Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans

Certain employees of the Company participate in the AMC Networks 401(k) Savings Plan (the "401(k) Plan"), a qualified defined contribution plan, and the AMC Networks Excess Savings Plan (the "Excess Savings Plan"), a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Under the 401(k) Plan, participating Company employees may contribute into their plan accounts a percentage of their eligible pay on a before-tax basis as well as a percentage of their eligible pay on an after-tax basis. The Company makes matching contributions on behalf of participating employees in accordance with the terms of the 401(k) Plan. In addition to the matching contribution, the Company may make a discretionary year-end contribution to employee 401(k) Plan and Excess Savings Plan accounts, subject to certain conditions.

Total expense related to all benefit plans was $8.3 million, $5.9 million and $9.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company does not provide postretirement benefits for any of its employees.