v3.10.0.1
Investments (Narrative) (Details)
€ in Millions
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jan. 04, 2017
EUR (€)
Jan. 04, 2017
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2017
EUR (€)
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2018
EUR (€)
Jun. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Dividends from affiliates and others           $ 130,100,000 $ 104,800,000        
Value-added taxes (VAT) paid on behalf of the VodafoneZiggo JV           0 162,600,000        
Distributions received from affiliates           0 1,569,400,000        
VodafoneZiggo JV                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Percent of interest income earned on loan included in investment               100.00% 100.00%    
Percent of share-based compensation included in investment               100.00% 100.00%    
Percent of remaining results of operations included in investment               50.00% 50.00%    
Ownership percentage               50.00% 50.00% 50.00% 50.00%
Co-venturer ownership percentage                     50.00%
Dividends from affiliates and others € 2,200.0 $ 2,400,000,000   € 3.9 $ 4,500,000            
Value-added taxes (VAT) paid on behalf of the VodafoneZiggo JV         162,600,000            
Distributions received from affiliates           116,600,000 87,300,000        
Revenue     $ 1,114,500,000   1,081,300,000 2,296,100,000 2,165,200,000        
JV Services                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Revenue     $ 53,800,000   $ 31,800,000 $ 88,300,000 63,300,000        
VodafoneZiggo JV Loan | VodafoneZiggo JV                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Due from related party                 $ 1,050,900,000 $ 1,081,900,000  
Receivable interest rate           5.55%          
Receivable annually               € 100.0 116,800,000    
Accrued interests settled in cash           $ 30,200,000          
Vodafone                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Proceeds from financing arrangements 2,800.0 2,900,000,000                  
Proceeds from equalization payment from affiliate € 802.9 $ 840,800,000                  
Equity Method Investee | VodafoneZiggo JV                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Transfer of assets           $ 30,300,000 $ 107,800,000        
Due from related party                 $ 46,800,000 $ 33,300,000