v3.3.1.900
Restructuring Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring liability at beginning of year $ 113.5   $ 113.5 $ 56.8    
Restructuring charges     166.9 178.7    
Cash paid     (111.5) (123.2)    
Ziggo / Virgin Media liability at acquisition date     8.2 23.4    
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other     (21.0) (8.4)    
Reclassification of Chellomedia Disposal Group to discontinued operations       (13.8)    
Restructuring liability at end of year   $ 113.5 156.1 113.5    
Current portion         $ 52.3 $ 65.5
Noncurrent portion         103.8 48.0
Total 113.5 113.5 113.5 56.8 156.1 113.5
Employee severance and termination [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring liability at beginning of year 26.6   26.6 39.7    
Restructuring charges     60.4 77.9    
Cash paid     (66.3) (91.5)    
Ziggo / Virgin Media liability at acquisition date     8.2 0.1    
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other     (1.3) 1.2    
Reclassification of Chellomedia Disposal Group to discontinued operations       (0.8)    
Restructuring liability at end of year   26.6 27.6 26.6    
Current portion         27.5 26.5
Noncurrent portion         0.1 0.1
Total 26.6 26.6 26.6 39.7 27.6 26.6
Office closures [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring liability at beginning of year 14.9   14.9 4.0    
Restructuring charges     9.5 (0.1)    
Cash paid     (10.8) (14.1)    
Ziggo / Virgin Media liability at acquisition date     0.0 23.3    
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other     (1.1) 1.8    
Reclassification of Chellomedia Disposal Group to discontinued operations       0.0    
Restructuring liability at end of year   14.9 12.5 14.9    
Current portion         4.4 13.2
Noncurrent portion         8.1 1.7
Total 14.9 14.9 14.9 4.0 12.5 14.9
Contract termination [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring liability at beginning of year 72.0   72.0 13.1    
Restructuring charges       100.9    
Cash paid       (17.6)    
Ziggo / Virgin Media liability at acquisition date       0.0    
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other       (11.4)    
Reclassification of Chellomedia Disposal Group to discontinued operations       (13.0)    
Restructuring liability at end of year   72.0   72.0    
Current portion           25.8
Noncurrent portion           46.2
Total 72.0 72.0 72.0 13.1   72.0
Contract termination and other [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring liability at beginning of year 72.0   72.0      
Restructuring charges     97.0      
Cash paid     (34.4)      
Ziggo / Virgin Media liability at acquisition date     0.0      
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other     (18.6)      
Restructuring liability at end of year   72.0 116.0 72.0    
Current portion         20.4  
Noncurrent portion         95.6  
Total 72.0 72.0 72.0 72.0 $ 116.0 $ 72.0
Central Operations Europe [Member] | Employee severance and termination [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring charges     9.8      
U.K. | Employee severance and termination [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring charges     17.5 46.1    
The Netherlands [Member] | Employee severance and termination [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring charges     11.2      
Germany [Member] | Employee severance and termination [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring charges     10.7 14.1    
Chile [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring charges   84.9        
Chile [Member] | Employee severance and termination [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring charges     $ 10.1 $ 8.1    
Chile [Member] | Contract termination [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Other restructuring costs   $ 71.5        
Telenet [Member]            
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]            
Restructuring charges $ 86.1