v2.4.0.6
Financial Data by Business Segment (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
Revenue $ 15,310 $ 14,878
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 5,034 4,688
Depreciation and amortization 1,967 1,930
Operating income (loss) 3,067 2,758
Capital expenditures 1,361 1,174
Cable segment revenue types as percentage of total cable revenue 100.00% 100.00%
Cable Communications [Member]
    
Revenue 10,217 9,599
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 4,219 3,955
Depreciation and amortization 1,608 1,602
Operating income (loss) 2,611 2,353
Capital expenditures 1,094 1,056
Cable Networks [Member]
    
Revenue 2,225 2,128
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 859 809
Depreciation and amortization 184 176
Operating income (loss) 675 633
Capital expenditures 24 9
Broadcast Television [Member]
    
Revenue 1,517 1,861
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization (35) (14)
Depreciation and amortization 25 23
Operating income (loss) (60) (37)
Capital expenditures 8 8
Filmed Entertainment [Member]
    
Revenue 1,216 1,192
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 69 6
Depreciation and amortization 4 4
Operating income (loss) 65 2
Capital expenditures 2 1
Theme Parks [Member]
    
Revenue 462 412
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 173 157
Depreciation and amortization 72 62
Operating income (loss) 101 95
Capital expenditures 138 47
Headquarters And Other [Member]
    
Revenue 9 12
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization (112) (146)
Depreciation and amortization 59 48
Operating income (loss) (171) (194)
Capital expenditures 91 46
NBCUniversal Eliminations [Member]
    
Revenue (89) (133)
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization (1) 1
Depreciation and amortization 0 (1)
Operating income (loss) (1) 2
Capital expenditures 0 0
NBCUniversal [Member]
    
Revenue 5,340 5,472
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 953 813
Depreciation and amortization 344 312
Operating income (loss) 609 501
Capital expenditures 263 111
Corporate and Other [Member]
    
Revenue 162 174
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization (83) (64)
Depreciation and amortization 15 14
Operating income (loss) (98) (78)
Capital expenditures 4 7
Eliminations [Member]
    
Revenue (409) (367)
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization (55) (16)
Depreciation and amortization 0 2
Operating income (loss) (55) (18)
Capital expenditures $ 0 $ 0
Cable Communications Segment Revenue Percentage-Video [Member]
    
Cable segment revenue types as percentage of total cable revenue 50.00% 51.40%
Cable Communications Segment Revenue Percentage - High-speed Internet [Member]
    
Cable segment revenue types as percentage of total cable revenue 24.70% 24.20%
Cable Communications Segment Revenue Percentage- Phone [Member]
    
Cable segment revenue types as percentage of total cable revenue 8.80% 9.10%
Cable Communications Segment Revenue Percentage- Advertising [Member]
    
Cable segment revenue types as percentage of total cable revenue 4.80% 5.00%
Cable Communications Segment Revenue Percentage- Business Services [Member]
    
Cable segment revenue types as percentage of total cable revenue 7.20% 6.10%
Cable Communications Segment Revenue Percentage- Other [Member]
    
Cable segment revenue types as percentage of total cable revenue 4.50% 4.20%
Cable Communications Segment Revenue Percentage- Franchise fees [Member]
    
Cable segment revenue types as percentage of total cable revenue 2.90% 2.80%