Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 30.6	$ 715.7
Earnings from discontinued operation	0	(959.6)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	30.6	(243.9)
Adjustments to reconcile earnings (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense	120.7	63.3
Depreciation and amortization	1,557.4	1,339.4
Impairment, restructuring and other operating items, net	70.6	14.5
Amortization of deferred financing costs and non-cash interest accretion	33.2	32.1
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on derivative instruments, net	(191.1)	376.7
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	43.4	(4.6)
Realized and unrealized gains due to changes in fair values of certain investments, net	(265.2)	(11.2)
Losses on debt modification and extinguishment, net	170.0	13.7
Deferred income tax expense	47.1	122.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and dispositions	(270.5)	(308.7)
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operation	0	61.2
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,346.2	1,454.9
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid in connection with acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	1,055.6
Capital expenditures	(994.6)	(994.1)
Cash paid in connection with acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(4,065.2)	(48.7)
Investments in and loans to affiliates and others	(1,202.7)	(18.4)
Other investing activities, net	(15.7)	25.8
Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operation	0	(51.7)
Net cash used by investing activities	(6,278.2)	(31.5)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Decrease in restricted cash related to the Virgin Media Acquisition	3,594.4	0
Decrease in restricted cash related to the Telenet Tender	1,539.7	0
Borrowings of debt	8,845.2	1,311.9
Repayments and repurchases of debt and capital lease obligations	(7,339.3)	(1,858.5)
Purchase of additional Telenet shares	(454.5)	0
Repurchase of Liberty Global and LGI shares	(346.4)	(428.1)
Payment of financing costs and debt premiums	(341.0)	(29.2)
Distributions by subsidiaries to noncontrolling interests	(524.4)	(84.9)
Payment of net settled employee withholding taxes on share-based incentive awards	(34.6)	(28.4)
Other financing activities, net	76.6	(27.2)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	5,015.7	(1,144.4)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash:
Continuing operations	2.4	(11.9)
Discontinued operation	0	(9.5)
Total	2.4	(21.4)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents:
Continuing operations	86.1	257.6
Discontinued operation	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	86.1	257.6
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	2,038.9	1,651.2
End of period	2,125.0	1,908.8
Cash paid for interest:
Continuing operations	886.2	771.3
Discontinued operation	0	29.0
Total	886.2	800.3
Net cash paid (refunded) for taxes — continuing operations	$ 60.8	$ (12.4)