Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of goodwill

	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Reporting Unit and Segment
AMC	$	34,251	$	34,251
WE tv	5,214		5,214
IFC	13,582		13,582
Sundance Channel	25,062		28,930
Total National Networks	78,109		81,977
AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology	1,196		1,196
Total International and Other	1,196		1,196
	$	79,305	$	83,173

Summary of intangible assets

	December 31, 2012							Estimated Useful Lives
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Amortizable intangible assets:
Affiliation agreements and affiliate relationships	$	840,757	$	(623,621	)	$	217,136	10 to 25 years
Advertiser relationships	74,248		(70,226		)	4,022		10 years
Other amortizable intangible assets	644		(519		)	125		4 to 10 years
Total amortizable intangible assets	915,649		(694,366		)	221,283
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks	19,900		—			19,900
Total intangible assets	$	935,549	$	(694,366	)	$	241,183
	December 31, 2011
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Amortizable intangible assets:
Affiliation agreements and affiliate relationships	$	911,357	$	(637,394	)	$	273,963
Advertiser relationships	103,723		(92,166		)	11,557
Other amortizable intangible assets	644		(391		)	253
Total amortizable intangible assets	1,015,724		(729,951		)	285,773
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks	19,900		—			19,900
Total intangible assets	$	1,035,624	$	(729,951	)	$	305,673

Schedule of estimated amortization expense

Years Ending December 31,
2013	$	31,631
2014	9,759
2015	9,746
2016	9,746
2017	9,746