Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, delivery occurs or services are rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue recognition for each source of the Company’s revenue is based on the following policies:

Distribution

The Company recognizes revenue from distributors that carry the Company’s programming services under multi-year contracts, commonly referred to as “affiliation agreements.” The programming services are delivered throughout the terms of the agreements and the Company recognizes revenue as programming is provided. Revenue from the licensing of original programming for digital and foreign distribution is recognized upon availability or distribution by the licensee. Revenue from video-on-demand and similar pay-per-view arrangements is recognized as programming is exhibited based on end-customer purchases as reported by the distributor. Revenue derived from other sources is recognized when delivery occurs or the services are rendered.

Advertising

Advertising revenues are recognized when commercials are aired. In most advertising sales arrangements, the Company’s programming businesses guarantee specified viewer ratings for their programming. For these types of transactions, a portion of such revenue is deferred if the guaranteed viewer ratings are not met and is subsequently recognized either when the Company provides the required additional advertising time, the guarantee obligation contractually expires or performance requirements become remote.

Multiple-Element Transactions [Policy Text Block]

Multiple-Element Transactions

For multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements, the Company uses the relative selling price method to allocate the arrangement consideration. Under the relative selling price method, the Company determines its best estimate of selling price in a manner consistent with that used to determine the price to sell the deliverable on a stand-alone basis. For multiple-element deliverable arrangements that include elements other than revenue, if there is objective and reliable evidence of fair value for all elements of accounting, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the separate elements of accounting based on relative fair values. There may be cases in which there is objective and reliable evidence of fair value of undelivered items in an arrangement but no such evidence for the delivered items. In those cases, the total fair value of the undelivered elements, as indicated by vendor-specific objective evidence, is deferred and the remainder of the arrangement consideration is allocated to the delivered elements.

Techincal and Operating Expenses [Policy Text Block]

Technical and Operating Expenses

Costs of revenues, including but not limited to programming expense, primarily consisting of amortization and impairments or write-offs of programming rights, such as those for original programming, feature films and licensed series, participation and residual costs, distribution and production related costs and program operating costs, such as origination, transmission, uplinking and encryption, are classified as technical and operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Advertising and Distribution Expenses [Policy Text Block]

Advertising and Distribution Expenses

Advertising costs are charged to expense when incurred and are recorded to selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Advertising costs were $150,734, $154,371 and $105,068 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Marketing, distribution and general and administrative costs related to the exploitation of owned original programming are expensed as incurred and are recorded to selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Share-based Compensation [Policy Text Block]

Share-Based Compensation

The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity-based instruments based on the grant date fair value of the portion of awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The cost is recognized in earnings over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award using a straight-line amortization method, except for restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors which vest 100%, and are expensed, at the date of grant.

For periods prior to the Distribution date, Cablevision charged the Company its proportionate share of expenses or benefits related to Cablevision’s employee stock plans and Cablevision’s long-term incentive plans (see Note 15). Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency Transactions

The Company distributes programming in certain territories outside of the U.S. for which it has a limited number of trade receivables denominated in a foreign currency. In addition, in 2013, in connection with the acquisition of Chellomedia, the Company purchased euros to mitigate the foreign currency exchange rate risk in fluctuations in the euro denominated purchase price. Changes in exchange rates with respect to amounts recorded in the Company's consolidated balance sheets related to these non U.S. dollar denominated transactions result in transaction gains and losses that are reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of income as unrealized (based on the applicable period end exchange rates) or realized upon settlement of the transactions. The Company recognized $7,322, $(231) and $(130) of foreign currency transaction gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to those receivables denominated in a foreign currency and the translation of euro denominated cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2013 (see Note 19 for further discussion regarding the acquisition of Chellomedia). Such amounts are included in miscellaneous, net in the consolidated statements of income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company’s cash investments are placed with money market funds and financial institutions that are investment grade as rated by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service. The Company selects money market funds that predominantly invest in marketable, direct obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, commercial paper, fully collateralized repurchase agreements, certificates of deposit, and time deposits.

The Company considers the balance of its investment in funds that substantially hold securities that mature within three months or less from the date the fund purchases these securities to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents either approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments or are at fair value.

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable, Trade

The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of valuation allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable by evaluating the collectability of outstanding receivables and general factors such as length of time individual receivables are past due, historical collection experience, and the economic and competitive environment. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had $48,380 and $41,983, respectively, of accounts receivable due in excess of one-year, which are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Program Rights [Policy Text Block]

Program Rights

Rights to programming, including feature films and episodic series, acquired under license agreements are stated at the lower of amortized cost or net realizable value. Such licensed rights along with the related obligations are recorded at the contract value when a license agreement is executed, unless there is uncertainty with respect to either cost, acceptability or availability. If such uncertainty exists, those rights and obligations are recorded at the earlier of when the uncertainty is resolved or the license period begins. Costs are amortized to technical and operating expense on a straight-line basis over a period not to exceed the respective license periods.

The Company’s owned original programming is primarily produced by production companies, with the remainder produced by the Company. Owned original programming costs, including estimated participation and residual costs, qualifying for capitalization as program rights are amortized to technical and operating expense over their estimated useful lives, commencing upon the first airing, based on attributable revenue for airings to date as a percentage of total projected attributable revenue, or ultimate revenue (film-forecast-computation method). Projected attributable revenue is based on previously generated revenues for similar content in established markets, primarily consisting of distribution and advertising revenues, and projected program usage. Projected program usage is based on the Company’s current expectation of future exhibitions taking into account historical usage of similar content. Projected attributable revenue can change based upon programming market acceptance, levels of distribution and advertising revenue and decisions regarding planned program usage. These calculations require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding revenue and planned usage. Accordingly, the Company periodically reviews revenue estimates and planned usage and revises its assumptions if necessary, which could impact the timing of amortization expense or result in a write-down to net realizable value.

The Company periodically reviews the programming usefulness of its licensed and owned original program rights based on a series of factors, including expected future revenue generation from airings on the Company's networks and other exploitation opportunities, ratings, type and quality of program material, standards and practices, and fitness for exhibition through various forms of distribution. If it is determined that film or other program rights have no future programming usefulness, a write-off of the unamortized cost is recorded in technical and operating expense. See Note 3 for further discussion regarding program rights write-offs.

Long-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Assets [Policy Text Block]

Long-Lived Assets and Amortizable Intangible Assets

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Equipment under capital leases is recorded at the present value of the total minimum lease payments. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, with respect to equipment under capital leases and leasehold improvements, amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the assets’ useful lives and reported in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of income.

Amortizable intangible assets established in connection with business combinations primarily consist of affiliate relationships. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives.

The Company reviews its long-lived assets (property and equipment, and intangible assets subject to amortization that arose from acquisitions) for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected cash flows, undiscounted and without interest, is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but instead are tested annually for impairment during the first quarter (“annual impairment test date”) and upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances.

The annual goodwill impairment test allows for the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. An entity may choose to perform the qualitative assessment on none, some or all of its reporting units or an entity may bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit and proceed directly to step one of the quantitative impairment test. If it is determined, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of a reporting unit is, more likely than not, less than its carrying value, the quantitative impairment test is required. The quantitative impairment test is a two-step process. The first step compares the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, with its fair value utilizing an enterprise-value based approach. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of the goodwill impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill that would be recognized in a business combination.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets established in connection with business combinations primarily consist of trademarks. The impairment test for identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Carriage Fees

Deferred carriage fees represent amounts principally paid to multichannel video distributors to obtain additional subscribers and/or guarantee carriage of certain programming services and are amortized as a reduction of revenue over the period of the related affiliation arrangement (up to 13 years).

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet based on their fair values. The Company’s embedded derivative financial instruments are clearly and closely related to the host contracts; therefore, such derivative financial instruments are not accounted for on a stand-alone basis. Changes in the fair values are reported in earnings or other comprehensive income depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. Derivative instruments are designated and accounted for as either a hedge of a recognized asset or liability (fair value hedge) or a hedge of a forecasted transaction (cash flow hedge). For derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in fair values are recognized in earnings and included in interest expense, for interest rate swap contracts and miscellaneous, net, for foreign currency contracts. For derivatives designated as effective cash flow hedges, changes in fair values are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Changes in fair values related to fair value hedges as well as the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged item of a fair value hedge are also recognized in earnings. See Note 9 for a further discussion of the Company’s derivative financial instruments.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The Company’s provision for income taxes is based on current period income, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities and estimates with regard to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions. Deferred tax assets are evaluated quarterly for expected future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management believes it is more likely than not that a portion will not be realized. The Company provides deferred taxes for the outside basis difference for its investment in partnerships. Interest and penalties, if any, associated with uncertain tax positions are included in income tax expense.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated.

Concentration of Risk [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. Cash is invested in money market funds and bank time deposits. The Company monitors the financial institutions and money market funds where it invests its cash and cash equivalents with diversification among counterparties to mitigate exposure to any single financial institution. The Company’s emphasis is primarily on safety of principal and liquidity and secondarily on maximizing the yield on its investments. As of December 31, 2013, one customer accounted for 15% of consolidated accounts receivable, trade and receivables due in excess of one-year (included in other assets).

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net Income per Share

The consolidated statements of income present basic and diluted net income per share (“EPS”). Basic EPS is based upon net income divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the dilutive effects of AMC Networks stock options (including those held by directors and employees of related parties of the Company) and AMC Networks restricted shares/units (including those held by employees of related parties of the Company).

The following is a reconciliation between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2013	2012	2011
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	71,543,000	70,374,000	69,283,000
Effect of dilution:
Stock options	286,000	783,000	510,000
Restricted shares/units	874,000	1,079,000	938,000
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	72,703,000	72,236,000	70,731,000

For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 527 restricted shares/units have been excluded from diluted weighted average common shares outstanding since they would have been anti-dilutive.

Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Common Stock of AMC Networks

Each holder of AMC Networks Class A Common Stock has one vote per share while holders of AMC Networks Class B Common Stock have ten votes per share. AMC Networks Class B shares can be converted to AMC Networks Class A Common Stock at anytime with a conversion ratio of one AMC Networks Class A common share for one AMC Networks Class B common share. The AMC Networks Class A stockholders are entitled to elect 25% of the Company’s Board of Directors. AMC Networks Class B stockholders have the right to elect the remaining members of the Company’s Board of Directors. In addition, AMC Networks Class B stockholders are parties to an agreement which has the effect of causing the voting power of these AMC Networks Class B stockholders to be cast as a block.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-10, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. ASU 2013-10 permits the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815, in addition to Treasury obligations of the U.S. government and London Interbank Offered Rate. ASU 2013-10 also removes the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. The Company adopted ASU 2013-10 prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The adoption of this authoritative guidance did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02). The amendments in ASU 2013-02 do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 effective January 1, 2013 (see Note 17).

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (ASU 2012-02), to allow entities to use a qualitative approach to test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. ASU 2012-02 permits an entity to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If it is concluded that this is the case, an entity is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount in accordance with Subtopic 350-30. Otherwise, the quantitative impairment test is not required. The Company adopted ASU 2012-02 effective January 1, 2013. For the annual impairment test as of the end of February 2013, the Company decided to bypass the qualitative approach allowable under this guidance and performed a quantitative assessment of its identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets (see Note 5).