Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 3,060,321	$ 2,971,929	$ 2,805,691
Operating Expenses
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	1,506,985	1,445,949	1,341,076
Selling, general and administrative	679,444	657,457	613,342
Depreciation and amortization	101,098	91,281	94,638
Impairment and related charges	106,603	4,486	28,148
Restructuring and other related charges	40,914	45,847	6,128
Total operating expenses	2,435,044	2,245,020	2,083,332
Operating income	625,277	726,909	722,359
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(157,798)	(154,993)	(134,001)
Interest income	24,707	19,180	14,704
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	(3,004)
Miscellaneous, net	(6,000)	29,177	40,320
Total other income (expense)	(139,091)	(106,636)	(81,981)
Income from operations before income taxes	486,186	620,273	640,378
Income tax expense	(78,470)	(156,306)	(150,741)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	407,716	463,967	489,637
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(27,230)	(17,780)	(18,321)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ 380,486	$ 446,187	$ 471,316
Net income per share attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 6.77	$ 7.68	$ 7.26
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 6.67	$ 7.57	$ 7.18
Weighted average common shares
Basic (in shares)	56,205	58,066	64,905
Diluted (in shares)	57,037	58,947	65,625