Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method (Details)

v3.3.1.900
Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
May. 26, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Oct. 31, 2015
Nov. 30, 2014
May. 31, 2014
May. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 10, 2014
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Cash paid to acquire equity method investments                 $ 175,857 $ 2,565,150  
Cash received from rights offering               $ 697,309      
Charter consolidated statement of operations                      
Debt outstanding $ 399,703             399,703 371,539    
Carrying value of equity method investment 2,372,699             2,372,699 2,498,804    
Share of equity investment income (losses)               (120,962) (127,573) (76,090)  
(Gain) loss on dilution of investment in affiliate               (7,198) (87,158) (92,933)  
Charter                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Number of shares of common shares acquired           897          
Purchase price of equity method investments           $ 124,500          
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Investments Acquired                 130,600    
Charter consolidated balance sheet                      
Current assets 345,000             345,000 345,000    
Property and equipment, net 8,345,000             8,345,000 8,373,000    
Goodwill 1,168,000             1,168,000 1,168,000    
Intangible assets, net 6,862,000             6,862,000 7,111,000    
Other assets 22,596,000             22,596,000 7,391,000    
Total assets 39,316,000             39,316,000 24,388,000    
Current liabilities 1,972,000             1,972,000 1,635,000    
Deferred income taxes 1,590,000             1,590,000 1,648,000    
Long-term debt 35,723,000             35,723,000 20,887,000    
Other liabilities 77,000             77,000 72,000    
Equity (46,000)             (46,000) 146,000    
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 39,316,000             39,316,000 24,388,000    
Charter consolidated statement of operations                      
Revenue               9,754,000 9,108,000 8,155,000  
Operating costs and expenses               (6,426,000) (5,973,000) (5,345,000)  
Depreciation and amortization               (2,125,000) (2,102,000) (1,854,000)  
Other operating expenses               (89,000) (62,000) (47,000)  
Total operating costs and expenses               (8,640,000) (8,137,000) (7,246,000)  
Operating income               1,114,000 971,000 909,000  
Interest expense, net               (1,306,000) (911,000) (846,000)  
Loss on extinguishment of debt               (128,000)   (123,000)  
Other income (expense), net               (11,000) (7,000) 11,000  
Income tax benefit (expense), net               60,000 (236,000) (120,000)  
Net income (loss)               (271,000) (183,000) (169,000)  
Carrying value of equity method investment 2,373,000             2,373,000      
Market value of equity method investment $ 5,280,000             $ 5,280,000      
Ownership percentage 26.00%             26.00%      
Share of equity investment income (losses)               $ 121,000 127,600 76,100  
Excess basis amortization of debt and intangible assets               51,600 81,200 44,300  
(Gain) loss on dilution of investment in affiliate               7,200 87,200 92,900  
Share of equity investment other comprehensive income (losses)               1,300 3,200 3,700  
Share of equity investment other comprehensive income (losses), pre-tax               2,100 5,200 $ 6,000  
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts                      
Property and equipment $ 354,700             354,700      
Goodwill 935,000             935,000      
Debt (126,100)             (126,100)      
Deferred income tax liability (833,200)             (833,200)      
Total 2,384,600             $ 2,384,600      
Useful lives of property and equipment               7 years      
Charter | Franchise fees                      
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts                      
Intangible assets 1,451,400             $ 1,451,400      
Charter | Trademarks                      
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts                      
Intangible assets 36,200             36,200      
Charter | Customer relationships                      
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts                      
Intangible assets 566,600             $ 566,600      
Useful lives of customer relationships               13 years      
Charter | Warrants                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given                 130,600    
New Charter                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Proxy voting period   5 years                  
Maximum percentage of New Charter shares that may be voted by proxy   7.00%                  
Charter consolidated statement of operations                      
Ownership percentage   25.01%                  
Time Warner Cable Merger                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Purchase price (in dollars per share)   $ 176.95                  
Cash paid to acquire equity method investments   $ 4,300,000                  
Charter acquisition of Bright House                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Purchase price (in dollars per share)   $ 173.00                  
Cash paid to acquire equity method investments   $ 700,000                  
Liberty | Charter                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Number of shares of common shares acquired             26,900        
Number of warrants acquired             1,100        
Purchase price of equity method investments             $ 2,600,000        
Beneficial ownership percentage             27.00%        
Purchase price (in dollars per share)             $ 95.50        
Cash paid to acquire equity method investments             $ 1,200,000        
Number of common shares pledged as collateral             20,300        
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts                      
Total             $ 2,532,300        
Liberty | Sirius XM                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Number of common shares pledged as collateral             720,000        
Liberty | Live Nation                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Number of common shares pledged as collateral             8,100        
New Charter | Bright House                      
Excess basis allocation within memo accounts                      
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross     $ 10,400,000                
Margin Loan Agreements                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Proceeds From Issuance Of Secured Debt       $ 28,000 $ 52,000            
Charter consolidated statement of operations                      
Debt outstanding $ 400,000             $ 400,000 $ 372,000    
Margin Loan Agreements | Charter                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Number of common shares pledged as collateral 7,000                    
Class C common stock                      
Investments in affiliates accounted for using the Equity Method                      
Cash received from rights offering   $ 4,400,000                  
Share Price   $ 56.23                 $ 40.36
Potential reduction of subscription rights   25.00%