingent liability for standby letters of credit																$316

Selected_Quarterly_Data_Unaudi2

Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
Revenues	$8,922	$8,374	$8,109	$7,855	$8,594	$7,880	$7,700	$7,580	$33,260	$31,754	$29,740
Operating profit	1,255	1,222	1,424	1,227	1,333	1,225	1,350	1,242	5,128	5,150	5,085
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$778	$611	$806	$561	$810	$699	$660	$690	$2,756	$2,859	$2,949
Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV (in dollars per share)	$1.55	$1.22	$1.60	$1.10	$1.55	$1.29	$1.19	$1.21	$5.46	$5.22	$4.62
Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV (in dollars per share)	$1.53	$1.21	$1.59	$1.09	$1.53	$1.28	$1.18	$1.20	$5.40	$5.17	$4.58

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details)	12 Months Ended
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014
Regulatory requirement of restricted net assets in Venezuelan subsidiary exceeding total consolidated net assets (as a percent)	25.00%
Reportable legal entity \| DTV Holdings
Ownership percentage in subsidiary	100.00%

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Revenues	$8,922	$8,374	$8,109	$7,855	$8,594	$7,880	$7,700	$7,580	$33,260	$31,754	$29,740
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other									14,930	13,991	13,028
Subscriber service expenses									2,320	2,242	2,137
Broadcast operations expenses									430	409	414
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs									3,659	3,419	3,397
Upgrade and retention costs									1,456	1,547	1,427
General and administrative expenses									2,113	2,002	1,815
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge								166	281	166
Depreciation and amortization expense									2,943	2,828	2,437
Total operating costs and expenses									28,132	26,604	24,655
Operating profit	1,255	1,222	1,424	1,227	1,333	1,225	1,350	1,242	5,128	5,150	5,085
Interest income									68	72	59
Interest expense									-898	-840	-842
Other, net									150	106	140
Income before income taxes									4,448	4,488	4,442
Income tax benefit (expense)									-1,673	-1,603	-1,465
Net income									2,775	2,885	2,977
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									-19	-26	-28
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	778	611	806	561	810	699	660	690	2,756	2,859	2,949
Reportable legal entity \| Parent Subsidiaries
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
General and administrative expenses									98	70	42
Total operating costs and expenses									98	70	42
Operating profit									-98	-70	-42
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries									2,807	2,900	2,980
Interest income									1	16	2
Interest expense									-1	-1	-2
Other, net									18	-7	-4
Income before income taxes									2,727	2,838	2,934
Income tax benefit (expense)									29	21	15
Net income									2,756	2,859	2,949
Net income attributable to DIRECTV									2,756	2,859	2,949
Reportable legal entity \| Co-Issuers
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Revenues											59
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
General and administrative expenses									1		1
Total operating costs and expenses									1		1
Operating profit									-1		58
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries									3,053	2,880	2,819
Interest income									2		1
Interest expense									-858	-824	-773
Other, net									19		-65
Income before income taxes									2,215	2,056	2,040
Income tax benefit (expense)									303	293	246
Net income									2,518	2,349	2,286
Net income attributable to DIRECTV									2,518	2,349	2,286
Reportable legal entity \| Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Revenues									26,001	24,676	23,235
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other									12,343	11,616	10,743
Subscriber service expenses									1,519	1,474	1,464
Broadcast operations expenses									303	293	306
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs									2,853	2,642	2,673
Upgrade and retention costs									1,276	1,350	1,253
General and administrative expenses									1,235	1,217	1,201
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,722	1,640	1,501
Total operating costs and expenses									21,251	20,232	19,141
Operating profit									4,750	4,444	4,094
Interest income									2	2
Interest expense									-4	-3	-3
Other, net									32	29	33
Income before income taxes									4,780	4,472	4,124
Income tax benefit (expense)									-1,727	-1,592	-1,305
Net income									3,053	2,880	2,819
Net income attributable to DIRECTV									3,053	2,880	2,819
Reportable legal entity \| Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Revenues									7,417	7,141	6,583
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other									2,727	2,430	2,355
Subscriber service expenses									804	768	673
Broadcast operations expenses									134	124	116
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs									809	777	724
Upgrade and retention costs									184	197	174
General and administrative expenses									780	715	630
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge									281	166
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,221	1,188	936
Total operating costs and expenses									6,940	6,365	5,608
Operating profit									477	776	975
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries									2,518	2,349	2,286
Interest income									63	62	68
Interest expense									-35	-20	-76
Other, net									81	84	176
Income before income taxes									3,104	3,251	3,429
Income tax benefit (expense)									-278	-325	-421
Net income									2,826	2,926	3,008
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									-19	-26	-28
Net income attributable to DIRECTV									2,807	2,900	2,980
Eliminations
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Revenues									-158	-63	-137
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other									-140	-55	-70
Subscriber service expenses									-3
Broadcast operations expenses									-7	-8	-8
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs									-3
Upgrade and retention costs									-4
General and administrative expenses									-1		-59
Total operating costs and expenses									-158	-63	-137
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries									-8,378	-8,129	-8,085
Interest income										-8	-12
Interest expense										8	12
Income before income taxes									-8,378	-8,129	-8,085
Net income									-8,378	-8,129	-8,085
Net income attributable to DIRECTV									($8,378)	($8,129)	($8,085)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$2,775	$2,885	$2,977
Defined benefit plans:
Gains related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	-49	22	-45
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost	10	38	12
Prior service credit arising during the period	21
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost		1
Cash flow hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-87	80	-10
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	117	-49	-7
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-108	-173	-32
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses on securities			-4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses on securities recognized during the period		1
Other comprehensive loss	-96	-80	-86
Comprehensive income	2,679	2,805	2,891
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-10	-20	-13
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	2,669	2,785	2,878
Reportable legal entity \| Parent Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	2,756	2,859	2,949
Defined benefit plans:
Gains related to changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions arising during the period	-49	22	-45
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan experience and actuarial assumptions recognized as periodic benefit cost	10	38	12
Prior service credit arising during the period	21
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in plan provisions recognized as periodic benefit cost		1
Cash flow hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-87	80	-10
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	117	-49	-7
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-99	-167	-17
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses on securities			-4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses on securities recognized during the period		1
Other comprehensive loss	-87	-74	-71
Comprehensive income	2,669	2,785	2,878
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	2,669	2,785	2,878
Reportable legal entity \| Co-Issuers
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	2,518	2,349	2,286
Cash flow hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-87	80	-10
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	117	-49	-7
Available for sale securities:
Other comprehensive loss	30	31	-17
Comprehensive income	2,548	2,380	2,269
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	2,548	2,380	2,269
Reportable legal entity \| Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	3,053	2,880	2,819
Available for sale securities:
Comprehensive income	3,053	2,880	2,819
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	3,053	2,880	2,819
Reportable legal entity \| Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	2,826	2,926	3,008
Cash flow hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-87	80	-10
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	117	-49	-7
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-108	-173	-32
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses on securities			-4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses on securities recognized during the period		1
Other comprehensive loss	-78	-141	-53
Comprehensive income	2,748	2,785	2,955
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-10	-20	-13
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	2,738	2,765	2,942
Eliminations
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	-8,378	-8,129	-8,085
Cash flow hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	174	-160	20
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	-234	98	14
Foreign currency translation adjustments	99	167	17
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses on securities			4
Reclassification adjustment for net losses on securities recognized during the period		-1
Other comprehensive loss	39	104	55
Comprehensive income	-8,339	-8,025	-8,030
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	($8,339)	($8,025)	($8,030)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Total current assets	$8,819	$5,953
Satellites, net	3,040	2,467
Property and equipment, net	6,721	6,650
Goodwill	3,929	3,970	4,063
Intangible assets, net	994	920
Other assets	1,956	1,945
Total assets	25,459	21,905	20,555
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	6,959	6,530
Long-term debt	19,485	18,284
Deferred income taxes	1,726	1,804
Other liabilities and deferred credits	2,117	1,456
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		375
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	3,613	3,652
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-8,408	-9,874
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-418	-322	-242	-156
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-5,213	-6,544
Noncontrolling interest	385
Total stockholders' deficit	-4,828	-6,544	-5,431	-3,107
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	25,459	21,905
Reportable legal entity \| Parent Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Total current assets	1,201	979
Intercompany receivables	4,975	4,799
Investment in subsidiaries	-9,341	-10,177
Other assets	134	92
Total assets	-3,031	-4,307
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	527	448
Intercompany liabilities	1,212	1,390
Other liabilities and deferred credits	443	399
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	3,613	3,652
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-8,408	-9,874
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-418	-322
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-5,213
Total stockholders' deficit	-5,213	-6,544
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	-3,031	-4,307
Reportable legal entity \| Co-Issuers
ASSETS
Total current assets	3,690	1,133
Goodwill	1,828	1,828
Intercompany receivables	11,698	7,820
Investment in subsidiaries	21,337	17,812
Other assets	99	190
Total assets	38,652	28,783
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	1,454	1,478
Long-term debt	19,327	18,203
Deferred income taxes	33	9
Intercompany liabilities	28,110	21,019
Other liabilities and deferred credits	453	321
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	432	25
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-11,202	-12,286
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	45	14
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-10,725
Total stockholders' deficit	-10,725	-12,247
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	38,652	28,783
Reportable legal entity \| Guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Total current assets	2,964	2,577
Satellites, net	1,717	1,810
Property and equipment, net	3,891	3,724
Goodwill	1,363	1,363
Intangible assets, net	512	527
Intercompany receivables	28,132	20,988
Other assets	670	361
Total assets	39,249	31,350
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	4,244	3,812
Deferred income taxes	1,736	1,632
Intercompany liabilities	11,698	7,820
Other liabilities and deferred credits	234	274
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	5,403	4,930
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	15,934	12,882
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	21,337
Total stockholders' deficit	21,337	17,812
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	39,249	31,350
Reportable legal entity \| Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Total current assets	1,592	1,775
Satellites, net	1,323	657
Property and equipment, net	2,830	2,926
Goodwill	738	779
Intangible assets, net	490	401
Intercompany receivables	1,143	1,386
Investment in subsidiaries	-10,725	-12,247
Other assets	1,185	1,416
Total assets	-1,424	-2,907
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	1,362	1,303
Long-term debt	158	81
Deferred income taxes	89	277
Intercompany liabilities	4,928	4,764
Other liabilities and deferred credits	995	470
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		375
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	3,489	3,671
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-12,554	-13,620
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-276	-228
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-9,341
Noncontrolling interest	385
Total stockholders' deficit	-8,956	-10,177
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	-1,424	-2,907
Eliminations
ASSETS
Total current assets	-628	-511
Intangible assets, net	-8	-8
Intercompany receivables	-45,948	-34,993
Investment in subsidiaries	-1,271	4,612
Other assets	-132	-114
Total assets	-47,987	-31,014
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	-628	-511
Deferred income taxes	-132	-114
Intercompany liabilities	-45,948	-34,993
Other liabilities and deferred credits	-8	-8
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital	-9,324	-8,626
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	7,822	13,024
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	231	214
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-1,271
Total stockholders' deficit	-1,271	4,612
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	($47,987)	($31,014)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ6

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$6,369	$6,394	$5,634
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment	-2,940	-3,409	-2,960
Cash paid for satellites	-285	-377	-389
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	-47	-66	-16
Proceeds from sale of investments	32	257	24
Other, net	-123	-158	-22
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,363	-3,753	-3,363
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance (repayment) of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		-155	156
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	301	556	202
Repayment of short-term borrowings	-501	-559
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility		10	400
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility		-10	-400
Proceeds from long-term debt	2,650	2,099	5,190
Debt issuance costs	-14	-12	-36
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,066	-15	-1,500
Repayment of other long-term obligations	-69	-63	-51
Common shares repurchased and retired	-1,386	-4,000	-5,175
Stock Options Exercised	21		3
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	-60	-61	-61
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	23	24	30
Other, net	-67	10
Net cash used in financing activities	-168	-2,176	-1,242
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents	-383	-187
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,455	278	1,029
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	2,180	1,902	873
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	4,635	2,180	1,902
Reportable legal entity \| Parent Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,056	2,300	2,055
Cash flows from investing activities
Return of capital from subsidiary	425	1,897	3,775
Intercompany payments (funding)	270	-248	-369
Net cash used in investing activities	695	1,649	3,406
Cash flows from financing activities
Common shares repurchased and retired	-1,386	-4,000	-5,175
Stock Options Exercised	21		3
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	-60	-61	-61
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	23	24	30
Intercompany payments (funding)	-167	178	21
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,569	-3,859	-5,182
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	182	90	279
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	498	408	129
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	680	498	408
Reportable legal entity \| Co-Issuers
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-2,008	-1,902	-1,820
Cash flows from investing activities
Intercompany payments (funding)	-1,258	-1,157	-917
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,258	-1,157	-917
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance (repayment) of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		-155	156
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	301	556	202
Repayment of short-term borrowings	-501	-559
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility		10	400
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility		-10	-400
Proceeds from long-term debt	2,437	1,947	5,190
Debt issuance costs	-14	-12	-36
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,000		-1,500
Intercompany payments (funding)	5,965	5,535	5,125
Cash dividend to Parent	-1,500	-4,200	-5,900
Other, net	-22	10
Net cash used in financing activities	5,666	3,122	3,237
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,400	63	500
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	791	728	228
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	3,191	791	728
Reportable legal entity \| Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	6,471	6,525	5,947
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment	-1,684	-1,852	-1,488
Cash paid for satellites	-73	-198	-253
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	-1	-53	-7
Proceeds from sale of investments	16	12	24
Intercompany payments (funding)	-5,969	-5,537	-5,118
Other, net		-67
Net cash used in investing activities	-7,711	-7,695	-6,842
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of other long-term obligations	-30	-24	-21
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	-50	-51	-52
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	19	20	25
Intercompany payments (funding)	1,315	1,220	950
Net cash used in financing activities	1,254	1,165	902
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14	-5	7
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	6	11	4
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	20	6	11
Reportable legal entity \| Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,962	1,811	1,608
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment	-1,256	-1,557	-1,472
Cash paid for satellites	-212	-179	-136
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	-46	-13	-9
Proceeds from sale of investments	16	245
Intercompany payments (funding)	159	-188	-4
Other, net	-123	-91	-22
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,462	-1,783	-1,643
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt	213	152
Repayment of long-term debt	-66	-15
Repayment of other long-term obligations	-39	-39	-30
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	-10	-10	-9
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	4	4	5
Intercompany payments (funding)	-315	197	312
Other, net	-45
Net cash used in financing activities	-258	289	278
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents	-383	-187
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-141	130	243
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	885	755	512
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	744	885	755
Eliminations
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-1,112	-2,340	-2,156
Cash flows from investing activities
Return of capital from subsidiary	-425	-1,897	-3,775
Intercompany payments (funding)	6,798	7,130	6,408
Net cash used in investing activities	6,373	5,233	2,633
Cash flows from financing activities
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	60	61	61
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-23	-24	-30
Intercompany payments (funding)	-6,798	-7,130	-6,408
Cash dividend to Parent	1,500	4,200	5,900
Net cash used in financing activities	($5,261)	($2,893)	($477)

SCHEDULE_IIVALUATION_AND_QUALI1

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (Allowance for doubtful accounts deducted from accounts receivable, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts deducted from accounts receivable
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of year	($95)	($81)	($79)
Additions charged to costs and expenses	-311	-318	-332
Additions charged to other accounts	-175	-174	-149
Deductions	472	478	479
Balance at end of year	($109)	($95)	($81)