Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ (905.7)	$ 387.3	$ (671.0)
Loss (earnings) from discontinued operations	23.7	(971.2)	(130.5)
Loss from continuing operations	(882.0)	(583.9)	(801.5)
Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense	300.7	110.1	129.4
Depreciation and amortization	4,276.4	2,661.5	2,424.3
Release of litigation provision	(146.0)	0	0
Impairment, restructuring and other operating items, net	297.5	76.2	64.0
Amortization of deferred financing costs and non-cash interest accretion	78.0	65.7	78.8
Realized and unrealized losses on derivative instruments, net	1,020.4	1,070.3	59.9
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	(349.3)	(438.4)	566.6
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) due to changes in fair values of certain investments and debt, including impact of dividends	(523.1)	19.6	160.4
Losses on debt modification, extinguishment and conversion, net	212.2	213.8	218.4
Deferred income tax expense	18.6	36.0	146.6
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(41.0)	(6.7)	(37.7)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Receivables and other operating assets	866.7	785.0	671.2
Payables and accruals	(1,208.1)	(1,171.7)	(1,170.2)
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	10.3	82.2	226.1
Net cash provided by (used by) operating activities	3,931.3	2,919.7	2,736.3
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid in connection with acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(4,073.4)	(154.2)	(1,980.5)
Capital expenditures	(2,481.5)	(1,868.3)	(1,920.8)
Investments in and loans to affiliates and others	(1,350.3)	(32.4)	(25.1)
Proceeds received upon disposition of discontinued operations, net of disposal costs	0	1,055.4	0
Increase in KBW Escrow Account	0	0	(1,650.0)
Decrease in KBW Escrow Account	0	0	1,522.5
Other investing activities, net	(44.9)	41.8	33.5
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities of discontinued operations, including deconsolidated cash	(14.9)	(123.2)	10.1
Net cash provided by (used by) investing activities	(7,965.0)	(1,080.9)	(4,010.3)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings of debt	9,670.3	5,981.4	5,622.1
Repayments and repurchases of debt and capital lease obligations	(8,318.6)	(4,373.6)	(4,518.4)
Change in cash collateral	3,593.8	59.6	(64.6)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash related to the Telenet Tender	1,539.7	(1,464.1)	0
Repurchase of Liberty Global and LGI shares	(1,157.2)	(970.3)	(912.6)
Distributions by subsidiaries to noncontrolling interest owners	(538.1)	(335.1)	(416.7)
Net cash received (paid) related to derivative instruments	524.5	(108.4)	(80.4)
Purchase of additional Telenet shares	(458.0)	0	(19.6)
Payment of financing costs, debt premiums and exchange offer consideration	(389.6)	(229.8)	(254.3)
Payment of net settled employee withholding taxes on share-based incentive awards	(64.5)	(54.4)	(116.2)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	41.0	6.7	37.7
Contributions by noncontrolling interest owners to subsidiaries	22.2	115.1	26.7
Other financing activities, net	157.8	(92.2)	54.6
Net cash used by financing activities of discontinued operations	(7.4)	(4.7)	(106.0)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	4,615.9	(1,469.8)	(747.7)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash:
Continuing operations	85.4	28.3	32.6
Discontinued operations	0	(9.6)	1.7
Total	85.4	18.7	34.3
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents:
Continuing operations	679.6	443.0	(2,119.3)
Discontinued operations	(12.0)	(55.3)	131.9
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	667.6	387.7	(1,987.4)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	2,038.9	1,651.2	3,847.5
End of year	2,706.5	2,038.9	1,860.1
Less cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at end of year	(4.6)	0	(208.9)
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at end of year	2,701.9	2,038.9	1,651.2
Cash paid for interest:
Continuing operations	2,148.8	1,562.7	1,329.2
Discontinued operations	0	28.9	54.2
Total	2,148.8	1,591.6	1,383.4
Net cash paid for taxes:
Continuing operations	97.5	0.3	47.8
Discontinued operations	11.7	11.5	7.1
Total	$ 109.2	$ 11.8	$ 54.9