Equity (Share Repurchases) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Distributable reserves recognized		$ 27,900,000,000
Liberty Global Group [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase, authorized amount	$ 4,000,000,000.0
Stock repurchase, remaining authorized amount	1,943,400,000
Total cost for stock purchased pursuant to repurchase programs	$ 2,068,000,000.0	$ 2,344,500,000	$ 1,596,900,000
Liberty Global Group [Member] | Class A Ordinary Shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares purchased pursuant to repurchase programs (in shares)	32,387,722	0	8,062,792
Average price paid per share pursuant to repurchase programs (in dollars per shares)	$ 32.26	$ 0	$ 42.19
Liberty Global Group [Member] | Class C Ordinary Shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares purchased pursuant to repurchase programs (in shares)	31,557,089	49,984,562	28,401,019
Average price paid per share pursuant to repurchase programs (in dollars per shares)	$ 32.43	$ 46.91	$ 44.25
LiLAC Group [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase, authorized amount	$ 300,000,000.0
Stock repurchase, remaining authorized amount	278,600,000
Total cost for stock purchased pursuant to repurchase programs	$ 21,500,000
LiLAC Group [Member] | Class A Ordinary Shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares purchased pursuant to repurchase programs (in shares)	720,800
Average price paid per share pursuant to repurchase programs (in dollars per shares)	$ 20.65
LiLAC Group [Member] | Class C Ordinary Shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares purchased pursuant to repurchase programs (in shares)	313,647
Average price paid per share pursuant to repurchase programs (in dollars per shares)	$ 21.19