Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	AOCI Attributable to Parent	Parent	Noncontrolling Interest	Common Class A [Member] Common Stock	Common Class B [Member] Common Stock
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014								618	115
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ (351,909)	$ 100,642	$ (341,889)	$ (51,993)	$ (79,248)	$ (371,755)	$ 19,846
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	366,788		366,788			366,788
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests changes	6,587						6,587
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	4,677						4,677
Contribution from noncontrolling member	1,322						1,322
Treasury stock not yet settled and other	(19)		(19)			(19)
Other comprehensive income	(56,809)				(56,809)	(56,809)
Other comprehensive income	(58,602)						(1,793)
Share-based compensation expense	31,020	31,020				31,020
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,340	1,339				1,340		$ 1
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(14,452)	(14,454)				(14,452)		$ 2
Excess tax benefits on share-based awards	4,610	4,610				4,610
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015								621	115
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	(8,638)	123,157	24,880	(51,993)	(136,057)	(39,277)	30,639
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	270,510		270,510			270,510
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests changes	(97)						(97)
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	2,784						2,784
Contribution from noncontrolling member	0
Treasury stock not yet settled and other	(10,435)	(10,454)	19			(10,435)
Other comprehensive income	(57,741)				(57,741)	(57,741)
Other comprehensive income	(60,703)						(2,962)
Share-based compensation expense	38,897	38,897				38,897
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,228	1,227				1,228		$ 1
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(10,822)	(10,824)				(10,822)		$ 2
Excess tax benefits on share-based awards	795	795				795
Distribution to noncontrolling member	1,926						1,926
Treasury stock acquired	223,237			223,237		223,237
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016								624	115
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	(1,644)	142,798	295,409	(275,230)	(193,798)	(30,082)	28,438
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	471,316		471,316			471,316
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	524						524
Contribution from noncontrolling member	0
Treasury stock not yet settled and other	(995)	(995)				(995)
Other comprehensive income	79,412				79,412	79,412
Other comprehensive income	82,521						3,109
Share-based compensation expense	53,545	53,545				53,545
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(14,496)	(14,499)				(14,496)		$ 3
Distribution to noncontrolling member	3,070						3,070
Settlement of treasury stock	10,454	10,454				10,454
Treasury stock acquired	434,210			434,210		434,210
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017								627	115
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 163,945	$ 191,303	$ 766,725	$ (709,440)	$ (114,386)	$ 134,944	$ 29,001