Fair Value Measurement (Carrying Values And Fair Values Of The Company's Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Credit facility debt	$ 1,502,479	$ 1,604,846
Senior notes	687,169	686,434
Debt instruments	2,189,648	2,291,280
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Credit facility debt	1,495,866	1,550,960
Senior notes	791,000	761,250
Debt instruments	$ 2,286,866	$ 2,312,210

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure and may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation. Senior note holders are paid in full before junior note holders.

No definition available.

Name:	amcx_SeniorLongTermNotesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	amcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant