0001339947-19-000043 | 10-K | XBRL Viewer

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets

All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents.

Inventory

Home entertainment inventory: Home entertainment inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the average cost method.

Property and Equipment

Investments

Guarantees

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is accounted for using the cost method.

Fair Value Measurements


•	Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.


•	Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.


•	Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Pension Benefits

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation - Tables (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer - Tables - PL & SOE [Abstract]

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



Consolidated Statement of Earnings Impact (in millions, except per share amounts)	Year Ended September 30, 2019
Revenues	$	(90	)
Operating expenses	(51		)
Operating income	(39		)
Provision for income taxes	(9		)
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	(30	)
Net earnings (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)	$	(30	)
Net earnings attributable to Viacom	$	(30	)
Basic EPS from continuing operations	$	(0.07	)
Diluted EPS from continuing operations	$	(0.07	)

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



Consolidated Balance Sheet Impact (in millions)	September 30, 2019
ASSETS
Receivables, net	$	(18	)
Inventory, net	(8		)
Prepaid and other assets	(1		)
Other assets	103
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accrued expenses	$	1
Participants’ share and residuals (current)	6
Other liabilities (current)	(39		)
Participants’ share and residuals (noncurrent)	43
Other liabilities (noncurrent)	(11		)
Retained earnings	76

Acquisition (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Acquisition [Abstract]

Pluto TV Purchase Price Allocation

The following table summarizes our allocation of the purchase price as of the acquisition date for Pluto TV.




Purchase Price Allocation (in millions)
Purchase Price Allocation (in millions)
Receivables	$	31
Prepaid and other assets	3
Goodwill	277
Intangible assets	41
Other assets, noncurrent	8
Assets acquired	360
Accounts payable	27
Accrued expenses	4
Other liabilities	5
Liabilities assumed	36
	$	324

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment (Table)




Property and Equipment, net (in millions)	September 30,						Estimated Life (in years)
Property and Equipment, net (in millions)	2019			2018			Estimated Life (in years)
Land	$	251		$	251		—
Buildings	484			468			up to 40
Capital leases	136			193			up to 15
Equipment and other	2,200			2,101			up to 20
Property and equipment	3,071			3,013
Accumulated depreciation	(2,149		)	(2,094		)
Property and equipment, net	$	922		$	919

Inventory (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventory




Inventory (in millions)	September 30,
	2019		2018
Film inventory:
Released, net of amortization	$	409	$	454
Completed, not yet released	94		11
In process and other	861		713
	1,364		1,178
Television production:
Released, net of amortization	56		6
In process and other	185		201
	241		207
Original programming:
Released, net of amortization	1,120		1,124
In process and other	893		757
	2,013		1,881
Acquired program rights, net of amortization	1,119		1,411
Home entertainment inventory	61		67
Total inventory, net	4,798		4,744
Less current portion	775		896
Noncurrent portion	$	4,023	$	3,848

Goodwill and Intangibles (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill

The following table details the change in goodwill by segment for 2019 and 2018:




Goodwill (in millions)	Media Networks			Filmed Entertainment		Total
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	10,072		$	1,593	$	11,665
Acquisitions	56			—		56
Foreign currency translation	(112		)	—		(112		)
Balance at September 30, 2018	10,016			1,593		11,609
Acquisitions	286			—		286
Foreign currency translation	(38		)	—		(38		)
Balance at September 30, 2019	$	10,264		$	1,593	$	11,857

Intangibles

The following table details our intangible asset balances by major asset classes:




Intangibles (in millions)	September 30,
	2019			2018
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Trade names	$	203		$	194
Licenses	148			149
Subscriber agreements	56			55
Other intangible assets	249			185
	656			583
Accumulated amortization on finite-lived intangible assets:
Trade names	(99		)	(87		)
Licenses	(34		)	(28		)
Subscriber agreements	(53		)	(51		)
Other intangible assets	(150		)	(138		)
	(336		)	(304		)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	320			279
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	34			34
Total intangibles, net	$	354		$	313

Amortization of Intangibles

We expect our aggregate annual amortization expense for existing intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2019 to be as follows for each of the next five fiscal years:




Amortization of Intangibles (in millions)	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024
Amortization expense	$	43	$	35	$	33	$	30	$	28

Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

Our total debt consists of the following:




Debt (in millions)	September 30,
	2019		2018
Senior Notes and Debentures:
Senior notes due September 2019, 5.625%	$	—	$	550
Senior notes due December 2019, 2.750%	90		252
Senior notes due March 2021, 4.500%	498		497
Senior notes due December 2021, 3.875%	597		596
Senior notes due February 2022, 2.250%	49		102
Senior notes due June 2022, 3.125%	194		194
Senior notes due March 2023, 3.250%	181		181
Senior notes due September 2023, 4.250%	1,241		1,239
Senior notes due April 2024, 3.875%	489		488
Senior notes due October 2026, 3.450%	123		474
Senior debentures due December 2034, 4.850%	86		281
Senior debentures due April 2036, 6.875%	1,069		1,068
Senior debentures due October 2037, 6.750%	75		75
Senior debentures due February 2042, 4.500%	45		62
Senior debentures due March 2043, 4.375%	1,108		1,102
Senior debentures due June 2043, 4.875%	18		32
Senior debentures due September 2043, 5.850%	1,231		1,230
Senior debentures due April 2044, 5.250%	345		345
Junior Debentures:
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 5.875%	643		642
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 6.250%	643		642
Capital lease and other obligations	13		30
Total debt	8,738		10,082
Less current portion	98		567
Noncurrent portion	$	8,640	$	9,515

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Change in Benefit Obligation




Change in Benefit Obligation (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Change in Benefit Obligation (in millions)	2019			2018
Benefit obligation, beginning of period	$	945		$	999
Interest cost	38			35
Actuarial loss/(gain)	189			(47		)
Benefits paid	(44		)	(42		)
Benefit obligation, end of period	$	1,128		$	945

Change in Plan Assets




Change in Plan Assets (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Change in Plan Assets (in millions)	2019			2018
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period	$	543		$	544
Actual return on plan assets	10			29
Employer contributions	20			12
Benefits paid	(44		)	(42		)
Fair value of plan assets, end of period	$	529		$	543

Funded Status




Funded status (in millions)	September 30,
	2019			2018
Funded status	$	(599	)	$	(402	)

Accumulated Benefit Obligation




	Funded Plans						Unfunded Plans						Total Plans
Accumulated Benefit Obligation (in millions)	September 30,						September 30,						September 30,
Accumulated Benefit Obligation (in millions)	2019			2018			2019			2018			2019			2018
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	771		$	637		$	357		$	308		$	1,128		$	945
Fair value of plan assets	529			543			—			—			529			543
Funded status	(242		)	(94		)	(357		)	(308		)	(599		)	(402		)

Net Periodic Benefit Costs

Our net periodic benefit cost under Viacom’s pension plans consists of the following:




Net Periodic Benefit Costs (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Net Periodic Benefit Costs (in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Interest cost	$	38		$	35		$	33
Expected return on plan assets	(40		)	(40		)	(37		)
Recognized actuarial loss	6			7			7
Net periodic benefit costs	$	4		$	2		$	3

Unrecognized Benefit Cost

The items reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost are:




Unrecognized Benefit Cost (in millions)	September 30,
	2019		2018
Unrecognized actuarial loss	$	494	$	281

Other Comprehensive Income

The amounts recognized in other comprehensive income are:




Other Comprehensive Income (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Other Comprehensive Income (in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Net actuarial loss/(gain)	$	219		$	(36	)	$	(32	)
Recognized actuarial loss	(6		)	(7		)	(7		)
Total pre-tax loss/(gain)	$	213		$	(43	)	$	(39	)

Key Assumptions




	Year Ended September 30,
Key Assumptions	2019		2018
Weighted-average assumptions - benefit obligations
Discount rate	3.26	%	4.38	%

Weighted-average assumptions - net periodic costs
Discount rate	4.15	%	3.54	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	7.50	%	7.50	%

Asset Allocations of Funded Pension Plan

The percentage of asset allocation of our funded pension plan at September 30, 2019, by asset category was as follows:




	September 30,
Asset Allocation of Funded Pension Plan	2019
Return seeking	71	%
Liability hedging	22
Cash and cash equivalents	7
Total	100	%

Fair Value of Plan Assets




	Total				Level 1				Level 2
Fair Value of Plan Assets (in millions)	September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
	2019		2018		2019		2018		2019		2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents⁽¹⁾	$	36	$	5	$	—	$	—	$	36	$	5
Return Seeking
Equity Securities:
Viacom Class B Common Stock	6		9		6		9		—		—
Core Fixed Income
U.S. treasury securities	—		15		—		—		—		15
Municipal & government issued bonds	—		1		—		—		—		1
Corporate bonds ⁽²⁾	—		44		—		—		—		44
Mortgage-backed & asset-backed securities	—		47		—		—		—		47
Fair value of plan assets in the fair value hierarchy	42		121		6		9		36		112
Investments measured at net asset value^{(3) (4)}
Return Seeking
Diversified equity and credit funds	327		—
Equity securities - world funds	—		318
Equity securities - emerging markets	—		27
Debt securities - emerging markets	—		19
Debt securities - multi-strategy	45		58
Liability Hedging
Treasury US rate funds (TURF)	115		—

Total fair value of plan assets	$	529	$	543

⁽¹⁾ Assets categorized as Level 2 reflect investments in money market funds.

⁽²⁾ Securities of diverse industries, substantially all investment grade.

⁽³⁾Reflects investments in common/collective trust funds and limited partnerships.

Future Benefit Payments

The estimated future benefit payments for the next ten fiscal years are as follows:




Future Benefit Payments (in millions)
Future Benefit Payments (in millions)	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024		2025-2029
Pension benefits	$	45	$	47	$	49	$	53	$	55	$	311

Redeemable NCI (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

The activity reflected within redeemable noncontrolling interest for the fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017 is presented below.




Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	246		$	248		$	211
Net earnings	17			20			17
Distributions	(16		)	(16		)	(16		)
Translation adjustment	(13		)	(6		)	7
Redemption value adjustment	7			—			29
Ending balance	$	241		$	246		$	248

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes the Company’s significant commitments and expected payments by fiscal year as of September 30, 2019:



Contractual Obligations (in millions)	Total		2020		2021		2022		2023		2024		Thereafter
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Programming and talent commitments ⁽¹⁾	$	1,981	$	676	$	462	$	382	$	261	$	140	$	60
Operating leases ⁽²⁾	1,398		183		168		148		115		107		677
Purchase obligations ⁽³⁾	1,207		525		403		218		27		18		16
On-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Capital lease obligations ⁽⁴⁾	$	15	$	8	$	6	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1
Debt ⁽⁵⁾	9,134		90		500		845		1,432		492		5,775
Interest payments ⁽⁶⁾	8,620		457		444		421		399		343		6,556
Other long-term obligations ⁽⁷⁾	2,196		1,407		511		200		62		16		—


⁽¹⁾	Programming and talent commitments include $1.449 billion relating to media networks programming and $532 million for talent contracts.


⁽²⁾	Operating leases include long-term non-cancelable operating lease commitments for office space, equipment, transponders, studio facilities and vehicles.


⁽³⁾	Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including open purchase orders.


⁽⁴⁾	Capital lease obligations include capital leases for satellite transponders.


⁽⁵⁾	Represents face value at maturity.


⁽⁶⁾	Interest payments on our junior subordinated debentures subsequent to the expiration of their fixed-rate periods have been included based on their current fixed rates.


⁽⁷⁾	Other long-term obligations principally consist of participations, residuals and programming obligations for content that is available for airing.

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:




Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in millions)	September 30,
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(675	)	$	(568	)	$	(405	)
Defined benefit pension plans	(407		)	(229		)	(221		)
Cash flow hedges	9			6			8
Available for sale securities	—			54			—
Total	$	(1,073	)	$	(737	)	$	(618	)

Equity-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Compensation Cost Recognized in Earnings

Presented below is a summary of the compensation cost we recognized in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings:




Equity-Based Compensation Expense (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Equity-Based Compensation Expense (in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Recognized in earnings:
Stock options	$	13	$	14	$	15
Share units	39		39		39
Compensation cost included in SG&A expense	52		53		54
Compensation cost included in Restructuring and other corporate matters⁽¹⁾	12		4		14
Total compensation cost in earnings	$	64	$	57	$	68
Tax benefit recognized	$	10	$	12	$	23
Capitalized equity-based compensation expense	$	4	$	3	$	2

⁽¹⁾ See Note 15 for additional information

Weighted Average Fair Value of Awards and Assumptions

Below are the weighted average fair value of awards granted in the periods presented and the weighted average of the applicable assumptions used to value stock options at grant date.




	Year Ended September 30,
Key Assumptions	2019			2018			2017
Weighted average fair value of grants	$	7.31		$	8.83		$	7.48
Weighted average assumptions:
Expected stock price volatility	30.1		%	36.7		%	28.4		%
Expected term of options (in years)	5.0			5.3			4.9
Risk-free interest rate	2.9		%	2.5		%	1.9		%
Expected dividend yield	2.6		%	2.6		%	2.3		%

Stock Option Transactions

The following table summarizes information about our stock option transactions:




	Year Ended September 30, 2019				Year Ended September 30, 2018				Year Ended September 30, 2017
Stock Options (number of options in thousands)	Options		Weighted average exercise price		Options		Weighted average exercise price		Options		Weighted average exercise price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period	15,740.6		$	50.43	15,591.5		$	52.85	19,596.2		$	51.54
Granted	2,941.7		30.86		2,415.1		31.02		2,874.8		34.86
Exercised	—		—		(59.8	)	30.12		(4,814.7	)	35.72
Forfeited or expired	(5,067.6	)	56.08		(2,206.2	)	46.86		(2,064.8	)	55.25
Outstanding at the end of the period	13,614.7		$	44.10	15,740.6		$	50.43	15,591.5		$	52.85
Exercisable at the end of the period	7,780.1		$	53.17	10,999.5		$	57.20	9,331.8		$	57.85

Stock Option Exercises

The following table summarizes information relating to stock option exercises during the periods presented:




	Year Ended September 30,
Stock Option Exercises (in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Proceeds from stock option exercises	$	—	$	2	$	172
Intrinsic value	$	—	$	—	$	42
Excess tax benefit/(shortfall)	$	—	$	—	$	(3	)

Share Units

The following table summarizes activity relating to our share unit transactions:




	Year Ended September 30, 2019				Year Ended September 30, 2018				Year Ended September 30, 2017
Share units (number of shares in thousands)	Number of shares		Weighted average grant date fair value		Number of shares		Weighted average grant date fair value		Number of shares		Weighted average grant date fair value
Unvested at the beginning of the period	2,825.9		$	35.28	2,553.2		$	40.71	2,507.6		$	58.05
Granted⁽¹⁾	2,308.5		30.74		1,554.6		32.42		1,550.5		34.86
Vested	(904.8	)	37.94		(931.9	)	47.88		(941.2	)	55.84
Forfeited	(303.2	)	33.67		(350.0	)	28.61		(563.7	)	76.53
Unvested at the end of the period	3,926.4		$	32.24	2,825.9		$	35.28	2,553.2		$	40.71

Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Sep. 30, 2017

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and other corporate matters (Table)




Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters (in millions)	Year Ended September 30, 2019
Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters (in millions)	Media Networks		Filmed Entertainment		Corporate		Total
Severance ⁽¹⁾	$	23	$	14	$	45	$	82
Exit Costs	32		—		—		32
Restructuring	55		14		45		114
Restructuring-related costs	—		—		3		3
Legal settlement	40		—		—		40
Merger-related costs ⁽¹⁾	—		—		20		20
Total	$	95	$	14	$	68	$	177

⁽¹⁾ Severance and merger-related costs include $10 million and $2 million, respectively, of equity-based compensation.




Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters (in millions)	Year Ended September 30, 2018
Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters (in millions)	Media Networks		Filmed Entertainment		Corporate		Total
Severance ⁽¹⁾	$	133	$	4	$	1	$	138
Exit costs	38		—		—		38
Restructuring	171		4		1		176
Restructuring-related costs	1		—		48		49
Total	$	172	$	4	$	49	$	225

⁽¹⁾ Includes equity-based compensation expense of $4 million.

The following table presents the restructuring costs incurred in 2017 by reportable segment:




Restructuring (in millions)	Year Ended September 30, 2017
Restructuring (in millions)	Media Networks		Filmed Entertainment		Corporate		Total
Severance ⁽¹⁾	$	142	$	50	$	20	$	212
Asset impairment	22		—		—		22
Lease termination	—		3		—		3
Restructuring	$	164	$	53	$	20	$	237

⁽¹⁾ Includes equity-based compensation expense of $14 million.

Severance Liability Rollforward (Table)

Our severance liability by reportable segment is as follows:




Severance liability (in millions)	Media Networks			Filmed Entertainment			Corporate			Total
Severance liability (in millions)	Media Networks			Filmed Entertainment			Corporate			Total
September 30, 2017	$	119		$	45		$	44		$	208
Accruals	129			4			1			134
Severance payments	(99		)	(26		)	(22		)	(147		)
September 30, 2018	149			23			23			195
Accruals	24			14			34			72
Severance payments	(88		)	(24		)	(18		)	(130		)
September 30, 2019	$	85		$	13		$	39		$	137

Income Taxes (Tables) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Sep. 30, 2017

Income taxes [Line Items]

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities included in the Balance Sheets [Table Text Block]

The net deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:




Deferred Tax Assets / (Liabilities) (in millions)	September 30,
Deferred Tax Assets / (Liabilities) (in millions)	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets	$	194		$	36
Deferred tax liabilities	(265		)	(296		)
Deferred taxes, net	$	(71	)	$	(260	)

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent

21.00%

24.50%

35.00%

Foreign Earnings Repatriated

$ 999

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Repatriation of Foreign Earnings, Amount

$ 81

Earnings from Continuing Operations before Provision for Income Taxes

Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes consist of the following:




Earnings from Continuing Operations before Provision for Income Taxes (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
	2019		2018		2017
United States	$	1,325	$	1,351	$	1,647
International	682		646		565
Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations	$	2,007	$	1,997	$	2,212

Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations

The provision for income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following:




Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
	2019		2018			2017
Current provision for income taxes:
Federal	$	210	$	148		$	312
State and local	42		32			43
International	153		134			112
Total current provision for income taxes	405		314			467
Deferred provision for income taxes	40		(45		)	(174		)
Provision for income taxes	$	445	$	269		$	293

Effective Tax Rate

A reconciliation of the effective income tax rate on continuing operations to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate is as follows:




	Year Ended September 30,
Effective Tax Rate	2019		2018		2017
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	21.0	%	24.5	%	35.0	%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit	2.2		1.8		1.4
Effect of international operations	1.0		(3.5	)	(5.5	)
Bankruptcy of an investee	(2.0	)	—		—
Qualified production activities deduction	—		(0.8	)	(3.0	)
Change in valuation allowance	(0.1	)	—		(1.4	)
Tax accounting method change	—		(3.9	)	—
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enactment	—		(7.3	)	—
Foreign tax credits on distribution of securities	—		—		(12.6	)
All other, net	0.1		2.7		(0.7	)
Effective tax rate, continuing operations	22.2	%	13.5	%	13.2	%

Deferred Tax Assets / (Liabilities)

The tax effects of the items recorded as deferred tax assets and liabilities are:




Deferred Taxes (in millions)	September 30,
Deferred Taxes (in millions)	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued liabilities	$	82		$	118
Postretirement and other employee benefits	204			167
Tax credit and loss carryforwards	118			131
All other	97			104
Total deferred tax assets	501			520
Valuation allowance	(114		)	(87		)
Total deferred tax assets, net	$	387		$	433
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and intangible assets	$	(248	)	$	(419	)
Unbilled revenue	(60		)	(80		)
Financing obligations	(70		)	(70		)
Film & TV production expenditures	(80		)	(124		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(458		)	(693		)
Deferred taxes, net	$	(71	)	$	(260	)

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows:




Unrecognized Tax Benefits (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Unrecognized Tax Benefits (in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Balance at beginning of the period	$	179		$	159		$	164
Gross additions based on tax positions related to the current year	11			13			36
Gross additions for tax positions of prior years	8			39			6
Gross reductions for tax positions of prior years	(12		)	(24		)	(14		)
Settlements	—			(3		)	(8		)
Expiration of the statute of limitation	—			(5		)	(25		)
Balance at end of the period	$	186		$	179		$	159

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding and Anti-Dilutive Common Shares

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




Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding and Anti-Dilutive Common Shares (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
	2019	2018	2017
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic	403.4	402.7	399.9
Dilutive effect of equity awards	0.4	0.3	0.7
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted	403.8	403.0	400.6

Anti-dilutive common shares	18.3	18.6	15.2

Supplemental Cash Flow (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

Our supplemental cash flow information is as follows:




Supplemental Cash Flow Information (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Cash paid for interest	$	509	$	574	$	635
Cash paid for income taxes	$	289	$	133	$	476

Reportable Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Revenues by Segment




Revenues by Segment (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Revenues by Segment (in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Media Networks	$	9,883		$	10,011		$	10,096
Filmed Entertainment	3,079			3,041			3,289
Eliminations	(124		)	(109		)	(122		)
Total revenues	$	12,838		$	12,943		$	13,263

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)




Adjusted Operating Income/(Loss) (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Adjusted Operating Income/(Loss) (in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Media Networks	$	2,940		$	3,128		$	3,300
Filmed Entertainment	78			(39		)	(280		)
Corporate expenses	(249		)	(238		)	(221		)
Eliminations	(1		)	(1		)	1
Equity-based compensation	(52		)	(53		)	(54		)
Programming charges⁽¹⁾	(77		)	—			(144		)
Restructuring and other corporate matters⁽²⁾	(177		)	(225		)	(237		)
Gain on asset sale	—			—			127
Operating income	2,462			2,572			2,492
Interest expense, net	(489		)	(560		)	(618		)
Equity in net earnings of investee companies	10			9			81
Gain on sale of EPIX	—			—			285
Other items, net	24			(24		)	(28		)
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	$	2,007		$	1,997		$	2,212

⁽¹⁾Included in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

⁽²⁾ Includes equity-based compensation expense of $12 million, $4 million and $14 million for the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization and Total Assets




	Depreciation and Amortization						Total Assets
Depreciation and Amortization and Total Assets (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,						September 30,
	2019		2018		2017		2019		2018
Media Networks	$	173	$	169	$	175	$	17,743	$	17,576
Filmed Entertainment	37		39		44		5,509		5,297
Corporate/Eliminations	5		5		4		419		910
Total	$	215	$	213	$	223	$	23,671	$	23,783

Capital Expenditures




Capital Expenditures (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Capital Expenditures (in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Media Networks	$	143	$	121	$	164
Filmed Entertainment	46		51		27
Corporate	5		6		4
Total capital expenditures	$	194	$	178	$	195

Revenues by Component




Revenues by Component (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Revenues by Component (in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Media Networks:
Advertising	$	4,652		$	4,751		$	4,862
Affiliate	4,828			4,802			4,824
Consumer products, recreation & live events	403			458			410
Filmed Entertainment:
Theatrical	567			695			808
Home entertainment	646			622			849
Licensing	1,606			1,529			1,315
Ancillary	260			195			317
Eliminations	(124		)	(109		)	(122		)
Total revenues	$	12,838		$	12,943		$	13,263

Geographic Information




	Revenues⁽¹⁾						Long-lived Assets⁽²⁾
Geographic Information (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,						September 30,
Geographic Information (in millions)	2019		2018		2017		2019		2018
United States	$	9,349	$	9,178	$	9,497	$	5,028	$	4,777
EMEA	2,146		2,389		2,260		222		374
All other	1,343		1,376		1,506		226		187
Total	$	12,838	$	12,943	$	13,263	$	5,476	$	5,338

⁽¹⁾ Revenue classifications are based on customers’ locations. Transactions within Viacom between geographic areas are not significant.

⁽²⁾ Excludes deferred tax assets, goodwill, other intangible assets and investments.

Related Party Transactions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

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




CBS Related Party Transactions (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
CBS Related Party Transactions (in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Revenues	$	112	$	117	$	138
Operating expenses	$	95	$	142	$	174

	September 30,
	2019		2018
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accounts receivable	$	7	$	7

Participants’ share and residuals, current	$	42	$	58
Program obligations, current	26		38
Program obligations, noncurrent	16		32
Other liabilities	1		2
Total due to CBS	$	85	$	130

These related party transactions primarily relate to the provision of advertising services, licensing of film and programming content, distribution of films and provision of certain administrative support services, for which the impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements is as follows:




Other Related Party Transactions (in millions)	Year Ended September 30,
Other Related Party Transactions (in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Revenues	$	48	$	49	$	131
Operating expenses	$	6	$	16	$	67
Selling, general and administrative	$	—	$	—	$	(7	)

	September 30,
	2019		2018
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accounts receivable	$	26	$	43
Other assets	2		3
Total due from other related parties	$	28	$	46

Accounts payable	$	5	$	7
Other liabilities	1		2
Total due to other related parties	$	6	$	9

Quarterly Financial Data Unaudited (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data



2019 (in millions, except per share information)	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Year Ended September 30, 2019
Revenues	$	3,090	$	2,958	$	3,357	$	3,433	$	12,838
Operating income	$	602	$	573	$	757	$	530	$	2,462
Net earnings from continuing operations (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)	$	331	$	368	$	544	$	319	$	1,562
Net earnings (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)	$	334	$	381	$	550	$	323	$	1,588
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to Viacom	$	318	$	363	$	538	$	303	$	1,522
Net earnings attributable to Viacom	$	321	$	376	$	544	$	307	$	1,548
Basic earnings per share, continuing operations attributable to Viacom	$	0.79	$	0.90	$	1.33	$	0.75	$	3.77
Basic earnings per share attributable to Viacom	$	0.80	$	0.93	$	1.35	$	0.76	$	3.84
Diluted earnings per share, continuing operations attributable to Viacom	$	0.79	$	0.90	$	1.33	$	0.75	$	3.77
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Viacom	$	0.80	$	0.93	$	1.35	$	0.76	$	3.83



2018 (in millions, except per share information)	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Year Ended September 30, 2018
Revenues	$	3,073	$	3,148	$	3,237	$	3,485	$	12,943
Operating income ⁽¹⁾	$	718	$	456	$	752	$	646	$	2,572
Net earnings from continuing operations (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)	$	551	$	264	$	514	$	399	$	1,728
Net earnings (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)	$	553	$	274	$	525	$	407	$	1,759
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to Viacom	$	535	$	256	$	511	$	386	$	1,688
Net earnings attributable to Viacom	$	537	$	266	$	522	$	394	$	1,719
Basic earnings per share, continuing operations attributable to Viacom	$	1.33	$	0.64	$	1.27	$	0.96	$	4.19
Basic earnings per share attributable to Viacom	$	1.33	$	0.66	$	1.30	$	0.98	$	4.27
Diluted earnings per share, continuing operations attributable to Viacom	$	1.33	$	0.64	$	1.27	$	0.96	$	4.19
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Viacom	$	1.33	$	0.66	$	1.29	$	0.98	$	4.27

Basis of Presentation Statement of Earnings - Previous Revenue Recognition Effect (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 3,433	$ 3,357	$ 2,958	$ 3,090	$ 3,485	$ 3,237	$ 3,148	$ 3,073	$ 12,838	$ 12,943	$ 13,263
Costs and Expenses									10,376	10,371	10,898
Operating income	530	757	573	602	646	752	456	718	2,462	2,572	2,492
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									445	269	293
Net earnings from continuing operations (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)	319	544	368	331	399	514	264	551	1,562	1,728	1,919
Net earnings (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)	323	550	381	334	407	525	274	553	1,588	1,759	1,922
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 307	$ 544	$ 376	$ 321	$ 394	$ 522	$ 266	$ 537	$ 1,548	$ 1,719	$ 1,874
Continuing operations (in usd per share)	$ 0.75	$ 1.33	$ 0.90	$ 0.79	$ 0.96	$ 1.27	$ 0.64	$ 1.33	$ 3.77	$ 4.19	$ 4.68
Continuing operations (in usd per share)	$ 0.75	$ 1.33	$ 0.90	$ 0.79	$ 0.96	$ 1.27	$ 0.64	$ 1.33	$ 3.77	$ 4.19	$ 4.67
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues									$ (90)
Costs and Expenses									(51)
Operating income									(39)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(9)
Net earnings from continuing operations (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)									(30)
Net earnings (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)									(30)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent									$ (30)
Continuing operations (in usd per share)									$ (0.07)
Continuing operations (in usd per share)									$ (0.07)

Basis of Presentation Balance Sheet - Previous Revenue Recognition effect (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Receivables, Net, Current	$ 3,299	$ 3,117	$ 3,141
Inventory, net	775		896
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	460		482
Other Assets, Noncurrent	1,221		1,018
Accrued Liabilities, Current	927		848
Participants Share And Residuals Current	740		719
Other Liabilities, Current	472		427
Participants' share and residuals, noncurrent1	492		523
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	1,392		1,186
Retained earnings	19,887		$ 18,561
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Receivables, Net, Current	(18)
Inventory, net	(8)
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	(1)
Other Assets, Noncurrent	103
Accrued Liabilities, Current	1
Participants Share And Residuals Current	6
Other Liabilities, Current	(39)
Participants' share and residuals, noncurrent1	43
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	(11)
Retained earnings	$ 76

Basis of Presentation (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) country	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Segment country	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2018 USD ($)
Number of Countries in which Entity Operates \| country	180			180
Number of Reportable Segments \| Segment				2
Retained earnings	$ 19,887			$ 19,887	$ 18,561
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities				1,576	1,822	$ 1,705
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)				4	2	3
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption							$ 106
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16
Retained earnings							$ 165
Accounting Standards Update 2016-15 [Member]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities						33
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Equity Securities, Available-for-sale, Adjustment, after Tax	54			54
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)	1	$ 1			$ 2	$ 3
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Contract with Customer, Right to Recover Product, Current	56			56
Retained earnings	$ 76			$ 76
Minimum [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-16
Amortization Period of Deferred Tax Assets				12 years
Maximum [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-16
Amortization Period of Deferred Tax Assets			15 years

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of acquired business recorded at fair value	100.00%
Reserve for sales returns and allowances	$ 56	$ 64
Allowance for doubtful accounts	47	45
Advertising expense incurred by the Company	$ 1,118	$ 917	$ 1,335
Estimated number of years film inventory earned	10 years
Estimate in years of ultimate revenue of acquired film library	20 years
Number of years film development costs expensed	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	20 years

CBS Merger Agreement (Details)	12 Months Ended
CBS Merger Agreement (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019 shares
ViacomCBS Class A Shares [Member]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	0.59625
ViacomCBS Class B Shares [Member] [Member]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	0.59625

Acquisition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Acquisition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 01, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net earnings from continuing operations (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)		$ 319,000,000	$ 544,000,000	$ 368,000,000	$ 331,000,000	$ 399,000,000	$ 514,000,000	$ 264,000,000	$ 551,000,000	$ 1,562,000,000	$ 1,728,000,000	$ 1,919,000,000
PlutoTV [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ 324,000,000
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Expenses and Losses Recognized										$ 18,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life										5 years
Net earnings from continuing operations (Viacom and noncontrolling interests)										$ 0
WhoSay, VidCon, Awesomeness TV [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired											$ 87,000,000
Telefe [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired												$ 336,000,000

Acquisition - Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - PlutoTV [Domain] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 15, 2016	Mar. 01, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Receivables	$ 31
Prepaid and other assets	3
Goodwill	277
Intangible assets	41
Other assets, noncurrent	8
Assets acquired	360
Accounts payable	27
Accrued expenses		$ 4
Other liabilities	5
Liabilities assumed	36
Purchase Price Allocation	$ 324

Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 11, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Investments [Line Items]
Investments		$ 496					$ 496	$ 410
Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss)		(11)	$ (29)	$ (38)	$ 46		(32)
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Amount		139					139
Cost-method Investments, Other than Temporary Impairment						$ 46		46	$ 10
Value of equity method investments		245					245	241
Gain on sale of equity method investment							0	0	285
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets		$ 106					106	72
Proceeds received from asset sales							5	57	848
Gain on asset sale							$ 0	0	$ 127
Viacom18
Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest in investees		1.00%					1.00%
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment							$ 20
Gain on sale of equity method investment						$ 16	16
EPIX
Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest in investees	49.76%
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment	$ 593
Transaction costs associated with disposition of equity method investment	4
Gain on sale of equity method investment	285
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution	$ 37
Operating and Broadcast Rights
Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds received from asset sales								147
Gain on asset sale								127
Gain on asset sale, NCI portion								11
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Marketable Securities		$ 112					112	80
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Liabilities		$ 9					$ 9	$ 5

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment gross	$ 3,071	$ 3,013
Accumulated depreciation	(2,149)	(2,094)
Property and equipment, net	922	919
Land
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment gross	251	251
Buildings
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment gross	$ 484	468
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	40 years
Capital leases
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment gross	$ 136	193
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Equipment and other
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment gross	$ 2,200	$ 2,101
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	20 years

Property and Equipment - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Property and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 175	$ 182	$ 194
Amortization of capital leases	13	15	$ 16
Accumulated amortization of capital leases	$ 128	$ 172

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Film inventory:
Released, net of amortization	$ 409	$ 454
Completed, not yet released	94	11
In process and other	861	713
Television production:
Released, net of amortization	56	6
In process and other	185	201
Original programming:
Released, net of amortization	1,120	1,124
In process and other	893	757
Acquired program rights, net of amortization	1,119	1,411
Home entertainment inventory	61	67
Total inventory, net	4,798	4,744
Less current portion	775	896
Noncurrent portion	4,023	3,848
Film Inventory
Inventory Net [Line Items]
Total Inventory, Net Of Amortization	1,364	1,178
Television Productions
Inventory Net [Line Items]
Total Inventory, Net Of Amortization	241	207
Original Programming
Inventory Net [Line Items]
Total Inventory, Net Of Amortization	$ 2,013	$ 1,881

Inventory - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Inventory - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2017
Amortization Of Inventory Costs In Upcoming Fiscal Year		$ 1,400
Percent To Be Amortized Over Three Years Of Inventory Costs		87.00%
Unamortized Inventory In Years		3 years
Programming charges	$ 77	$ 77	$ 144

Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 11,609	$ 11,665
Acquisitions	286	56
Foreign currency translation	(38)	(112)
Ending balance	11,857	11,609
Media Networks
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10,016	10,072
Acquisitions	286	56
Foreign currency translation	(38)	(112)
Ending balance	10,264	10,016
Filmed Entertainment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,593	1,593
Acquisitions	0	0
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Ending balance	$ 1,593	$ 1,593

Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets - gross	$ 656	$ 583
Finite lived intangible assets - accumulated amortization	(336)	(304)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	320	279
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	34	34
Total intangibles, net	354	313
Trade names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets - gross	203	194
Finite lived intangible assets - accumulated amortization	(99)	(87)
Licenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets - gross	148	149
Finite lived intangible assets - accumulated amortization	(34)	(28)
Subscriber agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets - gross	56	55
Finite lived intangible assets - accumulated amortization	(53)	(51)
Other intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets - gross	249	185
Finite lived intangible assets - accumulated amortization	$ (150)	$ (138)

Goodwill and Intangibles Intangibles - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 40	$ 31	$ 29

Amortization of Intangibles (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2020	$ 43
2021	35
2022	33
2023	30
2024	$ 28

Debt Schedule (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease and other obligations	$ 13	$ 30
Total debt	8,738	10,082
Less current portion	98	567
Noncurrent portion	8,640	9,515
Senior notes due September 2019, 5.625%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 0	550
Coupon rate	5.625%
Senior notes due December 2019, 2.750%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 90	252
Coupon rate	2.75%
Senior notes due March 2021, 4.500%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 498	497
Coupon rate	4.50%
Senior notes due December 2021, 3.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 597	596
Coupon rate	3.875%
Senior notes due February 2022, 2.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 49	102
Coupon rate	2.25%
Senior notes due June 2022, 3.125%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 194	194
Coupon rate	3.125%
Senior notes due March 2023, 3.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 181	181
Coupon rate	3.25%
Senior notes due September 2023, 4.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 1,241	1,239
Coupon rate	4.25%
Senior notes due April 2024, 3.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 489	488
Coupon rate	3.875%
Senior notes due October 2026, 3.450%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 123	474
Coupon rate	3.45%
Senior debentures due December 2034, 4.850%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 86	281
Coupon rate	4.85%
Senior debentures due April 2036, 6.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 1,069	1,068
Coupon rate	6.875%
Senior debentures due October 2037, 6.750%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 75	75
Coupon rate	6.75%
Senior debentures due February 2042, 4.500%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 45	62
Coupon rate	4.50%
Senior debentures due March 2043, 4.375%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 1,108	1,102
Coupon rate	4.375%
Senior debentures due June 2043, 4.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 18	32
Coupon rate	4.875%
Senior debentures due September 2043, 5.850%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 1,231	1,230
Coupon rate	5.85%
Senior debentures due April 2044, 5.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 345	345
Coupon rate	5.25%
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 5.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Notes	$ 643	642
Coupon rate	5.875%
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 6.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Notes	$ 643	$ 642
Coupon rate	6.25%

Notes and Debentures - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Feb. 28, 2027	Feb. 28, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt			$ 220
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	$ 18	$ 25
Unamortized net discount related to senior notes and debentures			409	$ 431
Fair value of senior notes and debentures			$ 10,100	10,500
Junior Debentures And Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 2,600
Senior Notes due February 2022, 2.250% and October 2026, 3.450%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms			The interest rate on these Senior Notes would increase by 0.25% upon each credit agency downgrade up to a maximum of 2.00%, and would similarly be decreased for subsequent upgrades.
Senior Notes and Senior and Junior Debentures
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount			$ 1,128	1,039	3,331
Repayments of Debt			1,100	1,000	3,333
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt			18	25	(20)
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost			$ 10	$ 14	$ 18
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 5.875%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon rate			5.875%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms			Our 5.875% junior subordinated debentures accrue interest at a fixed rate of 5.875% until February 28, 2022, on which date the rate will switch to a floating rate based on three-month LIBOR plus 3.895%, reset quarterly.
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 5.875% \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon rate						3.899%	3.895%
Junior subordinated debentures due February 2057, 6.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon rate			6.25%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms			Our 6.250% junior subordinated debentures accrue interest at a fixed rate of 6.250% until February 28, 2027, on which date the rate will switch to a floating rate based on three-month LIBOR plus 3.899%, reset quarterly.
Senior notes due February 2022, 2.250%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon rate			2.25%
Senior notes due October 2026, 3.450%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon rate			3.45%

Credit Facility - Narrative (Details) - Revolving Credit Agreement - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 2,500,000,000
Debt Instrument Margin Rate, Percentage Rate, Range Minimum	1.00%
Debt Instrument Margin Rate, Percentage Rate, Range Maximum	1.625%
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms	The credit facility has one principal financial covenant that requires our total consolidated leverage to be less than 4.50x (which we may elect to increase to 5.0x for up to four consecutive quarters following a qualifying acquisition) as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. We met this covenant as of September 30, 2019. Total consolidated leverage is the ratio of our consolidated indebtedness as of the last day of each quarter to the consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the amended credit agreement) for the trailing twelve-month period.

- 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

Commercial Paper - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Commercial Paper, at Carrying Value	$ 0	$ 0

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Change in Benefit Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation, beginning of period	$ 945	$ 999
Interest cost	38	35	$ 33
Actuarial loss/(gain)	189	(47)
Benefits paid	(44)	(42)
Benefit obligation, end of period	$ 1,128	$ 945	$ 999

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Change in Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period	$ 543	$ 544
Actual return on plan assets	10	29
Employer contributions	20	12
Benefits paid	(44)	(42)
Fair value of plan assets, end of period	$ 529	$ 543

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Funded Status (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Funded status	$ (599)	$ (402)

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Accumulated Benefit Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 1,128	$ 945
Fair value of plan assets	529	543
Funded status	(599)	(402)
Funded Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	771	637
Fair value of plan assets	529	543
Funded status	(242)	(94)
Unfunded Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	357	308
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Funded status	$ (357)	$ (308)

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Interest cost	$ 38	$ 35	$ 33
Expected return on plan assets	(40)	(40)	(37)
Recognized actuarial loss	6	7	7
Net periodic benefit costs	$ 4	$ 2	$ 3

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Unrecognized Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Actual Allocation, Percentage	100.00%
Unrecognized actuarial loss	$ 494	$ 281
Unrecognized actuarial loss, next fiscal year	$ 12
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Actual Allocation, Percentage	71.00%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Actual Allocation, Percentage	22.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Actual Allocation, Percentage	7.00%

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss	$ 219	$ (36)	$ (32)
Recognized actuarial loss	(6)	(7)	(7)
Total pre-tax loss	$ 213	$ (43)	$ (39)

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Key Assumptions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Weighted-average assumptions - benefit obligations
Discount rate	3.26%	4.38%
Weighted-average assumptions - net periodic costs
Discount rate	4.15%	3.54%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	7.50%	7.50%
Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of Twenty-Five Basis Point Change On Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$ 46
Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of Twenty Five Basis Point Of Discount Rate Or Expected Rate of Return On Plan Assets	$ 1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Asset Allocations of Funded Pension Plan (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percent Of Plan Assets Of Company Stock	1.00%	2.00%
Minimum \| Return seeking
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	70.00%
Minimum \| Liability hedging
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	10.00%
Minimum \| Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	0.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Return seeking
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	90.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Liability hedging
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	30.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	10.00%

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Fair Value of Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Viacom Class B Common Stock

^[1]

$ 36

$ 5

U.S. treasury securities

Municipal & government issued bonds

Corporate bonds

^[2]

Mortgage-backed & asset-backed securities

Fair value of plan assets in the fair value hierarchy

121

Diversified equity and credit funds

^[3],[4]

327

Equity securities - world funds

^[3],[4]

318

Equity securities - emerging markets

^[3],[4]

Debt securities - emerging markets

^[3],[4]

Debt securities - multi-strategy

^[3],[4]

Treasury US rate funds (TURF)

115

Total fair value of plan assets

529

543

Level 1

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Viacom Class B Common Stock

U.S. treasury securities

Municipal & government issued bonds

Corporate bonds

Mortgage-backed & asset-backed securities

Fair value of plan assets in the fair value hierarchy

Level 2

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Viacom Class B Common Stock

^[1]

U.S. treasury securities

Municipal & government issued bonds

Corporate bonds

^[2]

Mortgage-backed & asset-backed securities

Fair value of plan assets in the fair value hierarchy

$ 36

$ 112

[1]	Assets categorized as Level 2 reflect investments in money market funds.
[2]	Securities of diverse industries, substantially all investment grade.
[3]	In accordance with the accounting guidance, certain investments that are measured at fair value using net asset value per share practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
[4]	Reflects investments in common/collective trust funds and limited partnerships.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Future Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
2020	$ 45
2021	47
2022	49
2023	53
2024	55
2025 - 2029	$ 311

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - 401(k) Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost	$ 48	$ 52	$ 53

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Multiemployer Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Number Of Listings On Form 5500	1
Number Of Green Filed Zone Statuses	1
Multiemployer Plans, Pension
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Multiemployer Plan, Contributions by Employer	$ 62	$ 61	$ 49
Multiemployer Plans, Postretirement Benefit
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Multiemployer Plan, Contributions by Employer	$ 86	$ 69	$ 57

Redeemable NCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Redeemable NCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 246	$ 248	$ 211
Net earnings	17	20	17
Distributions	(16)	(16)	(16)
Translation adjustment	(13)	(6)	7
Redemption value adjustment	7	0	29
Ending balance	$ 241	$ 246	$ 248

Commitments and Contingencies - Contractual Obligations Table (Details)
$ in Millions

Sep. 30, 2019

USD ($)

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | Programming and Talent Commitments

$ 1,981

^[1]

676

^[1]

462

^[1]

382

^[1]

261

^[1]

140

^[1]

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | Programming and Talent Commitments | Media Networks Programming Commitments

^[1]

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | Programming and Talent Commitments | Talent Contracts Commitments

1,449

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | Operating Leases

532

1,398

^[2]

183

^[2]

168

^[2]

148

^[2]

115

^[2]

107

^[2]

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | Purchase Obligations

677

^[2]

1,207

^[3]

525

^[3]

403

^[3]

218

^[3]

^[3]

^[3]

On-Balance Sheet Arrangements | Capital Lease Obligations

^[3]

^[4]

^[4]

^[4]

^[4]

^[4]

^[4]

On-Balance Sheet Arrangements | Debt

^[4]

9,134

^[5]

^[5]

500

^[5]

845

^[5]

1,432

^[5]

492

^[5]

On-Balance Sheet Arrangements | Interest Payments

5,775

^[5]

8,620

^[6]

457

^[6]

444

^[6]

421

^[6]

399

^[6]

343

^[6]

On-Balance Sheet Arrangements | Other Long-Term Obligations

6,556

^[6]

2,196

^[7]

1,407

^[7]

511

^[7]

200

^[7]

^[7]

^[7]

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]

$ 0

^[7]

[1]	Programming and talent commitments include $1.449 billion relating to media networks programming and $532 million for talent contracts.
[2]	Operating leases include long-term non-cancelable operating lease commitments for office space, equipment, transponders, studio facilities and vehicles.
[3]	Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including open purchase orders.
[4]	Capital lease obligations include capital leases for satellite transponders.
[5]	Represents face value at maturity.
[6]	Interest payments on our junior subordinated debentures subsequent to the expiration of their fixed-rate periods have been included based on their current fixed rates.
[7]	Other long-term obligations principally consist of participations, residuals and programming obligations for content that is available for airing.

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Future minimum sublease income	$ 27
Interest included in future capital lease payments	1
Rent expense	248	$ 266	$ 267
Recorded liability for lease indemnifications	106
Outstanding letters of credit	$ 36

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Minimum Class A Shares Needed For Conversion	5,000
Common stock conversion shares	1
Preferred Stock Shares Authorized	25,000,000
Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding	0	0
Stock repurchase program remaining capacity	$ 4,900
Stock repurchase program authorized amount	$ 20,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Common Class A
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Authorized	375,000,000	375,000,000
Common Class B
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Authorized	5,000,000,000	5,000,000,000

Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (675)	$ (568)	$ (405)
Defined benefit pension plans	(407)	(229)	(221)
Cash flow hedges	9	6	8
Available for sale securities	0	54	0
Total	$ (1,073)	$ (737)	$ (618)

- Definition

Accumulated adjustment, net of tax, that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency from the functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains or losses.

+ References + Details

Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Receivables, Net, Current	$ 3,299	$ 3,117	$ 3,141
Deferred Revenue, Current	438	402	$ 398
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	342
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 2,700
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	10 years
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period - Period when majority of Unsatisfied revenue will be recognized	3 years
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	$ 416	380
Contract liabilities, noncurrent (included in Other liabilities) [Member]
Contract with Customer, Liability	53	$ 67
Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Contract with Customer, Performance Obligation Satisfied in Previous Period	$ 167

Equity Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ / shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserves Period Expense	$ 177	$ 225	$ 237
Treasury Shares	392.5	393.1
Future equity awards authorized under LTMIP	24.0
Stock Options [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining contractual life of stock options outstanding	4 years
Weighted average remaining contractual life of stock options exercisable	2 years
Unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options	$ 31
Weighted average period of unrecognized compensation recognition related to unvested stock options	2 years
Other Equity Based Awards [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining contractual life of unvested share units	1 year
Aggregate intrinsic value of unvested share units	$ 94
Fair value of share units vested	$ 25	$ 26	$ 33
Unrecognized compensation costs related to share units	$ 81
Weighted average period of unrecognized compensation recognition related to share units	2 years
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration period	8 years
Award vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	4 years
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Measurement period	3 years
Minimum Percentage of Target Award	0.00%
Maximum Percentage of Target Award	200.00%
Terms of Award	If Viacom’s percentile rank of TSR relative to the TSR for the companies in the S&P 500 Index is less than the 25th percentile, and for PSUs including an earnings per share goal if earnings per share performance is less than 80% of the target earnings per share, the target grant is forfeited.
Restructuring Reserves Period Expense	$ 2
Director \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	1 year

Equity-Based Compensation - Compensation Cost Table (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Sep. 30, 2017

$ 64

$ 57

$ 68

Capitalized equity-based compensation expense

177

225

237

Tax benefit recognized

Stock options

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]

Share units

Compensation cost included in SG&A expense

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]

Restructuring Charges [Member]

$ 54

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]

Unvested at the beginning of the period

^[1]

$ 12

$ 4

[1]	See Note 15 for additional information

Equity-Based Compensation - Stock Options Key Assumptions (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Weighted average fair value of grants	$ 7.31	$ 8.83	$ 7.48
Weighted average assumptions:
Expected stock price volatility	30.10%	36.70%	28.40%
Expected term of options (in years)	5 years	5 years 3 months 18 days	4 years 10 months 24 days
Risk-free interest rate	2.90%	2.50%	1.90%
Expected dividend yield	2.60%	2.60%	2.30%

Equity-Based Compensation - Stock Options (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Options
Outstanding at the beginning of the period	15,740,600	15,591,500	19,596,200
Granted	2,941,700	2,415,100	2,874,800
Exercised	0	(59,800)	(4,814,700)
Forfeited or expired	(5,067,600)	(2,206,200)	(2,064,800)
Outstanding at the end of the period	13,614,700	15,740,600	15,591,500
Exercisable at the end of the period	7,780,100	10,999,500	9,331,800
Weighted average exercise price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period	$ 50.43	$ 52.85	$ 51.54
Granted	30.86	31.02	34.86
Exercised	0	30.12	35.72
Forfeited or expired	56.08	46.86	55.25
Outstanding at the end of the period	44.10	50.43	52.85
Exercisable at the end of the period	$ 53.17	$ 57.20	$ 57.85

Equity-Based Compensation - Stock Option Exercises (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Proceeds from stock option exercises	$ 0	$ 2	$ 172
Intrinsic value	0	0	42
Excess tax benefit/(shortfall)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (3)

Equity-Based Compensation - Share Units Table (Details) - $ / shares

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Sep. 30, 2017

Number of shares

2,825,900

2,553,200

2,507,600

Granted

^[1]

2,308,500

1,554,600

1,550,500

Vested

(904,800)

(931,900)

(941,200)

Forfeited

(303,200)

(350,000.0)

(563,700)

Unvested at the end of the period

3,926,400

2,825,900

2,553,200

Weighted average grant date fair value

Unvested at the beginning of the period

$ 35.28

$ 40.71

$ 58.05

Granted

30.74

32.42

34.86

Vested

37.94

47.88

55.84

Forfeited

33.67

28.61

76.53

Unvested at the end of the period

$ 32.24

$ 35.28

$ 40.71

Performance-based share units included In Grant Activity

700,000

200,000

100,000

[1]	Grant activity includes 0.7 million, 0.2 million and 0.1 million of performance-based share units at target and shares earned for awards for which the performance period has been completed for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters							$ (177)	$ (225)	$ (237)
Restructuring Reserve Settled with Cash Exit Costs							31	14
Allocated Share-Based Compensation Expense
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters							(12)
Restructuring Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters	$ (22)	$ (24)	$ (71)	$ (25)	$ (15)	$ (185)	(114)	(176)	(237)
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters				(15)		(123)	(82)	(138)	(212)
Restructuring Reserve	137			195			137	195	208
Restructuring Reserve, Current	111						111
Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent	26						26
Employee Severance [Member] \| Allocated Share-Based Compensation Expense
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters							(10)	(4)	$ (14)
Other Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters				$ (12)		$ (22)		$ (49)
Legal Settlement [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters		$ (40)					(40)
Merger-related costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters	$ (20)						(20)
Merger-related costs [Member] \| Allocated Share-Based Compensation Expense
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters							(2)
2018 Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Restructuring Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters							(73)
2018 Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Other Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters							(3)
Pending Merger [Member] \| Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other corporate matters							$ (41)

Severance Liability Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring Reserve Rollforward
Restructuring Reserve Settled with Cash Exit Costs	$ 31	$ 14
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	195	208
Accruals	72	134
Severance payments	(130)	(147)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	137	195
Restructuring Reserve, Current	111
Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent	26
Employee Severance [Member] \| Media Networks
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	149	119
Accruals	24	129
Severance payments	(88)	(99)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	85	149
Employee Severance [Member] \| Filmed Entertainment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	23	45
Accruals	14	4
Severance payments	(24)	(26)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	13	23
Employee Severance [Member] \| Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	23	44
Accruals	34	1
Severance payments	(18)	(22)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	$ 39	$ 23

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent								21.00%	24.50%	35.00%
Recognized Net Discrete Tax Benefits		$ 15,000,000	$ 32,000,000	$ 4,000,000	$ 47,000,000	$ 46,000,000	$ 103,000,000	$ 47,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 340,000,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount								226,000,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Repatriation of Foreign Earnings, Amount								81,000,000
Foreign Tax Losses With Unlimited Carryforward Periods		189,000,000						189,000,000
Foreign Tax Losses With Limited Carryforward Periods		448,000,000						448,000,000
Tax credit and loss carryforwards		118,000,000		131,000,000				118,000,000	131,000,000
Foreign Earnings Repatriated								999,000,000
Interest and Penalties								11,000,000	9,000,000	$ 9,000,000
Interest and Penalties Accrual		27,000,000		$ 21,000,000				27,000,000	$ 21,000,000
Future Unrecognized tax benefits		85,000,000						85,000,000
The Act [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%								35.00%
United States
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards		160,000,000						160,000,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards		$ 6,000,000						$ 6,000,000

Income Taxes - Earnings from Continuing Operations before Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$ 1,325	$ 1,351	$ 1,647
International	682	646	565
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	$ 2,007	$ 1,997	$ 2,212

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Current provision for income taxes:
Federal	$ 210	$ 148	$ 312
State and local	42	32	43
International	153	134	112
Total current provision for income taxes	405	314	467
Deferred provision for income taxes	40	(45)	(174)
Provision for income taxes	$ 445	$ 269	$ 293

Income Taxes - Effective Tax Rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Effective Tax Rate (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	24.50%	35.00%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit	2.20%	1.80%	1.40%
Effect of international operations	1.00%	(3.50%)	(5.50%)
Bankruptcy of an investee	(2.00%)	0.00%	0.00%
Qualified production activities deduction	0.00%	(0.80%)	(3.00%)
Change in valuation allowance	(0.10%)	0.00%	(1.40%)
Tax accounting method change	0.00%	(3.90%)	0.00%
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enactment	0.00%	(7.30%)	0.00%
Foreign tax credits on distribution of securities	0.00%	0.00%	(12.60%)
All other, net	0.10%	2.70%	(0.70%)
Effective tax rate, continuing operations	22.20%	13.50%	13.20%

Income Taxes - Deferred Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued liabilities	$ 82	$ 118
Postretirement and other employee benefits	204	167
Tax credit and loss carryforwards	118	131
All other	97	104
Total deferred tax assets	501	520
Valuation allowance	(114)	(87)
Total deferred tax assets, net	387	433
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and intangible assets	(248)	(419)
Unbilled revenue	(60)	(80)
Financing obligations	(70)	(70)
Film & TV production expenditures	(80)	(124)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(458)	(693)
Deferred taxes, net	$ (71)	$ (260)

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets/Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred tax assets	$ 194	$ 36
Deferred tax liabilities	(265)	(296)
Deferred taxes, net	$ (71)	$ (260)

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of the period	$ 179	$ 159	$ 164
Gross additions based on tax positions related to the current year	11	13	36
Gross additions for tax positions of prior years	8	39	6
Gross reductions for tax positions of prior years	(12)	(24)	(14)
Settlements	0	(3)	(8)
Expiration of the statute of limitation	0	(5)	(25)
Balance at end of the period	$ 186	$ 179	$ 159

Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic	403.4	402.7	399.9
Dilutive effect of equity awards	0.4	0.3	0.7
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted	403.8	403.0	400.6
Anti-dilutive common shares	18.3	18.6	15.2

Supplemental Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Supplemental Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 818	$ 642
Cash paid for interest	509	574	$ 635
Cash paid for income taxes	289	133	$ 476
Level 2
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	(9)	(8)
Foreign Currency Balances In Foreign Operations [Member]
Derivative, Notional Amount	301	297
Future Production Costs [Member]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 517	$ 345

Reportable Segments Reportable Segments - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments	2

Reportable Segments - Revenues by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 3,433	$ 3,357	$ 2,958	$ 3,090	$ 3,485	$ 3,237	$ 3,148	$ 3,073	$ 12,838	$ 12,943	$ 13,263
Eliminations									(124)	(109)	(122)
Media Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									9,883	10,011	10,096
Filmed Entertainment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 3,079	$ 3,041	$ 3,289

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

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Jun. 30, 2019

Mar. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Sep. 30, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Sep. 30, 2017

Equity-based compensation

$ 64

$ 57

$ 68

Programming charges

$ (77)

(77)

(144)

Equity in net earnings of investee companies

(177)

(225)

(237)

Gain on asset sale

127

Operating income

$ 530

$ 757

$ 573

$ 602

$ 646

$ 752

$ 456

$ 718

2,462

2,572

2,492

Interest expense, net

(489)

(560)

(618)

Gain on sale of EPIX

285

Other items, net

(24)

(28)

Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

2,007

1,997

2,212

Eliminations

Eliminations

(1)

Media Networks

Adjusted operating income by Segment

2,940

3,128

3,300

(95)

(172)

Filmed Entertainment

Adjusted operating income by Segment

(39)

(280)

(14)

(4)

Corporate expenses

Compensation cost included in SG&A expense

Corporate expenses

(249)

(238)

(221)

Equity-based compensation

Operating Expense [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Programming charges

^[1]

(77)

(144)

Employee Severance [Member] | Media Networks

$ (15)

$ (123)

(82)

(138)

(212)

Employee Severance [Member] | Filmed Entertainment

(23)

(133)

(142)

Allocated Share-Based Compensation Expense [Member]

(14)

(4)

(50)

Allocated Share-Based Compensation Expense [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]

(12)

$ (10)

$ (4)

$ (14)

[1]	Included in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Reportable Segments - Depreciation and Amortization and Total Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 215	$ 213	$ 223
Total assets	23,671	23,783
Media Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	173	169	175
Total assets	17,743	17,576
Filmed Entertainment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	37	39	44
Total assets	5,509	5,297
Corporate expenses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	5	5	$ 4
Total assets	$ 419	$ 910

Reportable Segments - Capital Expenditures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	$ 194	$ 178	$ 195
Media Networks
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	143	121	164
Filmed Entertainment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	46	51	27
Corporate expenses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	$ 5	$ 6	$ 4

Reportable Segments - Revenues by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 3,433	$ 3,357	$ 2,958	$ 3,090	$ 3,485	$ 3,237	$ 3,148	$ 3,073	$ 12,838	$ 12,943	$ 13,263
Advertising
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									4,652	4,751	4,862
Affiliate
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									4,828	4,802	4,824
Revenue Reconciling Items
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									(124)	(109)	(122)
Media Networks [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									9,883	10,011	10,096
Media Networks [Member] \| Consumer products, recreation and live events [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									403	458	410
Film Entertainment [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									3,079	3,041	3,289
Film Entertainment [Member] \| Theatrical [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									567	695	808
Film Entertainment [Member] \| Home entertainment [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									646	622	849
Film Entertainment [Member] \| License fees [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									1,606	1,529	1,315
Film Entertainment [Member] \| Ancillary
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 260	$ 195	$ 317

Reportable Segments Reportable Segments - International Markets - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage Of Total Consolidated Revenues	27.00%	29.00%	28.00%
United Kingdom And Germany
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of Total EMEA Revenues	50.00%	51.00%	51.00%

Reportable Segments - Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Jun. 30, 2019

Mar. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Sep. 30, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Sep. 30, 2017

$ 3,433

$ 3,357

$ 2,958

$ 3,090

$ 3,485

$ 3,237

$ 3,148

$ 3,073

$ 12,838

$ 12,943

$ 13,263

^[1]

5,476

5,338

5,476

5,338

United States

^[2]

9,349

9,178

9,497

^[1]

5,028

4,777

5,028

4,777

EMEA

^[2]

2,146

2,389

2,260

^[1]

222

374

222

374

All other

^[2]

1,343

1,376

$ 1,506