WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (187.9)	$ (115.5)	$ (544.1)	$ (2,310.3)	$ (549.2)	$ 41.3	$ (93.7)	$ (121.4)	$ (3,157.8)	$ (723.0)	$ (2,116.6)
Interest rate swaps:
Unrealized (losses) gains on designated interest rate swaps									(3.2)	3.7	11.4
Amortization of net unrealized (gains) losses on de-designated interest rate swaps									(10.6)	3.0	5.3
Income tax benefit (expense)									3.5	(1.6)	(6.4)
Change in interest rate swaps									(10.3)	5.1	10.3
Pension and postretirement plans:
Prior service credit arising during the period									0.3	2.7	9.1
Change in net actuarial (loss) gain for employee benefit plans									(2.7)	7.2	(1.3)
Plan curtailments and settlements									0.1	0.0	0.0
Amounts included in net periodic benefit cost:
Amortization of net actuarial loss									0.0	0.2	0.1
Amortization of prior service credits									(1.3)	(5.1)	(0.7)
Income tax benefit (expense)									0.9	(1.3)	(2.0)
Change in pension and postretirement plans									(2.7)	3.7	5.2
Other comprehensive (loss) income									(13.0)	8.8	15.5
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ (3,170.8)	$ (714.2)	$ (2,101.1)