Directv 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	DIRECTV
Entity Central Index Key	1465112
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-28
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		504,062,549
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenues	$8,143	$7,855
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other	3,576	3,383
Subscriber service expenses	581	551
Broadcast operations expenses	117	97
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs	888	827
Upgrade and retention costs	350	321
General and administrative expenses	514	454
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		281
Depreciation and amortization expense	730	714
Total operating costs and expenses	6,756	6,628
Operating profit	1,387	1,227
Interest income	22	13
Interest expense	-245	-232
Other, net	7	57
Income before income taxes	1,171	1,065
Income tax expense	-441	-496
Net income	730	569
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-8
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$730	$561
Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.45	$1.10
Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.44	$1.09
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions):
Basic (in shares)	503	511
Diluted (in shares)	507	515

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income	$730	$569
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-121	-7
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	94	-8
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-132	39
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-159	24
Comprehensive income	571	593
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	18	-11
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$589	$582

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,284	$4,635
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $92 and $109	2,635	2,800
Inventories	334	299
Deferred income taxes	71	68
Prepaid expenses and other	722	1,017
Total current assets	8,046	8,819
Satellites, net	3,045	3,040
Property and equipment, net	6,455	6,721
Goodwill	3,877	3,929
Intangible assets, net	954	994
Investments and other assets	1,924	1,956
Total assets	24,301	25,459
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,639	5,048
Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits	570	584
Current debt	2,355	1,327
Total current liabilities	7,564	6,959
Long-term debt	17,058	19,485
Deferred income taxes	1,606	1,726
Other liabilities and deferred credits	2,353	2,117
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' deficit
Common stock and additional paid-in capital - $0.01 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 503,981,177 and 502,733,342 shares issued and outstanding of common stock at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	3,608	3,613
Accumulated deficit	-7,678	-8,408
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-577	-418
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-4,647	-5,213
Noncontrolling interest	367	385
Total stockholders' deficit	-4,280	-4,828
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$24,301	$25,459

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, allowances (in dollars)	$92	$109
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	503,981,177	502,733,342
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, shares outstanding	503,981,177	502,733,342

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$730	$569
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	730	714
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		281
Amortization of deferred revenues and deferred credits	-11	-12
Share-based compensation expense	27	20
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	-33	-44
Net foreign currency transaction loss (gain)	31	-6
Dividends received	7
Net gains from sale of investments		-2
Deferred income taxes	44	84
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-31	-22
Other	6	15
Change in other operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	151	98
Inventories	-37	-36
Prepaid expenses and other	293	303
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-358	-397
Unearned subscriber revenue and deferred credits	3	43
Other, net	84	-18
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,636	1,590
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Cash paid for property and equipment	-613	-650
Cash paid for satellites	-96	-54
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired	-10	-4
Proceeds from sale of investments		4
Other, net	3	-3
Net cash used in investing activities	-716	-707
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		105
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		90
Repayment of short-term borrowings		-200
Proceeds from long-term debt	17	1,260
Debt issuance costs		-6
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,226	-11
Repayment of other long-term obligations	-29	-15
Common shares repurchased and retired		-895
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation	-64	-57
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	31	22
Other, net		-26
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,271	267
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents		-316
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-351	834
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	4,635	2,180
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	4,284	3,014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest	318	328
Cash paid for income taxes	$49	$84

Description_of_Business_and_Ba

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Note 1: Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	DIRECTV, which we also refer to as the Company, we, or us, is a leading provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. We operate two direct-to-home, or DTH, business units; DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, which are differentiated by their geographic locations and are engaged in acquiring, promoting, selling and distributing digital entertainment programming primarily via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers. In addition, we own and operate two regional sports networks, and also own non-controlling interests in two others, ROOT SPORTS™ Northwest and ROOT SPORTS Southwest. 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 Southwest 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. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in Houston Sports Holdings, LLC, or HSH, the regional sports network based in Houston, Texas. The operating results of DSN are reported as part of the "Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other" reporting segment.
	We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, for interim financial reporting. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) that are necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on February 24, 2015, and all of our other filings, including Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC after such date and through the date of this report.
	We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported herein. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, our actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.
	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 the AT&T stock price is below $34.90 at closing and 1.724 AT&T shares if the AT&T stock price is above $38.58 at closing. If the 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. In all cases the AT&T stock price at closing is 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 second quarter 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.

New_Accounting_Standard

New Accounting Standard	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
New Accounting Standard
New Accounting Standard
	Note 2: New Accounting Standards
	Debt Issuance Costs.    In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This ASU requires retrospective adoption and is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on our financial statements.
	Revenue Recognition.    In May 2014, the FASB issued 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 will likely be effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017 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.

Goodwill

Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill
Goodwill
	Note 3: Goodwill
	The following table sets forth changes in the carrying amounts of "Goodwill" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
				DIRECTV Latin
				America					Sports
									Networks,
									Eliminations
		DIRECTV		Sky			PanAmericana		and Other		Total
		U.S.		Brasil			and Other
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	3,191	$	305		$	211	$	222	$	3,929
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		(52	)		—		—		(52	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	3,191	$	253		$	211	$	222	$	3,877

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt
Debt
	Note 4: Debt
	The following table sets forth our outstanding debt as of:
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Current debt
	Current portion of long-term debt		$	2,249	$	1,200
	Current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility			106		127
	Long-term debt
	Senior notes			16,936		19,327
	Borrowings under BNDES financing facility			91		140
	Borrowings under Desenvolve SP financing facility			31		18
	Total debt		$	19,413	$	20,812
	The amount of interest accrued related to our outstanding debt was $185 million at March 31, 2015 and $278 million at December 31, 2014.
	Senior Notes
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Financing Transaction
	In March 2015, DIRECTV U.S. repaid the 3.550% senior notes due in 2015, or the 2015 Notes, for the unpaid principal balance of $1,200 million, together with accrued and unpaid interest as of that date, as required by the indenture for the 2015 Notes.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Financing Transactions
	In March 2014, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a registration statement, $1,250 million in aggregate principal of 4.45% senior notes due in 2024 with proceeds, net of an original issue discount, of $1,245 million. We incurred $7 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.
	Also in March 2014, DIRECTV U.S. exercised its early redemption right under the indenture for 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.
	The following table sets forth our outstanding senior notes:
			Principal amount		Carrying value, net of
					unamortized original
					issue discounts
			March 31,		March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2015		2014
			(Dollars in Millions)
	3.550% senior notes due in 2015		$	—	$	—	$	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		746
	5.875% senior notes due in 2019			1,000		996		996
	5.200% senior notes due in 2020			1,300		1,299		1,299
	4.600% senior notes due in 2021			1,000		1,000		999
	5.000% senior notes due in 2021(1)			1,500		1,508		1,506
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022(1)			1,500		1,522		1,520
	2.750% senior notes due in 2023(2)			537		534		602
	4.450% senior notes due in 2024(1)			1,250		1,289		1,285
	3.950% senior notes due in 2025			1,200		1,192		1,192
	4.375% senior notes due in 2029(2)			1,111		1,101		1,157
	5.200% senior notes due in 2033(2)			518		516		543
	6.350% senior notes due in 2040			500		500		500
	6.000% senior notes due in 2040			1,250		1,236		1,236
	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		$	19,166	$	19,185	$	20,527
	-1	The carrying values as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include the following fair value adjustments, respectively: increases of $12 million and $10 million for the 5.000% senior notes due in 2021, increases of $22 million and $20 million for the 3.800% senior notes due in 2022 and increases of $43 million and $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 $21,077 million at March 31, 2015 and $22,044 million at December 31, 2014. We calculated the fair values based on quoted market prices of our senior notes, which is a Level 1 input under accounting guidance for fair value measurements of assets and liabilities.
	All of our senior notes were issued by DIRECTV Holdings LLC and DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., or the Co-Issuers, and have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
	The principal amount of our senior notes mature as follows: $2,250 million in 2016, $1,250 million in 2017, $750 million in 2018, $1,000 million in 2019, $1,300 million in 2020 and $12,616 million thereafter.
	Commercial Paper
	DIRECTV U.S. has a commercial paper program backed by its revolving credit facilities, which provides for the issuance of short-term commercial paper in the United States up to a maximum aggregate principal of $2.5 billion. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 we had no short-term commercial paper outstanding. 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facilities.
	Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities are unsecured senior obligations of DIRECTV U.S. and rank equally in right of payment with all of DIRECTV U.S.' existing and future senior debt and rank senior in right of payment to all of DIRECTV U.S.' future subordinated debt, if any.
	Covenants and Restrictions
	The revolving credit facilities require DIRECTV U.S. to maintain at the end of each fiscal quarter a specified ratio of indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization. The revolving credit facilities also include covenants that limit DIRECTV U.S.' ability to, among other things, (i) incur additional subsidiary indebtedness, (ii) incur liens, (iii) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (iv) merge or consolidate with another entity, (v) sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, and (vi) change its lines of business. Additionally, the senior notes contain covenants that are similar. If DIRECTV U.S. fails to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of its borrowings under the senior notes could become immediately payable and its revolving credit facilities could be terminated. The senior notes and revolving credit facilities also provide that the borrowings may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events, coupled with a ratings decline, occur.
	DIRECTV Guarantors.    DIRECTV guarantees all of the senior notes outstanding, jointly and severally with DIRECTV Holdings LLC's material domestic subsidiaries. DIRECTV unconditionally guarantees that the principal and interest on the respective senior notes will be paid in full when due and that the obligations of the Co-Issuers to the holders of the outstanding senior notes will be performed. The revolving credit facilities and the commercial paper program are also similarly fully guaranteed by DIRECTV.
	As a result of the guarantees, holders of the senior notes, the revolving credit debt and the commercial paper may 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 March 31, 2015, Sky Brasil had borrowings of R$98 million ($31 million) under the facility bearing interest of 2.5% per year. 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. 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$3.21 / $1.00 and R$2.66 / $1.00 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Borrowings under the Desenvolve SP facility mature as follows: R$48 million ($15 million) in 2019 and R$50 million ($16 million) in 2020.
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 March 31, 2015, Sky Brasil had borrowings of R$633 million ($197 million) outstanding under the BNDES facility bearing interest at a weighted-average rate of 5.22% per year. 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. 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$3.21 / $1.00 and R$2.66 / $1.00 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Borrowings under the BNDES facility mature as follows: R$260 million ($81 million) in 2015, R$273 million ($85 million) in 2016 and R$100 million ($31 million) in 2017. The financing facility is collateralized by the financed set-top receivers with an original purchase price of approximately R$1,022 million ($318 million) based on the exchange rate of R$3.21 / $1.00 as of March 31, 2015.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash of $7 million as of March 31, 2015 and $10 million as of December 31, 2014 was included as part of "Prepaid expenses and other" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These amounts secure certain of our letters of credit obligations and restrictions on the cash will be removed as the letters of credit expire.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments
	Note 5: Derivative Financial Instruments
	We use derivative financial instruments primarily to manage the risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We 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
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	—	$	8	$	210	$	24
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swap contracts		—		12		—		6
	Total derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	20	$	210	$	30
	The fair values of the assets associated with derivative financial instruments are recorded in "Investments and other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the fair value of the liabilities associated with derivative financial instruments are recorded in "Other liabilities and deferred credits" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The following table sets forth the notional amounts of outstanding derivative financial instruments as of:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	2,418	$	2,418
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps		—		3,000
	Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments	$	2,418	$	5,418
	Collateral Arrangements.    We have agreements with our derivative instrument counterparties that include collateral provisions which require a party with an unrealized loss position in excess of certain thresholds to post cash collateral for the amount in excess of the threshold. The threshold levels in our collateral agreements are based on each party's credit ratings. We held no cash collateral from counterparties as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. We did not have any cash collateral posted with counterparties as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 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
	In a series of financing transactions, DIRECTV U.S. issued, pursuant to a U.S. registration statement, the following senior notes: £750 million in aggregate principal of 4.375% senior notes due in 2029, €500 million in aggregate principal of 2.750% senior notes due in 2023 and £350 million in aggregate principal of 5.200% senior notes due in 2033. In connection with the issuance of these senior notes, DIRECTV U.S. entered into cross-currency swap contracts to manage the related foreign exchange risk by effectively converting all of the fixed-rate British pound sterling and fixed-rate Euro denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt. These cross-currency swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The terms of the cross-currency swap contracts correspond to the related hedged senior notes and have maturities ranging from May 2023 to November 2033.
	We calculate the fair value of the cross-currency swap contracts using an income-approach model (discounted cash flow analysis), the use of which is considered a Level 2 valuation technique, using observable inputs, such as foreign currency exchange rates, swap rates, cross-currency basis swap spreads and incorporating counterparty credit risk.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, DIRECTV U.S. recorded net remeasurement gains of $151 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 $151 million ($94 million after tax) from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, DIRECTV U.S. recorded net remeasurement losses of $13 million in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the remeasurement of the hedged senior notes. To offset these remeasurement losses, we reclassified $13 million ($8 million after tax) from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These reclassifications eliminate the impact of the remeasurement of the hedged senior notes from our results of operations.
	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 March 31, 2015, we had $8 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. In January 2015, DIRECTV U.S. discontinued the fair value hedges and settled these fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts. As a result of these settlements, DIRECTV U.S. received cash proceeds of $18 million, which are included in "Net cash provided by operations" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
	As of March 31, 2015, there was $77 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. We calculated 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. In connection with the settlement of the fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts, we recognized a $2 million gain in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The periodic interest settlements for the interest rate swap contracts are recorded in "Interest expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
	Note 6: Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	At March 31, 2015, our minimum payments under agreements to purchase broadcast programming, 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 $16,305 million, payable as follows: $1,744 million in the remainder of 2015, $2,140 million in 2016, $1,880 million in 2017, $1,760 million in 2018, $1,936 million in 2019 and $6,845 million thereafter.
	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.
	As of March 31, 2015, the mechanisms in Venezuela for exchanging Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars were as follows: (i) the official government mechanism operated by the Venezuelan Central Bank, which has a fixed exchange rate of 6.3 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar mainly reserved for essential goods and services (ii) the auction based Sistema Complementario de Administración de Divisas, or SICAD, which is intended for dividend and royalty remittances as well as certain imports, including telecommunications equipment and (iii) an open market currency exchange system Sistema Marginal de Divisas, or SIMADI, which is based on supply and demand. As of March 31, 2015, the SICAD exchange rate was 12.0 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollars and the SIMADI exchange rate was 193.0 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollars.
	Effective March 31, 2014, we changed the exchange rate for remeasuring our Venezuelan subsidiary's monetary net assets from the official exchange rate of 6.3 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar to the SICAD rate, which was 10.7 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar as of March 31, 2014. 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 Venezuelan bolivar denominated net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary on March 31, 2014.
	As of March 31, 2015, the SICAD rate was the most representative rate to use for remeasurement, as a limited amount of telecommunications equipment was imported at the SICAD rate during the quarter and the official rate of 6.3 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar continued to be reserved only for the settlement of U.S. dollar denominated obligations related to purchases of "essential goods and services". In addition, we did not transact in the SIMADI mechanism during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Our Venezuelan subsidiary had Venezuelan bolivar denominated net monetary assets of $534 million, including cash of $554 million, as of March 31, 2015, as compared to Venezuelan bolivar denominated net monetary assets of $481 million, including cash of $481 million, as of December 31, 2014, based on the SICAD exchange rate of 12.0 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar. In the first quarter of 2015, our Venezuelan subsidiary generated revenues of approximately $200 million and operating profit before depreciation and amortization of approximately $75 million.
	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 auctions, which are 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. Significant uncertainties exist regarding the exchange mechanisms in Venezuela including the nature of transactions that are eligible for repatriation though the official process, SICAD or SIMADI, or any other new exchange mechanism that may emerge, how such mechanisms will operate in the future, as well as the volume of U.S. dollars available under each mechanism. Changes in exchange mechanisms and rates will impact the comparability of our results of operations and financial position, and would likely result in significant future devaluations.
	Litigation
	Litigation is subject to uncertainties and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not predictable with assurance. Various legal actions, claims and proceedings are pending against us arising in the ordinary course of business. We have established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Some of the matters may involve compensatory, punitive, or treble damage claims, or demands that, if granted, could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures in amounts that could not be estimated at March 31, 2015. 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 with the individual plaintiffs in the federal cases. In the California state court action, the United States Supreme Court agreed to review the California Court of Appeal's opinion affirming the denial of our motion to compel arbitration. 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 Litigation.    On March 11, 2015, the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, filed a lawsuit against DIRECTV and DIRECTV,  LLC in United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The FTC alleges that DIRECTV failed to disclose adequately in our advertisements certain terms and conditions of our programming package offers. The complaint also alleges that DIRECTV violated applicable law by failing adequately to disclose, and to obtain consumers' express consent to, the terms of negative option offers for premium channels. The complaint seeks a permanent injunction to prevent further violations, as well as relief to redress injury to consumers. We believe we have valid defenses to the FTC's claims and we intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
	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, cooperating with the investigation and recently began discussions with regulators directed at reaching resolution of this matter.
	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 March 31, 2015, the net book value of in-orbit satellites was $2,119 million, all of which was uninsured.
	Other
	As of March 31, 2015, we were contingently liable under standby letters of credit and bonds in the aggregate amount of $352 million primarily related to judicial deposit and payment guarantees in Latin America and insurance deductibles.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions
	Note 7: Related Party Transactions
	In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into transactions with related parties as discussed below. Related parties include Globo, which provides programming and advertising to Sky Brasil, and companies in which we hold equity method investments, including Sky Mexico, GSN, HSH and ROOT SPORTS Northwest.
	The majority of payments under contractual arrangements with related parties are pursuant to multi-year programming contracts. Payments under these contracts are typically subject to annual rate increases and are based on the number of subscribers receiving the related programming.
	The following table summarizes revenues and expenses with related parties:
		Three Months
		Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(Dollars in
		Millions)
	Revenues	$	2	$	2
	Expenses		241		241
	The following table sets forth the amount of accounts receivable from and accounts payable to related parties as of:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Accounts receivable	$	7	$	26
	Accounts payable		112		123
	Short-term liability		162		149
	Long-term liability		1		1

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest
	Note 8: 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. DIRECTV common stock is entitled to one vote per share and trades on the NASDAQ, under the ticker "DTV". As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no outstanding shares of preferred stock.
	Share Repurchase Program
	Since 2006 our Board of Directors has approved multiple authorizations for the repurchase of our common stock. In February 2014 our Board of Directors approved an authorization for up to $3.5 billion for repurchases of our common stock. In accordance with the Merger Agreement, we 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, effective May 18, 2014.
	For the three months months ended March 31, 2014, we repurchased 13 million shares at an average price of $71.53 per share for a total cost of $925 million. Of the $925 million in repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2014, $30 million were paid for in April 2014. Amounts repurchased but settled subsequent to the end of such periods are considered non-cash financing activities and excluded from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
	Noncontrolling Interest
	In connection with our acquisition of Sky Brasil in 2006, our partner who holds the remaining 7% interest, Globo Comunicações e Participações S.A., or Globo, was granted the right, until January 2014, to require us to purchase all, but not less than all, of its shares in Sky Brasil. Globo did not exercise its right to require us to purchase its shares in Sky Brasil. That right has now expired and the noncontrolling interest is no longer redeemable. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, during the first quarter of 2014, we reclassified $375 million, which was the fair value of Globo's remaining 7% interest, from "Redeemable noncontrolling interest" to "Noncontrolling interest," a component of stockholders' deficit in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the first quarter of 2014, we discontinued fair value accounting for this equity instrument.
	The following tables set forth a reconciliation of stockholders' deficit for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
					Stockholders' Deficit
		DIRECTV			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Noncontrolling			Total
		Common			Stock and			Deficit			Other			DIRECTV			Interest			Stockholders'
		Shares			Additional						Comprehensive			Stockholders'						Deficit
					Paid-In						Loss			Deficit
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2015		502,733,342		$	3,613		$	(8,408	)	$	(418	)	$	(5,213	)	$	385		$	(4,828	)
	Net income								730						730			—			730
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,247,835			(62	)								(62	)					(62	)
	Share-based compensation expense					27									27						27
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					31									31						31
	Other					(1	)								(1	)					(1	)
	Other comprehensive loss											(159	)		(159	)					(159	)
	CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest																	(18	)		(18	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		503,981,177		$	3,608		$	(7,678	)	$	(577	)	$	(4,647	)	$	367		$	(4,280	)
	The following tables set forth a reconciliation of stockholders' deficit and redeemable noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
					Stockholders' Deficit
		DIRECTV			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Noncontrolling			Total			Redeemable
		Common			Stock and			Deficit			Other			DIRECTV			Interest			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling
		Shares			Additional						Comprehensive			Stockholders'						Deficit			Interest
					Paid-In						Loss			Deficit
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2014		519,306,232		$	3,652		$	(9,874	)	$	(322	)	$	(6,544	)	$	—		$	(6,544	)	$	375
	Net income								561						561			8			569
	Stock repurchased and retired		(12,928,118	)		(89	)		(836	)					(925	)					(925	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,220,957			(57	)								(57	)					(57	)
	Share-based compensation expense					20									20						20
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					22									22						22
	Other					1									1						1
	Other comprehensive income											24			24						24
	CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest																	3			3
	Noncontrolling interest																	375			375			(375	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		507,599,071		$	3,549		$	(10,149	)	$	(298	)	$	(6,898	)	$	386		$	(6,512	)	$	—
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The following represents the components of other comprehensive income (loss) for each of the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015									2014
		Pre-Tax			Tax Benefit			Net of			Pre-Tax			Tax Benefit			Net of
					(Expense)			Tax						(Expense)			Tax
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized losses arising during the period	$	(194	)	$	73		$	(121	)	$	(12	)	$	5		$	(7	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in "Other, net"		151			(57	)		94			(13	)		5			(8	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		(218	)		86			(132	)		63			(24	)		39
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(261	)	$	102		$	(159	)	$	38		$	(14	)	$	24
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following represents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss for each of the periods presented:
		Defined			Gains			Foreign			Accumulated
		Benefit Plan			(Losses) on			Currency			Other
		Items			Cash Flow			Items			Comprehensive
					Hedges						Loss
		(Dollars in Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	(141	)	$	44		$	(321	)	$	(418	)
Other comprehensive loss		—			(27	)		(132	)		(159	)
Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	(141	)	$	17		$	(453	)	$	(577	)
	Defined			Gains			Foreign			Accumulated
	Benefit Plan			(Losses) on			Currency			Other
	Items			Cash Flow			Items			Comprehensive
				Hedges						Loss
	(Dollars in Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	(123	)	$	14		$	(213	)	$	(322	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(15	)		39			24
Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	(123	)	$	(1	)	$	(174	)	$	(298	)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings Per Common Share
	Note 9: Earnings Per Common Share
	We compute basic earnings per common share, or EPS, by dividing net income attributable to DIRECTV by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
	Diluted EPS considers the effect of common equivalent shares, which consist entirely of common stock options and restricted stock units issued to employees. We excluded 0.2 million common stock awards from the computation of diluted EPS, for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have had an antidilutive effect.
	The reconciliation of the amounts used in the basic and diluted EPS computation is as follows:
		Income		Shares		Per Share
						Amounts
		(Dollars and Shares
		in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2015
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	730		503	$	1.45
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	730		507	$	1.44
	March 31, 2014
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		511	$	1.1
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		515	$	1.09

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting
	Note 10: Segment Reporting
	Our reportable segments, which are differentiated by their products and services as well as geographic location, are DIRECTV U.S., Sky Brasil and PanAmericana and Other, which are engaged in acquiring, promoting, selling and distributing digital entertainment programming primarily via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers, and the Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other segment, which includes our regional sports networks that provide programming devoted to local professional sports teams and college sporting events and locally produce their own programming. Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other also includes the corporate office, eliminations and other entities.
	Selected information for our operating segments is reported as follows:
			External			Intersegment			Total		Operating			Depreciation		Operating
			Revenues			Revenues			Revenues		Profit			and		Profit
											(Loss)			Amortization		(Loss) Before
														Expense		Depreciation
																and
																Amortization(1)
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2015
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	6,456		$	2		$	6,458	$	1,249		$	438	$	1,687
	Sky Brasil			795			—			795		54			145		199
	PanAmericana and Other			840			—			840		102			144		246
	DIRECTV Latin America			1,635			—			1,635		156			289		445
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			52			(2	)		50		(18	)		3		(15	)
	Total		$	8,143		$	—		$	8,143	$	1,387		$	730	$	2,117
	March 31, 2014
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	6,085		$	2		$	6,087	$	1,243		$	426	$	1,669
	Sky Brasil			939			—			939		148			163		311
	PanAmericana and Other			782			—			782		(174	)		122		(52	)
	DIRECTV Latin America			1,721			—			1,721		(26	)		285		259
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			49			(2	)		47		10			3		13
	Total		$	7,855		$	—		$	7,855	$	1,227		$	714	$	1,941
	-1	Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP can be calculated by adding amounts under the caption "Depreciation and amortization expense" to "Operating profit (loss)." This measure should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and Board of Directors use operating profit before depreciation and amortization to evaluate the operating performance of our company and our business segments and to allocate resources and capital to business segments. This metric is also used as a measure of performance for incentive compensation purposes and to measure income generated from operations that could be used to fund capital expenditures, service debt or pay taxes. Depreciation and amortization expense primarily represents an allocation to current expense of the cost of historical capital expenditures and for intangible assets resulting from prior business acquisitions. To compensate for the exclusion of depreciation and amortization expense from operating profit, our management and Board of Directors separately measure and budget for capital expenditures and business acquisitions.
	We believe this measure is useful to investors, along with GAAP measures (such as revenues, operating profit and net income), to compare our operating performance to other communications, entertainment and media service providers. We believe that investors use current and projected operating profit before depreciation and amortization and similar measures to estimate our current or prospective enterprise value and make investment decisions. This metric provides investors with a means to compare operating results exclusive of depreciation and amortization. Our management believes this is useful given the significant variation in depreciation and amortization expense that can result from the timing of capital expenditures, the capitalization of intangible assets, potential variations in expected useful lives when compared to other companies and periodic changes to estimated useful lives.
	The following represents a reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation and amortization to reported net income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
			Three Months
			Ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
			(Dollars in
			Millions)
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization		$	2,117		$	1,941
	Depreciation and amortization			(730	)		(714	)
	Operating profit			1,387			1,227
	Interest income			22			13
	Interest expense			(245	)		(232	)
	Other, net			7			57
	Income before income taxes			1,171			1,065
	Income tax expense			(441	)		(496	)
	Net income			730			569
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			(8	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	730		$	561

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	Note 11: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	As discussed above in Note 4, DIRECTV has provided a guarantee of all the outstanding senior notes of DIRECTV Holdings LLC and DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., or the Co-issuers.
	The following condensed consolidating financial statements of DIRECTV and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to rules regarding the preparation of consolidating financial statements of Regulation S-X.
	These condensed consolidating financial statements present the condensed consolidating statements of operations and condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	The condensed consolidating financial statements are comprised of DIRECTV, or the Parent Guarantor, its indirect 100% owned subsidiaries, DIRECTV Holdings, DIRECTV Financing and each of DIRECTV Holdings' material subsidiaries (other than DIRECTV Financing), or the Guarantor Subsidiaries, as well as other subsidiaries who are not guarantors of the senior notes, or the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and the eliminations necessary to present DIRECTV's financial statements on a consolidated basis. The Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries consist primarily of DIRECTV's DTH digital television services throughout Latin America which are held by DIRECTV Latin America Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and our regional sports networks which are held by DIRECTV Sports Networks LLC and its subsidiaries. In addition, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries include the entity that is the parent of DIRECTV Holdings.
	The accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements are presented based on the equity method of accounting for all periods presented. Under this method, investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost and adjusted for the subsidiaries' cumulative results of operations, capital contributions and distributions, and other changes in equity.
	Elimination entries include consolidating and eliminating entries for investments in subsidiaries, intercompany activity and balances, and income taxes.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,458		$	1,725		$	(40	)	$	8,143
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other		—			—			2,998			616			(38	)		3,576
	Subscriber service expenses		—			—			385			196			—			581
	Broadcast operations expenses		—			—			81			38			(2	)		117
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs		—			—			703			185			—			888
	Upgrade and retention costs		—			—			308			42			—			350
	General and administrative expenses		32			—			296			186			—			514
	Depreciation and amortization expense		—			—			438			292			—			730
	Total operating costs and expenses		32			—			5,209			1,555			(40	)		6,756
	Operating profit (loss)		(32	)		—			1,249			170			—			1,387
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries		750			751			—			615			(2,116	)		—
	Interest income		—			3			—			19			—			22
	Interest expense		—			(231	)		—			(14	)		—			(245	)
	Other, net		—			2			6			(1	)		—			7
	Income before income taxes		718			525			1,255			789			(2,116	)		1,171
	Income tax benefit (expense)		12			90			(504	)		(39	)		—			(441	)
	Net income		730			615			751			750			(2,116	)		730
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	730		$	615		$	751		$	750		$	(2,116	)	$	730
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,087		$	1,798		$	(30	)	$	7,855
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other		—			—			2,768			641			(26	)		3,383
	Subscriber service expenses		—			—			359			192			—			551
	Broadcast operations expenses		—			—			72			27			(2	)		97
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs		—			—			648			180			(1	)		827
	Upgrade and retention costs		—			—			281			41			(1	)		321
	General and administrative expenses		9			—			290			155			—			454
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		—			—			—			281			—			281
	Depreciation and amortization expense		—			—			426			288			—			714
	Total operating costs and expenses		9			—			4,844			1,805			(30	)		6,628
	Operating profit (loss)		(9	)		—			1,243			(7	)		—			1,227
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries		568			787			—			648			(2,003	)		—
	Interest income		—			—			1			12			—			13
	Interest expense		—			(220	)		(3	)		(9	)		—			(232	)
	Other, net		(2	)		—			5			54			—			57
	Income before income taxes		557			567			1,246			698			(2,003	)		1,065
	Income tax benefit (expense)		4			81			(459	)		(122	)		—			(496	)
	Net income		561			648			787			576			(2,003	)		569
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	648		$	787		$	568		$	(2,003	)	$	561
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
Net income	$	730		$	615		$	751		$	750		$	(2,116	)	$	730
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period		(121	)		(121	)		—			(121	)		242			(121	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income		94			94			—			94			(188	)		94
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(114	)		—			—			(132	)		114			(132	)
Other comprehensive loss		(141	)		(27	)		—			(159	)		168			(159	)
Comprehensive income		589			588			751			591			(1,948	)		571
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			18			—			18
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$	589		$	588		$	751		$	609		$	(1,948	)	$	589
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
Net income	$	561		$	648		$	787		$	576		$	(2,003	)	$	569
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized losses arising during the period		—			(7	)		—			—			—			(7	)
Reclassification adjustments included in net income		—			(8	)		—			—			—			(8	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		—			—			—			39			—			39
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(15	)		—			39			—			24
Comprehensive income		561			633			787			615			(2,003	)		593
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	633		$	787		$	604		$	(2,003	)	$	582
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2015
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
ASSETS
Total current assets	$	725		$	2,975		$	2,928		$	1,705		$	(287	)	$	8,046
Satellites, net		—			—			1,713			1,332			—			3,045
Property and equipment, net		—			—			3,841			2,614			—			6,455
Goodwill		—			1,828			1,363			686			—			3,877
Intangible assets, net		—			—			509			453			(8	)		954
Intercompany receivables		4,532			12,561			29,652			603			(47,348	)		—
Investment in subsidiaries		(8,730	)		22,133			—			(10,092	)		(3,311	)		—
Investments and other assets		136			75			645			1,199			(131	)		1,924
Total assets	$	(3,337	)	$	39,572		$	40,651		$	(1,500	)	$	(51,085	)	$	24,301
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	$	244		$	2,421		$	3,888		$	1,298		$	(287	)	$	7,564
Long-term debt		—			16,936			—			122			—			17,058
Deferred income taxes		—			17			1,731			(11	)		(131	)		1,606
Intercompany liabilities		612			29,623			12,646			4,467			(47,348	)		—
Other liabilities and deferred credits		454			667			253			987			(8	)		2,353
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital		3,608			476			5,447			3,510			(9,433	)		3,608
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(7,678	)		(10,586	)		16,686			(11,804	)		5,704			(7,678	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(577	)		18			—			(436	)		418			(577	)
Total DIRECTV stockholders' equity (deficit)		(4,647	)		(10,092	)		22,133			(8,730	)		(3,311	)		(4,647	)
Noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			367			—			367
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(4,647	)		(10,092	)		22,133			(8,363	)		(3,311	)		(4,280	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$	(3,337	)	$	39,572		$	40,651		$	(1,500	)	$	(51,085	)	$	24,301
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2014
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(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	)		—
Investments and 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 Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	32		$	(274	)	$	1,465		$	446		$	(33	)	$	1,636
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment		—			—			(337	)		(276	)		—			(613	)
Cash paid for satellites		—			—			(45	)		(51	)		—			(96	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		—			—			(8	)		(2	)		—			(10	)
Intercompany funding		(139	)		(435	)		(1,596	)		(14	)		2,184			—
Other, net		—			—			—			3			—			3
Net cash used in investing activities		(139	)		(435	)		(1,986	)		(340	)		2,184			(716	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt		—			—			—			17			—			17
Repayment of long-term debt		—			(1,200	)		—			(26	)		—			(1,226	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations		—			—			(7	)		(22	)		—			(29	)
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		(64	)		—			(50	)		(14	)		64			(64	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		31			—			23			8			(31	)		31
Intercompany payments		23			1,532			546			83			(2,184	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(10	)		332			512			46			(2,151	)		(1,271	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(117	)		(377	)		(9	)		152			—			(351	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		680			3,191			20			744			—			4,635
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	563		$	2,814		$	11		$	896		$	—		$	4,284
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
	Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
										Subsidiaries
	(Dollars in Millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	594		$	(305	)	$	1,482		$	489		$	(670	)	$	1,590
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment		—			—			(371	)		(279	)		—			(650	)
Cash paid for satellites		—			—			(11	)		(43	)		—			(54	)
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		—			—			(1	)		(3	)		—			(4	)
Proceeds from sale of investments		—			—			4			—			—			4
Return of capital from subsidiary		400			—			—			—			(400	)		—
Intercompany funding		(117	)		(408	)		(1,464	)		(77	)		2,066			—
Other, net		—			—			—			(3	)		—			(3	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		283			(408	)		(1,843	)		(405	)		1,666			(707	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		—			105			—			—			—			105
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		—			90			—			—			—			90
Repayment of short-term borrowings		—			(200	)		—			—			—			(200	)
Proceeds from long-term debt		—			1,245			—			15			—			1,260
Debt issuance costs		—			(6	)		—			—			—			(6	)
Repayment of long-term debt		—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
Repayment of other long-term obligations		—			—			(6	)		(9	)		—			(15	)
Common shares repurchased and retired		(895	)		—			—			—			—			(895	)
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		(57	)		—			(47	)		(10	)		57			(57	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		22			—			18			4			(22	)		22
Intercompany payments		9			1,465			407			150			(2,031	)		—
Cash dividend to Parent		—			(1,000	)		—			—			1,000			—
Other, net		—			(26	)		—			—			—			(26	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(921	)		1,673			372			139			(996	)		267
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			(316	)		—			(316	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(44	)		960			11			(93	)		—			834
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		498			791			6			885			—			2,180
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	454		$	1,751		$	17		$	792		$	—		$	3,014

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill
Schedule of goodwill
				DIRECTV Latin
				America					Sports
									Networks,
									Eliminations
		DIRECTV		Sky			PanAmericana		and Other		Total
		U.S.		Brasil			and Other
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	3,191	$	305		$	211	$	222	$	3,929
	Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment		—		(52	)		—		—		(52	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	3,191	$	253		$	211	$	222	$	3,877

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt
Schedule of outstanding debt
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Current debt
	Current portion of long-term debt		$	2,249	$	1,200
	Current portion of borrowings under BNDES financing facility			106		127
	Long-term debt
	Senior notes			16,936		19,327
	Borrowings under BNDES financing facility			91		140
	Borrowings under Desenvolve SP financing facility			31		18
	Total debt		$	19,413	$	20,812
Schedule of outstanding senior notes
			Principal amount		Carrying value, net of
					unamortized original
					issue discounts
			March 31,		March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2015		2014
			(Dollars in Millions)
	3.550% senior notes due in 2015		$	—	$	—	$	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		746
	5.875% senior notes due in 2019			1,000		996		996
	5.200% senior notes due in 2020			1,300		1,299		1,299
	4.600% senior notes due in 2021			1,000		1,000		999
	5.000% senior notes due in 2021(1)			1,500		1,508		1,506
	3.800% senior notes due in 2022(1)			1,500		1,522		1,520
	2.750% senior notes due in 2023(2)			537		534		602
	4.450% senior notes due in 2024(1)			1,250		1,289		1,285
	3.950% senior notes due in 2025			1,200		1,192		1,192
	4.375% senior notes due in 2029(2)			1,111		1,101		1,157
	5.200% senior notes due in 2033(2)			518		516		543
	6.350% senior notes due in 2040			500		500		500
	6.000% senior notes due in 2040			1,250		1,236		1,236
	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		$	19,166	$	19,185	$	20,527
	-1	The carrying values as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include the following fair value adjustments, respectively: increases of $12 million and $10 million for the 5.000% senior notes due in 2021, increases of $22 million and $20 million for the 3.800% senior notes due in 2022 and increases of $43 million and $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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Financial Instruments
Schedule of fair values of assets and liabilities associated with the derivative financial instruments
		Assets				Liabilities
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	—	$	8	$	210	$	24
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swap contracts		—		12		—		6
	Total derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	20	$	210	$	30
Schedule of notional amounts of outstanding derivative financial instruments
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(Dollars in millions)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	$	2,418	$	2,418
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps		—		3,000
	Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments	$	2,418	$	5,418

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions
Summary of revenues and expenses with related parties
		Three Months
		Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(Dollars in
		Millions)
	Revenues	$	2	$	2
	Expenses		241		241
Schedule of accounts receivable from and accounts payable to related parties
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Accounts receivable	$	7	$	26
	Accounts payable		112		123
	Short-term liability		162		149
	Long-term liability		1		1

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco1

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest
Schedule of reconciliation of stockholders' deficit
					Stockholders' Deficit
		DIRECTV			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Noncontrolling			Total
		Common			Stock and			Deficit			Other			DIRECTV			Interest			Stockholders'
		Shares			Additional						Comprehensive			Stockholders'						Deficit
					Paid-In						Loss			Deficit
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2015		502,733,342		$	3,613		$	(8,408	)	$	(418	)	$	(5,213	)	$	385		$	(4,828	)
	Net income								730						730			—			730
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,247,835			(62	)								(62	)					(62	)
	Share-based compensation expense					27									27						27
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					31									31						31
	Other					(1	)								(1	)					(1	)
	Other comprehensive loss											(159	)		(159	)					(159	)
	CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest																	(18	)		(18	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		503,981,177		$	3,608		$	(7,678	)	$	(577	)	$	(4,647	)	$	367		$	(4,280	)
					Stockholders' Deficit
		DIRECTV			Common			Accumulated			Accumulated			Total			Noncontrolling			Total			Redeemable
		Common			Stock and			Deficit			Other			DIRECTV			Interest			Stockholders'			Noncontrolling
		Shares			Additional						Comprehensive			Stockholders'						Deficit			Interest
					Paid-In						Loss			Deficit
					Capital
		(Amounts in Millions, Except Share Data)
	Balance as of January 1, 2014		519,306,232		$	3,652		$	(9,874	)	$	(322	)	$	(6,544	)	$	—		$	(6,544	)	$	375
	Net income								561						561			8			569
	Stock repurchased and retired		(12,928,118	)		(89	)		(836	)					(925	)					(925	)
	Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed		1,220,957			(57	)								(57	)					(57	)
	Share-based compensation expense					20									20						20
	Tax benefit from share-based compensation					22									22						22
	Other					1									1						1
	Other comprehensive income											24			24						24
	CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest																	3			3
	Noncontrolling interest																	375			375			(375	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		507,599,071		$	3,549		$	(10,149	)	$	(298	)	$	(6,898	)	$	386		$	(6,512	)	$	—
Schedule of components of other comprehensive income (loss)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015									2014
		Pre-Tax			Tax Benefit			Net of			Pre-Tax			Tax Benefit			Net of
					(Expense)			Tax						(Expense)			Tax
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized losses arising during the period	$	(194	)	$	73		$	(121	)	$	(12	)	$	5		$	(7	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in "Other, net"		151			(57	)		94			(13	)		5			(8	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		(218	)		86			(132	)		63			(24	)		39
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(261	)	$	102		$	(159	)	$	38		$	(14	)	$	24
Schedule of changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
		Defined			Gains			Foreign			Accumulated
		Benefit Plan			(Losses) on			Currency			Other
		Items			Cash Flow			Items			Comprehensive
					Hedges						Loss
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	(141	)	$	44		$	(321	)	$	(418	)
	Other comprehensive loss		—			(27	)		(132	)		(159	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	(141	)	$	17		$	(453	)	$	(577	)
		Defined			Gains			Foreign			Accumulated
		Benefit Plan			(Losses) on			Currency			Other
		Items			Cash Flow			Items			Comprehensive
					Hedges						Loss
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	(123	)	$	14		$	(213	)	$	(322	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(15	)		39			24
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	(123	)	$	(1	)	$	(174	)	$	(298	)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Common Share
Schedule of reconciliation of the amounts used in the basic and diluted EPS
		Income		Shares		Per Share
						Amounts
		(Dollars and Shares
		in Millions,
		Except Per Share Amounts)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2015
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	730		503	$	1.45
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	730		507	$	1.44
	March 31, 2014
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		511	$	1.1
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—		4		(0.01	)
	Diluted EPS
	Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		515	$	1.09

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting
Selected information for operating segments
			External			Intersegment			Total		Operating			Depreciation		Operating
			Revenues			Revenues			Revenues		Profit			and		Profit
											(Loss)			Amortization		(Loss) Before
														Expense		Depreciation
																and
																Amortization(1)
			(Dollars in Millions)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2015
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	6,456		$	2		$	6,458	$	1,249		$	438	$	1,687
	Sky Brasil			795			—			795		54			145		199
	PanAmericana and Other			840			—			840		102			144		246
	DIRECTV Latin America			1,635			—			1,635		156			289		445
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			52			(2	)		50		(18	)		3		(15	)
	Total		$	8,143		$	—		$	8,143	$	1,387		$	730	$	2,117
	March 31, 2014
	DIRECTV U.S.		$	6,085		$	2		$	6,087	$	1,243		$	426	$	1,669
	Sky Brasil			939			—			939		148			163		311
	PanAmericana and Other			782			—			782		(174	)		122		(52	)
	DIRECTV Latin America			1,721			—			1,721		(26	)		285		259
	Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other			49			(2	)		47		10			3		13
	Total		$	7,855		$	—		$	7,855	$	1,227		$	714	$	1,941
	-1	Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP can be calculated by adding amounts under the caption "Depreciation and amortization expense" to "Operating profit (loss)." This measure should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and Board of Directors use operating profit before depreciation and amortization to evaluate the operating performance of our company and our business segments and to allocate resources and capital to business segments. This metric is also used as a measure of performance for incentive compensation purposes and to measure income generated from operations that could be used to fund capital expenditures, service debt or pay taxes. Depreciation and amortization expense primarily represents an allocation to current expense of the cost of historical capital expenditures and for intangible assets resulting from prior business acquisitions. To compensate for the exclusion of depreciation and amortization expense from operating profit, our management and Board of Directors separately measure and budget for capital expenditures and business acquisitions.
	We believe this measure is useful to investors, along with GAAP measures (such as revenues, operating profit and net income), to compare our operating performance to other communications, entertainment and media service providers. We believe that investors use current and projected operating profit before depreciation and amortization and similar measures to estimate our current or prospective enterprise value and make investment decisions. This metric provides investors with a means to compare operating results exclusive of depreciation and amortization. Our management believes this is useful given the significant variation in depreciation and amortization expense that can result from the timing of capital expenditures, the capitalization of intangible assets, potential variations in expected useful lives when compared to other companies and periodic changes to estimated useful lives.
Reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation and amortization to reported net income
			Three Months
			Ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
			(Dollars in
			Millions)
	Operating profit before depreciation and amortization		$	2,117		$	1,941
	Depreciation and amortization			(730	)		(714	)
	Operating profit			1,387			1,227
	Interest income			22			13
	Interest expense			(245	)		(232	)
	Other, net			7			57
	Income before income taxes			1,171			1,065
	Income tax expense			(441	)		(496	)
	Net income			730			569
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			(8	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV		$	730		$	561

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,458		$	1,725		$	(40	)	$	8,143
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other		—			—			2,998			616			(38	)		3,576
	Subscriber service expenses		—			—			385			196			—			581
	Broadcast operations expenses		—			—			81			38			(2	)		117
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs		—			—			703			185			—			888
	Upgrade and retention costs		—			—			308			42			—			350
	General and administrative expenses		32			—			296			186			—			514
	Depreciation and amortization expense		—			—			438			292			—			730
	Total operating costs and expenses		32			—			5,209			1,555			(40	)		6,756
	Operating profit (loss)		(32	)		—			1,249			170			—			1,387
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries		750			751			—			615			(2,116	)		—
	Interest income		—			3			—			19			—			22
	Interest expense		—			(231	)		—			(14	)		—			(245	)
	Other, net		—			2			6			(1	)		—			7
	Income before income taxes		718			525			1,255			789			(2,116	)		1,171
	Income tax benefit (expense)		12			90			(504	)		(39	)		—			(441	)
	Net income		730			615			751			750			(2,116	)		730
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	730		$	615		$	751		$	750		$	(2,116	)	$	730
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,087		$	1,798		$	(30	)	$	7,855
	Operating costs and expenses
	Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Broadcast programming and other		—			—			2,768			641			(26	)		3,383
	Subscriber service expenses		—			—			359			192			—			551
	Broadcast operations expenses		—			—			72			27			(2	)		97
	Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
	Subscriber acquisition costs		—			—			648			180			(1	)		827
	Upgrade and retention costs		—			—			281			41			(1	)		321
	General and administrative expenses		9			—			290			155			—			454
	Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		—			—			—			281			—			281
	Depreciation and amortization expense		—			—			426			288			—			714
	Total operating costs and expenses		9			—			4,844			1,805			(30	)		6,628
	Operating profit (loss)		(9	)		—			1,243			(7	)		—			1,227
	Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries		568			787			—			648			(2,003	)		—
	Interest income		—			—			1			12			—			13
	Interest expense		—			(220	)		(3	)		(9	)		—			(232	)
	Other, net		(2	)		—			5			54			—			57
	Income before income taxes		557			567			1,246			698			(2,003	)		1,065
	Income tax benefit (expense)		4			81			(459	)		(122	)		—			(496	)
	Net income		561			648			787			576			(2,003	)		569
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)
	Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	648		$	787		$	568		$	(2,003	)	$	561
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income	$	730		$	615		$	751		$	750		$	(2,116	)	$	730
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized losses arising during the period		(121	)		(121	)		—			(121	)		242			(121	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income		94			94			—			94			(188	)		94
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		(114	)		—			—			(132	)		114			(132	)
	Other comprehensive loss		(141	)		(27	)		—			(159	)		168			(159	)
	Comprehensive income		589			588			751			591			(1,948	)		571
	Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			18			—			18
	Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$	589		$	588		$	751		$	609		$	(1,948	)	$	589
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Net income	$	561		$	648		$	787		$	576		$	(2,003	)	$	569
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Cash flows hedges:
	Unrealized losses arising during the period		—			(7	)		—			—			—			(7	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in net income		—			(8	)		—			—			—			(8	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		—			—			—			39			—			39
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(15	)		—			39			—			24
	Comprehensive income		561			633			787			615			(2,003	)		593
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
	Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	$	561		$	633		$	787		$	604		$	(2,003	)	$	582
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of March 31, 2015
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	ASSETS
	Total current assets	$	725		$	2,975		$	2,928		$	1,705		$	(287	)	$	8,046
	Satellites, net		—			—			1,713			1,332			—			3,045
	Property and equipment, net		—			—			3,841			2,614			—			6,455
	Goodwill		—			1,828			1,363			686			—			3,877
	Intangible assets, net		—			—			509			453			(8	)		954
	Intercompany receivables		4,532			12,561			29,652			603			(47,348	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries		(8,730	)		22,133			—			(10,092	)		(3,311	)		—
	Investments and other assets		136			75			645			1,199			(131	)		1,924
	Total assets	$	(3,337	)	$	39,572		$	40,651		$	(1,500	)	$	(51,085	)	$	24,301
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
	Total current liabilities	$	244		$	2,421		$	3,888		$	1,298		$	(287	)	$	7,564
	Long-term debt		—			16,936			—			122			—			17,058
	Deferred income taxes		—			17			1,731			(11	)		(131	)		1,606
	Intercompany liabilities		612			29,623			12,646			4,467			(47,348	)		—
	Other liabilities and deferred credits		454			667			253			987			(8	)		2,353
	Stockholders' equity (deficit)
	Common stock and additional paid-in capital		3,608			476			5,447			3,510			(9,433	)		3,608
	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(7,678	)		(10,586	)		16,686			(11,804	)		5,704			(7,678	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(577	)		18			—			(436	)		418			(577	)
	Total DIRECTV stockholders' equity (deficit)		(4,647	)		(10,092	)		22,133			(8,730	)		(3,311	)		(4,647	)
	Noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			367			—			367
	Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(4,647	)		(10,092	)		22,133			(8,363	)		(3,311	)		(4,280	)
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$	(3,337	)	$	39,572		$	40,651		$	(1,500	)	$	(51,085	)	$	24,301
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of December 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(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	)		—
	Investments and 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
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows from operating activities
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	32		$	(274	)	$	1,465		$	446		$	(33	)	$	1,636
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Cash paid for property and equipment		—			—			(337	)		(276	)		—			(613	)
	Cash paid for satellites		—			—			(45	)		(51	)		—			(96	)
	Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		—			—			(8	)		(2	)		—			(10	)
	Intercompany funding		(139	)		(435	)		(1,596	)		(14	)		2,184			—
	Other, net		—			—			—			3			—			3
	Net cash used in investing activities		(139	)		(435	)		(1,986	)		(340	)		2,184			(716	)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Proceeds from long-term debt		—			—			—			17			—			17
	Repayment of long-term debt		—			(1,200	)		—			(26	)		—			(1,226	)
	Repayment of other long-term obligations		—			—			(7	)		(22	)		—			(29	)
	Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		(64	)		—			(50	)		(14	)		64			(64	)
	Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		31			—			23			8			(31	)		31
	Intercompany payments		23			1,532			546			83			(2,184	)		—
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(10	)		332			512			46			(2,151	)		(1,271	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(117	)		(377	)		(9	)		152			—			(351	)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		680			3,191			20			744			—			4,635
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	563		$	2,814		$	11		$	896		$	—		$	4,284
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Parent			Co-Issuers			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			DIRECTV
		Guarantor						Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
											Subsidiaries
		(Dollars in Millions)
	Cash flows from operating activities
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	594		$	(305	)	$	1,482		$	489		$	(670	)	$	1,590
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Cash paid for property and equipment		—			—			(371	)		(279	)		—			(650	)
	Cash paid for satellites		—			—			(11	)		(43	)		—			(54	)
	Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		—			—			(1	)		(3	)		—			(4	)
	Proceeds from sale of investments		—			—			4			—			—			4
	Return of capital from subsidiary		400			—			—			—			(400	)		—
	Intercompany funding		(117	)		(408	)		(1,464	)		(77	)		2,066			—
	Other, net		—			—			—			(3	)		—			(3	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		283			(408	)		(1,843	)		(405	)		1,666			(707	)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net		—			105			—			—			—			105
	Proceeds from short-term borrowings		—			90			—			—			—			90
	Repayment of short-term borrowings		—			(200	)		—			—			—			(200	)
	Proceeds from long-term debt		—			1,245			—			15			—			1,260
	Debt issuance costs		—			(6	)		—			—			—			(6	)
	Repayment of long-term debt		—			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
	Repayment of other long-term obligations		—			—			(6	)		(9	)		—			(15	)
	Common shares repurchased and retired		(895	)		—			—			—			—			(895	)
	Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		(57	)		—			(47	)		(10	)		57			(57	)
	Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		22			—			18			4			(22	)		22
	Intercompany payments		9			1,465			407			150			(2,031	)		—
	Cash dividend to Parent		—			(1,000	)		—			—			1,000			—
	Other, net		—			(26	)		—			—			—			(26	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(921	)		1,673			372			139			(996	)		267
	Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			(316	)		—			(316	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(44	)		960			11			(93	)		—			834
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		498			791			6			885			—			2,180
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	454		$	1,751		$	17		$	792		$	—		$	3,014

Description_of_Business_and_Ba1

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	18-May-14
	item
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Number of regional sports networks owned and operated by the entity	2
Game Show Network, LLC
Ownership interests
Ownership percentage of equity method investment	42.00%
Sky Brasil
Ownership interests
Ownership percentage in subsidiary	93.00%
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%

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	$3,929
Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment	-52
Goodwill, ending balance	3,877
DIRECTV U.S.
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance		3,191
Goodwill, ending balance	3,191	3,191
Sky Brasil
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	305
Sky Brasil foreign currency translation adjustment	-52
Goodwill, ending balance	253
PanAmericana and Other
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance		211
Goodwill, ending balance	211	211
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance		222
Goodwill, ending balance	$222	$222

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt instrument
Current debt, Current portion of long-term debt	$2,249	$1,200
Long-term debt, Senior notes	16,936	19,327
Total debt	19,413	20,812
Interest accrued on outstanding debt	185	278
BNDES Financing Facility
Debt instrument
Current debt, Current portion of borrowings under financing facility	106	127
Long-term debt, borrowings under financing facility	91	140
Desenvolve SP financing facility
Debt instrument
Long-term debt, borrowings under financing facility	$31	$18

Debt_Details_2

Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 24, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 17, 2014
Debt instrument
Repayment of senior notes	$1,226	$11
Principal amount	19,166
Senior notes	19,185				20,527
Proceeds, net of discount	17	1,260
Senior notes 3.550% due 2015
Debt instrument
Repayment of senior notes	1,200
Senior notes					1,200
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	3.55%
Senior notes 4.750% due 2014
Debt instrument
Principal amount		1,000		1,000
Basis for variable interest rate				Treasury Rate
Interest rate added to variable base rate (as a percent)				0.40%
Cash payment to redeem Notes			1,022
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)		4.75%		4.75%
Senior notes 3.125% due 2016
Debt instrument
Principal amount	750
Senior notes	750				750
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	3.13%
Senior notes 3.500% due 2016
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,500
Senior notes	1,499				1,499
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	3.50%
Senior notes 2.400% due 2017
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,250
Senior notes	1,249				1,249
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	2.40%
Senior notes 1.750% due in 2018
Debt instrument
Principal amount	750
Senior notes	746				746
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	1.75%
Senior notes 5.875% due 2019
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,000
Senior notes	996				996
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	5.88%
Senior notes 5.200% Due 2020
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,300
Senior notes	1,299				1,299
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	5.20%
Senior notes 4.600% due 2021
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,000
Senior notes	1,000				999
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	4.60%
Senior notes 5.000% due 2021
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,500
Senior notes	1,508				1,506
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	5.00%
Fair value adjustment	12				10
Senior notes 3.800% due 2022
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,500
Senior notes	1,522				1,520
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	3.80%
Fair value adjustment	22				20
Senior notes 2.750% due 2023
Debt instrument
Principal amount	537
Senior notes	534				602
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	2.75%
Senior notes 4.450% due 2024
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,250	1,250		1,250
Senior notes	1,289				1,285
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	4.45%	4.45%		4.45%
Proceeds, net of discount				1,245
Debt issuance costs		7		7		7
Fair value adjustment	43				39
Senior notes 3.950% due 2025
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,200
Senior notes	1,192				1,192
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	3.95%
Senior notes 4.375% due 2029
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,111
Senior notes	1,101				1,157
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	4.38%
Senior notes 5.200% due 2033
Debt instrument
Principal amount	518
Senior notes	516				543
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	5.20%
Senior notes 6.350% due 2040
Debt instrument
Principal amount	500
Senior notes	500				500
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	6.35%
Senior notes 6.000% due 2040
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,250
Senior notes	1,236				1,236
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	6.00%
Senior notes 6.375% due 2041
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,000
Senior notes	1,000				1,000
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	6.38%
Senior notes 5.150% due 2042
Debt instrument
Principal amount	1,250
Senior notes	$1,248				$1,248
Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)	5.15%

Debt_Details_3

Debt (Details 3)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Commercial Paper.	Commercial Paper.	Revolving Credit Facility	Revolving Credit Facility	Revolving Credit Facility, Series One	Revolving Credit Facility, Series Two	Desenvolve SP financing facility	Desenvolve SP financing facility	Desenvolve SP financing facility	Desenvolve SP financing facility	BNDES Financing Facility	BNDES Financing Facility	BNDES Financing Facility	BNDES Financing Facility	BNDES Financing Facility	BNDES Financing Facility
			USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil	Sky Brasil
									USD ($)	BRL	USD ($)	BRL	USD ($)	BRL	USD ($)	BRL	Set-top receivers	Set-top receivers
															item		USD ($)	BRL
Debt instrument
Senior notes, fair value	$21,077,000,000	$22,044,000,000
2015													81,000,000	260,000,000
2016	2,250,000,000												85,000,000	273,000,000
2017	1,250,000,000												31,000,000	100,000,000
2018	750,000,000
2019	1,000,000,000								15,000,000	48,000,000
2020	1,300,000,000								16,000,000	50,000,000
Thereafter	12,616,000,000
Current debt, Commercial paper			0	0
Borrowing capacity under credit facility							1,000,000,000	1,500,000,000
Borrowing capacity under credit facility			2,500,000,000		2,500,000,000
Installment period of repayment from date of each borrowing									5 years	5 years
Loans outstanding					0	0			31,000,000	98,000,000	18,000,000	48,000,000	197,000,000	633,000,000	267,000,000	710,000,000
U.S. dollars based exchange rate										3.21		2.66		3.21		2.66		3.21
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%
Maximum Additional borrowing capacity					500,000,000
Original purchase price																	318,000,000	1,022,000,000
Restricted cash	$7,000,000	$10,000,000
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)									2.50%	2.50%	2.50%	2.50%	5.22%	5.22%	5.11%	5.11%
Number of monthly installments to repay borrowings															30	30

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Jan. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 5.200% due 2033

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

Senior notes 5.000% due 2021

Senior notes 5.000% due 2021

Senior notes 3.800% due 2022

Senior notes 3.800% due 2022

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cross-currency swap contracts

Cross-currency swap contracts

Cross-currency swap contracts

Cross-currency swap contracts

Cross-currency swap contracts

Cross-currency swap contracts

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Forward-starting interest rate swap contracts

Forward-starting interest rate swap contracts

Forward-starting interest rate swap contracts

Fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts

Fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts

Fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts

Fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts

Fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior notes 4.375% due 2029

Senior notes 2.750% due 2023

Senior notes 5.200% due 2033

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

Fair value hedges

USD ($)

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

Senior notes 4.450% due 2024

USD ($)

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

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

Fair value hedges

Fair value hedges

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior notes 5.000% due 2021

Senior notes 3.800% due 2022

USD ($)

Derivative financial instruments

Assets

$8

Interest rate swap contracts, Assets

12

Liabilities

210

24

6

Total fair value of derivative financial instruments, Assets

20

Total fair value of derivative financial instruments, Liabilities

210

30

Derivative financial instruments

Total notional amount of derivative financial instruments

2,418

5,418

2,418

2,418

3,000

3,000

Cash collateral from counterparties

0

0

Principal

19,166

1,111

537

518

1,250

1,250

1,500

1,500

750

500

350

Senior note, interest rate (as a percent)

4.38%

2.75%

5.20%

4.45%

4.45%

5.00%

3.80%

4.38%

2.75%

5.20%

4.45%

4.45%

5.00%

3.80%

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

-151

13

151

-13

Net foreign currency transaction gains (losses)

31

-6

-151

13

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

94

-8

-94

8

Amount of ineffectiveness measured

1

2

Aggregate cash proceeds received

18

Fair value adjustment

43

39

12

10

22

20

Increase in carrying amount of debt instrument

77

Amount recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss"

$8

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
	USD ($)	USD ($)	VEF	Venezuelan Subsidiary	Venezuelan Subsidiary	SICAD 1	SICAD 1	SICAD 1	SIMADI
				USD ($)	USD ($)	VEF	VEF	VEF	VEF
Unrecorded purchase commitments
Minimum payments under agreements to purchase	$16,305
Remainder of 2015	1,744
2016	2,140
2017	1,880
2018	1,760
2019	1,936
Thereafter	6,845
Loss contingencies
Exchange rate set by the Venezuelan government (in bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar)			6.3
Pre-tax charge related to remeasurement of bolivar denominated net monetary assets due to devaluation		281
Exchange rate (in bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar)						12	12	10.7	193
Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated assets in excess liabilities				534	481
Venezuelan bolivars fuerte denominated cash				554	481
Venezuelan bolivars fuerte denominated Revenue				200
Venezuelan bolivars fuerte denominated operating profit before depreciation and amortization	2,117	1,941		75
In-orbit satellites, net book value	2,119
Other
Contingent liability for standby letters of credit	$352

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions
Revenues	$2	$2
Expenses	241	241
Accounts receivable	7		26
Accounts payable	112		123
Short-term liability	162		149
Long-term liability	$1		$1

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco2

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	item
Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest
Common stock, shares authorized	3,950,000,000	3,950,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Number of votes per share of common stock	1

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco3

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details 2) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
Information regarding shares repurchased and retired
Average price per share (in dollars per share)		$71.53
Number of shares repurchased and retired		12,928,118
Total cost of repurchased shares		$925,000,000
Amount paid for stock repurchases	30,000,000	895,000,000
Noncontrolling interest		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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance (in shares)	502,733,342
Balance	($4,828)	($6,544)
Net income	730	569
Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)		-12,928,118
Stock repurchased and retired		-925
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed	-62	-57
Share-based compensation expense	27	20
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	31	22
Other	-1	1
Other comprehensive loss	-159	24
CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest	-18	3
Noncontrolling interest		375
Ending balance (in shares)	503,981,177
Balance	-4,280	-6,512
DIRECTV Common Shares
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance (in shares)	502,733,342	519,306,232
Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)		-12,928,118
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed (in shares)	1,247,835	1,220,957
Ending balance (in shares)	503,981,177	507,599,071
Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	3,613	3,652
Stock repurchased and retired		-89
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed	-62	-57
Share-based compensation expense	27	20
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	31	22
Other	-1	1
Balance	3,608	3,549
Accumulated Deficit
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	-8,408	-9,874
Net income	730	561
Stock repurchased and retired		-836
Balance	-7,678	-10,149
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	-418	-322
Other comprehensive loss	-159	24
Balance	-577	-298
Total Stockholder's Deficit
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	-5,213	-6,544
Net income	730	561
Stock repurchased and retired		-925
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed	-62	-57
Share-based compensation expense	27	20
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	31	22
Other	-1	1
Other comprehensive loss	-159	24
Balance	-4,647	-6,898
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balance	385
Net income		8
CTA adjustment allocated to noncontrolling interest	-18	3
Noncontrolling interest		375
Balance	$367	$386

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco5

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest
Noncontrolling interest	$375
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest
Beginning balance, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	375
Noncontrolling interest	($375)

Stockholders_Deficit_and_Nonco6

Stockholders' Deficit and Noncontrolling Interest (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
Pre-Tax	($194)	($12)
Tax Benefit (Expense)	73	5
Net of Tax	-121	-7
Reclassification adjustments included in "Other, net"
Pre-Tax	151	-13
Tax Benefit (Expense)	-57	5
Net of Tax	94	-8
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Pre-Tax	-218	63
Tax Benefit (Expense)	86	-24
Net of Tax	-132	39
Other comprehensive loss
Pre-Tax	-261	38
Tax Benefit (Expense)	102	-14
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-159	24
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at the beginning of the period	-418	-322
Other comprehensive loss	-159	24
Balance at the end of the period	-577	-298
Defined Benefit Plan Items
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at the beginning of the period			-141	-123
Balance at the end of the period	-141	-123	-141	-123
Cash flow hedges
Other comprehensive loss
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-27	-15
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at the beginning of the period	44	14
Other comprehensive loss	-27	-15
Balance at the end of the period	17	-1
Foreign Currency Items
Other comprehensive loss
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-132	39
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at the beginning of the period	-321	-213
Other comprehensive loss	-132	39
Balance at the end of the period	($453)	($174)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Basic EPS
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$730	$561
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	503	511
Earnings per share attributable to DIRECTV (in dollars per share)	$1.45	$1.10
Effect of dilutive securities
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)	4	4
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units, per share amount (in dollars per share)	($0.01)	($0.01)
Diluted EPS
Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV	$730	$561
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	507	515
Net Income (in dollars per share)	$1.44	$1.09
Common stock options excluded from the computation of diluted EPS (in shares)	0.2	0.2

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details ) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	$8,143	$7,855
Operating profit (loss)	1,387	1,227
Depreciation and amortization expense	730	714
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	2,117	1,941
DIRECTV Latin America
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	1,635	1,721
Operating profit (loss)	156	-26
Depreciation and amortization expense	289	285
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	445	259
Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	8,143	7,855
Operating segments | DIRECTV Latin America
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	1,635	1,721
DIRECTV U.S.
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	6,458	6,087
Operating profit (loss)	1,249	1,243
Depreciation and amortization expense	438	426
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	1,687	1,669
DIRECTV U.S. | Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	6,456	6,085
DIRECTV U.S. | Intersegment elimination
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	2	2
Sky Brasil
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	795	939
Operating profit (loss)	54	148
Depreciation and amortization expense	145	163
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	199	311
Sky Brasil | Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	795	939
PanAmericana and Other
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	840	782
Operating profit (loss)	102	-174
Depreciation and amortization expense	144	122
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	246	-52
PanAmericana and Other | Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	840	782
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	50	47
Operating profit (loss)	-18	10
Depreciation and amortization expense	3	3
Operating Profit (Loss) Before Depreciation and Amortization	-15	13
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other | Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	52	49
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other | Intersegment elimination
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	($2)	($2)

Segment_Reporting_Details_2

Segment Reporting (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization	$2,117	$1,941
Depreciation and amortization expense	-730	-714
Operating profit	1,387	1,227
Interest income	22	13
Interest expense	-245	-232
Other, net	7	57
Income before income taxes	1,171	1,065
Income tax expense	-441	-496
Net income	730	569
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-8
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	$730	$561

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (Parent Subsidiaries, Reportable legal entity)	Mar. 31, 2015
Parent Subsidiaries | Reportable legal entity
Ownership percentage in subsidiary	100.00%

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Revenues	$8,143	$7,855
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other	3,576	3,383
Subscriber service expenses	581	551
Broadcast operations expenses	117	97
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs	888	827
Upgrade and retention costs	350	321
General and administrative expenses	514	454
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		281
Depreciation and amortization expense	730	714
Total operating costs and expenses	6,756	6,628
Operating profit	1,387	1,227
Interest income	22	13
Interest expense	-245	-232
Other, net	7	57
Income before income taxes	1,171	1,065
Income tax benefit (expense)	-441	-496
Net income	730	569
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-8
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	730	561
Reportable legal entity | Parent Subsidiaries
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
General and administrative expenses	32	9
Total operating costs and expenses	32	9
Operating profit	-32	-9
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	750	568
Other, net		-2
Income before income taxes	718	557
Income tax benefit (expense)	12	4
Net income	730	561
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	730	561
Reportable legal entity | Co-Issuers
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	751	787
Interest income	3
Interest expense	-231	-220
Other, net	2
Income before income taxes	525	567
Income tax benefit (expense)	90	81
Net income	615	648
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	615	648
Reportable legal entity | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Revenues	6,458	6,087
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other	2,998	2,768
Subscriber service expenses	385	359
Broadcast operations expenses	81	72
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs	703	648
Upgrade and retention costs	308	281
General and administrative expenses	296	290
Depreciation and amortization expense	438	426
Total operating costs and expenses	5,209	4,844
Operating profit	1,249	1,243
Interest income		1
Interest expense		-3
Other, net	6	5
Income before income taxes	1,255	1,246
Income tax benefit (expense)	-504	-459
Net income	751	787
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	751	787
Reportable legal entity | Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Revenues	1,725	1,798
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other	616	641
Subscriber service expenses	196	192
Broadcast operations expenses	38	27
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs	185	180
Upgrade and retention costs	42	41
General and administrative expenses	186	155
Venezuelan currency devaluation charge		281
Depreciation and amortization expense	292	288
Total operating costs and expenses	1,555	1,805
Operating profit	170	-7
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	615	648
Interest income	19	12
Interest expense	-14	-9
Other, net	-1	54
Income before income taxes	789	698
Income tax benefit (expense)	-39	-122
Net income	750	576
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-8
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	750	568
Eliminations
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Revenues	-40	-30
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Broadcast programming and other	-38	-26
Broadcast operations expenses	-2	-2
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
Subscriber acquisition costs		-1
Upgrade and retention costs		-1
Total operating costs and expenses	-40	-30
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	-2,116	-2,003
Income before income taxes	-2,116	-2,003
Net income	-2,116	-2,003
Net income attributable to DIRECTV	($2,116)	($2,003)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$730	$569
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-121	-7
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	94	-8
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-132	39
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-159	24
Comprehensive income	571	593
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	18	-11
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	589	582
Reportable legal entity | Parent Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	730	561
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-121
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	94
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-114
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-141
Comprehensive income	589	561
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	589	561
Reportable legal entity | Co-Issuers
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	615	648
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-121	-7
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	94	-8
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-27	-15
Comprehensive income	588	633
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	588	633
Reportable legal entity | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	751	787
Cash flows hedges:
Comprehensive income	751	787
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	751	787
Reportable legal entity | Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	750	576
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-121
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	94
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-132	39
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-159	39
Comprehensive income	591	615
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	18	-11
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	609	604
Eliminations
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	-2,116	-2,003
Cash flows hedges:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	242
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	-188
Foreign currency translation adjustments	114
Other comprehensive income (loss)	168
Comprehensive income	-1,948	-2,003
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV	($1,948)	($2,003)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 4) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Total current assets	$8,046	$8,819
Satellites, net	3,045	3,040
Property and equipment, net	6,455	6,721
Goodwill	3,877	3,929
Intangible assets, net	954	994
Investments and other assets	1,924	1,956
Total assets	24,301	25,459
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	7,564	6,959
Long-term debt	17,058	19,485
Deferred income taxes	1,606	1,726
Other liabilities and deferred credits	2,353	2,117
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital - $0.01 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 503,981,177 and 502,733,342 shares issued and outstanding of common stock at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	3,608	3,613
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-7,678	-8,408
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-577	-418	-298	-322
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-4,647	-5,213
Noncontrolling interest	367	385
Total stockholders' deficit	-4,280	-4,828	-6,512	-6,544
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	24,301	25,459
Reportable legal entity | Parent Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Total current assets	725	1,201
Intercompany receivables	4,532	4,975
Investment in subsidiaries	-8,730	-9,341
Investments and other assets	136	134
Total assets	-3,337	-3,031
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	244	527
Intercompany liabilities	612	1,212
Other liabilities and deferred credits	454	443
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital - $0.01 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 503,981,177 and 502,733,342 shares issued and outstanding of common stock at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	3,608	3,613
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-7,678	-8,408
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-577	-418
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-4,647	-5,213
Total stockholders' deficit	-4,647	-5,213
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	-3,337	-3,031
Reportable legal entity | Co-Issuers
ASSETS
Total current assets	2,975	3,690
Goodwill	1,828	1,828
Intercompany receivables	12,561	11,698
Investment in subsidiaries	22,133	21,337
Investments and other assets	75	99
Total assets	39,572	38,652
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	2,421	1,454
Long-term debt	16,936	19,327
Deferred income taxes	17	33
Intercompany liabilities	29,623	28,110
Other liabilities and deferred credits	667	453
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital - $0.01 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 503,981,177 and 502,733,342 shares issued and outstanding of common stock at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	476	432
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-10,586	-11,202
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	18	45
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-10,092	-10,725
Total stockholders' deficit	-10,092	-10,725
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	39,572	38,652
Reportable legal entity | Guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Total current assets	2,928	2,964
Satellites, net	1,713	1,717
Property and equipment, net	3,841	3,891
Goodwill	1,363	1,363
Intangible assets, net	509	512
Intercompany receivables	29,652	28,132
Investments and other assets	645	670
Total assets	40,651	39,249
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	3,888	4,244
Deferred income taxes	1,731	1,736
Intercompany liabilities	12,646	11,698
Other liabilities and deferred credits	253	234
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital - $0.01 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 503,981,177 and 502,733,342 shares issued and outstanding of common stock at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	5,447	5,403
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	16,686	15,934
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	22,133	21,337
Total stockholders' deficit	22,133	21,337
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	40,651	39,249
Reportable legal entity | Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Total current assets	1,705	1,592
Satellites, net	1,332	1,323
Property and equipment, net	2,614	2,830
Goodwill	686	738
Intangible assets, net	453	490
Intercompany receivables	603	1,143
Investment in subsidiaries	-10,092	-10,725
Investments and other assets	1,199	1,185
Total assets	-1,500	-1,424
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	1,298	1,362
Long-term debt	122	158
Deferred income taxes	-11	89
Intercompany liabilities	4,467	4,928
Other liabilities and deferred credits	987	995
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital - $0.01 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 503,981,177 and 502,733,342 shares issued and outstanding of common stock at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	3,510	3,489
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-11,804	-12,554
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-436	-276
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-8,730	-9,341
Noncontrolling interest	367	385
Total stockholders' deficit	-8,363	-8,956
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	-1,500	-1,424
Eliminations
ASSETS
Total current assets	-287	-628
Intangible assets, net	-8	-8
Intercompany receivables	-47,348	-45,948
Investment in subsidiaries	-3,311	-1,271
Investments and other assets	-131	-132
Total assets	-51,085	-47,987
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Total current liabilities	-287	-628
Deferred income taxes	-131	-132
Intercompany liabilities	-47,348	-45,948
Other liabilities and deferred credits	-8	-8
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock and additional paid-in capital - $0.01 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 503,981,177 and 502,733,342 shares issued and outstanding of common stock at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	-9,433	-9,324
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	5,704	7,822
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	418	231
Total DIRECTV stockholders' deficit	-3,311	-1,271
Total stockholders' deficit	-3,311	-1,271
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	($51,085)	($47,987)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ6

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 5) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities		$1,636	$1,590
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment		-613	-650
Cash paid for satellites		-96	-54
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		-10	-4
Proceeds from sale of investments			4
Other, net		3	-3
Net cash used in investing activities		-716	-707
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net			105
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			90
Repayment of short-term borrowings			-200
Proceeds from long-term debt		17	1,260
Debt issuance costs			-6
Repayment of long-term debt		-1,226	-11
Repayment of other long-term obligations		-29	-15
Common shares repurchased and retired	-30		-895
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		-64	-57
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		31	22
Other, net			-26
Net cash used in financing activities		-1,271	267
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents			-316
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		-351	834
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	3,014	4,635	2,180
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period		4,284	3,014
Reportable legal entity | Parent Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities		32	594
Cash flows from investing activities
Return of capital from subsidiary			400
Intercompany funding		-139	-117
Net cash used in investing activities		-139	283
Cash flows from financing activities
Common shares repurchased and retired			-895
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		-64	-57
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		31	22
Intercompany payments		23	9
Net cash used in financing activities		-10	-921
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		-117	-44
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		680	498
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period		563	454
Reportable legal entity | Co-Issuers
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities		-274	-305
Cash flows from investing activities
Intercompany funding		-435	-408
Net cash used in investing activities		-435	-408
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net			105
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			90
Repayment of short-term borrowings			-200
Proceeds from long-term debt			1,245
Debt issuance costs			-6
Repayment of long-term debt		-1,200
Intercompany payments		1,532	1,465
Cash dividend to Parent			-1,000
Other, net			-26
Net cash used in financing activities		332	1,673
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		-377	960
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		3,191	791
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period		2,814	1,751
Reportable legal entity | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,465	1,482
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment		-337	-371
Cash paid for satellites		-45	-11
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		-8	-1
Proceeds from sale of investments			4
Intercompany funding		-1,596	-1,464
Net cash used in investing activities		-1,986	-1,843
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of other long-term obligations		-7	-6
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		-50	-47
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		23	18
Intercompany payments		546	407
Net cash used in financing activities		512	372
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		-9	11
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		20	6
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period		11	17
Reportable legal entity | Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities		446	489
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment		-276	-279
Cash paid for satellites		-51	-43
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired		-2	-3
Intercompany funding		-14	-77
Other, net		3	-3
Net cash used in investing activities		-340	-405
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt		17	15
Repayment of long-term debt		-26	-11
Repayment of other long-term obligations		-22	-9
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		-14	-10
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		8	4
Intercompany payments		83	150
Net cash used in financing activities		46	139
Effect of exchange rate changes on Venezuelan cash and cash equivalents			-316
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		152	-93
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		744	885
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period		896	792
Eliminations
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities		-33	-670
Cash flows from investing activities
Return of capital from subsidiary			-400
Intercompany funding		2,184	2,066
Net cash used in investing activities		2,184	1,666
Cash flows from financing activities
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation		64	57
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		-31	-22
Intercompany payments		-2,184	-2,031
Cash dividend to Parent			1,000
Net cash used in financing activities		($2,151)	($996)