Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ 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
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
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
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(45,426)	(55,852)	(74,758)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps									22	3,365	4,320
Other comprehensive loss, before income taxes									(45,404)	(52,487)	(70,438)
Income tax expense									12,337	4,322	4,315
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes									(57,741)	(56,809)	(74,753)
Comprehensive income									232,222	324,895	189,672
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(16,491)	(13,123)	(1,304)
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders									$ 215,731	$ 311,772	$ 188,368