WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 170.0	$ 559.7	$ 5.9	$ (395.6)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(2,116.6)			(2,116.6)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Change in pension and postretirement plans	5.2		5.2
Amortization of net unrealized gains on de-designated interest rate swaps	3.3		3.3
Changes in designated interest rate swaps	7.0		7.0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(2,101.1)	0.0	15.5	(2,116.6)
Share-based compensation	35.8	35.8
Stock issued for pension contribution	9.6	9.6
Stock issued to employee savings plan (See Note 11)	22.7	22.7
Stock issued in merger with EarthLink	642.6	642.6
Stock repurchases	(19.0)	(19.0)
Taxes withheld on vested restricted stock and other	(10.7)	(10.7)
Dividends declared to stockholders	(48.8)	(48.8)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	(1,298.9)	1,191.9	21.4	(2,512.2)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(723.0)			(723.0)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Change in pension and postretirement plans	3.7		3.7
Amortization of net unrealized gains on de-designated interest rate swaps	2.3		2.3
Changes in designated interest rate swaps	2.8		2.8
Comprehensive income (loss)	(714.2)	0.0	8.8	(723.0)
Share-based compensation	13.3	13.3
Stock issued for pension contribution	5.8	5.8
Stock issued to employee savings plan (See Note 11)	28.3	28.3
Stock Issued Under Equity Distribution Agreement	12.2	12.2
Taxes withheld on vested restricted stock and other	(1.1)	(1.1)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	(1,919.3)	1,250.4	35.6	(3,205.3)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(3,157.8)			(3,157.8)
Net loss | Adoption of ASU 2016-02 (See Note 2)	52.3
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Change in pension and postretirement plans	(2.7)		(2.7)
Amortization of net unrealized gains on de-designated interest rate swaps	(7.9)		(7.9)
Changes in designated interest rate swaps	(2.4)		(2.4)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(3,170.8)	0.0	(13.0)	(3,157.8)
Share-based compensation	2.9	2.9
Taxes withheld on vested restricted stock and other	(0.2)	(0.2)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ (2,074.4)	$ 1,253.1	$ 22.6	$ (3,350.1)