Long-lived Assets (Schedule of PP&E) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property and equipment, gross	$ 37,507.8	$ 36,147.5
Accumulated depreciation	(16,104.0)	(15,037.3)
Total property and equipment, net	21,403.8	21,110.2
Liberty Global Group [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	31,608.1	30,465.3
Accumulated depreciation	(14,137.1)	(13,216.0)
Total property and equipment, net	17,471.0	17,249.3
LiLAC Group [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	5,899.7	5,682.2
Accumulated depreciation	(1,966.9)	(1,821.3)
Total property and equipment, net	3,932.8	3,860.9
Distribution Systems [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	25,544.2	24,771.9
Distribution Systems [Member] \| Liberty Global Group [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	21,970.7	21,249.9
Distribution Systems [Member] \| LiLAC Group [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	3,573.5	3,522.0
Customer Premises Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	6,335.9	6,035.3
Customer Premises Equipment [Member] \| Liberty Global Group [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	5,125.0	4,829.9
Customer Premises Equipment [Member] \| LiLAC Group [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	1,210.9	1,205.4
Support Equipment, Buildings and Land [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	5,627.7	5,340.3
Support Equipment, Buildings and Land [Member] \| Liberty Global Group [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	4,512.4	4,385.5
Support Equipment, Buildings and Land [Member] \| LiLAC Group [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,115.3	$ 954.8

Amount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services.

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Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

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