Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficiency - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ (351,909)		$ (571,519)	$ (351,909)	$ (571,519)	$ (882,352)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$ 90,089	120,920	$ 77,615	71,367	366,788	260,797	290,738
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests changes					6,587
Net income attributable to Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests					4,677	(703)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest					1,322	835	0
Other					(19)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent					(56,809)	(74,753)	3,951
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax					(58,602)	(77,077)	3,951
Share-based compensation expense					31,020	28,363	20,299
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					1,340	1,103	1,759
Restricted stock units converted to shares					(14,452)	(40)
Excess tax benefits on share-based awards					4,610	6,798	4,975
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests acquired						22,038
Adjustment to issuance of members' interest by subsidiary, net						(312)	1,246
Treasury stock acquired from forfeitures and acquisition of restricted shares						(22,192)	(12,135)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock							0
Ending Balance	(8,638)		(351,909)		(8,638)	(351,909)	(571,519)
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		100,642		64,731	100,642	64,731	36,454
Share-based compensation expense					31,020	28,363	20,299
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					1,339	1,102	1,757
Restricted stock units converted to shares					(14,454)	(40)
Excess tax benefits on share-based awards					4,610	6,798	4,975
Adjustment to issuance of members' interest by subsidiary, net						(312)	1,246
Ending Balance	123,157		100,642		123,157	100,642	64,731
Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(341,889)		(602,686)	(341,889)	(602,686)	(893,424)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders					366,788	260,797	290,738
Other					(19)
Ending Balance	24,880		(341,889)		24,880	(341,889)	(602,686)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(51,993)		(29,801)	(51,993)	(29,801)	(17,666)
Treasury stock acquired from forfeitures and acquisition of restricted shares						(22,192)	(12,135)
Ending Balance	(51,993)		(51,993)		(51,993)	(51,993)	(29,801)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(79,248)		(4,495)	(79,248)	(4,495)	(8,446)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent					(56,809)	(74,753)	3,951
Ending Balance	(136,057)		(79,248)		(136,057)	(79,248)	(4,495)
Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(371,755)		(571,519)	(371,755)	(571,519)	(882,352)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders					366,788	260,797	290,738
Other					(19)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent					(56,809)	(74,753)	3,951
Share-based compensation expense					31,020	28,363	20,299
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					1,340	1,103	1,759
Restricted stock units converted to shares					(14,452)	(40)
Excess tax benefits on share-based awards					4,610	6,798	4,975
Adjustment to issuance of members' interest by subsidiary, net						(312)	1,246
Treasury stock acquired from forfeitures and acquisition of restricted shares						(22,192)	(12,135)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock							0
Ending Balance	(39,277)		(371,755)		(39,277)	(371,755)	(571,519)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		19,846		0	19,846	0	0
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests changes					6,587
Net income attributable to Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests					4,677	(703)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest					1,322	835
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax					(1,793)	(2,324)
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests acquired						22,038
Ending Balance	30,639		19,846		30,639	19,846	0
Common Class A [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		618		617	618	617	612
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					1	1	2
Restricted stock units converted to shares					2
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock							3
Ending Balance	621		618		621	618	617
Common Class B [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 115		$ 115	115	115	118
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock							(3)
Ending Balance	$ 115		$ 115		$ 115	$ 115	$ 115