Document and entity information. Document And Entity Information Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class A [Member] Class B [Member] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Balance Sheets Common Stock [Member] Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,697 and $8,321) Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Due from Affiliate, Current Amounts due from affiliates, net Rights to programming, including feature films and episodic series, acquired under license agreements or original productions which will be amortized within the next twelve months. Program Rights Net Current Program rights, net Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $166,959 and $156,885 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Noncurrent portion of rights to programming, including feature films and episodic series, acquired under license agreements or owned original productions, which are amortized over the life of the license period or period of economic utility. Program Rights Net Noncurrent Program rights, net Due from Affiliate, Noncurrent Amounts due from affiliates Note Receivable From Affiliate Note receivable from affiliate Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred tax asset, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent, Total Deferred Carriage Fees, Net Deferred carriage fees, net Deferred Costs, Noncurrent, Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $714,592 and $675,038 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Indefinite-lived intangible assets Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Total Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Total Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $13 and $16,388 Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net, Total Assets Total assets Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accrued liabilities: Interest Payable, Current Interest Employee-related Liabilities, Current Employee related costs Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Represents the current portion (due within one year) of amounts payable to obtain additional subscribers and/or guarantee carriage of certain programming services. Deferred Carriage Fees Payable Current Deferred carriage fees payable Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other accrued expenses Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current Amounts due to affiliates, net Obligations relating to rights to programming, including feature films and episodic series, acquired under license agreements and original productions that will be paid within the next twelve months. Program Rights Obligations Current Program rights obligations Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Loans Payable to Bank, Current Credit facility debt Capital Lease Obligations,Current Capital lease obligations Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Obligations relating to rights to programming, including feature films and episodic series, acquired under license agreements and original productions that will be paid after one year. Program Rights Obligations Non Current Program rights obligations Senior Notes, Noncurrent Senior notes Subordinated Long-term Debt, Noncurrent Senior subordinated notes Loans Payable to Bank, Noncurrent Credit facility debt Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Capital lease obligations Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred tax liability, net Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity Stockholders' (deficiency) equity Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance AMC Networks common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Additional Paid in Capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance, June 30, 2011 Balance, December 31, 2010 Total stockholders' (deficiency) equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Accounts receivable, trade, allowance for doubtful accounts Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization Accumulated Amortization of Other Deferred Costs Deferred financing costs, accumulated amortization Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common stock, shares outstanding Consolidated Statements Of Income Sales Revenue, Services, Net Revenues, net (including revenues, net from affiliates of $8,028, $7,305, $15,968 and $14,526, respectively) Sales Revenue, Services, Net, Total Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: Cost of Services Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization and including charges from affiliates of $1,396, $1,041, $2,601 and $2,057, respectively) Cost of Services, Total Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $26,459, $25,059, $50,750 and $48,952, respectively) Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Restructuring Charges Restructuring credit Restructuring credit Restructuring Charges, Total Restructuring credit Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation and amortization Costs and Expenses Total operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating income Operating income Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income (expense): Interest Expense Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Investment Income, Interest Interest income Interest income Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost Write-off of deferred financing costs Write-off of deferred financing costs Write-off of deferred financing costs Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Loss on extinguishment of debt Loss on extinguishment of debt Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Miscellaneous, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total nonoperating income (expense) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income Net income Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Basic net income (loss) per share: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Income (loss) from discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Outstanding Share, Total Earnings Per Share, Basic Net income Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic weighted average common shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Related Party Transaction, Revenues from Transactions with Related Party Revenues, net from affiliates Other Selling, General and Administrative Expense Technical and operating charges from affiliates Related Party Transaction Selling General and Administrative Expenses Credits Subtotal from Transactions with Related Party Selling, general and administrative charges from affiliates Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' (Deficiency) Equity Proceeds from Contributed Capital Capital contributions from Cablevision Cash capital contributions from Cablevision Payments of Capital Distribution Capital distributions to Cablevision Cash capital distributions to Cablevision Capital distributions to Cablevision Cash capital distributions to Cablevision Capital distribution to related party related to employee benefit plans as a result of Cablevision Systems Corporation's distribution to its stockholders of all of the outstanding common stock of the Company and the Company becoming an independent public company. Capital Distribution to Related Party Related to Employee Benefit Plans Non-cash capital distribution to Cablevision related to employee benefit plans as a result of the Distribution (see Note 4) Non-cash capital distribution to Cablevision related to employee benefit plans as a result of the Distribution (see Note 4) The capital distribution of debt issued to Cablevision Systems Corporation in connection with the distribution. Capital Distribution of Debt to Related Party Non-cash capital distribution associated with the issuance of debt to Cablevision (see Note 1) Non-cash capital distribution associated with the issuance of debt to Cablevision (see Note 1) The capital contribution to related party related to taxes in connection with the distribution. Capital Contribution to Related Party Related to Taxes Non-cash capital contribution, net related to adjustments to liability for uncertain tax positions and net deferred tax assets as a result of the Distribution (see Note 5) Noncash capital contribution related to the utilization of affiliates tax losses by the company. Noncash Capital Contribution Related To The Utilization Of Affiliates Tax Losses By The Company Non-cash capital contribution related to the utilization of Cablevision tax losses (see Note 5) Capital distribution of note receivable to related party. Capital Distribution of Note Receivable to Related Party Non-cash capital distribution of note receivable to Cablevision (see Note 4) Non-cash capital distribution of note receivable to Cablevision (see Note 4) Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Non-cash capital contribution related to the allocation of Cablevision share-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Total Stockholders' Equity, Other Other non-cash capital distributions, net Other non-cash capital distributions, net Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation expense allocations related to Cablevision equity classified awards Share-based Compensation, Total Amortization And Write-off Of Program Rights Amortization and write-off of program rights Other Amortization of Deferred Charges Amortization of deferred carriage fees Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts, Total Provision for Doubtful Accounts Provision for doubtful accounts Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits, Total Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable, trade Accounts receivable, trade Increase (Decrease) Due from Affiliates Amounts due from/to affiliates, net Amounts due from/to affiliates, net Increase (Decrease) in Due from Related Parties, Current, Total Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Total The net change in the rights to programming, including feature films and episodic series, acquired under license agreements or original productions. Increase Decrease In Program Rights Program rights Program rights Increase Decrease In Deferred Carriage Fees Deferred carriage fees Deferred carriage fees Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total The net change during the reporting period in obligations relating to rights to programming, including feature films and episodic series, acquired under license agreements and original productions. Increase Decrease In Program Rights Obligations Program rights obligations The net change in the amounts payable to obtain additional subscribers and/or guarantee carriage of certain programming services. Increase Decrease In Deferred Carriage Fees Payable Deferred carriage fees payable Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Payment for acquisition of a business Payment for acquisition of a business Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of equipment, net of costs of disposal Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Repayments of Long-term Lines of Credit Repayment of credit facility debt Repayment of credit facility debt Redemption Of Senior Notes Including Fees Redemption of senior notes Redemption of senior notes, including fees Repayments of Senior Debt, Total Redemption Of Senior Subordinated Notes Including Tender Premium And Fees Redemption of senior subordinated notes, including tender premium and fees Redemption of senior subordinated notes, including tender premium and fees Repayments of Subordinated Debt, Total Additions To Deferred Financing Costs Additions to deferred financing costs Additions to deferred financing costs Payments of Financing Costs, Total Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit Repayment of credit facility debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit, Total Proceeds from credit facility debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Notes Payable Repayment of note payable to affiliate Repayment of note payable to affiliate Proceeds from (Repayments of) Notes Payable, Total Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Principal payments on capital lease obligations Principal payments on capital lease obligations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Increase Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents from Continuing Operations Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from discontinued operations: Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash used in operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash used in financing activities The effect of change in cash balances classified in assets distributed to shareholders. Effect of Change in Cash Distributed to Shareholders Effect of change in cash related to net assets distributed to Cablevision in 2010 Effect of change in cash related to net assets distributed to Cablevision in 2010 Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations Business abstract. Business Nature of Operations [Text Block] Business Basis Of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis Of Presentation Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Cash Flows Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures Text Block Cash Flows Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Intangible Assets Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Intangible Assets Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Fair Value Measurement Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurement Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information Concentration of Credit Risk. Concentration Of Credit Risk Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block] Concentration Of Credit Risk Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Equity Plans Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Equity Plans Affiliate Transactions Affiliate Transactions [Text Block] Affiliate Transactions