v3.3.1.900
Equity (Call Option Contracts and Other Transactions) (Details)
€ / shares in Units, $ / shares in Units, € in Millions, $ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Feb. 01, 2013
EUR (€)
shares
Dec. 17, 2012
€ / shares
Dec. 17, 2012
€ / shares
$ / shares
Mar. 31, 2013
$ / shares
Feb. 01, 2013
USD ($)
shares
Dec. 17, 2012
$ / shares
Telenet Self-Tender [Member]            
Class of Stock [Line Items]            
Use of restricted cash to fund transaction € 332.5       $ 454.6  
Shares purchased pursuant to repurchase programs (in shares) | shares 9,497,637          
Percentage ownership in subsidiary 58.40%          
Warrants (in shares) | shares 3,000       3,000  
Warrant Range One [Member]            
Class of Stock [Line Items]            
Warrants (in dollars per share) | (per share)   € 13.48 $ 16.31      
Warrant Range Two [Member]            
Class of Stock [Line Items]            
Warrants (in dollars per share) | (per share)   25.47 $ 30.82      
Minimum [Member] | Telenet Self-Tender [Member]            
Class of Stock [Line Items]            
Share price (in dollar/euro per share) | € / shares   € 35 $ 35      
Maximum [Member] | Telenet Self-Tender [Member]            
Class of Stock [Line Items]            
Share price (in dollar/euro per share) | $ / shares           $ 42.35
Call Option [Member] | Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]            
Class of Stock [Line Items]            
Call options, exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares       $ 0