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Segment Reporting
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]  
Segment Reporting Segment Reporting
We generally identify our reportable segments as (i) those consolidated subsidiaries that represent 10% or more of our revenue, Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) or total assets or (ii) those equity method affiliates where our investment or share of revenue or Adjusted EBITDA represents 10% or more of our total assets, revenue or Adjusted EBITDA, respectively. In certain cases, we may elect to include an operating segment in our segment disclosure that does not meet the above-described criteria for a reportable segment. We evaluate performance and make decisions about allocating resources to our operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. In addition, we review non-financial measures such as customer growth, as appropriate.

Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used by our chief operating decision maker to evaluate segment operating performance and is also a key factor that is used by our internal decision makers to (i) determine how to allocate resources to segments and (ii) evaluate the effectiveness of our management for purposes of annual and other incentive compensation plans. As we use the term, “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined as earnings (loss) from continuing operations before net income tax benefit (expense), other non-operating income or expenses, net share of results of affiliates, net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt, net realized and unrealized gains (losses) due to changes in fair value of certain investments and debt, net foreign currency gains (losses), net gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, provisions and provision releases related to significant litigation and impairment, restructuring and other operating items. Other operating items include (a) gains and losses on the disposition of long-lived assets, (b) third-party costs directly associated with successful and unsuccessful acquisitions and dispositions, including legal, advisory and due diligence fees, as applicable, and (c) other acquisition-related items, such as gains and losses on the settlement of contingent consideration. Our internal decision makers believe Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure because it represents a transparent view of our recurring operating performance that is unaffected by our capital structure and allows management to (1) readily view operating trends, (2) perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between segments and (3) identify strategies to improve operating performance in the different countries in which we operate. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations to earnings (loss) from continuing operations is presented below.

As of December 31, 2020, our reportable segments are as follows:

Consolidated:

•U.K./Ireland
•Belgium
•Switzerland
•Central and Eastern Europe

Nonconsolidated:

•VodafoneZiggo JV

All of our reportable segments derive their revenue primarily from residential and B2B communications services, including broadband internet, video, fixed-line telephony and mobile services.

Our central and corporate functions (Central and Corporate) primarily include (i) services provided to the VodafoneZiggo JV and various third parties related to transitional service agreements, (ii) sales of customer premises equipment to the VodafoneZiggo JV and (iii) certain centralized functions, including billing systems, network operations, technology, marketing, facilities, finance and other administrative functions.
Performance Measures of Our Reportable Segments

The amounts presented below represent 100% of each of our reportable segment’s revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. As we have the ability to control Telenet, we consolidate 100% of Telenet’s revenue and expenses in our consolidated statements of operations despite the fact that third parties own a significant interest. The noncontrolling owners’ interests in the operating results of Telenet and other less significant majority-owned subsidiaries are reflected in net earnings or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated statements of operations. Similarly, despite only holding a 50% noncontrolling interest in the VodafoneZiggo JV, we present 100% of its revenue and Adjusted EBITDA in the tables below. Our share of the VodafoneZiggo JV’s operating results is included in share of results of affiliates, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.
Year ended December 31,
 202020192018
 RevenueAdjusted EBITDARevenueAdjusted EBITDARevenueAdjusted EBITDA
 in millions
U.K./Ireland$6,588.4 $2,672.4 $6,600.3 $2,800.5 $6,875.1 $2,995.5 
Belgium2,940.9 1,413.4 2,893.0 1,386.1 2,993.6 1,480.0 
Switzerland1,573.8 693.8 1,258.8 627.9 1,326.0 712.0 
Central and Eastern Europe486.9 215.6 475.4 215.0 492.2 233.6 
Central and Corporate394.4 (99.6)316.4 (171.1)274.2 (257.8)
Intersegment eliminations (a)(4.3)— (2.4)1.1 (3.2)(11.8)
Total$11,980.1 $4,895.6 $11,541.5 $4,859.5 $11,957.9 $5,151.5 
VodafoneZiggo JV$4,565.4 $2,142.0 $4,407.8 $1,987.7 $4,602.2 $2,009.7 
_______________

(a)Amounts for 2019 and 2018 include transactions between our continuing and discontinued operations prior to the disposal dates of such discontinued operations.
The following table provides a reconciliation of loss from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA:
 Year ended December 31,
 202020192018
 in millions
Loss from continuing operations
$(1,466.7)$(1,409.0)$(1,411.5)
Income tax expense (benefit)(256.9)253.0 1,573.3 
Other income, net(76.1)(114.4)(43.4)
Share of results of affiliates, net
245.3 198.5 8.7 
Losses on debt extinguishment, net
233.2 216.7 65.0 
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) due to changes in fair values of certain investments and debt, net(45.2)(72.0)384.5 
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net1,416.3 94.8 (90.4)
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on derivative instruments, net879.3 192.0 (1,125.8)
Interest expense1,188.5 1,385.9 1,478.7 
Operating income2,117.7 745.5 839.1 
Impairment, restructuring and other operating items, net98.6 156.0 248.2 
Depreciation and amortization2,331.3 3,652.2 3,858.2 
Share-based compensation expense348.0 305.8 206.0 
Adjusted EBITDA
$4,895.6 $4,859.5 $5,151.5 

Balance Sheet Data of our Reportable Segments

Selected balance sheet data of our reportable segments is set forth below:
Long-lived assetsTotal assets
 December 31,December 31,
 2020201920202019
 in millions
U.K./Ireland (a)$856.3 $16,170.9 $21,684.7 $20,665.5 
Switzerland12,258.8 4,247.7 14,659.9 4,647.8 
Belgium6,221.7 5,910.3 7,571.1 7,148.2 
Central and Eastern Europe1,074.0 1,062.2 1,135.4 1,135.2 
Central and Corporate999.1 1,079.6 14,041.6 15,449.6 
Total$21,409.9 $28,470.7 $59,092.7 $49,046.3 
VodafoneZiggo JV$21,808.3 $20,674.8 $23,630.8 $22,426.5 
_______________

(a)The December 31, 2020 long-lived asset amount relates to (i) Ireland and (ii) certain Liberty Global subsidiaries located in the U.K. that will not be contributed to the U.K. JV pursuant to the Contribution Agreement. As of December 31, 2020, the long-lived assets associated with the U.K. JV Entities are presented in assets held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet.
Property and Equipment Additions of our Reportable Segments

The property and equipment additions of our reportable segments (including capital additions financed under vendor financing or finance lease arrangements) are presented below and reconciled to the capital expenditure amounts included in our consolidated statements of cash flows. For additional information concerning capital additions financed under vendor financing and finance lease arrangements, see notes 10 and 12, respectively.
 Year ended December 31,
 202020192018
 in millions
U.K./Ireland$1,432.7 $1,578.0 $1,988.9 
Belgium513.6 537.2 790.8 
Switzerland302.8 277.9 249.6 
Central and Eastern Europe105.5 107.0 152.8 
Central and Corporate (a)340.7 380.4 523.5 
Total property and equipment additions2,695.3 2,880.5 3,705.6 
Assets acquired under capital-related vendor financing arrangements(1,371.1)(1,727.0)(2,175.5)
Assets acquired under finance leases(49.7)(66.9)(102.4)
Changes in current liabilities related to capital expenditures75.7 156.5 25.3 
Total capital expenditures, net$1,350.2 $1,243.1 $1,453.0 
Capital expenditures, net:
Third-party payments$1,352.7 $1,323.9 $1,552.7 
Proceeds received for transfers to related parties (b)(2.5)(80.8)(99.7)
Total capital expenditures, net$1,350.2 $1,243.1 $1,453.0 
Property and equipment additions - VodafoneZiggo JV$918.7 $887.9 $988.7 
_______________

(a)Includes (i) property and equipment additions representing centrally-owned assets that benefit our operating segments and (ii) the net impact of certain centrally-procured network equipment that is ultimately transferred to our operating segments.

(b)Primarily relates to transfers of centrally-procured property and equipment to the VodafoneZiggo JV and, for 2019 and 2018, our discontinued operations.
Revenue by Major Category

Our revenue by major category for our consolidated reportable segments is set forth below:
 Year ended December 31,
 202020192018
 in millions
Residential revenue:
Residential cable revenue (a):
Subscription revenue (b):
Broadband internet$3,272.5 $3,187.4 $3,226.6 
Video2,714.5 2,723.9 2,863.2 
Fixed-line telephony1,344.6 1,413.2 1,607.8 
Total subscription revenue7,331.6 7,324.5 7,697.6 
Non-subscription revenue220.7 198.1 279.1 
Total residential cable revenue7,552.3 7,522.6 7,976.7 
Residential mobile revenue (c):
Subscription revenue (b)1,091.8 932.1 983.5 
Non-subscription revenue692.0 688.2 694.8 
Total residential mobile revenue1,783.8 1,620.3 1,678.3 
Total residential revenue9,336.1 9,142.9 9,655.0 
B2B revenue (d):
Subscription revenue524.5 472.5 446.4 
Non-subscription revenue1,524.5 1,441.5 1,537.1 
Total B2B revenue2,049.0 1,914.0 1,983.5 
Other revenue (e)595.0 484.6 319.4 
Total$11,980.1 $11,541.5 $11,957.9 
_______________

(a)    Residential cable subscription revenue includes amounts received from subscribers for ongoing services and the recognition of deferred installation revenue over the associated contract period. Residential cable non-subscription revenue includes, among other items, channel carriage fees, late fees and revenue from the sale of equipment.

(b)    Residential subscription revenue from subscribers who purchase bundled services at a discounted rate is generally allocated proportionally to each service based on the standalone price for each individual service. As a result, changes in the standalone pricing of our cable and mobile products or the composition of bundles can contribute to changes in our product revenue categories from period to period.

(c)    Residential mobile subscription revenue includes amounts received from subscribers for ongoing services. Residential mobile non-subscription revenue includes, among other items, interconnect revenue and revenue from sales of mobile handsets and other devices.

(d)    B2B subscription revenue represents revenue from services to certain small or home office (SOHO) subscribers. SOHO subscribers pay a premium price to receive expanded service levels along with broadband internet, video, fixed-line telephony or mobile services that are the same or similar to the mass marketed products offered to our residential subscribers. B2B non-subscription revenue includes (i) revenue from business broadband internet, video, fixed-line telephony, mobile and data services offered to medium to large enterprises and, on a wholesale basis, to other operators and (ii) revenue from long-term leases of portions of our network.
(e)    Other revenue includes, among other items, (i) broadcasting revenue in Belgium and Ireland, (ii) revenue earned from transitional and other services provided to various third parties and (iii) revenue earned from the JV Services and the sale of customer premises equipment to the VodafoneZiggo JV.

Geographic Segments

The revenue of our geographic segments is set forth below:
 Year ended December 31,
 202020192018
 in millions
U.K.$6,076.7 $6,086.2 $6,351.2 
Belgium2,940.9 2,893.0 2,993.6 
Switzerland1,573.8 1,258.8 1,326.0 
Ireland511.7 514.1 523.9 
Poland436.2 425.7 440.7 
Slovakia50.7 49.7 51.5 
Other, including intersegment eliminations390.1 314.0 271.0 
Total$11,980.1 $11,541.5 $11,957.9 
VodafoneZiggo JV (the Netherlands)$4,565.4 $4,407.8 $4,602.2 

The long-lived assets of our geographic segments are set forth below:
 December 31,
 20202019
 in millions
Switzerland$12,258.8 $4,247.7 
Belgium6,221.7 5,910.3 
Poland938.5 937.0 
Ireland817.3 748.5 
Slovakia135.5 125.2 
U.K. (a)39.0 15,422.4 
U.S. and other (b)999.1 1,079.6 
Total$21,409.9 $28,470.7 
VodafoneZiggo JV (the Netherlands)$21,808.3 $20,674.8 
_______________ 

(a)    The December 31, 2020 amount relates to certain Liberty Global subsidiaries located in the U.K. that will not be contributed to the U.K. JV pursuant to the Contribution Agreement. As of December 31, 2020, the long-lived assets associated with the U.K. JV Entities are presented in assets held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet.

(b)    Primarily relates to certain long-lived assets included in Central and Corporate.