Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 888,526	$ 816,170
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,234 and $5,733)	813,587	857,143
Current portion of program rights, net	13,480	426,624
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	223,173	230,360
Total current assets	1,938,766	2,330,297
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $261,082 and $347,302	256,045	283,752
Program rights, net	1,269,131	1,038,060
Intangible assets, net	410,672	524,531
Goodwill	686,407	701,980
Deferred tax assets, net	25,046	51,545
Operating lease right-of-use assets	146,522	170,056
Other assets	513,749	496,465
Assets, Total	5,246,338	5,596,686
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable	120,530	94,306
Accrued liabilities	320,005	251,214
Current portion of program rights obligations	259,449	304,692
Deferred revenue	71,048	63,921
Current portion of long-term debt	75,000	56,250
Current portion of lease obligations	32,435	33,959
Total current liabilities	878,467	804,342
Program rights obligations	182,511	239,813
Long-term debt, net	2,774,307	3,039,979
Lease obligations	194,324	211,047
Deferred tax liability, net	132,009	136,911
Other liabilities	125,970	163,638
Total liabilities	4,287,588	4,595,730
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	315,649	309,451
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 45,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Paid-in capital	323,425	286,491
Accumulated earnings	1,847,451	1,609,428
Treasury stock, at cost (34,593 and 19,808 shares Class A Common Stock, respectively)	(1,419,882)	(1,063,181)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(134,950)	(167,711)
Total AMC Networks stockholders' equity	616,805	665,781
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	26,296	25,724
Total stockholders' equity	643,101	691,505
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,246,338	5,596,686
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Common stock	646	639
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Common stock	$ 115	$ 115