Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Adoption of ASU 2016-13, credit losses	Common Stock	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	145,268				145,268				145,268
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	700										700
Distributions to noncontrolling member	(1,011)										(1,011)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6,584							7,254	7,254		(670)
Share-based compensation expense	43,141			43,141					43,141
Treasury stock acquired	(102,938)			0			(102,938)		(102,938)
Net share issuances under employee stock plans	(8,947)			(8,951)					(8,947)			4
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	772,346			320,681	1,752,740		(1,166,119)	(160,457)	747,603		24,743	643	115
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	675,145			308,288	1,691,100		(1,166,119)	(182,111)	651,916		23,229	643	115
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	61,640				61,640				61,640
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,785										1,785
Distributions to noncontrolling member	(563)										(563)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	21,946							21,654	21,654		292
Share-based compensation expense	12,393			12,393					12,393
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	772,346			320,681	1,752,740		(1,166,119)	(160,457)	747,603		24,743	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	233,557				233,557				233,557
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	7,134										(7,134)
Transfer from redeemable noncontrolling interests	18,367										18,367
Contribution from noncontrolling member	709										709
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(30,884)							(29,949)	(29,949)		(935)
Share-based compensation expense	39,163			39,163					39,163
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	12,100			12,100					12,100
Net share issuances under employee stock plans	(34,648)		$ 7	(34,655)					(34,648)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	888,599			340,033	2,081,008		(1,419,882)	(164,899)	837,028		51,571	653	115
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2021	783,542			330,593	1,970,357		(1,419,882)	(148,167)	733,669		49,873	653	115
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	110,651				110,651				110,651
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	2,856										(2,856)
Distributions to noncontrolling member	(431)										431
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(17,459)							(16,732)	(16,732)		(727)
Share-based compensation expense	9,455			9,455					9,455
Net share issuances under employee stock plans	(15)			(15)					(15)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 888,599			$ 340,033	$ 2,081,008		$ (1,419,882)	$ (164,899)	$ 837,028		$ 51,571	$ 653	$ 115