v3.10.0.1

SCHEDULE I (Parent Company Information) CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Operating costs and expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Selling, general and administrative (including stock-based compensation) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,049.1 | $ 1,980.4 | $ 2,494.6
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,858.2 | 3,790.6 | 4,117.7
Other operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,717.2 | 1,659.5 | 1,924.8
Operating income | $ 252.4 | $ 205.1 | $ 264.1 | $ 117.5 | $ 153.1 | $ 218.8 | $ 206.3 | $ 214.2 | 839.1 | 792.4 | 1,570.1
Non-operating income (expense): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 90.4 | (181.5) | (326.3)
Other income, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 43.4 | 46.4 | 124.0
Non-operating income (expense) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (677.3) | (2,903.5) | (1,326.8)
Income tax expense (benefit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (1,573.3) | (238.9) | 1,407.0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Global shareholders | $ 25.1 | $ 974.1 | $ 912.6 | $ (1,186.5) | $ (992.0) | $ (791.6) | $ (674.3) | $ (320.2) | 725.3 | (2,778.1) | 1,705.3
Liberty Global Plc |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating costs and expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Selling, general and administrative (including stock-based compensation) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 42.8 | 44.9 | 52.9
Related-party fees and allocations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8.0 | 55.2 | 66.3
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.8
Other operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7
Operating income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (52.3) | (101.1) | (120.7)
Non-operating income (expense): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest expense — related-party |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (678.0) | (406.5) | (162.3)
Interest income — related-party |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 70.9 | 822.7 | 781.0
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 381.0 | (644.8) | 45.8
Other income, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.1 | (3.3) | (1.3)
Non-operating income (expense) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (226.0) | (231.9) | 663.2
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (278.3) | (333.0) | 542.5
Equity in earnings (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 887.9 | (2,386.0) | 1,279.7
Income tax expense (benefit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 115.7 | (59.1) | (116.9)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Global shareholders |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 725.3 | $ (2,778.1) | $ 1,705.3

X
- Definition Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Consolidated Subsidiaries, Net + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lbtya_EquityinEarningsLossesofConsolidatedSubsidiariesNet
Namespace Prefix: | lbtya_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income taxes and equity in losses of consolidated subsidiaries, net. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lbtya_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesAndEquityInLossesOfConsolidatedSubsidiariesNet
Namespace Prefix: | lbtya_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109240200&loc=d3e30700-110894 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109240200&loc=d3e30690-110894 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (h) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(h)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109238882&loc=d3e38679-109324 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net amount of operating interest income (expense). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 220 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.10) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873765&loc=SL114874048-224260 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of interest income earned from interest-bearing assets owed to the entity by related party. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestIncomeRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=SL7669619-108580 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 220 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(22)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873765&loc=SL114874048-224260 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=SL7669625-108580 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 220 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(18)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873790&loc=SL114874131-224263 Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(20)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227 Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The aggregate amount of income or expense from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of other operating cost and expense items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of income (expense) related to nonoperating activities, classified as other. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Expenses recognized resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 330 -SubTopic 10 -Section 30 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68048583&loc=d3e3636-108311 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=srt_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |