v3.19.3.a.u2
Segment Information (Intersegment Details) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
 [1],[2]
Sep. 30, 2019
 [1]
Jun. 30, 2019
 [1]
Mar. 31, 2019
 [1]
Dec. 31, 2018
 [1]
Sep. 30, 2018
 [1]
Jun. 30, 2018
 [1]
Mar. 31, 2018
 [1]
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues $ (46,821) $ (44,588) $ (44,957) $ (44,827) $ (47,993) $ (45,739) $ (38,986) $ (38,038) $ (45,739) $ (38,986) $ (38,038) $ (181,193) $ (170,756) $ (160,546)
Operating Segments [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       (184,843) (172,054) (159,529)
Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       3,344 1,888 134
Eliminations and consolidations [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       5,253 3,399 1,183
Communications [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       (142,359) (143,721) (149,457)
Communications [Member] | Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       26 13 0
WarnerMedia [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       (33,499) (18,941) (430)
WarnerMedia [Member] | Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       3,308 1,875 134
Latin America [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       (6,963) (7,652) (8,269)
Latin America [Member] | Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       0 0 0
Xandr [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       (2,022) (1,740) (1,373)
Xandr [Member] | Total Intersegment Revenues [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       10 0 0
Consolidation [Member] | Eliminations and consolidations [Member]                            
Revenues [Abstract]                            
Total revenues                       $ 1,909 $ 1,511 $ 1,049
[1] Includes actuarial gains and losses on pension and postretirement benefit plans (Note 15).
[2] Includes an asset abandonment charge (Note 7).