0000813828-19-000006 | 10-K | XBRL Viewer

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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 13, 2019	Jun. 29, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CBS CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000813828
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Public Float			$ 18,798,291,656
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Outstanding		25,293,972
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Outstanding		347,676,011

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 14,514	$ 13,692	$ 13,166
Costs and expenses:
Operating	9,111	8,438	7,956
Selling, general and administrative	2,217	2,126	2,054
Depreciation and amortization	223	223	225
Restructuring and other corporate matters	195	63	38
Other operating items, net	0	(19)	(9)
Total costs and expenses	11,746	10,831	10,264
Operating income	2,768	2,861	2,902
Interest expense	(467)	(457)	(411)
Interest income	57	64	32
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(49)	0
Pension settlement charges	0	(352)	(211)
Other items, net	(69)	(88)	(82)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies	2,289	1,979	2,230
Provision for income taxes	(273)	(633)	(628)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(56)	(37)	(50)
Net earnings from continuing operations	1,960	1,309	1,552
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(952)	(291)
Net earnings	$ 1,960	$ 357	$ 1,261
Basic net earnings (loss) per common share:
Net earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 5.20	$ 3.26	$ 3.50
Net loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	(2.37)	(0.66)
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	5.20	0.89	2.84
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share:
Net earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	5.14	3.22	3.46
Net loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	(2.34)	(0.65)
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 5.14	$ 0.88	$ 2.81
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	377	401	444
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	381	407	448

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 1,960	$ 357	$ 1,261
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustments	(26)	8	(1)
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service costs (Note 14)	(87)	97	4
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(113)	105	3
Total comprehensive income	$ 1,847	$ 462	$ 1,264

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 322	$ 285
Receivables, less allowances of $41 (2018) and $49 (2017)	4,041	3,697
Programming and other inventory	1,988	1,828
Prepaid income taxes	27	78
Prepaid expenses	149	194
Other current assets	225	191
Total current assets	6,752	6,273
Property and equipment	2,926	2,947
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,717	1,701
Net property and equipment	1,209	1,246
Programming and other inventory	3,883	2,881
Goodwill	4,920	4,891
Intangible assets	2,638	2,666
Other assets	2,424	2,852
Assets held for sale (Note 2)	33	34
Total Assets	21,859	20,843
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	201	231
Accrued expenses	522	454
Accrued compensation	346	343
Participants’ share and royalties payable	1,177	986
Accrued programming and production costs	704	497
Deferred revenues	222	219
Commercial paper	674	679
Current portion of long-term debt	13	19
Other current liabilities	714	544
Total current liabilities	4,573	3,972
Long-term debt	9,465	9,464
Participants’ share and royalties payable	1,159	1,424
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	1,388	1,328
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	399	480
Other liabilities	2,071	2,197
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock	1	1
Additional paid-in capital	43,637	43,797
Accumulated deficit	(17,201)	(18,900)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(775)	(662)
Stockholder' equity including treasury stock	25,662	24,236
Less treasury stock, at cost; 500 (2018) and 489 (2017) Class B Shares	22,858	22,258
Total Stockholders’ Equity	2,804	1,978
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	21,859	20,843
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock	0	0
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock	$ 1	$ 1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowances for receivables	$ 41	$ 49
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	375,000,000	375,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	35,000,000	38,000,000
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000,000	5,000,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	838,000,000	834,000,000
Treasury Stock, at cost, Class B Shares (in shares)	500,000,000	489,000,000

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$ 1,960	$ 357	$ 1,261
Less: Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(952)	(291)
Net earnings from continuing operations	1,960	1,309	1,552
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	223	223	225
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	44	(188)	144
Stock-based compensation	146	179	165
Redemption of debt	0	42	0
Net loss (gain) on disposition and write-down of assets	1	(9)	(18)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax and distributions	58	38	53
Change in assets and liabilities, net of investing and financing activities
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(254)	(268)	36
Increase in inventory and related program and participation liabilities, net	(830)	(728)	(765)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	15	(52)	(85)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(94)	(30)	(16)
(Decrease) increase in pension and postretirement benefit obligations	(47)	(238)	205
Increase in income taxes	213	456	94
(Decrease) increase in deferred revenue	(20)	54	(137)
Other, net	10	5	1
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations	1,425	793	1,454
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	1	94	231
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	1,426	887	1,685
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	(124)	(110)	(81)
Capital expenditures	(165)	(185)	(196)
Acquisitions (including acquired television library), net of cash acquired	(31)	(270)	(92)
Proceeds from sale of investments	0	10	0
Proceeds from dispositions	0	11	20
Other investing activities	(5)	21	15
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations	(325)	(523)	(334)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations	(23)	(24)	(6)
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(348)	(547)	(340)
Financing Activities:
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	(5)	229	450
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	0	1,773	684
Repayment of senior notes and debentures	0	(1,244)	(199)
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio	0	40	1,452
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio	0	(43)	(110)
Payment of capital lease obligations	(16)	(18)	(18)
Dividends	(276)	(296)	(288)
Purchase of Company common stock	(586)	(1,111)	(2,997)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(59)	(89)	(58)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	27	91	21
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	0	17
Other financing activities	(6)	(9)	0
Net cash flow used for financing activities	(921)	(677)	(1,046)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	157	(337)	299
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $24 (2017) and $6 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	285	622	323
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year (includes $120 (2018) of restricted cash and $24 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	$ 442	$ 285	$ 622

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations		$ 0	$ 24	$ 6
Restricted cash	$ 120

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member] Common Class A [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Common Class B [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Balance, beginning of year (shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		38,000,000	826,000,000				401,000,000
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 0	$ 1	$ 44,055	$ (20,518)	$ (770)	$ (17,205)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of A shares into B shares (shares)	100,000	0	0
Conversion of A shares into B shares		$ 0	$ 0
Restricted stock unit vests (shares)			3,000,000
Restricted stock unit vests			$ 0
Exercise of stock options (shares)			1,000,000
Exercise of stock options			$ 0	21
Retirement of treasury stock (shares)			(1,000,000)				(1,000,000)
Retirement of treasury stock			$ 0	(58)			$ 58
Stock-based compensation				177
Tax benefit related to employee stock-based transactions				12
Dividends	$ (294)			(294)
Decrease in noncontrolling interest				0
Net earnings	1,261				1,261
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3					3
Class B Common Stock purchased (shares)							54,000,000
Class B Common Stock purchased							$ (2,997)
CBS Radio Split-Off (shares)							0
CBS Radio Split-Off							$ 0
Shares paid for tax withholding for stock-based compensation (shares)							1,000,000
Shares paid for tax withholding for stock-based compensation							$ (58)
Issuance of stock for deferred compensation (shares)							0
Issuance of stock for deferred compensation							$ 1
Balance, end of year (shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		38,000,000	829,000,000				455,000,000
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2016	3,689	$ 0	$ 1	43,913	(19,257)	(767)	$ (20,201)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adoption of new accounting standard (Note 16)					0
Conversion of A shares into B shares (shares)		0	0
Conversion of A shares into B shares		$ 0	$ 0
Restricted stock unit vests (shares)			3,000,000
Restricted stock unit vests			$ 0
Exercise of stock options (shares)			3,000,000
Exercise of stock options			$ 0	92
Retirement of treasury stock (shares)			(1,000,000)				(1,000,000)
Retirement of treasury stock			$ 0	(89)			$ 89
Stock-based compensation				181
Tax benefit related to employee stock-based transactions				0
Dividends	(289)			(289)
Decrease in noncontrolling interest				(11)
Net earnings	357				357
Other comprehensive income (loss)	105					105
Class B Common Stock purchased (shares)							16,000,000
Class B Common Stock purchased							$ (1,050)
CBS Radio Split-Off (shares)							18,000,000
CBS Radio Split-Off							$ (1,007)
Shares paid for tax withholding for stock-based compensation (shares)							1,000,000
Shares paid for tax withholding for stock-based compensation							$ (89)
Issuance of stock for deferred compensation (shares)							0
Issuance of stock for deferred compensation							$ 0
Balance, end of year (shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		38,000,000	834,000,000				489,000,000
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,978	$ 0	$ 1	43,797	(18,900)	(662)	$ (22,258)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adoption of new accounting standard (Note 16)					0
Conversion of A shares into B shares (shares)	2,500,000	(3,000,000)	3,000,000
Conversion of A shares into B shares		$ 0	$ 0
Restricted stock unit vests (shares)			1,000,000
Restricted stock unit vests			$ 0
Exercise of stock options (shares)	760,503		1,000,000
Exercise of stock options			$ 0	27
Retirement of treasury stock (shares)			(1,000,000)				(1,000,000)
Retirement of treasury stock			$ 0	(59)			$ 59
Stock-based compensation				146
Tax benefit related to employee stock-based transactions				0
Dividends	$ (274)			(274)
Decrease in noncontrolling interest				0
Net earnings	1,960				1,960
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (113)					(113)
Class B Common Stock purchased (shares)	11,500,000						11,000,000
Class B Common Stock purchased	$ (600)						$ (600)
CBS Radio Split-Off (shares)							0
CBS Radio Split-Off							$ 0
Shares paid for tax withholding for stock-based compensation (shares)							1,000,000
Shares paid for tax withholding for stock-based compensation							$ (59)
Issuance of stock for deferred compensation (shares)							0
Issuance of stock for deferred compensation							$ 0
Balance, end of year (shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		35,000,000	838,000,000				500,000,000
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 2,804	$ 0	$ 1	$ 43,637	(17,201)	$ (775)	$ (22,858)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adoption of new accounting standard (Note 16)					$ (261)

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business—CBS Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company” or “CBS Corp.”) is comprised of the following segments: Entertainment (CBS Television, comprised of the CBS Television Network, CBS Television Studios, and CBS Global Distribution Group; Network 10; CBS Interactive; CBS Sports Network and CBS Films;), Cable Networks (Showtime Networks and Smithsonian Networks), Publishing (Simon & Schuster) and Local Media (CBS Television Stations and CBS Local Digital Media). During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company began presenting CBS Sports Network in the Entertainment segment, to reflect changes in management structure and the integration of CBS Sports Network programming with the CBS Television Network. CBS Sports Network was previously included in the Cable Networks segment. Results for all periods presented have been reclassified to conform to this presentation.

Discontinued Operations—On November 16, 2017, the Company completed the disposition of CBS Radio Inc. (“CBS Radio”) through a split-off. CBS Radio has been presented as a discontinued operation in the Company’s consolidated financial statements (See Note 17). In addition, certain businesses that were previously disposed of by the Company prior to January 1, 2002, were accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with accounting rules in effect prior to 2002.

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CBS Corp. and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained. Controlling interest is determined by majority ownership interest and the absence of substantive third party participating rights. Investments over which the Company has a significant influence or ownership of more than 20% but less than or equal to 50%, without a controlling interest, are accounted for under the equity method. Investments of 20% or less, over which the Company has no significant influence, that do not have a readily determinable fair value, are measured at cost less impairment, if any, and adjusted for observable price changes. If the fair value is readily determinable, the investment is measured at fair value. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests are immaterial for all periods presented.

Reclassifications-Certain amounts reported for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may vary from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase, including money market funds, commercial paper and bank time deposits. Included within “Other assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018 is restricted cash of $120 million. Restricted cash consists of amounts held in a grantor trust related to the separation and settlement agreement between the Company and the former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (See Note 18).

Programming Inventory—The Company acquires rights to programming and produces programming to exhibit on its broadcast and cable networks, broadcast television stations, direct to consumers through its digital streaming services and the internet, and in theaters. The costs incurred in acquiring and producing programs are capitalized and amortized over the license period or projected useful life of the programming. Program rights and the related liabilities are recorded at the gross amount of the liabilities when the license period has begun, the cost of the program is determinable, and the program is accepted and available for airing.

Television production costs (which include direct production costs, production overhead and acquisition costs) are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. The Company then estimates total revenues to be earned and costs to be incurred throughout the life of each television program. For television programming, estimates for remaining total lifetime revenues are initially limited to the amount of revenue contracted for each episode in the initial market. Accordingly, television programming costs and participation costs incurred in excess of the amount of revenue contracted for each episode in the initial market are expensed as incurred on an episode by episode basis. Estimates for all secondary market revenues such as domestic and foreign syndication, basic cable, digital streaming, home entertainment and merchandising are included in the estimated lifetime revenues of such television programming once it can be demonstrated that a program can be successfully licensed in such secondary market. For each television program, management bases these estimates on the performance in the initial markets, the existence of future firm commitments to sell and the past performance of similar television programs. Television programming costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of the secondary market are initially capitalized and amortized, and estimated liabilities for participations are accrued, based on the proportion that current period revenues bear to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues.

The costs incurred in acquiring television series and feature film programming are capitalized when the program is accepted and available for airing. These costs are amortized over the period in which an economic benefit is expected to be derived based on the timing of the Company’s usage of and benefit from such programming. The costs of programming rights licensed under multi-year sports programming agreements are capitalized if the rights payments are made before the related economic benefit has been received. These costs are expensed over the period in which an economic benefit is expected to be derived based on the relative value of the events broadcast by the Company during a period. The relative value for an event is determined based on the revenues generated for that event in relation to the estimated total revenues over the remaining term of the sports programming agreement.

Lifetime revenue estimates for internally produced television programming, and the estimated economic benefit for acquired programming, including revenue projections for multi-year sports programming, are periodically reviewed. Adjustments, if any, will result in changes to amortization rates, future net realizable value adjustments and/or estimated accruals for participation expense.

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and building improvements	10 to 40 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or useful life
Equipment and other (including capital leases)	3 to 20 years

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—The Company assesses long-lived assets and intangible assets, other than goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, for impairment whenever there is an indication that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is determined by comparing the forecasted undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by these assets to their net carrying value. If the carrying value is not recoverable, the amount of impairment loss, if any, will be measured by the difference between the net carrying value and the estimated fair value of the asset.

Impairment of Investments—Investments are reviewed for impairment on a quarterly basis by comparing their fair value to their respective carrying amounts. The Company determines the fair value of public company investments by reference to their publicly traded stock price. With respect to private company investments, the Company makes its estimate of fair value by considering recent investee equity transactions, discounted cash flow analyses, recent operating results, estimates based on comparable public company operating cash flow multiples and, in certain situations, balance sheet liquidation values. The amount of impairment loss, if any, will be measured by the difference between the net carrying amount and the market value or estimated fair value of the investment.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets—Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, which are at or one level below the Company’s operating segments. Intangible assets with finite lives, which primarily consist of trade names, are generally amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 4 to 40 years. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, which consist of FCC licenses and international broadcast licenses, are not amortized but are tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below its carrying amount. If the carrying value of goodwill or the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized (See Note 3).

Other Liabilities—Other liabilities consist primarily of the noncurrent portion of residual liabilities of previously disposed businesses, program rights obligations, long-term income tax liabilities, deferred compensation and other employee benefit accruals.

Revenues

Advertising Revenues—Advertising revenues are recognized when the advertising spots are aired on television or displayed on digital platforms. If there is a guarantee to deliver a targeted audience rating or number of impressions, the delivery of the advertising spots that achieve the guarantee represents the performance obligation and revenues are recognized based on the proportion of the audience rating or impressions delivered to the total guaranteed in the contract. Audience ratings and impressions are determined based on data provided by independent third-party companies. Advertising contracts, which are generally short-term, are billed monthly, with payments due shortly after the invoice date.

Advertising revenues are primarily generated by the Entertainment and Local Media segments.

Content Licensing and Distribution Revenues—Content licensing and distribution revenues are generated from the licensing of internally-produced television programming, fees from the distribution of third-party programming, and the publishing and distribution of consumer books.

Program Licensing and Distribution

For licenses of internally-produced television programming, each individual episode delivered represents a separate performance obligation and revenues are recognized when the episode is made available to the licensee for exhibition and the license period has begun. For license agreements containing multiple deliverables, revenues are allocated based on the relative standalone selling price of each episode of a television series, which is based on licenses for comparable series within the marketplace. Agreements to license programming are often long term, with collection terms ranging from one to five years.

The Company also distributes programs on behalf of third parties. In such arrangements, the Company generally obtains control of the program before selling it to the customer. Therefore, revenues from such distribution arrangements, which include both content licensing and advertising revenues, are recognized based on the gross

amount of consideration received from the customer, with a participation expense recognized for the fees paid to the third-party producer.

Substantially all of the Company’s program licensing and distribution revenues are generated by the Entertainment segment, with the remainder generated by the Cable Networks segment.

Publishing

Publishing revenues are recognized when merchandise is shipped or electronically delivered to the consumer. Consumer print books are generally sold with a right of return. The Company records a returns reserve and corresponding decrease in revenue at the time of sale based upon historical trends. For publishing revenues, payments are due shortly after shipment or electronic delivery.

Affiliate and Subscription Fees—A majority of the Company’s affiliate and subscription fees are generated by the Cable Networks segment and consist of fees received from multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) and third-party live television digital streaming offerings (“virtual MVPDs”) for carriage of the Company’s cable networks and subscription fees for the Showtime direct-to-consumer digital streaming subscription offering. The Entertainment segment generates affiliate and subscription fees primarily from television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network and subscribers to CBS All Access, its owned streaming subscription service. In addition, the Local Media segment generates retransmission fees from MVPDs and virtual MVPDs for carriage of the Company’s television stations. Costs for advertising and marketing services provided to the Company by cable, satellite and other distributors are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

The performance obligation for the Company’s affiliate agreements is a license to the Company’s programming provided through the continuous delivery of live linear feeds and, for agreements with MVPDs, also includes a license to programming for video on demand viewing. Affiliate and subscription fees are recognized over the term of the agreement as the Company continuously provides its customer with the right to use its programming. For agreements that provide for a variable fee, revenues are determined each month based on an agreed upon contractual rate applied to the number of subscribers to the customer’s service. For agreements that provide for a fixed fee, which primarily include agreements with television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network (“network affiliates”), revenues are recognized based on the relative fair value of the content provided over the term of the agreement, which is determined based on the fair value of the network affiliate’s service and the value of the Company’s programming. For affiliate and subscription fee revenues, payments are generally due monthly.

Noncurrent Receivables—Included in “Other assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are noncurrent receivables of $1.55 billion at December 31, 2018 and $2.12 billion at December 31, 2017, which decreased to $1.59 billion on January 1, 2018 upon the adoption of new revenue recognition guidance. Noncurrent receivables primarily relate to revenues recognized under long-term television licensing arrangements. Television license fee revenues are recognized at the beginning of the license period in which programs are made available to the licensee for exhibition, while the related cash is collected over the term of the license period.

Deferred Revenues—Deferred revenues primarily consist of cash received related to advertising arrangements and the licensing of television programming for which the revenues have not yet been earned. Advertising revenues that have been deferred are recognized when the required audience rating or impressions are delivered and revenues deferred under licensing arrangements are recognized when the content is made available to the customer and the license period has begun.

Total deferred revenues, including both current and noncurrent, were $274 million and $284 million at December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively. The change in deferred revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily reflects $201 million of revenues recognized that were included in deferred revenues at January 1, 2018, offset by cash payments received during the period for which the performance obligation was not satisfied prior to the end of the period.

Unrecognized Revenues Under Contract—As of December 31, 2018, unrecognized revenue attributable to unsatisfied performance obligations under the Company’s long-term contracts was $3.45 billion, of which $2.02 billion is expected to be recognized for 2019, $806 million for 2020, $445 million for 2021, and $175 million thereafter. These amounts only include contracts subject to a guaranteed fixed amount or the guaranteed minimum under variable contracts. Such amounts change on a regular basis as the Company renews existing agreements or enters into new agreements. Unrecognized revenues under contract disclosed above do not include (i) contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, mainly consisting of the Company’s advertising contracts (ii) contracts for which variable consideration is determined based on the customer’s subsequent sale or usage, mainly consisting of affiliate and subscription fee agreements and (iii) long-term licensing agreements for multiple programs for which the Company’s right to invoice corresponds with the value of the programs provided to the customer.

Collaborative Arrangements—Collaborative arrangements primarily consist of joint efforts with third parties to produce and distribute programming such as television series and live sporting events, including the agreement between the Company and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. to telecast the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship (“NCAA Tournament”), which runs through 2032. In connection with this agreement for the NCAA Tournament, advertisements aired on the CBS Television Network are recorded as revenues and the Company’s share of the program rights fees and other operating costs are recorded as operating expenses.

For episodic television programming, co-production costs are initially capitalized as programming inventory and amortized over the television series’ estimated economic life. In such arrangements where the Company has distribution rights, all proceeds generated from such distribution are recorded as revenues and any participation profits due to third party collaborators are recorded as operating expenses. In co-production arrangements where third party collaborators have distribution rights, the Company’s net participating profits are recorded as revenues.

Amounts attributable to transactions arising from collaborative arrangements between participants were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

Advertising—Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. The Company incurred total advertising expenses of $448 million in 2018, $426 million in 2017 and $373 million in 2016.

Other Operating Items, Net—Other operating items, net for 2017 reflects a net gain relating to the disposal of property and equipment and for 2016 includes a gain from the sales of businesses and a multiyear, retroactive impact of a new operating tax.

Interest—Costs associated with the refinancing or issuance of debt, as well as debt discounts or premiums, are recorded as interest over the term of its related debt. The Company may enter into interest rate exchange agreements; the amount to be paid or received under such agreements is accrued and recognized over the life of the agreements as an adjustment to interest expense.

Income Taxes—The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, local, and foreign taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be reversed. The Company evaluates the realizability of deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. For tax positions taken in a previously filed tax return or expected to be taken in a future tax return, the Company evaluates each position to determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is subject to a measurement assessment to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and the appropriate reserve to establish, if any. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold a tax reserve is established and no benefit is recognized. A number of years may elapse before a tax return containing tax matters for which a reserve has been established is audited and finally resolved.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions—The Company’s assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at foreign exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while results of operations are translated at average foreign exchange rates for the respective periods. The resulting translation gains or losses are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses have been included in “Other items, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Other Items, net—“Other items, net” primarily consists of pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than service costs, and foreign exchange gains and losses.

Provision for Doubtful Accounts—The provision for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical bad debt experience, the aging of accounts receivable, industry trends and economic indicators, as well as recent payment history for specific customers. The provision for doubtful accounts charged to expense was $5 million, in each of the years 2018 and 2017, and $12 million in 2016.

Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share—Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is based upon net earnings (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive. Excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, were 6 million stock options for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 4 million stock options for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The table below presents a reconciliation of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.



Year Ended December 31,	2018	2017	2016
(in millions)
Weighted average shares for basic EPS	377	401	444
Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans	4	6	4
Weighted average shares for diluted EPS	381	407	448

Stock-based Compensation-The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. The cost is recognized over the vesting period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance on the recognition of revenues which provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance. The main principle under this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue at the amount it expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transfer of goods or services to customers. The Company applied the modified retrospective method of adoption with the cumulative effect of the initial adoption of $261 million reflected as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2018. Prior periods continue to be presented under previous accounting guidance (See Note 16).

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (“net benefit cost”). This guidance requires the Company to present the service cost component of net benefit cost in the same line items on the statement of operations as other compensation costs of the related employees. All of the other components of net benefit cost are presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and below the subtotal of operating income. As a result of the adoption of this guidance, the Company presented $63 million of net benefit costs in “Other items, net” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for 2018 representing the components of net benefit cost other than service cost. This guidance is required to be applied retrospectively and therefore, the Company reclassified net benefit costs of $438 million and $281 million, including pension settlement charges, below operating income for 2017 and 2016, respectively, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations (See Note 14). All related amounts presented herein have been recast to conform to this presentation.

Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the accounting for stock-based compensation which clarifies when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under this guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award as equity or liability changes as a result of the change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Clarifying the Definition of a Business

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the accounting for business combinations which clarifies the definition of a business and assists entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under this guidance, when substantially all of the fair value of gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single asset (or group of similar assets), the assets acquired would not represent a business. In addition, in order to be considered a business, an acquisition would have to include at a minimum an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create an output. The amended guidance also narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in FASB guidance for revenue recognition. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the accounting for income taxes, which eliminates the exception in existing guidance that defers the recognition of the tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory until the transferred asset is sold to a third party. Under this guidance, an entity recognizes the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash

During 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires companies to include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in their cash and cash equivalents balance in the statements of cash flows. This guidance also requires a reconciliation of the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows to the related balance sheet line items. This guidance is required to be applied retrospectively; however, it did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for prior years.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Collaborative Arrangements: Clarifying the Interaction with the New Revenue Standard

In November 2018, the FASB issued guidance to clarify that certain transactions between parties to collaborative arrangements should be accounted for in accordance with FASB revenue guidance when the counterparty is a customer. This guidance also prohibits the presentation of collaborative arrangements as revenues from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer. This guidance, which is required to be applied retrospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for implementation costs of a cloud computing arrangement that is considered to be a service contract. This guidance requires companies to follow the guidance for capitalizing costs associated with internal-use software to determine which costs to capitalize in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The guidance also specifies the financial statement presentation for capitalized implementation costs and the related amortization, as well as required financial statement disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans

In August 2018, the FASB issued amended guidance that eliminates, adds and clarifies certain disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, which is required to be applied retrospectively and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted.

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements

In August 2018, the FASB issued amended guidance that eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. This guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2018, the FASB issued amended guidance that permits an entity to reclassify the income tax effects of federal tax legislation enacted in December 2017 (the “Tax Reform Act”) on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.

Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In August 2017, the FASB issued amended guidance for hedge accounting, which expands the eligibility of hedging strategies that qualify for hedge accounting, modifies the recognition and presentation of hedges in the financial statements, and changes how companies assess hedge effectiveness. In addition, this guidance amends and expands disclosure requirements. This guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for leases, which supersedes previous lease guidance. Under this guidance, for all leases with terms in excess of one year, including operating leases, the Company will be required to recognize on its balance sheet a lease liability and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The new guidance retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases and the classification criteria is substantially similar to previous guidance. Additionally, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed. This guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019. The Company will apply the modified retrospective method of adoption as of January 1, 2019 and comparative periods will continue to be presented under existing lease guidance. The Company is still in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance, including reviewing its lease portfolio as well as implementing new lease accounting software for administering its leases under the new guidance and therefore the estimated impact on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet cannot currently be determined. This change is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

2) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT



At December 31,	2018		2017
Land	$	189	$	189
Buildings	795		729
Capital leases^(a)	144		162
Equipment and other	1,798		1,867
	2,926		2,947
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,717		1,701
Net property and equipment	$	1,209	$	1,246

(a) Accumulated amortization of capital leases was $106 million and $112 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Depreciation expense, including capitalized lease amortization ^(a)	$	205	$	203	$	205

(a) Amortization expense related to capital leases was $18 million, $16 million and $17 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

In January 2019, the Company completed the sale of its CBS Television City property and sound stage operation for $750 million. The Company has guaranteed a specified level of cash flows to be generated by the business during the first five years following the completion of the sale. The Company expects to record a liability of approximately $130 million reflecting the estimated amount payable under the guarantee obligation. This transaction is expected to result in a pre-tax gain of approximately $540 million, which includes a reduction for the guarantee obligation. CBS Television City has been classified as held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

3) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Impairment Test

The Company performs a fair value-based impairment test of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, comprised of television FCC licenses and international broadcast licenses, annually during the fourth quarter and also between annual tests if an event occurs or if circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying value.

FCC licenses are tested for impairment at the geographic market level. The Company considers each geographic market, which is comprised of all of the Company’s television stations within that geographic market, to be a single unit of accounting because the FCC licenses at this level represent their highest and best use. At December 31, 2018, the Company had 14 television markets with FCC license book values. For international broadcast licenses, the Company considers all of its broadcast licenses within a country to be a single unit of accounting because the international broadcast licenses at this level represent their highest and best use. At December 31, 2018, the Company had international broadcast licenses in Australia.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company began including CBS Sports Network within the Television reporting unit, which is a component of the Entertainment operating segment, reflecting changes in management structure and the integration of CBS Sports Network programming with the CBS Television Network. Prior to this change, CBS Sports Network was a standalone reporting unit and a component of the Cable Networks operating segment. At December 31, 2018, the Company had seven reporting units with goodwill balances, each one level below their respective operating segments, except for the Cable Networks reporting unit and the Publishing reporting unit, which are each the same as their respective operating segments because these operating segments each have only one component.

For its annual impairment test, the Company performs qualitative assessments for the reporting units, U.S. television markets with FCC licenses, and international broadcast licenses that management estimates have fair values that significantly exceed their respective carrying values. In selecting reporting units, markets, and broadcast licenses for a qualitative assessment, the Company also considers the duration of time since a quantitative test was performed. For the 2018 annual impairment test, the Company performed qualitative assessments for seven reporting units and all of its 14 U.S. television markets. For each reporting unit, the Company weighed the relative impact of factors that are specific to the reporting unit as well as industry and macroeconomic factors. For each television market, the Company weighed the relative impact of market-specific and macroeconomic factors. Based on the qualitative assessments, considering the aggregation of the relevant factors, the Company concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of these reporting units and the fair value of FCC licenses within each market are less than their respective carrying values. Therefore, performing the quantitative impairment test was unnecessary.

For 2018, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test for international broadcast licenses. A quantitative impairment test compares the estimated fair value of the licenses with their carrying value. The estimated fair value is computed using the Greenfield Discounted Cash Flow Method (‘‘Greenfield Method’’), which attempts to isolate the income that is attributable to the license alone. The Greenfield Method is based upon modeling a hypothetical start-up station and building it up to a normalized operation that, by design, lacks inherent goodwill and whose other assets have essentially been added as part of the build-up process. The Greenfield Method adds the present value of the estimated annual cash flows of the start-up station over a projection period to the residual value at the end of the projection period. The annual cash flows over the projection period include assumptions for overall revenues in the relevant market, the start-up station’s operating costs and capital expenditures, and a five-year build-up period for the start-up station to reach a normalized state of operations, which reflects the point at which it achieves an average market share. The overall revenues in the subject market are estimated based on recent industry projections. Operating costs and capital expenditures are estimated based on both industry and internal data. The residual value is calculated using a perpetual nominal growth rate, which is based on projected long-range inflation and long-term industry projections. The discount rate is determined based on the risk of achieving the projected cash flows, including the risk applicable to the industry and the market as a whole. The discount rate and perpetual nominal growth rate used for international broadcast licenses for 2018 were 11% and 0.5%, respectively. The Company concluded that the estimated fair value of international broadcast licenses, which were recorded at fair value in the fourth quarter of 2017 when the Company acquired Ten Network Holdings Limited (“Network 10”), continues to approximate the carrying value and therefore no impairment charge was required.

For 2018, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test for the CBS Sports Network reporting unit prior to the inclusion of this business in the CBS Television reporting unit. The quantitative goodwill impairment test examines whether the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, which is computed based upon the present value of future cash flows (“Discounted Cash Flow Method”) and the traded or transaction values of comparable businesses (“Market Comparable Method”). If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. For 2018, the Discounted Cash Flow Method and Market Comparable Method for CBS Sports Network resulted in similar estimated fair values. The Discounted Cash Flow Method includes the Company’s assumptions for growth rates, operating margins and capital expenditures for the projection period plus the residual value of the business at the end of the projection period. The estimated growth rates, operating margins and capital expenditures for the projection period are based on the Company’s internal forecasts of future performance as well as historical trends. The residual value is estimated based on a perpetual nominal growth rate, which is based on projected long-range inflation and long-term industry projections and for 2018 was 2.0%. The discount rate, which for 2018 was 8.5%, is determined based on the risk of achieving the projected cash flows, including the risk applicable to the industry and the market as a whole.

For the 2018 annual impairment test, the Company concluded that the estimated fair value of the CBS Sports Network reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and therefore no impairment charge was required.

Transactions

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Network 10, one of three major commercial broadcast networks in Australia, for approximately $124 million, which is net of cash acquired. The assets acquired primarily consist of broadcast licenses, net operating loss carryforwards and working capital.

The following tables present the changes in the book value of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company began presenting CBS Sports Network, which was previously included in the Cable Networks segment, in the Entertainment segment. As a result, goodwill of $261 million associated with CBS Sports Network has been reclassified from Cable Networks to Entertainment for all periods presented.



	Balance at									Balance at
	December 31, 2017				Acquisitions			Dispositions		December 31, 2018
Entertainment:
Goodwill		$	9,584		$	27	^(a)	$	—		$	9,611
Accumulated impairment losses		(6,294		)	—			—			(6,294		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		3,290			27			—			3,317
Cable Networks:
Goodwill		219			2			—			221
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net of impairment		219			2			—			221
Publishing:
Goodwill		435			—			—			435
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net of impairment		435			—			—			435
Local Media:
Goodwill		8,007			—			—			8,007
Accumulated impairment losses		(7,060		)	—			—			(7,060		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		947			—			—			947
Total:
Goodwill		18,245			29			—			18,274
Accumulated impairment losses		(13,354		)	—			—			(13,354		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		$	4,891		$	29		$	—		$	4,920

(a) Amount reflects the acquisition of a digital entertainment media company.



	Balance at									Balance at
	December 31, 2016				Acquisitions			Dispositions		December 31, 2017
Entertainment:
Goodwill		$	9,561		$	23	^(a)	$	—		$	9,584
Accumulated impairment losses		(6,294		)	—			—			(6,294		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		3,267			23			—			3,290
Cable Networks:
Goodwill		219			—			—			219
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net of impairment		219			—			—			219
Publishing:
Goodwill		431			4		^(b)	—			435
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net of impairment		431			4			—			435
Local Media:
Goodwill		8,007			—			—			8,007
Accumulated impairment losses		(7,060		)	—			—			(7,060		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		947			—			—			947
Total:
Goodwill		18,218			27			—			18,245
Accumulated impairment losses		(13,354		)	—			—			(13,354		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		$	4,864		$	27		$	—		$	4,891

(a) Amount reflects the acquisitions of a television production business and a digital sports publishing business.

(b) Amount relates to the acquisition of a publishing business in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The Company’s intangible assets were as follows:



			Accumulated
At December 31, 2018	Gross		Amortization			Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Trade names	$	189	$	(58	)	$	131
Other intangible assets	49		(28		)	21
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	238		(86		)	152
FCC licenses	2,441		—			2,441
International broadcast licenses	45		—			45
Total intangible assets	$	2,724	$	(86	)	$	2,638



			Accumulated
At December 31, 2017	Gross		Amortization			Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Trade names	$	190	$	(51	)	$	139
Other intangible assets	134		(101		)	33
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	324		(152		)	172
FCC licenses	2,441		—			2,441
International broadcast licenses	53		—			53
Total intangible assets	$	2,818	$	(152	)	$	2,666

Amortization expense was as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
Amortization expense		$	18		$	20		$	20

The Company expects its aggregate annual amortization expense for existing intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the years, 2019 through 2023, to be as follows:



	2019			2020			2021			2022			2023
Future amortization expense		$	15		$	15		$	14		$	12		$	10

Restructuring, Programming Charges and Other Corporate Matters

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Restructuring Charges [Abstract]

Restructuring, Programming Charges and Other Corporate Matters

4) RESTRUCTURING, PROGRAMMING CHARGES AND OTHER CORPORATE MATTERS

During the year ended December 31, 2018, in a continued effort to reduce its cost structure, the Company initiated restructuring plans across several of its businesses, primarily for the reorganization and closure of certain business operations. As a result, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $67 million, reflecting $57 million of severance costs and $10 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $63 million, reflecting $54 million of severance costs and $9 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $30 million, reflecting $19 million of severance costs and $11 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs. As of December 31, 2018, the cumulative settlements for the 2018, 2017, and 2016 restructuring charges were $88 million, of which $74 million was for severance costs and $14 million related to costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs. The Company expects to substantially utilize its restructuring reserves by the end of 2019.



	Balance at			2018		2018				Balance at
	December 31, 2017			Charges		Settlements				December 31, 2018
Entertainment		$	45	$	27		$	(38	)		$	34
Cable Networks		1		—			(1		)		—
Publishing		3		1			(2		)		2
Local Media		14		18			(9		)		23
Corporate		3		21			(11		)		13
Total		$	66	$	67		$	(61	)		$	72



	Balance at			2017		2017				Balance at
	December 31, 2016			Charges		Settlements				December 31, 2017
Entertainment		$	17	$	44		$	(16	)		$	45
Cable Networks		4		—			(3		)		1
Publishing		1		5			(3		)		3
Local Media		6		12			(4		)		14
Corporate		2		2			(1		)		3
Total		$	30	$	63		$	(27	)		$	66

In 2018, the Company recorded expenses of $128 million primarily for professional fees related to legal proceedings, recent investigations at the Company (see Note 18) and the evaluation of a potential combination with Viacom Inc.

In 2016, the Company incurred professional fees of $8 million associated with merger and acquisition-related activities.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, in connection with recent management changes, the Company implemented changes to its programming strategy, primarily at CBS Films, which will shift its focus from theatrical films to developing content for the Company’s direct-to-consumer digital streaming services. As a result, the Company

recorded programming charges of $85 million in 2018, which are included in “Operating expenses” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

In February 2019, the Company initiated a restructuring plan under which severance payments will be provided to certain eligible employees who voluntarily elect to participate. As a result, the Company expects to record a restructuring charge in the first quarter of 2019. The amount of this charge and the associated future savings will be based on the number of eligible employees who elect to participate in the restructuring plan and therefore cannot currently be determined.

Programming and Other Inventory

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Programming and Other Inventory

5) PROGRAMMING AND OTHER INVENTORY



At December 31,	2018		2017
Acquired program rights	$	2,400	$	2,234
Acquired television library	99		99
Internally produced programming:
Released	2,477		1,780
In process and other	839		543
Publishing, primarily finished goods	56		53
Total programming and other inventory	5,871		4,709
Less current portion	1,988		1,828
Total noncurrent programming and other inventory	$	3,883	$	2,881

The Company expects to amortize approximately $1.1 billion of its released internally produced programming during the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, while it is difficult to determine the precise timing of the amortization of the remaining released internally produced programming, the Company estimates that substantially all of the December 31, 2018 balance will be amortized over the next three years.

Related Parties

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Related Parties

6) RELATED PARTIES

National Amusements, Inc. National Amusements, Inc. (“NAI”) is the controlling stockholder of CBS Corp. and Viacom Inc. Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, the controlling stockholder, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of NAI, is the Chairman Emeritus of CBS Corp. and the Chairman Emeritus of Viacom Inc. In addition, Ms. Shari Redstone, Mr. Sumner M. Redstone’s daughter, is the president and a director of NAI and the vice chair of the Board of Directors of each of CBS Corp. and Viacom Inc. At February 13, 2019, NAI directly or indirectly owned approximately 79.8% of CBS Corp.’s voting Class A Common Stock and owned approximately 10.5% of CBS Corp.’s Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock on a combined basis. NAI is controlled by Mr. Redstone through the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust (the “SMR Trust”), which owns 80% of the voting interest of NAI, and such voting interest of NAI held by the SMR Trust is voted solely by Mr. Redstone until his incapacity or death. The SMR Trust provides that in the event of Mr. Redstone’s death or incapacity, voting control of the NAI voting interest held by the SMR Trust will pass to seven trustees, who will include CBS Corporation director Ms. Shari Redstone. No member of the Company’s management is a trustee of the SMR Trust. Pursuant to a settlement and release agreement entered into by the Company and NAI, among others, with respect to legal proceedings involving these parties, the Company paid $30 million for professional fees incurred by NAI during 2018 relating to these legal proceedings, which are included in “Restructuring and other corporate matters” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Viacom Inc. As part of its normal course of business, the Company licenses its television content, leases production facilities and sells advertising spots to various subsidiaries of Viacom Inc. Viacom Inc. also distributes certain of the Company’s television programs in the home entertainment market. The Company’s total revenues from

these transactions were $88 million, $145 million and $120 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company leases production facilities, licenses feature films and purchases advertising spots from various subsidiaries of Viacom Inc. The total amounts for these transactions were $30 million, $21 million and $24 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following table presents the amounts due from Viacom Inc. in the normal course of business as reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts due to Viacom Inc. were minimal at December 31, 2018 and 2017.



At December 31,	2018		2017
Receivables	$	38	$	93
Other assets (Receivables, noncurrent)	23		11
Total amounts due from Viacom Inc.	$	61	$	104

Other Related Parties The Company has equity interests in two domestic television networks and several international joint ventures for television channels, from which the Company earns revenues primarily by selling its television programming. Total revenues earned from sales to these joint ventures were $110 million, $99 million and $112 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Total amounts due from these joint ventures were $34 million and $27 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company, through the normal course of business, is involved in transactions with other related parties that have not been material in any of the periods presented.

Investments	12 Months Ended
Investments	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Investments	7) INVESTMENTS The Company’s investments consist of equity investments. Investments over which the Company has significant influence or ownership of more than 20% but less than or equal to 50%, without a controlling interest, are accounted for under the equity method. Such investments include the Company’s 50% interests in the broadcast network, The CW, and the entertainment cable network, Pop. In addition, the Company has interests in several international television joint ventures including a 49% interest in a joint venture with a subsidiary of AMC Networks Inc., which owns and operates channels in the United Kingdom and Ireland, including CBS branded channels; and a 30% interest in a joint venture with another subsidiary of AMC Networks Inc., which owns and operates cable and satellite channels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, the Company had $329 million and $283 million of equity-method investments, which are included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Investments of 20% or less, over which the Company has no significant influence, that do not have a readily determinable fair value are measured at cost less impairment, if any, and adjusted for any observable price changes. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, the Company had $23 million and $24 million of such investments, which are included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company invested $124 million, $110 million and $81 million into its equity investments during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For 2018 and 2017, respectively, other items, net on the statement of operations included $3 million and $13 million for the write-down of investments without readily determinable fair values. For 2016, equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax on the statement of operations included $10 million for the write-down of an international television joint venture to its fair value.

Bank Financing and Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Bank Financing and Debt

8) BANK FINANCING AND DEBT

The Company’s debt consists of the following ^(a):



At December 31,	2018		2017
Commercial paper	$	674	$	679
2.30% Senior Notes due 2019	601		604
4.30% Senior Notes due 2021	300		299
3.375% Senior Notes due 2022	697		696
2.50% Senior Notes due 2023	397		396
2.90% Senior Notes due 2023	396		395
7.875% Debentures due 2023	187		187
7.125% Senior Notes due 2023 ^(b)	46		46
3.70% Senior Notes due 2024	597		597
3.50% Senior Notes due 2025	590		589
4.00% Senior Notes due 2026	787		785
2.90% Senior Notes due 2027	686		684
3.375% Senior Notes due 2028	493		493
3.70% Senior Notes due 2028	490		489
7.875% Senior Debentures due 2030	832		832
5.50% Senior Debentures due 2033	426		425
5.90% Senior Notes due 2040	297		297
4.85% Senior Notes due 2042	486		485
4.90% Senior Notes due 2044	539		539
4.60% Senior Notes due 2045	588		588
Obligations under capital leases	43		57
Total debt ^(c)	10,152		10,162
Less commercial paper	674		679
Less current portion	13		19
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	$	9,465	$	9,464

(a) Unless otherwise noted, the long-term debt instruments are issuances of CBS Corp. and are guaranteed by CBS Operations Inc.

(b) Debt instrument is an issuance of CBS Broadcasting Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corp., and has no guarantor.

(c) At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the senior debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $58 million and $65 million, respectively, (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $43 million and $47 million, respectively, and (iii) a decrease in the carrying value of the debt relating to previously settled fair value hedges of $5 million and $3 million, respectively. The face value of the Company’s total debt was $10.26 billion at December 31, 2018 and $10.28 billion at December 31, 2017.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued $1.80 billion of senior notes and used the net proceeds for the redemption and repayment of $1.20 billion of senior notes, of which $800 million was redeemed prior to maturity, resulting in a pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt of $49 million ($31 million, net of tax). The remaining proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including discretionary contributions to the Company’s qualified pension plans and the repayment of short-term borrowings, including commercial paper.

At December 31, 2018, the Company classified $600 million of debt maturing in August 2019 as long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, reflecting its intent and ability to refinance this debt on a long-term basis.

At December 31, 2018, the Company’s scheduled maturities of long-term debt at face value, excluding capital leases, were as follows:



																2024 and
	2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			Thereafter
Long-term debt		$	600		$	—		$	300		$	700		$	1,033	$	6,907

Commercial Paper

The Company had outstanding commercial paper borrowings under its $2.50 billion commercial paper program of $674 million and $679 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, each with maturities of less than 90 days. The weighted average interest rate for these borrowings was 3.02% and 1.88% at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Credit Facility

At December 31, 2018, the Company had a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) which expires in June 2021. The Company, at its option, may also borrow in certain foreign currencies up to specified limits under the Credit Facility. Borrowing rates under the Credit Facility are determined at the Company’s option at the time of each borrowing and are based generally on the prime rate in the U.S. or LIBOR plus a margin based on the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating. The Company pays a facility fee based on the total amount of the commitments.

The Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio of 4.5x at the end of each quarter as further described in the Credit Facility. At December 31, 2018, the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio was approximately 3.1x.

The Consolidated Leverage Ratio reflects the ratio of the Company’s indebtedness from continuing operations, adjusted to exclude certain capital lease obligations, at the end of a quarter, to the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for the trailing four consecutive quarters. Consolidated EBITDA is defined in the Credit Facility as operating income plus interest income and before depreciation, amortization and certain other noncash items.

The Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2018, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility and the remaining availability under the Credit Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit, was $2.49 billion.

Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

9) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying value of financial instruments approximates fair value, except for notes and debentures, which are not recorded at fair value. At both December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying value of the Company’s senior debt was $9.43 billion and the fair value, which is estimated based on quoted market prices for similar liabilities (Level 2) and includes accrued interest, was $9.48 billion and $10.16 billion, respectively.

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage its exposure to market risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not use derivative instruments unless there is an underlying exposure and, therefore, the Company does not hold or enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

Foreign exchange forward contracts have principally been used to hedge projected cash flows, in currencies such as the British Pound, the Euro, the Canadian Dollar and the Australian Dollar, generally for periods up to 24 months. The Company designates foreign exchange forward contracts used to hedge committed and forecasted foreign currency transactions as cash flow hedges. Gains or losses on the effective portion of designated cash flow hedges are initially recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified to the statement of operations when the hedged item is recognized. Additionally, the Company enters into non-designated forward contracts to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated cash flows.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the notional amount of all foreign currency contracts was $325 million and $410 million, respectively.

Gains (losses) recognized on derivative financial instruments were as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017				Financial Statement Account
Non-designated foreign exchange contracts		$	25		$	(27	)	Other items, net

The fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments was not material to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for any of the periods presented.

The Company continually monitors its positions with, and credit quality of, the financial institutions that are counterparties to its financial instruments. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However, the Company does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.

The Company’s receivables do not represent significant concentrations of credit risk at December 31, 2018 and 2017, due to the wide variety of customers, markets and geographic areas to which the Company’s products and services are sold.

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

10) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2018 and 2017. These assets and liabilities have been categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy established by the FASB, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 is based on publicly quoted prices for the asset or liability in active markets. Level 2 is based on inputs that are observable other than quoted market prices in active markets, such as quoted prices for the asset or liability in inactive markets or quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities. Level 3 is based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.



At December 31, 2018	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	$	—	$	15	$	—	$	15
Total Assets	$	—	$	15	$	—	$	15
Liabilities:							$	—
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	336	$	—	$	336
Foreign currency hedges	—		1		—		1
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	337	$	—	$	337



At December 31, 2017	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	$	—	$	5	$	—	$	5
Total Assets	$	—	$	5	$	—	$	5
Liabilities:							$	—
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	363	$	—	$	363
Foreign currency hedges	—		10		—		10
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	373	$	—	$	373

The fair value of foreign currency hedges is determined based on the present value of future cash flows using observable inputs including foreign currency exchange rates. The fair value of deferred compensation liabilities is determined based on the fair value of the investments elected by employees.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

11) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

In general, CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock and CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock have the same economic rights; however, holders of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock do not have any voting rights, except as required by law. Holders of CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to all matters on which the holders of CBS Corp. Common Stock are entitled to vote.

Dividends—The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on its Class A and Class B Common Stock during each of the four quarters of 2018, 2017, and 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company declared total per share dividends of $.72, $.72, and $.66, respectively, resulting in total annual dividends of $274 million, $289 million and $294 million, respectively. Dividends have been recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital as the Company has an accumulated deficit balance.

Purchase of Company Stock—During 2018, the Company repurchased 11.5 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock under its share repurchase program for $600 million, at an average cost of $52.06 per share. At December 31, 2018, $2.46 billion of authorization remained under the share repurchase program.

Conversion Rights—Holders of Class A Common Stock have the right to convert their shares to Class B Common Stock as long as there are at least 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding. Conversions of CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock into Class B Common Stock were 2.5 million for 2018 and 0.1 million for 2016. Conversions of CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock into Class B Common Stock for 2017 were minimal.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income—The following table presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).



				Net Actuarial				Accumulated
	Cumulative			Loss and				Other
	Translation			Prior				Comprehensive
	Adjustments			Service Cost				Loss
At December 31, 2015	$	152		$	(922	)		$	(770	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(1		)	(165		)		(166		)
Reclassifications to net earnings	—			169			^(a)	169
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1		)	4				3
At December 31, 2016	151			(918		)		(767		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	6			(173		)		(167		)
Reclassifications to net earnings	2			270			^(a)	272
Other comprehensive income	8			97				105
At December 31, 2017	159			(821		)		(662		)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(26		)	(143		)		(169		)
Reclassifications to net earnings	—			56			^(a)	56
Other comprehensive loss	(26		)	(87		)		(113		)
At December 31, 2018	$	133		$	(908	)		$	(775	)

(a) Reflects amortization of net actuarial losses which includes the accelerated recognition of a portion of the unamortized actuarial losses as a result of pension settlements for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (See Note 14).

The net actuarial loss and prior service cost related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans included in other comprehensive income (loss) is net of a tax benefit (provision) for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 of $29 million, $(106) million and $(3) million, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

12) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has equity incentive plans (the “Plans”) under which stock options, RSUs and market-based performance share units (“PSUs”) were issued. The purpose of the Plans is to benefit and advance the interests of the Company by attracting, retaining and motivating participants and to compensate participants for their contributions to the financial success of the Company. The Plans provide for awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted shares, RSUs, dividend equivalents, performance awards and other equity-related awards. Upon exercise of stock options or vesting of RSUs, the Company issues new shares from its existing authorization. At December 31, 2018, there were 41 million shares available for future grant under the Plans.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
RSUs and PSUs	$	120		$	152		$	137
Stock options	26			27			28
Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes	146			179			165
Related tax benefit	(36		)	(69		)	(63		)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit	$	110		$	110		$	102

Stock-based compensation expenses for 2018 included forfeitures of $28 million and accelerations of $6 million relating to changes in senior management, which are included in “Restructuring and other corporate matters” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Included in net loss from discontinued operations was stock-based compensation expense of $2 million and $12 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively.

RSUs and PSUs

Compensation expense for RSUs is determined based upon the market price of the shares underlying the awards on the date of grant and expensed over the vesting period, which is generally a one- to four-year service period. Certain RSU awards are also subject to satisfying performance conditions. Compensation expense is recorded based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions. Forfeitures for RSUs are estimated on the date of grant based on historical forfeiture rates. On an annual basis, the Company adjusts the compensation expense based on actual forfeitures and revises the forfeiture rate as necessary.

The weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs was $53.96, $66.59 and $47.30 in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The total market value of RSUs that vested during 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $135 million, $193 million and $129 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2018 was $164 million which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.

During 2018, 2017, and 2016, the Company also granted PSU awards. The number of shares to be issued upon vesting of the PSUs is based on the Company’s stock price performance over a designated measurement period, as well as the achievement of established operating goals. The fair value of PSU awards is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Compensation expense for PSUs is expensed over the required employee service period. The fair value of the PSU awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $16 million, $23 million and $4 million, respectively. All PSU awards were forfeited during 2018.

The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity.



				Weighted Average
	RSUs			Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2017		5,323,987			$	58.19
Granted		3,093,130			$	53.96
Vested		(2,443,125	)		$	58.71
Forfeited		(788,923	)		$	56.16
Non-vested at December 31, 2018		5,185,069			$	55.73

Stock Options

Compensation expense for stock options is determined based on the grant date fair value of the award calculated using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model. Stock options generally vest over a three- to four-year service period and expire eight years from the date of grant. Forfeitures are estimated on the date of grant based on historical forfeiture rates. On an annual basis, the Company adjusts the compensation expense based on actual forfeitures and revises the forfeiture rate as necessary.

The weighted average fair value of stock options as of the grant date was $14.48, $17.50 and $12.30 in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:



	2018		2017		2016
Expected dividend yield	1.33	%	1.09	%	1.31	%
Expected stock price volatility	29.52	%	29.89	%	32.55	%
Risk-free interest rate	2.73	%	2.00	%	1.35	%
Expected term of options (years)	5.00		5.00		5.00

The expected stock price volatility is determined using a weighted average of historical volatility for CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock and implied volatility of publicly traded options to purchase CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock. Given the existence of an actively traded market for CBS Corp. options, the Company was able to derive implied volatility using publicly traded options to purchase CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock that were trading near the grant date of the employee stock options at a similar exercise price and a remaining term of greater than one year.

The risk-free interest rate is based on a U.S. Treasury rate in effect on the date of grant with a term equal to the expected term. The expected term is determined based on historical employee exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. The expected dividend yield represents the Company’s future expectation of the dividend yield based on current rates and historical patterns of dividend changes.

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards at December 31, 2018 was $31 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity under the Plans.



				Weighted Average
	Stock Options			Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2017		10,113,836			$	50.59
Granted		1,774,181			$	54.32
Exercised		(760,503	)		$	35.80
Forfeited or expired		(220,544	)		$	58.74
Outstanding at December 31, 2018		10,906,970			$	52.07
Exercisable at December 31, 2018		7,310,228			$	50.15

The following table summarizes other information relating to stock option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Cash received from stock option exercises	$	27	$	91	$	21
Tax benefit of stock option exercises	$	4	$	36	$	14
Intrinsic value of stock option exercises	$	16	$	96	$	37

The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable stock options to purchase CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock under the Plans at December 31, 2018.



	Outstanding					Exercisable
		Remaining	Weighted				Weighted
Range of	Number	Contractual	Average			Number	Average
Exercise Price	of Options	Life (Years)	Exercise Price			of Options	Exercise Price
$5 to 9.99	10,186	0.08		$	5.72	10,186		$	5.72
$10 to 19.99	42,442	1.61		$	16.52	42,442		$	16.52
$20 to 29.99	932,407	0.72		$	26.71	932,407		$	26.71
$30 to 39.99	791,703	1.82		$	34.27	791,703		$	34.27
$40 to 49.99	2,741,793	3.72		$	44.96	1,994,388		$	44.64
$50 to 59.99	3,225,456	5.73		$	56.71	1,287,783		$	59.27
$60 to 69.99	3,162,983	4.33		$	66.04	2,251,319		$	65.96
	10,906,970					7,310,228

At December 31, 2018 stock options outstanding have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.08 years and the total intrinsic value for “in-the-money” options, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $43.72, was

$25 million. At December 31, 2018 stock options exercisable have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.02 years and the total intrinsic value for “in-the-money” exercisable options was $25 million.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

13) INCOME TAXES

The U.S. and foreign components of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies were as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
United States	$	1,743	$	1,441	$	1,803
Foreign	546		538		427
Total	$	2,289	$	1,979	$	2,230

The components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017			2016
Current:
Federal	$	107	$	720		$	359
State and local	81		38			64
Foreign	41		63			61
	229		821			484
Deferred	44		(188		)	144
Provision for income taxes	$	273	$	633		$	628

In addition, included in net loss from discontinued operations was an income tax provision of $8 million and $124 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The equity in loss of investee companies is shown net of tax on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The tax benefits relating to losses from equity investments in 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $19 million, $22 million, and $25 million, respectively, which represented an effective tax rate of 25.3%, 37.9% and 33.5% for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

In 2018 and 2017, the Company realized tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs of $37 million and $104 million, respectively.

The difference between income taxes expected at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% and the provision for income taxes is summarized as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
Taxes on income at U.S. federal statutory rate	$	481		$	693		$	780
State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit	77			47			59
Effect of foreign operations	(75		)	(162		)	(112		)
Impact of federal tax legislation	(54		)	129			—
Reversal of valuation allowance ^(a)	(154		)	—			—
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1		)	(44		)	—
Domestic production deduction	—			(31		)	(42		)
Other, net^(b)	(1		)	1			(57		)
Provision for income taxes	$	273		$	633		$	628

(a) Includes the reversal of a valuation allowance of $140 million relating to capital loss carryforwards that will be utilized in connection with the sale of CBS Television City in the first quarter of 2019.

(b) 2016 includes a one-time tax benefit of $47 million associated with a multiyear adjustment to a tax deduction, which was approved by the IRS during the third quarter of 2016.

The following table summarizes the components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities.



At December 31,	2018			2017
Deferred income tax assets:
Reserves and other accrued liabilities	$	339		$	391
Pension, postretirement and other employee benefits	492			478
Tax credit and loss carryforwards	723			835
Other	80			70
Total deferred income tax assets	1,634			1,774
Valuation allowance	(719		)	(974		)
Deferred income tax assets, net	915			800
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	(844		)	(847		)
Unbilled licensing receivables	(401		)	(291		)
Property, equipment and other assets	(40		)	(86		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(1,285		)	(1,224		)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	$	(370	)	$	(424	)

In addition to the deferred income taxes reflected in the table above, included in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are net deferred income tax assets of $12 million at both December 31, 2018 and 2017 relating to discontinued operations.

At December 31, 2018, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for federal, state and local, and foreign jurisdictions of approximately $1.73 billion, the majority of which expire in various years from 2019 through 2038.

The 2018 and 2017 deferred income tax assets were reduced by a valuation allowance of $719 million and $974 million, respectively, principally relating to income tax benefits from capital losses and net operating losses in foreign jurisdictions which are not expected to be realized.

In December 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Reform Act which contained significant changes to U.S. federal tax law, including a reduction in the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and a one-time transition tax on cumulative foreign earnings and profits. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a net provisional charge of $129 million, reflecting the estimated transition tax of $407 million on cumulative foreign earnings and profits, offset by an estimated benefit of $278 million to adjust the Company’s deferred income tax balances as a result of the reduced corporate income tax rate. During 2018, the Company completed its analysis of these provisional amounts and recorded a charge of $15 million to adjust the estimated transition tax on cumulative foreign earnings and profits. In January 2019, the U.S. government issued guidance relating to the transition tax. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, which will be recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the first quarter of 2019.

The Tax Reform Act includes a deduction for foreign derived intangible income and a tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”), which imposes a U.S. tax on certain income earned by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. The Company elected to treat the tax on GILTI as a period cost when incurred and therefore, the tax on GILTI is included in its tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Generally, the future remittance of foreign undistributed earnings will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes under the provisions of the Tax Reform Act and as a result, for substantially all of its foreign subsidiaries, the Company does not intend to assert indefinite reinvestment of both cash held outside of the U.S. and future cash earnings. However, a future repatriation of cash could be subject to state and local income taxes, foreign income taxes, and withholding taxes. Accordingly, the Company recorded deferred income tax liabilities associated with future

repatriations, which were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Additional income taxes have not been provided for outside basis differences inherent in these entities as these amounts continue to be indefinitely invested in foreign operations. The determination of the U.S. federal deferred income tax liability for such outside basis difference is not practicable.

The following table sets forth the change in the reserve for uncertain tax positions, excluding related accrued interest and penalties.



At January 1, 2016	$	104
Additions for current year tax positions	9
Additions for prior year tax positions	4
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(8		)
Cash settlements	(6		)
Statute of limitations lapses	(1		)
At December 31, 2016	102
Additions for current year tax positions	50
Additions for prior year tax positions	39
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(41		)
Cash settlements	(5		)
Statute of limitations lapses	(7		)
At December 31, 2017	138
Additions for current year tax positions	15
Additions for prior year tax positions	165
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(34		)
Cash settlements	(16		)
Statute of limitations lapses	(2		)
At December 31, 2018	$	266

The reserve for uncertain tax positions of $266 million at December 31, 2018 includes $249 million which would affect the Company’s effective income tax rate, including discontinued operations, if and when recognized in future years.

The Company recognizes interest and penalty charges related to the reserve for uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. The Company recognized interest and penalties of $16 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and $7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has recorded liabilities for accrued interest and penalties of $24 million and $14 million, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The statute of limitations for the 2014 tax year expired in September 2018. The IRS is expected to commence its examination of the 2016 and 2017 tax years during the first quarter of 2019. Various tax years are also currently under examination by state and local and foreign tax authorities. In addition, there are significant uncertainties with respect to the interpretation of tax law provisions contained in the Tax Reform Act. Guidance issued by the U.S. government in January 2019 may result in a decrease to the reserve for uncertain tax positions within the next twelve months; however, the Company is still evaluating the impact of this guidance and therefore, the amount of this decrease cannot currently be determined. In addition, future guidance issued by federal and state authorities could result in further changes to the reserve for uncertain tax positions.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

14) PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries sponsor qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, principally non-contributory, covering eligible employees. The majority of participants in these plans are retired employees or former employees of previously divested businesses. Most of the Company’s pension plans are closed to new entrants. The benefits for some plans are based primarily on an employee’s years of service and average pay near retirement. Benefits under other plans are based primarily on an employee’s pay for each year that the employee participated in the plan. Participating employees are vested in the plans after five years of service. The Company funds its pension plans in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and other applicable rules and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of corporate bonds, equity securities and U.S. government securities. The Company’s common stock represents approximately 2.5% and 2.8% of the plan assets’ fair values at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the presentation of net benefit cost. This guidance requires the Company to present the service cost component of net benefit cost in the same line items on the statement of operations as other compensation costs of the related employees. All of the other components of net benefit cost are presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and below the subtotal of operating income. As a result of the adoption of this guidance, the Company presented $63 million of net benefit costs in “Other items, net” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for 2018 representing the components of net benefit cost other than service cost. This guidance is required to be applied retrospectively and therefore, the Company reclassified net benefit costs of $438 million and $281 million, including pension settlement charges, for 2017 and 2016, respectively, below operating income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. All related amounts presented herein have been recast to conform to this presentation.

During 2017, the Company purchased a group annuity contract under which an insurance company permanently assumed the Company’s obligation to pay and administer pension benefits to certain of the Company’s pension plan participants, or their designated beneficiaries, who had been receiving pension benefits. The purchase of this group annuity contract was funded with pension plan assets. As a result, the Company’s outstanding pension benefit obligation was reduced by approximately $800 million, which represented approximately 20% of the total obligations of the Company’s qualified pension plans. In connection with this transaction, the Company recorded a settlement charge of $352 million in 2017, reflecting the accelerated recognition of a portion of unamortized actuarial losses in the plan. Additionally, during 2017, the Company made discretionary contributions totaling $600 million to prefund its qualified pension plans.

During 2016, the Company offered eligible former employees who had not yet initiated pension benefit payments the option to make a one-time election to receive the present value of their pension benefits as a lump-sum distribution or to commence an immediate monthly annuity benefit. As a result, the Company paid a total of $518 million of lump-sum distributions in 2016 using its pension plan assets, which represented 12% of the total obligations of its qualified pension plans. Accordingly, the Company recorded a settlement charge of $211 million, reflecting the accelerated recognition of a portion of unamortized actuarial losses in the plan.

In addition, the Company sponsors health and welfare plans that provide postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retired employees and their covered dependents. Eligibility is based in part on certain age and service requirements at the time of their retirement. Most of the plans are contributory and contain cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance which are adjusted annually, as well as caps on the annual dollar amount the Company will contribute toward the cost of coverage. Claims are paid primarily with the Company’s funds.

The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for all pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

The following table sets forth the change in benefit obligation for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans.



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	4,040		$	4,660		$	424		$	447
Service cost	31			29			—			—
Interest cost	149			191			16			18
Actuarial (gain) loss	(147		)	337			(8		)	19
Benefits paid	(305		)	(326		)	(104		)	(73		)
Participants’ contributions	—			—			11			10
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy	—			—			4			3
Settlements	(90		)	(862		)	—			—
Cumulative translation adjustments	(7		)	11			—			—
Benefit obligation, end of year	$	3,671		$	4,040		$	343		$	424

The following table sets forth the change in plan assets for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans.



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	$	3,046		$	3,244		$	—		$	4
Actual return on plan assets	(170		)	328			—			—
Employer contributions	51			650			90			56
Benefits paid	(305		)	(326		)	(104		)	(73		)
Participants’ contributions	—			—			11			10
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy	—			—			4			3
Settlements	(90		)	(862		)	—			—
Cumulative translation adjustments	(6		)	12			—			—
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$	2,526		$	3,046		$	1		$	—

The funded status of pension and postretirement benefit obligations and the related amounts recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
At December 31,	2018			2017			2018			2017
Funded status at end of year	$	(1,145	)	$	(994	)	$	(342	)	$	(424	)
Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Other assets	$	6		$	12		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities	(59		)	(53		)	(46		)	(49		)
Noncurrent liabilities	(1,092		)	(953		)	(296		)	(375		)
Net amounts recognized	$	(1,145	)	$	(994	)	$	(342	)	$	(424	)

The Company’s qualified pension plans were underfunded by $478 million and $309 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The following amounts were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
At December 31,	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net actuarial (loss) gain	$	(1,692	)	$	(1,583	)	$	179		$	189
Net prior service cost	(4		)	(6		)	—			—
Share of equity investee	(1		)	(2		)	—			—
	(1,697		)	(1,591		)	179			189
Deferred income taxes	632			606			(22		)	(25		)
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(1,065	)	$	(985	)	$	157		$	164

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $3.58 billion and $3.96 billion at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Information for the pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is set forth below.



At December 31,	2018		2017
Projected benefit obligation	$	3,662	$	3,933
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	3,576	$	3,852
Fair value of plan assets	$	2,511	$	2,928

The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit cost and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).



	Pension Benefits									Postretirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016			2018			2017			2016
Components of net periodic cost:
Service cost	$	31		$	29		$	29		$	—		$	—		$	—
Interest cost	149			191			215			16			18			20
Expected return on plan assets	(177		)	(201		)	(227		)	—			—			—
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains)	81			101			84			(18		)	(22		)	(21		)
Amortization of prior service cost	1			2			1			—			—			—
Settlements	11			352			211			—			—			—
Net periodic cost	$	96		$	474		$	313		$	(2	)	$	(4	)	$	(1	)

The service cost component of net periodic cost is presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations within operating income. All other components of net periodic cost are presented below operating income, in “Other items, net” and “Pension settlement charges.” Included in net loss from discontinued operations was net periodic cost of $3 million and $2 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.



	Pension Benefits											Postretirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31, 2018	2018				2017			2016				2018			2017			2016
Other comprehensive income (loss):				-200							45
Actuarial (loss) gain	$	(200	)		$	(210	)	$	(275	)		$	8		$	(19	)	$	5
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains) ^(a)	81				101			84				(18		)	(22		)	(21		)
Amortization of prior service cost ^(a)	1				2			1				—			—			—
Settlements ^(a)	11				352			211				—			—			—
Cumulative translation adjustments	1				(1		)	2				—			—			—
	(106		)		244			23				(10		)	(41		)	(16		)
Deferred income taxes	26				(119		)	(9		)		3			13			6
Recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	(80	)		$	125		$	14			$	(7	)	$	(28	)	$	(10	)

(a) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net earnings.

Estimated net actuarial losses and prior service costs related to the defined benefit pension plans of approximately $90 million and $1 million, respectively, will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs in 2019.

Estimated net actuarial gains related to the other postretirement benefit plans of approximately $18 million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs in 2019.



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	2018		2017		2016		2018		2017		2016
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
Discount rate	4.5	%	3.9	%	4.3	%	4.4	%	3.9	%	4.1	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.0	%	3.0	%	3.0	%	N/A		N/A		N/A
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic costs for the year ended December 31:
Discount rate	3.9	%	4.3	%	4.6	%	3.9	%	4.1	%	4.2	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.3	%	6.4	%	6.4	%	N/A		2.0	%	2.0	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.0	%	3.0	%	3.0	%	N/A		N/A		N/A

N/A - not applicable

The discount rates are determined primarily based on the yield on a portfolio of high quality bonds, constructed to provide cash flows necessary to meet the Company’s pension plans’ expected future benefit payments, as determined for the projected benefit obligations. The expected return on plan assets assumption is derived using the current and expected asset allocation of the pension plan assets and considering historical as well as expected returns on various classes of plan assets.

The following additional assumptions were used in accounting for postretirement benefits.



	2018		2017
Projected health care cost trend rate	6.6	%	7.0	%
Ultimate trend rate	5.0	%	5.0	%
Year ultimate trend rate is achieved	2023		2023

A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:



	One Percentage			One Percentage
	Point Increase			Point Decrease
Effect on total service and interest cost components		$	—		$	—
Effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation		$	4		$	(4	)

Plan Assets

The asset allocations for the Company’s U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan trust and international pension plan trusts are based upon an analysis of the timing and amount of projected benefit payments, projected company contributions, the expected returns and risk of the asset classes and the correlation of those returns. The target asset allocation for the Company’s U.S. pension plan trust, which accounted for 97% of total plan assets at December 31, 2018, is to invest between 70% - 80% in long duration fixed income investments, 16% - 28% in equity securities and the remainder in cash and other investments. At December 31, 2018, this trust was invested approximately 75% in long duration fixed income securities, 22% in equity investments, and the remainder in cash, cash equivalents and other investments. Long duration fixed income investments consist of a diversified portfolio of fixed income instruments that are substantially all investment grade, with a duration that approximates the duration of the liabilities covered by the trust. All equity portfolios are diversified between U.S. and non-U.S. equities and include large and small capitalization equities. The asset allocations are reviewed regularly.

The following tables set forth the Company’s pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2018 and 2017. These assets have been categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy established by the FASB which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 is based on quoted prices for the asset in active markets. Level 2 is based on inputs that are observable other than quoted market prices in active markets, such as quoted prices for the asset in inactive markets or quoted prices for similar assets. Level 3 is based on unobservable inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset.



At December 31, 2018	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash and cash equivalents ^(a)	$	2	$	9	$	—	$	11
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury securities	85		—		—		85
Government-related securities	—		171		—		171
Corporate bonds ^(b)	—		1,483		—		1,483
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	—		113		—		113
Equity securities:
U.S. large capitalization	143		3		—		146
U.S. small capitalization	35		—		—		35
International equity	—		3		—		3
Other	1		23		—		24
Total assets in fair value hierarchy	$	266	$	1,805	$	—	$	2,071
Common collective funds measured at net asset value ^{(c) (d)}							397
Limited partnerships measured at net asset value ^(c)							26
Mutual funds measured at net asset value ^(c)							32
Investments, at fair value							$	2,526



At December 31, 2017	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash and cash equivalents ^(a)	$	8	$	22	$	—	$	30
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury securities	135		—		—		135
Government-related securities	12		238		—		250
Corporate bonds ^(b)	—		1,657		—		1,657
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	—		97		1		98
Equity securities:
U.S. large capitalization	175		3		—		178
U.S. small capitalization	43		—		—		43
International equity	—		3		—		3
Other	—		43		—		43
Total assets in fair value hierarchy	$	373	$	2,063	$	1	$	2,437
Common collective funds measured at net asset value ^{(c) (d)}							519
Limited partnerships measured at net asset value ^(c)							32
Mutual funds measured at net asset value ^(c)							58
Investments, at fair value							$	3,046

(a) Assets categorized as Level 2 reflect investments in money market funds.

(b) Securities of diverse sectors and industries, substantially all investment grade.

(c) In accordance with FASB guidance investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.

(d) Underlying investments consist mainly of U.S. large capitalization and international equity securities.

Money market investments are carried at amortized cost which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these investments. Investments in equity securities are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices on national security exchanges. The fair value of investments in common collective funds and mutual funds are determined using the net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the administrator of the fund as a practical expedient. The NAV is determined by each fund’s trustee based upon the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, less liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding units. The fair value of U.S. treasury securities is determined based on quoted market prices in active markets. The fair value of government related securities and corporate bonds is determined based on quoted market prices on national security exchanges, when available, or using valuation models which incorporate certain other observable inputs including recent trading activity for comparable securities and broker quoted prices. The fair value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities is based upon valuation models which incorporate available dealer quotes, projected cash flows and market information. The fair value of limited partnerships has been estimated using the NAV of the ownership interest. The NAV is determined using quarterly financial statements issued by the partnership which determine the value based on the fair value of the underlying investments.

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of investments reflected as Level 3 at December 31, 2018.



	Mortgage-backed Securities
At January 1, 2017		$	2
Contributions and distributions, net		(1		)
At December 31, 2017		1
Contributions and distributions, net		(1		)
At December 31, 2018		$	—

The Company’s other postretirement benefits plan assets of $1 million at December 31, 2018 were invested in U.S. money market funds, which are categorized as Level 2 assets.

Future Benefit Payments

Estimated future benefit payments are as follows:



	2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			2024-2028
Pension	$	329		$	266		$	262		$	260		$	256		$	1,218
Postretirement	$	53		$	50		$	47		$	44		$	41		$	162
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy	$	(5	)	$	(5	)	$	(5	)	$	(5	)	$	(5	)	$	(20	)

In 2019, the Company expects to make contributions of approximately $60 million to its non-qualified pension plans to satisfy the benefit payments due under these plans. Also in 2019, the Company expects to contribute approximately $48 million to its other postretirement benefit plans to satisfy the Company’s portion of benefit payments due under these plans.

Multiemployer Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

The Company contributes to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover its union-represented employees including talent, writers, directors, producers and other employees, primarily in the entertainment industry. The other employers participating in these multiemployer plans are primarily in the entertainment and other related industries. The risks of participating in multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans as assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers and if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. In addition, if the Company chooses to stop participating in some of its multiemployer plans it may be required to pay those plans a withdrawal liability based on the underfunded status of the plan.

The financial health of a multiemployer plan is indicated by the zone status, as defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Plans in the red zone are in critical status; those in the yellow zone are in endangered status; and those in the green zone are neither critical nor endangered.

The table below presents information concerning the Company’s participation in multiemployer defined benefit pension plans.



	Employer Identification Number/Pension Plan Number	Pension Protection Act		Company Contributions						Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement
		Zone Status ^(a)		Company Contributions
Pension Plan		2018	2017	2018		2017		2016
AFTRA Retirement Plan^(b)	13-6414972-001	Green	Green	$	6	$	6	$	6	(c)
Directors Guild of America - Producer	95-2892780-001	Green	Green	9		8		6		6/30/2020
Producer-Writers Guild of America	95-2216351-001	Green	Green	17		15		12		5/1/2020
Screen Actors Guild - Producers	95-2110997-001	Green	Green	28		22		11		6/30/2020
Motion Picture Industry	95-1810805-001	Green	Green	17		14		11		(d)
I.A.T.S.E. Local No. 33 Pension Trust Fund ^(e)	95-6377503-001	Green	Green	12		10		9		12/31/2019
Other Plans				7		5		5
	Total contributions			$	96	$	80	$	60

(a) The Zone status for each individual plan listed was certified by each plan’s actuary as of the beginning of the plan years for 2018 and 2017. The plan year is the twelve months ending December 31 for each plan listed above except AFTRA Retirement Plan which has a plan year ending November 30.

(b) The Company was listed in AFTRA Retirement Plan’s Form 5500 as providing more than 5% of total contributions for the plan year ended November 30, 2017.

(d) The expiration dates range from March 2, 2019 through July 31, 2021.

(e) The Company was listed in I.A.T.S.E. Local No. 33 Pension Trust Fund’s Form 5500 as providing more than 5% of total contributions for the plan year ended December 31, 2017.

As a result of the above noted zone status there were no funding improvements or rehabilitation plans implemented, as defined by ERISA, nor any surcharges imposed for any of the individual plans listed.

The Company also contributes to multiemployer plans that provide postretirement healthcare, defined contribution and other benefits to certain employees under collective bargaining agreements. The contributions to these plans were $36 million, $30 million and $28 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company recognizes the net periodic cost for multiemployer pension and postretirement benefit plans based on the required contributions to the plans.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company sponsors defined contribution plans for the benefit of substantially all employees meeting eligibility requirements. Employer contributions to such plans were $40 million, $42 million and $35 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Segment and Revenue Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment and Revenue Information

15) SEGMENT AND REVENUE INFORMATION

The following tables set forth the Company’s financial performance by reportable segment. The Company’s operating segments, which are the same as its reportable segments, have been determined in accordance with the Company’s internal management structure, which is organized based upon products and services. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company began presenting CBS Sports Network in the Entertainment segment, to reflect changes in management structure and the integration of CBS Sports Network programming with the CBS Television Network. CBS Sports Network was previously included in the Cable Networks segment. Results for all periods presented have been reclassified to conform to this presentation.



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
Revenues:
Entertainment	$	10,178		$	9,306		$	9,020
Cable Networks	2,204			2,355			2,015
Publishing	825			830			767
Local Media	1,830			1,668			1,779
Corporate/Eliminations	(523		)	(467		)	(415		)
Total Revenues	$	14,514		$	13,692		$	13,166

Revenues generated between segments primarily reflect advertising sales, content licensing and station affiliation fees. These transactions are recorded at market value as if the sales were to third parties and are eliminated in consolidation.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Intercompany Revenues:
Entertainment	$	534	$	477	$	431
Cable Networks	1		1		1
Local Media	18		13		8
Total Intercompany Revenues	$	553	$	491	$	440

The Company presents operating income (loss) excluding costs for restructuring and other corporate matters, programming charges and other operating items, net, each where applicable, (“Segment Operating Income”) as the primary measure of profit and loss for its operating segments (“segment profit measure”) in accordance with FASB guidance for segment reporting. The Company believes the presentation of Segment Operating Income is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view segment performance in a manner similar to the primary method used by the Company’s management and enhances their ability to understand the Company’s operating performance.



Year Ended December 31, ^(a)	2018			2017			2016
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
Entertainment	$	1,675		$	1,578		$	1,539
Cable Networks	915			999			959
Publishing	144			136			122
Local Media	609			497			622
Corporate	(295		)	(305		)	(311		)
Restructuring charges	(67		)	(63		)	(30		)
Corporate matters	(128		)	—			(8		)
Programming charges	(85		)	—			—
Other operating items, net	—			19			9
Operating income	2,768			2,861			2,902
Interest expense	(467		)	(457		)	(411		)
Interest income	57			64			32
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	—			(49		)	—
Pension settlement charges	—			(352		)	(211		)
Other items, net	(69		)	(88		)	(82		)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies	2,289			1,979			2,230
Provision for income taxes	(273		)	(633		)	(628		)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(56		)	(37		)	(50		)
Net earnings from continuing operations	1,960			1,309			1,552
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(952		)	(291		)
Net earnings	$	1,960		$	357		$	1,261



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Depreciation and Amortization:
Entertainment	$	125	$	118	$	120
Cable Networks	18		20		20
Publishing	6		6		6
Local Media	43		45		44
Corporate	31		34		35
Total Depreciation and Amortization	$	223	$	223	$	225



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Stock-based Compensation:
Entertainment	$	62	$	68	$	63
Cable Networks	12		10		10
Publishing	4		5		4
Local Media	11		12		12
Corporate ^(a)	57		84		76
Total Stock-based Compensation	$	146	$	179	$	165

(a) Included in 2018 are forfeitures of $28 million and accelerations of $6 million relating to changes in senior management.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Capital Expenditures:
Entertainment	$	93	$	102	$	102
Cable Networks	20		16		15
Publishing	7		5		9
Local Media	27		32		37
Corporate	18		30		33
Total Capital Expenditures	$	165	$	185	$	196



At December 31,	2018		2017
Assets:
Entertainment ^(a)	$	13,579	$	12,927
Cable Networks	2,693		2,577
Publishing	1,054		906
Local Media	4,037		4,042
Corporate/Eliminations	484		378
Discontinued operations	12		13
Total Assets	$	21,859	$	20,843

(a) Includes assets held for sale of $33 million and $34 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated into categories based on the nature of such revenues.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Revenues by Type:
Advertising	$	6,195	$	5,753	$	6,288
Content licensing and distribution
Programming	3,256		3,122		2,906
Publishing	825		830		767
Affiliate and subscription fees	4,003		3,758		2,978
Other	235		229		227
Total Revenues	$	14,514	$	13,692	$	13,166



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Revenues: ^(a)
United States	$	11,979	$	11,675	$	11,317
International	2,535		2,017		1,849
Total Revenues	$	14,514	$	13,692	$	13,166

(a) Revenue classifications are based on customers’ locations.



At December 31,	2018		2017
Long-lived Assets: ^(a)
United States	$	14,286	$	13,699
International	429		495
Total Long-lived Assets	$	14,715	$	14,194

(a) Reflects total assets less current assets, investments and noncurrent deferred tax assets.

Transactions within the Company between the United States and international regions were not significant.

Adoption of "Revenue From Contracts With Customers"

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Adoption of Revenue From Contracts With Customers

16) ADOPTION OF “REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS”

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Codification 606 (“ASC 606”) on the recognition of revenues using the modified retrospective method applied to all contracts. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606 while prior periods have not been adjusted. The Company recorded an increase to accumulated deficit of $261 million as of January 1, 2018 reflecting the cumulative impact of the adoption of ASC 606.

The adoption of ASC 606 primarily resulted in two changes to the Company’s revenue recognition policies.


•	Revenues from Distribution Arrangements

Revenues from the Company’s distribution of third-party content are now recognized based on the gross amount of consideration received from the customer, with an offsetting participation expense recognized for the fees paid to the third party. Under previous accounting guidance, such revenues, which include content licensing and distribution revenues and advertising revenues, were recognized at the net amount retained by the Company after the payment of fees to the third party. For the year ended December 31, 2018, revenues and operating expenses relating to such distribution arrangements were $279 million higher under ASC 606 than the amounts that would have been reported under previous accounting guidance, with no impact to operating income.


•	Revenues from the Renewal of Licensing Agreements

Revenues associated with the renewal of an existing license agreement are now recognized at the beginning of the renewal period. Under previous accounting guidance, these revenues were recognized upon the execution of such renewal. Content licensing and distribution revenue comparisons will continue to be impacted by fluctuations resulting from the timing of when Company-owned television series are made available for multiyear licensing agreements. Therefore, this change is not expected to have a material impact on the trend of the Company’s financial results. Additionally, historically, on an annual basis, revenues from renewals executed each year have approximated revenues associated with renewal periods that began in the same year.

The following table presents the amount by which each applicable financial statement line item on the Consolidated Statement of Operations would have decreased for 2018 if license renewals were recognized under previous accounting guidance.



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2018
Revenues		$	263
Operating expenses		124
Operating income		139
Less: Provision for income taxes		30
Net earnings		$	109
Diluted EPS		$	.29

In addition, the adoption of ASC 606 resulted in certain classification changes on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The primary change is the reclassification of the sales returns reserve relating to the publishing business to “Other current liabilities.” Such amount, which was $116 million at December 31, 2018, was previously presented as a reduction to receivables.

The following table presents the amount by which each applicable financial statement line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018 would increase (decrease) if all of the above changes resulting from the adoption of ASC 606 were presented under previous accounting guidance.



Assets
Receivables, net	$	(102	)
Programming and other inventory (noncurrent)	$	(35	)
Other assets (noncurrent receivables)	$	327

Liabilities
Other current liabilities	$	(128	)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	$	38
Participants’ share and royalties payable	$	128

Accumulated deficit	$	152

ASC 606 also requires enhanced disclosures relating to the Company’s revenues from contracts with customers (See Note 1), including the disaggregation of revenues into categories (See Note 15).

Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

17) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On November 16, 2017, the Company completed the split-off of CBS Radio through an exchange offer, in which the Company accepted 17.9 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock from its stockholders in exchange for the 101.4 million shares of CBS Radio common stock that it owned. Immediately following the exchange offer, each share of CBS Radio common stock was converted into one share of Entercom Communications Corp. (“Entercom”) Class A common stock upon completion of the merger of CBS Radio and Entercom. CBS Radio has been presented as a discontinued operation in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

The following tables set forth details of net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.



Year Ended December 31, 2017	CBS Radio				Other				Total
Revenues	$	1,018			$	—			$	1,018
Costs and expenses:
Operating	364				—				364
Selling, general and administrative	444				(1		)		443
Market value adjustment	980			^(a)	—				980
Restructuring charges	7				—				7
Total costs and expenses	1,795				(1		)		1,794
Operating income (loss)	(777		)		1				(776		)
Interest expense	(70		)		—				(70		)
Other items, net	(2		)		—				(2		)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(849		)		1				(848		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(55		)		45			^(b)	(10		)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(904		)		46				(858		)
Net gain (loss) on disposal	(109		)		13				(96		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	4				(2		)		2
Net gain (loss) on disposal, net of tax	(105		)		11			^(c)	(94		)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(1,009	)		$	57			$	(952	)

(a) During 2017, prior to the split-off, CBS Radio was measured each reporting period at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. The value of the transaction with Entercom was determined based on Entercom’s stock price at the closing of the transaction and therefore, the Company recorded a market value adjustment of $980 million in 2017 to adjust the carrying value of CBS Radio to the value indicated by the stock valuation of Entercom.

(b) Reflects a tax benefit from the resolution of a tax matter in a foreign jurisdiction relating to a previously disposed business that was accounted for as a discontinued operation.

(c) Reflects adjustments to the loss on disposal of the Company’s outdoor advertising businesses, primarily from a decrease to the guarantee liability associated with the 2013 disposal of the Company’s outdoor advertising business in Europe.



Year Ended December 31, 2016	CBS Radio				Other ^(b)			Total
Revenues	$	1,220			$	—		$	1,220
Costs and expenses:
Operating	397				—			397
Selling, general and administrative	496				—			496
Depreciation and amortization	26				—			26
Restructuring charges	8				—			8
Impairment charge	444			^(a)	—			444
Total costs and expenses	1,371				—			1,371
Operating loss	(151		)		—			(151		)
Interest expense	(17		)		—			(17		)
Other items, net	1				—			1
Loss from discontinued operations	(167		)		—			(167		)
Income tax provision	(88		)		(36		)	(124		)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(255	)		$	(36	)	$	(291	)

(a) Reflects a pretax noncash impairment charge of $444 million ($427 million, net of tax) to reduce the carrying value of CBS Radio’s goodwill by $408 million ($405 million, net of tax) and FCC licenses in 11 radio markets by $36 million ($22 million, net of tax).

(b) Reflects a charge from the resolution of a tax matter in a foreign jurisdiction relating to a previously disposed business that was accounted for as a discontinued operation.

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

18) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company’s commitments not recorded on the balance sheet primarily consist of programming and talent commitments, operating lease arrangements and purchase obligations for goods and services resulting from the Company’s normal course of business.

Programming and talent commitments of the Company, estimated to aggregate $8.98 billion as of December 31, 2018, primarily include $6.62 billion for sports programming rights, $1.71 billion relating to the production and licensing of television and film programming, and $660 million for talent contracts. The Company also has committed purchase obligations which include agreements to purchase goods or services in the future that totaled $795 million as of December 31, 2018.

Other long-term contractual obligations recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet include program liabilities; participations due to producers; residuals; and a tax liability resulting from the enactment of the Tax Reform Act in December 2017. This tax liability reflects the estimated tax on the Company’s historical accumulated foreign earnings and profits, which is payable to the IRS over eight years.

At December 31, 2018, commitments for programming and talent and purchase obligations not recorded on the balance sheet, and other long-term contractual obligations recorded on the balance sheet were payable as follows:



	Programming and Talent		Purchase Obligations		Other Long-Term Contractual Obligations
2019	$	2,270	$	285		$	—
2020	1,989		247			569
2021	1,830		171			360
2022	1,704		26			199
2023	300		8			112
2024 and thereafter	889		58			229
Total	$	8,982	$	795		$	1,469

The Company has long-term noncancellable operating lease commitments for office space, equipment, transponders and studio facilities. The Company also enters into capital leases for satellite transponders.

At December 31, 2018, future minimum rental payments under noncancellable operating leases with terms in excess of one year and payments under capital leases are as follows:



	Leases
	Capital		Operating
2019	$	13	$	174
2020	12		129
2021	11		122
2022	7		110
2023	2		101
2024 and thereafter	2		465
Total minimum payments	$	47	$	1,101
Less amounts representing interest	4
Present value of minimum payments	$	43

Future minimum operating lease payments have been reduced by future minimum sublease income of $30 million. Rent expense was $212 million in 2018, $181 million in 2017 and $167 million in 2016. Included in net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations was rent expense of $32 million in 2017 and $36 million in 2016.

Guarantees

The Company has indemnification obligations with respect to letters of credit and surety bonds primarily used as security against non-performance in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2018, the outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds approximated $100 million and were not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

In the course of its business, the Company both provides and receives indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, the Company may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not live up to its obligations under an indemnification obligation. The Company records a liability for its indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable and reasonably estimable.

Legal Matters

General. On an ongoing basis, the Company vigorously defends itself in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and responds to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state, local and international authorities (collectively, “litigation’’). Litigation may be brought against the Company without merit, is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on its understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Company believes that the below-described legal matters and other litigation to which it is a party are not likely, in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Under the separation agreement between the Company and Viacom Inc., the Company and Viacom Inc. have agreed to defend and indemnify the other in certain litigation in which the Company and/or Viacom Inc. is named.

Investigation-Related Matters. As announced on August 1, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”) retained two law firms to conduct a full investigation of the allegations in recent press reports about the Company’s former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Leslie Moonves, CBS News and cultural issues at all levels of the Company. On December 17, 2018, the Board announced the completion of the investigation, certain findings of the investigation and the Board’s determination, discussed below, with respect to the termination of Mr. Moonves’s employment. The Company has received subpoenas from the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Commission on Human Rights regarding the subject matter of this investigation and related matters. The New York State Attorney General’s Office has also requested information about these matters. The Company may receive additional related regulatory and investigative inquiries from these and other entities in the future. The Company is cooperating with these inquiries.

On August 27, 2018 and on October 1, 2018, each of Gene Samit and John Lantz, respectively, filed putative class action suits in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, for claims that are similar to those alleged in the amended complaint described below. On November 6, 2018, the Court entered an order consolidating the two actions. On November 30, 2018, the Court appointed Construction Laborers Pension Trust for Southern California as the lead plaintiff of the consolidated action. On February 11, 2019, the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended putative class action complaint against the Company, certain current and former senior executives and members of the Board. The consolidated action is stated to be on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock between September 26, 2016 and December 4, 2018. This action seeks to recover damages arising during this time period allegedly caused by the defendants’ purported violations of the federal securities laws, including by allegedly making materially false and misleading statements or failing to disclose material information, and seeks costs and expenses as well as remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.

Separation Agreement. On September 9, 2018, the Company entered into a separation and settlement agreement and releases (the “Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Leslie Moonves, pursuant to which Mr. Moonves resigned as a director and as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Pursuant to the

Separation Agreement, the Company is contributing the aggregate amount of $20 million toward various charitable organizations that support the #MeToo movement and equality for women in the workplace, which organizations were mutually agreed by the Company and Mr. Moonves. The Company has recorded the contribution of $20 million in “Restructuring and other corporate matters” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018. In October 2018, the Company contributed $120 million to a grantor trust. On December 17, 2018, the Board announced that, following its consideration of the findings of the investigation referred to above, it had determined that there were grounds to terminate Mr. Moonves’s employment for cause under his employment agreement with the Company. Any dispute related to the Board’s determination is subject to binding arbitration as set forth in the Separation Agreement. On January 16, 2019, Mr. Moonves notified the Company of his election to demand binding arbitration with respect to this matter and the related Board investigation. The assets of the grantor trust will remain in the trust until a final determination in the arbitration. The Company is currently unable to determine the outcome of the arbitration and the amount, if any, that may be awarded thereunder and, accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Claims Related to Former Businesses: Asbestos. The Company is a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. The Company is typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of the Company’s products is the basis of a claim. Claims against the Company in which a product has been identified most commonly relate to allegations of exposure to asbestos-containing insulating material used in conjunction with turbines.

Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. The Company does not report as pending those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets that some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had pending approximately 31,570 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 31,660 as of December 31, 2017 and 33,610 as of December 31, 2016. During 2018, the Company received approximately 3,290 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 3,380 claims. The Company reports claims as closed when it becomes aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when the Company has reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claims, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. The Company’s total costs for the years 2018 and 2017 for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance recoveries and net of tax were approximately $45 million and $57 million, respectively. The Company’s costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year and insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.

The Company believes that its reserves and insurance are adequate to cover its asbestos liabilities. This belief is based upon many factors and assumptions, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims. While the number of asbestos claims filed against the Company has remained generally flat in recent years, it is difficult to predict future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may occur, including, among others, the number and types of claims and average cost to resolve such claims, which could affect the Company’s estimate of its asbestos liabilities.

Other. The Company from time to time receives claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that it is or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to historical and predecessor operations of the Company. In addition, the Company from time to time receives personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from historical operations of the Company and its predecessors.

Supplemental Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Supplemental Financial Information

19) SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table presents the components of Other items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	(63	)	$	(86	)	$	(70	)
Foreign exchange (losses) gains	(3		)	2			(12		)
Net loss from investments	(3		)	(4		)	—
Other items, net	$	(69	)	$	(88	)	$	(82	)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Cash paid for interest:
Continuing operations	$	457	$	448	$	407
Discontinued operations	—		70		8
Total	$	457	$	518	$	415



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017		2016
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes:
Continuing operations	$	16		$	365	$	373
Discontinued operations	(4		)	26		119
Total	$	12		$	391	$	492



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Shares received in split-off of CBS Radio (Note 17)	$	—	$	1,007	$	—
Noncash additions to property and equipment	$	—	$	31	$	—
Equipment acquired under capitalized leases	$	9	$	5	$	10

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

20) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited):



	First			Second			Third			Fourth
2018 ^(a)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter ^(b)			Total Year
Revenues:
Entertainment	$	2,753		$	2,402		$	2,190		$	2,833		$	10,178
Cable Networks	571			553			529			551			2,204
Publishing	160			207			240			218			825
Local Media	415			420			434			561			1,830
Corporate/Eliminations	(138		)	(116		)	(130		)	(139		)	(523		)
Total Revenues	$	3,761		$	3,466		$	3,263		$	4,024		$	14,514
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
Entertainment	$	486		$	367		$	384		$	438		$	1,675
Cable Networks	236			245			241			193			915
Publishing	16			31			51			46			144
Local Media	118			128			124			239			609
Corporate	(75		)	(77		)	(64		)	(79		)	(295		)
Total Segment Operating Income	781			694			736			837			3,048
Restructuring charges	—			(25		)	—			(42		)	(67		)
Corporate matters	(9		)	(10		)	(46		)	(63		)	(128		)
Programming charges	—			—			—			(85		)	(85		)
Total Operating Income	$	772		$	659		$	690		$	647		$	2,768
Net earnings	$	511		$	400		$	488		$	561		$	1,960

Basic net earnings per common share	$	1.34		$	1.06		$	1.30		$	1.50		$	5.20

Diluted net earnings per common share	$	1.32		$	1.05		$	1.29		$	1.49		$	5.14

Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding:
Basic	382			378			375			374			377
Diluted	386			381			379			377			381

(a) During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company began presenting CBS Sports Network in the Entertainment segment, to reflect changes in management structure and the integration of CBS Sports Network programming with the CBS Television Network. CBS Sports Network was previously included in the Cable Networks segment. Results for all periods presented have been reclassified to conform to this presentation. The following table provides the impact on the Company’s revenues and Segment Operating Income by segment for 2018 as a result of this change. There was no change to the Company’s total revenues or total operating income.



	Revenues									Segment Operating Income
	First			Second			Third			First			Second			Third
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
Entertainment	$	37		$	37		$	39		$	(6	)	$	11		$	7
Cable Networks	$	(38	)	$	(38	)	$	(40	)	$	6		$	(11	)	$	(7	)
Corporate/Eliminations	$	1		$	1		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	—

(b) The fourth quarter of 2018 includes the reversal of a valuation allowance of $140 million relating to capital loss carryforwards that will be utilized in connection with the sale of CBS Television City in the first quarter of 2019.



	First			Second			Third			Fourth
2017 ^{(a) (e)}	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter ^{(c) (d)}				Total Year
Revenues:
Entertainment	$	2,384		$	2,217		$	1,849			$	2,856		$	9,306
Cable Networks	505			537			805				508			2,355
Publishing	161			206			228				235			830
Local Media	409			412			397				450			1,668
Corporate/Eliminations	(116		)	(115		)	(108		)		(128		)	(467		)
Total Revenues	$	3,343		$	3,257		$	3,171			$	3,921		$	13,692
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
Entertainment	$	400		$	359		$	354			$	465		$	1,578
Cable Networks	253			247			292				207			999
Publishing	15			29			47				45			136
Local Media	124			128			106				139			497
Corporate	(66		)	(73		)	(70		)		(96		)	(305		)
Total Segment Operating Income	726			690			729				760			2,905
Restructuring charges	—			—			—				(63		)	(63		)
Other operating items, net	—			—			—				19			19
Total Operating Income	$	726		$	690		$	729			$	716		$	2,861
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	454		$	397		$	418			$	40		$	1,309
Net earnings (loss) ^(b)	$	(252	)	$	58		$	592			$	(41	)	$	357

Basic net earnings per common share:
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	1.11		$	.98		$	1.04			$	.10		$	3.26
Net earnings (loss)	$	(.61	)	$	.14		$	1.48			$	(.10	)	$	.89
Diluted net earnings per common share:
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	1.09		$	.97		$	1.03			$	.10		$	3.22
Net earnings (loss)	$	(.61	)	$	.14		$	1.46			$	(.10	)	$	.88

Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding:
Basic	410			405			401				391			401
Diluted	416			410			406				395			407

(a) During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted amended FASB guidance on the presentation of net benefit cost. As a result, the components of net benefit cost other than the service cost component are presented in the statement of operations below the subtotal of operating income. All prior periods have been recast to conform to this presentation. This change resulted in an increase to total operating income of $22 million, $21 million, $22 million and $373 million for the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter of 2017, respectively.

(b) CBS Radio has been presented as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a loss on the split-off of CBS Radio of $105 million. During 2017, prior to the split-off, the Company recorded a market value adjustment of $980 million, including a charge of $715 million, a charge of $365 million and a gain of $100 million in the first, second and third quarter, respectively, to reduce the carrying value of CBS Radio to the value indicated by the stock valuation of Entercom (See Note 17).

(c) In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a pension settlement charge of $352 million for the settlement of pension obligations resulting from the transfer of pension obligations to an insurance company through the purchase of a group annuity contract (See Note 14).

(d) In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a provisional charge of $129 million resulting from the enactment of the Tax Reform Act.

(e) During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company began presenting CBS Sports Network in the Entertainment segment, to reflect changes in management structure and the integration of CBS Sports Network programming with the CBS Television Network. CBS Sports Network was previously included in the Cable Networks segment. Results for all periods presented have been reclassified to conform to this presentation. The following table provides the impact on the Company’s revenues and Segment Operating Income by segment for 2017 as a result of this change. There was no change to the Company’s total revenues or total operating income.



	Revenues															Segment Operating Income
	First			Second			Third			Fourth			Total			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Total
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year
Entertainment	$	37		$	33		$	34		$	38		$	142		$	(3	)	$	8		$	4		$	(4	)	$	5
Cable Networks	$	(38	)	$	(34	)	$	(35	)	$	(39	)	$	(146	)	$	3		$	(8	)	$	(4	)	$	4		$	(5	)
Corporate/Eliminations	$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	4		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

21) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CBS Operations Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. CBS Operations Inc. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed CBS Corp.’s senior debt securities (See Note 8). The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of CBS Corp., CBS Operations Inc., the direct and indirect Non-Guarantor Affiliates of CBS Corp. and CBS Operations Inc., and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis. Changes to the entities that comprise the guarantor group are reflected for all periods presented.



	Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Revenues	$	187		$	10		$	14,317		$	—		$	14,514
Costs and expenses:
Operating	99			4			9,008			—			9,111
Selling, general and administrative	54			252			1,911			—			2,217
Depreciation and amortization	4			22			197			—			223
Restructuring and other corporate matters	1			141			53			—			195
Total costs and expenses	158			419			11,169			—			11,746
Operating income (loss)	29			(409		)	3,148			—			2,768
Interest (expense) income, net	(533		)	(509		)	632			—			(410		)
Other items, net	(32		)	15			(52		)	—			(69		)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies	(536		)	(903		)	3,728			—			2,289
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	110			185			(568		)	—			(273		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax	2,386			1,515			(56		)	(3,901		)	(56		)
Net earnings	$	1,960		$	797		$	3,104		$	(3,901	)	$	1,960
Total comprehensive income	$	1,847		$	801		$	3,072		$	(3,873	)	$	1,847



	Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Revenues	$	172		$	10		$	13,510		$	—		$	13,692
Costs and expenses:
Operating	95			6			8,337			—			8,438
Selling, general and administrative	49			274			1,803			—			2,126
Depreciation and amortization	5			23			195			—			223
Restructuring charges and other corporate matters	—			2			61			—			63
Other operating items, net	—			—			(19		)	—			(19		)
Total costs and expenses	149			305			10,377			—			10,831
Operating income (loss)	23			(295		)	3,133			—			2,861
Interest (expense) income, net	(509		)	(486		)	602			—			(393		)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(49		)	—			—			—			(49		)
Pension settlement charge	(352		)	—			—			—			(352		)
Other items, net	(37		)	(54		)	3			—			(88		)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies	(924		)	(835		)	3,738			—			1,979
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	266			240			(1,139		)	—			(633		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax	1,014			1,450			(37		)	(2,464		)	(37		)
Net earnings from continuing operations	356			855			2,562			(2,464		)	1,309
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1			(5		)	(948		)	—			(952		)
Net earnings	$	357		$	850		$	1,614		$	(2,464	)	$	357
Total comprehensive income	$	462		$	839		$	1,640		$	(2,479	)	$	462



	Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Revenues	$	181		$	12		$	12,973		$	—		$	13,166
Costs and expenses:
Operating	67			6			7,883			—			7,956
Selling, general and administrative	46			287			1,721			—			2,054
Depreciation and amortization	5			23			197			—			225
Restructuring and other corporate matters	—			2			36			—			38
Other operating items, net	—			—			(9		)	—			(9		)
Total costs and expenses	118			318			9,828			—			10,264
Operating income (loss)	63			(306		)	3,145			—			2,902
Interest (expense) income, net	(502		)	(433		)	556			—			(379		)
Pension settlement charge	(211		)	—			—			—			(211		)
Other items, net	(37		)	9			(54		)	—			(82		)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies	(687		)	(730		)	3,647			—			2,230
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	212			224			(1,064		)	—			(628		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax	1,736			1,161			(50		)	(2,897		)	(50		)
Net earnings from continuing operations	1,261			655			2,533			(2,897		)	1,552
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(1		)	(290		)	—			(291		)
Net earnings	$	1,261		$	654		$	2,243		$	(2,897	)	$	1,261
Total comprehensive income	$	1,264		$	679		$	2,212		$	(2,891	)	$	1,264



	Balance Sheet
	At December 31, 2018
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.		Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148		$	—	$	174		$	—		$	322
Receivables, net	27			1		4,013			—			4,041
Programming and other inventory	2			2		1,984			—			1,988
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	81			46		310			(36		)	401
Total current assets	258			49		6,481			(36		)	6,752
Property and equipment	31			223		2,672			—			2,926
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	14			184		1,519			—			1,717
Net property and equipment	17			39		1,153			—			1,209
Programming and other inventory	5			4		3,874			—			3,883
Goodwill	98			62		4,760			—			4,920
Intangible assets	—			—		2,638			—			2,638
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	47,600			16,901		—			(64,501		)	—
Other assets	281			—		2,143			—			2,424
Assets held for sale	—			—		33			—			33
Intercompany	—			526		31,686			(32,212		)	—
Total Assets	$	48,259		$	17,581	$	52,768		$	(96,749	)	$	21,859
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Accounts payable	$	5		$	31	$	165		$	—		$	201
Participants’ share and royalties payable	—			—		1,177			—			1,177
Accrued programming and production costs	3			2		699			—			704
Commercial paper	674			—		—			—			674
Current portion of long-term debt	1			—		12			—			13
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	395			308		1,137			(36		)	1,804
Total current liabilities	1,078			341		3,190			(36		)	4,573
Long-term debt	9,388			—		77			—			9,465
Other liabilities	2,777			212		2,028			—			5,017
Intercompany	32,212			—		—			(32,212		)	—
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock	—			—		126			(126		)	—
Common stock	1			123		590			(713		)	1
Additional paid-in capital	43,637			—		60,894			(60,894		)	43,637
Retained earnings (deficit)	(17,201		)	17,214		(9,381		)	(7,833		)	(17,201		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(775		)	22		44			(66		)	(775		)
	25,662			17,359		52,273			(69,632		)	25,662
Less treasury stock, at cost	22,858			331		4,800			(5,131		)	22,858
Total Stockholders’ Equity	2,804			17,028		47,473			(64,501		)	2,804
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	48,259		$	17,581	$	52,768		$	(96,749	)	$	21,859



	Balance Sheet
	At December 31, 2017
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.		Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	173		$	—	$	112		$	—		$	285
Receivables, net	29			2		3,666			—			3,697
Programming and other inventory	3			3		1,822			—			1,828
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	130			28		341			(36		)	463
Total current assets	335			33		5,941			(36		)	6,273
Property and equipment	49			217		2,681			—			2,947
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	27			163		1,511			—			1,701
Net property and equipment	22			54		1,170			—			1,246
Programming and other inventory	3			4		2,874			—			2,881
Goodwill	98			62		4,731			—			4,891
Intangible assets	—			—		2,666			—			2,666
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	45,504			15,385		—			(60,889		)	—
Other assets	162			5		2,685			—			2,852
Assets held for sale	—			—		34			—			34
Intercompany	—			1,221		29,562			(30,783		)	—
Total Assets	$	46,124		$	16,764	$	49,663		$	(91,708	)	$	20,843
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Accounts payable	$	1		$	30	$	200		$	—		$	231
Participants’ share and royalties payable	—			—		986			—			986
Accrued programming and production costs	4			4		489			—			497
Commercial paper	679			—		—			—			679
Current portion of long-term debt	2			—		17			—			19
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	352			269		975			(36		)	1,560
Total current liabilities	1,038			303		2,667			(36		)	3,972
Long-term debt	9,378			—		86			—			9,464
Other liabilities	2,947			234		2,248			—			5,429
Intercompany	30,783			—		—			(30,783		)	—
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock	—			—		126			(126		)	—
Common stock	1			123		590			(713		)	1
Additional paid-in capital	43,797			—		60,894			(60,894		)	43,797
Retained earnings (deficit)	(18,900		)	16,417		(12,224		)	(4,193		)	(18,900		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(662		)	18		76			(94		)	(662		)
	24,236			16,558		49,462			(66,020		)	24,236
Less treasury stock, at cost	22,258			331		4,800			(5,131		)	22,258
Total Stockholders’ Equity	1,978			16,227		44,662			(60,889		)	1,978
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	46,124		$	16,764	$	49,663		$	(91,708	)	$	20,843



	Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations		CBS Corp. Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	$	(440	)	$	(286	)	$	2,152		$	—	$	1,426
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	—			—			(124		)	—		(124		)
Capital expenditures	—			(18		)	(147		)	—		(165		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			—			(31		)	—		(31		)
Other investing activities	(5		)	—			—			—		(5		)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations	(5		)	(18		)	(302		)	—		(325		)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations	(23		)	—			—			—		(23		)
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(28		)	(18		)	(302		)	—		(348		)
Financing Activities:
Repayments of short-term debt borrowings, net	(5		)	—			—			—		(5		)
Payment of capital lease obligations	—			—			(16		)	—		(16		)
Dividends	(276		)	—			—			—		(276		)
Purchase of Company common stock	(586		)	—			—			—		(586		)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(59		)	—			—			—		(59		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	27			—			—			—		27
Other financing activities	(1		)	—			(5		)	—		(6		)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	1,463			304			(1,767		)	—		—
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	563			304			(1,788		)	—		(921		)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	95			—			62			—		157
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	173			—			112			—		285
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year (includes $120 of restricted cash)	$	268		$	—		$	174		$	—	$	442



	Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations		CBS Corp. Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	$	(1,491	)	$	(203	)	$	2,581		$	—	$	887
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	—			—			(110		)	—		(110		)
Capital expenditures	—			(30		)	(155		)	—		(185		)
Acquisitions (including acquired television library), net of cash acquired	—			—			(270		)	—		(270		)
Proceeds from sale of investments	—			—			10			—		10
Proceeds from dispositions	—			—			11			—		11
Other investing activities	22			(1		)	—			—		21
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations	22			(31		)	(514		)	—		(523		)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations	1			(5		)	(20		)	—		(24		)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities	23			(36		)	(534		)	—		(547		)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	229			—			—			—		229
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	1,773			—			—			—		1,773
Repayment of senior notes	(1,244		)	—			—			—		(1,244		)
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio	—			—			40			—		40
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio	—			—			(43		)	—		(43		)
Payment of capital lease obligations	—			—			(18		)	—		(18		)
Dividends	(296		)	—			—			—		(296		)
Purchase of Company common stock	(1,111		)	—			—			—		(1,111		)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(89		)	—			—			—		(89		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	91			—			—			—		91
Other financing activities	(1		)	—			(8		)	—		(9		)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	1,968			239			(2,207		)	—		—
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	1,320			239			(2,236		)	—		(677		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(148		)	—			(189		)	—		(337		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $24 of discontinued operations cash)	321			—			301			—		622
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	173		$	—		$	112		$	—	$	285



	Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations		CBS Corp. Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	$	(846	)	$	(157	)	$	2,688		$	—	$	1,685
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	—			—			(81		)	—		(81		)
Capital expenditures	—			(33		)	(163		)	—		(196		)
Acquisitions	—			—			(92		)	—		(92		)
Proceeds from dispositions	(4		)	—			24			—		20
Other investing activities	15			—			—			—		15
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations	11			(33		)	(312		)	—		(334		)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations	—			(1		)	(5		)	—		(6		)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities	11			(34		)	(317		)	—		(340		)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	450			—			—			—		450
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	684			—			—			—		684
Repayment of senior debentures	(199		)	—			—			—		(199		)
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio	—			—			1,452			—		1,452
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio	—			—			(110		)	—		(110		)
Payment of capital lease obligations	—			—			(18		)	—		(18		)
Dividends	(288		)	—			—			—		(288		)
Purchase of Company common stock	(2,997		)	—			—			—		(2,997		)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(58		)	—			—			—		(58		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	21			—			—			—		21
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	17			—			—			—		17
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	3,259			190			(3,449		)	—		—
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	889			190			(2,125		)	—		(1,046		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	54			(1		)	246			—		299
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $6 of discontinued operations cash)	267			1			55			—		323
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (includes $24 of discontinued operations cash)	$	321		$	—		$	301		$	—	$	622

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(Tabular dollars in millions)



Col. A	Col. B			Col. C									Col. D			Col. E
Description	Balance at Beginning of Period			Balance Acquired through Acquisitions			Charged to Costs and Expenses			Charged to Other Accounts			Deductions			Balance at End of Period
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended December 31, 2018		$	49		$	1		$	5		$	—		$	14		$	41
Year ended December 31, 2017		$	60		$	1		$	5		$	—		$	17		$	49
Year ended December 31, 2016		$	59		$	1		$	12		$	—		$	12		$	60

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets:
Year ended December 31, 2018		$	974		$	—		$	3		$	—		$	258		$	719
Year ended December 31, 2017		$	928		$	218		$	143		$	—		$	315		$	974
Year ended December 31, 2016		$	914		$	—		$	41		$	—		$	27		$	928

Reserves for inventory obsolescence:
Year ended December 31, 2018		$	19		$	—		$	7		$	—		$	6		$	20
Year ended December 31, 2017		$	19		$	1		$	6		$	—		$	7		$	19
Year ended December 31, 2016		$	23		$	1		$	2		$	—		$	7		$	19

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Reclassifications

Reclassifications-Certain amounts reported for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Use of Estimates

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Programming Inventory

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and building improvements	10 to 40 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or useful life
Equipment and other (including capital leases)	3 to 20 years

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Investments

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Revenue Recognition

Revenues

Advertising revenues are primarily generated by the Entertainment and Local Media segments.

Program Licensing and Distribution

amount of consideration received from the customer, with a participation expense recognized for the fees paid to the third-party producer.

Substantially all of the Company’s program licensing and distribution revenues are generated by the Entertainment segment, with the remainder generated by the Cable Networks segment.

Publishing

Collaborative Arrangements

Advertising

Advertising—Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Interest

Income Taxes

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

Provision for Doubtful Accounts

Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

Stock-based Compensation

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost

Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting

Clarifying the Definition of a Business

Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory

Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Collaborative Arrangements: Clarifying the Interaction with the New Revenue Standard

Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements

Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

Leases

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and building improvements	10 to 40 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or useful life
Equipment and other (including capital leases)	3 to 20 years



At December 31,	2018		2017
Land	$	189	$	189
Buildings	795		729
Capital leases^(a)	144		162
Equipment and other	1,798		1,867
	2,926		2,947
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,717		1,701
Net property and equipment	$	1,209	$	1,246

(a) Accumulated amortization of capital leases was $106 million and $112 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Depreciation expense, including capitalized lease amortization ^(a)	$	205	$	203	$	205

(a) Amortization expense related to capital leases was $18 million, $16 million and $17 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Reconciliation from Basic to Diluted Shares

The table below presents a reconciliation of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.



Year Ended December 31,	2018	2017	2016
(in millions)
Weighted average shares for basic EPS	377	401	444
Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans	4	6	4
Weighted average shares for diluted EPS	381	407	448

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:



Buildings and building improvements	10 to 40 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or useful life
Equipment and other (including capital leases)	3 to 20 years



At December 31,	2018		2017
Land	$	189	$	189
Buildings	795		729
Capital leases^(a)	144		162
Equipment and other	1,798		1,867
	2,926		2,947
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,717		1,701
Net property and equipment	$	1,209	$	1,246

(a) Accumulated amortization of capital leases was $106 million and $112 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Depreciation expense, including capitalized lease amortization ^(a)	$	205	$	203	$	205

(a) Amortization expense related to capital leases was $18 million, $16 million and $17 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Book Value of Goodwill by Segment

he following tables present the changes in the book value of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company began presenting CBS Sports Network, which was previously included in the Cable Networks segment, in the Entertainment segment. As a result, goodwill of $261 million associated with CBS Sports Network has been reclassified from Cable Networks to Entertainment for all periods presented.



	Balance at									Balance at
	December 31, 2017				Acquisitions			Dispositions		December 31, 2018
Entertainment:
Goodwill		$	9,584		$	27	^(a)	$	—		$	9,611
Accumulated impairment losses		(6,294		)	—			—			(6,294		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		3,290			27			—			3,317
Cable Networks:
Goodwill		219			2			—			221
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net of impairment		219			2			—			221
Publishing:
Goodwill		435			—			—			435
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net of impairment		435			—			—			435
Local Media:
Goodwill		8,007			—			—			8,007
Accumulated impairment losses		(7,060		)	—			—			(7,060		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		947			—			—			947
Total:
Goodwill		18,245			29			—			18,274
Accumulated impairment losses		(13,354		)	—			—			(13,354		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		$	4,891		$	29		$	—		$	4,920

(a) Amount reflects the acquisition of a digital entertainment media company.



	Balance at									Balance at
	December 31, 2016				Acquisitions			Dispositions		December 31, 2017
Entertainment:
Goodwill		$	9,561		$	23	^(a)	$	—		$	9,584
Accumulated impairment losses		(6,294		)	—			—			(6,294		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		3,267			23			—			3,290
Cable Networks:
Goodwill		219			—			—			219
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net of impairment		219			—			—			219
Publishing:
Goodwill		431			4		^(b)	—			435
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—			—			—
Goodwill, net of impairment		431			4			—			435
Local Media:
Goodwill		8,007			—			—			8,007
Accumulated impairment losses		(7,060		)	—			—			(7,060		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		947			—			—			947
Total:
Goodwill		18,218			27			—			18,245
Accumulated impairment losses		(13,354		)	—			—			(13,354		)
Goodwill, net of impairment		$	4,864		$	27		$	—		$	4,891

(a) Amount reflects the acquisitions of a television production business and a digital sports publishing business.

(b) Amount relates to the acquisition of a publishing business in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Schedule of Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets were as follows:



			Accumulated
At December 31, 2018	Gross		Amortization			Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Trade names	$	189	$	(58	)	$	131
Other intangible assets	49		(28		)	21
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	238		(86		)	152
FCC licenses	2,441		—			2,441
International broadcast licenses	45		—			45
Total intangible assets	$	2,724	$	(86	)	$	2,638



			Accumulated
At December 31, 2017	Gross		Amortization			Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Trade names	$	190	$	(51	)	$	139
Other intangible assets	134		(101		)	33
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	324		(152		)	172
FCC licenses	2,441		—			2,441
International broadcast licenses	53		—			53
Total intangible assets	$	2,818	$	(152	)	$	2,666

Schedule of Finite-lived Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets were as follows:



			Accumulated
At December 31, 2018	Gross		Amortization			Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Trade names	$	189	$	(58	)	$	131
Other intangible assets	49		(28		)	21
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	238		(86		)	152
FCC licenses	2,441		—			2,441
International broadcast licenses	45		—			45
Total intangible assets	$	2,724	$	(86	)	$	2,638



			Accumulated
At December 31, 2017	Gross		Amortization			Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Trade names	$	190	$	(51	)	$	139
Other intangible assets	134		(101		)	33
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	324		(152		)	172
FCC licenses	2,441		—			2,441
International broadcast licenses	53		—			53
Total intangible assets	$	2,818	$	(152	)	$	2,666

Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense

Amortization expense was as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
Amortization expense		$	18		$	20		$	20

Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense

The Company expects its aggregate annual amortization expense for existing intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the years, 2019 through 2023, to be as follows:



	2019			2020			2021			2022			2023
Future amortization expense		$	15		$	15		$	14		$	12		$	10

Restructuring, Programming Charges and Other Corporate Matters (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Restructuring Charges [Abstract]

Restructuring Reserve Rollforward



	Balance at			2018		2018				Balance at
	December 31, 2017			Charges		Settlements				December 31, 2018
Entertainment		$	45	$	27		$	(38	)		$	34
Cable Networks		1		—			(1		)		—
Publishing		3		1			(2		)		2
Local Media		14		18			(9		)		23
Corporate		3		21			(11		)		13
Total		$	66	$	67		$	(61	)		$	72



	Balance at			2017		2017				Balance at
	December 31, 2016			Charges		Settlements				December 31, 2017
Entertainment		$	17	$	44		$	(16	)		$	45
Cable Networks		4		—			(3		)		1
Publishing		1		5			(3		)		3
Local Media		6		12			(4		)		14
Corporate		2		2			(1		)		3
Total		$	30	$	63		$	(27	)		$	66

Programming and Other Inventory (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Current Programming and Other Inventory



At December 31,	2018		2017
Acquired program rights	$	2,400	$	2,234
Acquired television library	99		99
Internally produced programming:
Released	2,477		1,780
In process and other	839		543
Publishing, primarily finished goods	56		53
Total programming and other inventory	5,871		4,709
Less current portion	1,988		1,828
Total noncurrent programming and other inventory	$	3,883	$	2,881

Noncurrent Programming and Other Inventory



At December 31,	2018		2017
Acquired program rights	$	2,400	$	2,234
Acquired television library	99		99
Internally produced programming:
Released	2,477		1,780
In process and other	839		543
Publishing, primarily finished goods	56		53
Total programming and other inventory	5,871		4,709
Less current portion	1,988		1,828
Total noncurrent programming and other inventory	$	3,883	$	2,881

Related Parties (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Amounts Due from Viacom Inc



At December 31,	2018		2017
Receivables	$	38	$	93
Other assets (Receivables, noncurrent)	23		11
Total amounts due from Viacom Inc.	$	61	$	104

Bank Financing and Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt

The Company’s debt consists of the following ^(a):



At December 31,	2018		2017
Commercial paper	$	674	$	679
2.30% Senior Notes due 2019	601		604
4.30% Senior Notes due 2021	300		299
3.375% Senior Notes due 2022	697		696
2.50% Senior Notes due 2023	397		396
2.90% Senior Notes due 2023	396		395
7.875% Debentures due 2023	187		187
7.125% Senior Notes due 2023 ^(b)	46		46
3.70% Senior Notes due 2024	597		597
3.50% Senior Notes due 2025	590		589
4.00% Senior Notes due 2026	787		785
2.90% Senior Notes due 2027	686		684
3.375% Senior Notes due 2028	493		493
3.70% Senior Notes due 2028	490		489
7.875% Senior Debentures due 2030	832		832
5.50% Senior Debentures due 2033	426		425
5.90% Senior Notes due 2040	297		297
4.85% Senior Notes due 2042	486		485
4.90% Senior Notes due 2044	539		539
4.60% Senior Notes due 2045	588		588
Obligations under capital leases	43		57
Total debt ^(c)	10,152		10,162
Less commercial paper	674		679
Less current portion	13		19
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	$	9,465	$	9,464

(a) Unless otherwise noted, the long-term debt instruments are issuances of CBS Corp. and are guaranteed by CBS Operations Inc.

(b) Debt instrument is an issuance of CBS Broadcasting Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corp., and has no guarantor.

Scheduled Maturities of Long-term Debt at Face Value

At December 31, 2018, the Company’s scheduled maturities of long-term debt at face value, excluding capital leases, were as follows:



																2024 and
	2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			Thereafter
Long-term debt		$	600		$	—		$	300		$	700		$	1,033	$	6,907

Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

Gains (losses) recognized on derivative financial instruments were as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017				Financial Statement Account
Non-designated foreign exchange contracts		$	25		$	(27	)	Other items, net

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements



At December 31, 2018	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	$	—	$	15	$	—	$	15
Total Assets	$	—	$	15	$	—	$	15
Liabilities:							$	—
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	336	$	—	$	336
Foreign currency hedges	—		1		—		1
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	337	$	—	$	337



At December 31, 2017	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	$	—	$	5	$	—	$	5
Total Assets	$	—	$	5	$	—	$	5
Liabilities:							$	—
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	363	$	—	$	363
Foreign currency hedges	—		10		—		10
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	373	$	—	$	373

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of financial instruments measured at fair value, including those classified in shareholders' equity measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Disclosures include, but are not limited to, fair value measurements recorded and the reasons for the measurements, level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are categorized and transfers between levels 1 and 2. Nonrecurring fair value measurements are those that are required or permitted in the statement of financial position in particular circumstances.

+ References + Details

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income—The following table presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).



				Net Actuarial				Accumulated
	Cumulative			Loss and				Other
	Translation			Prior				Comprehensive
	Adjustments			Service Cost				Loss
At December 31, 2015	$	152		$	(922	)		$	(770	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(1		)	(165		)		(166		)
Reclassifications to net earnings	—			169			^(a)	169
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1		)	4				3
At December 31, 2016	151			(918		)		(767		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	6			(173		)		(167		)
Reclassifications to net earnings	2			270			^(a)	272
Other comprehensive income	8			97				105
At December 31, 2017	159			(821		)		(662		)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(26		)	(143		)		(169		)
Reclassifications to net earnings	—			56			^(a)	56
Other comprehensive loss	(26		)	(87		)		(113		)
At December 31, 2018	$	133		$	(908	)		$	(775	)

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-based Compensation

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
RSUs and PSUs	$	120		$	152		$	137
Stock options	26			27			28
Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes	146			179			165
Related tax benefit	(36		)	(69		)	(63		)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit	$	110		$	110		$	102

Rollforward of RSU Activity

The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity.



				Weighted Average
	RSUs			Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2017		5,323,987			$	58.19
Granted		3,093,130			$	53.96
Vested		(2,443,125	)		$	58.71
Forfeited		(788,923	)		$	56.16
Non-vested at December 31, 2018		5,185,069			$	55.73

Weighted Average Assumptions for Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:



	2018		2017		2016
Expected dividend yield	1.33	%	1.09	%	1.31	%
Expected stock price volatility	29.52	%	29.89	%	32.55	%
Risk-free interest rate	2.73	%	2.00	%	1.35	%
Expected term of options (years)	5.00		5.00		5.00

Rollforward of Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity under the Plans.



				Weighted Average
	Stock Options			Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2017		10,113,836			$	50.59
Granted		1,774,181			$	54.32
Exercised		(760,503	)		$	35.80
Forfeited or expired		(220,544	)		$	58.74
Outstanding at December 31, 2018		10,906,970			$	52.07
Exercisable at December 31, 2018		7,310,228			$	50.15

Stock Option Exercise Information

The following table summarizes other information relating to stock option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Cash received from stock option exercises	$	27	$	91	$	21
Tax benefit of stock option exercises	$	4	$	36	$	14
Intrinsic value of stock option exercises	$	16	$	96	$	37

Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable by Price

The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable stock options to purchase CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock under the Plans at December 31, 2018.



	Outstanding					Exercisable
		Remaining	Weighted				Weighted
Range of	Number	Contractual	Average			Number	Average
Exercise Price	of Options	Life (Years)	Exercise Price			of Options	Exercise Price
$5 to 9.99	10,186	0.08		$	5.72	10,186		$	5.72
$10 to 19.99	42,442	1.61		$	16.52	42,442		$	16.52
$20 to 29.99	932,407	0.72		$	26.71	932,407		$	26.71
$30 to 39.99	791,703	1.82		$	34.27	791,703		$	34.27
$40 to 49.99	2,741,793	3.72		$	44.96	1,994,388		$	44.64
$50 to 59.99	3,225,456	5.73		$	56.71	1,287,783		$	59.27
$60 to 69.99	3,162,983	4.33		$	66.04	2,251,319		$	65.96
	10,906,970					7,310,228

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

U.S. and Foreign Components of Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity in Loss of Investee Companies

The U.S. and foreign components of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies were as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
United States	$	1,743	$	1,441	$	1,803
Foreign	546		538		427
Total	$	2,289	$	1,979	$	2,230

Income Tax Provision Components

The components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017			2016
Current:
Federal	$	107	$	720		$	359
State and local	81		38			64
Foreign	41		63			61
	229		821			484
Deferred	44		(188		)	144
Provision for income taxes	$	273	$	633		$	628

Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate

The difference between income taxes expected at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% and the provision for income taxes is summarized as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
Taxes on income at U.S. federal statutory rate	$	481		$	693		$	780
State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit	77			47			59
Effect of foreign operations	(75		)	(162		)	(112		)
Impact of federal tax legislation	(54		)	129			—
Reversal of valuation allowance ^(a)	(154		)	—			—
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1		)	(44		)	—
Domestic production deduction	—			(31		)	(42		)
Other, net^(b)	(1		)	1			(57		)
Provision for income taxes	$	273		$	633		$	628

(b) 2016 includes a one-time tax benefit of $47 million associated with a multiyear adjustment to a tax deduction, which was approved by the IRS during the third quarter of 2016.

Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities

The following table summarizes the components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities.



At December 31,	2018			2017
Deferred income tax assets:
Reserves and other accrued liabilities	$	339		$	391
Pension, postretirement and other employee benefits	492			478
Tax credit and loss carryforwards	723			835
Other	80			70
Total deferred income tax assets	1,634			1,774
Valuation allowance	(719		)	(974		)
Deferred income tax assets, net	915			800
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	(844		)	(847		)
Unbilled licensing receivables	(401		)	(291		)
Property, equipment and other assets	(40		)	(86		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(1,285		)	(1,224		)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	$	(370	)	$	(424	)

Change in Reserve for Uncertain Tax Positions

The following table sets forth the change in the reserve for uncertain tax positions, excluding related accrued interest and penalties.



At January 1, 2016	$	104
Additions for current year tax positions	9
Additions for prior year tax positions	4
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(8		)
Cash settlements	(6		)
Statute of limitations lapses	(1		)
At December 31, 2016	102
Additions for current year tax positions	50
Additions for prior year tax positions	39
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(41		)
Cash settlements	(5		)
Statute of limitations lapses	(7		)
At December 31, 2017	138
Additions for current year tax positions	15
Additions for prior year tax positions	165
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(34		)
Cash settlements	(16		)
Statute of limitations lapses	(2		)
At December 31, 2018	$	266

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Change in Benefit Obligations

The following table sets forth the change in benefit obligation for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans.



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	4,040		$	4,660		$	424		$	447
Service cost	31			29			—			—
Interest cost	149			191			16			18
Actuarial (gain) loss	(147		)	337			(8		)	19
Benefits paid	(305		)	(326		)	(104		)	(73		)
Participants’ contributions	—			—			11			10
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy	—			—			4			3
Settlements	(90		)	(862		)	—			—
Cumulative translation adjustments	(7		)	11			—			—
Benefit obligation, end of year	$	3,671		$	4,040		$	343		$	424

Change in Plan Assets

The following table sets forth the change in plan assets for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans.



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	$	3,046		$	3,244		$	—		$	4
Actual return on plan assets	(170		)	328			—			—
Employer contributions	51			650			90			56
Benefits paid	(305		)	(326		)	(104		)	(73		)
Participants’ contributions	—			—			11			10
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy	—			—			4			3
Settlements	(90		)	(862		)	—			—
Cumulative translation adjustments	(6		)	12			—			—
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$	2,526		$	3,046		$	1		$	—

Funded Status and Amounts Recognized on Consolidated Balance Sheets

The funded status of pension and postretirement benefit obligations and the related amounts recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
At December 31,	2018			2017			2018			2017
Funded status at end of year	$	(1,145	)	$	(994	)	$	(342	)	$	(424	)
Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Other assets	$	6		$	12		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities	(59		)	(53		)	(46		)	(49		)
Noncurrent liabilities	(1,092		)	(953		)	(296		)	(375		)
Net amounts recognized	$	(1,145	)	$	(994	)	$	(342	)	$	(424	)

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following amounts were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
At December 31,	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net actuarial (loss) gain	$	(1,692	)	$	(1,583	)	$	179		$	189
Net prior service cost	(4		)	(6		)	—			—
Share of equity investee	(1		)	(2		)	—			—
	(1,697		)	(1,591		)	179			189
Deferred income taxes	632			606			(22		)	(25		)
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(1,065	)	$	(985	)	$	157		$	164

Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets

Information for the pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is set forth below.



At December 31,	2018		2017
Projected benefit obligation	$	3,662	$	3,933
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	3,576	$	3,852
Fair value of plan assets	$	2,511	$	2,928

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit cost and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).



	Pension Benefits									Postretirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016			2018			2017			2016
Components of net periodic cost:
Service cost	$	31		$	29		$	29		$	—		$	—		$	—
Interest cost	149			191			215			16			18			20
Expected return on plan assets	(177		)	(201		)	(227		)	—			—			—
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains)	81			101			84			(18		)	(22		)	(21		)
Amortization of prior service cost	1			2			1			—			—			—
Settlements	11			352			211			—			—			—
Net periodic cost	$	96		$	474		$	313		$	(2	)	$	(4	)	$	(1	)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)



	Pension Benefits											Postretirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31, 2018	2018				2017			2016				2018			2017			2016
Other comprehensive income (loss):				-200							45
Actuarial (loss) gain	$	(200	)		$	(210	)	$	(275	)		$	8		$	(19	)	$	5
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains) ^(a)	81				101			84				(18		)	(22		)	(21		)
Amortization of prior service cost ^(a)	1				2			1				—			—			—
Settlements ^(a)	11				352			211				—			—			—
Cumulative translation adjustments	1				(1		)	2				—			—			—
	(106		)		244			23				(10		)	(41		)	(16		)
Deferred income taxes	26				(119		)	(9		)		3			13			6
Recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	(80	)		$	125		$	14			$	(7	)	$	(28	)	$	(10	)

(a) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net earnings.

Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Costs



	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	2018		2017		2016		2018		2017		2016
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
Discount rate	4.5	%	3.9	%	4.3	%	4.4	%	3.9	%	4.1	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.0	%	3.0	%	3.0	%	N/A		N/A		N/A
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic costs for the year ended December 31:
Discount rate	3.9	%	4.3	%	4.6	%	3.9	%	4.1	%	4.2	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.3	%	6.4	%	6.4	%	N/A		2.0	%	2.0	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.0	%	3.0	%	3.0	%	N/A		N/A		N/A

N/A - not applicable

Assumptions Regarding Heath Care Cost Trend Rates for Postretirement Benefits

The following additional assumptions were used in accounting for postretirement benefits.



	2018		2017
Projected health care cost trend rate	6.6	%	7.0	%
Ultimate trend rate	5.0	%	5.0	%
Year ultimate trend rate is achieved	2023		2023

Impact of One Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Trend Rates

A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:



	One Percentage			One Percentage
	Point Increase			Point Decrease
Effect on total service and interest cost components		$	—		$	—
Effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation		$	4		$	(4	)

Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets



At December 31, 2018	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash and cash equivalents ^(a)	$	2	$	9	$	—	$	11
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury securities	85		—		—		85
Government-related securities	—		171		—		171
Corporate bonds ^(b)	—		1,483		—		1,483
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	—		113		—		113
Equity securities:
U.S. large capitalization	143		3		—		146
U.S. small capitalization	35		—		—		35
International equity	—		3		—		3
Other	1		23		—		24
Total assets in fair value hierarchy	$	266	$	1,805	$	—	$	2,071
Common collective funds measured at net asset value ^{(c) (d)}							397
Limited partnerships measured at net asset value ^(c)							26
Mutual funds measured at net asset value ^(c)							32
Investments, at fair value							$	2,526



At December 31, 2017	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash and cash equivalents ^(a)	$	8	$	22	$	—	$	30
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury securities	135		—		—		135
Government-related securities	12		238		—		250
Corporate bonds ^(b)	—		1,657		—		1,657
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	—		97		1		98
Equity securities:
U.S. large capitalization	175		3		—		178
U.S. small capitalization	43		—		—		43
International equity	—		3		—		3
Other	—		43		—		43
Total assets in fair value hierarchy	$	373	$	2,063	$	1	$	2,437
Common collective funds measured at net asset value ^{(c) (d)}							519
Limited partnerships measured at net asset value ^(c)							32
Mutual funds measured at net asset value ^(c)							58
Investments, at fair value							$	3,046

(a) Assets categorized as Level 2 reflect investments in money market funds.

(b) Securities of diverse sectors and industries, substantially all investment grade.

(d) Underlying investments consist mainly of U.S. large capitalization and international equity securities.

Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Assets

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of investments reflected as Level 3 at December 31, 2018.



	Mortgage-backed Securities
At January 1, 2017		$	2
Contributions and distributions, net		(1		)
At December 31, 2017		1
Contributions and distributions, net		(1		)
At December 31, 2018		$	—

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Estimated future benefit payments are as follows:



	2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			2024-2028
Pension	$	329		$	266		$	262		$	260		$	256		$	1,218
Postretirement	$	53		$	50		$	47		$	44		$	41		$	162
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy	$	(5	)	$	(5	)	$	(5	)	$	(5	)	$	(5	)	$	(20	)

Participation in Multi-employer Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The table below presents information concerning the Company’s participation in multiemployer defined benefit pension plans.



	Employer Identification Number/Pension Plan Number	Pension Protection Act		Company Contributions						Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement
		Zone Status ^(a)		Company Contributions
Pension Plan		2018	2017	2018		2017		2016
AFTRA Retirement Plan^(b)	13-6414972-001	Green	Green	$	6	$	6	$	6	(c)
Directors Guild of America - Producer	95-2892780-001	Green	Green	9		8		6		6/30/2020
Producer-Writers Guild of America	95-2216351-001	Green	Green	17		15		12		5/1/2020
Screen Actors Guild - Producers	95-2110997-001	Green	Green	28		22		11		6/30/2020
Motion Picture Industry	95-1810805-001	Green	Green	17		14		11		(d)
I.A.T.S.E. Local No. 33 Pension Trust Fund ^(e)	95-6377503-001	Green	Green	12		10		9		12/31/2019
Other Plans				7		5		5
	Total contributions			$	96	$	80	$	60

(b) The Company was listed in AFTRA Retirement Plan’s Form 5500 as providing more than 5% of total contributions for the plan year ended November 30, 2017.

(d) The expiration dates range from March 2, 2019 through July 31, 2021.

(e) The Company was listed in I.A.T.S.E. Local No. 33 Pension Trust Fund’s Form 5500 as providing more than 5% of total contributions for the plan year ended December 31, 2017.

Segment and Revenue Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Revenues by Segment



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
Revenues:
Entertainment	$	10,178		$	9,306		$	9,020
Cable Networks	2,204			2,355			2,015
Publishing	825			830			767
Local Media	1,830			1,668			1,779
Corporate/Eliminations	(523		)	(467		)	(415		)
Total Revenues	$	14,514		$	13,692		$	13,166

Intercompany Revenues by Segment



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Intercompany Revenues:
Entertainment	$	534	$	477	$	431
Cable Networks	1		1		1
Local Media	18		13		8
Total Intercompany Revenues	$	553	$	491	$	440

Operating Income (Loss) by Segment



Year Ended December 31, ^(a)	2018			2017			2016
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
Entertainment	$	1,675		$	1,578		$	1,539
Cable Networks	915			999			959
Publishing	144			136			122
Local Media	609			497			622
Corporate	(295		)	(305		)	(311		)
Restructuring charges	(67		)	(63		)	(30		)
Corporate matters	(128		)	—			(8		)
Programming charges	(85		)	—			—
Other operating items, net	—			19			9
Operating income	2,768			2,861			2,902
Interest expense	(467		)	(457		)	(411		)
Interest income	57			64			32
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	—			(49		)	—
Pension settlement charges	—			(352		)	(211		)
Other items, net	(69		)	(88		)	(82		)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies	2,289			1,979			2,230
Provision for income taxes	(273		)	(633		)	(628		)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(56		)	(37		)	(50		)
Net earnings from continuing operations	1,960			1,309			1,552
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(952		)	(291		)
Net earnings	$	1,960		$	357		$	1,261

Depreciation and Amortization, Stock-based Compensation and Capital Expenditures



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Depreciation and Amortization:
Entertainment	$	125	$	118	$	120
Cable Networks	18		20		20
Publishing	6		6		6
Local Media	43		45		44
Corporate	31		34		35
Total Depreciation and Amortization	$	223	$	223	$	225



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Stock-based Compensation:
Entertainment	$	62	$	68	$	63
Cable Networks	12		10		10
Publishing	4		5		4
Local Media	11		12		12
Corporate ^(a)	57		84		76
Total Stock-based Compensation	$	146	$	179	$	165

(a) Included in 2018 are forfeitures of $28 million and accelerations of $6 million relating to changes in senior management.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Capital Expenditures:
Entertainment	$	93	$	102	$	102
Cable Networks	20		16		15
Publishing	7		5		9
Local Media	27		32		37
Corporate	18		30		33
Total Capital Expenditures	$	165	$	185	$	196

Assets by Segment



At December 31,	2018		2017
Assets:
Entertainment ^(a)	$	13,579	$	12,927
Cable Networks	2,693		2,577
Publishing	1,054		906
Local Media	4,037		4,042
Corporate/Eliminations	484		378
Discontinued operations	12		13
Total Assets	$	21,859	$	20,843

(a) Includes assets held for sale of $33 million and $34 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated into categories based on the nature of such revenues.



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Revenues by Type:
Advertising	$	6,195	$	5,753	$	6,288
Content licensing and distribution
Programming	3,256		3,122		2,906
Publishing	825		830		767
Affiliate and subscription fees	4,003		3,758		2,978
Other	235		229		227
Total Revenues	$	14,514	$	13,692	$	13,166

Revenues by Customer Location



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Revenues: ^(a)
United States	$	11,979	$	11,675	$	11,317
International	2,535		2,017		1,849
Total Revenues	$	14,514	$	13,692	$	13,166

(a) Revenue classifications are based on customers’ locations.

Long-lived Assets by Geographic Area



At December 31,	2018		2017
Long-lived Assets: ^(a)
United States	$	14,286	$	13,699
International	429		495
Total Long-lived Assets	$	14,715	$	14,194

(a) Reflects total assets less current assets, investments and noncurrent deferred tax assets.

Adoption of "Revenue From Contracts With Customers" (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Financial Statements Impacted by ASC 606



Assets
Receivables, net	$	(102	)
Programming and other inventory (noncurrent)	$	(35	)
Other assets (noncurrent receivables)	$	327

Liabilities
Other current liabilities	$	(128	)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	$	38
Participants’ share and royalties payable	$	128

Accumulated deficit	$	152



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2018
Revenues		$	263
Operating expenses		124
Operating income		139
Less: Provision for income taxes		30
Net earnings		$	109
Diluted EPS		$	.29

Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Schedule of Discontinued Operations

The following tables set forth details of net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.



Year Ended December 31, 2017	CBS Radio				Other				Total
Revenues	$	1,018			$	—			$	1,018
Costs and expenses:
Operating	364				—				364
Selling, general and administrative	444				(1		)		443
Market value adjustment	980			^(a)	—				980
Restructuring charges	7				—				7
Total costs and expenses	1,795				(1		)		1,794
Operating income (loss)	(777		)		1				(776		)
Interest expense	(70		)		—				(70		)
Other items, net	(2		)		—				(2		)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(849		)		1				(848		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(55		)		45			^(b)	(10		)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(904		)		46				(858		)
Net gain (loss) on disposal	(109		)		13				(96		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	4				(2		)		2
Net gain (loss) on disposal, net of tax	(105		)		11			^(c)	(94		)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(1,009	)		$	57			$	(952	)

(b) Reflects a tax benefit from the resolution of a tax matter in a foreign jurisdiction relating to a previously disposed business that was accounted for as a discontinued operation.



Year Ended December 31, 2016	CBS Radio				Other ^(b)			Total
Revenues	$	1,220			$	—		$	1,220
Costs and expenses:
Operating	397				—			397
Selling, general and administrative	496				—			496
Depreciation and amortization	26				—			26
Restructuring charges	8				—			8
Impairment charge	444			^(a)	—			444
Total costs and expenses	1,371				—			1,371
Operating loss	(151		)		—			(151		)
Interest expense	(17		)		—			(17		)
Other items, net	1				—			1
Loss from discontinued operations	(167		)		—			(167		)
Income tax provision	(88		)		(36		)	(124		)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(255	)		$	(36	)	$	(291	)

(b) Reflects a charge from the resolution of a tax matter in a foreign jurisdiction relating to a previously disposed business that was accounted for as a discontinued operation.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of information related to a disposal group. Includes, but is not limited to, a discontinued operation, disposal classified as held-for-sale or disposed of by means other than sale or disposal of an individually significant component.

+ References

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Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 12: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments



	Programming and Talent		Purchase Obligations		Other Long-Term Contractual Obligations
2019	$	2,270	$	285		$	—
2020	1,989		247			569
2021	1,830		171			360
2022	1,704		26			199
2023	300		8			112
2024 and thereafter	889		58			229
Total	$	8,982	$	795		$	1,469

At December 31, 2018, future minimum rental payments under noncancellable operating leases with terms in excess of one year and payments under capital leases are as follows:



	Leases
	Capital		Operating
2019	$	13	$	174
2020	12		129
2021	11		122
2022	7		110
2023	2		101
2024 and thereafter	2		465
Total minimum payments	$	47	$	1,101
Less amounts representing interest	4
Present value of minimum payments	$	43

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Other Items, Net

The following table presents the components of Other items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017			2016
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	(63	)	$	(86	)	$	(70	)
Foreign exchange (losses) gains	(3		)	2			(12		)
Net loss from investments	(3		)	(4		)	—
Other items, net	$	(69	)	$	(88	)	$	(82	)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Cash paid for interest:
Continuing operations	$	457	$	448	$	407
Discontinued operations	—		70		8
Total	$	457	$	518	$	415



Year Ended December 31,	2018			2017		2016
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes:
Continuing operations	$	16		$	365	$	373
Discontinued operations	(4		)	26		119
Total	$	12		$	391	$	492



Year Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Shares received in split-off of CBS Radio (Note 17)	$	—	$	1,007	$	—
Noncash additions to property and equipment	$	—	$	31	$	—
Equipment acquired under capitalized leases	$	9	$	5	$	10

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)



	First			Second			Third			Fourth
2018 ^(a)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter ^(b)			Total Year
Revenues:
Entertainment	$	2,753		$	2,402		$	2,190		$	2,833		$	10,178
Cable Networks	571			553			529			551			2,204
Publishing	160			207			240			218			825
Local Media	415			420			434			561			1,830
Corporate/Eliminations	(138		)	(116		)	(130		)	(139		)	(523		)
Total Revenues	$	3,761		$	3,466		$	3,263		$	4,024		$	14,514
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
Entertainment	$	486		$	367		$	384		$	438		$	1,675
Cable Networks	236			245			241			193			915
Publishing	16			31			51			46			144
Local Media	118			128			124			239			609
Corporate	(75		)	(77		)	(64		)	(79		)	(295		)
Total Segment Operating Income	781			694			736			837			3,048
Restructuring charges	—			(25		)	—			(42		)	(67		)
Corporate matters	(9		)	(10		)	(46		)	(63		)	(128		)
Programming charges	—			—			—			(85		)	(85		)
Total Operating Income	$	772		$	659		$	690		$	647		$	2,768
Net earnings	$	511		$	400		$	488		$	561		$	1,960

Basic net earnings per common share	$	1.34		$	1.06		$	1.30		$	1.50		$	5.20

Diluted net earnings per common share	$	1.32		$	1.05		$	1.29		$	1.49		$	5.14

Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding:
Basic	382			378			375			374			377
Diluted	386			381			379			377			381



	Revenues									Segment Operating Income
	First			Second			Third			First			Second			Third
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
Entertainment	$	37		$	37		$	39		$	(6	)	$	11		$	7
Cable Networks	$	(38	)	$	(38	)	$	(40	)	$	6		$	(11	)	$	(7	)
Corporate/Eliminations	$	1		$	1		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	—



	First			Second			Third			Fourth
2017 ^{(a) (e)}	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter ^{(c) (d)}				Total Year
Revenues:
Entertainment	$	2,384		$	2,217		$	1,849			$	2,856		$	9,306
Cable Networks	505			537			805				508			2,355
Publishing	161			206			228				235			830
Local Media	409			412			397				450			1,668
Corporate/Eliminations	(116		)	(115		)	(108		)		(128		)	(467		)
Total Revenues	$	3,343		$	3,257		$	3,171			$	3,921		$	13,692
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
Entertainment	$	400		$	359		$	354			$	465		$	1,578
Cable Networks	253			247			292				207			999
Publishing	15			29			47				45			136
Local Media	124			128			106				139			497
Corporate	(66		)	(73		)	(70		)		(96		)	(305		)
Total Segment Operating Income	726			690			729				760			2,905
Restructuring charges	—			—			—				(63		)	(63		)
Other operating items, net	—			—			—				19			19
Total Operating Income	$	726		$	690		$	729			$	716		$	2,861
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	454		$	397		$	418			$	40		$	1,309
Net earnings (loss) ^(b)	$	(252	)	$	58		$	592			$	(41	)	$	357

Basic net earnings per common share:
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	1.11		$	.98		$	1.04			$	.10		$	3.26
Net earnings (loss)	$	(.61	)	$	.14		$	1.48			$	(.10	)	$	.89
Diluted net earnings per common share:
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	1.09		$	.97		$	1.03			$	.10		$	3.22
Net earnings (loss)	$	(.61	)	$	.14		$	1.46			$	(.10	)	$	.88

Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding:
Basic	410			405			401				391			401
Diluted	416			410			406				395			407

(d) In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a provisional charge of $129 million resulting from the enactment of the Tax Reform Act.



	Revenues															Segment Operating Income
	First			Second			Third			Fourth			Total			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Total
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year
Entertainment	$	37		$	33		$	34		$	38		$	142		$	(3	)	$	8		$	4		$	(4	)	$	5
Cable Networks	$	(38	)	$	(34	)	$	(35	)	$	(39	)	$	(146	)	$	3		$	(8	)	$	(4	)	$	4		$	(5	)
Corporate/Eliminations	$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	4		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations



	Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Revenues	$	187		$	10		$	14,317		$	—		$	14,514
Costs and expenses:
Operating	99			4			9,008			—			9,111
Selling, general and administrative	54			252			1,911			—			2,217
Depreciation and amortization	4			22			197			—			223
Restructuring and other corporate matters	1			141			53			—			195
Total costs and expenses	158			419			11,169			—			11,746
Operating income (loss)	29			(409		)	3,148			—			2,768
Interest (expense) income, net	(533		)	(509		)	632			—			(410		)
Other items, net	(32		)	15			(52		)	—			(69		)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies	(536		)	(903		)	3,728			—			2,289
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	110			185			(568		)	—			(273		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax	2,386			1,515			(56		)	(3,901		)	(56		)
Net earnings	$	1,960		$	797		$	3,104		$	(3,901	)	$	1,960
Total comprehensive income	$	1,847		$	801		$	3,072		$	(3,873	)	$	1,847



	Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Revenues	$	172		$	10		$	13,510		$	—		$	13,692
Costs and expenses:
Operating	95			6			8,337			—			8,438
Selling, general and administrative	49			274			1,803			—			2,126
Depreciation and amortization	5			23			195			—			223
Restructuring charges and other corporate matters	—			2			61			—			63
Other operating items, net	—			—			(19		)	—			(19		)
Total costs and expenses	149			305			10,377			—			10,831
Operating income (loss)	23			(295		)	3,133			—			2,861
Interest (expense) income, net	(509		)	(486		)	602			—			(393		)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(49		)	—			—			—			(49		)
Pension settlement charge	(352		)	—			—			—			(352		)
Other items, net	(37		)	(54		)	3			—			(88		)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies	(924		)	(835		)	3,738			—			1,979
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	266			240			(1,139		)	—			(633		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax	1,014			1,450			(37		)	(2,464		)	(37		)
Net earnings from continuing operations	356			855			2,562			(2,464		)	1,309
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1			(5		)	(948		)	—			(952		)
Net earnings	$	357		$	850		$	1,614		$	(2,464	)	$	357
Total comprehensive income	$	462		$	839		$	1,640		$	(2,479	)	$	462



	Statement of Operations
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Revenues	$	181		$	12		$	12,973		$	—		$	13,166
Costs and expenses:
Operating	67			6			7,883			—			7,956
Selling, general and administrative	46			287			1,721			—			2,054
Depreciation and amortization	5			23			197			—			225
Restructuring and other corporate matters	—			2			36			—			38
Other operating items, net	—			—			(9		)	—			(9		)
Total costs and expenses	118			318			9,828			—			10,264
Operating income (loss)	63			(306		)	3,145			—			2,902
Interest (expense) income, net	(502		)	(433		)	556			—			(379		)
Pension settlement charge	(211		)	—			—			—			(211		)
Other items, net	(37		)	9			(54		)	—			(82		)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies	(687		)	(730		)	3,647			—			2,230
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	212			224			(1,064		)	—			(628		)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax	1,736			1,161			(50		)	(2,897		)	(50		)
Net earnings from continuing operations	1,261			655			2,533			(2,897		)	1,552
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(1		)	(290		)	—			(291		)
Net earnings	$	1,261		$	654		$	2,243		$	(2,897	)	$	1,261
Total comprehensive income	$	1,264		$	679		$	2,212		$	(2,891	)	$	1,264

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets



	Balance Sheet
	At December 31, 2018
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.		Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148		$	—	$	174		$	—		$	322
Receivables, net	27			1		4,013			—			4,041
Programming and other inventory	2			2		1,984			—			1,988
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	81			46		310			(36		)	401
Total current assets	258			49		6,481			(36		)	6,752
Property and equipment	31			223		2,672			—			2,926
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	14			184		1,519			—			1,717
Net property and equipment	17			39		1,153			—			1,209
Programming and other inventory	5			4		3,874			—			3,883
Goodwill	98			62		4,760			—			4,920
Intangible assets	—			—		2,638			—			2,638
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	47,600			16,901		—			(64,501		)	—
Other assets	281			—		2,143			—			2,424
Assets held for sale	—			—		33			—			33
Intercompany	—			526		31,686			(32,212		)	—
Total Assets	$	48,259		$	17,581	$	52,768		$	(96,749	)	$	21,859
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Accounts payable	$	5		$	31	$	165		$	—		$	201
Participants’ share and royalties payable	—			—		1,177			—			1,177
Accrued programming and production costs	3			2		699			—			704
Commercial paper	674			—		—			—			674
Current portion of long-term debt	1			—		12			—			13
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	395			308		1,137			(36		)	1,804
Total current liabilities	1,078			341		3,190			(36		)	4,573
Long-term debt	9,388			—		77			—			9,465
Other liabilities	2,777			212		2,028			—			5,017
Intercompany	32,212			—		—			(32,212		)	—
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock	—			—		126			(126		)	—
Common stock	1			123		590			(713		)	1
Additional paid-in capital	43,637			—		60,894			(60,894		)	43,637
Retained earnings (deficit)	(17,201		)	17,214		(9,381		)	(7,833		)	(17,201		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(775		)	22		44			(66		)	(775		)
	25,662			17,359		52,273			(69,632		)	25,662
Less treasury stock, at cost	22,858			331		4,800			(5,131		)	22,858
Total Stockholders’ Equity	2,804			17,028		47,473			(64,501		)	2,804
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	48,259		$	17,581	$	52,768		$	(96,749	)	$	21,859



	Balance Sheet
	At December 31, 2017
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.		Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations			CBS Corp. Consolidated
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	173		$	—	$	112		$	—		$	285
Receivables, net	29			2		3,666			—			3,697
Programming and other inventory	3			3		1,822			—			1,828
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	130			28		341			(36		)	463
Total current assets	335			33		5,941			(36		)	6,273
Property and equipment	49			217		2,681			—			2,947
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	27			163		1,511			—			1,701
Net property and equipment	22			54		1,170			—			1,246
Programming and other inventory	3			4		2,874			—			2,881
Goodwill	98			62		4,731			—			4,891
Intangible assets	—			—		2,666			—			2,666
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	45,504			15,385		—			(60,889		)	—
Other assets	162			5		2,685			—			2,852
Assets held for sale	—			—		34			—			34
Intercompany	—			1,221		29,562			(30,783		)	—
Total Assets	$	46,124		$	16,764	$	49,663		$	(91,708	)	$	20,843
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Accounts payable	$	1		$	30	$	200		$	—		$	231
Participants’ share and royalties payable	—			—		986			—			986
Accrued programming and production costs	4			4		489			—			497
Commercial paper	679			—		—			—			679
Current portion of long-term debt	2			—		17			—			19
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	352			269		975			(36		)	1,560
Total current liabilities	1,038			303		2,667			(36		)	3,972
Long-term debt	9,378			—		86			—			9,464
Other liabilities	2,947			234		2,248			—			5,429
Intercompany	30,783			—		—			(30,783		)	—
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock	—			—		126			(126		)	—
Common stock	1			123		590			(713		)	1
Additional paid-in capital	43,797			—		60,894			(60,894		)	43,797
Retained earnings (deficit)	(18,900		)	16,417		(12,224		)	(4,193		)	(18,900		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(662		)	18		76			(94		)	(662		)
	24,236			16,558		49,462			(66,020		)	24,236
Less treasury stock, at cost	22,258			331		4,800			(5,131		)	22,258
Total Stockholders’ Equity	1,978			16,227		44,662			(60,889		)	1,978
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	46,124		$	16,764	$	49,663		$	(91,708	)	$	20,843

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows



	Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations		CBS Corp. Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	$	(440	)	$	(286	)	$	2,152		$	—	$	1,426
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	—			—			(124		)	—		(124		)
Capital expenditures	—			(18		)	(147		)	—		(165		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			—			(31		)	—		(31		)
Other investing activities	(5		)	—			—			—		(5		)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations	(5		)	(18		)	(302		)	—		(325		)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations	(23		)	—			—			—		(23		)
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(28		)	(18		)	(302		)	—		(348		)
Financing Activities:
Repayments of short-term debt borrowings, net	(5		)	—			—			—		(5		)
Payment of capital lease obligations	—			—			(16		)	—		(16		)
Dividends	(276		)	—			—			—		(276		)
Purchase of Company common stock	(586		)	—			—			—		(586		)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(59		)	—			—			—		(59		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	27			—			—			—		27
Other financing activities	(1		)	—			(5		)	—		(6		)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	1,463			304			(1,767		)	—		—
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	563			304			(1,788		)	—		(921		)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	95			—			62			—		157
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	173			—			112			—		285
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year (includes $120 of restricted cash)	$	268		$	—		$	174		$	—	$	442



	Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations		CBS Corp. Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	$	(1,491	)	$	(203	)	$	2,581		$	—	$	887
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	—			—			(110		)	—		(110		)
Capital expenditures	—			(30		)	(155		)	—		(185		)
Acquisitions (including acquired television library), net of cash acquired	—			—			(270		)	—		(270		)
Proceeds from sale of investments	—			—			10			—		10
Proceeds from dispositions	—			—			11			—		11
Other investing activities	22			(1		)	—			—		21
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations	22			(31		)	(514		)	—		(523		)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations	1			(5		)	(20		)	—		(24		)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities	23			(36		)	(534		)	—		(547		)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	229			—			—			—		229
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	1,773			—			—			—		1,773
Repayment of senior notes	(1,244		)	—			—			—		(1,244		)
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio	—			—			40			—		40
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio	—			—			(43		)	—		(43		)
Payment of capital lease obligations	—			—			(18		)	—		(18		)
Dividends	(296		)	—			—			—		(296		)
Purchase of Company common stock	(1,111		)	—			—			—		(1,111		)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(89		)	—			—			—		(89		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	91			—			—			—		91
Other financing activities	(1		)	—			(8		)	—		(9		)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	1,968			239			(2,207		)	—		—
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	1,320			239			(2,236		)	—		(677		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(148		)	—			(189		)	—		(337		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $24 of discontinued operations cash)	321			—			301			—		622
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	173		$	—		$	112		$	—	$	285



	Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
	CBS Corp.			CBS Operations Inc.			Non- Guarantor Affiliates			Eliminations		CBS Corp. Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	$	(846	)	$	(157	)	$	2,688		$	—	$	1,685
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	—			—			(81		)	—		(81		)
Capital expenditures	—			(33		)	(163		)	—		(196		)
Acquisitions	—			—			(92		)	—		(92		)
Proceeds from dispositions	(4		)	—			24			—		20
Other investing activities	15			—			—			—		15
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations	11			(33		)	(312		)	—		(334		)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations	—			(1		)	(5		)	—		(6		)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities	11			(34		)	(317		)	—		(340		)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	450			—			—			—		450
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	684			—			—			—		684
Repayment of senior debentures	(199		)	—			—			—		(199		)
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio	—			—			1,452			—		1,452
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio	—			—			(110		)	—		(110		)
Payment of capital lease obligations	—			—			(18		)	—		(18		)
Dividends	(288		)	—			—			—		(288		)
Purchase of Company common stock	(2,997		)	—			—			—		(2,997		)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(58		)	—			—			—		(58		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	21			—			—			—		21
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	17			—			—			—		17
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	3,259			190			(3,449		)	—		—
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	889			190			(2,125		)	—		(1,046		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	54			(1		)	246			—		299
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $6 of discontinued operations cash)	267			1			55			—		323
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (includes $24 of discontinued operations cash)	$	321		$	—		$	301		$	—	$	622

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018
Revenues
Deferred revenue	$ 274			$ 284
Revenue recognized	201
Advertising
Advertising expense	448	$ 426	$ 373
Provision For Doubtful Accounts
Provision for doubtful accounts charged to expense	$ 5	$ 5	$ 12
Stock Options [Member]
Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	6	4	4
Minimum [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible asset useful life	4 years
Maximum [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible asset useful life	40 years
Television Licensing [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Revenues
Collection term	1 year
Television Licensing [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Revenues
Collection term	5 years
Other Assets [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash	$ 120
Revenues
Noncurrent receivables	$ 1,550	$ 2,120		$ 1,590

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Property and Equipment) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Buildings and building improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life	10 years
Buildings and building improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life	40 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold improvement estimated useful life	Shorter of lease term or useful life
Equipment and other (including capital leases) [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life	3 years
Equipment and other (including capital leases) [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life	20 years

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Unrecognized Revenues Under Contract) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 3,450
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-01-01
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 2,020
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 806
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 445
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 175
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Weighted average shares for basic EPS	374	375	378	382	391	401	405	410	377	401	444
Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans									4	6	4
Weighted average shares for diluted EPS	377	379	381	386	395	406	410	416	381	407	448

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit	$ 17,201				$ 18,900				$ 17,201	$ 18,900
Net benefit costs, other than service cost									63	86	$ 70
Operating income	647	$ 690	$ 659	$ 772	716	$ 729	$ 690	$ 726	2,768	2,861	2,902
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net benefit costs, other than service cost										438	281
Operating income					$ 373	$ 22	$ 21	$ 22		$ 438	$ 281
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member] \| Other Items, Net [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net benefit costs, other than service cost									63
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit	$ (152)								$ (152)			$ 261

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment		$ 2,926	$ 2,947
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		1,717	1,701
Net property and equipment		1,209	1,246
Accumulated amortization of capital leases		106	112
Depreciation expense, including capitalized lease amortization		205	203	$ 205
Amortization expense related to capital leases		18	16	$ 17
CBS Television City [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Sale of property and sound stage	$ 750
Guaranteed cash flow period	5 years
Estimated liability	$ 130
Gain on sale of property and sound stage operation	$ 540
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment		189	189
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment		795	729
Capital leases [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment		144	162
Equipment and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment		$ 1,798	$ 1,867

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 reportingunit market
Impairment Testing Assumptions [Line Items]
Number of reporting units \| reportingunit		7
Network Ten [Member]
Impairment Testing Assumptions [Line Items]
Purchase price \| $	$ 124
International Broadcast License Impairment Test [Member]
Impairment Testing Assumptions [Line Items]
Perpetual nominal growth rate		0.50%
International Broadcast License Impairment Test [Member] \| Discount Rate [Member]
Impairment Testing Assumptions [Line Items]
Discount rate		0.11
FCC Licenses Impairment Test Television Stations [Member]
Impairment Testing Assumptions [Line Items]
Number of markets with book value of FCC licenses \| market		14
Number of markets for which the qualitative assessment was performed \| market		14
Qualitative Assessments [Member]
Impairment Testing Assumptions [Line Items]
Number of reporting units \| reportingunit		7
Goodwill Impairment Test [Member] \| CBS Sports Network Reporting Unit [Member]
Impairment Testing Assumptions [Line Items]
Perpetual nominal growth rate		2.00%
Goodwill Impairment Test [Member] \| CBS Sports Network Reporting Unit [Member] \| Discount Rate [Member]
Impairment Testing Assumptions [Line Items]
Discount rate		0.085

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 18,245	$ 18,218
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(13,354)	(13,354)
Goodwill, net of impairment, beginning balance	4,891	4,864
Acquisitions	29	27
Accumulated impairment losses, Acquisitions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Acquisitions	29	27
Dispositions	0	0
Accumulated impairment losses, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	18,274	18,245
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(13,354)	(13,354)
Goodwill, net of impairment, ending balance	4,920	4,891
Goodwill associated with CBS Sports Network	261
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	9,584	9,561
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(6,294)	(6,294)
Goodwill, net of impairment, beginning balance	3,290	3,267
Acquisitions	27	23
Accumulated impairment losses, Acquisitions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Acquisitions	27	23
Dispositions	0	0
Accumulated impairment losses, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	9,611	9,584
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(6,294)	(6,294)
Goodwill, net of impairment, ending balance	3,317	3,290
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	219	219
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, beginning balance	219	219
Acquisitions	2	0
Accumulated impairment losses, Acquisitions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Acquisitions	2	0
Dispositions	0	0
Accumulated impairment losses, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	221	219
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, ending balance	221	219
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	435	431
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, beginning balance	435	431
Acquisitions	0	4
Accumulated impairment losses, Acquisitions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Acquisitions	0	4
Dispositions	0	0
Accumulated impairment losses, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	435	435
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, ending balance	435	435
Operating Segments [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	8,007	8,007
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(7,060)	(7,060)
Goodwill, net of impairment, beginning balance	947	947
Acquisitions	0	0
Accumulated impairment losses, Acquisitions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Accumulated impairment losses, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, net of impairment, Dispositions	0	0
Goodwill, ending balance	8,007	8,007
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(7,060)	(7,060)
Goodwill, net of impairment, ending balance	$ 947	$ 947

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 238	$ 324
Accumulated amortization	(86)	(152)
Net	152	172
Total intangible assets, gross	2,724	2,818
Total intangible assets	2,638	2,666
FCC licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	2,441	2,441
International broadcast licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	45	53
Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	189	190
Accumulated amortization	(58)	(51)
Net	131	139
Other intangible assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	49	134
Accumulated amortization	(28)	(101)
Net	$ 21	$ 33

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Amortization Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 18	$ 20	$ 20

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Future Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2019	$ 15
2020	15
2021	14
2022	12
2023	$ 10

Restructuring, Programming Charges and Other Corporate Matters (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 67	$ 63	$ 30
Payments for restructuring	61	27		$ 88
Other corporate matters, costs	128		8
Professional fees associated with merger and acquisition activities			8
Operating Expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Programming Charges	85
Severance costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	57	54	19
Payments for restructuring				74
Contract termination and other related costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 10	$ 9	$ 11
Payments for restructuring				$ 14

Restructuring, Programming Charges and Other Corporate Matters (Rollforward) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	$ 66	$ 30
Charges	67	63	$ 30
Settlements	(61)	(27)		$ (88)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	72	66	30	72
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	45	17
Charges	27	44
Settlements	(38)	(16)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	34	45	17	34
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	1	4
Charges	0	0
Settlements	(1)	(3)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	0	1	4	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	3	1
Charges	1	5
Settlements	(2)	(3)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	2	3	1	2
Operating Segments [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	14	6
Charges	18	12
Settlements	(9)	(4)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	23	14	6	23
Corporate [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	3	2
Charges	21	2
Settlements	(11)	(1)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 13	$ 3	$ 2	$ 13

Programming and Other Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Acquired program rights	$ 2,400	$ 2,234
Acquired television library	99	99
Internally produced programming, released	2,477	1,780
Internally produced programming, in process and other	839	543
Publishing, primarily finished goods	56	53
Total programming and other inventory	5,871	4,709
Less current portion	1,988	1,828
Programming and other inventory	3,883	$ 2,881
Internally produced programming to be amortized in next fiscal year	$ 1,100
Amortization period	3 years

Related Parties (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Related Parties (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) interest trustee	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 13, 2019
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
SMR trust ownership in NAI	80.00%
National Amusements Inc [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of trustees \| trustee	7
National Amusements Inc [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
NAI ownership of CBS Corp. Class A common stock (percentage)				79.80%
NAI ownership of CBS Corp. Class A and Class B common stock on a combined basis (percentage)				10.50%
National Amusements Inc [Member] \| Restructuring Charges and Other Corporate Matters [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Professional fees	$ 30
Viacom Inc [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenues from transactions with related parties	88	$ 145	$ 120
Expenses from transactions with related parties	30	21	24
Amounts due from Related Party
Receivables	38	93
Other assets (Receivables, noncurrent)	23	11
Amounts due from related party	61	104
Equity Method Investees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenues from transactions with related parties	110	99	$ 112
Amounts due from Related Party
Amounts due from related party	$ 34	$ 27
Number of equity interests \| interest	2

Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 329	$ 283
Investments readily determinable fair value	23	24
Investments in and advances to investee companies	124	110	$ 81
Write-down of investments	$ 3	$ 13
Write-down of equity investment			$ 10
The C W [Member] \| Equity Method Investees [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage	50.00%
POP [Member] \| Equity Method Investees [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage	50.00%
AMC Networks Inc JV [Member] \| Equity Method Investees [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage	49.00%
AMC Networks Inc Other JV [Member] \| Equity Method Investees [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage	30.00%

Bank Financing and Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper	$ 674	$ 679
Carrying value of senior debt	9,430	9,430
Obligations under capital leases	43	57
Total debt	10,152	10,162
Current portion of long-term debt	13	19
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	9,465	9,464
Net unamortized discount on senior debt	58	65
Unamortized deferred financing costs	43	47
Decrease (increase) in the carrying value of debt relating to previously settled fair value hedges	5	3
Face value of debt	10,260	10,280
Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 601	604
Stated interest rate	2.30%
Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 300	299
Stated interest rate	4.30%
Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 697	696
Stated interest rate	3.375%
Senior Notes due 2023 2.50% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 397	396
Stated interest rate	2.50%
Senior Notes due 2023 2.90% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 396	395
Stated interest rate	2.90%
Debentures due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 187	187
Stated interest rate	7.875%
Senior Notes due 2023 7.125% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 46	46
Stated interest rate	7.125%
Senior Notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 597	597
Stated interest rate	3.70%
Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 590	589
Stated interest rate	3.50%
Senior Notes due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 787	785
Stated interest rate	4.00%
Senior Notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 686	684
Stated interest rate	2.90%
Senior Notes due 2028 3.375% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 493	493
Stated interest rate	3.375%
Senior Notes due 2028 3.70% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 490	489
Stated interest rate	3.70%
Senior Debentures due 2030 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 832	832
Stated interest rate	7.875%
Senior Debentures due 2033 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 426	425
Stated interest rate	5.50%
Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 297	297
Stated interest rate	5.90%
Senior Notes due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 486	485
Stated interest rate	4.85%
Senior Notes due 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 539	539
Stated interest rate	4.90%
Senior Notes due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 588	$ 588
Stated interest rate	4.60%

Bank Financing and Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Face value of debt	$ 10,260	$ 10,280
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	49	$ 0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt. net of tax		31
Debt Due August 2019 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt maturing classified as long-term reflecting ability and intent to refinance	$ 600
Senior Notes [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Face value of debt		1,800
Redemption and repayment of senior notes		1,200
Debt redeemed		$ 800

Bank Financing and Debt (Maturities of Long-Term Debt) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2019	$ 600
2020	0
2021	300
2022	700
2023	1,033
2024 and Thereafter	$ 6,907

Bank Financing and Debt (Commercial Paper Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commercial paper	$ 674,000,000	$ 679,000,000
Commercial Paper [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facility	$ 2,500,000,000
Debt term	90 days	90 days
Weighted average interest rate	3.02%	1.88%

Bank Financing and Debt (Credit Facility Narrative) (Details) - Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facility	$ 2,500,000,000
Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio	4.5
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	3.1
Period for consolidated EBITDA	12 months
Borrowings outstanding	$ 0
Availability under the credit facility, net of outstanding letters of credit	$ 2,490,000,000

- 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

Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 9,430	$ 9,430
Fair value of senior debt	9,480	10,160
Foreign exchange contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on non-designated foreign exchange contracts	25	(27)
Cash flow hedging [Member] \| Foreign exchange contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivative	$ 325	$ 410

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	$ 15	$ 5
Total Assets	15	5
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	336	363
Foreign currency hedges	1	10
Total Liabilities	337	373
Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	0	0
Total Assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	0	0
Foreign currency hedges	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	15	5
Total Assets	15	5
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	336	363
Foreign currency hedges	1	10
Total Liabilities	337	373
Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	0	0
Total Assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	0	0
Foreign currency hedges	0	0
Total Liabilities	$ 0	$ 0

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.72	$ 0.66
Dividends	$ 274	$ 289	$ 294
Class B Common Stock purchased (shares)	11,500,000
Class B Common Stock purchased	$ 600
Average price per share repurchased (in dollars per share)	$ 52.06
Remaining authorization under repurchase program	$ 2,460
Minimum Class A shares needed for conversion (in shares)	5,000
Conversion of A shares into B shares (shares)	2,500,000		100,000

Stockholders' Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ (662)	$ (767)	$ (770)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(169)	(167)	(166)
Reclassifications to net earnings	56	272	169
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(113)	105	3
Balance, end of year	(775)	(662)	(767)
Tax (provision) benefit on net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service costs related to pension and other postretirement plans	29	(106)	(3)
Cumulative translation adjustments [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	159	151	152
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(26)	6	(1)
Reclassifications to net earnings	0	2	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(26)	8	(1)
Balance, end of year	133	159	151
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service cost [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	(821)	(918)	(922)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(143)	(173)	(165)
Reclassifications to net earnings	56	270	169
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(87)	97	4
Balance, end of year	$ (908)	$ (821)	$ (918)

Stock-Based Compensation (Expense) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares available for future grant under equity incentive plans (in shares)		41
Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes		$ 146	$ 179	$ 165
Restructuring Charges and Other Corporate Matters [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Forfeitures	$ 28
Accelerations	$ 6
Continuing Operations [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
RSUs and PSUs		120	152	137
Stock options		26	27	28
Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes		146	179	165
Related tax benefit		(36)	(69)	(63)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit		$ 110	110	102
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes			$ 2	$ 12

Stock-Based Compensation (RSUs and PSUs) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Performance Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 16	$ 23	$ 4
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value of RSUs vested during the period	135	$ 193	$ 129
Unrecognized future expense of unvested RSUs	$ 164
Weighted average period over which future expense of unrecognized stock-based compensation will be recognized (years)	2 years 4 months 24 days
RSUs
Non-vested (shares), beginning balance	5,323,987
Granted (shares)	3,093,130
Vested (shares)	(2,443,125)
Forfeited (shares)	(788,923)
Non-vested (shares), ending balance	5,185,069	5,323,987
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested, beginning balance (USD per share)	$ 58.19
Granted (USD per share)	53.96	$ 66.59	$ 47.30
Vested (USD per share)	58.71
Forfeited (USD per share)	56.16
Non-vested, ending balance (USD per share)	$ 55.73	$ 58.19
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Service period over which grants vest	1 year
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Service period over which grants vest	4 years

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Options, Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option term until expiration	8 years
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options (USD per share)	$ 14.48	$ 17.50	$ 12.30
Minimum term of publicly traded options used to derive implied volatility of options grants	1 year
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options (years)	4 years 29 days
Share price (USD per share)	$ 43.72
Intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	$ 25
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable stock options (years)	3 years 7 days
Intrinsic value of stock options exercisable	$ 25
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized future expense of unvested stock options	$ 31
Weighted average period over which future expense of unrecognized stock-based compensation will be recognized (years)	2 years 6 months
Stock Options [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Service period over which grants vest	3 years
Stock Options [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Service period over which grants vest	4 years

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Options, Black-Scholes Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Expected dividend yield	1.33%	1.09%	1.31%
Expected stock price volatility	29.52%	29.89%	32.55%
Risk-free interest rate	2.73%	2.00%	1.35%
Expected term of options	5 years	5 years	5 years

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock-Options, Rollforward) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Stock Options
Outstanding (shares), beginning balance \| shares	10,113,836
Granted (shares) \| shares	1,774,181
Exercised (shares) \| shares	(760,503)
Forfeited or expired (shares) \| shares	(220,544)
Outstanding (shares), ending balance \| shares	10,906,970
Exercisable (shares) \| shares	7,310,228
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning balance (USD per share) \| $ / shares	$ 50.59
Granted (USD per share) \| $ / shares	54.32
Exercised (USD per share) \| $ / shares	35.80
Forfeited or expired (USD per share) \| $ / shares	58.74
Outstanding, ending balance (USD per share) \| $ / shares	52.07
Exercisable (USD per share) \| $ / shares	$ 50.15

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Options, Other Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Cash received from stock option exercises	$ 27	$ 91	$ 21
Tax benefit of stock option exercises	4	36	14
Intrinsic value of stock option exercises	$ 16	$ 96	$ 37

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable by Exercise Price) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable By Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of stock options outstanding (shares) \| shares	10,906,970
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options (years)	4 years 29 days
Number of stock options exercisable (shares) \| shares	7,310,228
$5 to $9.99 [Member]
Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable By Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (USD per share)	$ 5
Exercise price range, upper range limit (USD per share)	$ 9.99
Number of stock options outstanding (shares) \| shares	10,186
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options (years)	29 days
Stock options outstanding, weighted average exercise (USD per share)	$ 5.72
Number of stock options exercisable (shares) \| shares	10,186
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 5.72
$10 to $19.99 [Member]
Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable By Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (USD per share)	10
Exercise price range, upper range limit (USD per share)	$ 19.99
Number of stock options outstanding (shares) \| shares	42,442
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options (years)	1 year 7 months 9 days
Stock options outstanding, weighted average exercise (USD per share)	$ 16.52
Number of stock options exercisable (shares) \| shares	42,442
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 16.52
$20 to $29.99 [Member]
Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable By Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (USD per share)	20
Exercise price range, upper range limit (USD per share)	$ 29.99
Number of stock options outstanding (shares) \| shares	932,407
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options (years)	8 months 19 days
Stock options outstanding, weighted average exercise (USD per share)	$ 26.71
Number of stock options exercisable (shares) \| shares	932,407
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 26.71
$30 to $39.99 [Member]
Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable By Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (USD per share)	30
Exercise price range, upper range limit (USD per share)	$ 39.99
Number of stock options outstanding (shares) \| shares	791,703
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options (years)	1 year 9 months 25 days
Stock options outstanding, weighted average exercise (USD per share)	$ 34.27
Number of stock options exercisable (shares) \| shares	791,703
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 34.27
$40 to $49.99 [Member]
Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable By Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (USD per share)	40
Exercise price range, upper range limit (USD per share)	$ 49.99
Number of stock options outstanding (shares) \| shares	2,741,793
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options (years)	3 years 8 months 19 days
Stock options outstanding, weighted average exercise (USD per share)	$ 44.96
Number of stock options exercisable (shares) \| shares	1,994,388
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 44.64
$50 to $59.99 [Member]
Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable By Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (USD per share)	50
Exercise price range, upper range limit (USD per share)	$ 59.99
Number of stock options outstanding (shares) \| shares	3,225,456
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options (years)	5 years 8 months 23 days
Stock options outstanding, weighted average exercise (USD per share)	$ 56.71
Number of stock options exercisable (shares) \| shares	1,287,783
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 59.27
$60 to $69.99 [Member]
Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable By Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit (USD per share)	60
Exercise price range, upper range limit (USD per share)	$ 69.99
Number of stock options outstanding (shares) \| shares	3,162,983
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options (years)	4 years 3 months 29 days
Stock options outstanding, weighted average exercise (USD per share)	$ 66.04
Number of stock options exercisable (shares) \| shares	2,251,319
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 65.96

Income Taxes (Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$ 1,743	$ 1,441	$ 1,803
Foreign	546	538	427
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies	$ 2,289	$ 1,979	$ 2,230

Income Taxes (Provision for Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current:
Federal	$ 107	$ 720	$ 359
State and local	81	38	64
Foreign	41	63	61
Total current income tax expense provision	229	821	484
Deferred	44	(188)	144
Provision for income taxes	$ 273	$ 633	$ 628

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes for discontinued operations			$ 8	$ 124
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		$ 273	633	628
Tax benefits from exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs		37	104
Net deferred tax assets of discontinued operations	$ 12	12	12
Net operating loss carryforwards		1,730
Valuation allowance	974	719	974
Provisional income tax charge	129		129
Estimated tax on repatriation of foreign earnings			407
Estimated tax on remeasurement of deferred income tax			278
Provisional amount of transition tax on cumulative foreign earnings and profits		15
Unrecognized tax benefits	138	266	138	102	$ 104
Amount included in reserve for uncertain tax positions that would affect Company's effective income tax rate (including discontinued operations) if recognized		249
Interest and penalty charges related to the reserve for uncertain tax positions		16	6	7
Liabilities for accrued interest and penalty charges related to the reserve for uncertain tax positions	$ 14	24	14
Equity Method Investees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		$ (19)	$ (22)	$ (25)
Effective income tax rate		25.30%	37.90%	33.50%

Income Taxes (Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Taxes on income at U.S. federal statutory rate	$ 481	$ 693	$ 780
State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit	77	47	59
Effect of foreign operations	(75)	(162)	(112)
Impact of federal tax legislation	(54)	129	0
Reversal of valuation allowance	(154)	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1)	(44)	0
Domestic production deduction	0	(31)	(42)
Other, net	(1)	1	(57)
Provision for income taxes	273	$ 633	628
Multiyear adjustment to tax deduction			$ 47
CBS Television City [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Reversal of valuation allowance	$ (140)

Income Taxes (Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred income tax assets:
Reserves and other accrued liabilities	$ 339	$ 391
Pension, postretirement and other employee benefits	492	478
Tax credit and loss carryforwards	723	835
Other	80	70
Total deferred income tax assets	1,634	1,774
Valuation allowance	(719)	(974)
Deferred income tax assets, net	915	800
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	(844)	(847)
Unbilled licensing receivables	(401)	(291)
Property, equipment and other assets	(40)	(86)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(1,285)	(1,224)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	$ (370)	$ (424)

Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Change in reserve for uncertain tax positions, excluding related accrued interest and penalties
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of year	$ 138	$ 102	$ 104
Additions for current year tax positions	15	50	9
Additions for prior year tax positions	165	39	4
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(34)	(41)	(8)
Cash settlements	(16)	(5)	(6)
Statute of limitations lapses	(2)	(7)	(1)
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of year	$ 266	$ 138	$ 102

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Change in Benefit Obligation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service period over which benefits vest		5 years
Percent of plan assets' fair value invested in Company common stock	2.80%	2.50%	2.80%
Net benefit costs, other than service cost		$ 63	$ 86	$ 70
Pension settlement charges	$ 352	0	352	211
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net benefit costs, other than service cost			438	281
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member] \| Other Items, Net [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net benefit costs, other than service cost		63
Pension benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlements		(90)	(862)
Pension settlement charges		11	352	211
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year		4,040	4,660
Service cost		31	29	29
Interest cost		149	191	215
Actuarial (gain) loss		(147)	337
Benefits paid		(305)	(326)
Participants’ contributions		0	0
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy		0	0
Settlements		(90)	(862)
Cumulative translation adjustments		(7)	11
Benefit obligation, end of year	4,040	3,671	4,040	4,660
Postretirement benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlements		0	0
Pension settlement charges		0	0	0
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year		424	447
Service cost		0	0	0
Interest cost		16	18	20
Actuarial (gain) loss		(8)	19
Benefits paid		(104)	(73)
Participants’ contributions		11	10
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy		4	3
Settlements		0	0
Cumulative translation adjustments		0	0
Benefit obligation, end of year	$ 424	$ 343	$ 424	447
Qualified Plan [Member] \| Pension benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlements				$ (518)
Percent of pension obligations settled			20.00%	12.00%
Pension settlement charges			$ 352	$ 211
Contribution amount			600
Change in benefit obligation:
Settlements				$ (518)
Qualified Plan [Member] \| Pension benefits [Member] \| Group Annuity Purchase [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlements			(800)
Change in benefit obligation:
Settlements			$ (800)

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Change In Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Pension benefits [Member]
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	$ 3,046	$ 3,244
Actual return on plan assets	(170)	328
Employer contributions	51	650
Benefits paid	(305)	(326)
Participants’ contributions	0	0
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy	0	0
Settlements	(90)	(862)
Cumulative translation adjustments	(6)	12
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	2,526	3,046
Postretirement benefits [Member]
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	0	4
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	90	56
Benefits paid	(104)	(73)
Participants’ contributions	11	10
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy	4	3
Settlements	0	0
Cumulative translation adjustments	0	0
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$ 1	$ 0

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Funded Status of Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Noncurrent liabilities	$ (1,388)	$ (1,328)
Pension benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Funded status at end of year	(1,145)	(994)
Other assets	6	12
Current liabilities	(59)	(53)
Noncurrent liabilities	(1,092)	(953)
Net amounts recognized	(1,145)	(994)
Pension benefits [Member] \| Qualified Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Funded status at end of year	(478)	(309)
Postretirement benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Funded status at end of year	(342)	(424)
Other assets	0	0
Current liabilities	(46)	(49)
Noncurrent liabilities	(296)	(375)
Net amounts recognized	$ (342)	$ (424)

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Pension benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial (loss) gain	$ (1,692)	$ (1,583)
Net prior service cost	(4)	(6)
Share of equity investee	(1)	(2)
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(1,697)	(1,591)
Deferred income taxes	632	606
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,065)	(985)
Accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans	3,580	3,960
Postretirement benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial (loss) gain	179	189
Net prior service cost	0	0
Share of equity investee	0	0
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	179	189
Deferred income taxes	(22)	(25)
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 157	$ 164

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Projected benefit obligation	$ 3,662	$ 3,933
Accumulated benefit obligation	3,576	3,852
Fair value of plan assets	$ 2,511	$ 2,928

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Components of net periodic cost:
Settlements	$ 352	$ 0	$ 352	$ 211
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Deferred income taxes		29	(106)	(3)
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Components of net periodic cost:
Net periodic cost			3	2
Pension benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic cost:
Service cost		31	29	29
Interest cost		149	191	215
Expected return on plan assets		(177)	(201)	(227)
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains)		81	101	84
Amortization of prior service cost		1	2	1
Settlements		11	352	211
Net periodic cost		96	474	313
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Actuarial (loss) gain		(200)	(210)	(275)
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains)		81	101	84
Amortization of prior service cost		1	2	1
Settlements		11	352	211
Cumulative translation adjustments		1	(1)	2
Recognized in other comprehensive income, before tax		(106)	244	23
Deferred income taxes		26	(119)	(9)
Recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(80)	125	14
Expected Amortization
Estimated net actuarial gain (loss) that will be amortized into net periodic benefit cost over next fiscal year		(90)
Estimated net prior service cost (credit) that will be amortized into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year		1
Postretirement benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic cost:
Service cost		0	0	0
Interest cost		16	18	20
Expected return on plan assets		0	0	0
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains)		(18)	(22)	(21)
Amortization of prior service cost		0	0	0
Settlements		0	0	0
Net periodic cost		(2)	(4)	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Actuarial (loss) gain		8	(19)	5
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains)		(18)	(22)	(21)
Amortization of prior service cost		0	0	0
Settlements		0	0	0
Cumulative translation adjustments		0	0	0
Recognized in other comprehensive income, before tax		(10)	(41)	(16)
Deferred income taxes		3	13	6
Recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(7)	$ (28)	$ (10)
Expected Amortization
Estimated net actuarial gain (loss) that will be amortized into net periodic benefit cost over next fiscal year		$ 18

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pension benefits [Member]
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
Discount rate	4.50%	3.90%	4.30%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic costs for the year ended December 31:
Discount rate	3.90%	4.30%	4.60%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.30%	6.40%	6.40%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Postretirement benefits [Member]
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
Discount rate	4.40%	3.90%	4.10%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic costs for the year ended December 31:
Discount rate	3.90%	4.10%	4.20%
Expected long-term return on plan assets		2.00%	2.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
Projected health care cost trend rate	6.60%	7.00%
Ultimate trend rate	5.00%	5.00%

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Sensitivity) (Details) - Postretirement benefits [Member] $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract]
Effect of one percentage point increase on total service and interest cost components	$ 0
Effect of one percentage point decrease on total service and interest cost components	0
Effect of one percentage point increase in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	4
Effect of one percentage point decrease on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$ (4)

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Plan Asset Allocations) (Details) - United States [Member]	Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, actual plan asset allocation	97.00%
Fixed Income Instrument [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, actual plan asset allocation	75.00%
Equity securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, actual plan asset allocation	22.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Fixed Income Instrument [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations	70.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Equity securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations	16.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Fixed Income Instrument [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations	80.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Equity securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations	28.00%

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Fair Value Measurements Level 3 Rollforward) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Postretirement benefits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	$ 0	$ 4
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	1	0
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	1	2
Contributions and distributions, net	(1)	(1)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$ 0	$ 1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Future Benefit Payments) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Retiree Medicare drug subsidy
2019	$ (5)
2020	(5)
2021	(5)
2022	(5)
2023	(5)
2024-2028	(20)
Pension benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2019	329
2020	266
2021	262
2022	260
2023	256
2024-2028	1,218
Pension benefits [Member] \| Nonqualified Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution in the next fiscal year	60
Postretirement benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2019	53
2020	50
2021	47
2022	44
2023	41
2024-2028	162
Expected contribution in the next fiscal year	$ 48

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Multiemployer Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2016
Pension Plan [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Company Contributions	$ 96	$ 80	$ 60
Pension Plan [Member] \| AFTRA Retirement Plan [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Entity tax identification number	136414972
Pension plan number	001
Pension Protection Act	Green	Green
Company Contributions	$ 6	$ 6	6
Multiemployer Plan for which the company contributed more than 5% of total contributions				true
Pension Plan [Member] \| AFTRA Retirement Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreement	Jun. 30, 2020
Pension Plan [Member] \| AFTRA Retirement Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreement	Jun. 30, 2021
Pension Plan [Member] \| Directors Guild Of America Producer [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Entity tax identification number	952892780
Pension plan number	001
Pension Protection Act	Green	Green
Company Contributions	$ 9	$ 8	6
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreement	Jun. 30, 2020
Pension Plan [Member] \| Producer Writers Guild Of America [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Entity tax identification number	952216351
Pension plan number	001
Pension Protection Act	Green	Green
Company Contributions	$ 17	$ 15	12
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreement	May 01, 2020
Pension Plan [Member] \| Screen Actors Guild Producers [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Entity tax identification number	952110997
Pension plan number	001
Pension Protection Act	Green	Green
Company Contributions	$ 28	$ 22	11
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreement	Jun. 30, 2020
Pension Plan [Member] \| Motion Picture Industry [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Entity tax identification number	951810805
Pension plan number	001
Pension Protection Act	Green	Green
Company Contributions	$ 17	$ 14	11
Pension Plan [Member] \| Motion Picture Industry [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreement	Mar. 02, 2019
Pension Plan [Member] \| Motion Picture Industry [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreement	Jul. 31, 2021
Pension Plan [Member] \| I.A.T.S.E. Local No. 33 Pension Trust Fund [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Entity tax identification number	956377503
Pension plan number	001
Pension Protection Act	Green	Green
Company Contributions	$ 12	$ 10	9
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreement	Dec. 31, 2019
Multiemployer Plan for which the company contributed more than 5% of total contributions		true
Pension Plan [Member] \| Multiemployer Plan, Individually Insignificant Multiemployer Plans [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Company Contributions	$ 7	$ 5	5
Postretirement Benefit Healthcare [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Company Contributions	$ 36	$ 30	$ 28

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Defined Contribution Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Contributions to defined contribution plans	$ 40	$ 42	$ 35

Segment and Revenue Information (Revenues) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,024	$ 3,263	$ 3,466	$ 3,761	$ 3,921	$ 3,171	$ 3,257	$ 3,343	$ 14,514	$ 13,692	$ 13,166
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									11,979	11,675	11,317
International [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									2,535	2,017	1,849
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	2,833	2,190	2,402	2,753	2,856	1,849	2,217	2,384	10,178	9,306	9,020
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	551	529	553	571	508	805	537	505	2,204	2,355	2,015
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	218	240	207	160	235	228	206	161	825	830	767
Operating Segments [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	561	434	420	415	450	397	412	409	1,830	1,668	1,779
Corporate/Eliminations [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (139)	$ (130)	$ (116)	$ (138)	$ (128)	$ (108)	$ (115)	$ (116)	(523)	(467)	(415)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									(553)	(491)	(440)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									(534)	(477)	(431)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									(1)	(1)	(1)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									$ (18)	$ (13)	$ (8)

Segment and Revenue Information (Operating Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	$ 647	$ 690	$ 659	$ 772	$ 716	$ 729	$ 690	$ 726	$ 2,768	$ 2,861	$ 2,902
Restructuring charges									(67)	(63)	(30)
Corporate matters									(128)		(8)
Other operating items, net									0	19	9
Interest expense									(467)	(457)	(411)
Interest income									57	64	32
Loss on early extinguishment of debt									0	(49)	0
Pension settlement charges					(352)				0	(352)	(211)
Other items, net									(69)	(88)	(82)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies									2,289	1,979	2,230
Provision for income taxes									(273)	(633)	(628)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax									(56)	(37)	(50)
Net earnings from continuing operations					40	418	397	454	1,960	1,309	1,552
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	(952)	(291)
Net earnings	561	488	400	511	(41)	592	58	(252)	1,960	357	1,261
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	438	384	367	486	465	354	359	400	1,675	1,578	1,539
Restructuring charges									(27)	(44)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	193	241	245	236	207	292	247	253	915	999	959
Restructuring charges									0	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	46	51	31	16	45	47	29	15	144	136	122
Restructuring charges									(1)	(5)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	239	124	128	118	139	106	128	124	609	497	622
Restructuring charges									(18)	(12)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(79)	(64)	(77)	(75)	(96)	(70)	(73)	(66)	(295)	(305)	(311)
Restructuring charges									(21)	(2)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	(42)	0	(25)	0	(63)	0	0	0	(67)	(63)	(30)
Corporate matters	(63)	(46)	(10)	(9)					(128)	0
Programming charges	$ (85)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0					(85)	0	0
Other operating items, net					$ 19	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 19	$ 9

Segment and Revenue Information (Depreciation and Amortization) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 223	$ 223	$ 225
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	125	118	120
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	18	20	20
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	6	6	6
Operating Segments [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	43	45	44
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 31	$ 34	$ 35

Segment and Revenue Information (Stock-based Compensation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 146	$ 179	$ 165
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	62	68	63
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	12	10	10
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	4	5	4
Operating Segments [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	11	12	12
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	57	$ 84	$ 76
Forfeitures	28
Accelerations	$ 6

Segment and Revenue Information (Capital Expenditures) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	$ 165	$ 185	$ 196
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	93	102	102
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	20	16	15
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	7	5	9
Operating Segments [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	27	32	37
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	$ 18	$ 30	$ 33

Segment and Revenue Information (Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 21,859	$ 20,843
Assets of discontinued operations	12	13
Assets held for sale	33	34
Long-Lived Assets	14,715	14,194
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	14,286	13,699
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	429	495
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	13,579	12,927
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	2,693	2,577
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,054	906
Operating Segments [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	4,037	4,042
Corporate/Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 484	$ 378

Segment and Revenue Information (Revenue by Type) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,024	$ 3,263	$ 3,466	$ 3,761	$ 3,921	$ 3,171	$ 3,257	$ 3,343	$ 14,514	$ 13,692	$ 13,166
United States [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									11,979	11,675	11,317
International [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									2,535	2,017	1,849
Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									6,195	5,753	6,288
Programming [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									3,256	3,122	2,906
Publishing [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									825	830	767
Affiliate And Subscription Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									4,003	3,758	2,978
Other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 235	$ 229	$ 227

Adoption of "Revenue From Contracts With Customers" (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit	$ 17,201,000,000				$ 18,900,000,000				$ 17,201,000,000	$ 18,900,000,000
Revenues	4,024,000,000	$ 3,263,000,000	$ 3,466,000,000	$ 3,761,000,000	3,921,000,000	$ 3,171,000,000	$ 3,257,000,000	$ 3,343,000,000	14,514,000,000	13,692,000,000	$ 13,166,000,000
Operating expenses									9,111,000,000	8,438,000,000	7,956,000,000
Operating income	647,000,000	$ 690,000,000	$ 659,000,000	$ 772,000,000	$ 716,000,000	$ 729,000,000	$ 690,000,000	$ 726,000,000	2,768,000,000	$ 2,861,000,000	$ 2,902,000,000
ASC 606 [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Sales return reserve	116,000,000								116,000,000
ASC 606 [Member] \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit	$ (152,000,000)								(152,000,000)			$ 261,000,000
Distribution Arrangements [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member] \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues									279,000,000
Operating expenses									279,000,000
Operating income									$ 0

Adoption of "Revenue From Contracts With Customers" (Statement of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,024	$ 3,263	$ 3,466	$ 3,761	$ 3,921	$ 3,171	$ 3,257	$ 3,343	$ 14,514	$ 13,692	$ 13,166
Operating expenses									9,111	8,438	7,956
Operating income	647	690	659	772	716	729	690	726	2,768	2,861	2,902
Less: Provision for income taxes									273	633	628
Net earnings	$ 561	$ 488	$ 400	$ 511	$ (41)	$ 592	$ 58	$ (252)	$ 1,960	$ 357	$ 1,261
Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.29	$ 1.05	$ 1.32	$ (0.10)	$ 1.46	$ 0.14	$ (0.61)	$ 5.14	$ 0.88	$ 2.81
Renewal of Licensing Agreements [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member] \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 263
Operating expenses									124
Operating income									139
Less: Provision for income taxes									30
Net earnings									$ 109
Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)									$ 0.29

Adoption of "Revenue From Contracts With Customers" (Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS
Receivables, net	$ 4,041		$ 3,697
Programming and other inventory	3,883		2,881
Other assets (noncurrent receivables)	2,424		2,852
Liabilities
Other current liabilities	714		544
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	399		480
Accumulated deficit	(17,201)		$ (18,900)
ASC 606 [Member] \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]
ASSETS
Receivables, net	(102)
Programming and other inventory	(35)
Other assets (noncurrent receivables)	327
Liabilities
Other current liabilities	(128)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	38
Participants’ share and royalties payable	128
Accumulated deficit	$ 152	$ (261)

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) - CBS Radio [Member] - Discontinued Operations [Member] shares in Millions	Nov. 16, 2017 shares
Common Class B [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Shares received in exchange offer (in shares)	17.9
Common Stock [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Shares exchanged in exchange offer (in shares)	101.4

Discontinued Operations (Net Earnings (Loss)) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) market
Costs and expenses:
Income tax benefit (provision)						$ (8)	$ (124)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax					$ 0	(952)	(291)
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues						1,018	1,220
Costs and expenses:
Operating						364	397
Selling, general and administrative						443	496
Market value adjustment						980
Depreciation and amortization							26
Restructuring charges						7	8
Impairment charge							444
Total costs and expenses						1,794	1,371
Operating loss						(776)	(151)
Interest expense						(70)	(17)
Other items, net						(2)	1
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations						(848)	(167)
Income tax benefit (provision)						(10)	(124)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax						(858)
Net gain (loss) on disposal						(96)
Income tax benefit (provision)						2
Net gain (loss) on disposal, net of tax						(94)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax						(952)	(291)
Discontinued Operations [Member] \| CBS Radio [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues						1,018	1,220
Costs and expenses:
Operating						364	397
Selling, general and administrative						444	496
Market value adjustment		$ (100)	$ 365	$ 715		980
Depreciation and amortization							26
Restructuring charges						7	8
Impairment charge							444
Total costs and expenses						1,795	1,371
Operating loss						(777)	(151)
Interest expense						(70)	(17)
Other items, net						(2)	1
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations						(849)	(167)
Income tax benefit (provision)						(55)	(88)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax						(904)
Net gain (loss) on disposal						(109)
Income tax benefit (provision)						4
Net gain (loss) on disposal, net of tax	$ (105)					(105)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax						(1,009)	(255)
Impairment charges, net of tax							427
Goodwill, impairment loss							408
Goodwill, impairment loss, net of tax							405
Discontinued Operations [Member] \| Other [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues						0	0
Costs and expenses:
Operating						0	0
Selling, general and administrative						(1)	0
Market value adjustment						0
Depreciation and amortization							0
Restructuring charges						0	0
Impairment charge							0
Total costs and expenses						(1)	0
Operating loss						1	0
Interest expense						0	0
Other items, net						0	0
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations						1	0
Income tax benefit (provision)						45	(36)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax						46
Net gain (loss) on disposal						13
Income tax benefit (provision)						(2)
Net gain (loss) on disposal, net of tax						11
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax						$ 57	(36)
Discontinued Operations [Member] \| FCC License [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Impairment charge							36
Impairment charges, net of tax							$ 22
Number of radio markets impairment \| market							11

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 09, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Programming and talent commitments			$ 8,982
Purchase obligations			795
Future minimum sublease income			30
Outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds			100
Charitable contribution expense	$ 20
Contributions to grantor trust		$ 120
Continuing Operations [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Rent expense			212	$ 181	$ 167
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Rent expense				$ 32	$ 36
Restructuring Charges and Other Corporate Matters [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Charitable contribution expense			20
Sports programming rights commitments [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Programming and talent commitments			6,620
Production and licensing of television and film programming [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Programming and talent commitments			1,710
Talent contracts [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Programming and talent commitments			$ 660

Commitments and Contingencies (Commitments) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Programming and Talent
2019	$ 2,270
2020	1,989
2021	1,830
2022	1,704
2023	300
2024 and thereafter	889
Total	8,982
Purchase Obligations
2019	285
2020	247
2021	171
2022	26
2023	8
2024 and thereafter	58
Total	795
Other Long-Term Contractual Obligations
2019	0
2020	569
2021	360
2022	199
2023	112
2024 and thereafter	229
Total	$ 1,469

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Minimum Rental Payments) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Capital
2019	$ 13
2020	12
2021	11
2022	7
2023	2
2024 and thereafter	2
Total minimum payments	47
Less amounts representing interest	4
Present value of minimum payments	43
Operating
2019	174
2020	129
2021	122
2022	110
2023	101
2024 and thereafter	465
Total minimum payments	$ 1,101

Commitments and Contingencies (Legal Matters Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) claim	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) claim	Dec. 31, 2016 claim
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cost for settlement and defense of asbestos claims, net of insurance recoveries and tax benefits \| $	$ 45	$ 57
Asbestos Claims [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of pending asbestos claims	31,570	31,660	33,610
Number of new asbestos claims	3,290
Number of asbestos claims closed or moved to inactive docket	3,380

Supplemental Financial Information (Components of Other Items, Net) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$ (63)	$ (86)	$ (70)
Foreign exchange (losses) gains	(3)	2	(12)
Net loss from investments	(3)	(4)	0
Other items, net	$ (69)	$ (88)	$ (82)

Supplemental Financial Information (Supplemental Cash Flow Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash paid for interest	$ 457	$ 518	$ 415
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	12	391	492
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Noncash additions to property and equipment	0	31	0
Equipment acquired under capitalized leases	9	5	10
Discontinued Operations [Member] \| CBS Radio [Member]
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Shares received in split-off of CBS Radio	0	1,007	0
Continuing Operations [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash paid for interest	457	448	407
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	16	365	373
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash paid for interest	0	70	8
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	$ (4)	$ 26	$ 119

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,024	$ 3,263	$ 3,466	$ 3,761	$ 3,921	$ 3,171	$ 3,257	$ 3,343	$ 14,514	$ 13,692	$ 13,166
Operating income (loss)	647	690	659	772	716	729	690	726	2,768	2,861	2,902
Restructuring charges									(67)	(63)	(30)
Other operating items, net									0	19	9
Corporate matters									(128)		(8)
Net earnings from continuing operations					40	418	397	454	1,960	1,309	1,552
Net earnings (loss)	$ 561	$ 488	$ 400	$ 511	$ (41)	$ 592	$ 58	$ (252)	$ 1,960	$ 357	$ 1,261
Basic net earnings (loss) per common share:
Net earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)					$ 0.10	$ 1.04	$ 0.98	$ 1.11	$ 5.20	$ 3.26	$ 3.50
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 1.50	$ 1.30	$ 1.06	$ 1.34	(0.10)	1.48	0.14	(0.61)	5.20	0.89	2.84
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share:
Net earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)					0.10	1.03	0.97	1.09	5.14	3.22	3.46
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.29	$ 1.05	$ 1.32	$ (0.10)	$ 1.46	$ 0.14	$ (0.61)	$ 5.14	$ 0.88	$ 2.81
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	374	375	378	382	391	401	405	410	377	401	444
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	377	379	381	386	395	406	410	416	381	407	448
Selected quarterly financial information
Reversal of valuation allowance									$ (154)	$ 0	$ 0
Pension settlement charges					$ 352				0	352	211
Provisional income tax charge					129					129
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)					373	$ 22	$ 21	$ 22		438	281
CBS Television City [Member]
Selected quarterly financial information
Reversal of valuation allowance									(140)
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Selected quarterly financial information
Net loss on disposal										94
Market value charge (gain)										980
Discontinued Operations [Member] \| CBS Radio [Member]
Selected quarterly financial information
Net loss on disposal					105					105
Market value charge (gain)						(100)	365	715		980
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,833	$ 2,190	$ 2,402	$ 2,753	2,856	1,849	2,217	2,384	10,178	9,306	9,020
Operating income (loss)	438	384	367	486	465	354	359	400	1,675	1,578	1,539
Restructuring charges									(27)	(44)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	551	529	553	571	508	805	537	505	2,204	2,355	2,015
Operating income (loss)	193	241	245	236	207	292	247	253	915	999	959
Restructuring charges									0	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	218	240	207	160	235	228	206	161	825	830	767
Operating income (loss)	46	51	31	16	45	47	29	15	144	136	122
Restructuring charges									(1)	(5)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Local Media [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	561	434	420	415	450	397	412	409	1,830	1,668	1,779
Operating income (loss)	239	124	128	118	139	106	128	124	609	497	622
Restructuring charges									(18)	(12)
Corporate and Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(139)	(130)	(116)	(138)	(128)	(108)	(115)	(116)	(523)	(467)	(415)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(79)	(64)	(77)	(75)	(96)	(70)	(73)	(66)	(295)	(305)	(311)
Restructuring charges									(21)	(2)
Operating Segments And Corporate Non Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	837	736	694	781	760	729	690	726	3,048	2,905
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	(42)	0	(25)	0	(63)	0	0	0	(67)	(63)	(30)
Other operating items, net					$ 19	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	0	19	9
Corporate matters	(63)	(46)	(10)	(9)					(128)	0
Programming charges	$ (85)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0					$ (85)	$ 0	$ 0

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Impact of Segment Change) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,024	$ 3,263	$ 3,466	$ 3,761	$ 3,921	$ 3,171	$ 3,257	$ 3,343	$ 14,514	$ 13,692	$ 13,166
Operating income (loss)	647	690	659	772	716	729	690	726	2,768	2,861	2,902
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	2,833	2,190	2,402	2,753	2,856	1,849	2,217	2,384	10,178	9,306	9,020
Operating income (loss)	438	384	367	486	465	354	359	400	1,675	1,578	1,539
Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	551	529	553	571	508	805	537	505	2,204	2,355	2,015
Operating income (loss)	193	241	245	236	207	292	247	253	915	999	959
Corporate [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	$ (79)	(64)	(77)	(75)	(96)	(70)	(73)	(66)	$ (295)	(305)	$ (311)
Effect [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues		39	37	37	38	34	33	37		142
Operating income (loss)		7	11	(6)	(4)	4	8	(3)		5
Effect [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Cable Networks [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues		(40)	(38)	(38)	(39)	(35)	(34)	(38)		(146)
Operating income (loss)		(7)	(11)	6	4	(4)	(8)	3		(5)
Effect [Member] \| Corporate [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues		1	1	1	1	1	1	1		4
Operating income (loss)		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Statement of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,024	$ 3,263	$ 3,466	$ 3,761	$ 3,921	$ 3,171	$ 3,257	$ 3,343	$ 14,514	$ 13,692	$ 13,166
Costs and expenses:
Operating									9,111	8,438	7,956
Selling, general and administrative									2,217	2,126	2,054
Depreciation and amortization									223	223	225
Restructuring and other corporate matters									195	63	38
Other operating items, net									0	(19)	(9)
Total costs and expenses									11,746	10,831	10,264
Operating income	647	690	659	772	716	729	690	726	2,768	2,861	2,902
Interest (expense) income, net									(410)	(393)	(379)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt									0	(49)	0
Pension settlement charges					(352)				0	(352)	(211)
Other items, net									(69)	(88)	(82)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies									2,289	1,979	2,230
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									(273)	(633)	(628)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax									(56)	(37)	(50)
Net earnings from continuing operations					40	418	397	454	1,960	1,309	1,552
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	(952)	(291)
Net earnings	$ 561	$ 488	$ 400	$ 511	$ (41)	$ 592	$ 58	$ (252)	1,960	357	1,261
Total comprehensive income									1,847	462	1,264
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Costs and expenses:
Operating									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	0
Restructuring and other corporate matters									0	0	0
Other operating items, net										0	0
Total costs and expenses									0	0	0
Operating income									0	0	0
Interest (expense) income, net									0	0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt										0
Pension settlement charges										0	0
Other items, net									0	0	0
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies									0	0	0
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									0	0	0
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax									(3,901)	(2,464)	(2,897)
Net earnings from continuing operations										(2,464)	(2,897)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax										0	0
Net earnings									(3,901)	(2,464)	(2,897)
Total comprehensive income									(3,873)	(2,479)	(2,891)
CBS Corp. [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues									187	172	181
Costs and expenses:
Operating									99	95	67
Selling, general and administrative									54	49	46
Depreciation and amortization									4	5	5
Restructuring and other corporate matters									1	0	0
Other operating items, net										0	0
Total costs and expenses									158	149	118
Operating income									29	23	63
Interest (expense) income, net									(533)	(509)	(502)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt										(49)
Pension settlement charges										(352)	(211)
Other items, net									(32)	(37)	(37)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies									(536)	(924)	(687)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									110	266	212
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax									2,386	1,014	1,736
Net earnings from continuing operations										356	1,261
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax										1	0
Net earnings									1,960	357	1,261
Total comprehensive income									1,847	462	1,264
CBS Operations Inc. [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues									10	10	12
Costs and expenses:
Operating									4	6	6
Selling, general and administrative									252	274	287
Depreciation and amortization									22	23	23
Restructuring and other corporate matters									141	2	2
Other operating items, net										0	0
Total costs and expenses									419	305	318
Operating income									(409)	(295)	(306)
Interest (expense) income, net									(509)	(486)	(433)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt										0
Pension settlement charges										0	0
Other items, net									15	(54)	9
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies									(903)	(835)	(730)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									185	240	224
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax									1,515	1,450	1,161
Net earnings from continuing operations										855	655
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax										(5)	(1)
Net earnings									797	850	654
Total comprehensive income									801	839	679
Non-Guarantor Affiliates [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues									14,317	13,510	12,973
Costs and expenses:
Operating									9,008	8,337	7,883
Selling, general and administrative									1,911	1,803	1,721
Depreciation and amortization									197	195	197
Restructuring and other corporate matters									53	61	36
Other operating items, net										(19)	(9)
Total costs and expenses									11,169	10,377	9,828
Operating income									3,148	3,133	3,145
Interest (expense) income, net									632	602	556
Loss on early extinguishment of debt										0
Pension settlement charges										0	0
Other items, net									(52)	3	(54)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies									3,728	3,738	3,647
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									(568)	(1,139)	(1,064)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax									(56)	(37)	(50)
Net earnings from continuing operations										2,562	2,533
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax										(948)	(290)
Net earnings									3,104	1,614	2,243
Total comprehensive income									$ 3,072	$ 1,640	$ 2,212

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 322	$ 285
Receivables, net	4,041	3,697
Programming and other inventory	1,988	1,828
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	401	463
Total current assets	6,752	6,273
Property and equipment	2,926	2,947
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,717	1,701
Net property and equipment	1,209	1,246
Programming and other inventory	3,883	2,881
Goodwill	4,920	4,891	$ 4,864
Intangible assets	2,638	2,666
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	2,424	2,852
Assets held for sale	33	34
Intercompany	0	0
Total Assets	21,859	20,843
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	201	231
Participants’ share and royalties payable	1,177	986
Accrued programming and production costs	704	497
Commercial paper	674	679
Current portion of long-term debt	13	19
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	1,804	1,560
Total current liabilities	4,573	3,972
Long-term debt	9,465	9,464
Other liabilities	5,017	5,429
Intercompany	0	0
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	1	1
Additional paid-in capital	43,637	43,797
Retained earnings (deficit)	(17,201)	(18,900)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(775)	(662)	(767)	$ (770)
Stockholders' equity including treasury stock	25,662	24,236
Less treasury stock, at cost	22,858	22,258
Total Stockholders’ Equity	2,804	1,978	$ 3,689
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	21,859	20,843
Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Receivables, net	0	0
Programming and other inventory	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(36)	(36)
Total current assets	(36)	(36)
Property and equipment	0	0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0	0
Net property and equipment	0	0
Programming and other inventory	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets	0	0
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	(64,501)	(60,889)
Other assets	0	0
Assets held for sale	0	0
Intercompany	(32,212)	(30,783)
Total Assets	(96,749)	(91,708)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	0	0
Participants’ share and royalties payable	0	0
Accrued programming and production costs	0	0
Commercial paper	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(36)	(36)
Total current liabilities	(36)	(36)
Long-term debt	0	0
Other liabilities	0	0
Intercompany	(32,212)	(30,783)
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock	(126)	(126)
Common stock	(713)	(713)
Additional paid-in capital	(60,894)	(60,894)
Retained earnings (deficit)	(7,833)	(4,193)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(66)	(94)
Stockholders' equity including treasury stock	(69,632)	(66,020)
Less treasury stock, at cost	(5,131)	(5,131)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	(64,501)	(60,889)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	(96,749)	(91,708)
CBS Corp. [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	148	173
Receivables, net	27	29
Programming and other inventory	2	3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	81	130
Total current assets	258	335
Property and equipment	31	49
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	14	27
Net property and equipment	17	22
Programming and other inventory	5	3
Goodwill	98	98
Intangible assets	0	0
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	47,600	45,504
Other assets	281	162
Assets held for sale	0	0
Intercompany	0	0
Total Assets	48,259	46,124
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	5	1
Participants’ share and royalties payable	0	0
Accrued programming and production costs	3	4
Commercial paper	674	679
Current portion of long-term debt	1	2
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	395	352
Total current liabilities	1,078	1,038
Long-term debt	9,388	9,378
Other liabilities	2,777	2,947
Intercompany	32,212	30,783
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	1	1
Additional paid-in capital	43,637	43,797
Retained earnings (deficit)	(17,201)	(18,900)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(775)	(662)
Stockholders' equity including treasury stock	25,662	24,236
Less treasury stock, at cost	22,858	22,258
Total Stockholders’ Equity	2,804	1,978
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	48,259	46,124
CBS Operations Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Receivables, net	1	2
Programming and other inventory	2	3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	46	28
Total current assets	49	33
Property and equipment	223	217
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	184	163
Net property and equipment	39	54
Programming and other inventory	4	4
Goodwill	62	62
Intangible assets	0	0
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	16,901	15,385
Other assets	0	5
Assets held for sale	0	0
Intercompany	526	1,221
Total Assets	17,581	16,764
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	31	30
Participants’ share and royalties payable	0	0
Accrued programming and production costs	2	4
Commercial paper	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	308	269
Total current liabilities	341	303
Long-term debt	0	0
Other liabilities	212	234
Intercompany	0	0
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	123	123
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Retained earnings (deficit)	17,214	16,417
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	22	18
Stockholders' equity including treasury stock	17,359	16,558
Less treasury stock, at cost	331	331
Total Stockholders’ Equity	17,028	16,227
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	17,581	16,764
Non-Guarantor Affiliates [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	174	112
Receivables, net	4,013	3,666
Programming and other inventory	1,984	1,822
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	310	341
Total current assets	6,481	5,941
Property and equipment	2,672	2,681
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,519	1,511
Net property and equipment	1,153	1,170
Programming and other inventory	3,874	2,874
Goodwill	4,760	4,731
Intangible assets	2,638	2,666
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	2,143	2,685
Assets held for sale	33	34
Intercompany	31,686	29,562
Total Assets	52,768	49,663
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	165	200
Participants’ share and royalties payable	1,177	986
Accrued programming and production costs	699	489
Commercial paper	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	12	17
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	1,137	975
Total current liabilities	3,190	2,667
Long-term debt	77	86
Other liabilities	2,028	2,248
Intercompany	0	0
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock	126	126
Common stock	590	590
Additional paid-in capital	60,894	60,894
Retained earnings (deficit)	(9,381)	(12,224)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	44	76
Stockholders' equity including treasury stock	52,273	49,462
Less treasury stock, at cost	4,800	4,800
Total Stockholders’ Equity	47,473	44,662
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$ 52,768	$ 49,663

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Statement of Cash Flow) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	$ 1,426	$ 887	$ 1,685
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	(124)	(110)	(81)
Capital expenditures	(165)	(185)	(196)
Acquisitions (including acquired television library), net of cash acquired	(31)	(270)	(92)
Proceeds from sale of investments	0	10	0
Proceeds from dispositions	0	11	20
Other investing activities	(5)	21	15
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations	(325)	(523)	(334)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations	(23)	(24)	(6)
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(348)	(547)	(340)
Financing Activities:
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	(5)	229	450
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	0	1,773	684
Repayment of senior notes and debentures	0	(1,244)	(199)
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio	0	40	1,452
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio	0	(43)	(110)
Payment of capital lease obligations	(16)	(18)	(18)
Dividends	(276)	(296)	(288)
Purchase of Company common stock	(586)	(1,111)	(2,997)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(59)	(89)	(58)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	27	91	21
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	0	17
Other financing activities	(6)	(9)	0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	0	0	0
Net cash flow used for financing activities	(921)	(677)	(1,046)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	157	(337)	299
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $24 (2017) and $6 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	285	622	323
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year (includes $120 (2018) of restricted cash and $24 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	442	285	622
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations		0	24	$ 6
Restricted cash	120
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	0	0	0
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Acquisitions (including acquired television library), net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Proceeds from sale of investments		0
Proceeds from dispositions		0	0
Other investing activities	0	0	0
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations	0	0	0
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations	0	0	0
Net cash flow used for investing activities	0	0	0
Financing Activities:
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		0	0
Repayment of senior notes and debentures		0	0
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio		0	0
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio		0	0
Payment of capital lease obligations	0	0	0
Dividends	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	0	0	0
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation			0
Other financing activities	0	0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	0	0	0
Net cash flow used for financing activities	0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $24 (2017) and $6 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	0	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year (includes $120 (2018) of restricted cash and $24 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	0	0	0
CBS Corp. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	(440)	(1,491)	(846)
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Acquisitions (including acquired television library), net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Proceeds from sale of investments		0
Proceeds from dispositions		0	(4)
Other investing activities	(5)	22	15
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations	(5)	22	11
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations	(23)	1	0
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(28)	23	11
Financing Activities:
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	(5)	229	450
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		1,773	684
Repayment of senior notes and debentures		(1,244)	(199)
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio		0	0
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio		0	0
Payment of capital lease obligations	0	0	0
Dividends	(276)	(296)	(288)
Purchase of Company common stock	(586)	(1,111)	(2,997)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(59)	(89)	(58)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	27	91	21
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation			17
Other financing activities	(1)	(1)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	1,463	1,968	3,259
Net cash flow used for financing activities	563	1,320	889
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	95	(148)	54
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $24 (2017) and $6 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	173	321	267
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year (includes $120 (2018) of restricted cash and $24 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	268	173	321
CBS Operations Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	(286)	(203)	(157)
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	(18)	(30)	(33)
Acquisitions (including acquired television library), net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Proceeds from sale of investments		0
Proceeds from dispositions		0	0
Other investing activities	0	(1)	0
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations	(18)	(31)	(33)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations	0	(5)	(1)
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(18)	(36)	(34)
Financing Activities:
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		0	0
Repayment of senior notes and debentures		0	0
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio		0	0
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio		0	0
Payment of capital lease obligations	0	0	0
Dividends	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	0	0	0
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation			0
Other financing activities	0	0
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	304	239	190
Net cash flow used for financing activities	304	239	190
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	0	0	(1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $24 (2017) and $6 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	0	0	1
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year (includes $120 (2018) of restricted cash and $24 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	0	0	0
Non-Guarantor Affiliates [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities	2,152	2,581	2,688
Investing Activities:
Investments in and advances to investee companies	(124)	(110)	(81)
Capital expenditures	(147)	(155)	(163)
Acquisitions (including acquired television library), net of cash acquired	(31)	(270)	(92)
Proceeds from sale of investments		10
Proceeds from dispositions		11	24
Other investing activities	0	0	0
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations	(302)	(514)	(312)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations	0	(20)	(5)
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(302)	(534)	(317)
Financing Activities:
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		0	0
Repayment of senior notes and debentures		0	0
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio		40	1,452
Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio		(43)	(110)
Payment of capital lease obligations	(16)	(18)	(18)
Dividends	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	0	0	0
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation			0
Other financing activities	(5)	(8)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables	(1,767)	(2,207)	(3,449)
Net cash flow used for financing activities	(1,788)	(2,236)	(2,125)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	62	(189)	246
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $24 (2017) and $6 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	112	301	55
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year (includes $120 (2018) of restricted cash and $24 (2016) of discontinued operations cash)	$ 174	$ 112	$ 301

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 49	$ 60	$ 59
Balance Acquired through Acquisitions	1	1	1
Charged to Costs and Expenses	5	5	12
Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	14	17	12
Balance at End of Period	41	49	60
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	974	928	914
Balance Acquired through Acquisitions	0	218	0
Charged to Costs and Expenses	3	143	41
Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	258	315	27
Balance at End of Period	719	974	928
Reserve for inventory obsolescence [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	19	19	23
Balance Acquired through Acquisitions	0	1	1
Charged to Costs and Expenses	7	6	2
Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	6	7	7
Balance at End of Period	$ 20	$ 19	$ 19