Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method (Summary of Financial Information) (Details)

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Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method (Summary of Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Sep. 30, 2017
Sep. 30, 2018
Sep. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]          
Investments accounted for using the equity method $ 174,134   $ 174,134   $ 114,655
Liberty Broadband          
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]          
Current assets 95,478   95,478   84,054
Other assets 9,828   9,828   12,122
Total assets 12,082,674   12,082,674   11,931,789
Long-term debt, including current portion 522,617   522,617   497,370
Deferred income tax liabilities 961,835   961,835   932,593
Other liabilities 12,927   12,927   14,925
Equity 10,585,295   10,585,295   10,486,901
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 12,082,674   12,082,674   11,931,789
Revenue 3,518 $ 3,430 18,680 $ 9,643  
Operating expenses, net (7,614) (9,217) (25,601) (29,125)  
Operating income (loss) (4,096) (5,787) (6,921) (19,482)  
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates 84,739 (5,280) 126,952 25,109  
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate (3,203) (3,718) (35,165) (42,515)  
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net 5,678 2,675 3,659 5,026  
Other income (expense), net (5,717) (5,087) (16,371) (13,669)  
Income tax benefit (expense) (17,762) 7,333 (17,005) 18,245  
Net earnings (loss) 59,639 $ (9,864) 55,149 $ (27,286)  
Liberty Broadband | Charter          
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]          
Investments accounted for using the equity method $ 11,977,368   $ 11,977,368   $ 11,835,613