v3.3.1.900
Acquisitions (Virgin Media Acquisition Schedules) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Jun. 07, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of the preliminary purchase price and opening balance sheet        
Goodwill   $ 29,001.6 $ 23,748.8 $ 13,877.6
Virgin Media Acquisition [Member]        
Equity and cash consideration paid        
Business acquisition, cash consideration $ 4,760.2      
Fair value of the vested portion of Virgin Media stock incentive awards 270.4      
Cost of acquired entity 14,135.5      
Summary of the preliminary purchase price and opening balance sheet        
Cash and cash equivalents 694.6      
Other current assets 932.2      
Property and equipment, net 9,863.1      
Goodwill 9,000.8      
Intangible assets subject to amortization 3,925.8      
Other assets, net 4,259.4      
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (1,184.5)      
Other accrued and current liabilities (1,892.2)      
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (8,477.4)      
Other long-term liabilities (1,326.3)      
Additional paid-in capital (1,660.0)      
Total purchase price 14,135.5      
Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] | Virgin Media Acquisition [Member]        
Equity and cash consideration paid        
Liberty Global Class A & C ordinary shares 2,735.0      
Class C Ordinary Shares [Member] | Virgin Media Acquisition [Member]        
Equity and cash consideration paid        
Liberty Global Class A & C ordinary shares $ 6,369.9