Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 2,814,956	$ 3,060,321	$ 2,971,929
Operating Expenses
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	1,401,591	1,506,985	1,445,949
Selling, general and administrative	708,820	679,444	657,457
Depreciation and amortization	104,606	101,098	91,281
Impairment charges	122,227	106,603	4,486
Restructuring and other related charges	35,068	40,914	45,847
Total operating expenses	2,372,312	2,435,044	2,245,020
Operating income	442,644	625,277	726,909
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(138,610)	(157,798)	(154,993)
Interest income	30,032	24,707	19,180
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(2,908)	0	0
Miscellaneous, net	71,221	(6,000)	29,177
Total other income (expense)	(40,265)	(139,091)	(106,636)
Income from operations before income taxes	402,379	486,186	620,273
Income tax expense	(145,391)	(78,470)	(156,306)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	256,988	407,716	463,967
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(17,009)	(27,230)	(17,780)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ 239,979	$ 380,486	$ 446,187
Net income per share attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 4.70	$ 6.77	$ 7.68
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.64	$ 6.67	$ 7.57
Weighted average common shares
Basic (in shares)	51,016	56,205	58,066
Diluted (in shares)	51,733	57,037	58,947