Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficiency - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ (8,638)		$ (351,909)	$ (8,638)	$ (351,909)	$ (571,519)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$ 14,498	113,444	$ 90,089	120,920	270,510	366,788	260,797
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests changes					(97)	6,587
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests					2,784	4,677	(703)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders					(1,926)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest					0	1,322	835
Other					(10,435)	(19)
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes					(57,741)	(56,809)	(74,753)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax					(60,703)	(58,602)	(77,077)
Share-based compensation expense					38,897	31,020	28,363
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					1,228	1,340	1,103
Restricted stock units converted to shares					(10,822)	(14,452)	(40)
Excess tax benefits on share-based awards					795	4,610	6,798
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests acquired							22,038
Adjustment to issuance of members' interest by subsidiary, net							(312)
Treasury stock acquired from forfeitures and acquisition of restricted shares					(223,237)		(22,192)
Ending Balance	(1,644)		(8,638)		(1,644)	(8,638)	(351,909)
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		123,157		100,642	123,157	100,642	64,731
Other					(10,454)
Share-based compensation expense					38,897	31,020	28,363
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					1,227	1,339	1,102
Restricted stock units converted to shares					(10,824)	(14,454)	(40)
Excess tax benefits on share-based awards					795	4,610	6,798
Adjustment to issuance of members' interest by subsidiary, net							(312)
Ending Balance	142,798		123,157		142,798	123,157	100,642
Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		24,880		(341,889)	24,880	(341,889)	(602,686)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders					270,510	366,788	260,797
Other					19	(19)
Ending Balance	295,409		24,880		295,409	24,880	(341,889)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(51,993)		(51,993)	(51,993)	(51,993)	(29,801)
Treasury stock acquired from forfeitures and acquisition of restricted shares					(223,237)		(22,192)
Ending Balance	(275,230)		(51,993)		(275,230)	(51,993)	(51,993)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(136,057)		(79,248)	(136,057)	(79,248)	(4,495)
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes					(57,741)	(56,809)	(74,753)
Ending Balance	(193,798)		(136,057)		(193,798)	(136,057)	(79,248)
Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(39,277)		(371,755)	(39,277)	(371,755)	(571,519)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders					270,510	366,788	260,797
Other					(10,435)	(19)
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes					(57,741)	(56,809)	(74,753)
Share-based compensation expense					38,897	31,020	28,363
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					1,228	1,340	1,103
Restricted stock units converted to shares					(10,822)	(14,452)	(40)
Excess tax benefits on share-based awards					795	4,610	6,798
Adjustment to issuance of members' interest by subsidiary, net							(312)
Treasury stock acquired from forfeitures and acquisition of restricted shares					(223,237)		(22,192)
Ending Balance	(30,082)		(39,277)		(30,082)	(39,277)	(371,755)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		30,639		19,846	30,639	19,846	0
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests changes					(97)	6,587
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests					2,784	4,677	(703)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders					(1,926)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest						1,322	835
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax					(2,962)	(1,793)	(2,324)
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests acquired							22,038
Ending Balance	28,438		30,639		28,438	30,639	19,846
Common Class A [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		621		618	621	618	617
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					1	1	1
Restricted stock units converted to shares					2	2
Ending Balance	624		621		624	621	618
Common Class B [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 115		$ 115	115	115	115
Ending Balance	$ 115		$ 115		$ 115	$ 115	$ 115