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Share-based Compensation (Stock Award Activity, Options, SARs & PSARs) (Schedules) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Options [Member] | Class A ordinary shares, $0.01 nominal value. Issued and outstanding 251,167,686 and 222,081,117 shares, respectively  
Number of shares  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 2,708,445us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in shares) 78,677us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired, cancelled or forfeited (in shares) (51,826)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in shares) (1,009,037)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares) 1,726,259us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 1,125,619us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average exercise price  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per shares) $ 16.12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in dollars per shares) $ 42.54us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired or cancelled (in dollars per shares) $ 22.49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in dollars per shares) $ 14.61us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 18.01us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 13.84us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average remaining contractual term, in years  
Options outstanding at end of period 5 years 4 months 24 days
Options exercisable at end of period 4 years 6 months
Aggregate intrinsic value  
Options outstanding at end of period $ 55.6us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period 40.9us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options [Member] | Class C Ordinary Shares [Member]  
Number of shares  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 7,031,369us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in shares) 157,346us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired, cancelled or forfeited (in shares) (128,419)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in shares) (3,114,104)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares) 3,946,192us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 2,452,721us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average exercise price  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per shares) $ 14.95us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in dollars per shares) $ 40.86us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired or cancelled (in dollars per shares) $ 21.13us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in dollars per shares) $ 12.54us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 17.67us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 13.72us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average remaining contractual term, in years  
Options outstanding at end of period 5 years 8 months 12 days
Options exercisable at end of period 4 years 9 months 18 days
Aggregate intrinsic value  
Options outstanding at end of period 120.9us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period 84.8us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
SARs [Member] | Class A ordinary shares, $0.01 nominal value. Issued and outstanding 251,167,686 and 222,081,117 shares, respectively  
Number of shares  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 4,168,758us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in shares) 2,192,672us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired, cancelled or forfeited (in shares) (203,409)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in shares) (550,033)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares) 5,607,988us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 2,527,237us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average exercise price  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per shares) $ 24.78us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in dollars per shares) $ 40.90us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired or cancelled (in dollars per shares) $ 32.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in dollars per shares) $ 21.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 31.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 23.25us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average remaining contractual term, in years  
Options outstanding at end of period 4 years 9 months 18 days
Options exercisable at end of period 3 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate intrinsic value  
Options outstanding at end of period 107.3us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period 68.1us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
SARs [Member] | Class C Ordinary Shares [Member]  
Number of shares  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 12,437,530us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in shares) 4,408,368us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired, cancelled or forfeited (in shares) (566,688)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in shares) (1,590,165)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares) 14,689,045us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 7,308,864us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average exercise price  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per shares) $ 23.87us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in dollars per shares) $ 39.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired or cancelled (in dollars per shares) $ 22.52us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in dollars per shares) $ 20.92us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 28.49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 21.95us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average remaining contractual term, in years  
Options outstanding at end of period 4 years 6 months
Options exercisable at end of period 3 years 6 months
Aggregate intrinsic value  
Options outstanding at end of period 291.2us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period 192.7us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
PSARs [Member] | Class A ordinary shares, $0.01 nominal value. Issued and outstanding 251,167,686 and 222,081,117 shares, respectively  
Number of shares  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 2,817,498us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in shares) 10,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired, cancelled or forfeited (in shares) (29,376)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in shares) (9,373)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares) 2,788,749us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 7,499us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average exercise price  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per shares) $ 35.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in dollars per shares) $ 43.58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired or cancelled (in dollars per shares) $ 35.03us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in dollars per shares) $ 35.03us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 35.10us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 35.03us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average remaining contractual term, in years  
Options outstanding at end of period 5 years 6 months
Options exercisable at end of period 1 year 9 months 18 days
Aggregate intrinsic value  
Options outstanding at end of period 42.1us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period 0.1us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassOrdinarySharesMember
PSARs [Member] | Class C Ordinary Shares [Member]  
Number of shares  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 8,452,494us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in shares) 30,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired, cancelled or forfeited (in shares) (88,127)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in shares) (28,119)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares) 8,366,248us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 22,498us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average exercise price  
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per shares) $ 33.44us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options granted (in dollars per shares) $ 43.03us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options expired or cancelled (in dollars per shares) $ 33.41us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercised (in dollars per shares) $ 33.41us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 33.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per shares) $ 33.41us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Weighted average remaining contractual term, in years  
Options outstanding at end of period 5 years 6 months
Options exercisable at end of period 1 year 9 months 18 days
Aggregate intrinsic value  
Options outstanding at end of period 124.1us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember
Options exercisable at end of period $ 0.3us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= lbtya_PerformanceStockAppreciationRightsPSARsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= lbtya_ClassCOrdinarySharesMember