0001271833-20-000016 | 10-Q | XBRL Viewer

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Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2020 shares
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-37789
Entity Registrant Name	CCO Holdings, LLC
Entity Central Index Key	0001271833
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	86-1067239
Entity Address, Address Line One	400 Atlantic Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Stamford
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06901
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	905-7801
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	1
CCO Holdings Capital Corp. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	333-112593-01
Entity Registrant Name	CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
Entity Central Index Key	0001271834
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-0257904
Entity Address, Address Line One	400 Atlantic Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Stamford
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06901
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	905-7801
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,015	$ 3,249
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $223 and $151, respectively	2,032	2,195
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	647	711
Total current assets	3,694	6,155
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $30,332 and $27,595, respectively	33,387	33,908
Customer relationships, net	6,050	7,453
Franchises	67,322	67,322
Goodwill	29,554	29,554
Total investment in cable properties, net	136,313	138,237
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS	2,653	2,351
Total assets	142,660	146,743
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	7,881	8,142
Payables to related party	94	298
Current portion of long-term debt	1,715	3,500
Total current liabilities	9,690	11,940
LONG-TERM DEBT	77,947	75,578
LOANS PAYABLE - RELATED PARTY	1,006	959
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	55	55
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	3,496	2,922
MEMBER’S EQUITY:
Member's equity	50,443	55,266
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Total CCO Holdings member’s equity	50,443	55,266
Noncontrolling interests	23	23
Total member’s equity	50,466	55,289
Total liabilities and member’s equity	$ 142,660	$ 146,743

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (PARENTHETICALS) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
CURRENT ASSETS:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 223	$ 151
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 30,332	$ 27,595

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
REVENUES	$ 12,037	$ 11,449	$ 35,467	$ 33,997
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)	7,509	7,450	22,283	21,950
Depreciation and amortization	2,366	2,411	7,283	7,453
Other operating expenses, net	17	18	29	77
Total costs and expenses	9,892	9,879	29,595	29,480
Income from operations	2,145	1,570	5,872	4,517
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
Interest expense, net	(947)	(973)	(2,904)	(2,865)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(58)	0	(121)	0
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net	69	(34)	(185)	(116)
Other pension benefits (costs), net	(115)	9	(94)	27
Other expense, net	(11)	(3)	(6)	(129)
Total other income (expense)	(1,062)	(1,001)	(3,310)	(3,083)
Income before income taxes	1,083	569	2,562	1,434
Income tax expense	(10)	(10)	(23)	(86)
Consolidated net income	1,073	559	2,539	1,348
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	(1)	(1)
Net income attributable to CCO Holdings member	$ 1,073	$ 559	$ 2,538	$ 1,347

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBER'S EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Member's Equity	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total CCO Holdings Member’s Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 60,554	$ 60,532	$ (2)	$ 60,530	$ 24
Rollforward of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity:
Consolidated net income	350	350	0	350	0
Stock compensation expense	85	85	0	85	0
Contributions from parent	9	9	0	9	0
Distributions to parent	(1,040)	(1,040)	0	(1,040)	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1)	0	0	0	(1)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	59,957	59,936	(2)	59,934	23
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	60,554	60,532	(2)	60,530	24
Rollforward of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity:
Consolidated net income	1,348
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	56,970	56,949	(2)	56,947	23
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	59,957	59,936	(2)	59,934	23
Rollforward of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity:
Consolidated net income	439	438	0	438	1
Stock compensation expense	82	82	0	82	0
Contributions from parent	42	42	0	42	0
Distributions to parent	(1,044)	(1,044)	0	(1,044)	0
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	59,476	59,454	(2)	59,452	24
Rollforward of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity:
Consolidated net income	559	559	0	559	0
Stock compensation expense	71	71	0	71	0
Contributions from parent	3	3	0	3	0
Distributions to parent	(3,138)	(3,138)	0	(3,138)	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1)	0	0	0	(1)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	56,970	56,949	(2)	56,947	23
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	55,289	55,266	0	55,266	23
Rollforward of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity:
Consolidated net income	459	459	0	459	0
Stock compensation expense	90	90	0	90	0
Contributions from parent	27	27	0	27	0
Distributions to parent	(2,685)	(2,685)	0	(2,685)	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1)	0	0	0	(1)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	53,179	53,157	0	53,157	22
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	55,289	55,266	0	55,266	23
Rollforward of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity:
Consolidated net income	2,539
Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	50,466	50,443	0	50,443	23
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	53,179	53,157	0	53,157	22
Rollforward of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity:
Consolidated net income	1,007	1,006	0	1,006	1
Stock compensation expense	90	90	0	90	0
Contributions from parent	12	12	0	12	0
Distributions to parent	(1,290)	(1,290)	0	(1,290)	0
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	52,998	52,975	0	52,975	23
Rollforward of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity:
Consolidated net income	1,073	1,073	0	1,073	0
Stock compensation expense	83	83	0	83	0
Contributions from parent	4	4	0	4	0
Distributions to parent	(3,692)	(3,692)	0	(3,692)	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 50,466	$ 50,443	$ 0	$ 50,443	$ 23

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108774443&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 32
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116874947&loc=SL4591552-111686

+ Details

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Consolidated net income	$ 2,539	$ 1,348
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,283	7,453
Stock compensation expense	263	238
Noncash interest income, net	(33)	(89)
Other pension (benefits) costs, net	94	(27)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	121	0
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net	185	116
Deferred income taxes	0	54
Other, net	(28)	155
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable	163	(567)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(228)	(207)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other	79	(104)
Receivables from and payables to related party	(122)	(23)
Net cash flows from operating activities	10,316	8,347
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(5,352)	(4,913)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures	(70)	(449)
Other, net	(33)	85
Net cash flows from investing activities	(5,455)	(5,277)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings of long-term debt	10,352	13,157
Repayments of long-term debt	(9,711)	(10,886)
Borrowings of loans payable - related parties	6
Payments for debt issuance costs	(91)	(48)
Contributions from parent	43	54
Distributions to parent	(7,667)	(5,222)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1)	(2)
Other, net	(26)	(133)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(7,095)	(3,080)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(2,234)	(10)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	3,249	300
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	1,015	290
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST	3,020	3,065
CASH PAID FOR TAXES	$ 36	$ 27

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Organization and Basis of Presentation (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2020
Organization and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	Organization and Basis of Presentation Organization CCO Holdings, LLC (together with its subsidiaries, “CCO Holdings,” or the “Company”) is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator. Over an advanced communications network, the Company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet, TV, Mobile and Voice. For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The Company also distributes award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals. CCO Holdings is a holding company whose principal assets are the equity interests in its operating subsidiaries. CCO Holdings is a direct subsidiary of CCH I Holdings, LLC, which is an indirect subsidiary of Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”), Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (“Charter Holdings”) and Spectrum Management Holding Company, LLC (“Spectrum Management”). All of the outstanding capital stock of CCO Holdings Capital Corp. is owned by CCO Holdings. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CCO Holdings and all of its subsidiaries where the underlying operations reside. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions among consolidated entities have been eliminated. Charter, Charter Holdings and Spectrum Management have performed financing, cash management, treasury and other services for CCO Holdings on a centralized basis. Changes in member’s equity in the consolidated balance sheets related to these activities have been considered cash receipts (contributions) and payments (distributions) for purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows and are reflected in financing activities. The Company’s operations are managed and reported to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), the Company’s chief operating decision maker, on a consolidated basis. The CEO assesses performance and allocates resources based on the consolidated results of operations. Under this organizational and reporting structure, the Company has one reportable segment, cable services. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures typically included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K have been condensed or omitted for this quarterly report. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and are subject to review by regulatory authorities. However, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments, which consist of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Areas involving significant judgments and estimates include capitalization of labor and overhead costs, impairments of franchises and goodwill, pension benefits and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2020 presentation.

Franchises, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Franchises, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets consist of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Franchises	$	67,322	$	—	$	67,322	$	67,322	$	—	$	67,322
Goodwill	29,554		—		29,554		29,554		—		29,554
	$	96,876	$	—	$	96,876	$	96,876	$	—	$	96,876

Finite-lived intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	18,230	$	(12,180)	$	6,050	$	18,230	$	(10,777)	$	7,453
Other intangible assets	405		(150)		255		405		(122)		283
	$	18,635	$	(12,330)	$	6,305	$	18,635	$	(10,899)	$	7,736

Amortization expense related to customer relationships and other intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $445 million and $1.4 billion, respectively, and $516 million and $1.6 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

The Company expects amortization expense on its finite-lived intangible assets will be as follows:


Three months ended December 31, 2020	$	443
2021	1,599
2022	1,329
2023	1,072
2024	821
Thereafter	1,041
	$	6,305

Actual amortization expense in future periods will differ from these estimates as a result of new intangible asset acquisitions or divestitures, changes in useful lives, impairments and other relevant factors.

Investments (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Investments (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2020
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	InvestmentsThe Company recorded impairments on equity investments of approximately $121 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 which were recorded in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accounts payable – trade	$	704	$	727
Deferred revenue	477		460
Accrued liabilities:
Programming costs	1,913		2,042
Labor	1,124		939
Capital expenditures	1,264		1,441
Interest	962		1,052
Taxes and regulatory fees	537		501
Operating lease liabilities	203		184
Other	697		796
	$	7,881	$	8,142

Leases (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Operating Leases

Leases

Operating lease expenses were $98 million and $289 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $92 million and $281 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, inclusive of $32 million and $94 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $31 million and $92 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, of both short-term lease costs and variable lease costs that were not included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities.

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities, recorded as operating cash flows in the statements of cash flows, were $189 million and $185 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations were $250 million and $171 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows.


	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Operating lease right-of-use assets:
Included within other noncurrent assets	$	1,012		$	925

Operating lease liabilities:
Current portion included within accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	203		$	184
Long-term portion included within other long-term liabilities	876			788
	$	1,079		$	972

Weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases	6.3 years			6.6 years
Weighted average discount rate for operating leases	4.1		%	4.4		%

Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows.


	Operating leases
Three months ended December 31, 2020	$	66
2021	258
2022	225
2023	200
2024	162
Thereafter	378
Undiscounted lease cash flow commitments	1,289
Reconciling impact from discounting	(210)
Lease liabilities on consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020	$	1,079

The Company has $61 million and $62 million of finance lease liabilities recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, included within accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities. The related finance lease right-of-use assets are recorded in property, plant and equipment, net. The Company’s finance leases were not considered material for further supplemental lease disclosures.

Long-Term Debt (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Principal Amount		Accreted Value		Principal Amount		Accreted Value
CCO Holdings, LLC:
5.250% senior notes due September 30, 2022	$	—	$	—	$	1,250	$	1,241
5.125% senior notes due February 15, 2023	—		—		1,000		995
4.000% senior notes due March 1, 2023	500		498		500		497
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2023	—		—		1,150		1,145
5.750% senior notes due September 1, 2023	—		—		500		497
5.750% senior notes due January 15, 2024	—		—		150		149
5.875% senior notes due April 1, 2024	—		—		1,700		1,690
5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2025	750		747		750		746
5.750% senior notes due February 15, 2026	2,500		2,474		2,500		2,471
5.500% senior notes due May 1, 2026	1,500		1,492		1,500		1,491
5.875% senior notes due May 1, 2027	800		796		800		796
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2027	3,250		3,224		3,250		3,222
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2028	2,500		2,471		2,500		2,469
5.375% senior notes due June 1, 2029	1,500		1,501		1,500		1,501
4.750% senior notes due March 1, 2030	3,050		3,042		3,050		3,041
4.500% senior notes due August 15, 2030	2,750		2,750		—		—
4.250% senior notes due February 1, 2031	3,000		3,001		—		—
4.500% senior notes due May 1, 2032	1,400		1,387		—		—
Charter Communications Operating, LLC:
3.579% senior notes due July 23, 2020	—		—		2,000		1,997
4.464% senior notes due July 23, 2022	3,000		2,990		3,000		2,987
Senior floating rate notes due February 1, 2024	900		902		900		902


4.500% senior notes due February 1, 2024	1,100		1,094		1,100		1,093
4.908% senior notes due July 23, 2025	4,500		4,474		4,500		4,471
3.750% senior notes due February 15, 2028	1,000		988		1,000		987
4.200% senior notes due March 15, 2028	1,250		1,241		1,250		1,240
5.050% senior notes due March 30, 2029	1,250		1,241		1,250		1,241
2.800% senior notes due April 1, 2031	1,600		1,583		—		—
6.384% senior notes due October 23, 2035	2,000		1,983		2,000		1,982
5.375% senior notes due April 1, 2038	800		786		800		786
6.484% senior notes due October 23, 2045	3,500		3,468		3,500		3,467
5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2047	2,500		2,506		2,500		2,506
5.750% senior notes due April 1, 2048	2,450		2,391		2,450		2,391
5.125% senior notes due July 1, 2049	1,250		1,240		1,250		1,240
4.800% senior notes due March 1, 2050	2,800		2,797		2,800		2,798
3.700% senior notes due April 1, 2051	1,400		1,380		—		—
6.834% senior notes due October 23, 2055	500		495		500		495
Credit facilities	10,219		10,147		10,427		10,345
Time Warner Cable, LLC:
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2020	—		—		1,500		1,503
4.125% senior notes due February 15, 2021	700		704		700		711
4.000% senior notes due September 1, 2021	1,000		1,011		1,000		1,021
5.750% sterling senior notes due June 2, 2031 (a)	806		860		828		886
6.550% senior debentures due May 1, 2037	1,500		1,670		1,500		1,675
7.300% senior debentures due July 1, 2038	1,500		1,766		1,500		1,772
6.750% senior debentures due June 15, 2039	1,500		1,708		1,500		1,713
5.875% senior debentures due November 15, 2040	1,200		1,254		1,200		1,255
5.500% senior debentures due September 1, 2041	1,250		1,258		1,250		1,258
5.250% sterling senior notes due July 15, 2042 (b)	839		810		861		831
4.500% senior debentures due September 15, 2042	1,250		1,144		1,250		1,142
Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC:
8.375% senior debentures due March 15, 2023	1,000		1,115		1,000		1,148
8.375% senior debentures due July 15, 2033	1,000		1,273		1,000		1,284
Total debt	79,064		79,662		78,416		79,078
Less current portion:
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2020	—		—		(1,500)		(1,503)
3.579% senior notes due July 23, 2020	—		—		(2,000)		(1,997)
4.125% senior notes due February 15, 2021	(700)		(704)		—		—
4.000% senior notes due September 1, 2021	(1,000)		(1,011)		—		—
Long-term debt	$	77,364	$	77,947	$	74,916	$	75,578

(a)Principal amount includes £625 million remeasured at $806 million and $828 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, using the exchange rate at the respective dates.

(b)Principal amount includes £650 million remeasured at $839 million and $861 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, using the exchange rate at the respective dates.

The accreted values presented in the table above represent the principal amount of the debt adjusted for original issue discount or premium at the time of sale, deferred financing costs, and, in regards to debt assumed in acquisitions, fair value premium adjustments as a result of applying acquisition accounting plus the accretion of those amounts to the balance sheet date. However, the amount that is currently payable if the debt becomes immediately due is equal to the principal amount of the debt.

In regards to the fixed-rate British pound sterling denominated notes (the “Sterling Notes”), the principal amount of the debt and any premium or discount is remeasured into US dollars as of each balance sheet date. See Note 8. The Company has availability under the Charter Communications Operating, LLC ("Charter Operating") credit facilities of approximately $4.7 billion as of September 30, 2020.

In February 2020, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.65 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.500% senior unsecured notes due 2030 at par and in March 2020, an additional $1.1 billion of the same series of notes were issued at a price of 102.5% of the aggregate principal amount. Also in March 2020, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. issued $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.500% senior unsecured notes due 2032 at par. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including repaying certain indebtedness, including repayment of all of CCO Holdings' 5.250% senior notes due September 30, 2022, 5.125% senior notes due February 15, 2023, 5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2023, 5.750% senior notes due September 1, 2023 and 5.750% senior notes due January 15, 2024, as well as distributions to the Company's parent companies to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock and Charter Holdings common units. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $63 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 related to these transactions.

In July 2020, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.250% senior unsecured notes due 2031 at par and later in July 2020, an additional $1.5 billion of the same series of notes were issued at a price of 102%. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including repaying certain indebtedness, including repayment of all of CCO Holdings' 5.875% senior notes due April 1, 2024, as well as distributions to the Company's parent companies to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock and Charter Holdings common units. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $58 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 related to these transactions.

In October 2020, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued an additional $1.5 billion of its 4.500% senior unsecured notes due 2032 at 103.75% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds will be used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including repaying certain indebtedness, including repayment of all of CCO Holdings' 5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2025, as well as distributions to the Company's parent companies to fund potential buybacks of Charter Class A common stock and Charter Holdings common units.

The CCO Holdings notes are senior debt obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and rank equally with all other current and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. They are structurally subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CCO Holdings.

CCO Holdings may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at a premium. Beginning in 2028 and 2029, the optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

In addition, at any time prior to varying dates in 2023, CCO Holdings may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes at a premium plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings (as defined in the indenture); provided that certain conditions are met. In the event of specified change of control events, CCO Holdings must offer to purchase the outstanding notes from the holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

In April 2020, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.800% senior secured notes due April 2031 at a price of 99.561% of the aggregate principal amount and $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.700% senior secured notes due April 2051 at a price of 99.217% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.

In June 2020, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. redeemed all of their 3.579% senior secured notes due July 2020.

The Charter Operating notes are guaranteed by CCO Holdings and substantially all of the operating subsidiaries of Charter Operating. In addition, the Charter Operating notes are secured by a perfected first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of Charter Operating to the extent such liens can be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by the filing of

a financing statement and the liens rank equally with the liens on the collateral securing obligations under the Charter Operating credit facilities. Charter Operating may redeem some or all of the Charter Operating notes at any time at a premium.

The Charter Operating notes are subject to the terms and conditions of the indenture governing the Charter Operating notes. The Charter Operating notes contain customary representations and warranties and affirmative covenants with limited negative covenants. The Charter Operating indenture also contains customary events of default.

Loans Payable - Related Party (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Loans Payable - Related Party (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Loans Payable - Related Party	Loans Payable - Related PartyLoans payable - related party as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consists of loans from Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (“Charter Holdco”) to the Company of $727 million and $699 million, respectively, and loans from Charter to the Company of $279 million and $260 million, respectively. Interest accrued at LIBOR plus 1.25% on the loans payable from Charter Holdco during the period ending September 30, 2020 and LIBOR plus 1.50% during the period ending December 31, 2019. Interest accrued at LIBOR plus 2.00% on the loans payable from Charter during both periods ending September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage foreign exchange risk on the Sterling Notes, and does not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Cross-currency derivative instruments are used to effectively convert £1.275 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate British pound sterling denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt. The cross-currency swaps have maturities of June 2031 and July 2042. The Company is required to post collateral on the cross-currency derivative instruments when the derivative contracts are in a liability position. In April 2019, the Company entered into a collateral holiday agreement for 60% of both the 2031 and 2042 cross-currency swaps, which eliminates the requirement to post collateral for three years, as well as a ten year collateral cap on the remaining 40% of the cross-currency swaps which limits the required collateral posting on that 40% of the cross-currency swaps to $150 million. The fair value of the Company's cross-currency derivatives was $454 million and $224 million and is included in other long-term liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The Company’s derivative instruments are not designated as hedges and are marked to fair value each period, with the impact recorded as a gain or loss on financial instruments, net in the consolidated statements of operations. While these derivative instruments are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, management continues to believe such instruments are closely correlated with the respective debt, thus managing associated risk.

The effect of financial instruments on the consolidated statements of operations is presented in the table below.


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Gain (Loss) on Financial Instruments, Net:
Change in fair value of cross-currency derivative instruments	$	135	$	(86)	$	(230)	$	(172)
Foreign currency remeasurement of Sterling Notes to U.S. dollars	(66)		52		45		56
	$	69	$	(34)	$	(185)	$	(116)

Fair Value Measurements (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements, based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:

•Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

•Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

•Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment, however, is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company would realize in a current market exchange.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

Financial instruments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy include the Company's cross-currency derivative instruments and were valued at $454 million and $224 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The estimated fair value of the Company’s senior notes and debentures as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is based on quoted market prices in active markets and is classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy, while the estimated fair value of the Company’s credit facilities is based on quoted market prices in inactive markets and is classified within Level 2.

A summary of the carrying value and fair value of debt as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior notes and debentures	$	69,515	$	78,793	$	68,733	$	74,938
Credit facilities	$	10,147	$	9,983	$	10,345	$	10,448

Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities

The Company’s nonfinancial assets such as equity-method investments, franchises, property, plant, and equipment, and other intangible assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis; however, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence that an impairment may exist. When such impairments are recorded, fair values are generally classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Revenue (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Revenue [Abstract]

Revenue

Revenues

The Company’s revenues by product line are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Internet	$	4,722	$	4,195	$	13,659	$	12,322
Video	4,221		4,359		13,014		13,134
Voice	449		477		1,357		1,470
Residential revenue	9,392		9,031		28,030		26,926

Small and medium business	988		974		2,967		2,882
Enterprise	617		644		1,845		1,939
Commercial revenue	1,605		1,618		4,812		4,821

Advertising sales	460		394		1,074		1,134
Mobile	368		192		936		490
Other	212		214		615		626
	$	12,037	$	11,449	$	35,467	$	33,997

Operating Costs and Expenses (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract]

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses, exclusive of items shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations, consist of the following for the periods presented:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Programming	$	2,727	$	2,790	$	8,492	$	8,482
Regulatory, connectivity and produced content	612		612		1,651		1,770
Costs to service customers	1,902		1,894		5,598		5,483
Marketing	788		793		2,273		2,296
Mobile	456		337		1,243		874
Other	1,024		1,024		3,026		3,045
	$	7,509	$	7,450	$	22,283	$	21,950

Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for basic, premium, digital, video on demand and pay-per-view programming. Regulatory, connectivity and produced content costs represent payments to franchise and regulatory authorities, costs directly related to providing Internet, video and voice services as well as payments for sports, local and news content produced by the Company. Included in regulatory, connectivity and produced content costs is content acquisition costs for the Los Angeles Lakers’ basketball games and Los Angeles Dodgers’ baseball games, which are recorded as games are exhibited over the contract period. Costs to service customers include costs related to field operations, network operations and customer care for the Company’s residential and small and medium business customers, including internal and third-party labor for the non-capitalizable portion of installations, service and repairs, maintenance, bad debt expense, billing and collection, occupancy and vehicle costs. Marketing costs represent the costs of marketing to current and potential commercial and residential customers including labor costs. Mobile costs represent costs associated with the Company's mobile service such as device and service costs, marketing, sales and commissions, retail stores, personnel costs and taxes, among others. Other includes corporate overhead, advertising sales expenses, indirect costs associated with the Company’s enterprise business customers and regional sports and news networks, property tax and insurance expense and stock compensation expense, among others.

Other Operating (Income) Expenses, Net (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Other Operating Expenses, Net [Abstract]

Other Operating Expenses, Net

Other operating expenses, net consist of the following for the periods presented:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Special charges, net	$	31	$	23	$	56	44
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net	(14)		(5)		(27)		33
	$	17	$	18	$	29	$	77

Special charges, net

Special charges, net primarily includes employee termination costs and net amounts of litigation settlements.

(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net

(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net represents the net (gain) loss recognized on the sales and disposals of fixed assets and cable systems. The nine months ended September 30, 2019 includes a $41 million impairment of non-strategic assets.

Stock Compensation Plans (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Stock Compensation Plans [Abstract]

Stock Compensation Plans

Charter’s stock incentive plans provide for grants of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock, restricted stock units and restricted stock. Directors, officers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as others performing consulting services for the Company, are eligible for grants under the stock incentive plans.

Charter granted the following equity awards for the periods presented.


	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020	2019	2020	2019
Stock options	17,100	39,400	1,282,400	1,821,800
Restricted stock	—	200	6,000	8,300
Restricted stock units	5,000	11,300	420,900	698,200

Charter stock options and restricted stock units generally cliff vest three years from the date of grant. Certain stock options and restricted stock units vest based on achievement of stock price hurdles. Stock options generally expire ten years from the grant date and restricted stock units have no voting rights. Restricted stock generally vests one year from the date of grant.

As of September 30, 2020, total unrecognized compensation remaining to be recognized in future periods totaled $222 million for stock options, $2 million for restricted stock and $260 million for restricted stock units and the weighted average period over which they are expected to be recognized is two years for stock options, seven months for restricted stock and two years for restricted stock units.

The Company recorded stock compensation expense of $83 million and $263 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $71 million and $238 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, which is included in operating costs and expenses.

Income Taxes (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes CCO Holdings is a single member limited liability company not subject to income tax. CCO Holdings holds all operations through indirect subsidiaries. The majority of these indirect subsidiaries are limited liability companies that are not subject to income tax. Certain indirect subsidiaries that are required to file separate returns are subject to federal and state tax. CCO Holdings’ tax provision reflects the tax provision of the entities required to file separate returns. Generally, the taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of CCO Holdings are passed through to its indirect members, Charter and Advance/Newhouse Partnership (“A/N”). Charter is responsible for its share of taxable income or loss of CCO Holdings allocated to it in accordance with the Charter Holdings Limited Liability Company Agreement and partnership tax rules and regulations. Charter also records financial statement deferred tax assets and liabilities related to its investment, and its underlying net assets, in CCO Holdings. The Company recorded income tax expense of $10 million and $23 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $10 million and $86 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Income tax expense decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the corresponding period in 2019 primarily as a result of an internal entity simplification that increased expense in 2019. On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCR Act"), and on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") were each enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FFCR Act and the CARES Act contain numerous tax provisions, such as deferring payroll tax payments, establishing a credit for the retention of certain employees, relaxing limitations on the deductibility of interest, and updating the definition of qualified improvement property. This legislation currently has no material impact to income tax expense on the Company’s financial statements. In determining the Company’s tax provision for financial reporting purposes, the Company establishes a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless such positions are determined to be “more likely than not” of being sustained upon examination, based on their technical merits. There is considerable judgment involved in making such a determination. The Company has recorded unrecognized tax benefits totaling approximately $103 million and $110 million, excluding interest and penalties, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The Company does not currently anticipate that its reserve for uncertain tax positions will significantly increase or decrease during 2020; however, various events could cause the Company’s current expectations to change in the future. These uncertain tax positions, if ever recognized in the financial statements, would be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as part of the income tax provision. No tax years for Charter are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") for income tax purposes. Charter's 2016 through 2019 tax years remain open for examination and assessment. Charter’s short period return dated May 17, 2016 (prior to the Time Warner Cable Inc. ("TWC") and Bright House Networks, LLC ("Bright House") transactions) and prior years remain open solely for purposes of examination of Charter’s loss and credit carryforwards. The IRS is currently examining Charter Holdings’ income tax return for 2016. Charter Holdings’ 2017 through 2019 tax years remain open for examination and assessment. The IRS is currently examining TWC’s income tax returns for 2011 through 2014. TWC’s tax year 2015 remains subject to examination and assessment. Prior to TWC’s separation from Time Warner Inc. (“Time Warner”) in March 2009, TWC was included in the consolidated U.S. federal and certain state income tax returns of Time Warner. The IRS has examined Time Warner’s 2008 through 2010 income tax returns and the results are under appeal. The Company does not anticipate that these examinations will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. In addition, the Company is also subject to ongoing examinations of the Company’s tax returns by state and local tax authorities for various periods. Activity related to these state and local examinations did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, nor does the Company anticipate a material impact in the future.

Comprehensive Income (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Comprehensive Income (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive IncomeComprehensive income equaled net income attributable to CCO Holdings member for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Related Party Transactions (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions The following sets forth certain transactions in which the Company and the directors, executive officers, and affiliates of the Company are involved. Liberty Broadband and A/N Under the terms of the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement with Liberty Broadband, A/N and Charter, dated May 23, 2015, the number of Charter’s directors is fixed at 13, and includes its CEO. Two designees selected by A/N are members of the board of directors of Charter and three designees selected by Liberty Broadband are members of the board of directors of Charter. The remaining eight directors are not affiliated with either A/N or Liberty Broadband. Each of A/N and Liberty Broadband is entitled to nominate at least one director to each of the committees of Charter’s board of directors, subject to applicable stock exchange listing rules and certain specified voting or equity ownership thresholds for each of A/N and Liberty Broadband, and provided that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation and Benefit Committee each have at least a majority of directors independent from A/N, Liberty Broadband and Charter (referred to as the “unaffiliated directors”). Each of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation and Benefits Committee is currently comprised of three unaffiliated directors and one designee of each of A/N and Liberty Broadband. A/N and Liberty Broadband also have certain other committee designation and other governance rights. Mr. Thomas Rutledge, the Company’s CEO, is the chairman of the board of Charter. In December 2017, Charter and A/N entered into an amendment to the letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) that requires A/N to sell to Charter or to Charter Holdings, on a monthly basis, a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units that represents a pro rata participation by A/N and its affiliates in any repurchases of shares of Charter Class A common stock from persons other than A/N effected by Charter during the immediately preceding calendar month, at a purchase price equal to the average price paid by Charter for the shares repurchased from persons other than A/N during such immediately preceding calendar month. A/N and Charter both have the right to terminate or suspend the pro rata repurchase arrangement on a prospective basis. Dr. John Malone, a director emeritus of Charter and Chairman of the board of directors and holder of 48.8% of voting interest in Liberty Broadband, also serves on the board of directors of Qurate Retail, Inc. ("Qurate"). As reported in Qurate's SEC filings, Dr. Malone owns approximately 1.2 million shares of the Series A common stock and approximately 27.7 million shares of the Series B common stock of Qurate and has a 40.9% voting interest in Qurate for the election of directors. Qurate wholly owns HSN, Inc. (“HSN”) and QVC, Inc. (“QVC”). The Company has programming relationships with HSN and QVC. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded revenue in aggregate of approximately $12 million and $36 million, respectively, and for three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded revenue in aggregate of approximately $11 million and $35 million, respectively, from HSN and QVC as part of channel carriage fees and revenue sharing arrangements for home shopping sales made to customers in the Company’s footprint. Dr. Malone and Mr. Steven Miron, a member of Charter’s board of directors, also serve on the board of directors of Discovery, Inc. (“Discovery”). As reported in Discovery's SEC filings, Dr. Malone owns 1.2% of the series A common stock, 93.6% of the series B common stock and 3.6% of the series C common stock of Discovery and has a 27.9% voting interest in Discovery for the election of directors. As reported in Discovery's SEC filings, Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (“A/N PP”), an affiliate of A/N and of which Mr. Miron is the CEO, owns 100% of the Series A-1 preferred stock of Discovery and 100% of the Series C-1 preferred stock of Discovery and has a 23.9% voting interest for matters other than the election of directors. A/N PP also has the right to appoint three directors out of a total of twelve directors to Discovery’s board. The Company purchases programming from Discovery. Based on publicly available information, the Company does not believe that Discovery would currently be considered a related party. The amount paid in the aggregate to Discovery represents less than 2% of total operating costs and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Equity Investments The Company and its parent companies have agreements with certain equity investees pursuant to which the Company has made or received related party transaction payments. The Company and its parent companies recorded payments to equity investees totaling $50 million and $167 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $78 million and $245 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

Contingencies (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Contingencies (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies In August 2015, a purported stockholder of Charter, Matthew Sciabacucchi, filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery, on behalf of a putative class of Charter stockholders, challenging the transactions involving Charter, TWC, A/N, and Liberty Broadband announced by Charter on May 26, 2015. The lawsuit, which named as defendants Charter and its board of directors, alleged that the transactions resulted from breaches of fiduciary duty by Charter’s directors and that Liberty Broadband improperly benefited from the challenged transactions at the expense of other Charter stockholders. The lawsuit has proceeded to the discovery phase. Charter denies any liability, believes that it has substantial defenses, and is vigorously defending this lawsuit. Although Charter is unable to predict the outcome of this lawsuit, it does not expect the outcome will have a material effect on its operations, financial condition or cash flows. The California Attorney General and the Alameda County, California District Attorney are investigating whether certain of Charter’s waste disposal policies, procedures and practices are in violation of the California Business and Professions Code and the California Health and Safety Code. That investigation was commenced in January 2014. A similar investigation involving TWC was initiated in February 2012. Charter is cooperating with these investigations. While the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these investigations, it does not expect that the outcome will have a material effect on its operations, financial condition, or cash flows. On December 19, 2011, Sprint Communications Company L.P. (“Sprint”) filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas alleging that TWC infringed certain U.S. patents purportedly relating to Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services. At the trial, the jury returned a verdict of $140 million against TWC and further concluded that TWC had willfully infringed Sprint’s patents. The court subsequently declined to enhance the damage award as a result of the purported willful infringement and awarded Sprint an additional $6 million, representing pre-judgment interest on the damages award. The Company has now paid the verdict, interest and costs in full. The Company continues to pursue indemnity from its vendors and has brought a patent suit against Sprint (TC Tech, LLC v. Sprint) in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware implicating Sprint's LTE technology and a similar suit against T-Mobile USA, Inc. in the Western District of Texas. The ultimate outcomes of the pursuit of indemnity against the Company’s vendors and the TC Tech litigation cannot be predicted. The Company does not expect the outcome of its indemnity claims nor the outcome of the TC Tech litigation will have a material adverse effect on its operations or financial condition. Sprint filed a second patent suit against Charter and Bright House Networks, LLC on December 2, 2017 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. This suit alleges infringement of 11 patents related to the Company's provision of VoIP services (ten of which were asserted against Legacy TWC in the matter described above). On February 18, 2020 Sprint filed a lawsuit against Charter, Bright House, and TWC in the District Court for Johnson County, Kansas. Sprint alleges that Charter misappropriated trade secrets from Sprint years ago through employees hired by Bright House. Sprint asserts that the alleged trade secrets relate to the VoIP business of Charter and Bright House. Charter has removed this case to the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. Sprint filed a third patent suit against Charter on May 17, 2018 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. This suit alleges infringement of two patents related to the Company's video on demand services. The court transferred this case to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on December 20, 2018 pursuant to an agreement between the parties. While the Company is vigorously defending these suits and is unable to predict the outcome of the Sprint lawsuits, the Company does not expect that the litigation will have a material effect on its operations, financial condition, or cash flows. In addition to the Sprint litigation described above, the Company and its parent companies are defendants or co-defendants in several additional lawsuits involving alleged infringement of various intellectual property relating to various aspects of their businesses. Other industry participants are also defendants in certain of these cases or related cases. In the event that a court ultimately determines that the Company infringes on any intellectual property, the Company may be subject to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require the Company or its vendors to modify certain products and services the Company offers to its subscribers, as well as negotiate royalty or license agreements with respect to the intellectual property at issue. While the Company believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to defend the actions vigorously, no assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. The Company cannot predict the outcome of any such claims nor can it reasonably estimate a range of possible loss. The Company and its parent companies are party to other lawsuits, claims and regulatory inquiries that arise in the ordinary course of conducting their business. The ultimate outcome of these other legal matters pending against the Company cannot be predicted, and although such lawsuits and claims are not expected individually to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, such lawsuits could have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Whether or not the Company ultimately prevails in any particular lawsuit or claim, litigation can be time consuming and costly and injure the Company’s reputation.

Employee Benefit Plans (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors three qualified defined benefit pension plans and one nonqualified defined benefit pension plan that provide pension benefits to a majority of employees who were employed by TWC before the merger with TWC.

Pension benefits are based on formulas that reflect the employees’ years of service and compensation during their employment period. Actuarial gains or losses are changes in the amount of either the benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from changes in assumptions. The Company has elected to follow a mark-to-market pension accounting policy for recording the actuarial gains or losses annually during the fourth quarter, or earlier if a remeasurement event occurs during an interim period. No future compensation increases or future service will be credited to participants of the pension plans given the frozen nature of the plans.

The components of net periodic pension benefit (costs) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are recorded in other pension benefits, net in the consolidated statements of operations and consisted of the following:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Interest cost	$	(29)	$	(32)	$	(85)	$	(96)
Expected return on plan assets	39		41		116		123
Remeasurement loss, net	(125)		—		(125)		—
Net periodic pension benefits	$	(115)	$	9	$	(94)	$	27

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, settlements for lump-sum distributions to pension plan participants exceeded the estimated annual interest cost of the plans. As a result, the pension liability and pension asset values were reassessed as of September 30, 2020 utilizing remeasurement date assumptions in accordance with the Company's mark-to-market pension accounting policy to record gains and losses in the period in which a remeasurement event occurs. The $125 million remeasurement loss recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily driven by changes in the discount rate as well as net gains to record pension assets to fair value.

The Company made no cash contributions to the qualified pension plans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019; however, the Company may make discretionary cash contributions to the qualified pension plans in the future. Such contributions will be dependent on a variety of factors, including current and expected interest rates, asset performance, the funded status of the qualified pension plans and management’s judgment. For the nonqualified unfunded pension plan, the Company will continue to make contributions during 2020 to the extent benefits are paid.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2020
Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Recently Adopted Accounting Standards ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, which requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be assessed for impairment under the current expected credit loss model rather than an incurred loss model. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The primary financial assets of the Company in scope of ASU 2016-13 include accounts receivables and equipment installment plan notes receivables. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements. ASU No. 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract ("ASU 2018-15") In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 which requires upfront implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement (or hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to be amortized to hosting expense over the term of the arrangement, beginning when the module or component of the hosting arrangement is ready for its intended use. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements. ASU No. 2019-02, Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials ("ASU 2019-02") In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-02 which aligns the accounting for production costs of an episodic television series with the accounting for production costs of films regarding cost capitalization, amortization, impairment, presentation and disclosure. The Company adopted ASU 2019-02 on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2019-02 did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements. ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”) In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12 which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Amendments to the financial disclosures requirements for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities under SEC Regulation S-X In March 2020, the SEC adopted amendments to the financial disclosure requirements of Regulation S-X for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities. The final rule streamlines disclosure obligations under the existing rules, including replacing condensed consolidating financial information with summarized financial information for the "obligor group" of issuers and guarantors to the extent material, no longer requiring subsidiary issuer and guarantor cash flow information, and no longer requiring financial information for non-guarantor subsidiaries. It also permits presentation of the required disclosures to be included in the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") section of quarterly and annual reports rather than the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company is voluntarily complying with the new disclosure requirements beginning with its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 and has included summarized financial information in the MD&A.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Derivatives Policy	The Company uses derivative instruments to manage foreign exchange risk on the Sterling Notes, and does not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Franchises, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Indefinite-lived and Finite-lived Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets consist of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Franchises	$	67,322	$	—	$	67,322	$	67,322	$	—	$	67,322
Goodwill	29,554		—		29,554		29,554		—		29,554
	$	96,876	$	—	$	96,876	$	96,876	$	—	$	96,876

Finite-lived intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	18,230	$	(12,180)	$	6,050	$	18,230	$	(10,777)	$	7,453
Other intangible assets	405		(150)		255		405		(122)		283
	$	18,635	$	(12,330)	$	6,305	$	18,635	$	(10,899)	$	7,736

Expected Future Amortization Expense

The Company expects amortization expense on its finite-lived intangible assets will be as follows:


Three months ended December 31, 2020	$	443
2021	1,599
2022	1,329
2023	1,072
2024	821
Thereafter	1,041
	$	6,305

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accounts payable – trade	$	704	$	727
Deferred revenue	477		460
Accrued liabilities:
Programming costs	1,913		2,042
Labor	1,124		939
Capital expenditures	1,264		1,441
Interest	962		1,052
Taxes and regulatory fees	537		501
Operating lease liabilities	203		184
Other	697		796
	$	7,881	$	8,142

Leases (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of supplemental balance sheet information

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows.


	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Operating lease right-of-use assets:
Included within other noncurrent assets	$	1,012		$	925

Operating lease liabilities:
Current portion included within accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	203		$	184
Long-term portion included within other long-term liabilities	876			788
	$	1,079		$	972

Weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases	6.3 years			6.6 years
Weighted average discount rate for operating leases	4.1		%	4.4		%

Schedule of future minimum lease payments for operating leases

Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows.


	Operating leases
Three months ended December 31, 2020	$	66
2021	258
2022	225
2023	200
2024	162
Thereafter	378
Undiscounted lease cash flow commitments	1,289
Reconciling impact from discounting	(210)
Lease liabilities on consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020	$	1,079

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Debt Summary

Long-term debt consists of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Principal Amount		Accreted Value		Principal Amount		Accreted Value
CCO Holdings, LLC:
5.250% senior notes due September 30, 2022	$	—	$	—	$	1,250	$	1,241
5.125% senior notes due February 15, 2023	—		—		1,000		995
4.000% senior notes due March 1, 2023	500		498		500		497
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2023	—		—		1,150		1,145
5.750% senior notes due September 1, 2023	—		—		500		497
5.750% senior notes due January 15, 2024	—		—		150		149
5.875% senior notes due April 1, 2024	—		—		1,700		1,690
5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2025	750		747		750		746
5.750% senior notes due February 15, 2026	2,500		2,474		2,500		2,471
5.500% senior notes due May 1, 2026	1,500		1,492		1,500		1,491
5.875% senior notes due May 1, 2027	800		796		800		796
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2027	3,250		3,224		3,250		3,222
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2028	2,500		2,471		2,500		2,469
5.375% senior notes due June 1, 2029	1,500		1,501		1,500		1,501
4.750% senior notes due March 1, 2030	3,050		3,042		3,050		3,041
4.500% senior notes due August 15, 2030	2,750		2,750		—		—
4.250% senior notes due February 1, 2031	3,000		3,001		—		—
4.500% senior notes due May 1, 2032	1,400		1,387		—		—
Charter Communications Operating, LLC:
3.579% senior notes due July 23, 2020	—		—		2,000		1,997
4.464% senior notes due July 23, 2022	3,000		2,990		3,000		2,987
Senior floating rate notes due February 1, 2024	900		902		900		902


4.500% senior notes due February 1, 2024	1,100		1,094		1,100		1,093
4.908% senior notes due July 23, 2025	4,500		4,474		4,500		4,471
3.750% senior notes due February 15, 2028	1,000		988		1,000		987
4.200% senior notes due March 15, 2028	1,250		1,241		1,250		1,240
5.050% senior notes due March 30, 2029	1,250		1,241		1,250		1,241
2.800% senior notes due April 1, 2031	1,600		1,583		—		—
6.384% senior notes due October 23, 2035	2,000		1,983		2,000		1,982
5.375% senior notes due April 1, 2038	800		786		800		786
6.484% senior notes due October 23, 2045	3,500		3,468		3,500		3,467
5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2047	2,500		2,506		2,500		2,506
5.750% senior notes due April 1, 2048	2,450		2,391		2,450		2,391
5.125% senior notes due July 1, 2049	1,250		1,240		1,250		1,240
4.800% senior notes due March 1, 2050	2,800		2,797		2,800		2,798
3.700% senior notes due April 1, 2051	1,400		1,380		—		—
6.834% senior notes due October 23, 2055	500		495		500		495
Credit facilities	10,219		10,147		10,427		10,345
Time Warner Cable, LLC:
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2020	—		—		1,500		1,503
4.125% senior notes due February 15, 2021	700		704		700		711
4.000% senior notes due September 1, 2021	1,000		1,011		1,000		1,021
5.750% sterling senior notes due June 2, 2031 (a)	806		860		828		886
6.550% senior debentures due May 1, 2037	1,500		1,670		1,500		1,675
7.300% senior debentures due July 1, 2038	1,500		1,766		1,500		1,772
6.750% senior debentures due June 15, 2039	1,500		1,708		1,500		1,713
5.875% senior debentures due November 15, 2040	1,200		1,254		1,200		1,255
5.500% senior debentures due September 1, 2041	1,250		1,258		1,250		1,258
5.250% sterling senior notes due July 15, 2042 (b)	839		810		861		831
4.500% senior debentures due September 15, 2042	1,250		1,144		1,250		1,142
Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC:
8.375% senior debentures due March 15, 2023	1,000		1,115		1,000		1,148
8.375% senior debentures due July 15, 2033	1,000		1,273		1,000		1,284
Total debt	79,064		79,662		78,416		79,078
Less current portion:
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2020	—		—		(1,500)		(1,503)
3.579% senior notes due July 23, 2020	—		—		(2,000)		(1,997)
4.125% senior notes due February 15, 2021	(700)		(704)		—		—
4.000% senior notes due September 1, 2021	(1,000)		(1,011)		—		—
Long-term debt	$	77,364	$	77,947	$	74,916	$	75,578

(a)Principal amount includes £625 million remeasured at $806 million and $828 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, using the exchange rate at the respective dates.

(b)Principal amount includes £650 million remeasured at $839 million and $861 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, using the exchange rate at the respective dates.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Income Statement Effects of Financial Instruments

The effect of financial instruments on the consolidated statements of operations is presented in the table below.


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Gain (Loss) on Financial Instruments, Net:
Change in fair value of cross-currency derivative instruments	$	135	$	(86)	$	(230)	$	(172)
Foreign currency remeasurement of Sterling Notes to U.S. dollars	(66)		52		45		56
	$	69	$	(34)	$	(185)	$	(116)

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt

A summary of the carrying value and fair value of debt as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior notes and debentures	$	69,515	$	78,793	$	68,733	$	74,938
Credit facilities	$	10,147	$	9,983	$	10,345	$	10,448

Revenue (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Revenue [Abstract]

Revenue

The Company’s revenues by product line are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Internet	$	4,722	$	4,195	$	13,659	$	12,322
Video	4,221		4,359		13,014		13,134
Voice	449		477		1,357		1,470
Residential revenue	9,392		9,031		28,030		26,926

Small and medium business	988		974		2,967		2,882
Enterprise	617		644		1,845		1,939
Commercial revenue	1,605		1,618		4,812		4,821

Advertising sales	460		394		1,074		1,134
Mobile	368		192		936		490
Other	212		214		615		626
	$	12,037	$	11,449	$	35,467	$	33,997

Operating Costs and Expenses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract]

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses, exclusive of items shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations, consist of the following for the periods presented:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Programming	$	2,727	$	2,790	$	8,492	$	8,482
Regulatory, connectivity and produced content	612		612		1,651		1,770
Costs to service customers	1,902		1,894		5,598		5,483
Marketing	788		793		2,273		2,296
Mobile	456		337		1,243		874
Other	1,024		1,024		3,026		3,045
	$	7,509	$	7,450	$	22,283	$	21,950

Other Operating (Income) Expenses, Net (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Other Operating Expenses, Net [Abstract]

Other Operating Expenses, Net

Other operating expenses, net consist of the following for the periods presented:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Special charges, net	$	31	$	23	$	56	44
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net	(14)		(5)		(27)		33
	$	17	$	18	$	29	$	77

Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Stock Compensation Plans [Abstract]

Equity Award Grants

Charter granted the following equity awards for the periods presented.


	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020	2019	2020	2019
Stock options	17,100	39,400	1,282,400	1,821,800
Restricted stock	—	200	6,000	8,300
Restricted stock units	5,000	11,300	420,900	698,200

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]

Net Periodic Pension Benefit


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Interest cost	$	(29)	$	(32)	$	(85)	$	(96)
Expected return on plan assets	39		41		116		123
Remeasurement loss, net	(125)		—		(125)		—
Net periodic pension benefits	$	(115)	$	9	$	(94)	$	27

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details)	9 Months Ended
Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details)	Sep. 30, 2020
Organization and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1

Franchises, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
Goodwill	$ 29,554		$ 29,554		$ 29,554
Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill	96,876		96,876		96,876
Finite-lived Intangible Assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	18,635		18,635		18,635
Accumulated Amortization	(12,330)		(12,330)		(10,899)
Net Carrying Amount	6,305		6,305		7,736
Amortization expense	445	$ 516	1,400	$ 1,600
Three months ended December 31, 2020	443		443
2021	1,599		1,599
2022	1,329		1,329
2023	1,072		1,072
2024	821		821
Thereafter	1,041		1,041
Franchises
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	67,322		67,322		67,322
Customer relationships
Finite-lived Intangible Assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	18,230		18,230		18,230
Accumulated Amortization	(12,180)		(12,180)		(10,777)
Net Carrying Amount	6,050		6,050		7,453
Other intangible assets
Finite-lived Intangible Assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	405		405		405
Accumulated Amortization	(150)		(150)		(122)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 255		$ 255		$ 283

Investments (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Investments (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Investments [Abstract]
Impairment on equity investments	$ 121

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable – trade	$ 704	$ 727
Deferred revenue	477	460
Accrued liabilities:
Programming costs	1,913	2,042
Labor	1,124	939
Capital expenditures	1,264	1,441
Interest	962	1,052
Taxes and regulatory fees	537	501
Operating lease liabilities	203	184
Other	697	796
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 7,881	$ 8,142

Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Lease Expense	$ 98	$ 92	$ 289	$ 281
short term leases and variable leases costs	32	$ 31	94	92
Operating Lease Payments			189	185
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability			250	$ 171
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	1,012		1,012		$ 925
Operating lease liabilities	203		203		184
Noncurrent portion of operating lease liability	876		876		788
Total Operating Lease Liability	$ 1,079		$ 1,079		$ 972
Weighted average remaining operating lease term (in years)	6 years 3 months 18 days		6 years 3 months 18 days		6 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average discount rate - operating leases (percentage)	4.10%		4.10%		4.40%
Finance Lease Liabilities	$ 61		$ 61		$ 62
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract]
Three months ended December 31, 2020	66		66
2021	258		258
2022	225		225
2023	200		200
2024	162		162
Thereafter	378		378
Undiscounted lease cash flow commitments	1,289		1,289
Reconciling impact from discounting	$ (210)		$ (210)

Long-Term Debt (Details) £ in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt (Details) £ in Millions, $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 GBP (£)	Jul. 01, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 01, 2020 USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 79,064			$ 79,064							$ 78,416
Accreted Value			79,662			79,662							79,078
Accreted value, current portion			(1,715)			(1,715)							(3,500)
Principal amount, noncurrent portion			77,364			77,364							74,916
Accreted value, noncurrent portion			77,947			77,947							75,578
Loss on extinguishment of debt			58	$ 0	$ 63	121	$ 0
Credit facilities
Long-term Debt:
Accreted Value			10,147			$ 10,147							10,345
CCO holdings [Member]
Long-term Debt:
Debt Instrument Redemption Price (Percentage)						100.00%
Debt instrument, amount of principal that may be redeemed (percentage)						40.00%
Debt instrument redemption price in the event of change of control events (percentage)						101.00%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.250% senior notes due September 30, 2022
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			0			$ 0							1,250
Accreted Value			$ 0			$ 0							1,241
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.25%			5.25%			5.25%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.125% senior notes due February 15, 2023
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 0			$ 0							1,000
Accreted Value			$ 0			$ 0							995
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.125%			5.125%			5.125%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 4.000% senior notes due March 1, 2023
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 500			$ 500							500
Accreted Value			$ 498			$ 498							497
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.00%			4.00%			4.00%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2023
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 0			$ 0							1,150
Accreted Value			$ 0			$ 0							1,145
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.125%			5.125%			5.125%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.750% senior notes due September 1, 2023
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 0			$ 0							500
Accreted Value			$ 0			$ 0							497
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.75%			5.75%			5.75%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.750% senior notes due January 15, 2024
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 0			$ 0							150
Accreted Value			$ 0			$ 0							149
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.75%			5.75%			5.75%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.875% senior notes due April 1, 2024
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 0			$ 0							1,700
Accreted Value			$ 0			$ 0							1,690
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.875%			5.875%			5.875%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2025
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 750			$ 750							750
Accreted Value			$ 747			$ 747							746
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.375%			5.375%			5.375%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.750% senior notes due February 15, 2026
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 2,500			$ 2,500							2,500
Accreted Value			$ 2,474			$ 2,474							2,471
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.75%			5.75%			5.75%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.500% senior notes due May 1, 2026
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,500			$ 1,500							1,500
Accreted Value			$ 1,492			$ 1,492							1,491
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.50%			5.50%			5.50%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.875% senior notes due May 1, 2027
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 800			$ 800							800
Accreted Value			$ 796			$ 796							796
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.875%			5.875%			5.875%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2027
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 3,250			$ 3,250							3,250
Accreted Value			$ 3,224			$ 3,224							3,222
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.125%			5.125%			5.125%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2028
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 2,500			$ 2,500							2,500
Accreted Value			$ 2,471			$ 2,471							2,469
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.00%			5.00%			5.00%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 5.375% senior notes due June 1, 2029
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,500			$ 1,500							1,500
Accreted Value			$ 1,501			$ 1,501							1,501
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.375%			5.375%			5.375%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 4.750% senior notes due March 1, 2030
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 3,050			$ 3,050							3,050
Accreted Value			$ 3,042			$ 3,042							3,041
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.75%			4.75%			4.75%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 4.500% senior notes due August 15, 2030
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 2,750			$ 2,750					$ 1,100	$ 1,650	0
Accreted Value			$ 2,750			$ 2,750							0
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.50%			4.50%			4.50%
Debt instrument issue price (percentage)						102.50%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 4.250% senior notes due February 1, 2031
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount		$ 1,500	$ 3,000			$ 3,000				$ 1,500			0
Accreted Value			$ 3,001			$ 3,001							0
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.25%			4.25%			4.25%	4.25%
Debt instrument issue price (percentage)		102.00%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 4.500% senior notes due May 1, 2032
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,400			$ 1,400							0
Accreted Value			$ 1,387			$ 1,387							0
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.50%			4.50%			4.50%
CCO holdings [Member] \| 4.500% senior notes due May 1, 2032 \| Subsequent Event
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount								$ 1,500
Debt instrument issue price (percentage)	103.75%
Charter Operating \| 3.579% senior notes due July 23, 2020
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 0			$ 0							2,000
Accreted Value			0			0							1,997
Principal amount, current portion			0			0							(2,000)
Accreted value, current portion			$ 0			$ 0							(1,997)
Stated interest rate (percentage)			3.579%			3.579%			3.579%
Charter Operating \| 4.464% senior notes due July 23, 2022
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 3,000			$ 3,000							3,000
Accreted Value			$ 2,990			$ 2,990							2,987
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.464%			4.464%			4.464%
Charter Operating \| Senior floating rate notes due February 1, 2024
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 900			$ 900							900
Accreted Value			902			902							902
Charter Operating \| 4.500% senior notes due February 1, 2024
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			1,100			1,100							1,100
Accreted Value			$ 1,094			$ 1,094							1,093
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.50%			4.50%			4.50%
Charter Operating \| 4.908% senior notes due July 23, 2025
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 4,500			$ 4,500							4,500
Accreted Value			$ 4,474			$ 4,474							4,471
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.908%			4.908%			4.908%
Charter Operating \| 3.750% senior notes due February 15, 2028
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,000			$ 1,000							1,000
Accreted Value			$ 988			$ 988							987
Stated interest rate (percentage)			3.75%			3.75%			3.75%
Charter Operating \| 4.200% senior notes due March 15, 2028
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,250			$ 1,250							1,250
Accreted Value			$ 1,241			$ 1,241							1,240
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.20%			4.20%			4.20%
Charter Operating \| 5.050% senior notes due March 30, 2029
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,250			$ 1,250							1,250
Accreted Value			$ 1,241			$ 1,241							1,241
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.05%			5.05%			5.05%
Charter Operating \| 2.800% senior notes due April 1, 2031
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,600			$ 1,600							0
Accreted Value			$ 1,583			$ 1,583							0
Stated interest rate (percentage)			2.80%			2.80%			2.80%
Debt instrument issue price (percentage)						99.561%
Charter Operating \| 6.384% senior notes due October 23, 2035
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 2,000			$ 2,000							2,000
Accreted Value			$ 1,983			$ 1,983							1,982
Stated interest rate (percentage)			6.384%			6.384%			6.384%
Charter Operating \| 5.375% senior notes due April 1, 2038
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 800			$ 800							800
Accreted Value			$ 786			$ 786							786
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.375%			5.375%			5.375%
Charter Operating \| 6.484% senior notes due October 23, 2045
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 3,500			$ 3,500							3,500
Accreted Value			$ 3,468			$ 3,468							3,467
Stated interest rate (percentage)			6.484%			6.484%			6.484%
Charter Operating \| 5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2047
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 2,500			$ 2,500							2,500
Accreted Value			$ 2,506			$ 2,506							2,506
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.375%			5.375%			5.375%
Charter Operating \| 5.750% senior notes due April 1, 2048
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 2,450			$ 2,450							2,450
Accreted Value			$ 2,391			$ 2,391							2,391
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.75%			5.75%			5.75%
Charter Operating \| 5.125% senior notes due July 1, 2049
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,250			$ 1,250							1,250
Accreted Value			$ 1,240			$ 1,240							1,240
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.125%			5.125%			5.125%
Charter Operating \| 4.800% senior notes due March 1, 2050
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 2,800			$ 2,800							2,800
Accreted Value			$ 2,797			$ 2,797							2,798
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.80%			4.80%			4.80%
Charter Operating \| 3.700% senior notes due April 1, 2051
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,400			$ 1,400							0
Accreted Value			$ 1,380			$ 1,380							0
Stated interest rate (percentage)			3.70%			3.70%			3.70%
Debt instrument issue price (percentage)						99.217%
Charter Operating \| 6.834% senior notes due October 23, 2055
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 500			$ 500							500
Accreted Value			$ 495			$ 495							495
Stated interest rate (percentage)			6.834%			6.834%			6.834%
Charter Operating \| Credit facilities
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 10,219			$ 10,219							10,427
Accreted Value			10,147			10,147							10,345
Charter Operating \| Revolving Credit Facility
Long-term Debt:
Availability under credit facilities			4,700			4,700
Time Warner Cable \| 5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2020
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			0			0							1,500
Accreted Value			0			0							1,503
Principal amount, current portion			0			0							(1,500)
Accreted value, current portion			$ 0			$ 0							(1,503)
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.00%			5.00%			5.00%
Time Warner Cable \| 4.125% senior notes due February 15, 2021
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 700			$ 700							700
Accreted Value			704			704							711
Principal amount, current portion			(700)			(700)							0
Accreted value, current portion			$ (704)			$ (704)							0
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.125%			4.125%			4.125%
Time Warner Cable \| 4.000% senior notes due September 1, 2021
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,000			$ 1,000							1,000
Accreted Value			1,011			1,011							1,021
Principal amount, current portion			(1,000)			(1,000)							0
Accreted value, current portion			$ (1,011)			$ (1,011)							0
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.00%			4.00%			4.00%
Time Warner Cable \| 5.750% sterling senior notes due June 2, 2031 (a)
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 806			$ 806			£ 625				828
Accreted Value			$ 860			$ 860							886
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.75%			5.75%			5.75%
Time Warner Cable \| 6.550% senior debentures due May 1, 2037
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,500			$ 1,500							1,500
Accreted Value			$ 1,670			$ 1,670							1,675
Stated interest rate (percentage)			6.55%			6.55%			6.55%
Time Warner Cable \| 7.300% senior debentures due July 1, 2038
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,500			$ 1,500							1,500
Accreted Value			$ 1,766			$ 1,766							1,772
Stated interest rate (percentage)			7.30%			7.30%			7.30%
Time Warner Cable \| 6.750% senior debentures due June 15, 2039
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,500			$ 1,500							1,500
Accreted Value			$ 1,708			$ 1,708							1,713
Stated interest rate (percentage)			6.75%			6.75%			6.75%
Time Warner Cable \| 5.875% senior debentures due November 15, 2040
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,200			$ 1,200							1,200
Accreted Value			$ 1,254			$ 1,254							1,255
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.875%			5.875%			5.875%
Time Warner Cable \| 5.500% senior debentures due September 1, 2041
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,250			$ 1,250							1,250
Accreted Value			$ 1,258			$ 1,258							1,258
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.50%			5.50%			5.50%
Time Warner Cable \| 5.250% sterling senior notes due July 15, 2042 (b)
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 839			$ 839			£ 650				861
Accreted Value			$ 810			$ 810							831
Stated interest rate (percentage)			5.25%			5.25%			5.25%
Time Warner Cable \| 4.500% senior debentures due September 15, 2042
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,250			$ 1,250							1,250
Accreted Value			$ 1,144			$ 1,144							1,142
Stated interest rate (percentage)			4.50%			4.50%			4.50%
Time Warner Cable Enterprises \| 8.375% senior debentures due March 15, 2023
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,000			$ 1,000							1,000
Accreted Value			$ 1,115			$ 1,115							1,148
Stated interest rate (percentage)			8.375%			8.375%			8.375%
Time Warner Cable Enterprises \| 8.375% senior debentures due July 15, 2033
Long-term Debt:
Principal Amount			$ 1,000			$ 1,000							1,000
Accreted Value			$ 1,273			$ 1,273							$ 1,284
Stated interest rate (percentage)			8.375%			8.375%			8.375%

Loans Payable - Related Party (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related Party Transactions:
LOANS PAYABLE - RELATED PARTY	$ 1,006	$ 959
Charter
Related Party Transactions:
LOANS PAYABLE - RELATED PARTY	$ 279	$ 260
Libor Spread	2.00%	2.00%
Charter Holdco
Related Party Transactions:
LOANS PAYABLE - RELATED PARTY	$ 727	$ 699
Libor Spread	1.25%	1.50%

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) £ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Gain (Loss) On Financial Instruments, Net
Change in fair value of cross-currency derivative instruments	$ 135	$ (86)	$ (230)	$ (172)
Foreign currency remeasurement of Sterling Notes to U.S. dollars	(66)	52	45	56
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net	$ 69	$ (34)	$ (185)	$ (116)
Cross Currency Derivatives
Derivatives:
Notional amount \| £					£ 1,275
Collateral holiday agreement, percentage of position covered	60.00%		60.00%		60.00%
Collateral holiday agreement, term			3 years
collateral cap term			10 years
Collateral cap, percentage of position covered	40.00%		40.00%		40.00%
Maximum amount of collateral required to be posted	$ 150		$ 150
Level 2 \| Cross Currency Derivatives
Derivatives:
Derivative Liability	$ 454		$ 454			$ 224

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Measurements:
Carrying Value	$ 79,662	$ 79,078
Senior notes and debentures
Fair Value Measurements:
Carrying Value	69,515	68,733
Credit facilities
Fair Value Measurements:
Carrying Value	10,147	10,345
Level 1 \| Senior notes and debentures
Fair Value Measurements:
Fair Value	78,793	74,938
Level 2 \| Credit facilities
Fair Value Measurements:
Fair Value	9,983	10,448
Cross Currency Derivatives \| Level 2
Fair Value Measurements:
Derivative Liability	$ 454	$ 224

Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	$ 12,037	$ 11,449	$ 35,467	$ 33,997
Internet
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	4,722	4,195	13,659	12,322
Video
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	4,221	4,359	13,014	13,134
Voice
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	449	477	1,357	1,470
Residential revenue
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	9,392	9,031	28,030	26,926
Small and medium business
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	988	974	2,967	2,882
Enterprise
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	617	644	1,845	1,939
Commercial revenue
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	1,605	1,618	4,812	4,821
Advertising sales
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	460	394	1,074	1,134
Mobile
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	368	192	936	490
Other
Product Information [Line Items]
REVENUES	$ 212	$ 214	$ 615	$ 626

Operating Costs and Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract]
Programming	$ 2,727	$ 2,790	$ 8,492	$ 8,482
Regulatory, connectivity and produced content	612	612	1,651	1,770
Costs to service customers	1,902	1,894	5,598	5,483
Marketing	788	793	2,273	2,296
Mobile	456	337	1,243	874
Other	1,024	1,024	3,026	3,045
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations)	$ 7,509	$ 7,450	$ 22,283	$ 21,950

Other Operating (Income) Expenses, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Other Operating Expenses, Net [Abstract]
Special charges, net	$ 31	$ 23	$ 56	$ 44
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net	(14)	(5)	(27)	33
Other operating (income) expenses, net	$ 17	$ 18	$ 29	77
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use				$ 41

Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Stock Compensation Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Stock Compensation Plans:
Stock compensation expense	$ 83.0	$ 71.0	$ 263.0	$ 238.0
Stock options
Stock Compensation Plans:
Stock options granted in period (shares)	17,100	39,400	1,282,400	1,821,800
Award vesting period			3 years
Award expiration period			10 years
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 222.0		$ 222.0
Remaining period over which to recognize unrecognized compensation expense			2 years
Restricted stock
Stock Compensation Plans:
Awards other than stock options granted in period (shares)	0	200	6,000	8,300
Award vesting period			1 year
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 2.0		$ 2.0
Remaining period over which to recognize unrecognized compensation expense			7 months
Restricted stock units
Stock Compensation Plans:
Awards other than stock options granted in period (shares)	5,000	11,300	420,900	698,200
Award vesting period			3 years
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 260.0		$ 260.0
Remaining period over which to recognize unrecognized compensation expense			2 years

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 10	$ 10	$ 23	$ 86
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 103		$ 103		$ 110

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Related Party Transactions:
Dr. John Malone's voting interest in Liberty Broadband (percentage)	48.80%		48.80%
Dr. John Malone's voting interest in Qurate Retail, Inc. (percentage)	40.90%		40.90%
Cash payments received from HSN, Inc. and QVC, Inc.	$ 12	$ 11	$ 36	$ 35
Dr. John Malone's voting interest in Discovery Communications, Inc. for election of directors (percentage)	27.90%		27.90%
Advance Newhouse Programming Partnership's ownership percentage in Series A preferred stock of Discovery Communications, Inc. (percentage)	100.00%		100.00%
Advance Newhouse Programming Partnership's ownership percentage in Series C preferred stock of Discovery Communications, Inc. (percentage)	100.00%		100.00%
Advance Newhouse Programming Partnership's voting interest in Discovery Communications, Inc. for election of directors (percentage)	23.90%		23.90%
Maximum
Related Party Transactions:
Percent of total operating costs and expenses paid to Discovery Communications, Inc. and Starz (percentage)	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Equity Method Investee
Related Party Transactions:
Payments to related parties	$ 50	$ 78	$ 167	$ 245
Common Class A [Member]
Related Party Transactions:
Number of shares owned by Dr. John Malone in Qurate Retail, Inc.(shares)	1.2		1.2
Dr. John Malone's ownership percentage in Discovery Communications, Inc. (percentage)	1.20%		1.20%
Common Class B [Member]
Related Party Transactions:
Number of shares owned by Dr. John Malone in Qurate Retail, Inc.(shares)	27.7		27.7
Dr. John Malone's ownership percentage in Discovery Communications, Inc. (percentage)	93.60%		93.60%
Class C Common Stock
Related Party Transactions:
Dr. John Malone's ownership percentage in Discovery Communications, Inc. (percentage)	3.60%		3.60%

Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value	$ 140
Litigation Settlement Interest	$ 6

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Interest cost	$ (29)	$ (32)	$ (85)	$ (96)
Expected return on plan assets	39	41	116	123
Remeasurement loss, net	(125)	0	(125)	0
Net periodic pension benefits	$ (115)	$ 9	$ (94)	$ 27