Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	AMC Networks Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interests	Class A Common Stock Common Stock	Class B Common Stock Common Stock
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 345,208	$ 239,767	$ 1,228,942	$ (992,583)	$ (160,194)	$ 316,680	$ 28,528	$ 633	$ 115
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	143,397		143,397			143,397
Net income (loss) attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	942						942
Distributions to noncontrolling member	(361)						(361)
Treasury stock not yet settled	985	985				985
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(6,214)				(6,252)	(6,252)	38
Share-based compensation expense	19,899	19,899				19,899
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	4,630	4,630				4,630
Treasury stock acquired	(991)			(991)		(991)
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(22,958)	(22,959)				(22,958)		1
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	484,537	242,322	1,372,339	(993,574)	(166,446)	455,390	29,147	634	115
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	691,505	286,491	1,609,428	(1,063,181)	(167,711)	665,781	25,724	639	115
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	68,667		68,667			68,667
Net income (loss) attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	(267)						(267)
Distributions to noncontrolling member	(448)						(448)
Treasury stock not yet settled	(10,988)	(10,988)				(10,988)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(29,814)				(28,653)	(28,653)	(1,161)
Share-based compensation expense	15,512	15,512				15,512
Treasury stock acquired	(85,957)			(85,957)		(85,957)
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(8,858)	(8,862)				(8,858)		4
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 637,396	$ 282,153	$ 1,676,139	$ (1,149,138)	$ (196,364)	$ 613,548	$ 23,848	$ 643	$ 115