<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2020 Workiva-->
<!--r:ab9e8cba-2be3-453c-b529-6a3a0d82fdb2,g:6799ca9c-9758-4e2b-b136-514915e7f3d5-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended" id="if5c2458f9bb8423ba66e20f81507a462_CoverPage">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_8bbd4391-f43f-477d-8999-75d8d1e3bd88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_8bbd4391-f43f-477d-8999-75d8d1e3bd88" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_4a4f7d64-7c5d-49c4-a693-7ea1dbc96b79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_4a4f7d64-7c5d-49c4-a693-7ea1dbc96b79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_d51b7d70-cbee-422e-8369-dbee14669535" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_d51b7d70-cbee-422e-8369-dbee14669535" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_2bbc08ac-4f57-4afb-81be-846c436381cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_2bbc08ac-4f57-4afb-81be-846c436381cb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_ecb6f9ff-a270-4bb6-baab-933720e6894c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_ecb6f9ff-a270-4bb6-baab-933720e6894c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_ca67315f-5539-4c70-86ee-1af40cd126a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_ca67315f-5539-4c70-86ee-1af40cd126a5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_6094f916-8eb3-46ba-bfd8-c34953e64cc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_6094f916-8eb3-46ba-bfd8-c34953e64cc8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_870d9e0d-2e93-487f-95a5-bce8c45fd226" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_870d9e0d-2e93-487f-95a5-bce8c45fd226" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_81d94104-d079-4039-af0c-574bc9e4ac94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_81d94104-d079-4039-af0c-574bc9e4ac94" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_4c3da12d-654c-402e-9d66-00b56afb216b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_4c3da12d-654c-402e-9d66-00b56afb216b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_55667463-62aa-4e16-9e6f-92e9a8fd10f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_55667463-62aa-4e16-9e6f-92e9a8fd10f4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_1f228a5e-a433-4b0a-9688-ac7787d5a68a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_1f228a5e-a433-4b0a-9688-ac7787d5a68a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_d55839be-5bcc-47ca-904b-4e93d086dac3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_d55839be-5bcc-47ca-904b-4e93d086dac3" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_8a91757f-fbe3-48da-8b39-35824ce98cb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_8a91757f-fbe3-48da-8b39-35824ce98cb3" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_5b09fa2b-461b-4814-bb37-6683663c4e9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_5b09fa2b-461b-4814-bb37-6683663c4e9e" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_8fee6864-9289-4943-bd8b-f1b1f9323951" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_8fee6864-9289-4943-bd8b-f1b1f9323951" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_a44dc6af-48cc-4edd-b338-25912e27a719" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_a44dc6af-48cc-4edd-b338-25912e27a719" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_bd1ef290-e972-49f3-a95e-78d21f376f91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_bd1ef290-e972-49f3-a95e-78d21f376f91" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_54f6af1a-8aab-4da8-aad2-e42cbea290ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_54f6af1a-8aab-4da8-aad2-e42cbea290ad" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_74c1fbd8-4253-466f-9a3c-f41cfd85c685" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_74c1fbd8-4253-466f-9a3c-f41cfd85c685" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_6a641969-edd4-463b-beac-4e438a0a74df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_6a641969-edd4-463b-beac-4e438a0a74df" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_bcc47fd6-888f-4ffd-9f69-6f5dcde16aa2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_bcc47fd6-888f-4ffd-9f69-6f5dcde16aa2" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_fe60f31a-498e-4729-a67d-6d26eb603dcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_fe60f31a-498e-4729-a67d-6d26eb603dcb" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_cc85d079-a0bc-443e-9d78-4c5df069d87a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_cc85d079-a0bc-443e-9d78-4c5df069d87a" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_1addf59b-a06b-4ebd-a946-302cb382feb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_1addf59b-a06b-4ebd-a946-302cb382feb9" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_7a1f008d-afcf-47cb-bc0c-e4246a78de9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_7a1f008d-afcf-47cb-bc0c-e4246a78de9c" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_9c7c04a5-3b42-40d3-b007-5291888c185e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_9c7c04a5-3b42-40d3-b007-5291888c185e" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_0f1860b2-2ae2-4ca5-8392-1c3da2b1dd17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_0f1860b2-2ae2-4ca5-8392-1c3da2b1dd17" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_c2a86ff0-c525-4076-8b42-d1dd611f4077" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_c2a86ff0-c525-4076-8b42-d1dd611f4077" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_20b434b0-ac23-4205-b362-8a717d62308e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_8a42da56-b0b2-4f27-b816-c7e7d601c7e1" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_20b434b0-ac23-4205-b362-8a717d62308e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_f8455329-fc6c-4565-97a8-a2e00578f72b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_20b434b0-ac23-4205-b362-8a717d62308e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_f8455329-fc6c-4565-97a8-a2e00578f72b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f8455329-fc6c-4565-97a8-a2e00578f72b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_f8455329-fc6c-4565-97a8-a2e00578f72b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f8455329-fc6c-4565-97a8-a2e00578f72b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7735f98e-1339-4a06-9fae-bcdb8a7d2e5e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_f8455329-fc6c-4565-97a8-a2e00578f72b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7735f98e-1339-4a06-9fae-bcdb8a7d2e5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_9604252f-8710-4c86-b58c-09c05d7ea46e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7735f98e-1339-4a06-9fae-bcdb8a7d2e5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_9604252f-8710-4c86-b58c-09c05d7ea46e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_7dfe95fb-1708-42f4-a9b0-d4bc2d60f791" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7735f98e-1339-4a06-9fae-bcdb8a7d2e5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_7dfe95fb-1708-42f4-a9b0-d4bc2d60f791" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" id="i1d4a7551060645a0a7badb628bafe81d_CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ca15ea4e-9533-4330-905a-2a37500bf859" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ca15ea4e-9533-4330-905a-2a37500bf859" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_ce041df4-1906-4cb0-8172-66a9a8b8b610" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_ce041df4-1906-4cb0-8172-66a9a8b8b610" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_b5981620-d44f-46f4-8b12-f0f369112d34" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_ce041df4-1906-4cb0-8172-66a9a8b8b610" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_b5981620-d44f-46f4-8b12-f0f369112d34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_df9791e9-754c-4477-80fb-50566efa8fda" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_ce041df4-1906-4cb0-8172-66a9a8b8b610" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_df9791e9-754c-4477-80fb-50566efa8fda" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_ProgramRightsNetCurrent_82289782-049e-4d27-90b3-272675a6c4b6" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_ProgramRightsNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_ce041df4-1906-4cb0-8172-66a9a8b8b610" xlink:to="loc_amcx_ProgramRightsNetCurrent_82289782-049e-4d27-90b3-272675a6c4b6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_325d2ff3-3bfc-4870-8aa2-4d445729d583" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_ce041df4-1906-4cb0-8172-66a9a8b8b610" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_325d2ff3-3bfc-4870-8aa2-4d445729d583" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_36812f5c-5ea4-41c1-9932-b3143e3482fd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_ce041df4-1906-4cb0-8172-66a9a8b8b610" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_36812f5c-5ea4-41c1-9932-b3143e3482fd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_c8b5b53e-90ad-4400-a834-dc0a6f6927ba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_c8b5b53e-90ad-4400-a834-dc0a6f6927ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_ProgramRightsNetNoncurrent_333bd142-c5c3-4dd4-9fc3-044e3f953c2c" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_ProgramRightsNetNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:to="loc_amcx_ProgramRightsNetNoncurrent_333bd142-c5c3-4dd4-9fc3-044e3f953c2c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_f34f92e0-5bcc-462c-92ef-77b8a0c4f066" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_f34f92e0-5bcc-462c-92ef-77b8a0c4f066" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_ef1cabdc-1a2e-4c25-832f-dab9ad5e6a81" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_ef1cabdc-1a2e-4c25-832f-dab9ad5e6a81" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_7d44015f-9455-4fa6-8879-77ad36ddaad4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_7d44015f-9455-4fa6-8879-77ad36ddaad4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_86a97f9e-ae3a-4fda-8549-2b7d8e4ee972" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_86a97f9e-ae3a-4fda-8549-2b7d8e4ee972" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_7f04aba0-45c9-4b6a-a0be-e2ee5033e2f7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_7f04aba0-45c9-4b6a-a0be-e2ee5033e2f7" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_eaab645b-b7c6-465e-8cdd-f8d681c65a78" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_a77caa35-7213-4e99-98dc-d934df657075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_eaab645b-b7c6-465e-8cdd-f8d681c65a78" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ca15ea4e-9533-4330-905a-2a37500bf859" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_12c156b8-9d14-43e9-9cfe-f885282d877a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_12c156b8-9d14-43e9-9cfe-f885282d877a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_23551c75-31b6-4f2a-a32c-5a7ee64e2298" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_12c156b8-9d14-43e9-9cfe-f885282d877a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_23551c75-31b6-4f2a-a32c-5a7ee64e2298" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_59e951cc-00fe-4677-83c7-f121c1968a00" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_12c156b8-9d14-43e9-9cfe-f885282d877a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_59e951cc-00fe-4677-83c7-f121c1968a00" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsCurrent_109192cd-399d-4bfb-9e09-b6ea51d47e3c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_12c156b8-9d14-43e9-9cfe-f885282d877a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsCurrent_109192cd-399d-4bfb-9e09-b6ea51d47e3c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_7f252e6c-9b81-4786-a355-6e6717731334" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_12c156b8-9d14-43e9-9cfe-f885282d877a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_7f252e6c-9b81-4786-a355-6e6717731334" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtCurrent_4804dc0d-3a74-40bb-99ce-729547222872" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_12c156b8-9d14-43e9-9cfe-f885282d877a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtCurrent_4804dc0d-3a74-40bb-99ce-729547222872" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_23562a77-f12b-4e12-8613-e070bfe87034" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_12c156b8-9d14-43e9-9cfe-f885282d877a" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_23562a77-f12b-4e12-8613-e070bfe87034" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_9714c7f9-89fd-4074-a716-ef8a13d6e0b2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_12c156b8-9d14-43e9-9cfe-f885282d877a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_9714c7f9-89fd-4074-a716-ef8a13d6e0b2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsNoncurrent_57c09f63-92ca-4cf4-9232-3ebfa4768ff4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsNoncurrent_57c09f63-92ca-4cf4-9232-3ebfa4768ff4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_27406243-0b9d-4180-8b81-5b77f224669c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_27406243-0b9d-4180-8b81-5b77f224669c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_2f28827a-884b-4b1d-8464-d0e06c2696f3" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_2f28827a-884b-4b1d-8464-d0e06c2696f3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_3a1b2358-6099-4ee0-9700-0d03d2dfa137" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_3a1b2358-6099-4ee0-9700-0d03d2dfa137" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_b4126a3d-eda2-4be4-95e1-e2dece7677f3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_b4126a3d-eda2-4be4-95e1-e2dece7677f3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_83156f91-df18-4442-948b-6aa2290e5e7d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_83156f91-df18-4442-948b-6aa2290e5e7d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_b6f1d338-8922-479a-a16f-cb2c0f23ffe1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_b6f1d338-8922-479a-a16f-cb2c0f23ffe1" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_ac4a1e62-728d-4a69-97a0-fd64247ccccf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_ac4a1e62-728d-4a69-97a0-fd64247ccccf" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_491f9893-f25c-4688-81ed-6470278138fc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_491f9893-f25c-4688-81ed-6470278138fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_f70c5b08-de64-42f6-bc99-e33e53f2fba9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_f70c5b08-de64-42f6-bc99-e33e53f2fba9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_3e24fada-342d-41d2-8a60-e90cc2a5faee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_3e24fada-342d-41d2-8a60-e90cc2a5faee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_4cc10e28-0255-4fea-99c9-72dbbfa97ea5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_4cc10e28-0255-4fea-99c9-72dbbfa97ea5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue_7fd8da61-0329-4f19-a0dd-8ed39a988d3b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue_7fd8da61-0329-4f19-a0dd-8ed39a988d3b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_24145745-83c9-4805-a721-df7c661d4aed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_24145745-83c9-4805-a721-df7c661d4aed" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_1514f5e5-376d-476c-b605-719c3b4efa21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_1514f5e5-376d-476c-b605-719c3b4efa21" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_87d2836d-0d42-4911-afbd-6aa0a49b7936" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_87d2836d-0d42-4911-afbd-6aa0a49b7936" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_719588e0-3c1d-4892-ba00-4fcda4031da7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_4474ac7f-2aea-41ea-ba03-ecce348cc456" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_719588e0-3c1d-4892-ba00-4fcda4031da7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_e9c7a25f-a71b-48c9-b5e1-183b56f5229e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_fef54af7-36fa-4460-98d2-ad5f5743bd06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_e9c7a25f-a71b-48c9-b5e1-183b56f5229e" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_61fc8daf-cf82-4fe9-9f8b-0cb1d8b203be" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ca15ea4e-9533-4330-905a-2a37500bf859" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_61fc8daf-cf82-4fe9-9f8b-0cb1d8b203be" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_831f7e8f-e2a1-43ac-916a-ba1bfb18d3d2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_61fc8daf-cf82-4fe9-9f8b-0cb1d8b203be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_831f7e8f-e2a1-43ac-916a-ba1bfb18d3d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_831f7e8f-e2a1-43ac-916a-ba1bfb18d3d2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_831f7e8f-e2a1-43ac-916a-ba1bfb18d3d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_831f7e8f-e2a1-43ac-916a-ba1bfb18d3d2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa8a701e-3545-47b6-a731-334b3ec3d7ec" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_831f7e8f-e2a1-43ac-916a-ba1bfb18d3d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa8a701e-3545-47b6-a731-334b3ec3d7ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_842b43b7-00cb-4e4c-ae5b-5d4350449eea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa8a701e-3545-47b6-a731-334b3ec3d7ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_842b43b7-00cb-4e4c-ae5b-5d4350449eea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_698d6084-1949-450e-a039-8d2c73d90ac6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa8a701e-3545-47b6-a731-334b3ec3d7ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_698d6084-1949-450e-a039-8d2c73d90ac6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="id012b5364dd6468087730af9340a5aed_CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_f04dbac7-4701-453f-bf02-9441f44fe496" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_f04dbac7-4701-453f-bf02-9441f44fe496" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_ffcb746f-b5fb-47fa-9210-c148f623df23" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_ffcb746f-b5fb-47fa-9210-c148f623df23" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_7bb43ae7-cdf7-4838-92e3-580541f15e82" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_7bb43ae7-cdf7-4838-92e3-580541f15e82" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_d1db1737-e518-43e2-acd7-34e41eef483a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_d1db1737-e518-43e2-acd7-34e41eef483a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_49c6e631-636e-4d96-8af1-0f2ea33d8c6a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_49c6e631-636e-4d96-8af1-0f2ea33d8c6a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_851562c3-f277-4400-86ee-3b67b6c6ec9d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_851562c3-f277-4400-86ee-3b67b6c6ec9d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_177c0c1c-4054-443a-b2c0-e0b905d61754" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_177c0c1c-4054-443a-b2c0-e0b905d61754" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_d7d532ad-bd9c-4468-b014-519465ed3514" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_d7d532ad-bd9c-4468-b014-519465ed3514" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_87b6cd11-76d6-49b4-aadd-10a447dd0c51" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_87b6cd11-76d6-49b4-aadd-10a447dd0c51" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_99fc8cd0-e275-483a-9a19-d39e62048db3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_99fc8cd0-e275-483a-9a19-d39e62048db3" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ea2576d0-57ff-45e8-93c7-9b971b7e75cd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c6610cd5-0ed6-473d-b61e-3032de11650a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ea2576d0-57ff-45e8-93c7-9b971b7e75cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_baa30841-b68b-4cc6-bf56-ed17ee2e6219" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ea2576d0-57ff-45e8-93c7-9b971b7e75cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_baa30841-b68b-4cc6-bf56-ed17ee2e6219" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_baa30841-b68b-4cc6-bf56-ed17ee2e6219_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_baa30841-b68b-4cc6-bf56-ed17ee2e6219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_baa30841-b68b-4cc6-bf56-ed17ee2e6219_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_b3cea1a5-cbbf-4179-a964-873c5b59840d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_baa30841-b68b-4cc6-bf56-ed17ee2e6219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_b3cea1a5-cbbf-4179-a964-873c5b59840d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_17804200-318a-4114-ac61-fd7543dd2554" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_b3cea1a5-cbbf-4179-a964-873c5b59840d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_17804200-318a-4114-ac61-fd7543dd2554" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_59cd21e4-1a4b-4083-b001-1ed20f5b1ad0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_b3cea1a5-cbbf-4179-a964-873c5b59840d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_59cd21e4-1a4b-4083-b001-1ed20f5b1ad0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofIncome" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofIncome"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofIncome" xlink:type="extended" id="ia018b3474e4045e49d7a02fab6a4aa2c_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofIncome"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended" id="ifd8f8fecfbb2439db8f9ff1bd552fe87_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="ifbc93415e6d24a3ea0c3023300f03055_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bd920939-197f-498e-83dd-dcab31b04cd9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bd920939-197f-498e-83dd-dcab31b04cd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_65b4627e-fe93-4426-819d-06303e906c88" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_65b4627e-fe93-4426-819d-06303e906c88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_d585deee-a46a-49cf-87cb-ae93bf02f310" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_d585deee-a46a-49cf-87cb-ae93bf02f310" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_6e257f1e-9f6e-4cf0-87c8-391d03659745" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_6e257f1e-9f6e-4cf0-87c8-391d03659745" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest_30167a2d-805f-4f0f-8824-25610d721216" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest_30167a2d-805f-4f0f-8824-25610d721216" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_dd9cf4ca-52a6-407a-9e0e-77546437998c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_dd9cf4ca-52a6-407a-9e0e-77546437998c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityOtherChanges_7d238e5b-5819-4c8f-9b61-23d42e1fc65c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityOtherChanges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityOtherChanges_7d238e5b-5819-4c8f-9b61-23d42e1fc65c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_ccfc039f-e598-4de6-a7db-b8d69dc79ad2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_ccfc039f-e598-4de6-a7db-b8d69dc79ad2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c9fc225b-e434-4535-9200-e9b97ace9c3b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c9fc225b-e434-4535-9200-e9b97ace9c3b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_926dbb80-c5c0-45ca-9bb2-4925b821850b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_926dbb80-c5c0-45ca-9bb2-4925b821850b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_40ea5df9-89f7-4655-a9d4-e19255b7bc94" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_40ea5df9-89f7-4655-a9d4-e19255b7bc94" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_46548b58-f712-4413-b4b2-7a125296c4ea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a109e43f-8fce-4bd0-94cf-5e826361c749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_46548b58-f712-4413-b4b2-7a125296c4ea" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_15824448-0bdd-43f1-9630-c152a74ebd9b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b41903d1-f7ea-4190-8213-99bd3ed7fade" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bd920939-197f-498e-83dd-dcab31b04cd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b41903d1-f7ea-4190-8213-99bd3ed7fade" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9113548d-a8c5-4352-8701-0a2512305075" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b41903d1-f7ea-4190-8213-99bd3ed7fade" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9113548d-a8c5-4352-8701-0a2512305075" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9113548d-a8c5-4352-8701-0a2512305075_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9113548d-a8c5-4352-8701-0a2512305075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9113548d-a8c5-4352-8701-0a2512305075_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dd22b0d3-d7e1-4703-a05b-093eace34157" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9113548d-a8c5-4352-8701-0a2512305075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dd22b0d3-d7e1-4703-a05b-093eace34157" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_4aeb12a4-a3ff-4707-ae28-daba1bd5dbc8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dd22b0d3-d7e1-4703-a05b-093eace34157" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_4aeb12a4-a3ff-4707-ae28-daba1bd5dbc8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_e613b5b2-fc9c-4401-a725-a974e8bb9fdb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dd22b0d3-d7e1-4703-a05b-093eace34157" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_e613b5b2-fc9c-4401-a725-a974e8bb9fdb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b459180e-b6e9-484e-9b05-652de0768735" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b41903d1-f7ea-4190-8213-99bd3ed7fade" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b459180e-b6e9-484e-9b05-652de0768735" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b459180e-b6e9-484e-9b05-652de0768735_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b459180e-b6e9-484e-9b05-652de0768735" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b459180e-b6e9-484e-9b05-652de0768735_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f457d1e2-5a62-4f4c-8a8a-a654bb569b9e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b459180e-b6e9-484e-9b05-652de0768735" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f457d1e2-5a62-4f4c-8a8a-a654bb569b9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_6ed0483c-003a-4724-aee1-1a5370accd65" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f457d1e2-5a62-4f4c-8a8a-a654bb569b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_6ed0483c-003a-4724-aee1-1a5370accd65" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_7fc3efef-c88e-4376-ad7b-9d8e52cfbced" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f457d1e2-5a62-4f4c-8a8a-a654bb569b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_7fc3efef-c88e-4376-ad7b-9d8e52cfbced" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_460c5279-32a7-432a-a98b-59da13923521" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f457d1e2-5a62-4f4c-8a8a-a654bb569b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_460c5279-32a7-432a-a98b-59da13923521" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_fa414dd2-5284-4861-8fec-a95fd5a92d3c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f457d1e2-5a62-4f4c-8a8a-a654bb569b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_fa414dd2-5284-4861-8fec-a95fd5a92d3c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_1fdfcbe0-a1ac-4925-a9ba-06135549cd6d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f457d1e2-5a62-4f4c-8a8a-a654bb569b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_1fdfcbe0-a1ac-4925-a9ba-06135549cd6d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_e39e032a-2fac-418d-996c-8fb7614d7c21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f457d1e2-5a62-4f4c-8a8a-a654bb569b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_e39e032a-2fac-418d-996c-8fb7614d7c21" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_0e268710-f019-423d-bd7d-6299c2c70013" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f457d1e2-5a62-4f4c-8a8a-a654bb569b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_0e268710-f019-423d-bd7d-6299c2c70013" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_1f78e4fe-ee55-4ee7-90cf-f40cb60f1707" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b41903d1-f7ea-4190-8213-99bd3ed7fade" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_1f78e4fe-ee55-4ee7-90cf-f40cb60f1707" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_1f78e4fe-ee55-4ee7-90cf-f40cb60f1707_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_1f78e4fe-ee55-4ee7-90cf-f40cb60f1707" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_1f78e4fe-ee55-4ee7-90cf-f40cb60f1707_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_484d5bf8-188f-4de7-af5c-a7be3584c7ba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_1f78e4fe-ee55-4ee7-90cf-f40cb60f1707" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_484d5bf8-188f-4de7-af5c-a7be3584c7ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_410d624f-9adc-4beb-98e1-5f05557086ff" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_484d5bf8-188f-4de7-af5c-a7be3584c7ba" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_410d624f-9adc-4beb-98e1-5f05557086ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" id="i49f1e572f98b45e29949d320afdebc74_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentation" xlink:type="extended" id="i566f45545ee74b1cbf52f5d631c0eb9d_DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentation"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="i142c3df39c6040ac961f463a7faecf3e_DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i281a88430aa24dfcab3cf50e607364e4_DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_10c23dd7-44af-4521-9851-70cba612425e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_eaf0a3ca-f164-436a-b61d-eb621d3f3d01" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_10c23dd7-44af-4521-9851-70cba612425e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_eaf0a3ca-f164-436a-b61d-eb621d3f3d01" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_NumberofNationallyDistributedProgrammingNetworks_cd10817c-a461-4a25-b842-81fda4c19009" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_NumberofNationallyDistributedProgrammingNetworks"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_10c23dd7-44af-4521-9851-70cba612425e" xlink:to="loc_amcx_NumberofNationallyDistributedProgrammingNetworks_cd10817c-a461-4a25-b842-81fda4c19009" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_64289ed4-e115-4ae7-9324-5d13cce9b3e0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_10c23dd7-44af-4521-9851-70cba612425e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_64289ed4-e115-4ae7-9324-5d13cce9b3e0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_e841ac4e-2c39-48ce-9930-ed88077fb78d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_10c23dd7-44af-4521-9851-70cba612425e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_e841ac4e-2c39-48ce-9930-ed88077fb78d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_a1dffa87-7673-4f4a-a99c-dbbe6b53190e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_10c23dd7-44af-4521-9851-70cba612425e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_a1dffa87-7673-4f4a-a99c-dbbe6b53190e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_ffaac6cf-bc00-4b23-a57d-bb7bc217548e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_a1dffa87-7673-4f4a-a99c-dbbe6b53190e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_ffaac6cf-bc00-4b23-a57d-bb7bc217548e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_ffaac6cf-bc00-4b23-a57d-bb7bc217548e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_ffaac6cf-bc00-4b23-a57d-bb7bc217548e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_ffaac6cf-bc00-4b23-a57d-bb7bc217548e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_8720a6e7-0883-4efa-a735-9d87a4e93f2e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_ffaac6cf-bc00-4b23-a57d-bb7bc217548e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_8720a6e7-0883-4efa-a735-9d87a4e93f2e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_1a3aa41d-fe3d-41a6-bcbd-d185bda313c7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_8720a6e7-0883-4efa-a735-9d87a4e93f2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_1a3aa41d-fe3d-41a6-bcbd-d185bda313c7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_1604115f-7c16-46d9-ad2f-9ee6b5f53dc9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_a1dffa87-7673-4f4a-a99c-dbbe6b53190e" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_1604115f-7c16-46d9-ad2f-9ee6b5f53dc9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_1604115f-7c16-46d9-ad2f-9ee6b5f53dc9_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_1604115f-7c16-46d9-ad2f-9ee6b5f53dc9" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_1604115f-7c16-46d9-ad2f-9ee6b5f53dc9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_f1238955-c976-482d-ae88-2d97c8340bf8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_1604115f-7c16-46d9-ad2f-9ee6b5f53dc9" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_f1238955-c976-482d-ae88-2d97c8340bf8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_a869d4a9-86a2-4d68-9cdc-be7aa3a20642" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_f1238955-c976-482d-ae88-2d97c8340bf8" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_a869d4a9-86a2-4d68-9cdc-be7aa3a20642" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RevenueRecognition" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RevenueRecognition"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RevenueRecognition" xlink:type="extended" id="i387526f8b12e4cef84a0c6564e194d92_RevenueRecognition"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RevenueRecognitionTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i36ac85066a7f49ee8b9fc94c651b3e30_RevenueRecognitionTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1831dd64c5fa4b5bafcb4661d995e60c_RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RevenueRecognitionContractwithCustomerAssetandLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RevenueRecognitionContractwithCustomerAssetandLiabilityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RevenueRecognitionContractwithCustomerAssetandLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib7af9a14d9814dc7914616a83b2abe7a_RevenueRecognitionContractwithCustomerAssetandLiabilityDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShare" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#NetIncomeperShare"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShare" xlink:type="extended" id="if8135d80b58342f0af854ff56e4b624d_NetIncomeperShare"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#NetIncomeperShareTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareTables" xlink:type="extended" id="iebd26b66adea493a94c9f1fbe4fd10fb_NetIncomeperShareTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareReconciliationBetweenBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#NetIncomeperShareReconciliationBetweenBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareReconciliationBetweenBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i73c8804ca3de40e9b4d5a2dde90b8f76_NetIncomeperShareReconciliationBetweenBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_42cf9679-2f0b-49d1-88f7-292f3bf3dd4a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_cf54def9-2fe1-4db0-bb64-d701c3c94211" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_42cf9679-2f0b-49d1-88f7-292f3bf3dd4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_cf54def9-2fe1-4db0-bb64-d701c3c94211" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_f26ab402-7c74-4161-b185-f105e71745d4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_42cf9679-2f0b-49d1-88f7-292f3bf3dd4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_f26ab402-7c74-4161-b185-f105e71745d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_5e744988-adc3-43b2-b6e5-b568f9bf51fd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_f26ab402-7c74-4161-b185-f105e71745d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_5e744988-adc3-43b2-b6e5-b568f9bf51fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_832a2fa3-4541-4123-abae-292cc7edb210" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_42cf9679-2f0b-49d1-88f7-292f3bf3dd4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_832a2fa3-4541-4123-abae-292cc7edb210" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_4180bc77-c7df-493f-8c85-b25f6cab9e4d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_42cf9679-2f0b-49d1-88f7-292f3bf3dd4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_4180bc77-c7df-493f-8c85-b25f6cab9e4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b1bddbee-4ace-43a2-acf4-ebc1a032a025" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_4180bc77-c7df-493f-8c85-b25f6cab9e4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b1bddbee-4ace-43a2-acf4-ebc1a032a025" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b1bddbee-4ace-43a2-acf4-ebc1a032a025_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b1bddbee-4ace-43a2-acf4-ebc1a032a025" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b1bddbee-4ace-43a2-acf4-ebc1a032a025_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_15089956-3db0-4ca3-b449-e5ddc923186b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b1bddbee-4ace-43a2-acf4-ebc1a032a025" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_15089956-3db0-4ca3-b449-e5ddc923186b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_7781540a-a061-478a-a5f0-a40695059ed9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_15089956-3db0-4ca3-b449-e5ddc923186b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_7781540a-a061-478a-a5f0-a40695059ed9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_8b562808-a750-4980-b40e-3fc3f4d6c69b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_15089956-3db0-4ca3-b449-e5ddc923186b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_8b562808-a750-4980-b40e-3fc3f4d6c69b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#NetIncomeperShareNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ifec373cde8634364a02c8533d30e39c3_NetIncomeperShareNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_7055563e-912f-4e43-9ef7-4af6ffd89278" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_04c2e998-669f-4b7d-a4f4-b8a860de120a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_7055563e-912f-4e43-9ef7-4af6ffd89278" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_04c2e998-669f-4b7d-a4f4-b8a860de120a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_0207ae3a-238d-4152-9691-caba51b93732" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_7055563e-912f-4e43-9ef7-4af6ffd89278" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_0207ae3a-238d-4152-9691-caba51b93732" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_ecd659de-eda7-4d46-a412-b59e34b1b30f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_7055563e-912f-4e43-9ef7-4af6ffd89278" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_ecd659de-eda7-4d46-a412-b59e34b1b30f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_b5c5d8d9-4528-46e4-829a-127019b846bb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_7055563e-912f-4e43-9ef7-4af6ffd89278" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_b5c5d8d9-4528-46e4-829a-127019b846bb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_a974074d-2981-4ac8-82b1-d418d046c3de" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_7055563e-912f-4e43-9ef7-4af6ffd89278" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_a974074d-2981-4ac8-82b1-d418d046c3de" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_e6eec827-a6e1-41f5-a8fe-93425d68ac1d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_7055563e-912f-4e43-9ef7-4af6ffd89278" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_e6eec827-a6e1-41f5-a8fe-93425d68ac1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_094fa192-46fd-40a6-915f-0fca027afb52" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_e6eec827-a6e1-41f5-a8fe-93425d68ac1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_094fa192-46fd-40a6-915f-0fca027afb52" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_094fa192-46fd-40a6-915f-0fca027afb52_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_094fa192-46fd-40a6-915f-0fca027afb52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_094fa192-46fd-40a6-915f-0fca027afb52_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_875e1d7a-8c39-49fc-962e-fcfb8854e81e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_094fa192-46fd-40a6-915f-0fca027afb52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_875e1d7a-8c39-49fc-962e-fcfb8854e81e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_d9788fc4-c419-4dd5-b54f-6539192570dd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_875e1d7a-8c39-49fc-962e-fcfb8854e81e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_d9788fc4-c419-4dd5-b54f-6539192570dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_53a6791b-f97f-4908-a82d-d8d54d707c02" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_e6eec827-a6e1-41f5-a8fe-93425d68ac1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_53a6791b-f97f-4908-a82d-d8d54d707c02" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_53a6791b-f97f-4908-a82d-d8d54d707c02_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_53a6791b-f97f-4908-a82d-d8d54d707c02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_53a6791b-f97f-4908-a82d-d8d54d707c02_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7ddd4035-2cdd-4b56-8ddf-ce7c630d6c07" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_53a6791b-f97f-4908-a82d-d8d54d707c02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7ddd4035-2cdd-4b56-8ddf-ce7c630d6c07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_d55926d6-48eb-42e5-8cb7-8a3d2c4476d7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7ddd4035-2cdd-4b56-8ddf-ce7c630d6c07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_d55926d6-48eb-42e5-8cb7-8a3d2c4476d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_6f461d5b-f9bb-4d46-861f-9a19ebb2335f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_e6eec827-a6e1-41f5-a8fe-93425d68ac1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_6f461d5b-f9bb-4d46-861f-9a19ebb2335f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_6f461d5b-f9bb-4d46-861f-9a19ebb2335f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_6f461d5b-f9bb-4d46-861f-9a19ebb2335f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_6f461d5b-f9bb-4d46-861f-9a19ebb2335f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_d9b110ad-d58a-4932-8fe3-4a205cdc5da7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_6f461d5b-f9bb-4d46-861f-9a19ebb2335f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_d9b110ad-d58a-4932-8fe3-4a205cdc5da7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_09ea4252-9f43-4e1b-89d1-6cfbac3c55b0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_d9b110ad-d58a-4932-8fe3-4a205cdc5da7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_09ea4252-9f43-4e1b-89d1-6cfbac3c55b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedCharges" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RestructuringandOtherRelatedCharges"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedCharges" xlink:type="extended" id="i6b0644a6f0c4473bbfd73d0da8cc6b33_RestructuringandOtherRelatedCharges"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ic121048b9efc454f91959d9404cc2061_RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i664fee41cf9b47e8bfda9e306ff92357_RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesSummaryofRestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesSummaryofRestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesbySegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesSummaryofRestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i33f2c0ad5d7b4bb9a6d6881e6cdc7f3e_RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesSummaryofRestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesbySegmentDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_1d00edd2-ecb8-423b-8d16-d126818a47cc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_3931f184-8c4b-458c-8e2d-22af486f42a8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_1d00edd2-ecb8-423b-8d16-d126818a47cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_3931f184-8c4b-458c-8e2d-22af486f42a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_4935d5a3-cccb-448b-b969-9053837b3f1a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_1d00edd2-ecb8-423b-8d16-d126818a47cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_4935d5a3-cccb-448b-b969-9053837b3f1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ca724d0c-58d7-46e3-a9e6-14c7c3b07ca1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_4935d5a3-cccb-448b-b969-9053837b3f1a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ca724d0c-58d7-46e3-a9e6-14c7c3b07ca1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ca724d0c-58d7-46e3-a9e6-14c7c3b07ca1_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ca724d0c-58d7-46e3-a9e6-14c7c3b07ca1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ca724d0c-58d7-46e3-a9e6-14c7c3b07ca1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c71612f2-f8c8-479f-8f58-ccfce1645724" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ca724d0c-58d7-46e3-a9e6-14c7c3b07ca1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c71612f2-f8c8-479f-8f58-ccfce1645724" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_79e91a91-dcae-4508-ba2d-593699b55e5d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c71612f2-f8c8-479f-8f58-ccfce1645724" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_79e91a91-dcae-4508-ba2d-593699b55e5d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_c2bd1b02-49a0-49f0-bf53-7851b05716d0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c71612f2-f8c8-479f-8f58-ccfce1645724" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_c2bd1b02-49a0-49f0-bf53-7851b05716d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a0efd6b6-ec43-4014-9056-1ec9e5967233" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_4935d5a3-cccb-448b-b969-9053837b3f1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a0efd6b6-ec43-4014-9056-1ec9e5967233" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a0efd6b6-ec43-4014-9056-1ec9e5967233_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a0efd6b6-ec43-4014-9056-1ec9e5967233" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a0efd6b6-ec43-4014-9056-1ec9e5967233_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_514e7b1d-dcb6-4051-8027-490ff1b9ae64" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a0efd6b6-ec43-4014-9056-1ec9e5967233" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_514e7b1d-dcb6-4051-8027-490ff1b9ae64" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_9b3b4c81-4b6e-4436-9572-1153ae4cdbb4" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_NationalNetworksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_514e7b1d-dcb6-4051-8027-490ff1b9ae64" xlink:to="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_9b3b4c81-4b6e-4436-9572-1153ae4cdbb4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_2886fc38-33f2-4661-9623-b3b5d1d522d8" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_514e7b1d-dcb6-4051-8027-490ff1b9ae64" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_2886fc38-33f2-4661-9623-b3b5d1d522d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesSummaryofAccruedRestructuringCostsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesSummaryofAccruedRestructuringCostsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesSummaryofAccruedRestructuringCostsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7d80227c701d40899cee51ede1fdfa17_RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesSummaryofAccruedRestructuringCostsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_0c421d18-9381-4e88-8a9f-d46a1d130bee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_993cab1f-38e4-45e6-8c2d-85b017f7291c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_0c421d18-9381-4e88-8a9f-d46a1d130bee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_993cab1f-38e4-45e6-8c2d-85b017f7291c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_edbf384f-6e19-4609-b12e-6437d7c0a2bb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_993cab1f-38e4-45e6-8c2d-85b017f7291c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_edbf384f-6e19-4609-b12e-6437d7c0a2bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_13f831c3-704a-461b-9f6c-1ad980431ad4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_993cab1f-38e4-45e6-8c2d-85b017f7291c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_13f831c3-704a-461b-9f6c-1ad980431ad4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_ff42e054-2e80-491a-aab4-4bf59f870475" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_993cab1f-38e4-45e6-8c2d-85b017f7291c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_ff42e054-2e80-491a-aab4-4bf59f870475" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment1_7de613d4-b78a-4e97-8076-1af642b4d288" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_993cab1f-38e4-45e6-8c2d-85b017f7291c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment1_7de613d4-b78a-4e97-8076-1af642b4d288" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment_b04cb89b-5016-4407-a0f6-56b64c84c8f7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_993cab1f-38e4-45e6-8c2d-85b017f7291c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment_b04cb89b-5016-4407-a0f6-56b64c84c8f7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_4dc599d4-6d36-4718-a6ee-ff3328f5e60e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_6fea1639-58a0-4f68-9622-7fcf2983bc75" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_0c421d18-9381-4e88-8a9f-d46a1d130bee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_6fea1639-58a0-4f68-9622-7fcf2983bc75" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_e4d33c30-fb04-4667-b111-9bcac3407c87" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_6fea1639-58a0-4f68-9622-7fcf2983bc75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_e4d33c30-fb04-4667-b111-9bcac3407c87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_e4d33c30-fb04-4667-b111-9bcac3407c87_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_e4d33c30-fb04-4667-b111-9bcac3407c87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_e4d33c30-fb04-4667-b111-9bcac3407c87_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_e626d514-eca8-475a-8fc7-c97d74d50721" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_e4d33c30-fb04-4667-b111-9bcac3407c87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_e626d514-eca8-475a-8fc7-c97d74d50721" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_aca286ea-9b58-47d2-b967-5e6b99665e98" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_e626d514-eca8-475a-8fc7-c97d74d50721" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_aca286ea-9b58-47d2-b967-5e6b99665e98" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_26721a7d-8bf6-4693-9b62-67e83c9e285a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_e626d514-eca8-475a-8fc7-c97d74d50721" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_26721a7d-8bf6-4693-9b62-67e83c9e285a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRights" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#ProgramRights"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRights" xlink:type="extended" id="i8e45abca3d5b428496d7ac6356dba2e0_ProgramRights"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRightsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#ProgramRightsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRightsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i5a2080226d544fdcbf1c88a28c8b2022_ProgramRightsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRightsProgramRightsbyPredominantMonetizationStrategyDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#ProgramRightsProgramRightsbyPredominantMonetizationStrategyDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRightsProgramRightsbyPredominantMonetizationStrategyDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie269f838a9e6448ab4b957239b217151_ProgramRightsProgramRightsbyPredominantMonetizationStrategyDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRightsAmortizationofOwnedandLicensedProgramRightsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#ProgramRightsAmortizationofOwnedandLicensedProgramRightsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRightsAmortizationofOwnedandLicensedProgramRightsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic4f206f38fa84be68d8b4506d4471dd1_ProgramRightsAmortizationofOwnedandLicensedProgramRightsDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRightsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#ProgramRightsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ProgramRightsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia5ff50d4e19d4c018ce02a17349f7346_ProgramRightsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/Investments" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#Investments"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/Investments" xlink:type="extended" id="i358345099fd94d1f9e9769408c15809a_Investments"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#InvestmentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i374db3ad0fd54fc4949886da687912d6_InvestmentsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_9c34fc78-8b89-408e-8c78-427b96b4d13f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_5bbfa14c-5471-451f-b057-e48b7eff6fad" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_9c34fc78-8b89-408e-8c78-427b96b4d13f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_5bbfa14c-5471-451f-b057-e48b7eff6fad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_84d40f2e-670e-47a0-b9e8-7a7eac9e16be" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_9c34fc78-8b89-408e-8c78-427b96b4d13f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_84d40f2e-670e-47a0-b9e8-7a7eac9e16be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss_fcf7d545-f36b-465c-84a7-ea941cf06a89" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_9c34fc78-8b89-408e-8c78-427b96b4d13f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss_fcf7d545-f36b-465c-84a7-ea941cf06a89" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_c280ee25-5fcf-4fb5-bc39-6362d83d3867" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_9c34fc78-8b89-408e-8c78-427b96b4d13f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_c280ee25-5fcf-4fb5-bc39-6362d83d3867" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_WritedownofNonMarketableEquitySecurityandNoteReceivable_58f01233-c55d-4882-858b-80ec99cbddc9" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_WritedownofNonMarketableEquitySecurityandNoteReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_9c34fc78-8b89-408e-8c78-427b96b4d13f" xlink:to="loc_amcx_WritedownofNonMarketableEquitySecurityandNoteReceivable_58f01233-c55d-4882-858b-80ec99cbddc9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_a3a8fd43-1fc9-4eae-8e32-13f4f388de60" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_9c34fc78-8b89-408e-8c78-427b96b4d13f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_a3a8fd43-1fc9-4eae-8e32-13f4f388de60" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_2ca3df2b-4cb1-400c-8465-02e0f30033b5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_a3a8fd43-1fc9-4eae-8e32-13f4f388de60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_2ca3df2b-4cb1-400c-8465-02e0f30033b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_2ca3df2b-4cb1-400c-8465-02e0f30033b5_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_2ca3df2b-4cb1-400c-8465-02e0f30033b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_2ca3df2b-4cb1-400c-8465-02e0f30033b5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_38804f2e-f25d-4855-aeb5-906a78547bbd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_2ca3df2b-4cb1-400c-8465-02e0f30033b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_38804f2e-f25d-4855-aeb5-906a78547bbd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_ReclassifiedFromNonMarketableSecurityToMarketableSecurityMember_151a525a-1891-4d35-829a-d02f5eb2358b" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_ReclassifiedFromNonMarketableSecurityToMarketableSecurityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_38804f2e-f25d-4855-aeb5-906a78547bbd" xlink:to="loc_amcx_ReclassifiedFromNonMarketableSecurityToMarketableSecurityMember_151a525a-1891-4d35-829a-d02f5eb2358b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="extended" id="i723e1c6a10694caa8184fc77ed3ff92e_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssets"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i9a7277bff665449bae24dd214b9f2ef7_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofGoodwillDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie427d88b7edc4f94aeb489296e0685da_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofGoodwillDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_fd2c1b66-b850-47a9-8229-c266eeef47a0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ccecf885-f453-4f6a-b678-954b866abcb9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_fd2c1b66-b850-47a9-8229-c266eeef47a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ccecf885-f453-4f6a-b678-954b866abcb9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_036321eb-b26e-427f-98e5-426bed14299d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ccecf885-f453-4f6a-b678-954b866abcb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_036321eb-b26e-427f-98e5-426bed14299d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_33d2cebc-f1be-4c66-b49c-eee3b7e28cfa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ccecf885-f453-4f6a-b678-954b866abcb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_33d2cebc-f1be-4c66-b49c-eee3b7e28cfa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset_0011184c-df4a-4109-aed0-a79794b2d9ab" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ccecf885-f453-4f6a-b678-954b866abcb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset_0011184c-df4a-4109-aed0-a79794b2d9ab" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_dde6ded7-2486-44c2-b6ac-5de47a1e0af5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ccecf885-f453-4f6a-b678-954b866abcb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_dde6ded7-2486-44c2-b6ac-5de47a1e0af5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_91817092-50d9-485d-a02d-3246d4f35d69" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_5e852bcb-df66-4ec2-a8ed-809b80889353" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_fd2c1b66-b850-47a9-8229-c266eeef47a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_5e852bcb-df66-4ec2-a8ed-809b80889353" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b0b288b5-e335-46ba-8836-f656affd52c3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_5e852bcb-df66-4ec2-a8ed-809b80889353" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b0b288b5-e335-46ba-8836-f656affd52c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b0b288b5-e335-46ba-8836-f656affd52c3_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b0b288b5-e335-46ba-8836-f656affd52c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b0b288b5-e335-46ba-8836-f656affd52c3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_003c081c-99fa-47aa-b815-5507e0254ece" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b0b288b5-e335-46ba-8836-f656affd52c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_003c081c-99fa-47aa-b815-5507e0254ece" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_cb8ee179-6afc-4ab4-8179-f1d38e5f6801" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_NationalNetworksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_003c081c-99fa-47aa-b815-5507e0254ece" xlink:to="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_cb8ee179-6afc-4ab4-8179-f1d38e5f6801" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_2834243a-395f-4e86-9b9f-e9399298c143" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_003c081c-99fa-47aa-b815-5507e0254ece" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_2834243a-395f-4e86-9b9f-e9399298c143" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i3646023396d045e9a1c658f8f494c081_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_5819fc33-27fd-468a-8386-4e21c639df16" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_617cd343-2e28-4321-a279-aa9723b6a617" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_5819fc33-27fd-468a-8386-4e21c639df16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_617cd343-2e28-4321-a279-aa9723b6a617" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset_3c03e8e2-762b-42ec-ad45-13362fba110f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_5819fc33-27fd-468a-8386-4e21c639df16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset_3c03e8e2-762b-42ec-ad45-13362fba110f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_0bbacd7d-7c72-427a-9fd8-7e213ad2d097" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_5819fc33-27fd-468a-8386-4e21c639df16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_0bbacd7d-7c72-427a-9fd8-7e213ad2d097" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_d3d12488-59be-422f-b7c1-3acf3bda6e42" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_5819fc33-27fd-468a-8386-4e21c639df16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_d3d12488-59be-422f-b7c1-3acf3bda6e42" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived_58f92f96-0bdb-46c6-a909-dbb7fd8df1b8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_5819fc33-27fd-468a-8386-4e21c639df16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived_58f92f96-0bdb-46c6-a909-dbb7fd8df1b8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_921e6093-9971-411e-92ea-c6ba1de32fe8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_5819fc33-27fd-468a-8386-4e21c639df16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_921e6093-9971-411e-92ea-c6ba1de32fe8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4fad0314-93f6-4f3b-8cfb-18acd4dd97cc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_921e6093-9971-411e-92ea-c6ba1de32fe8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4fad0314-93f6-4f3b-8cfb-18acd4dd97cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4fad0314-93f6-4f3b-8cfb-18acd4dd97cc_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4fad0314-93f6-4f3b-8cfb-18acd4dd97cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4fad0314-93f6-4f3b-8cfb-18acd4dd97cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1f44e714-1392-440f-8f70-a383994fde64" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4fad0314-93f6-4f3b-8cfb-18acd4dd97cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1f44e714-1392-440f-8f70-a383994fde64" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_53412cce-d2ee-4983-8d62-1edd11eb7a97" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_NationalNetworksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1f44e714-1392-440f-8f70-a383994fde64" xlink:to="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_53412cce-d2ee-4983-8d62-1edd11eb7a97" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_22d4a988-cec6-4eed-9284-2c2a8f4151bf" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1f44e714-1392-440f-8f70-a383994fde64" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_22d4a988-cec6-4eed-9284-2c2a8f4151bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_1014e322-69b0-4fcd-8345-59900ab8f1ff" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_921e6093-9971-411e-92ea-c6ba1de32fe8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_1014e322-69b0-4fcd-8345-59900ab8f1ff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_1014e322-69b0-4fcd-8345-59900ab8f1ff_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_1014e322-69b0-4fcd-8345-59900ab8f1ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_1014e322-69b0-4fcd-8345-59900ab8f1ff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_ce25a4b1-6b60-4ecc-a96d-9fa10b2b11a3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_1014e322-69b0-4fcd-8345-59900ab8f1ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_ce25a4b1-6b60-4ecc-a96d-9fa10b2b11a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_AMCNIMember_72edcb25-dab6-4212-ae9b-873cf8c2efbe" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_AMCNIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_ce25a4b1-6b60-4ecc-a96d-9fa10b2b11a3" xlink:to="loc_amcx_AMCNIMember_72edcb25-dab6-4212-ae9b-873cf8c2efbe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofFiniteandIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofFiniteandIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofFiniteandIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id0b936460f51425398b08c60d6d38c68_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofFiniteandIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e4929587-9417-48e0-9b94-b2dcfa0cbbb1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_16b2e1d1-d886-45d2-b2ef-1cf9a877cf7a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e4929587-9417-48e0-9b94-b2dcfa0cbbb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_16b2e1d1-d886-45d2-b2ef-1cf9a877cf7a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_0fd9a5e2-5a7f-4c10-ade3-eeb664fc4473" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e4929587-9417-48e0-9b94-b2dcfa0cbbb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_0fd9a5e2-5a7f-4c10-ade3-eeb664fc4473" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_69e5f548-a175-4f25-a50a-13bcea71c809" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e4929587-9417-48e0-9b94-b2dcfa0cbbb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_69e5f548-a175-4f25-a50a-13bcea71c809" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_ba7eaef2-10c6-47b8-8120-00c94c138c1c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e4929587-9417-48e0-9b94-b2dcfa0cbbb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_ba7eaef2-10c6-47b8-8120-00c94c138c1c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_4ebbe62c-e91e-4345-ab83-4fadc2bb9e35" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e4929587-9417-48e0-9b94-b2dcfa0cbbb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_4ebbe62c-e91e-4345-ab83-4fadc2bb9e35" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill_80730a87-c061-42a9-9c13-65be4ec6fb28" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e4929587-9417-48e0-9b94-b2dcfa0cbbb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill_80730a87-c061-42a9-9c13-65be4ec6fb28" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_1130d38c-c7a4-4c34-945f-b3701ee65c18" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e4929587-9417-48e0-9b94-b2dcfa0cbbb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_1130d38c-c7a4-4c34-945f-b3701ee65c18" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_123457c4-0cc1-4ac6-b788-27db4223f092" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e4929587-9417-48e0-9b94-b2dcfa0cbbb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_123457c4-0cc1-4ac6-b788-27db4223f092" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ef953664-164a-4030-9457-69f779418e1e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_123457c4-0cc1-4ac6-b788-27db4223f092" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ef953664-164a-4030-9457-69f779418e1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_ef953664-164a-4030-9457-69f779418e1e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ef953664-164a-4030-9457-69f779418e1e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_ef953664-164a-4030-9457-69f779418e1e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a6115fa5-be2d-4ccb-95f7-f8cf6b3640b1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ef953664-164a-4030-9457-69f779418e1e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a6115fa5-be2d-4ccb-95f7-f8cf6b3640b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_403dc5aa-45ea-4745-9c43-6598d35dac2b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_a6115fa5-be2d-4ccb-95f7-f8cf6b3640b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_403dc5aa-45ea-4745-9c43-6598d35dac2b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d1cc07d5-db29-431f-bed0-ada8ca555840" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_a6115fa5-be2d-4ccb-95f7-f8cf6b3640b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d1cc07d5-db29-431f-bed0-ada8ca555840" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_986eb234-7e4d-4403-b00d-074ee11e742f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_123457c4-0cc1-4ac6-b788-27db4223f092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_986eb234-7e4d-4403-b00d-074ee11e742f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_986eb234-7e4d-4403-b00d-074ee11e742f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_986eb234-7e4d-4403-b00d-074ee11e742f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_986eb234-7e4d-4403-b00d-074ee11e742f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_094061f6-d84e-4805-9fa2-3fbc570bcd8d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_986eb234-7e4d-4403-b00d-074ee11e742f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_094061f6-d84e-4805-9fa2-3fbc570bcd8d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_097e2bde-34df-4f47-9799-ef233ee04dc4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_094061f6-d84e-4805-9fa2-3fbc570bcd8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_097e2bde-34df-4f47-9799-ef233ee04dc4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_AdvertiserRelationshipsMember_d4e499fb-7ea5-4ad9-ba7a-40b6ab08d4b3" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_AdvertiserRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_094061f6-d84e-4805-9fa2-3fbc570bcd8d" xlink:to="loc_amcx_AdvertiserRelationshipsMember_d4e499fb-7ea5-4ad9-ba7a-40b6ab08d4b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_e5ea058f-6746-4c8d-9e4b-4d5a9a4fb891" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_094061f6-d84e-4805-9fa2-3fbc570bcd8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_e5ea058f-6746-4c8d-9e4b-4d5a9a4fb891" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_d7fc294e-4463-4a10-b473-747767221091" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_094061f6-d84e-4805-9fa2-3fbc570bcd8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_d7fc294e-4463-4a10-b473-747767221091" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofEstimatedAmortizationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofEstimatedAmortizationExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofEstimatedAmortizationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4a1528dd9408422c94447928ec15ace3_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofEstimatedAmortizationExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/AccruedLiabilities" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#AccruedLiabilities"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/AccruedLiabilities" xlink:type="extended" id="ie57de26bf4ac4c21a681074777d5a047_AccruedLiabilities"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#AccruedLiabilitiesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i9004f9139e174d2a9c493cd52f5d612a_AccruedLiabilitiesTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#AccruedLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i8b94639bdfbb4bf9851bbd242d867374_AccruedLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebt" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#LongtermDebt"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebt" xlink:type="extended" id="i8e9960a1b6e846bbbf3892c2571b18a7_LongtermDebt"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebtTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#LongtermDebtTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebtTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i6f7b65ccbc4442d18ec6db67bf4c6872_LongtermDebtTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#LongtermDebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia6874377ca9848729849f17972798be7_LongtermDebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_dae548f9-e24f-4723-9c1c-053bab7f77ef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_dae548f9-e24f-4723-9c1c-053bab7f77ef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_72a26302-6189-41d3-a97f-1d9f11fe39db" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_72a26302-6189-41d3-a97f-1d9f11fe39db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_f87b9f19-05c0-4e33-913b-23d7602b97a8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_f87b9f19-05c0-4e33-913b-23d7602b97a8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_575f2534-dbb1-4c11-9263-ecb4f2688976" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_575f2534-dbb1-4c11-9263-ecb4f2688976" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_0c997557-5936-431e-bcd2-9e29d066e1f0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_0c997557-5936-431e-bcd2-9e29d066e1f0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtCurrent_8f5dfd83-6b63-4e0c-9b87-ebd69faa3a55" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtCurrent_8f5dfd83-6b63-4e0c-9b87-ebd69faa3a55" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_d95307c9-9488-42e9-a557-55288ea529bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_d95307c9-9488-42e9-a557-55288ea529bf" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_7b83354f-1667-418d-a260-667637b439f2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_7b83354f-1667-418d-a260-667637b439f2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_fc61e603-29bc-4714-b2eb-f97ca069c652" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_fc61e603-29bc-4714-b2eb-f97ca069c652" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_da8aaca1-3cfb-499b-a18b-720e90883aac" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_da8aaca1-3cfb-499b-a18b-720e90883aac" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_865fbe18-5c15-492d-b625-9fc0db722f25" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_21498d24-4115-43d9-b68e-ec0b8ab363e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_865fbe18-5c15-492d-b625-9fc0db722f25" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_f20db4c2-ea10-4303-8d81-ee00b09e659d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_865fbe18-5c15-492d-b625-9fc0db722f25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_f20db4c2-ea10-4303-8d81-ee00b09e659d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_f20db4c2-ea10-4303-8d81-ee00b09e659d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_f20db4c2-ea10-4303-8d81-ee00b09e659d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_f20db4c2-ea10-4303-8d81-ee00b09e659d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_662b3699-2b4a-451f-9ec7-a125bf7ae546" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_f20db4c2-ea10-4303-8d81-ee00b09e659d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_662b3699-2b4a-451f-9ec7-a125bf7ae546" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_d45cf7bd-d45c-4363-a55d-7b5f12deed7c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_662b3699-2b4a-451f-9ec7-a125bf7ae546" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_d45cf7bd-d45c-4363-a55d-7b5f12deed7c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_87f41edc-a7be-4024-90b6-0477971c6859" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_662b3699-2b4a-451f-9ec7-a125bf7ae546" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_87f41edc-a7be-4024-90b6-0477971c6859" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_81608622-9d07-4924-894b-f651bba91400" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_865fbe18-5c15-492d-b625-9fc0db722f25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_81608622-9d07-4924-894b-f651bba91400" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_81608622-9d07-4924-894b-f651bba91400_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_81608622-9d07-4924-894b-f651bba91400" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_81608622-9d07-4924-894b-f651bba91400_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_199e98c8-742a-41c0-96d1-9b1074123a56" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_81608622-9d07-4924-894b-f651bba91400" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_199e98c8-742a-41c0-96d1-9b1074123a56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_081e0d59-25b1-4e89-95a5-ebc2599505b0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_199e98c8-742a-41c0-96d1-9b1074123a56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_081e0d59-25b1-4e89-95a5-ebc2599505b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_fb81c56e-fb07-4388-a20a-2b1db5b2338a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_199e98c8-742a-41c0-96d1-9b1074123a56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_fb81c56e-fb07-4388-a20a-2b1db5b2338a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f3b801a6-8004-47fe-93d8-7f42b11e51b9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_865fbe18-5c15-492d-b625-9fc0db722f25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f3b801a6-8004-47fe-93d8-7f42b11e51b9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f3b801a6-8004-47fe-93d8-7f42b11e51b9_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f3b801a6-8004-47fe-93d8-7f42b11e51b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f3b801a6-8004-47fe-93d8-7f42b11e51b9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1abfe12a-608c-4c4a-b05d-bbe4697502c3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f3b801a6-8004-47fe-93d8-7f42b11e51b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1abfe12a-608c-4c4a-b05d-bbe4697502c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_TermAFacilityMember_263e9fe4-ce35-4e33-b022-8d22d70610bd" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_TermAFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1abfe12a-608c-4c4a-b05d-bbe4697502c3" xlink:to="loc_amcx_TermAFacilityMember_263e9fe4-ce35-4e33-b022-8d22d70610bd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A4.75SeniorNotesDue2025Member_98b29f96-e263-4d8b-be09-6b733518d3e4" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_A4.75SeniorNotesDue2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1abfe12a-608c-4c4a-b05d-bbe4697502c3" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A4.75SeniorNotesDue2025Member_98b29f96-e263-4d8b-be09-6b733518d3e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A5.00SeniorNotesMember_e6408863-59f7-40e7-95ac-68d8543cced1" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_A5.00SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1abfe12a-608c-4c4a-b05d-bbe4697502c3" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A5.00SeniorNotesMember_e6408863-59f7-40e7-95ac-68d8543cced1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesMember_438f4804-c496-4700-a9a3-c4d57f8f7630" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_A475SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1abfe12a-608c-4c4a-b05d-bbe4697502c3" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesMember_438f4804-c496-4700-a9a3-c4d57f8f7630" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OtherDebtMember_9a012f54-aa10-4b39-a171-0525dfa15865" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_OtherDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1abfe12a-608c-4c4a-b05d-bbe4697502c3" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OtherDebtMember_9a012f54-aa10-4b39-a171-0525dfa15865" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_SubsidiaryCreditFacilitiesMember_26fb9bf0-1045-4a93-9831-7f3c326961c6" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_SubsidiaryCreditFacilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1abfe12a-608c-4c4a-b05d-bbe4697502c3" xlink:to="loc_amcx_SubsidiaryCreditFacilitiesMember_26fb9bf0-1045-4a93-9831-7f3c326961c6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a2f2e5e1-abc6-4c4f-b8ce-d4f0550c5b7a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_865fbe18-5c15-492d-b625-9fc0db722f25" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a2f2e5e1-abc6-4c4f-b8ce-d4f0550c5b7a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a2f2e5e1-abc6-4c4f-b8ce-d4f0550c5b7a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a2f2e5e1-abc6-4c4f-b8ce-d4f0550c5b7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a2f2e5e1-abc6-4c4f-b8ce-d4f0550c5b7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_71c2e033-afc6-4f04-92fd-f5e11189a1cc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a2f2e5e1-abc6-4c4f-b8ce-d4f0550c5b7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_71c2e033-afc6-4f04-92fd-f5e11189a1cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_c66c9e26-ef93-4f23-9dad-22d931817a1f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_71c2e033-afc6-4f04-92fd-f5e11189a1cc" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_c66c9e26-ef93-4f23-9dad-22d931817a1f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_f80bf1c2-1147-4ecb-af20-55ec6332d9bc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_865fbe18-5c15-492d-b625-9fc0db722f25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_f80bf1c2-1147-4ecb-af20-55ec6332d9bc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_f80bf1c2-1147-4ecb-af20-55ec6332d9bc_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_f80bf1c2-1147-4ecb-af20-55ec6332d9bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_f80bf1c2-1147-4ecb-af20-55ec6332d9bc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_910d7067-8415-4b28-97e6-a53a70509698" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_f80bf1c2-1147-4ecb-af20-55ec6332d9bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_910d7067-8415-4b28-97e6-a53a70509698" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrimeRateMember_23d3e93e-a5d0-4376-9949-3cd1470a61a3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrimeRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_910d7067-8415-4b28-97e6-a53a70509698" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrimeRateMember_23d3e93e-a5d0-4376-9949-3cd1470a61a3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i350194e084de4e388f0116b4415228fc_LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_77c40a1f-9c53-4d85-bd2d-dcdae63802f8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_5bf92e97-7fe6-46fc-ab53-5fa3e641f9c9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_77c40a1f-9c53-4d85-bd2d-dcdae63802f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_5bf92e97-7fe6-46fc-ab53-5fa3e641f9c9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount_583cfbee-660f-46c7-9149-9c4a54ed03e8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_77c40a1f-9c53-4d85-bd2d-dcdae63802f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount_583cfbee-660f-46c7-9149-9c4a54ed03e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_4624869e-a89e-4a35-a1fa-f31be28921a1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_77c40a1f-9c53-4d85-bd2d-dcdae63802f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_4624869e-a89e-4a35-a1fa-f31be28921a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_f0275095-579e-4ee2-935b-9073aa795d54" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_77c40a1f-9c53-4d85-bd2d-dcdae63802f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_f0275095-579e-4ee2-935b-9073aa795d54" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e76cc8ac-55b8-40d2-95e8-167e3eed879d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_77c40a1f-9c53-4d85-bd2d-dcdae63802f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e76cc8ac-55b8-40d2-95e8-167e3eed879d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_4adaee7b-eea6-462a-aa01-b694f4713876" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e76cc8ac-55b8-40d2-95e8-167e3eed879d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_4adaee7b-eea6-462a-aa01-b694f4713876" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4adaee7b-eea6-462a-aa01-b694f4713876_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_4adaee7b-eea6-462a-aa01-b694f4713876" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4adaee7b-eea6-462a-aa01-b694f4713876_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a5a5721e-e8f9-45f4-8c41-91b96d2e46b9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_4adaee7b-eea6-462a-aa01-b694f4713876" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a5a5721e-e8f9-45f4-8c41-91b96d2e46b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesDue2022Member_9d5b23f3-ac16-493e-bf9f-6d882984ab3f" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_A475SeniorNotesDue2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a5a5721e-e8f9-45f4-8c41-91b96d2e46b9" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesDue2022Member_9d5b23f3-ac16-493e-bf9f-6d882984ab3f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_585bdfad-eb30-491e-adcc-c5a6ff7049f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e76cc8ac-55b8-40d2-95e8-167e3eed879d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_585bdfad-eb30-491e-adcc-c5a6ff7049f6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_585bdfad-eb30-491e-adcc-c5a6ff7049f6_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_585bdfad-eb30-491e-adcc-c5a6ff7049f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_585bdfad-eb30-491e-adcc-c5a6ff7049f6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8dc7ad21-7b63-454d-8139-30999e379286" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_585bdfad-eb30-491e-adcc-c5a6ff7049f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8dc7ad21-7b63-454d-8139-30999e379286" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_83089ef3-f3da-4bf7-95ab-d1a08eb4c474" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8dc7ad21-7b63-454d-8139-30999e379286" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_83089ef3-f3da-4bf7-95ab-d1a08eb4c474" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/Leases" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#Leases"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/Leases" xlink:type="extended" id="i27185971ffec45b2aa559293b88c5b8d_Leases"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LeasesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#LeasesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LeasesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i7b6cdba9d86b4561a6857d1c35afdef9_LeasesTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LeasesSummaryofLeaseAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#LeasesSummaryofLeaseAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LeasesSummaryofLeaseAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i34554a4de1364ccbbe6089e53b748f8e_LeasesSummaryofLeaseAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurement" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#FairValueMeasurement"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurement" xlink:type="extended" id="i03c39f35bd1e465684343a3c06ea848c_FairValueMeasurement"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#FairValueMeasurementTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i351527137778460e88d36a85893d46ef_FairValueMeasurementTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#FairValueMeasurementFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i8bf870b16104479f8a3c7a5960077f03_FairValueMeasurementFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_171d0bf4-9e56-46b8-be6c-873ec249b704" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_82abc8bc-f626-4081-9450-f4e742df63c5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_171d0bf4-9e56-46b8-be6c-873ec249b704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_82abc8bc-f626-4081-9450-f4e742df63c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_be1e688a-fa61-40e8-8d36-7beaf3e59ea6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_82abc8bc-f626-4081-9450-f4e742df63c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_be1e688a-fa61-40e8-8d36-7beaf3e59ea6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_a6700b23-36d2-425b-ad7b-f4d40a5c8e45" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_82abc8bc-f626-4081-9450-f4e742df63c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_a6700b23-36d2-425b-ad7b-f4d40a5c8e45" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure_f9265856-c2bd-4148-8e02-da2957ae7be6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_82abc8bc-f626-4081-9450-f4e742df63c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure_f9265856-c2bd-4148-8e02-da2957ae7be6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_7f18e498-fc9a-41f3-8f50-6578e132e431" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_171d0bf4-9e56-46b8-be6c-873ec249b704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_7f18e498-fc9a-41f3-8f50-6578e132e431" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure_e8d8097c-7a3c-4fd1-ac35-d232ae7dd695" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_7f18e498-fc9a-41f3-8f50-6578e132e431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure_e8d8097c-7a3c-4fd1-ac35-d232ae7dd695" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_818f8c05-9c37-4d4c-8391-cb1f3bcc1b39" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_171d0bf4-9e56-46b8-be6c-873ec249b704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_818f8c05-9c37-4d4c-8391-cb1f3bcc1b39" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_0f887bfc-0cf9-41a2-9bef-fd77774330b0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_818f8c05-9c37-4d4c-8391-cb1f3bcc1b39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_0f887bfc-0cf9-41a2-9bef-fd77774330b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0f887bfc-0cf9-41a2-9bef-fd77774330b0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_0f887bfc-0cf9-41a2-9bef-fd77774330b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0f887bfc-0cf9-41a2-9bef-fd77774330b0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_76ce1ed4-7130-486a-8d83-59e0ff96e433" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_0f887bfc-0cf9-41a2-9bef-fd77774330b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_76ce1ed4-7130-486a-8d83-59e0ff96e433" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_d28ac17a-1491-4761-9cef-7f48ea4303d5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_76ce1ed4-7130-486a-8d83-59e0ff96e433" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_d28ac17a-1491-4761-9cef-7f48ea4303d5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_77b41b41-aea7-4fff-bf9b-d4a23c84e275" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_76ce1ed4-7130-486a-8d83-59e0ff96e433" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_77b41b41-aea7-4fff-bf9b-d4a23c84e275" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_7bdcadf5-ccd4-4649-a159-e1bb6adc73f8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_76ce1ed4-7130-486a-8d83-59e0ff96e433" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_7bdcadf5-ccd4-4649-a159-e1bb6adc73f8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b066f0b6-cbaf-476c-9022-f6127845ac91" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_818f8c05-9c37-4d4c-8391-cb1f3bcc1b39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b066f0b6-cbaf-476c-9022-f6127845ac91" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_b066f0b6-cbaf-476c-9022-f6127845ac91_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b066f0b6-cbaf-476c-9022-f6127845ac91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_b066f0b6-cbaf-476c-9022-f6127845ac91_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2d5ae34a-3509-4933-b6bb-484f8c8feb33" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b066f0b6-cbaf-476c-9022-f6127845ac91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2d5ae34a-3509-4933-b6bb-484f8c8feb33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_315f569e-3b38-420c-96c7-f3215c368c25" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2d5ae34a-3509-4933-b6bb-484f8c8feb33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_315f569e-3b38-420c-96c7-f3215c368c25" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_ab1b32dd-e6c9-4032-8151-f8976f5e034e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2d5ae34a-3509-4933-b6bb-484f8c8feb33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_ab1b32dd-e6c9-4032-8151-f8976f5e034e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementCarryingValuesandFairValuesoftheCompanysFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#FairValueMeasurementCarryingValuesandFairValuesoftheCompanysFinancialInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementCarryingValuesandFairValuesoftheCompanysFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id60963c09d1f46ecac700f827f85b58e_FairValueMeasurementCarryingValuesandFairValuesoftheCompanysFinancialInstrumentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_a8cc3b91-ef66-420e-aac4-b8ce8a9ff609" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_2847d3fa-af38-4066-80e3-8e4aafaf470f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_a8cc3b91-ef66-420e-aac4-b8ce8a9ff609" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_2847d3fa-af38-4066-80e3-8e4aafaf470f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_14028bb5-f619-472c-982f-4460703f719d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_a8cc3b91-ef66-420e-aac4-b8ce8a9ff609" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_14028bb5-f619-472c-982f-4460703f719d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_bc2308b4-35c5-46e3-97bb-5bf408545cdc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_a8cc3b91-ef66-420e-aac4-b8ce8a9ff609" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_bc2308b4-35c5-46e3-97bb-5bf408545cdc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_013bc567-a0d1-4eed-b1d6-7468b8c31816" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_bc2308b4-35c5-46e3-97bb-5bf408545cdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_013bc567-a0d1-4eed-b1d6-7468b8c31816" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_013bc567-a0d1-4eed-b1d6-7468b8c31816_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_013bc567-a0d1-4eed-b1d6-7468b8c31816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_013bc567-a0d1-4eed-b1d6-7468b8c31816_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_a2eff792-6d34-4af9-866a-d98c34472eb1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_013bc567-a0d1-4eed-b1d6-7468b8c31816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_a2eff792-6d34-4af9-866a-d98c34472eb1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_bda56ead-105c-4c2a-8b5e-6657c743696e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_a2eff792-6d34-4af9-866a-d98c34472eb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_bda56ead-105c-4c2a-8b5e-6657c743696e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_779ced7b-5590-4b97-a040-fe59cb8cb643" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_a2eff792-6d34-4af9-866a-d98c34472eb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_779ced7b-5590-4b97-a040-fe59cb8cb643" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_621b18c4-9cbc-426f-a033-7a6f4685f409" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_a2eff792-6d34-4af9-866a-d98c34472eb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_621b18c4-9cbc-426f-a033-7a6f4685f409" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bc7bc387-9db3-4301-88ea-1b05a6436802" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_bc2308b4-35c5-46e3-97bb-5bf408545cdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bc7bc387-9db3-4301-88ea-1b05a6436802" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_bc7bc387-9db3-4301-88ea-1b05a6436802_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bc7bc387-9db3-4301-88ea-1b05a6436802" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_bc7bc387-9db3-4301-88ea-1b05a6436802_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_db5b7850-af56-4fa9-ba92-6ce49b13952f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bc7bc387-9db3-4301-88ea-1b05a6436802" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_db5b7850-af56-4fa9-ba92-6ce49b13952f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_TermAFacilityMember_f08366cc-bf88-4c55-a14a-543fd28d0deb" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_TermAFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_db5b7850-af56-4fa9-ba92-6ce49b13952f" xlink:to="loc_amcx_TermAFacilityMember_f08366cc-bf88-4c55-a14a-543fd28d0deb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A4.75SeniorNotesDue2025Member_35d814f1-4b07-4e1f-8429-fe9eeeb736e3" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_A4.75SeniorNotesDue2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_db5b7850-af56-4fa9-ba92-6ce49b13952f" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A4.75SeniorNotesDue2025Member_35d814f1-4b07-4e1f-8429-fe9eeeb736e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A5.00SeniorNotesMember_0933fe22-173a-477a-9231-6602f9bc093e" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_A5.00SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_db5b7850-af56-4fa9-ba92-6ce49b13952f" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A5.00SeniorNotesMember_0933fe22-173a-477a-9231-6602f9bc093e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesMember_6548e8df-14cb-41b7-b5ca-3847ceaed9b2" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_A475SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_db5b7850-af56-4fa9-ba92-6ce49b13952f" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesMember_6548e8df-14cb-41b7-b5ca-3847ceaed9b2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OtherDebtMember_aa6d4180-b31b-4a03-9712-0223550da7ec" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_OtherDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_db5b7850-af56-4fa9-ba92-6ce49b13952f" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OtherDebtMember_aa6d4180-b31b-4a03-9712-0223550da7ec" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstruments"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="extended" id="i05bd8bd7070740b396171c59fe306e50_DerivativeFinancialInstruments"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i2fa2368deb554840ab38ff055dece5a2_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i3e2ba8fca4b14ddeaaf69228538590dd_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_cbf89a37-c599-4fa8-af21-468bd1717515" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_904b50fa-3edc-4e59-95c0-bbeac71ef99a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_cbf89a37-c599-4fa8-af21-468bd1717515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_904b50fa-3edc-4e59-95c0-bbeac71ef99a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_a0f2e341-7226-44a7-91da-1ded0731b1aa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_cbf89a37-c599-4fa8-af21-468bd1717515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_a0f2e341-7226-44a7-91da-1ded0731b1aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_03771132-5fe9-40e3-b577-154d77e6ce31" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_a0f2e341-7226-44a7-91da-1ded0731b1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_03771132-5fe9-40e3-b577-154d77e6ce31" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_03771132-5fe9-40e3-b577-154d77e6ce31_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_03771132-5fe9-40e3-b577-154d77e6ce31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_03771132-5fe9-40e3-b577-154d77e6ce31_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e69fc70c-be63-4be7-b16a-4dfa4ab0141a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_03771132-5fe9-40e3-b577-154d77e6ce31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e69fc70c-be63-4be7-b16a-4dfa4ab0141a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_f5497f43-d2c4-4aba-bcdb-f7c43bd5e9c9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e69fc70c-be63-4be7-b16a-4dfa4ab0141a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_f5497f43-d2c4-4aba-bcdb-f7c43bd5e9c9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinBalanceSheetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinBalanceSheetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinBalanceSheetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0165bcfafe684108ab28bb366b47ea50_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinBalanceSheetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_43847dcd-2837-44be-9a7e-ed423e2401b0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SummaryOfDerivativeInstrumentsByHedgeDesignationAbstract_163244f7-165e-429c-a865-b6d76802a4d0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SummaryOfDerivativeInstrumentsByHedgeDesignationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_43847dcd-2837-44be-9a7e-ed423e2401b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SummaryOfDerivativeInstrumentsByHedgeDesignationAbstract_163244f7-165e-429c-a865-b6d76802a4d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateFairValueHedgeAssetAtFairValue_79f91f37-1437-4d48-803f-4f13a150b40c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateFairValueHedgeAssetAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SummaryOfDerivativeInstrumentsByHedgeDesignationAbstract_163244f7-165e-429c-a865-b6d76802a4d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateFairValueHedgeAssetAtFairValue_79f91f37-1437-4d48-803f-4f13a150b40c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract_061d2f94-0e94-47de-9a7d-6fb84b72d0ab" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_43847dcd-2837-44be-9a7e-ed423e2401b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract_061d2f94-0e94-47de-9a7d-6fb84b72d0ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue_82257d79-e81a-4ac7-86af-827f16358279" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract_061d2f94-0e94-47de-9a7d-6fb84b72d0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue_82257d79-e81a-4ac7-86af-827f16358279" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue_6ee1a719-f061-41d9-b841-0c470b1ab329" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract_061d2f94-0e94-47de-9a7d-6fb84b72d0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue_6ee1a719-f061-41d9-b841-0c470b1ab329" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_b179ffb8-55e6-4895-b8b5-3959e40e3d81" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_43847dcd-2837-44be-9a7e-ed423e2401b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_b179ffb8-55e6-4895-b8b5-3959e40e3d81" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_a84ce6a7-ff3f-4478-99fc-4f956c27b765" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_b179ffb8-55e6-4895-b8b5-3959e40e3d81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_a84ce6a7-ff3f-4478-99fc-4f956c27b765" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_a84ce6a7-ff3f-4478-99fc-4f956c27b765_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_a84ce6a7-ff3f-4478-99fc-4f956c27b765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_a84ce6a7-ff3f-4478-99fc-4f956c27b765_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_4724648b-325e-4827-a777-0957c9c209d8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_a84ce6a7-ff3f-4478-99fc-4f956c27b765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_4724648b-325e-4827-a777-0957c9c209d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_7c79d61a-5889-4f07-81f5-bd16042ca576" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_4724648b-325e-4827-a777-0957c9c209d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_7c79d61a-5889-4f07-81f5-bd16042ca576" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_71c224ae-d992-4905-9e4c-d3c44cc36908" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_4724648b-325e-4827-a777-0957c9c209d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_71c224ae-d992-4905-9e4c-d3c44cc36908" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_3fd75692-e601-439a-aba3-dc73312316e8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_b179ffb8-55e6-4895-b8b5-3959e40e3d81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_3fd75692-e601-439a-aba3-dc73312316e8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_3fd75692-e601-439a-aba3-dc73312316e8_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_3fd75692-e601-439a-aba3-dc73312316e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_3fd75692-e601-439a-aba3-dc73312316e8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_bc1c1ef2-653f-4977-8914-44d3e08db781" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_3fd75692-e601-439a-aba3-dc73312316e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_bc1c1ef2-653f-4977-8914-44d3e08db781" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_f38b6026-9b70-4e36-8ea6-9ee2b99685d4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_bc1c1ef2-653f-4977-8914-44d3e08db781" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_f38b6026-9b70-4e36-8ea6-9ee2b99685d4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_39fe5768-f12c-4401-835b-64ef5306d3b4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_bc1c1ef2-653f-4977-8914-44d3e08db781" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_39fe5768-f12c-4401-835b-64ef5306d3b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_908a092b-45b3-4b28-bb38-0eba94aad56e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_b179ffb8-55e6-4895-b8b5-3959e40e3d81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_908a092b-45b3-4b28-bb38-0eba94aad56e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_908a092b-45b3-4b28-bb38-0eba94aad56e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_908a092b-45b3-4b28-bb38-0eba94aad56e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_908a092b-45b3-4b28-bb38-0eba94aad56e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fa09f922-0372-4051-8922-ec0cdd51fd7b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_908a092b-45b3-4b28-bb38-0eba94aad56e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fa09f922-0372-4051-8922-ec0cdd51fd7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_961179df-dd95-4487-bad6-401624f30206" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fa09f922-0372-4051-8922-ec0cdd51fd7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_961179df-dd95-4487-bad6-401624f30206" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember_bfbbc5b2-a7ac-4896-a5d8-57775676a93d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fa09f922-0372-4051-8922-ec0cdd51fd7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember_bfbbc5b2-a7ac-4896-a5d8-57775676a93d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember_620a2ebe-7ddd-48bd-8617-40232f0fbb1b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fa09f922-0372-4051-8922-ec0cdd51fd7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember_620a2ebe-7ddd-48bd-8617-40232f0fbb1b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember_90931cad-56e6-4169-966a-9ff7d17ce65b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fa09f922-0372-4051-8922-ec0cdd51fd7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember_90931cad-56e6-4169-966a-9ff7d17ce65b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofGainsandLossesRelatedtoDerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofGainsandLossesRelatedtoDerivativeInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofGainsandLossesRelatedtoDerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iaf2b84f888a04459be774814b51c45fe_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofGainsandLossesRelatedtoDerivativeInstrumentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_9840526e-6765-44a1-94e5-1d042dda10f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax_04f33096-ffe3-4aae-b9eb-542c1e46409b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_9840526e-6765-44a1-94e5-1d042dda10f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax_04f33096-ffe3-4aae-b9eb-542c1e46409b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_12434e01-66eb-4113-839b-fbc5e87f0002" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_9840526e-6765-44a1-94e5-1d042dda10f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_12434e01-66eb-4113-839b-fbc5e87f0002" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_377a864e-95e0-49c7-bfb1-871e2183c16c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_9840526e-6765-44a1-94e5-1d042dda10f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_377a864e-95e0-49c7-bfb1-871e2183c16c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_cee2c98a-687a-42e9-ba43-ca1953a797ba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_377a864e-95e0-49c7-bfb1-871e2183c16c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_cee2c98a-687a-42e9-ba43-ca1953a797ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_cee2c98a-687a-42e9-ba43-ca1953a797ba_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_cee2c98a-687a-42e9-ba43-ca1953a797ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_cee2c98a-687a-42e9-ba43-ca1953a797ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_72f0e34e-5280-4608-81d3-9bf83e3eb496" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_cee2c98a-687a-42e9-ba43-ca1953a797ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_72f0e34e-5280-4608-81d3-9bf83e3eb496" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_183e865d-3f29-4574-bb02-df890f1a3073" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_72f0e34e-5280-4608-81d3-9bf83e3eb496" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_183e865d-3f29-4574-bb02-df890f1a3073" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_29648265-6e76-4ee7-a89a-ae116698f44f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_377a864e-95e0-49c7-bfb1-871e2183c16c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_29648265-6e76-4ee7-a89a-ae116698f44f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_29648265-6e76-4ee7-a89a-ae116698f44f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_29648265-6e76-4ee7-a89a-ae116698f44f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_29648265-6e76-4ee7-a89a-ae116698f44f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_13213b1e-c97a-4f1e-901b-a6429ba246bc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_29648265-6e76-4ee7-a89a-ae116698f44f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_13213b1e-c97a-4f1e-901b-a6429ba246bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_29d2e996-08c9-432f-8a57-e68f54abd3f8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_13213b1e-c97a-4f1e-901b-a6429ba246bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_29d2e996-08c9-432f-8a57-e68f54abd3f8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_5ed515b4-bee2-43b0-8186-d124d676d0d0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_377a864e-95e0-49c7-bfb1-871e2183c16c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_5ed515b4-bee2-43b0-8186-d124d676d0d0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_5ed515b4-bee2-43b0-8186-d124d676d0d0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_5ed515b4-bee2-43b0-8186-d124d676d0d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_5ed515b4-bee2-43b0-8186-d124d676d0d0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_9158fa2a-860f-4607-b5c1-47b5dc261ef5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_5ed515b4-bee2-43b0-8186-d124d676d0d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_9158fa2a-860f-4607-b5c1-47b5dc261ef5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember_c19870d2-4e1d-4852-b2df-0d76883db1df" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_9158fa2a-860f-4607-b5c1-47b5dc261ef5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember_c19870d2-4e1d-4852-b2df-0d76883db1df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofOtherDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofOtherDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofOtherDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if4e0f14f83bb44958898636e54baf9b5_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofOtherDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_b23ce7a5-9e21-4050-8e41-dec5df08baa7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_36391039-4226-4b92-8dff-58bfd506d54b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_b23ce7a5-9e21-4050-8e41-dec5df08baa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_36391039-4226-4b92-8dff-58bfd506d54b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_a6833a09-4294-484b-8b3c-cf0d25b559d2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_b23ce7a5-9e21-4050-8e41-dec5df08baa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_a6833a09-4294-484b-8b3c-cf0d25b559d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_83d259a9-1586-44af-a138-0005d968c255" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_a6833a09-4294-484b-8b3c-cf0d25b559d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_83d259a9-1586-44af-a138-0005d968c255" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_83d259a9-1586-44af-a138-0005d968c255_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_83d259a9-1586-44af-a138-0005d968c255" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_83d259a9-1586-44af-a138-0005d968c255_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_542ea651-fc41-4bff-8f54-28b6af8b1a0b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_83d259a9-1586-44af-a138-0005d968c255" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_542ea651-fc41-4bff-8f54-28b6af8b1a0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_602e64e6-35db-4ffc-ad3c-565bc74f0ad3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_542ea651-fc41-4bff-8f54-28b6af8b1a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_602e64e6-35db-4ffc-ad3c-565bc74f0ad3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_47dc7510-5ab1-48a2-8e60-e0fabdafe4f4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_a6833a09-4294-484b-8b3c-cf0d25b559d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_47dc7510-5ab1-48a2-8e60-e0fabdafe4f4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_47dc7510-5ab1-48a2-8e60-e0fabdafe4f4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_47dc7510-5ab1-48a2-8e60-e0fabdafe4f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_47dc7510-5ab1-48a2-8e60-e0fabdafe4f4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_a6244586-8062-495e-adba-a3ff86c115ed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_47dc7510-5ab1-48a2-8e60-e0fabdafe4f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_a6244586-8062-495e-adba-a3ff86c115ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember_ab07dd4c-1be4-4ad2-8566-9215aa8c1cdc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_a6244586-8062-495e-adba-a3ff86c115ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember_ab07dd4c-1be4-4ad2-8566-9215aa8c1cdc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" id="i9eb42d66728b4742b62eb38f858a7c93_IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1715cf1040fb462dad357fca95aa06c8_IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CommitmentsandContingencies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="extended" id="i4b10f5b4089147a2a29f1eba5de78843_CommitmentsandContingencies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1988b9a163aa43cd8bd82220b279aa4f_CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_951b7123-3cf9-4a2f-8423-9b02ef445eeb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_IncreaseDecreaseInContractualObligationsNotReflectedInBalanceSheet_0fc0f1a4-d0ec-4921-bb73-1c552b960566" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_IncreaseDecreaseInContractualObligationsNotReflectedInBalanceSheet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_951b7123-3cf9-4a2f-8423-9b02ef445eeb" xlink:to="loc_amcx_IncreaseDecreaseInContractualObligationsNotReflectedInBalanceSheet_0fc0f1a4-d0ec-4921-bb73-1c552b960566" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractualObligation_c4b1c287-2c9c-432c-a087-96b064bc047a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractualObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_951b7123-3cf9-4a2f-8423-9b02ef445eeb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractualObligation_c4b1c287-2c9c-432c-a087-96b064bc047a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_746d4a5e-a19a-4af2-908b-00983a817d92" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_951b7123-3cf9-4a2f-8423-9b02ef445eeb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_746d4a5e-a19a-4af2-908b-00983a817d92" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_e39a7313-b485-4198-9e0e-301af3ab7777" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_951b7123-3cf9-4a2f-8423-9b02ef445eeb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_e39a7313-b485-4198-9e0e-301af3ab7777" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_0ce5898e-2ffd-4c20-968f-61d2a8956de2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_e39a7313-b485-4198-9e0e-301af3ab7777" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_0ce5898e-2ffd-4c20-968f-61d2a8956de2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_0ce5898e-2ffd-4c20-968f-61d2a8956de2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_0ce5898e-2ffd-4c20-968f-61d2a8956de2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_0ce5898e-2ffd-4c20-968f-61d2a8956de2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_152b70c8-a10c-4e7e-80c3-2e38a34f3cc6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_0ce5898e-2ffd-4c20-968f-61d2a8956de2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_152b70c8-a10c-4e7e-80c3-2e38a34f3cc6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ThreatenedLitigationMember_95fa9600-db72-49c9-b990-868494a661da" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ThreatenedLitigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_152b70c8-a10c-4e7e-80c3-2e38a34f3cc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ThreatenedLitigationMember_95fa9600-db72-49c9-b990-868494a661da" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_057e0cac-43bf-44d6-b186-5a8d348c2adb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_e39a7313-b485-4198-9e0e-301af3ab7777" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_057e0cac-43bf-44d6-b186-5a8d348c2adb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_057e0cac-43bf-44d6-b186-5a8d348c2adb_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_057e0cac-43bf-44d6-b186-5a8d348c2adb" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_057e0cac-43bf-44d6-b186-5a8d348c2adb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_74910291-e6a5-4f40-92fc-cc0b690ebff9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_057e0cac-43bf-44d6-b186-5a8d348c2adb" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_74910291-e6a5-4f40-92fc-cc0b690ebff9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_248af86f-26ee-4fe1-bf25-68e6db5aaf29" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_74910291-e6a5-4f40-92fc-cc0b690ebff9" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_248af86f-26ee-4fe1-bf25-68e6db5aaf29" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/EquityPlans" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#EquityPlans"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/EquityPlans" xlink:type="extended" id="i598c9ad5db284703905afa7c19bc5500_EquityPlans"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/EquityPlansNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#EquityPlansNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/EquityPlansNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id5bad34724c04ba798fdee88eb4a64d3_EquityPlansNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_a2a343c6-8e37-41f6-b95d-50b65908a1e8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_a2a343c6-8e37-41f6-b95d-50b65908a1e8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_d8cf730a-9ec5-44f2-a25d-86002d4f2c26" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_d8cf730a-9ec5-44f2-a25d-86002d4f2c26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_364e5bb0-6167-482a-89d1-e2cf15cd68ea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_364e5bb0-6167-482a-89d1-e2cf15cd68ea" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_f33ee1c9-9ae4-4504-bc51-269efff721c0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_f33ee1c9-9ae4-4504-bc51-269efff721c0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_46df281d-8e65-48c9-a199-aab82acd211c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_46df281d-8e65-48c9-a199-aab82acd211c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfOtherEquity_6949b2b7-21c7-470d-9b6e-64bfc9dae0d1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfOtherEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfOtherEquity_6949b2b7-21c7-470d-9b6e-64bfc9dae0d1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_53f227cb-55d5-461d-8fef-f43b25e45846" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_53f227cb-55d5-461d-8fef-f43b25e45846" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_17fd0d30-8a71-412a-a28e-0be3fbd85f74" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_17fd0d30-8a71-412a-a28e-0be3fbd85f74" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_ca9cf0e2-2472-4b8e-9cf4-1377ced32f61" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_ca9cf0e2-2472-4b8e-9cf4-1377ced32f61" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_82092871-154e-4696-8ee6-709d2db7755a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3321314a-5354-420e-b7ba-b9ec45d72ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_82092871-154e-4696-8ee6-709d2db7755a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_31f79682-ea14-4de5-ab6f-cdabb2f2fe9c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_82092871-154e-4696-8ee6-709d2db7755a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_31f79682-ea14-4de5-ab6f-cdabb2f2fe9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_31f79682-ea14-4de5-ab6f-cdabb2f2fe9c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_31f79682-ea14-4de5-ab6f-cdabb2f2fe9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_31f79682-ea14-4de5-ab6f-cdabb2f2fe9c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_cf799440-8740-4648-a8a9-3392c88ad62b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_31f79682-ea14-4de5-ab6f-cdabb2f2fe9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_cf799440-8740-4648-a8a9-3392c88ad62b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_38bd42f6-0239-4031-a605-211325d826be" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_cf799440-8740-4648-a8a9-3392c88ad62b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_38bd42f6-0239-4031-a605-211325d826be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_e70e24be-bcc9-4ccd-8ef5-c239ba92bda0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_82092871-154e-4696-8ee6-709d2db7755a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_e70e24be-bcc9-4ccd-8ef5-c239ba92bda0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_e70e24be-bcc9-4ccd-8ef5-c239ba92bda0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_e70e24be-bcc9-4ccd-8ef5-c239ba92bda0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_e70e24be-bcc9-4ccd-8ef5-c239ba92bda0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_bff1607c-be4f-41d1-89df-7027c15c3000" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_e70e24be-bcc9-4ccd-8ef5-c239ba92bda0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_bff1607c-be4f-41d1-89df-7027c15c3000" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A2016EmployeeStockPlanMember_f8c2e86a-991a-49cd-a975-86b90df75f58" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_A2016EmployeeStockPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_bff1607c-be4f-41d1-89df-7027c15c3000" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A2016EmployeeStockPlanMember_f8c2e86a-991a-49cd-a975-86b90df75f58" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A2011StockPlanforNonEmployeeDirectorsMember_4b825499-19c7-4eb8-8824-5c93924d7bd3" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_A2011StockPlanforNonEmployeeDirectorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_bff1607c-be4f-41d1-89df-7027c15c3000" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A2011StockPlanforNonEmployeeDirectorsMember_4b825499-19c7-4eb8-8824-5c93924d7bd3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6226e67d-1bbb-4340-80b2-62e2c559373d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_82092871-154e-4696-8ee6-709d2db7755a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6226e67d-1bbb-4340-80b2-62e2c559373d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6226e67d-1bbb-4340-80b2-62e2c559373d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6226e67d-1bbb-4340-80b2-62e2c559373d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6226e67d-1bbb-4340-80b2-62e2c559373d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_acc75deb-80c8-49bd-a502-d25988287be7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6226e67d-1bbb-4340-80b2-62e2c559373d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_acc75deb-80c8-49bd-a502-d25988287be7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_d43747e5-073c-4c76-9624-92156e1decc7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_acc75deb-80c8-49bd-a502-d25988287be7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_d43747e5-073c-4c76-9624-92156e1decc7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_560ece72-7641-43cd-80d8-18e7cdbc8bb7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_acc75deb-80c8-49bd-a502-d25988287be7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_560ece72-7641-43cd-80d8-18e7cdbc8bb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5f92f072-7171-45de-87ae-9968918f1a15" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_82092871-154e-4696-8ee6-709d2db7755a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5f92f072-7171-45de-87ae-9968918f1a15" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5f92f072-7171-45de-87ae-9968918f1a15_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5f92f072-7171-45de-87ae-9968918f1a15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5f92f072-7171-45de-87ae-9968918f1a15_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_ef2c6615-cd1d-4745-8680-27550dbe5f80" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5f92f072-7171-45de-87ae-9968918f1a15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_ef2c6615-cd1d-4745-8680-27550dbe5f80" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_674a0467-eea2-4c48-af2e-20f88759e55f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_ef2c6615-cd1d-4745-8680-27550dbe5f80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_674a0467-eea2-4c48-af2e-20f88759e55f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterests" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RedeemableNoncontrollingInterests"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterests" xlink:type="extended" id="i959c33dc99e44287900691a91c87388d_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterests"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ia1b9ae98d1f043189d5a869ffdd1a4c8_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icc003c532bf0435b8983a5f3b023faec_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsActivityDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactions"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:type="extended" id="i574f9cc344ad497ea9464926fd00f043_RelatedPartyTransactions"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iaac16c67cb8b4610955f711c1ebd9ce2_RelatedPartyTransactionsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CashFlows" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CashFlows"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CashFlows" xlink:type="extended" id="ibee759b7fe3a496bb5950f98bd12d35b_CashFlows"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CashFlowsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CashFlowsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CashFlowsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i477e77cd77b34aa6ae1db850cb61eb26_CashFlowsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CashFlowsSummaryofNonCashActivitiesandOtherSupplementalDataDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#CashFlowsSummaryofNonCashActivitiesandOtherSupplementalDataDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CashFlowsSummaryofNonCashActivitiesandOtherSupplementalDataDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i20952e056bc340419bf77c22283df4f6_CashFlowsSummaryofNonCashActivitiesandOtherSupplementalDataDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#SegmentInformation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformation" xlink:type="extended" id="i7b069acdd4d043ef9a2b1c30668a3753_SegmentInformation"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#SegmentInformationTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i61e8ba74a25b4c2ebdf9e15512bd8835_SegmentInformationTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#SegmentInformationNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4391004280db44bb87247594153ea876_SegmentInformationNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofContinuingOperationsbyReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#SegmentInformationSummaryofContinuingOperationsbyReportableSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofContinuingOperationsbyReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iaf3c3eda9f774c76aedb4a78beafeb64_SegmentInformationSummaryofContinuingOperationsbyReportableSegmentDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_48f5e967-52e5-47fb-aa00-a0a2d116f2f8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_48f5e967-52e5-47fb-aa00-a0a2d116f2f8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_0e99cbe1-7aa5-4126-92e5-dfd8e7573023" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_0e99cbe1-7aa5-4126-92e5-dfd8e7573023" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_90057ac1-d3fb-4240-b522-90e3e2e66d0d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_90057ac1-d3fb-4240-b522-90e3e2e66d0d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_90b99272-b8de-47fc-bd1e-4e99b4f8830d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_90b99272-b8de-47fc-bd1e-4e99b4f8830d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_c549806b-76a5-4493-be0a-a789a6f99b5e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_c549806b-76a5-4493-be0a-a789a6f99b5e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_3d7191ce-7b6a-47ef-aa73-34d5aaff66b8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_3d7191ce-7b6a-47ef-aa73-34d5aaff66b8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_EquityInvesteesAdjustedOperatingIncome_4c2c3640-f7f1-46e8-8521-5ef98bfe50b4" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_EquityInvesteesAdjustedOperatingIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:to="loc_amcx_EquityInvesteesAdjustedOperatingIncome_4c2c3640-f7f1-46e8-8521-5ef98bfe50b4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedOperatingIncome_b773ebff-ed51-4753-997a-de52d804961f" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedOperatingIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:to="loc_amcx_SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedOperatingIncome_b773ebff-ed51-4753-997a-de52d804961f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_8c73f485-f56f-4e93-aa30-da4e89a066ec" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0ebc3804-f452-4739-87eb-26df91991e83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_8c73f485-f56f-4e93-aa30-da4e89a066ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ea1ed018-d5ed-4424-a0be-dc737ae8fe57" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_8c73f485-f56f-4e93-aa30-da4e89a066ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ea1ed018-d5ed-4424-a0be-dc737ae8fe57" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ea1ed018-d5ed-4424-a0be-dc737ae8fe57_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ea1ed018-d5ed-4424-a0be-dc737ae8fe57" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ea1ed018-d5ed-4424-a0be-dc737ae8fe57_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_92b82a53-79ed-488f-b7c1-26dcb229de73" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ea1ed018-d5ed-4424-a0be-dc737ae8fe57" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_92b82a53-79ed-488f-b7c1-26dcb229de73" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdvertisingMember_df4e8466-eee7-4238-a3c4-2afb82d53b4f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdvertisingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_92b82a53-79ed-488f-b7c1-26dcb229de73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdvertisingMember_df4e8466-eee7-4238-a3c4-2afb82d53b4f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EntertainmentMember_3a19fbaa-96da-49f6-bc3e-62da2822cf21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EntertainmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_92b82a53-79ed-488f-b7c1-26dcb229de73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EntertainmentMember_3a19fbaa-96da-49f6-bc3e-62da2822cf21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_212b29aa-e8b1-4291-95cb-a3299efa3bdd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_8c73f485-f56f-4e93-aa30-da4e89a066ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_212b29aa-e8b1-4291-95cb-a3299efa3bdd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_212b29aa-e8b1-4291-95cb-a3299efa3bdd_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_212b29aa-e8b1-4291-95cb-a3299efa3bdd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_212b29aa-e8b1-4291-95cb-a3299efa3bdd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_80493d5c-587a-4724-b0d5-ffba99c0186c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_212b29aa-e8b1-4291-95cb-a3299efa3bdd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_80493d5c-587a-4724-b0d5-ffba99c0186c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_489b7f27-ba83-459c-951a-18a1dfa38e9c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_80493d5c-587a-4724-b0d5-ffba99c0186c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_489b7f27-ba83-459c-951a-18a1dfa38e9c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_885bc9d5-aaf5-4f3e-96eb-26c885b8a999" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_80493d5c-587a-4724-b0d5-ffba99c0186c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_885bc9d5-aaf5-4f3e-96eb-26c885b8a999" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_cc531d13-c58f-4449-a8f7-b12eb52eb154" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_8c73f485-f56f-4e93-aa30-da4e89a066ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_cc531d13-c58f-4449-a8f7-b12eb52eb154" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_cc531d13-c58f-4449-a8f7-b12eb52eb154_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_cc531d13-c58f-4449-a8f7-b12eb52eb154" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_cc531d13-c58f-4449-a8f7-b12eb52eb154_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b0ea422e-943c-4bf3-87dc-b6dcead627cc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_cc531d13-c58f-4449-a8f7-b12eb52eb154" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b0ea422e-943c-4bf3-87dc-b6dcead627cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_12759a89-bd66-44a8-b1d7-3981a1b11821" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_NationalNetworksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b0ea422e-943c-4bf3-87dc-b6dcead627cc" xlink:to="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_12759a89-bd66-44a8-b1d7-3981a1b11821" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_35b2e973-933b-400b-96ba-4b13c6b6153f" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b0ea422e-943c-4bf3-87dc-b6dcead627cc" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_35b2e973-933b-400b-96ba-4b13c6b6153f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofInterSegmentEliminationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#SegmentInformationSummaryofInterSegmentEliminationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofInterSegmentEliminationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6ecea81283ad4e56b7f913709c743969_SegmentInformationSummaryofInterSegmentEliminationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_02e8ecf9-187c-48ea-be4d-b9f87e7d2a37" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e96552df-137f-477b-a76f-8cd55200e6ef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_02e8ecf9-187c-48ea-be4d-b9f87e7d2a37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e96552df-137f-477b-a76f-8cd55200e6ef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ed304729-eb60-4cf8-8f6e-445c07dae4e5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_02e8ecf9-187c-48ea-be4d-b9f87e7d2a37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ed304729-eb60-4cf8-8f6e-445c07dae4e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_32df1767-f675-4ad0-be8f-c8ae4d1d7c21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ed304729-eb60-4cf8-8f6e-445c07dae4e5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_32df1767-f675-4ad0-be8f-c8ae4d1d7c21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_32df1767-f675-4ad0-be8f-c8ae4d1d7c21_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_32df1767-f675-4ad0-be8f-c8ae4d1d7c21" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_32df1767-f675-4ad0-be8f-c8ae4d1d7c21_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_61cfe0ac-0a56-49e4-acf6-ea8790f3b87f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_32df1767-f675-4ad0-be8f-c8ae4d1d7c21" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_61cfe0ac-0a56-49e4-acf6-ea8790f3b87f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_d24c0bda-5c74-4759-aeb3-458e1ee3cf92" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_61cfe0ac-0a56-49e4-acf6-ea8790f3b87f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_d24c0bda-5c74-4759-aeb3-458e1ee3cf92" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7ce3653c-b398-447f-a21a-cc61a289e1a4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ed304729-eb60-4cf8-8f6e-445c07dae4e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7ce3653c-b398-447f-a21a-cc61a289e1a4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ce3653c-b398-447f-a21a-cc61a289e1a4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7ce3653c-b398-447f-a21a-cc61a289e1a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ce3653c-b398-447f-a21a-cc61a289e1a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9dc4a8e1-5c86-4a34-a1ac-e08dbd01e376" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7ce3653c-b398-447f-a21a-cc61a289e1a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9dc4a8e1-5c86-4a34-a1ac-e08dbd01e376" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_4baa4e4f-8800-437e-80a5-6741e100e25b" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_NationalNetworksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9dc4a8e1-5c86-4a34-a1ac-e08dbd01e376" xlink:to="loc_amcx_NationalNetworksMember_4baa4e4f-8800-437e-80a5-6741e100e25b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_408fd4a8-2af6-4dd4-bbbf-1dc2a92d0ed2" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9dc4a8e1-5c86-4a34-a1ac-e08dbd01e376" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_408fd4a8-2af6-4dd4-bbbf-1dc2a92d0ed2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationRevenuesbygeographicregionDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#SegmentInformationRevenuesbygeographicregionDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationRevenuesbygeographicregionDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i34b2e9a20b384e6fbeaeec646382b8b8_SegmentInformationRevenuesbygeographicregionDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7500534c-b705-42c1-a213-8054ec75a87b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_457331d5-b754-494b-b200-a84d0a8b0ca0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7500534c-b705-42c1-a213-8054ec75a87b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_457331d5-b754-494b-b200-a84d0a8b0ca0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ebd4095b-5491-4cbc-a7a5-e059529520c3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7500534c-b705-42c1-a213-8054ec75a87b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ebd4095b-5491-4cbc-a7a5-e059529520c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_490c88a5-9f89-41ff-b198-62e483e7ecc2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ebd4095b-5491-4cbc-a7a5-e059529520c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_490c88a5-9f89-41ff-b198-62e483e7ecc2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_490c88a5-9f89-41ff-b198-62e483e7ecc2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_490c88a5-9f89-41ff-b198-62e483e7ecc2" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_490c88a5-9f89-41ff-b198-62e483e7ecc2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_39a4eed8-3f2c-48db-8d19-336872260953" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_490c88a5-9f89-41ff-b198-62e483e7ecc2" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_39a4eed8-3f2c-48db-8d19-336872260953" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NorthAmericaMember_ea099efc-6ecd-445b-bdbc-348eb6aae88c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_NorthAmericaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_39a4eed8-3f2c-48db-8d19-336872260953" xlink:to="loc_srt_NorthAmericaMember_ea099efc-6ecd-445b-bdbc-348eb6aae88c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_0eac390a-8537-4a1d-9730-e4a70ebcda79" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_39a4eed8-3f2c-48db-8d19-336872260953" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_0eac390a-8537-4a1d-9730-e4a70ebcda79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember_71bd1ef7-46a6-4bf1-91ea-b822b9189e0a" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_39a4eed8-3f2c-48db-8d19-336872260953" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember_71bd1ef7-46a6-4bf1-91ea-b822b9189e0a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicLocationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#SegmentInformationLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicLocationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicLocationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6e5df58cf78e46928cb44850b2e92846_SegmentInformationLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicLocationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_077158fe-29e6-4881-a575-2bbfabe9016b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_31642263-6c43-49f4-bd97-d91899ea7533" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_077158fe-29e6-4881-a575-2bbfabe9016b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_31642263-6c43-49f4-bd97-d91899ea7533" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_57be40bd-a67f-442b-a442-b16a4385871b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_077158fe-29e6-4881-a575-2bbfabe9016b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_57be40bd-a67f-442b-a442-b16a4385871b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_c1ba22ef-812a-4c7d-af16-2f125876575a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_57be40bd-a67f-442b-a442-b16a4385871b" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_c1ba22ef-812a-4c7d-af16-2f125876575a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_c1ba22ef-812a-4c7d-af16-2f125876575a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_c1ba22ef-812a-4c7d-af16-2f125876575a" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_c1ba22ef-812a-4c7d-af16-2f125876575a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0d2ca25b-7daa-4deb-b9a3-287e6b1ab1b1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_c1ba22ef-812a-4c7d-af16-2f125876575a" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0d2ca25b-7daa-4deb-b9a3-287e6b1ab1b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NorthAmericaMember_c3e1ca3a-f756-4fb6-b4a3-e3736f238cd8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_NorthAmericaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0d2ca25b-7daa-4deb-b9a3-287e6b1ab1b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_NorthAmericaMember_c3e1ca3a-f756-4fb6-b4a3-e3736f238cd8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_9c7ea11a-4c6b-4bc6-b2fc-6a3446ac3cb4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0d2ca25b-7daa-4deb-b9a3-287e6b1ab1b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_9c7ea11a-4c6b-4bc6-b2fc-6a3446ac3cb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember_e5b6c326-d1bd-46e2-a372-f8a7ff317562" xlink:href="amcx-20200630.xsd#amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0d2ca25b-7daa-4deb-b9a3-287e6b1ab1b1" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember_e5b6c326-d1bd-46e2-a372-f8a7ff317562" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
