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Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

RESTRUCTURING, RELATED COSTS AND PROGRAMMING CHARGES

During fiscal 2018, we launched a program of cost transformation initiatives to improve our margins. We recognized pre-tax charges of $148 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018 associated with continuing initiatives primarily related to recent management changes and reorganization at Media Networks, comprised of $71 million of restructuring and related costs and $77 million of programming charges. The charges, as detailed in the table below, included severance charges, exit costs principally resulting from vacating certain leased properties, related costs comprised of third-party professional services and programming charges. The programming charges resulted from decisions by management newly in place, as part of our 2018 restructuring activities, to cease the use of certain programming, and are included within Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.




Restructuring, Related Costs and Programming Charges (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31, 2018
	Media Networks		Filmed Entertainment		Corporate		Total
Severance ⁽¹⁾	$	23	$	14	$	4	$	41
Exit costs	27		—		—		27
Other related costs	—		—		3		3
Restructuring and related costs	50		14		7		71
Programming	74		3		—		77
Total	$	124	$	17	$	7	$	148

(1) Includes equity-based compensation expense of $1 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Our severance liability by reportable segment is as follows:




Severance Liability (in millions)	Media Networks			Filmed Entertainment			Corporate			Total
September 30, 2018	$	149		$	23		$	23		$	195
Accruals	22			14			4			40
Severance payments	(37		)	(15		)	(11		)	(63		)
December 31, 2018	$	134		$	22		$	16		$	172

As of December 31, 2018, of the remaining $172 million liability, $124 million was classified within Other liabilities – current in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the remaining $48 million classified within Other liabilities – noncurrent. We expect to complete these restructuring actions in fiscal 2019. Amounts classified as noncurrent are expected to be substantially paid through 2021, in accordance with applicable contractual terms. In addition, we made payments related to exit costs of $6 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	INCOME TAXES As of December 31, 2018, all relevant provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017, became applicable to us. Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, provided a measurement period of one year from the date of enactment for which provisional amounts could be recorded. As of one year from enactment, we completed our analysis with regard to the Act and therefore do not have any remaining provisional amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As guidance regarding the Act continues to be forthcoming, the application of such guidance may result in additional charges to our income tax provision. We have also elected to account for the effects of global intangible low tax income as a component of income tax expense in the period the tax arises. Our effective income tax rate was 24.9% in the quarter ended December 31, 2018. A net discrete tax benefit on the restructuring and related costs, programming charges, loss on marketable securities and gain on extinguishment of debt, increased the effective income tax rate by 0.4 percentage points in the quarter. Our effective income tax rate was 7.1% in the quarter ended December 31, 2017, which included a net discrete tax benefit of $103 million, consisting of $101 million related to the U.S. enactment of the Act and $2 million of other net discrete tax items. When taken together with the discrete tax impact of the gain on debt extinguishment, the effective income tax rate was reduced by 17.4 percentage points.

Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing Net earnings attributable to Viacom by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The determination of diluted earnings per common share includes the weighted average number of common shares plus the dilutive effect of equity awards based upon the application of the treasury stock method. Anti-dilutive common shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share.

The following table sets forth the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in determining basic and diluted earnings per common share and anti-dilutive shares:



Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding and Anti-dilutive Common Shares (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
	2018	2017
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic	403.1	402.5
Dilutive effect of equity awards	0.4	0.1
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted	403.5	402.6

Anti-dilutive common shares	19.8	19.1

Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW AND OTHER INFORMATION

Our supplemental cash flow information is as follows:



Supplemental Cash Flow Information (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (in millions)	2018		2017
Cash paid for interest	$	104	$	123
Cash paid for income taxes	$	36	$	24

Equity Awards

During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, we granted 2.9 million stock options and 2.0 million performance and restricted share units to employees with a weighted average grant date fair value of $7.31 and $31.15 per share, respectively.

Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, we enter into joint ventures or make investments with business partners that support our underlying business strategy and provide us the ability to enter new markets to expand the reach of our brands, develop new programming and/or distribute our existing content. In certain instances, an entity in which we make an investment may qualify as a variable interest entity (“VIE”). In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we assess whether we have the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include amounts related to consolidated VIEs totaling $63 million in assets and $4 million in liabilities as of December 31, 2018, and $72 million in assets and $5 million in liabilities as of September 30, 2018. The consolidated VIEs’ revenues, expenses and operating income were not significant for all periods presented.

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS The fair value of our marketable securities was $34 million and $80 million as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, respectively, which is included within Other assets, noncurrent on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, as determined utilizing a market approach based on quoted market prices in active markets at period end (Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy). The carrying value of non-marketable equity investments was $89 million as of December 31, 2018. The fair value of our notes and debentures outstanding was approximately $8.9 billion and $10.5 billion as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, respectively. The valuation of our publicly traded debt is based on quoted prices in active markets (Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy). The fair value of our foreign exchange contracts was a liability of $11 million and $8 million as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, respectively, as determined utilizing a market-based approach (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy). The notional value of all foreign exchange contracts was $670 million and $642 million as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, $455 million related to future production costs and $215 million related to our foreign currency balances. As of September 30, 2018, $345 million related to future production costs and $297 million related to our foreign currency balances.

Reportable Segments (Disclosure)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reportable Segments

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

The following tables set forth our financial performance by reportable segment. Our reportable segments have been determined in accordance with our internal management structure. We manage our operations through two reportable segments: (i) Media Networks and (ii) Filmed Entertainment. Typical intersegment transactions include the purchase of advertising by the Filmed Entertainment segment on Media Networks’ properties and the licensing of Filmed Entertainment’s feature film and television content by Media Networks. The elimination of such intercompany transactions in the Consolidated Financial Statements is included within eliminations in the tables below.

Our measure of segment performance is adjusted operating income. Adjusted operating income is defined as operating income, before equity-based compensation and certain other items identified as affecting comparability, when applicable.



Revenues by Segment (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Revenues by Segment (in millions)	2018			2017
Media Networks	$	2,498		$	2,560
Filmed Entertainment	621			544
Eliminations	(29		)	(31		)
Total revenues	$	3,090		$	3,073



Adjusted Operating Income/(Loss) (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Adjusted Operating Income/(Loss) (in millions)	2018			2017
Media Networks	$	913		$	914
Filmed Entertainment	(90		)	(130		)
Corporate expenses	(60		)	(55		)
Eliminations	(4		)	3
Equity-based compensation	(9		)	(14		)
Restructuring, related costs and programming charges ⁽¹⁾	(148		)	—
Operating income	602			718
Interest expense, net	(127		)	(147		)
Equity in net earnings of investee companies	1			1
Loss on marketable securities	(46		)	—
Gain on extinguishment of debt	18			25
Other items, net	(7		)	(4		)
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	$	441		$	593

(1) Includes equity-based compensation expense of $1 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018.



Total Assets (in millions)	December 31, 2018			September 30, 2018
Total Assets (in millions)	December 31, 2018			September 30, 2018
Media Networks	$	17,464		$	17,576
Filmed Entertainment	5,427			5,297
Corporate/Eliminations	(147		)	910
Total assets	$	22,744		$	23,783

During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we changed our presentation of revenues by component to better align the revenue classification to the inherent nature of the underlying revenue transactions. Amounts previously reported as ancillary revenues in Media Networks were renamed to consumer products, recreation and live events. Further, certain components of Media Networks revenue, including syndication and download-to-own revenues, previously reported within ancillary revenues were reclassified to affiliate revenues. Amounts previously reported as feature film revenues in Filmed Entertainment were disaggregated among (i) theatrical, (ii) home entertainment and (iii) licensing. Prior period amounts have been recast to conform to the current presentation.



Revenues by Component (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Revenues by Component (in millions)	2018			2017
Media Networks
Advertising	$	1,230		$	1,308
Affiliate	1,169			1,139
Consumer products, recreation and live events	99			113
Filmed Entertainment
Theatrical	149			100
Home entertainment	178			183
Licensing	220			213
Ancillary	74			48
Eliminations	(29		)	(31		)
Total revenues	$	3,090		$	3,073

Related Party Transactions

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Related Party Transactions

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

National Amusements, Inc. (“National Amusements”), directly and indirectly, is the controlling stockholder of both Viacom and CBS Corporation (“CBS”). National Amusements owns shares in Viacom representing approximately 79.8% of the voting interest in Viacom and approximately 10% of Viacom’s combined common stock. National Amusements is controlled by Sumner M. Redstone, our Chairman Emeritus, who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of National Amusements, through the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust (the “SMR Trust”), which owns shares in National Amusements representing 80% of the voting interest of National Amusements. The shares representing the other 20% of the voting interest of National Amusements are held through a trust controlled by Shari E. Redstone, who is Mr. Redstone’s daughter, the non-executive Vice Chair of Viacom’s Board of Directors, the non-executive Vice Chair of CBS’s board of directors, and the President and a member of the Board of Directors of National Amusements. The shares of National Amusements held by the SMR Trust are voted solely by Mr. Redstone until such time as his incapacity or death. Upon Mr. Redstone’s incapacity or death, Ms. Redstone will also become a trustee of the SMR Trust and the shares of National Amusements held by the SMR Trust will be voted by the trustees of the SMR Trust. The current trustees include Mr. Redstone and David R. Andelman, both of whom are also members of the Board of Directors of National Amusements. In addition, Mr. Redstone serves as Chairman Emeritus of CBS.

Transactions between Viacom and related parties are overseen by our Governance and Nominating Committee.

Viacom and National Amusements Related Party Transactions

National Amusements licenses films in the ordinary course of business for its movie theaters from all major studios, including Paramount. During the quarters ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, Paramount earned revenues from National Amusements in connection with these licenses in the aggregate amount of approximately $1 million in both periods.

Viacom and CBS Corporation Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in transactions with CBS and its various businesses that result in the recognition of revenues and expenses by us. Transactions with CBS are settled in cash.

Our Filmed Entertainment segment earns revenues and recognizes expenses associated with its distribution of certain television products into the home entertainment market on behalf of CBS. Pursuant to its agreement with CBS, Paramount distributes CBS’s library of television and other content on DVD and Blu-ray disc on a worldwide basis. Under the terms of the agreement, Paramount is entitled to retain a fee based on a percentage of gross receipts and is generally responsible for all out-of-pocket costs, which are recoupable prior to any participation amounts paid. Paramount also earns revenues from CBS through leasing of studio space and licensing of certain film products.

Our Media Networks segment recognizes advertising revenues and purchases television programming from CBS. The cost of the programming purchases is initially recorded as acquired program rights inventory and amortized over the estimated period that revenues will be generated.

Both of our segments recognize advertising expenses related to the placement of advertisements with CBS.

The following table summarizes the transactions with CBS as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements:



CBS Related Party Transactions (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
CBS Related Party Transactions (in millions)	2018		2017
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Revenues	$	35	$	44
Operating expenses	$	36	$	52

	December 31, 2018		September 30, 2018
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accounts receivable	$	5	$	7

Accounts payable	$	1	$	—
Participants’ share and residuals, current	59		58
Program obligations, current	25		38
Program obligations, noncurrent	34		32
Other liabilities	1		2
Total due to CBS	$	120	$	130

Other Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in related party transactions with equity investees. These related party transactions primarily relate to the provision of advertising services, licensing of film and programming content and distribution of films, for which the impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements is as follows:



Other Related Party Transactions (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Other Related Party Transactions (in millions)	2018		2017
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Revenues	$	15	$	4
Operating expenses	$	3	$	2

	December 31, 2018		September 30, 2018
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accounts receivable	$	46	$	43
Other assets	3		3
Total due from other related parties	$	49	$	46

Accounts payable	$	8	$	7
Participants’ share and residuals, current	1		—
Other liabilities	—		2
Total due to other related parties	$	9	$	9

All other related party transactions were not material in the periods presented.

Subsequent Event (Notes)	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Event (Notes)	Dec. 31, 2018
Sub Event - Business Combinations [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	SUBSEQUENT EVENT On January 22, 2019, we announced that we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pluto TV, a free streaming television service in the U.S., for $340 million in cash. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval and expected to close in the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue Policy [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue when control of a good or service is transferred to a customer. We consider control to be transferred when the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of that good or service. Significant judgments in the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers include the identification of distinct performance obligations in contracts containing bundled advertising sales and content licenses and the allocation of the consideration among individual performance obligations within these arrangements based on their relative standalone selling prices. Advertising Revenues: Revenue from the sale of advertising earned by the Media Networks segment is recognized when the advertisement is aired. Advertising revenues are principally generated from the sale of advertising campaigns comprised of multiple commercial units. In contracts with guaranteed impressions, we have identified the overall advertising campaign as the performance obligation to be satisfied over time, and impressions delivered against the satisfaction of our guarantee as the measure of progress. To the extent amounts billed exceed the amount of revenue recognized by applying the measure of progress, such amounts are deferred until the impression guarantee has been satisfied. For arrangements that do not include impression guarantees, the individual spots are the performance obligation, and consideration is allocated among the individual advertising spots based on relative standalone selling prices. Affiliate Revenues: In the Media Networks segment, content is primarily distributed through its live network feeds via content license arrangements with affiliate partners, including cable television operators, direct-to-home satellite operators and mobile networks. We also license our content through television, subscription video-on-demand (“SVOD”) and over-the-top (“OTT”) distributors, syndication and transactional video-on-demand. As discussed further in the Filmed Entertainment Revenues section below, revenue associated with these arrangements is recognized upon a transfer of control, which occurs upon delivery and availability for airing by the licensee. Affiliate revenues from cable television operators, direct-to-home satellite television operators and mobile networks are recognized by the Media Networks segment as the live feeds are provided to the distributor, representing a transfer of control. The performance obligation under such affiliate agreements is a license to our content via the continuous delivery of live linear feeds, and may also include a license to programming for video-on-demand (“VOD”) viewing. Both performance obligations are satisfied ratably over the term of the agreement. The majority of our affiliate revenues relate to sales-based royalties for which we receive a contractual rate per subscriber. Revenue for these contracts is recognized when the sale to the end customer occurs, which is generally concurrent with the delivery of the linear feeds based on the number of subscribers the customer has at the time of delivery. Consumer Products, Recreation and Live Events Revenues: Revenue associated with consumer products, recreation and live event contracts is typically recognized utilizing contractual royalty rates applied to sales amounts reported by licensees. When consumer products and recreation agreements include minimum guaranteed consideration, revenue is recognized as sales occur by the licensee or ratably if the sales-based consideration is not expected to exceed a minimum guaranteed amount of consideration. For live events, we recognize revenue when the event is held. Filmed Entertainment Revenues: In the Filmed Entertainment segment, we license our content through theatrical releases, television, SVOD and OTT distributors, and through transactional video-on-demand. We also distribute our films through DVD and Blu-ray sales through wholesale and retail partners. Revenue from the licensing of film and television exhibition rights, including broadcast and cable television networks, SVOD and other OTT services, is recognized upon a transfer of control, which occurs upon delivery and availability for airing by the licensee. Each individual title delivered represents a separate performance obligation. For renewals or extensions of licensing arrangements, revenue related to the renewal or extension is recognized upon the start of the renewal or extension period to the extent the content has been delivered to the customer. SVOD and other OTT arrangements include content made available to distributors on one or more dates for a fixed fee. Consideration for such arrangements is allocated among the titles and episodes based on relative standalone selling prices. Estimation of standalone selling prices requires judgment, which can impact the timing and amount of revenue that we recognize. In determining the transaction price of a contract, an adjustment is made if payment from our customer occurs either significantly before or after performance, resulting in a significant financing component. Applying a practical expedient in the new standard, we do not assess whether a significant financing component exists if the period between when we perform our obligations under the contract and when the customer pays is one year or less. In transactional video-on-demand and similar arrangements, our performance obligation is to provide the content to our distribution customers that provide our content to end users. These contracts provide for sales-based royalties based on the number of underlying transactions with end users. Revenue for transactional video-on-demand and similar arrangements is recognized as the content is exhibited based on end-customer purchases as reported by distributors. Similarly, revenue from licensing of our content through electronic sell-through means is recognized as each title is downloaded by the end customer, as the customer is able to use the license immediately upon download. For sales of DVDs and Blu-ray discs to wholesalers and retailers, revenue is recognized upon the later of physical delivery to the customer or the date that restrictions on sales by the retailers are lifted. Theatrical revenue is recognized from theatrical distribution of films during the exhibition period. These agreements take the form of sales-based royalties and revenue is recognized when the sale to the end customer occurs. Revenue Allowances: We record a provision for sales returns and allowances at the time of sale based upon an estimate of future returns, rebates and other incentives (“estimated returns”). In determining estimated returns, we consider numerous sources of qualitative and quantitative evidence including forecasted sales data, customers’ rights of return, units shipped and units remaining at retail, historical return rates for similar product, current economic trends, competitive environment, promotions and sales strategies. Reserves for sales returns and allowances are recorded as a liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Reserves for accounts receivable are based on amounts estimated to be uncollectible and are recorded as a contra-receivable. Gross versus Net Revenue: We earn and recognize revenues under certain third-party distribution and outsourced advertising sales agreements. In such cases, determining whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis is based on management’s assessment of which party controls the good or service being transferred to the customer.

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation - Table 1 - (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Statement of Earnings Effect Under Previous Revenue Recognition Guidance [Abstract]

Statement of Earnings Under Previous Revenue Recognition Guidance [Table Text Block]



Consolidated Statement of Earnings Impact (in millions, except per share amounts)	Quarter Ended December 31, 2018
Revenues	$	(11	)
Operating expenses	(4		)
Operating income	(7		)
Provision for income taxes	(2		)
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	(5	)
Net earnings (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)	$	(5	)
Net earnings attributable to Viacom	$	(5	)
Basic EPS from continuing operations	$	(0.01	)
Diluted EPS from continuing operations	$	(0.01	)

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation - Table 2 - (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Balance Sheet Effect Under Previous Revenue Recognition Guidance [Abstract]

Balance Sheet Effect Under Previous Revenue Recognition Guidance [Table Text Block]



Consolidated Balance Sheet Impact (in millions)	December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Receivables, net	$	7
Inventory, net	(15		)
Prepaid and other assets	(2		)
Other assets	112
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accrued expenses	$	10
Participants’ share and residuals (current)	32
Other liabilities (current)	(70		)
Deferred revenue	(4		)
Participants’ share and residuals (noncurrent)	56
Other liabilities (noncurrent)	(23		)
Retained earnings	101

Inventory (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventory Balances



Inventory (in millions)	December 31, 2018		September 30, 2018
Film inventory:
Released, net of amortization	$	575	$	454
Completed, not yet released	31		11
In process and other	653		713
	1,259		1,178
Television productions:
Released, net of amortization	4		6
In process and other	224		201
	228		207
Original programming:
Released, net of amortization	1,032		1,124
In process and other	875		757
	1,907		1,881
Acquired program rights, net of amortization	1,301		1,411
Home entertainment inventory	64		67
Total inventory, net	4,759		4,744
Less current portion	829		896
Noncurrent portion	$	3,930	$	3,848

Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

Our total debt consists of the following:



Debt (in millions)	December 31, 2018		September 30, 2018
Senior Notes and Debentures:
Senior notes due September 2019, 5.625%	$	221	$	550
Senior notes due December 2019, 2.750%	90		252
Senior notes due March 2021, 4.500%	498		497
Senior notes due December 2021, 3.875%	596		596
Senior notes due February 2022, 2.250%	49		102
Senior notes due June 2022, 3.125%	194		194
Senior notes due March 2023, 3.250%	181		181
Senior notes due September 2023, 4.250%	1,240		1,239
Senior notes due April 2024, 3.875%	489		488
Senior notes due October 2026, 3.450%	123		474
Senior debentures due December 2034, 4.850%	86		281
Senior debentures due April 2036, 6.875%	1,068		1,068
Senior debentures due October 2037, 6.750%	75		75
Senior debentures due February 2042, 4.500%	45		62
Senior debentures due March 2043, 4.375%	1,103		1,102
Senior debentures due June 2043, 4.875%	18		32
Senior debentures due September 2043, 5.850%	1,230		1,230
Senior debentures due April 2044, 5.250%	345		345
Junior Debentures:
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 5.875%	642		642
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 6.250%	642		642
Capital lease and other obligations	26		30
Total debt	8,961		10,082
Less current portion	326		567
Noncurrent portion	$	8,635	$	9,515

Pension Benefits (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Table)



Net Periodic Benefit Cost (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (in millions)	2018			2017
Interest cost	$	10		$	9
Expected return on plan assets	(10		)	(10		)
Recognized actuarial loss	1			2
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1		$	1

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

The activity reflected within redeemable noncontrolling interest is as follows:



Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (in millions)	2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	246		$	248
Net earnings	5			7
Distributions	(5		)	(6		)
Translation adjustment	(6		)	2
Redemption value adjustment	(1		)	(2		)
Ending Balance	$	239		$	249

Restructuring, related costs and programming charges (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]




Restructuring, Related Costs and Programming Charges (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31, 2018
	Media Networks		Filmed Entertainment		Corporate		Total
Severance ⁽¹⁾	$	23	$	14	$	4	$	41
Exit costs	27		—		—		27
Other related costs	—		—		3		3
Restructuring and related costs	50		14		7		71
Programming	74		3		—		77
Total	$	124	$	17	$	7	$	148

(1) Includes equity-based compensation expense of $1 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Severance liability (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of Severance Liability by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]

Our severance liability by reportable segment is as follows:




Severance Liability (in millions)	Media Networks			Filmed Entertainment			Corporate			Total
September 30, 2018	$	149		$	23		$	23		$	195
Accruals	22			14			4			40
Severance payments	(37		)	(15		)	(11		)	(63		)
December 31, 2018	$	134		$	22		$	16		$	172

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Common Shares Outstanding and Anti-dilutive Common Shares

The following table sets forth the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in determining basic and diluted earnings per common share and anti-dilutive shares:



Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding and Anti-dilutive Common Shares (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
	2018	2017
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic	403.1	402.5
Dilutive effect of equity awards	0.4	0.1
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted	403.5	402.6

Anti-dilutive common shares	19.8	19.1

Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Our supplemental cash flow information is as follows:



Supplemental Cash Flow Information (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (in millions)	2018		2017
Cash paid for interest	$	104	$	123
Cash paid for income taxes	$	36	$	24

Reportable Segments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Revenues by Segment



Revenues by Segment (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Revenues by Segment (in millions)	2018			2017
Media Networks	$	2,498		$	2,560
Filmed Entertainment	621			544
Eliminations	(29		)	(31		)
Total revenues	$	3,090		$	3,073

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)



Adjusted Operating Income/(Loss) (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Adjusted Operating Income/(Loss) (in millions)	2018			2017
Media Networks	$	913		$	914
Filmed Entertainment	(90		)	(130		)
Corporate expenses	(60		)	(55		)
Eliminations	(4		)	3
Equity-based compensation	(9		)	(14		)
Restructuring, related costs and programming charges ⁽¹⁾	(148		)	—
Operating income	602			718
Interest expense, net	(127		)	(147		)
Equity in net earnings of investee companies	1			1
Loss on marketable securities	(46		)	—
Gain on extinguishment of debt	18			25
Other items, net	(7		)	(4		)
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	$	441		$	593

(1) Includes equity-based compensation expense of $1 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Total Assets



Total Assets (in millions)	December 31, 2018			September 30, 2018
Total Assets (in millions)	December 31, 2018			September 30, 2018
Media Networks	$	17,464		$	17,576
Filmed Entertainment	5,427			5,297
Corporate/Eliminations	(147		)	910
Total assets	$	22,744		$	23,783

Revenues by Component



Revenues by Component (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Revenues by Component (in millions)	2018			2017
Media Networks
Advertising	$	1,230		$	1,308
Affiliate	1,169			1,139
Consumer products, recreation and live events	99			113
Filmed Entertainment
Theatrical	149			100
Home entertainment	178			183
Licensing	220			213
Ancillary	74			48
Eliminations	(29		)	(31		)
Total revenues	$	3,090		$	3,073

Related Party Transactions (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Related Persons Transactions (Tables)

The following table summarizes the transactions with CBS as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements:



CBS Related Party Transactions (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
CBS Related Party Transactions (in millions)	2018		2017
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Revenues	$	35	$	44
Operating expenses	$	36	$	52

	December 31, 2018		September 30, 2018
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accounts receivable	$	5	$	7

Accounts payable	$	1	$	—
Participants’ share and residuals, current	59		58
Program obligations, current	25		38
Program obligations, noncurrent	34		32
Other liabilities	1		2
Total due to CBS	$	120	$	130

Related Parties Transactions (Tables)



Other Related Party Transactions (in millions)	Quarter Ended December 31,
Other Related Party Transactions (in millions)	2018		2017
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Revenues	$	15	$	4
Operating expenses	$	3	$	2

	December 31, 2018		September 30, 2018
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accounts receivable	$	46	$	43
Other assets	3		3
Total due from other related parties	$	49	$	46

Accounts payable	$	8	$	7
Participants’ share and residuals, current	1		—
Other liabilities	—		2
Total due to other related parties	$	9	$	9

Basis of Presentation (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Number of Countries in which Entity Operates	180
Number of Reportable Segments \| Segment	2
Retained earnings	$ 18,916			$ 18,561
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)	$ 1	$ 1
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition, Description	-106
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 [Member]
Retained earnings			$ 165
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member]
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax			$ 54
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)		$ 1
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Contract with Customer, Right to Recover Product, Current	$ 70
Retained earnings	$ 101
Minimum [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 [Member]
Amortization Period of Deferred Tax Assets	12 years
Maximum [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 [Member]
Amortization Period of Deferred Tax Assets	15 years

Basis of Presentation Statement of Earnings Effect Under Previous Revenue Recognition Guidance (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (3,090)	$ (3,073)
Costs and Expenses	(2,488)	(2,355)
Operating income	(602)	(718)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(110)	(42)
Net earnings from continuing operations	(331)	(551)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	334	553
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 321	$ 537
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ 0.79	$ 1.33
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ 0.79	$ 1.33
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (11)
Costs and Expenses	(4)
Operating income	(7)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(2)
Net earnings from continuing operations	(5)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(5)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (5)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ (0.01)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ (0.01)

Basis of Presentation Balance Sheet Effect Under Previous Revenue Recognition Guidance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Oct. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Balance Sheet Effect Under Previous Revenue Recognition Guidance [Line Items]
Receivables, Net, Current	$ 3,205	$ 3,117	$ 3,141
Inventory, net	829		896
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	468		482
Other assets	974		1,018
Accrued expenses	732		848
Participants Share And Residuals Current	707		719
Other liabilities	610		427
Deferred Revenue, Current	424	$ 402	398
Participants' share and residuals, noncurrent1	428		523
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	1,174		1,186
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	18,916		$ 18,561
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Balance Sheet Effect Under Previous Revenue Recognition Guidance [Line Items]
Receivables, Net, Current	7
Inventory, net	(15)
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	(2)
Other assets	112
Accrued expenses	10
Participants Share And Residuals Current	32
Other liabilities	(70)
Deferred Revenue, Current	(4)
Participants' share and residuals, noncurrent1	56
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	(23)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	$ 101

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Film inventory:
Released, net of amortization	$ 575	$ 454
Completed, not yet released	31	11
In process and other	653	713
Television productions:
Released, net of amortization	4	6
In process and other	224	201
Original programming:
Released, net of amortization	1,032	1,124
In process and other	875	757
Acquired program rights, net of amortization	1,301	1,411
Home entertainment inventory	64	67
Total inventory, net	4,759	4,744
Less current portion	829	896
Noncurrent portion	3,930	3,848
Film Inventory
Inventory Net [Line Items]
Total Inventory Net Of Amortization	1,259	1,178
Television Productions
Inventory Net [Line Items]
Total Inventory Net Of Amortization	228	207
Original Programming
Inventory Net [Line Items]
Total Inventory Net Of Amortization	$ 1,907	$ 1,881

Debt Schedule (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease and other obligations	$ 26	$ 30
Total debt	8,961	10,082
Less current portion	326	567
Noncurrent portion	$ 8,635	9,515
Senior notes due September 2019, 5.625%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	5.625%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 221	550
Senior notes due December 2019, 2.750%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	2.75%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 90	252
Senior notes due March 2021, 4.500%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	4.50%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 498	497
Senior notes due December 2021, 3.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	3.875%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 596	596
Senior notes due February 2022, 2.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	2.25%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 49	102
Senior notes due June 2022, 3.125%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	3.125%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 194	194
Senior notes due March 2023, 3.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	3.25%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 181	181
Senior notes due September 2023, 4.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	4.25%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 1,240	1,239
Senior notes due April 2024, 3.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	3.875%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 489	488
Senior notes due October 2026, 3.450%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	3.45%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 123	474
Senior debentures due December 2034, 4.850%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	4.85%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 86	281
Senior debentures due April 2036, 6.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	6.875%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 1,068	1,068
Senior debentures due October 2037, 6.750%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	6.75%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 75	75
Senior debentures due February 2042, 4.500%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	4.50%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 45	62
Senior debentures due March 2043, 4.375%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	4.375%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 1,103	1,102
Senior debentures due June 2043, 4.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	4.875%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 18	32
Senior debentures due September 2043, 5.850%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	5.85%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 1,230	1,230
Senior debentures due April 2044, 5.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	5.25%
Senior Notes and Debentures	$ 345	345
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 5.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	5.875%
Junior Subordinated Debentures	$ 642	642
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 6.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon Rate	6.25%
Junior Subordinated Debentures	$ 642	$ 642

Debt Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Debt Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 1,128
Repayments of Debt	1,100
Gain on extinguishment of debt	18	$ 25
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	$ 10
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 5.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms	Our 5.875% Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057 and 6.250% Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057 accrue interest at the stated fixed rates until February 28, 2022 and February 28, 2027, respectively, on which dates the rates will switch to floating rates based on three-month LIBOR plus 3.895% and 3.899%, respectively, reset quarterly. These debentures can be called by us at any time after the expiration of the fixed-rate period.
Senior Notes and Senior and Junior Debentures
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized net discount related to notes and debentures	$ 419		$ 431

Credit Facility Narrative (Details) - Revolving Credit Agreement	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 2,500,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms	The credit facility has one principal financial covenant that requires our interest coverage for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters to be at least 3.0x, which we met as of December 31, 2018

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References + Details

Pension Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Pension Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract
Interest cost	$ 10	$ 9
Expected return on plan assets	(10)	(10)
Recognized actuarial loss	1	2
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 1	$ 1

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 246	$ 248
Net earnings	5	7
Distributions	(5)	(6)
Translation adjustment	(6)	2
Redemption value adjustment	(1)	(2)
Ending Balance	$ 239	$ 249

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Recorded liability for lease indemnifications	$ 137

Revenues Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Oct. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Receivables, Net, Current	$ 3,205	$ 3,117	$ 3,141
Deferred Revenue, Current	424	402	$ 398
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	136
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Net, Noncurrent	326	380
Contract liabilities, noncurrent (included in Other liabilities) [Member]
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	$ 62	$ 67

Revenues Performance Obligations Satisfied in Previous Periods (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Performance Obligations Satisfied in Previous Periods [Line Items]
Contract with Customer, Liability, Change in Timeframe, Performance Obligation Satisfied, Revenue Recognized	$ 51

Revenues Future Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Billions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 3.3
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	10 years
Primarily Over 3 Years [Member]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	3 years

Restructuring Reserve by Type (Details)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

USD ($)

$ 71

Restructuring Charges and Programming Inventory Restructure, Net of Tax

148

Severance

^[1]

Exit costs

Other related costs

Allocated Share-Based Compensation Expense [Member]

Media Networks

Restructuring Charges and Programming Inventory Restructure, Net of Tax

124

Media Networks | Severance

Media Networks | Exit costs

^[1]

Media Networks | Other related costs

Filmed Entertainment

Restructuring Charges and Programming Inventory Restructure, Net of Tax

Filmed Entertainment | Severance

Filmed Entertainment | Exit costs

Filmed Entertainment | Other related costs

Corporate

Restructuring Charges and Programming Inventory Restructure, Net of Tax

Corporate | Severance

Corporate | Exit costs

Corporate | Other related costs

$ 3

[1]	Includes equity-based compensation expense of $1 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Severance Reserve Rollforward (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Severance Reserve Rollforward (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Severance Liability [Roll Forward]
Severance reserve, beginning balance	$ 195
Accruals	40
Severance payments	(63)
Severance reserve, ending balance	172
Media Networks
Severance Liability [Roll Forward]
Severance reserve, beginning balance	149
Accruals	22
Severance payments	(37)
Severance reserve, ending balance	134
Filmed Entertainment
Severance Liability [Roll Forward]
Severance reserve, beginning balance	23
Accruals	14
Severance payments	(15)
Severance reserve, ending balance	22
Corporate
Severance Liability [Roll Forward]
Severance reserve, beginning balance	23
Accruals	4
Severance payments	(11)
Severance reserve, ending balance	$ 16

Restructuring Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Restructuring Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges and Programming Inventory Restructure, Net of Tax	$ 148
Restructuring and Related Costs	71
Programming inventory restructure	77
Restructuring Reserve	172	$ 195
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	40
Restructuring Reserve Settled with Cash Severance	63
Restructuring Reserve, Current	124
Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent	48
Restructuring Reserve Settled with Cash Exit Costs	6
Allocated Share-Based Compensation Expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 1

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	24.90%	7.10%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation,Other Reconciling Items, Percent	0.40%	(17.40%)
Net Discrete Tax Benefit		$ 103
U.S. Enactment of the Act		(101)
Other Net Discrete Tax Items		$ 2

Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Common Shares Outstanding and Anti-dilutive Common Shares [Abstract]
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic	403.1	402.5
Dilutive effect of equity awards	0.4	0.1
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted	403.5	402.6
Anti-dilutive common shares	19.8	19.1

Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	$ 104	$ 123
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 36	$ 24

Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	2.9
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	2.0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 7.31
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 31.15
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	$ 63	$ 72
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	$ 4	$ 5

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-Marketable Securities	$ 89
Notional value of foreign currency contracts	670	$ 642
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities, Noncurrent	34	80
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	(11)	(8)
Net Investments In Foreign Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notional value of foreign currency contracts	215	297
Future Production Costs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notional value of foreign currency contracts	455	345
Senior Notes and Senior and Junior Debentures [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 8,900	$ 10,500

Reportable Segments - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
Reportable Segments - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments	2

Reportable Segments - Revenues by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 3,090	$ 3,073
Eliminations	(29)	(31)
Media Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,498	2,560
Filmed Entertainment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 621	$ 544

Reportable Segments - Adjusted Operating Income (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Restructuring, related costs and programming charges (1)

^[1]

$ 148

$ 0

Operating income

602

718

Interest expense, net

(127)

(147)

Equity in net earnings of investee companies

Loss on marketable securities

(46)

Gain on extinguishment of debt

Other items, net

(7)

(4)

Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

441

593

Media Networks

Adjusted operating income (loss) by Segment

913

914

Filmed Entertainment

Adjusted operating income (loss) by Segment

(90)

(130)

Corporate expenses

Corporate expenses

(60)

(55)

Eliminations

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Eliminations

(4)