Commitments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Increase (decrease) in contractual obligations not reflected in the balance sheet	$ (168,458)
Contractual Obligation	$ 1,347,605	$ 1,516,063

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period for the amount of fixed and determinable portion of unrecorded balance sheet arrangements consisting of purchase obligations of long-term program rights obligations that have not yet met the criteria to be recorded on the balance sheet, operating leases and guarantees.

No definition available.

Name:	amcx_IncreaseDecreaseInContractualObligationsNotReflectedInBalanceSheet
Namespace Prefix:	amcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration