Interim Financial Information (Unaudited) (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 726,934	$ 648,023	$ 710,545	$ 720,189	$ 729,597	$ 634,646	$ 684,832	$ 706,579	$ 2,805,691	$ 2,755,654	$ 2,580,935
Operating expenses	(565,390)	(494,669)	(534,755)	(488,518)	(625,869)	(517,509)	(506,800)	(447,920)	(2,083,332)	(2,098,098)	(1,871,742)
Operating income	161,544	153,354	175,790	231,671	103,728	117,137	178,032	258,659	722,359	657,556	709,193
Net income including noncontrolling interests	148,544	90,836	107,626	142,631	19,043	67,469	83,387	120,064	489,637	289,963	381,704
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ 145,499	$ 87,002	$ 102,598	$ 136,217	$ 14,498	$ 65,393	$ 77,175	$ 113,444	$ 471,316	$ 270,510	$ 366,788
Basic	$ 2.36	$ 1.37	$ 1.55	$ 2.00	$ 0.21	$ 0.91	$ 1.06	$ 1.56	$ 7.26	$ 3.77	$ 5.06
Diluted	$ 2.33	$ 1.35	$ 1.54	$ 1.98	$ 0.20	$ 0.91	$ 1.05	$ 1.55	$ 7.18	$ 3.74	$ 5.01