v3.10.0.1
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Pending and Completed Dispositions) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2018
Jun. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2017
Operating results of discontinued operations          
Net earnings (loss) $ 281.8 $ 108.9 $ 468.2 $ 207.2  
Basic earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders per Liberty Global Share (in dollars per share) $ 0.35 $ 0.15 $ 0.58 $ 0.27  
Diluted earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders per Liberty Global Share (in dollars per share) $ 0.35 $ 0.15 $ 0.58 $ 0.27  
Discontinued Operations          
Operating results of discontinued operations          
Revenue   $ 1,809.7   $ 3,569.8  
Operating income   425.5   770.3  
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests   169.9   333.3  
Income tax expense   (61.0)   (126.1)  
Net earnings (loss)   108.9   207.2  
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests   (17.1)   (35.1)  
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Global shareholders   91.8   172.1  
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale          
Assets:          
Current assets other than cash $ 425.2   $ 425.2   $ 268.1
Property and equipment, net 5,725.4   5,725.4   5,742.0
Goodwill 4,747.0   4,747.0   4,913.2
Other assets, net 461.4   461.4   485.9
Total assets 11,359.0   11,359.0   11,409.2
Liabilities:          
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations 603.1   603.1   487.7
Other accrued and current liabilities 1,270.0   1,270.0   1,100.0
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 9,157.0   9,157.0   9,027.6
Other long-term liabilities 968.4   968.4   940.0
Total liabilities 11,998.5   11,998.5   11,555.3
Operating results of discontinued operations          
Revenue 1,000.3   2,061.9    
Operating income 481.6   854.4    
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests 371.6   614.2    
Income tax expense (89.8)   (146.0)    
Net earnings (loss) 281.8   468.2    
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests (1.8)   (3.6)    
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Global shareholders 280.0   464.6    
UPC Austria | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale          
Assets:          
Current assets other than cash 40.9   40.9   29.2
Property and equipment, net 479.6   479.6   451.9
Goodwill 706.0   706.0   732.2
Other assets, net 3.2   3.2   3.2
Total assets 1,229.7   1,229.7   1,216.5
Liabilities:          
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations 0.8   0.8   0.8
Other accrued and current liabilities 82.8   82.8   77.7
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 1.3   1.3   1.5
Other long-term liabilities 85.1   85.1   76.3
Total liabilities 170.0   170.0   156.3
Operating results of discontinued operations          
Revenue 107.4 95.9 216.7 188.1  
Operating income 61.7 35.6 122.9 70.1  
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests 61.5 35.6 122.7 70.1  
Income tax expense (9.7) (3.0) (19.2) (5.8)  
Net earnings (loss) 51.8 32.6 103.5 64.3  
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests (1.8) (1.6) (3.6) (3.2)  
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Global shareholders 50.0 31.0 99.9 61.1  
Vodafone Disposal Group | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale          
Assets:          
Current assets other than cash 384.3   384.3   238.9
Property and equipment, net 5,245.8   5,245.8   5,290.1
Goodwill 4,041.0   4,041.0   4,181.0
Other assets, net 458.2   458.2   482.7
Total assets 10,129.3   10,129.3   10,192.7
Liabilities:          
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations 602.3   602.3   486.9
Other accrued and current liabilities 1,187.2   1,187.2   1,022.3
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 9,155.7   9,155.7   9,026.1
Other long-term liabilities 883.3   883.3   863.7
Total liabilities 11,828.5   11,828.5   $ 11,399.0
Operating results of discontinued operations          
Revenue 892.9 792.9 1,845.2 1,549.9  
Operating income 419.9 234.5 731.5 410.0  
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests 310.1 125.9 491.5 221.1  
Income tax expense (80.1) (27.4) (126.8) (45.1)  
Net earnings (loss) 230.0 98.5 364.7 176.0  
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Global shareholders $ 230.0 98.5 $ 364.7 176.0  
LiLAC Group | Discontinued Operations, Split-off Transaction          
Operating results of discontinued operations          
Revenue   920.9   1,831.8  
Operating income   155.4   290.2  
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests   8.4   42.1  
Income tax expense   (30.6)   (75.2)  
Net earnings (loss)   (22.2)   (33.1)  
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests   (15.5)   (31.9)  
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Global shareholders   $ (37.7)   $ (65.0)  
Basic and diluted loss from discontinued operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders per LiLAC Share (in dollars per share)   $ (0.22)   $ (0.38)  
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)   172,074,934   172,410,613