Interim Financial Information (Unaudited) (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 780,275	$ 654,015	$ 646,291	$ 734,375	$ 785,204	$ 718,597	$ 772,299	$ 784,221	$ 2,814,956	$ 3,060,321	$ 2,971,929
Operating expenses	(698,880)	(514,538)	(597,489)	(561,405)	(743,485)	(550,159)	(602,042)	(539,358)	(2,372,312)	(2,435,044)	(2,245,020)
Operating income	81,395	139,477	48,802	172,970	41,719	168,438	170,257	244,863	442,644	625,277	726,909
Net income including noncontrolling interests	98,232	67,996	17,234	73,526	348	123,226	133,985	150,157	256,988	407,716	463,967
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$ 94,711	$ 61,640	$ 14,961	$ 68,667	$ (8,577)	$ 116,923	$ 128,743	$ 143,397	$ 239,979	$ 380,486	$ 446,187
Net income (loss) per share attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.15	$ 1.18	$ 0.29	$ 1.24	$ (0.15)	$ 2.09	$ 2.28	$ 2.53	$ 4.70	$ 6.77	$ 7.68
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.09	$ 1.17	$ 0.28	$ 1.22	$ (0.15)	$ 2.07	$ 2.25	$ 2.48	$ 4.64	$ 6.67	$ 7.57