Interim Financial Information (Unaudited) (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 678,950	$ 632,165	$ 601,138	$ 668,682	$ 609,444	$ 519,550	$ 522,093	$ 524,554	$ 2,580,935	$ 2,175,641	$ 1,591,858
Operating expenses	(518,606)	(472,897)	(442,304)	(437,935)	(450,428)	(409,321)	(392,618)	(376,921)	(1,871,742)	(1,629,288)	(1,009,691)
Operating income	160,344	159,268	158,834	230,747	159,016	110,229	129,475	147,633	709,193	546,353	582,167
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes					81,637	54,069	60,180	71,987	381,704	267,873	290,160
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes					0	(966)	(1,732)	(750)	0	(3,448)	0
Net income including noncontrolling interests	90,686	76,900	87,442	126,676	81,637	53,103	58,448	71,237	381,704	264,425	290,160
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$ 90,089	$ 72,770	$ 83,009	$ 120,920	$ 77,615	$ 53,160	$ 58,655	$ 71,367	$ 366,788	$ 260,797	$ 290,738
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.24	$ 1.00	$ 1.15	$ 1.67	$ 1.08	$ 0.75	$ 0.84	$ 1.00	$ 5.06	$ 3.67	$ 4.06
Net income	1.24	1.00	1.15	1.67	1.08	0.74	0.81	0.99	5.06	3.62	4.06
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Income From Continuing Operations	1.23	0.99	1.14	1.66	1.06	0.74	0.83	0.99	5.01	3.63	4.00
Net income	$ 1.23	$ 0.99	$ 1.14	$ 1.66	$ 1.06	$ 0.73	$ 0.81	$ 0.98	$ 5.01	$ 3.58	$ 4.00