Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified				12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended								9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Interkabel Acquisition [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 Interkabel Acquisition [Member] EUR (€)	Nov. 26, 2007 Interkabel Acquisition [Member] association	Dec. 31, 2012 Deutsche Telekom Litigation [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Deutsche Telekom Litigation [Member] EUR (€)	Jan. 17, 2013 Vivendi Litigation [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 17, 2013 Vivendi Litigation [Member] EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2014 Belgium Regulatory Developments [Member]	Oct. 04, 2013 Belgium Regulatory Developments [Member]	Apr. 02, 2013 Belgium Regulatory Developments [Member]	Jan. 31, 2012 FCO Regulatory Issues [Member] competitor	Sep. 30, 2014 FCO Regulatory Issues [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Financial Transactions Tax [Member] country	Sep. 30, 2014 Financial Transactions Tax [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Financial Transactions Tax [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Virgin Media VAT Matters [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 Virgin Media VAT Matters [Member] GBP (£)	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Regulatory Issues [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Regulatory Issues [Member] CLP	Sep. 30, 2014 Broadband Communications and DHT Operations [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 Broadband Communications and DHT Operations [Member] USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Programming costs																				$ 1,586.4	$ 1,097.9
Number of associations of municipalities in Belgium			4
Loss contingency damages in excess value	25.3	20.0
Damages sought				96	76
Reduction of annual lease fees				66.67%	66.67%
Subsidiary interest in recovery						10.00%	10.00%
Damages awarded						1,192	944
Term regulated wholesale services must be available after approval of reference offers								6 months
Retail-Minus Tariffs for Basic TV									30.00%	35.00%
Retail-Minus Tariffs for Bundle of Basic TV and Broadband Internet Services									23.00%	30.00%
Number of Competitors of German Cable Business											2
Duration of Contracts With Multiple Dwelling Units in Question of Antitrust Laws												10 years
Number of Participating Countries in Financial Transaction Tax													11
Financial Transactions Tax														0.01%	0.10%
Minimum range of possible loss																$ 63.7	£ 39.3	$ 11.2	6,700.0