Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative effects of adoption of accounting standards	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Earnings	Accumulated Earnings Cumulative effects of adoption of accounting standards	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	AMC Networks Stockholders’ Equity	AMC Networks Stockholders’ Equity Cumulative effects of adoption of accounting standards	Noncontrolling Interests	Class A Common Stock Common Stock	Class B Common Stock Common Stock
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 691,505	$ (1,956)	$ 286,491	$ 1,609,428	$ (1,956)	$ (1,063,181)	$ (167,711)	$ 665,781	$ (1,956)	$ 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 attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	(267)									(267)
Distributions to noncontrolling member	(448)									(448)
Settlement of treasury stock	(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
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	643,101		323,425	1,847,451		(1,419,882)	(134,950)	616,805		26,296	646	115
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	87,021			87,021				87,021
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,134									1,134
Transfer from redeemable noncontrolling interests	18,367									18,367
Contribution from noncontrolling member	2,582									2,582
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(21,557)						(21,287)	(21,287)		(270)
Share-based compensation expense	13,446		13,446					13,446
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	12,100		12,100					12,100
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(34,633)		(34,640)					(34,633)			7
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 721,561		$ 314,331	$ 1,934,472		$ (1,419,882)	$ (156,237)	$ 673,452		$ 48,109	$ 653	$ 115