Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Earnings	Accumulated Earnings Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total AMC Networks Stockholders' Equity	Total AMC Networks Stockholders' Equity Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	Class A  Common Stock Common Stock	Class B  Common Stock Common Stock
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 345,208		$ 239,767	$ 1,228,942		$ (992,583)	$ (160,194)	$ 316,680		$ 28,528	$ 633	$ 115
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	380,486			380,486				380,486
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	4,911									4,911
Distribution to noncontrolling member	(3,438)									(3,438)
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests changes	(4,429)									(4,429)
Settlement of treasury stock	985		985					985
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,365)						(7,517)	(7,517)		152
Share-based compensation expenses	64,133		64,133					64,133
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	4,630		4,630					4,630
Treasury stock acquired	(70,598)					(70,598)		(70,598)
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(23,018)		(23,024)					(23,018)			6
Ending 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]
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$ 239,979			239,979				239,979
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,131									1,131
Distribution to noncontrolling member	(1,037)									(1,037)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	33,239						32,761	32,761		478
Share-based compensation expenses	52,908		52,908					52,908
Treasury stock acquired	(356,701)					(356,701)		(356,701)
Restricted stock units converted to shares	(15,967)		(15,974)					(15,967)			7
Ending 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	250,596			250,596				250,596
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	12,013									12,013
Transfer from redeemable noncontrolling interest	18,367									18,367
Distribution to noncontrolling member	(4,282)									(4,282)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	0		(279)					(279)		279
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(41,957)						(40,868)	(40,868)		(1,089)
Share-based compensation expenses	47,925		47,925					47,925
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	9,795		9,795					9,795
Net share issuance under employee stock plans	(32,886)		(32,895)					(32,886)			9
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 902,672		$ 347,971	$ 2,098,047		$ (1,419,882)	$ (175,818)	$ 851,088		$ 51,584	$ 655	$ 115