Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues, net (including revenues, net from related parties of $6,168, $15,873 and $27,508, respectively)	$ 2,805,691	$ 2,755,654	$ 2,580,935
Operating Expenses
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	1,341,076	1,279,984	1,137,133
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from related parties of $1,524, $3,086 and $4,903, respectively)	613,342	636,028	636,580
Depreciation and amortization	94,638	84,778	83,031
Impairment and related charges	28,148	67,805	0
Restructuring expense	6,128	29,503	14,998
Total operating expenses	2,083,332	2,098,098	1,871,742
Operating income	722,359	657,556	709,193
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(134,001)	(123,632)	(128,135)
Interest income	14,704	5,064	2,427
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(3,004)	(50,639)	0
Miscellaneous, net	40,320	(33,524)	(691)
Total other income (expense)	(81,981)	(202,731)	(126,399)
Income from operations before income taxes	640,378	454,825	582,794
Income tax expense	(150,741)	(164,862)	(201,090)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	489,637	289,963	381,704
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18,321)	(19,453)	(14,916)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ 471,316	$ 270,510	$ 366,788
Basic net income (loss) per share
Basic	$ 7.26	$ 3.77	$ 5.06
Diluted net income (loss) per share
Diluted	$ 7.18	$ 3.74	$ 5.01
Weighted average common shares
Basic	64,905	71,746	72,420
Diluted	65,625	72,410	73,190