Program Rights and Obligations (Schedule of Future Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Program Rights Obligations [Abstract]
2020	$ 304,692
2021	125,189
2022	70,803
2023	26,500
2024	15,678
Thereafter	1,643
Total	$ 544,505

Future payments for program rights obligations due after the fifth year from the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Future payments for program rights obligations due within one year from the balance sheet date.

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No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Future payments for program rights obligations due within the fifth year from the balance sheet date.

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No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	amcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Future payments for program rights obligations due within the fourth year from the balance sheet date.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Future payments for program rights obligations due within the third year from the balance sheet date.

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No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	amcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Future payments for program rights obligations due within the second year from the balance sheet date.

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No definition available.

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total amount of obligations related to rights to programming, including, but not limited to, feature films and episodic series, acquired under license agreements.

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No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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