Granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Non-deductible or non-taxable interest and other expenses Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Amount Intangible assets Deferred Tax Liabilities, Intangible Assets Options outstanding at end of period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Cross-Currency Swap 1 Cross-Currency Swap 1 [Member] Cross-Currency Swap 1 [Member] Contributions expected in next fiscal year Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year Partial settlement Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Axis] Beginning of year End of year Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Including Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations 2031 VM O2 Dollar Senior Secured Notes 2031 VM O2 Dollar Senior Secured Notes [Member] 2031 VM O2 Dollar Senior Secured Notes [Member] Acquisitions and related adjustments Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments Enacted tax law and rate changes Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount Lease liabilities: Lease Liability [Abstract] Lease Liability [Abstract] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Distribution systems Distribution Systems [Member] Distribution Systems [Member] Distributions by subsidiaries to noncontrolling interest owners (note 14) Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Depreciation and amortization Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization Cash paid for investments Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates Net cash provided (used) by investing activities of continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Fair value of plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount Unused borrowing capacity Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount Borrowings of debt Borrowings of third-party debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Segments Long-lived Assets by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block] Total current liabilities Current liabilities Liabilities, Current PSUs Performance Shares [Member] Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per shares) Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Domain] Total payments Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] PSARs PSARs [Member] PSARs [Member] De Vijver Media De Vijver Media [Member] De Vijver Media [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Operating cash outflows from operating leases Operating Lease, Payments Belgium BELGIUM SARs Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] 2023 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Three Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Investments in and advances to consolidated subsidiaries, net Distributions And Advances From Contributions To Subsidiaries And Affiliates Net Distributions and advances from contributions to subsidiaries and affiliates net. Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Unrecorded Purchase Obligation Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Disclosure [Table Text Block] Entity Address, Country Entity Address, Country Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] 2021 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One Class B Common Class B [Member] Shares reserved for future issuance (in shares) Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) Options outstanding at end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number 2024 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Summary of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Total compensation expense not yet recognized Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Long-term debt and finance lease obligations (notes 11 and 12) Long-term debt and finance lease obligations Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation Borrowings of related-party debt Proceeds from Related Party Debt New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] 2030 VM Dollar Senior Notes 2030 VM Dollar Senior Notes [Member] 2030 VM Dollar Senior Notes [Member] Virgin Media O2 Facility R Virgin Media O2 Facility R [Member] Virgin Media O2 Facility R [Member] Switzerland SWITZERLAND Performance period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Performance Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Performance Period Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes (note 18): Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Common stock, nominal value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Other long-term liabilities (notes 4, 8, 12, 13, 16 and 17) Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred tax assets (note 13) Deferred tax assets Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Options expired, cancelled or forfeited (in dollars per shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Financing cash outflows from finance leases Finance Lease, Principal Payments Operating Activities [Axis] Operating Activities [Axis] Number of equal or semi-equal installments Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Equal or Semi-Equal Installments Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Equal or Semi-Equal Installments Univision Holdings Inc. (Univision) Univision Holdings Inc [Member] Univision Holdings Inc AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] Continuing operations Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Impairment of Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets Impairment of Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block] Describes an entity's accounting policy for recognizing and measuring the impairment of long-lived assets, which includes intangible assets. Loss from continuing operations Loss from continuing operations Earnings (loss) from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits Income Tax Reconciliation, Previously Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Reconciliation, Previously Unrecognized Tax Benefits Percent of customers Concentration Risk, Percentage Notional amount of derivative instruments without exchange of notional amounts at inception and maturity Notional Amount Of Derivative Instruments Without Exchange Of Notional Amounts At Inception And Maturity Notional Amount of Derivative Instruments without Exchange of Notional Amounts at Inception and Maturity Expiration period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash: Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Six Month Anniversary After Grant Date Six Month Anniversary After Grant Date [Member] Six Month Anniversary After Grant Date [Member] Measurement Input Type [Domain] Measurement Input Type [Domain] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Ireland IRELAND Other current assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other Other current liabilities — related party Due to Other Related Parties, Current Weighted average life Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Term Schedule of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] Award vesting (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Shares Weighted Average Weighted Average [Member] Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Table] Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Table] Anti-Dilution and Other Adjustment Provisions Anti-Dilution and Other Adjustment Provisions [Member] Anti-Dilution and Other Adjustment Provisions [Member] UPC Holding Euro-Denominated Term Loan Facility UPC Holding Euro-Denominated Term Loan Facility [Member] UPC Holding Euro-Denominated Term Loan Facility [Member] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Principles of Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Total Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Performance range Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Performance Range Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Performance Range 2025 VM Dollar Senior Notes 2025 VM Dollar Senior Notes [Member] 2025 VM Dollar Senior Notes [Member] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Other comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, Tax benefit (expense) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net cash provided (used) by financing activities of discontinued operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations Cross-Currency Swap 6 Cross-Currency Swap 6 [Member] Cross-Currency Swap 6 [Member] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Assumptions used to estimate fair value of options, SARs and PSARs granted: Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Accrued interest and penalties on tax related items Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued Reclassification to assets held for sale Goodwill, Transfers Share authorized (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Residential Service Residential Service [Member] Residential Service [Member] Central and Corporate Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Other accrued and current liabilities (notes 12 and 16) Accrued liabilities and other Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Principal Transaction Revenue [Line Items] Principal Transaction Revenue [Line Items] Repayments of related-party debt Repayments of related-party debt Repayments of Related Party Debt Restructuring Liabilities Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] 2027 VM 4.875% Sterling Senior Secured Notes 2027 VM 4.875% Sterling Senior Secured Notes [Member] 2027 VM 4.875% Sterling Senior Secured Notes [Member] Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (note 6) Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Noncurrent U.K. UNITED KINGDOM Trade Receivables Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block] Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] Total capital expenditures, net Payments for Capital Improvements Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on derivative instruments, net Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on derivative instruments, net Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net Due from related parties Due from Related Parties Derivative Instruments Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Liability: Derivative Liability [Abstract] Virgin Media VAT Matters Virgin Media VAT Matters [Member] Virgin Media VAT Matters [Member] Investments in consolidated subsidiaries, including intercompany balances Investments In Consolidated Subsidiaries Including Intercompany Balances Net Investments In Consolidated Subsidiaries Including Intercompany Balances Net. Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Balance at beginning of period Balance at end of period SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Amount Revenue by Major Category Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block] Other accrued and current liabilities Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Aggregate allowance for doubtful accounts Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Aggregate intrinsic value Aggregate intrinsic value [Abstract] Aggregate intrinsic value Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] ITV Collar Loan ITV Collar Loan [Member] ITV Collar Loan [Member] 2022 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Long lived Assets Long lived Assets Long Lived Assets [Abstract] Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) (note 15) Selling, general and administrative (including stock-based compensation) Selling, General and Administrative Expense Foreign currency forward and option contracts Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] Lease Expense and Cash Outflows from Operating and Finance Leases Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] Total debt and finance lease obligations Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Including Current Maturities 2023 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Finance lease expense: Finance Leases, Cost [Abstract] Finance Leases, Cost [Abstract] Other assets, net (notes 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12) Other Assets, Noncurrent Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] Net asset Equity Method Investment, Underlying Equity in Net Assets Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Total assets Total assets Assets Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block] Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) Outstanding at end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Total subscription revenue Cable Subscription [Member] Cable Subscription [Member] Finance leases Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract] Depreciation expense Depreciation, Nonproduction Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, by Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] Other long-term liabilities Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Redemption term Debt Instrument, Redemption Term Debt Instrument, Redemption Term Tax benefit associated with technology innovation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Technology Innovation, Amount Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Technology Innovation, Amount Other Other Intangible Assets [Member] Accrued interest Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accrued Interest, after Allowance for Credit Loss Cash and cash equivalents Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling Maturity, Fair Value [Abstract] Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling Maturity, Fair Value [Abstract] Total liabilities Liabilities Property and equipment, net Deferred Tax Assets Property And Equipment Net Deferred tax assets property and equipment net. Central and Eastern Europe Central and Eastern Europe [Member] Central and Eastern Europe [Member] Allowance for doubtful accounts — Loans to affiliates SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Loss on Finance Receivable [Member] 2025 VM Sterling Senior Notes 2025 VM Sterling Senior Notes [Member] 2025 VM Sterling Senior Notes [Member] Damages sought Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Expected volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Less: present value discount Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Telenet Senior Secured Notes Telenet Senior Secured Notes [Member] Telenet Senior Secured Notes [Member] Cash released from (used to fund) the Vodafone Escrow Accounts, net Cash released from (used to fund) the Vodafone Escrow Accounts, net Funding of Escrow Accounts, Net Funding of Escrow Accounts, Net Discontinued Operations, Split-off Transaction Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff [Member] UPC Holding UPC Holding [Member] UPC Holding [Member] Virgin Media O2 Facility Q Virgin Media O2 Facility Q [Member] VirginMediaO2FacilityQ [Member] Leverage ratio Equity Method Investment, Leverage Ratio Equity Method Investment, Leverage Ratio Operating lease ROU assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Operating Lease, Right Of Use Asset Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Operating Lease, Right Of Use Asset Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] UPC Holding Bank Facility UPC Holding Bank Facility [Member] UPC Holding Bank Facility [Member] Income tax penalties and interest expense Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Thereafter Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, after Year Five 2022 Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year Two Weighted average interest rate Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate Number of awards Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Change in valuation allowances Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount Interest expense — related-party Interest Income (Expense), Net Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] PSUs earned Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Performance Shares Earned Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Performance Shares Earned Other assets, net Other Assets Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Leases Deferred Tax Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets Interest expense Finance Lease, Interest Expense Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Equity Equity Method Investments Common stock, outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Deferred tax assets: Deferred Tax Assets, Net [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Interest income — related-party Interest Income, Related Party Operating costs and expenses: Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Poland POLAND Interest Rate Collar Interest Rate Collar [Member] Interest Rate Collar Awards outstanding (in EUR/USD per share) Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per shares) Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Cash paid in connection with acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Interest acquired Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired Proceeds from issuance of Liberty Global shares upon exercise of options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Revenue by Geographic Segments Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block] Deferred Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Assets held for sale (note 6) Assets Held-for-sale, Not Part of Disposal Group Performance Measures of our Reportable Segments Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Net asset (liability) Defined Benefit Plan, Funded (Unfunded) Status of Plan SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves Type [Axis] SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves Type [Axis] UPC Holding Dollar Denominated Term Loan Facility UPC Holding Dollar Denominated Term Loan Facility [Member] UPC Holding Dollar Denominated Term Loan Facility [Member] Percent of annual inventive compensation Shareholder Inventive Program, Percent of Annual Incentive Compensation Shareholder Inventive Program, Percent of Annual Incentive Compensation ITV plc (ITV) — subject to re-use rights ITV ITV - Subject to Re-Use Rights [Member] ITV - Subject to Re-Use Rights [Member] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] 2025 Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year Five Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of taxes Accumulated other comprehensive earnings AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] 2029 VM O2 Sterling Senior Secured Notes 2029 VM O2 Sterling Senior Secured Notes [Member] 2029 VM O2 Sterling Senior Secured Notes [Member] Non-subscription revenue Business to Business Non-Subscription [Member] Business to Business Non-Subscription [Member] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table] Deferred financing costs, discounts and premiums, net Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium) and Debt Issuance Costs, Net Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] VM O2 Notes VM O2 Notes [Member] VM O2 Notes [Member] Nonvoting shares (in shares) Equity Securities, FV-NI, Nonvoting Shares Equity Securities, FV-NI, Nonvoting Shares Total accumulated other comprehensive earnings AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation by Category of Item Purchased [Axis] Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation by Category of Item Purchased [Axis] Dividends Dividends Related party note receivable Receivable with Imputed Interest, Face Amount Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Investing activities Payments for Derivative Instrument, Investing Activities Aggregate assets associated with incremental costs to obtain a contract and contract fulfillment costs Capitalized Contract Cost, Net Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Basis and other differences in the treatment of items associated with investments in subsidiaries and affiliates Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Decrease in Basis and Other Differences in the Treatment of Items Associated with Investments in Subsidiaries and Affiliates, Amount Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Decrease in Basis and Other Differences in the Treatment of Items Associated with Investments in Subsidiaries and Affiliates, Amount Interest Rate Cap Interest Rate Cap [Member] Scenario [Domain] Scenario [Domain] Lionsgate Lions Gate Entertainment Corp (Lionsgate) Lionsgate [Member] Lionsgate [Member] Counterparty Name [Domain] Counterparty Name [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Number of borrowing groups Number of Borrowing Groups Number of Borrowing Groups Capital Expenditures of Reportable Segments Schedule of Reporting Capital Expenditures of Reportable Segments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Reporting Capital Expenditures of Reportable Segments [Table Text Block] Formula E Formula E [Member] Formula E [Member] Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements [Table] Condensed Financial Statements [Table] Net cash received related to derivative instruments Proceeds from Hedge, Financing Activities Percent of interest income earned on loan included in investment Percent of Interest Income Earned on Loan Included in Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Percent of Interest Income Earned on Loan Included in Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Loss contingency accrual Loss Contingency Accrual Common reserved for issuance (in shares) Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Property and equipment, net Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Property, Plant and Equipment, Noncurrent Share of results of affiliates, net (note 7) Share of results of affiliates, net Foreign currency transactions losses (gains), net Share of results of affiliates, net Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 10) Other Intangible Assets, Net Floor rate Derivative, Exchange Rate Floor Share capital authorized, aggregate nominal amount Authorized Share Capital, Aggregate Nominal Amount Authorized Share Capital, Aggregate Nominal Amount Counterparty Credit Risk Counterparty Credit Risk [Member] Counterparty Credit Risk [Member] Customer premises equipment Customer Premises Equipment [Member] Customer Premises Equipment [Member] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Financing Notes Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] Other Other, net Other Unnamed Investment [Member] Other Unnamed Investment [Member] Non-subscription revenue Mobile Non-Subscription [Member] Mobile Non-Subscription [Member] Other investments Equity Securities, FV-NI Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Noncurrent portion Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent U.S. and other U.S. and Other [Member] U.S. and Other [Member] Debt Deferred Tax Liabilities, Deferred Expense, Debt Issuance Costs Other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Schedule of Debt Securities Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Table Text Block] 2031 VM O2 Euro Senior Secured Notes 2031 VM O2 Euro Senior Secured Notes [Member] 2031 VM O2 Euro Senior Secured Notes [Member] Estimated useful life at December 31, 2020 Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life UPC Revolving Facility UPC Revolving Facility [Member] UPC Revolving Facility [Member] Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Line Items] Total Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Class C Common Class C [Member] Related-party fees and allocations Related Party Costs Restricted cash included in other current assets and other assets, net Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Cumulative foreign currency translation gains (loss) Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses) Net deferred tax asset (liability) Deferred Tax Assets, Net Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-for-sale Schedule of Outstanding Share-Based Compensation Awards Share-based Payment Arrangement, Activity [Table Text Block] Net cash paid for taxes: Income Taxes Paid, Net [Abstract] Trade receivables, net Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Total cash outflows from operating and finance leases Operating and Finance Lease, Payments Operating and Finance Lease, Payments Telefonica Telefonica [Member] Telefonica [Member] Current portion Operating Lease, Liability, Current Support equipment, buildings and land Support Equipment, Buildings and Land [Member] Support Equipment, Buildings and Land [Member] Continuing operations Income Taxes Paid, Continuing Operations Income Taxes Paid, Continuing Operations Virgin Media Virgin Media [Member] Virgin Media [Member] ROU assets associated with finance leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Percent reduction in monthly wholesale cable resale access price Percent Of Reduction In Monthly Wholesale Cable Resale Access Prices Percent of Reduction in Monthly Wholesale Cable Resale Access Prices Forfeited (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Stock Compensation Assumptions Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Fair Values of Derivative Instrument Assets and Liabilities Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block] Other-than-Options Activity Share-based Payment Arrangement, Outstanding Award, Activity, Excluding Option [Table Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Reclassification of liability to held for sale Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements Interest Rate Swap Interest Rate Swap [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Adjustment Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Weighted average discount rate for operating leases Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Other operating expenses Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Long-term assets Assets, Noncurrent Intersegment eliminations Intersegment Eliminations [Member] Released from restrictions (in dollars per shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Released From Restrictions in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value The weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were released from restrictions during the period. Other Other Legal Entity [Member] Other Legal Entity Weighted average exercise or base price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Telenet Credit Facility Telenet Credit Facility [Member] Telenet Credit Facility [Member] Less: present value discount Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Increase (decrease) to borrowing costs Impact of Derivative Instruments on Borrowing Costs, Percent Increase (Decrease) Impact of Derivative Instruments on Borrowing Costs, Percent Increase (Decrease) Distributable reserves recognized Distributable Reserves Recognized Distributable Reserves Recognized Debt and Lease Obligation [Abstract] Debt and Lease Obligation [Abstract] Proceeds From Recapitalization Proceeds From Recapitalization Proceeds From Recapitalization Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Investments [Abstract] Investments [Abstract] Derivative instruments (note 8) Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities Depreciation and amortization (note 10) Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Liberty Global Challenge Performance Awards Liberty Global Challenge Performance Awards [Member] Liberty Global Challenge Performance Awards [Member] Restructuring liability at beginning of year Restructuring liability at end of year Total Restructuring Reserve Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Extinguishment of Debt, Type [Domain] Extinguishment of Debt, Type [Domain] Discontinued operations Interest Paid, Discontinued Operations Restructuring Type [Axis] Restructuring Type [Axis] Current portion of notes payable — related-party Notes Payable, Related Parties, Current Goodwill (note 10 ) Goodwill Goodwill beginning balance Goodwill ending balance Goodwill Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] Other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Latin America shareholders, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Repayments and repurchases of debt and finance lease obligations Repayment of Long-term Debt, Long-term Lease Obligation, and Capital Security Minimum number of classes or series of stock which may be authorized Minimum Number of Classes or Series of Stock Which May Be Authorized Minimum Number of Classes or Series of Stock Which May Be Authorized Customer Base Impacted by Database Access [Member] Customer Base Impacted by Database Access [Member] Customer Base Impacted by Database Access [Member] Income Tax Examination [Table] Income Tax Examination [Table] Each Quarter Thereafter after Six Month Vest Each Quarter Thereafter after Six Month Vest [Member] Each Quarter Thereafter after Six Month Vest [Member] Debt securities Debt Securities, Realized Gain (Loss) Debt Securities, Realized Gain (Loss) Net operating loss and other carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards Liberty Global Incentive Plan Liberty Global Incentive Plan [Member] Liberty Global Incentive Plan [Member] Repurchases and cancellations of Liberty Global ordinary shares (note 14) Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Original issue amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Other current assets (notes 4, 6, 7 and 8) Other Assets, Current Other Assets, Current Realized and unrealized gains (losses) due to changes in fair values of certain investments and debt, net (notes 7, 9 and 11) Realized and unrealized losses (gains) due to changes in fair values of certain investments and debt, net Realized And Unrealized Gains (Losses) Due To Changes In Fair Values of Certain Investments and Debt, Net Realized And Unrealized Gains (Losses) Due To Changes In Fair Values of Certain Investments and Debt, Net RUSs RUS [Member] RUS 2018 PSUs 2018 PSUs [Member] 2018 PSUs [Member] Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Total assets Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Dispositions and the U.K. JV Transaction Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Deferred revenue (note 4) Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Accounting standards update Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List] Options granted (in dollars per shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Entities [Table] Entities [Table] Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Schedule of Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets with Finite Lives Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Due in one to five years Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after One Through Five Years, Fair Value Other accrued and current liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Total Other Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations Other Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Ireland Revenue Commissioners, Ireland [Member] Telenet Dollar-Denominated Term Loan Facility Telenet Dollar-Denominated Term Loan Facility [Member] Telenet Dollar-Denominated Term Loan Facility [Member] Awards other than Performance-Based Awards Awards other than Performance-Based Awards [Member] Awards other than Performance-Based Awards [Member] Amortization of deferred financing costs and non-cash interest Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts Impact of U.K. JV Contribution Agreement SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Impact Of Agreement SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Impact Of Agreement VM Receivables Financing III Notes VM Receivables Financing III Notes [Member] VM Receivables Financing III Notes [Member] Net cash provided (used) by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Weighted average remaining contractual term Weighted average remaining term [Abstract] Weighted average remaining term Value added tax, vendor financing arrangement Value Added Tax, Vendor Financing Arrangement Value Added Tax, Vendor Financing Arrangement Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash Flow, Lessee [Abstract] Cash Flow, Lessee [Abstract] Balance at January 1 Balance at December 31 Unrecognized Tax Benefits Tax Credit Carryforward, Name [Domain] Tax Credit Carryforward, Name [Domain] Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Investments and related notes receivable (including $3,466.0 million and $1,289.2 million, respectively, measured at fair value on a recurring basis) (note 7) Long-term investments Long-term Investments Non-cash borrowings and repayments of debt Non-Cash Borrowings and Repayments of Debt Non-Cash Borrowings and Repayments of Debt Schedule of Realized and Unrealized Losses on Derivative Instruments Schedule Of Realized And Unrealized Gains Losses On Derivative Instruments Text Block Schedule Of Realized And Unrealized Gains Losses On Derivative Instruments. Long-term Debt Long-term Debt [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Latin America shareholders, tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent 2022 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Two Cross-Currency Swap 5 Cross-Currency Swap 5 [Member] Cross-Currency Swap 5 [Member] Restricted cash included in other current assets Restricted Cash, Current SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] Current portion Current portion Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Projected benefit obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Settlements with tax authorities Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status May 15, 2021 May 15, 2021 [Member] May 15, 2021 [Member] Leverage ratio Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations (notes 11 and 12) Debt, Current Percentage of minority interest revenues and expenses included in net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest Percentage Of Minority Interest Revenues And Expenses From Consolidated Statements Of Operations Included In Net Earnings Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Percentage Of Minority Interest Revenues And Expenses From Consolidated Statements Of Operations Included In Net Earnings Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Purchase commitments Network and Connectivity Commitments [Member] Network and Connectivity Commitments [Member] Performance measures, percentage of reportable segment revenue and operating cash flow presented Performance Measures Percentage Of Reportable Segment Revenue And Operating Cash Flow Presented Performance Measures Percentage Of Reportable Segment Revenue And Operating Cash Flow Presented Related Party Transaction [Axis] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Recorded liability Recorded Liability Not Acquried Recorded Liability Not Acquried Earnings or Loss per Ordinary Share Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive earnings (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Schedule of Cash Received (Paid) Related to Derivative Instruments Statement of Cash Flows Location Schedule Of Cash Received Paid Related To Derivative Instruments Statement Of Cash Flows Location Text Block Schedule Of Cash Received Paid Related To Derivative Instruments Statement Of Cash Flows Location. Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Telenet Revolving Credit Facility I Telenet Revolving Credit Facility I [Member] Telenet Revolving Credit Facility I [Member] Share price (in dollars per share) Business Acquisition, Share Price Vesting percentage Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage Common stock, issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value EdgeConneX EQT [Member] EQT Discontinued operations Income Taxes Paid, Discontinued Operations Income Taxes Paid, Discontinued Operations Operating leases Present value of lease payments Operating Lease, Liability Net deferred tax asset (liability) Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net April 1, 2021 April 1, 2021 [Member] April 1, 2021 [Member] Noncurrent portion Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Schedule of Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Balances of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable, or Level 3, Inputs Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings [Table Text Block] Percentage of principal amount redeemed Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Total residential cable revenue Cable [Member] Cable [Member] Total Liberty Global shareholders Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Receivables and other operating assets Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets Consideration transferred Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Pension-related adjustments and other Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment And Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment And Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease 2024 Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year Four Cross-Currency Swap 7 Cross-Currency Swap 7 [Member] Cross-Currency Swap 7 Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Incremental share based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Plan Modification, Incremental Cost Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] RSUs Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax Income tax paid Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value Total Liberty Global shareholders Parent [Member] 2025 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five FInancial Instruments [Axis] Financial Instrument [Axis] Notional amount due to counterparty Due To Counterparty [Member] Due To Counterparty [Member] Short-term lease expense Short-term Lease, Cost Term to distribute all unrestricted cash Equity Method Investment, Term to Distribute All Unrestricted Cash Equity Method Investment, Term to Distribute All Unrestricted Cash Video Cable Video Subscription [Member] Cable Video Subscription [Member] Belgium Regulatory Developments Belgium Regulatory Developments [Member] Belgium Regulatory Developments [Member] VodafoneZiggo JV Loan VodafoneZiggo JV Loan [Member] VodafoneZiggo JV Loan [Member] 2030 VM 4.125% Sterling Senior Secured Notes 2030 VM 4.125% Sterling Senior Secured Notes [Member] 2030 VM 4.125% Sterling Senior Secured Notes [Member] Liberty Global Director Incentive Plan Liberty Global Director Incentive Plan [Member] Liberty Global Director Incentive Plan [Member] Valuation allowance Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Liabilities: Liabilities [Abstract] Third-Party Purchaser Third-Party Purchaser [Member] Third-Party Purchaser [Member] 2023 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Three Total assets Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets Revenue Recognition Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block] Weighted average grant-date fair value per share Weighted average grant date fair value per share [Abstract] Weighted average grant-date fair value per share Noncurrent portion Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Cross-Currency Swap 4 Cross-Currency Swap 4 [Member] Cross-Currency Swap 4 [Member] Lionsgate Loan Lionsgate Loan [Member] Lionsgate Loan [Member] Total residential mobile revenue Mobile Residential [Member] Mobile Residential [Member] Belgium Administration of the Treasury, Belgium [Member] Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Other comprehensive earnings (loss) Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (note 18) Other comprehensive earnings (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Released from restrictions (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Released from Restrictions in Period The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were released from restrictions during the reporting period. Leases [Abstract] Leases [Abstract] Other payables — related-party Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Total current assets Current assets Assets, Current Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Tax loss carryforward Operating Loss Carryforwards Restructuring charges Restructuring Charges Income Tax Authority, Name [Axis] Income Tax Authority, Name [Axis] SCHEDULE I (Parent Company Information) Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule Of Current And Noncurrent Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Net Investment Income [Line Items] Net Investment Income [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Property and equipment gross Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, before Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Pension- related adjustments and other Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Mandatory Repatriation Tax Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Increase in Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Amount Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Increase in Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Amount Disposal Group Name [Domain] Disposal Group Name [Domain] Liberty Global shareholders: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] 2025 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Five Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Mandatory redemption price expressed as percentage of principal amount on senior notes in event that certain assets sold or specific control changed Mandatory Redemption Price Expressed as Percentage of Principal Amount on Senior Notes in Event that Certain Assets Sold or Specific Control Changed Mandatory redemption price expressed as percentage of principal amount on senior notes in event that certain assets sold or specific control changed SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Table] SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Table] Certificates of deposit Certificates of Deposit [Member] Contributions by employer Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer Switzerland Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) [Member] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee or Group of Investees Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee or Group of Investees [Member] Foreign currency translation Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Foreign Currency Translation Redemption price Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table Text Block] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Foreign currency translation adjustments Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Non-cash increases to PP&E related to vendor financing arrangements Property Plant And Equipment, Additions, Vendor Financing Arrangement Property Plant And Equipment, Additions, Vendor Financing Arrangement Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution, Return of Capital Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution, Return of Capital Equity-related derivative instruments Equity-Related Derivative Instruments [Member] Equity-Related Derivative Instruments [Member] Realized and unrealized gains (losses) Realized And Unrealized Gains (Losses) Due To Changes In Fair Values Of Certain Investments Realized And Unrealized Gains (Losses) Due To Changes In Fair Values of Certain Investments Weighted average discount rate for finance leases Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Total ROU assets Lease Asset Lease Asset Basis Swaps Basis Swap [Member] Interest accrued Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Interest Receivable, Net 2021 Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year One Secured Debt Secured Debt [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities (Net) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Assets acquired under finance leases Lease Obligation Incurred Interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Government bonds Municipal Bonds [Member] Contract term Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period Write off deferred financing costs Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries, net Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes And Equity In Losses Of Consolidated Subsidiaries Net Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income taxes and equity in losses of consolidated subsidiaries, net. Class A Common Class A [Member] Cross-Currency Swap 3 Cross-Currency Swap 3 [Member] Cross-Currency Swap 3 [Member] Options exercised (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Number of votes allowed per class of stock (in votes) Number of Votes Allowed Per Class of Stock Number of Votes Allowed Per Class of Stock Total Net increase (decrease) Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Class A Liberty Global Group [Member] Liberty Global Group [Member] Acquisitions Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Non-operating income (expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Options Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Foreign currency translation adjustments Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Term of transitional services Disposal Group, Term of Transitional Services Disposal Group, Term of Transitional Services Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization, shown separately below): Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Employee severance and termination Employee Severance [Member] Percentage ownership in subsidiary Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions 2025 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Five Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] Number of ordinary share rights for each performance share (in shares) Number of Ordinary Shares Rights for Each Performance Share Number of Ordinary Shares Rights for Each Performance Share Total Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities UPC Facility AW UPC Facility AW [Member] UPC Facility AW [Member] Total equity Beginning balance Ending balance Cumulative effect adjustment Owners’ equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital 2021 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year One Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Third-party payments Payments to Acquire Other Productive Assets Schedule of Derivative Instruments Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block] Total Income Taxes Paid, Net Aggregate expense for matching contributions under various defined contribution plans Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount Noncontrolling interests AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Total Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Including Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Table] Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Table] Total liabilities Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Expected performance earnings for PSUs Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Expected Performance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Expected Performance Proceeds from sale of debt securities Proceeds from Sale of Debt Securities, Available-for-sale Cross-Currency Swap 2 Cross-Currency Swap 2 [Member] Cross-Currency Swap 2 [Member] Operating activities Payments for (Proceeds from) Derivative Instrument, Operating Activities Payments for (Proceeds from) Derivative Instrument, Operating Activities Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block] Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net [Abstract] Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Schedule of Debt Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] VodafoneZiggo JV VodafoneZiggo JV [Member] VodafoneZiggo JV [Member] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] [Line Items] for Basis of Presentation [Table] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Proceeds received upon disposition of discontinued operations, net Cash proceeds Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested Entity Address, Address Line Two Entity Address, Address Line Two Floor rate Debt Instrument, Floor Interest Rate Debt Instrument, Floor Interest Rate Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Revenue Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Deferred income tax expense (benefit) Deferred Deferred income tax benefit Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) 4.875% Receivables Financing Notes due July 15, 2028 4.875% Receivables Financing Notes due July 15, 2028 [Member] 4.875% Receivables Financing Notes due July 15, 2028 [Member] SMAs Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) [Member] Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) [Member] Accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Maximum Maximum [Member] Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations Non-controlling interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] U.K. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) [Member] Central and Corporate Central and Corporate [Member] Central and Corporate [Member] UPC Facility AY UPC Facility AY [Member] UPC Facility AY [Member] Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Trading Symbol Trading Symbol UPC Facility AZ UPC Facility AZ [Member] UPC Facility AZ [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Disposal Group Classification [Domain] Disposal Group Classification [Domain] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items] [Line Items] for Income Taxes [Table] Outstanding at end of period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms Cash received from exercise of options Proceeds, Issuance of Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Including Option Exercised Impairment, restructuring and other operating items, net (notes 5, 16 and 17) Impairment, restructuring and other operating items, net Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax Contract assets Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Interkabel Acquisition Interkabel Acquisition [Member] Interkabel Acquisition [Member] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] 2022 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two VM Notes VM Notes [Member] VM Notes [Member] Other, net Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Reconciling Items, Amount Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Measurement input Intangible Asset Acquired, Measurement Input Intangible Asset Acquired, Measurement Input Document Type Document Type ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag Other income, net Other income, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Previous interest Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Percentage Payables and accruals Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Treasury shares, at cost Treasury Stock [Member] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Domain] SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Domain] Defined Benefit Plans Retirement Benefits [Text Block] Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Other Other Contract [Member] Leases Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block] Shares purchased pursuant to repurchase programs (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Related-party fees and allocations Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party Derivative instruments: Total Derivative Asset Revenue from transitional services Revenue From Transitional Services Revenue From Transitional Services Reclassification to held for sale Financing Receivable, Reclassification to Held-for-sale Total debt maturities Long-term Debt, Gross Contractual Maturities Long-term Debt, Gross Contractual Maturities Line of Credit Line of Credit [Member] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Deferred tax liabilities Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Repurchases by Telenet of its outstanding shares Payments for Repurchase of Other Equity Non-subscription revenue Cable Non-Subscription [Member] Cable Non-Subscription [Member] Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Programming commitments Purchase Commitments [Member] Purchase Commitments [Member] Proceeds from various debt financing arrangements Proceeds from Issuance of Debt Skillz Skillz [Member] Skillz Total debt Long-term Debt Contractual Maturities Long-term Debt Contractual Maturities Adjusted EBITDA Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income taxes. Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract] Operating income Operating Income (Loss) 2025 VM Euro Senior Notes 2025 VM Euro Senior Notes [Member] 2025 VM Euro Senior Notes [Member] JV Services JV Services [Member] JV Services [Member] Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Axis] Gain on remeasurement Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Commitments and contingencies (notes 8, 11, 13, 17 and 19) Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Long-term Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Noncurrent Repurchases of Liberty Global ordinary shares Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Vesting period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Thereafter Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five October 1, 2021 October 1, 2021 [Member] October 1, 2021 [Member] Other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Computed “expected” tax benefit (expense) Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount Extinguishment of Debt [Axis] Extinguishment of Debt [Axis] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Foreign currency translation adjustments Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) UPC Facility AV UPC Facility AV [Member] UPC Facility AV [Member] Current Derivative Asset, Current Accumulated earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Long-term debt and finance lease obligations Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Operating lease ROU assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset May 15, 2020 May 15, 2020 [Member] May 15, 2020 [Member] Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash: Cash and cash equivalents: Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Losses on debt extinguishment, net Losses on debt extinguishment, net Losses on debt extinguishment, net Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt Property and equipment, net Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment Options and SARs Options and SARs [Member] Options and SARs [Member] Other revenue Other Category [Member] Other Category [Member] 2021 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One Property and equipment, net Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Equity (note 14): Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Foreign currency translation Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Foreign Currency Translation Income Taxes Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Total lease expense Lease, Cost Equalization payment Payments to acquire Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Options exercisable and end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number 2030 VM Dollar Senior Secured Notes 2030 VM Dollar Senior Secured Notes [Member] 2030 VM Dollar Senior Secured Notes [Member] Other investing activities, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities 2030 VM 4.25% Sterling Senior Secured Notes 2030 VM 4.25% Sterling Senior Secured Notes [Member] 2030VM4.25SterlingSeniorSecuredNotes [Member] Share-based compensation (note 15) APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Asset retirement obligation Asset Retirement Obligation Ireland Business Ireland Business [Member] Ireland Business [Member] April 1, 2019 and October 1, 2019 April 1, 2019 and October 1, 2019 [Member] April 1, 2019 and October 1, 2019 [Member] Options expired, cancelled or forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period Adjusted balance Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] Thereafter Long-Term Debt, Maturity, after Year Five Mobile Services Mobile Services [Member] Mobile Services [Member] Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Share price (in dollars per share) Share Price Lionsgate Forward Lionsgate Forward [Member] Lionsgate Forward [Member] Investments Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Additions Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases Financing activities Proceeds from Derivative Instrument, Financing Activities Changes in current liabilities related to capital expenditures Increase Decrease in Current Liabilities Related to Capital Expenditures Increase Decrease in Current Liabilities Related to Capital Expenditures Revenue and Operating Cash Flow by Segment Schedule Of Revenue and Operating Cash Flow Segment Reporting Information By Segment [Table Text Block] Segment Revenue, & OCF year over year comparison. Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract] Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract] Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Amortization related to contract costs Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Deferred Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Forecast Forecast [Member] Telenet Overdraft Facility Telenet Overdraft Facility [Member] Telenet Overdraft Facility [Member] Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Tax Credit Carryforward [Axis] Tax Credit Carryforward [Axis] Thereafter Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, after Year Five UPC Holding Senior Notes UPC Holding Senior Notes Debt [Member] UPC Holding Senior Notes Debt [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Long-term Derivative Liability, Noncurrent Broadband internet Cable Broadband Internet Subscription [Member] Cable Broadband Internet Subscription [Member] Foreign tax authority Foreign Tax Authority [Member] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Cash paid for interest: Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities [Abstract] Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders per share (note 3) (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Net earnings Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual Capital Loss Carryforward Capital Loss Carryforward [Member] Operating leases Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Payment for debt redemption premium Payments For Debt Redemption Premium Payments For Debt Redemption Premium Virgin Media VAT Matters 2 [Member] Virgin Media VAT Matters 2 [Member] Virgin Media VAT Matters 2 [Member] Options exercisable at end of period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term SG&A expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill [Roll Forward] All3Media All3Media [Member] All3Media [Member] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Leases Lessee, Finance Leases [Text Block] Summary of Preliminary Purchase Price and Opening Balance Sheet Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block] Details of Share Repurchases Class of Treasury Stock [Table Text Block] Equity method investment, termination extended period Equity Method Investment, Termination Rights Extended Period Equity Method Investment, Termination Rights Extended Period Equity Method Investments Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block] Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Related Party [Domain] Related Party [Domain] Other Other Income Tax Authority [Member] Other Income Tax Authority [Member] April 1, 2020 April 1, 2020 [Member] April 1, 2020 [Member] 2019 PSUs 2019 PSUs [Member] 2019 PSUs [Member] Short-term, separately-managed accounts (SMAs) Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Current Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Schedule of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, Net Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] 5.0% Receivables Financing Notes due July 15, 2028 5.0% Receivables Financing Notes due July 15, 2028 [Member] 5.0% Receivables Financing Notes due July 15, 2028 [Member] Total liabilities Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities Senior Notes Senior Notes [Member] Escrow Deposit Escrow Deposit Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Change in valuation allowances Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount Belgium Belgium Segment [Member] Belgium Segment [Member] Other commitments Other Commitments [Member] Other Commitments [Member] Continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Derivative instruments Deferred Tax Assets, Derivative Instruments Amortized cost basis Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost Term Loan Facilities Term Loan Facilities [Member] Term Loan Facilities [Member] Unrealized gains Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Remaining authorized for share repurchases Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Including Direct Acquisition Costs Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Including Direct Acquisition Costs 2024 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Four Telenet Revolving Facility Telenet Revolving Facility [Member] Telenet Revolving Facility [Member] Realized and unrealized gains due to changes in fair values of certain investments and debt, net Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Virgin Media Debt Virgin Media Debt [Member] Virgin Media Debt [Member] Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Average price paid per share pursuant to repurchase programs (in dollars per shares) Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax Current Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Derivative, Notional Amount Derivative, Notional Amount Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Deferred revenue Deferred Tax Liabilities, Tax Deferred Income Investments Investments [Member] Options, SARs and PSARs Options, SARs and PSARs [Member] Options, SARs and PSARs [Member] Total B2B revenue Business to Business [Member] Business to Business [Member] Litigation Costs Legal Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Reconciliation of Total Segment Operating Cash Flow from Continuing Operations to Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Schedule of Reconciliation of Total Segment Operating Cash Flow From Continuing Operations to Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes [Table Text Block] Schedule of Reconciliation of Total Segment Operating Cash Flow From Continuing Operations to Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes [Table Text Block] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Operating cash outflows from finance leases Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Total finance lease expense Finance Lease, Cost Finance Lease, Cost Current Derivative Liability, Current Other receivables — related-party Due from Other Related Parties, Current Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Disposal Group Classification [Axis] Disposal Group Classification [Axis] Earnings before income taxes Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Long-lived assets Long-lived assets Long-Lived Assets Weighted average grant-date fair value per share of awards granted, options (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Write-off of unamortized debt discount and deferred financing cost Write-off of Unamortized Debt Discount and Deferred Financing Cost Write-off of Unamortized Debt Discount and Deferred Financing Cost ITV Collar ITV Collar [Member] ITV Collar [Member] Accrued income taxes Accrued Income Taxes, Current Long-lived Assets Long Lived Assets Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for long-lived assets. Cross-currency, interest rate and foreign currency derivative contracts Cross-Currency and Interest Rate Derivative Contracts [Member] Cross-Currency and Interest Rate Derivative Contracts [Member] CEO Chief Executive Officer [Member] Vesting [Domain] Vesting [Domain] Maturities of Finance Lease Liabilities Finance Lease, Liability, Fiscal Year Maturity [Table Text Block] Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense Subscription revenue Business to Business Subscription [Member] Business to Business Subscription [Member] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Adjustments due to changes in subsidiaries’ equity and other, net Stockholders' Equity, Other Adjusted OIBDA CAGR Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Target Performance, Operating Cash Flow Compound Annual Growth Rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Target Performance, Operating Cash Flow Compound Annual Growth Rate Schedule Of Income Tax Expense Benefit Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations [Member] Virgin Media O2 Facility P Virgin Media O2 Facility P [Member] Virgin Media O2 Facility P [Member] Former Employees Former Employees [Member] Former Employees [Member] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Schedule of Investments by Accounting Method Schedule of Investments by Accounting Method [Table Text Block] Schedule of Investments by Accounting Method [Table Text Block] Cross-currency and interest rate derivative contracts Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] Restricted cash included in assets held for sale Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Cash and Cash Equivalents Weighted average period remaining for expense recognition Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition 2025 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five Contract termination Other Restructuring [Member] Non-deductible or non-taxable foreign currency exchange results Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Currency Translation, Amount Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Currency Translation, Amount 2022 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Two Related party note receivable rate Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate) Percent of remaining results of operations included in investment Percent of Remaining Results of Operations Included in Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Percent of Remaining Results of Operations Included in Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Excess of carrying amount over proportional share in investees net assets Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders per share Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Per Basic and Diluted Share Revenue recognized Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Pension-related adjustments and other Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Long-term notes payable — related-party Notes Payable, Related Parties, Noncurrent Assets acquired under capital-related vendor financing arrangements Assets Acquired Under Capital-Related Vendor Financing Arrangements Assets Acquired Under Capital-Related Vendor Financing Arrangements Total Proceeds (Repayments) From Derivatives, Continuing Operations Proceeds (Repayments) From Derivatives, Continuing Operations Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table Text Block] Debt Deferred Tax Assets Debt Deferred tax assets debt. Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Investments Investment Holdings [Text Block] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Voting shares (in shares) Equity Securities, FV-NI, Voting Shares Equity Securities, FV-NI, Voting Shares Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Total cost for stock purchased pursuant to repurchase programs Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Total Derivative instruments: Derivative Liability Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations: Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash used by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Category of Goods or Services Acquired [Domain] Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Category of Goods or Services Acquired [Domain] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case [Axis] Acquisitions SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Business Acquired Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Operating Activities [Domain] Operating Activities [Domain] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Variable lease expense Variable Lease, Cost Schedule of Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Investments [Line Items] Principal Transaction Revenue [Table] Principal Transaction Revenue [Table] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Operating results of discontinued operations Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract] Vodafone Disposal Group Vodafone Disposal Group [Member] Vodafone Disposal Group [Member] Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and dispositions: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt Liberty Global 2014 Incentive Plans Liberty Global 2014 Incentive Plans [Member] Liberty Global 2014 Incentive Plans [Member] Domestic tax authority Domestic Tax Authority [Member] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Current maturities of debt and finance lease obligations Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Virgin Media Trade Receivables Financing Plc Virgin Media Trade Receivables Financing Plc [Member] Virgin Media Trade Receivables Financing Plc [Member] Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Fund for acquisition Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred 2022 VM Sterling Senior Notes 2022 VM Sterling Senior Notes [Member] 2022 VM Sterling Senior Notes [Member] Noncurrent portion Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent 2024 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Four Rent expense under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements Operating Leases, Rent Expense Lease Balances Assets And Liabilities, Lessee [Table Text Block] Assets And Liabilities, Lessee [Table Text Block] Intangible assets subject to amortization, net Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles Details of end of period cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash: Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Including Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Deferred Deferred Other Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Other Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Investments measured at fair value Total investments Total investments Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Stock repurchase, remaining authorized amount Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Payments of vendor financing obligations Repayments of Long-term Loans from Vendors Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Global shareholders Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent 2023 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Expected dividend yield Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Documents Incorporated by Reference Documents Incorporated by Reference [Text Block] Income Tax Benefit (Expense) Reconciliation Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] 2021 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year One Deductions or write-offs SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deduction Other Other Share-Based Incentive Awards [Member] Other Share-Based Incentive Awards [Member] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] City Area Code City Area Code Asserted claims Discontinued Operations, Asserted Claims Discontinued Operations, Asserted Claims Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date 2023 Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year Three Fair value Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Fair Value Authorized amount Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net (note 8) Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on derivative instruments, net Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] U.K. J.V. U.K. J.V. [Member] U.K. J.V. [Member] Net earnings (loss) Net loss Net earnings (loss) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total residential revenue Residential [Member] Residential [Member] Other Other Stock Plan [Member] Other Stock Plan [Member] Performance-based incentive awards Performance-Based Incentive Awards [Member] Performance-Based Incentive Awards [Member] CANAL+ Polska S.A. (CANAL+ Polska) - formerly known as ITI Neovision S.A. CANAL+ Polska ITI Neovision [Member] ITI Neovision [Member] 2016 PSUs 2016PSUs [Member] 2016PSUs [Member] Payment of financing costs and debt premiums Payment Of Deferred Financing Costs Debt Premiums And Exchange Offer Consideration Payment Of Deferred Financing Costs Debt Premiums And Exchange Offer Consideration Long-term investments at fair value Equity Securities, FV-NI and without Readily Determinable Fair Value Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Share-based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Repurchases by Telenet of its outstanding shares Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Capital expenditures, net Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Liberty global is expected to receive Proceeds received for transfers to related parties Proceeds from Contributions from Affiliates Other financing activities, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Measurement Input Type [Axis] Measurement Input Type [Axis] Shares repurchased (in shares) Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Percentage of shares tendered Business Acquisition, Shares Tendered, Percentage Business Acquisition, Shares Tendered, Percentage Dividends from affiliates and others Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution Reduction related to the held for sale group Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Equity Method Investee Equity Method Investee [Member] Schedule of Domestic and Foreign Components of Loss from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block] Outstanding debt Total carrying amount of debt Long-term Debt Switzerland Switzerland Segment [Member] Switzerland Segment [Member] Leases Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] 2024 VM Dollar Senior Notes 2024 VM Dollar Senior Notes [Member] 2024 VM Dollar Senior Notes [Member] Weighted average remaining life Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity Total investments Investments Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Balance of net assets (liabilities) at January 1, 2020 Balance of net assets at December 31, 2020 Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Medium-term Notes Medium-term Notes [Member] Customer relationships Customer Relationships [Member] Programming and other direct costs of services Cost of Goods and Services Sold Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Restricted cash included in current and long-term assets of discontinued operations Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operations Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operations Operating costs and expenses Costs and Expenses Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Minimum Minimum [Member] Property and equipment, net (notes 10 and 12) Total property and equipment, net Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Equity in earnings (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries, net Equity in losses (earnings) of consolidated subsidiaries, net Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Consolidated Subsidiaries, Net Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Consolidated Subsidiaries, Net Long-term debt and finance lease obligations Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt Sunrise Sunrise Communications Group AG [Member] Sunrise Communications Group AG Income Tax Authority, Name [Domain] Income Tax Authority, Name [Domain] Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Equity method investment, termination period Equity Method Investment, Termination Rights Period Equity Method Investment, Termination Rights Period Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Net periodic pension cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Options exercised (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stock Options Activity Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block] Share-based Compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block] SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] Other Other Subsidiaries [Member] Relating to Other Subsidiaries not otherwise identified. Current Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit) Foreign currency translation adjustments and other Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Non-performance based incentive awards Non-Performance Based Awards [Member] Non-Performance Based Awards [Member] Current assets Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Assets, Current Redemption price, percentage of principal amount limitation Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Limitation Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Limitation Derivative [Table] Derivative [Table] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustments and other, net Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net Income Tax Examination [Line Items] Income Tax Examination [Line Items] Deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Other operating (note 15) Other operating expenses Other Cost and Expense, Operating Schedule of Investments [Table] Schedule of Investments [Table] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Reductions to our unrecognized tax benefits reasonably possible Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible SPE Notes SPE Notes [Member] SPE Notes [Member] Additions to costs and expenses SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Additions, Charge to Cost and Expense Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Current Current Other Tax Expense (Benefit) Current Other Tax Expense (Benefit) Assets: Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract] Trade receivables, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Total payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid Other future deductible amounts Deferred Tax Assets, Other Net cash provided (used) by financing activities of continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Number of ordinary shares convertible to certain class of ordinary shares (in shares) Number of Ordinary Shares Convertible to Certain Class of Ordinary Shares Number of Ordinary Shares Convertible to Certain Class of Ordinary Shares Slovakia SLOVAKIA U.K. JV Entities U.K. J.V. Entities [Member] U.K. J.V. Entities Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Lease, Liability Lease, Liability Lease, Liability UPC Revolving Facility One UPC Revolving Facility One [Member] UPC Revolving Facility One Balance of net assets (liabilities) at January 1, 2020 Balance of net assets at December 31, 2020 Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs Cash paid Payments for Restructuring Long-term notes receivable — related-party Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Noncurrent Number of customers impacted by database accessed without permission NumberofCustomersImpactedbyDatabaseAccessedWithoutPermission NumberOfCustomersImpactedByDatabaseAccessedWithoutPermission Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual [Axis] Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items] Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items] Telenet share-based incentive awards Telenet Share-Based Incentive Awards [Member] Telenet Share-Based Incentive Awards [Member] Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Other long-term liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other Non-operating income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Country Region Country Region Vesting [Axis] Vesting [Axis] Issued at par percentage Debt Instrument, Issuance Price Percentage Debt Instrument, Issuance Price Percentage Other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Latin America shareholders, pre-tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Noncontrolling interests Other Noncontrolling Interests B2B Services B2B Services [Member] B2B Services [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block] Deferred financing costs, discounts and premiums, net Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net Litigation Case [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Unrecognized tax benefits - favorable impact on effective income tax rate if ultimately recognized, net of valuation allowances Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Total Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations Expected life Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Entity File Number Entity File Number Curtailment gain Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment U.K./Ireland U.K. / Ireland [Member] U.K. / Ireland [Member] Weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Telenet Telenet [Member] Telenet [Member] Aggregate Variable and Fixed Rate Indebtedness Aggregate Variable and Fixed Rate Indebtedness [Member] Aggregate Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness [Member] ROU assets recorded during the period associated with: Right-Of-Use Asset Obtained In Exchange For Lease Liability [Abstract] Right-Of-Use Asset Obtained In Exchange For Lease Liability [Abstract] Net earnings Earnings from discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Schedule of Summarized Financial Position and Operating Results, Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table Text Block] Recorded liability for the mandatory repatriation tax TaxCutsAndJobsActIncompleteAccountingTransitionTaxForAccumulatedForeignEarningsProvisionalLiability TaxCutsAndJobsActIncompleteAccountingTransitionTaxForAccumulatedForeignEarningsProvisionalLiability Co-venturer ownership percentage Equity Method Investment, Co-Venturer Ownership Percentage Equity Method Investment, Co-Venturer Ownership Percentage Goodwill Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Goodwill, Noncurrent Allocated share-based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member] Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount Revenue Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax Disposal Group Name [Axis] Disposal Group Name [Axis] Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Document Annual Report Document Annual Report Commercial paper Commercial Paper [Member] Options exercisable at end of period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation of our continuing operations (in millions) Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense, Tax Benefit 2024 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Property and equipment additions Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Other assets, net Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Assets, Noncurrent Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Programming and copyright costs Programming and Copyright Costs Programming and Copyright Costs Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Weighted average grant-date fair value per share of awards granted, other than options (in dollars per share) Granted (in dollars per shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Current operating lease liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Operating Lease Liability Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Operating Lease Liability Right of use assets Deferred Tax Liabilities, Investment in Noncontrolled Affiliates Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] RSAs RSAs [Member] RSAs [Member] Income tax on gain Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Tax on Gain Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Tax on Gain Foreign currency forward and option contracts Foreign currency forward and option contracts Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] Due in one year or less Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling within One Year, Fair Value Other future taxable amounts Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] Notional amount due from counterparty Due From Counterparty [Member] Due From Counterparty [Member] Extinguishment of debt Extinguishment of Debt, Amount Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Total liabilities and equity Total liabilities and owners’ equity Liabilities and Equity Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of taxes Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Long-term liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Foreign currency translation adjustments Valuation Allowances And Reserves Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Valuation Allowances And Reserves Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Lapse of statute of limitations Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations Operating lease expense Operating Lease, Cost Total purchase price Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net Aggregate number of shares excluded from computation of EPS (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Cash received from sale of investments Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Investments Cumulative temporary differences Cumulative Temporary Differences Not Assigned Deferred Tax Liabilities Cumulative Temporary Differences Not Assigned Deferred Tax Liabilities Current Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Weighted average remaining lease term for finance leases Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Discontinued operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations Additions for tax positions of prior years Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Additions based on tax positions related to the current year Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Estimated useful life at December 31, 2020 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Long-term Derivative Asset, Noncurrent Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Amount paid Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value Share-based Compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Global shareholders Net earnings (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Other Other Debt [Member] Other Debt [Member] Distributions by subsidiaries to noncontrolling interest owners Payments to Noncontrolling Interests LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] Basis of Presentation [Table] Basis of Presentation [Table] Basis of Presentation [Table] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Long-term operating lease liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Operating Lease Liability Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Operating Lease Liability Equity-related derivative instruments Total equity-related derivative instruments Equity Contract [Member] Finance lease obligations Finance leases Present value of lease payments Finance Lease, Liability SARs, RSUs, and RSAs Stock Options, SARs, RSAs and RSUs [Member] Stock Options, SARs, RSAs and RSUs [Member] Other comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, Pre-tax amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Number of awards Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] U.K (a) Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry, France [Member] Other Other Equity Related Derivative Instrument [Member] Other Equity Related Derivative Instrument [Member] Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, And Amortization Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, And Amortization Liberty Global Plc Parent Company [Member] Accumulated depreciation Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Thereafter Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five Long-lived Assets [Abstract] Long-lived Assets [Abstract] Long lived Assets [Abstract] Options granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures Investments Deferred Tax Assets, Investments PSUs and PSARS PSU And PSARS [Member] PSU And PSARS [Member] Discontinued operations Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operations Vendor financing Vendor Financing [Member] Vendor Financing [Member] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Estimate of possible loss Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Allowance for doubtful accounts — Trade receivables SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Credit Loss [Member] PSARs and PSU PSARs and PSU [Member] PSARs and PSU 2022 VM 4.875% Dollar Senior Notes 2022 VM 4.875% Dollar Senior Notes [Member] 2022 VM 4.875% Dollar Senior Notes [Member] EURIBOR EURIBOR [Member] EURIBOR [Member] Schedule of PP&E Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Network and connectivity commitments Programming Commitments [Member] Programming Commitments [Member] Other comprehensive income (loss), tax benefit (expense) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Available borrowings Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Gross carrying amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Other operating expenses Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member] Due in five to ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value Continuing operations Interest Paid, Continuing Operations Interest Paid, Continuing Operations 2030 VM Euro Senior Notes 2030 VM Euro Senior Notes [Member] 2030 VM Euro Senior Notes [Member] Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash: Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash [Abstract] Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings Property and equipment additions - VodafoneZiggo JV Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Payment to Acquire Property, Plant and Equipment Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Payment to Acquire Property, Plant and Equipment Finance leases Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Amortization Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Luxembourg Luxembourg Inland Revenue [Member] Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Basis spread on variable rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Current portion Restructuring Reserve, Current Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Interest expense Income Tax Examination, Interest Expense Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Revenue Recognition and Related Costs Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Ownership percentage Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage The Netherlands Tax and Customs Administration, Netherlands [Member] Related tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Foreign Addition to ROU assets associated with operating leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Senior and Senior Secured Notes Senior and Senior Secured Notes [Member] Senior and Senior Secured Notes [Member] Debt Estimated fair value Long-term Debt, Fair Value Transfers out of Level 3 Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3 Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax UPC Austria UPC Austria [Member] UPC Austria [Member] Income tax benefit (expense) (note 13) Total income tax expense Income tax expense (benefit) Income tax benefit Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Investment Income [Table] Investment Income [Table] Beginning of period End of period Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders per share (in dollars per share) Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations, Net Of Tax, Basic And Diluted Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations, Net Of Tax, Basic And Diluted Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Maturities of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block] Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Table] Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Table] Title of Individual [Domain] Title of Individual [Domain] Current portion Finance Lease, Liability, Current Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Pro Forma Information Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] UPC DTH UPC DTH [Member] UPC DTH [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Operating income Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Income (Loss) Total intrinsic value of awards exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Revenue Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual Fixed-line telephony Cable Fixed-line Telephony Subscription [Member] Cable Fixed-line Telephony Subscription [Member] Income tax expense Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Line Items] Principal borrowings Total debt before deferred financing costs, discounts and premiums Total vendor financing maturities Long-term Debt, Gross Reductions for tax positions of prior years Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Geography Eliminations Geography Eliminations [Member] Gains included in net earnings (loss) Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings [Abstract] Deferred revenue Contract with Customer, Liability Related Party Transaction [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Domain] SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS SEC Schedule, 12-09, Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] Repayment of debt Other Payments to Acquire Businesses Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Sunrise Acquisition Sunrise Acquisition [Member] Sunrise Acquisition Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] UPCB SPE Notes UPCB SPE Notes [Member] UPCB SPE Notes [Member] Other assets, net Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Net cash provided (used) by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Options outstanding at end of period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Subscription revenue Mobile Subscription [Member] Mobile Subscription [Member] Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Summary of Changes in Restructuring Liabilities During Year Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block] Corporate debt securities Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Cash divested from deconsolidation Cash Divested from Deconsolidation Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Discontinued operations (note 6): Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract] Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Continuing Operations Total - continuing operations Continuing Operations [Member] Gain (loss) on change in credit risk valuation included in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net Gain Loss On Credit Risk Derivatives Net Recognized In Earnings Gain Loss On Credit Risk Derivatives Net Recognized In Earnings Treasury shares, at cost Treasury shares, at cost Treasury Stock, Value Office closures Facility Closing [Member] 2029 VM 6.25% Sterling Senior Secured Notes 2029 VM 6.25% Sterling Senior Secured Notes [Member] 2029 VM 6.25% Sterling Senior Secured Notes [Member] Pension Plan Pension Plan [Member] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] 2022 VM 5.25% Dollar Senior Notes 2022 VM 5.25% Dollar Senior Notes [Member] 2022 VM 5.25% Dollar Senior Notes [Member] Telenet Euro-Denominated Term Loan Facility Telenet Euro-Denominated Term Loan Facility [Member] Telenet Euro-Denominated Term Loan Facility [Member] Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Discount rate Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Ownership percentage of SPEs by third parties Ownership Percentage of Special Purpose Financing Entity Ownership Percentage of Special Purpose Financing Entity Short-term investments Short-term Investments