Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Adoption of ASU 2016-13, credit losses	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Earnings	Accumulated Earnings Adoption of ASU 2016-13, credit losses	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	AMC Networks Stockholders’ Equity	AMC Networks Stockholders’ Equity Adoption of ASU 2016-13, credit losses	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	83,628			83,628				83,628
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	(1,085)									(1,085)
Distributions to noncontrolling member	(448)									(448)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,362)						(14,400)	(14,400)		(962)
Share-based compensation expense	30,747		30,747					30,747
Treasury stock acquired	(102,938)					(102,938)		(102,938)
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(8,946)		(8,950)					(8,946)			4
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	675,145		308,288	1,691,100		(1,166,119)	(182,111)	651,916		23,229	643	115
Beginning Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	637,396		282,153	1,676,139		(1,149,138)	(196,364)	613,548		23,848	643	115
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	14,961			14,961				14,961
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	(818)									(818)
Settlement of treasury stock	10,988		10,988					10,988
Other comprehensive income (loss)	14,452						14,253	14,253		199
Share-based compensation expense	15,235		15,235					15,235
Treasury stock acquired	(16,981)					(16,981)		(16,981)
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(88)		(88)					(88)			0
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	675,145		308,288	1,691,100		(1,166,119)	(182,111)	651,916		23,229	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	122,906			122,906				122,906
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	4,278									4,278
Transfer from redeemable noncontrolling interests	18,367									18,367
Contribution from noncontrolling member	1,140									1,140
Distributions to noncontrolling member	(1,441)									(1,441)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,425)						(13,217)	(13,217)		(208)
Share-based compensation expense	29,708		29,708					29,708
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)		0	7
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2021	783,542		330,593	1,970,357		(1,419,882)	(148,167)	733,669		49,873	653	115
Beginning Balance at Mar. 31, 2021	721,561		314,331	1,934,472		(1,419,882)	(156,237)	673,452		48,109	653	115
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	35,885			35,885				35,885
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	3,143									3,143
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,132						8,070	8,070		62
Share-based compensation expense	16,262		16,262					16,262
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2021	$ 783,542		$ 330,593	$ 1,970,357		$ (1,419,882)	$ (148,167)	$ 733,669		$ 49,873	$ 653	$ 115