Interim Financial Information (Unaudited) (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 729,597	$ 634,646	$ 684,832	$ 706,579	$ 678,950	$ 632,165	$ 601,138	$ 668,682	$ 2,755,654	$ 2,580,935	$ 2,175,641
Operating expenses	(625,869)	(517,509)	(506,800)	(447,920)	(518,606)	(472,897)	(442,304)	(437,935)	(2,098,098)	(1,871,742)	(1,629,288)
Operating income	103,728	117,137	178,032	258,659	160,344	159,268	158,834	230,747	657,556	709,193	546,353
Net income including noncontrolling interests	19,043	67,469	83,387	120,064	90,686	76,900	87,442	126,676	289,963	381,704	264,425
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$ 14,498	$ 65,393	$ 77,175	$ 113,444	$ 90,089	$ 72,770	$ 83,009	$ 120,920	$ 270,510	$ 366,788	$ 260,797
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 0.21	$ 0.91	$ 1.06	$ 1.56	$ 1.24	$ 1.00	$ 1.15	$ 1.67	$ 3.77	$ 5.06	$ 3.67
Net income	0.21	0.91	1.06	1.56	1.24	1.00	1.15	1.67	3.77	5.06	3.62
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	0.20	0.91	1.05	1.55	1.23	0.99	1.14	1.66	3.74	5.01	3.63
Net income	$ 0.20	$ 0.91	$ 1.05	$ 1.55	$ 1.23	$ 0.99	$ 1.14	$ 1.66	$ 3.74	$ 5.01	$ 3.58