Interim Financial Information (Unaudited) (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 785,204	$ 718,597	$ 772,299	$ 784,221	$ 772,846	$ 696,875	$ 761,385	$ 740,823	$ 3,060,321	$ 2,971,929	$ 2,805,691
Operating expenses	(743,485)	(550,159)	(602,042)	(539,358)	(635,722)	(532,276)	(569,854)	(507,168)	(2,435,044)	(2,245,020)	(2,083,332)
Operating income	41,719	168,438	170,257	244,863	137,124	164,599	191,531	233,655	625,277	726,909	722,359
Net income including noncontrolling interests	348	123,226	133,985	150,157	76,439	116,660	110,332	160,536	407,716	463,967	489,637
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ (8,577)	$ 116,923	$ 128,743	$ 143,397	$ 71,879	$ 111,257	$ 106,181	$ 156,870	$ 380,486	$ 446,187	$ 471,316
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.15)	$ 2.09	$ 2.28	$ 2.53	$ 1.27	$ 1.96	$ 1.84	$ 2.57	$ 6.77	$ 7.68	$ 7.26
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.15)	$ 2.07	$ 2.25	$ 2.48	$ 1.24	$ 1.93	$ 1.82	$ 2.54	$ 6.67	$ 7.57	$ 7.18