Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 1,767.3	$ (1,049.5)	$ (647.4)
Earnings from discontinued operation	0.0	0.0	(333.5)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	1,767.3	(1,049.5)	(980.9)
Adjustments to reconcile earnings (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense	296.9	318.2	257.2
Depreciation and amortization (note 9)	5,801.1	5,825.8	5,500.1
Impairment, restructuring and other operating items, net	348.5	174.1	536.8
Amortization of deferred financing costs and non-cash interest	67.9	80.8	84.3
Realized and unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net	(845.1)	(847.2)	(88.8)
Foreign currency transaction losses, net	290.0	1,149.2	836.5
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) due to changes in fair values of certain investments and debt, including impact of dividends	477.0	(121.4)	(203.7)
Losses on debt modification and extinguishment, net	237.2	388.0	186.2
Gain on Dutch JV Transaction	(520.8)	0.0	0.0
Deferred income tax benefit	(1,520.0)	(50.1)	(350.6)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(4.4)	(26.7)	(7.0)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Receivables and other operating assets	457.9	566.5	860.5
Payables and accruals	(918.0)	(701.9)	(1,017.8)
Net cash used by operating activities of discontinued operation	0.0	0.0	(9.6)
Net cash provided by (used by) operating activities	5,935.5	5,705.8	5,603.2
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(2,644.3)	(2,499.5)	(2,684.4)
Cash paid in connection with acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,384.5)	(385.8)	(73.3)
Sale of investments	147.3	0.0	0.0
Investments in and loans to affiliates and others	(140.9)	(999.6)	(1,016.6)
Proceeds received upon disposition of discontinued operation, net of disposal costs	0.0	0.0	988.5
Other investing activities, net	104.7	55.5	(13.8)
Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operation, including deconsolidated cash	0.0	0.0	(3.8)
Net cash provided by (used by) investing activities	(3,917.7)	(3,829.4)	(2,803.4)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings of debt	13,680.8	15,230.4	9,572.4
Repayments and repurchases of debt and capital lease obligations	(12,544.4)	(13,881.4)	(11,316.1)
Repurchase of Liberty Global ordinary shares	(1,968.3)	(2,320.5)	(1,584.9)
Payment of financing costs and debt premiums	(253.9)	(423.3)	(379.8)
Net cash paid related to derivative instruments	(251.5)	(301.2)	(221.0)
Change in cash collateral	106.3	(56.1)	(58.7)
Change in cash collateral	0.0	(142.4)	(260.7)
Other financing activities, net	(154.7)	(143.3)	(11.3)
Net cash used by financing activities of discontinued operation	0.0	0.0	(1.2)
Net cash used by financing activities	(1,385.7)	(2,037.8)	(4,261.3)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash – continuing operations	15.0	(15.0)	(81.9)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents:
Continuing operations	647.1	(176.4)	(1,528.8)
Discontinued operation	0.0	0.0	(14.6)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	647.1	(176.4)	(1,543.4)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	982.1	1,158.5	2,701.9
End of year	1,629.2	982.1	1,158.5
Cash paid for interest – continuing operations	2,608.0	2,170.4	2,376.7
Net cash paid for taxes:
Continuing operations	440.7	236.3	97.3
Discontinued operation	0.0	0.0	2.2
Total	$ 440.7	$ 236.3	$ 99.5