Segment Reporting (Geographic Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total	$ 3,161.9	[1]	$ 2,524.5	[1]	$ 5,929.6	[1]	$ 5,061.5	[1]
European Operations Division Virgin Media (U.K.) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	401.3		0		401.3		0
Total	401.3		0				0
European Operations Division Germany [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	624.6		566.2		1,242.8		1,126.9
Total	624.6		566.2		1,242.8		1,126.9
Telenet (Belgium) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	534.4		466.2		1,070.6		943.7
Total	534.4		466.2		1,070.6		943.7
European Operations Division Netherlands [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	303.2		303.7		618.0		614.4
Total	303.2		303.7		618.0		614.4
European Operations Division Switzerland [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	323.9		313.0		649.9		626.3
Total	323.9		313.0		649.9		626.3
European Operations Division Austria [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	107.3		105.2		215.5		212.4
European Operations Division Ireland [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	112.3		103.3		226.7		208.0
European Operations Division Poland [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	113.2		109.7		229.7		224.2
European Operations Division Hungary [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	63.8		60.9		127.2		120.8
European Operations Division Czech Republic [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	54.6		56.7		112.1		114.2
European Operations Division Romania [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	34.3		32.6		68.9		66.0
European Operations Division Slovakia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	15.6		15.1		31.4		30.7
European Operations Division Other Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	31.3	[2]	28.9	[2]	63.3	[2]	57.1	[2]
Total European Operations Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	2,719.8		2,161.5		5,057.4		4,344.7
Total	2,719.8		2,161.5		5,057.4		4,344.7
Chellomedia - Poland [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	23.6		30.6		44.5		56.6
Chellomedia - The Netherlands [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	24.8		17.3		49.1		45.6
Chellomedia - Spain [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	16.0		16.6		31.8		33.7
Chellomedia - Hungary [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	17.5		15.6		32.7		29.4
Other Chellomedia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	54.4	[3]	38.3	[3]	105.4	[3]	76.0	[3]
Total Chellomedia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	136.3		118.4		263.5		241.3
Chile [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	252.7		226.8		503.1		451.3
Puerto Rico
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	74.2		30.6		147.2		59.7
Intersegment Eliminations and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Geographic segments revenue	$ (21.1)		$ (12.8)		$ (41.6)		$ (35.5)

[1] In connection with the Virgin Media Acquisition, we determined that we would no longer externally report digital subscriber line (DSL) subscribers as RGUs. Accordingly, we have reclassified the revenue from our DSL subscribers in Austria from broadband internet and telephony subscription revenue to other revenue for all periods presented.

[2] Primarily represents revenue of UPC DTH from customers located in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia.

[3] Chellomedia’s other geographic segments are located primarily in the U.K., Latin America, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Italy.