Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMC Networks and its majority owned or controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Investments in business entities in which the Company lacks control but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

Use of Estimates, Policy

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include the valuation of acquisition-related assets and liabilities, the useful lives and methodologies used to amortize and assess recoverability of program rights, the estimated useful lives of intangible assets, valuation and recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets and income tax assets and liabilities.

Reclassification, Policy

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to the prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

Discontinued Operations, Policy

Discontinued Operations

In connection with the acquisition of Chellomedia (see Note 3), management committed to a plan to dispose of the operations of Chellomedia's advertising sales unit, Atmedia, which was completed in August 2014. The operating results of Atmedia have been classified as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.