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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2022 Workiva-->
<!--r:4aba135f-4122-4c56-9a5a-3d1068b54b2c,g:4ef58f60-4ae9-4450-9b5d-702dd5b14199-->
<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-20220331.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended" id="i8959eb0e831c4af9b6fc853b6a4f8153_CoverPage">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_29329507-b8f8-48ab-8e6e-342e4da3fb87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_29329507-b8f8-48ab-8e6e-342e4da3fb87" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_16af05a9-bf96-41ca-a2e1-577183f40f23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_16af05a9-bf96-41ca-a2e1-577183f40f23" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_ff808ed7-c41c-4707-b334-fc0c8ca638f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_ff808ed7-c41c-4707-b334-fc0c8ca638f6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_ee34c4d9-0cda-4c33-a806-0bc266f0662f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_ee34c4d9-0cda-4c33-a806-0bc266f0662f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_407ded7a-1ce1-49c3-9f0c-b0c1d2760009" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_407ded7a-1ce1-49c3-9f0c-b0c1d2760009" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_1977def4-7f0b-460d-9738-8b0d3a04b734" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_1977def4-7f0b-460d-9738-8b0d3a04b734" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_50beaa2b-950c-4554-bd1b-f345257817c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_50beaa2b-950c-4554-bd1b-f345257817c7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_da93c343-4a92-42ee-bb34-a5496920e660" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_da93c343-4a92-42ee-bb34-a5496920e660" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_c7805ac7-bf3f-485c-93ae-ebe3fe15f838" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_c7805ac7-bf3f-485c-93ae-ebe3fe15f838" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_a0312626-2cd9-4645-bcfd-aa0a023a389f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_a0312626-2cd9-4645-bcfd-aa0a023a389f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_43b04d26-b5e0-40fd-baa0-f591af0a5754" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_43b04d26-b5e0-40fd-baa0-f591af0a5754" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_25fb1584-893a-4df3-9f58-aea44d6c8a70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_25fb1584-893a-4df3-9f58-aea44d6c8a70" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_981e25a8-1e31-4387-b105-c0ee4b9bae30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_981e25a8-1e31-4387-b105-c0ee4b9bae30" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_c7b71f38-8aeb-4687-b094-e9c20d0f3f8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_c7b71f38-8aeb-4687-b094-e9c20d0f3f8b" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_e2727e16-e5e9-447b-82ce-3c467ecca657" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_e2727e16-e5e9-447b-82ce-3c467ecca657" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_c3b2c64b-794c-4d5d-b38d-37d9bfadcc7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_c3b2c64b-794c-4d5d-b38d-37d9bfadcc7b" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_49672e07-393c-45e9-9769-6fb96ebd7348" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_49672e07-393c-45e9-9769-6fb96ebd7348" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_ff15c508-9836-4094-aae0-bebf56d25271" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_ff15c508-9836-4094-aae0-bebf56d25271" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_eef46c67-9cac-4ce9-b3d4-c782686ef983" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_eef46c67-9cac-4ce9-b3d4-c782686ef983" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_b5a45000-5dfd-4e39-b0dc-181015f0c8ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_b5a45000-5dfd-4e39-b0dc-181015f0c8ae" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_26468f2b-b79b-4b19-af6e-dbbccc36d2a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_26468f2b-b79b-4b19-af6e-dbbccc36d2a9" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_606a63b1-9d68-48d8-b252-23fa4f9a0a97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_606a63b1-9d68-48d8-b252-23fa4f9a0a97" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_6e06ed06-b504-4aed-930a-f85a745e541b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_6e06ed06-b504-4aed-930a-f85a745e541b" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_dde14788-d27c-4c4e-9aab-d12d0422edc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_dde14788-d27c-4c4e-9aab-d12d0422edc2" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_451565d5-00e3-4979-b6b6-d734f8c14743" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_451565d5-00e3-4979-b6b6-d734f8c14743" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_db65d9de-a444-4a5c-aba2-dbf898a3babf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_db65d9de-a444-4a5c-aba2-dbf898a3babf" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_581e1b72-b5d1-4490-a8d9-dc54e3778104" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_581e1b72-b5d1-4490-a8d9-dc54e3778104" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_610b0ac6-290e-4992-8d0a-1f71cbdb4726" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_610b0ac6-290e-4992-8d0a-1f71cbdb4726" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_3e166d4b-1eb9-4141-aa4e-f69e0c606316" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_3e166d4b-1eb9-4141-aa4e-f69e0c606316" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_5a414dec-3927-4703-9512-f2bf06434fc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_98724e7a-8baa-4c8b-aac5-dec33938b4ea" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_5a414dec-3927-4703-9512-f2bf06434fc0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4fbc26ed-6d92-4374-b4c5-ac6a8de7af12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_5a414dec-3927-4703-9512-f2bf06434fc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4fbc26ed-6d92-4374-b4c5-ac6a8de7af12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_4fbc26ed-6d92-4374-b4c5-ac6a8de7af12_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4fbc26ed-6d92-4374-b4c5-ac6a8de7af12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_4fbc26ed-6d92-4374-b4c5-ac6a8de7af12_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5031e2fe-1f7b-4ab8-b833-db335ff7dd7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4fbc26ed-6d92-4374-b4c5-ac6a8de7af12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5031e2fe-1f7b-4ab8-b833-db335ff7dd7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_8957a701-4ab9-4512-ac39-2294104febf0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5031e2fe-1f7b-4ab8-b833-db335ff7dd7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_8957a701-4ab9-4512-ac39-2294104febf0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_39de0045-c29a-47e2-920a-c86d157e7de3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5031e2fe-1f7b-4ab8-b833-db335ff7dd7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_39de0045-c29a-47e2-920a-c86d157e7de3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" id="i20acf7c47afb4f999e6f1bee883ad781_CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_111f33eb-5c6f-4af3-b942-3dad40fbee39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_111f33eb-5c6f-4af3-b942-3dad40fbee39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_d7bb2fb8-4b08-4728-b972-2622262165d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_d7bb2fb8-4b08-4728-b972-2622262165d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_64831490-6463-406b-8b2c-3de72b7d3244" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_d7bb2fb8-4b08-4728-b972-2622262165d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_64831490-6463-406b-8b2c-3de72b7d3244" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_b1467166-2913-42a2-936e-14ed40aa2b94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_d7bb2fb8-4b08-4728-b972-2622262165d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_b1467166-2913-42a2-936e-14ed40aa2b94" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_ProgramRightsNetCurrent_4b501b7d-cf96-4c46-b61c-a6ecabbe43b2" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_ProgramRightsNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_d7bb2fb8-4b08-4728-b972-2622262165d4" xlink:to="loc_amcx_ProgramRightsNetCurrent_4b501b7d-cf96-4c46-b61c-a6ecabbe43b2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_2f4811cb-b7ea-45c0-b204-007e6ce64267" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_d7bb2fb8-4b08-4728-b972-2622262165d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_2f4811cb-b7ea-45c0-b204-007e6ce64267" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_9814d3da-2673-445a-b5a8-2968838bf497" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_d7bb2fb8-4b08-4728-b972-2622262165d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_9814d3da-2673-445a-b5a8-2968838bf497" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_cef1da8d-faee-442e-9973-870164e317ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_cef1da8d-faee-442e-9973-870164e317ce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_ProgramRightsNetNoncurrent_5e82b4aa-055d-470b-9a1e-bbf8eef3ddb2" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_ProgramRightsNetNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:to="loc_amcx_ProgramRightsNetNoncurrent_5e82b4aa-055d-470b-9a1e-bbf8eef3ddb2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_c9ebca2a-06e2-4e5a-9249-65e2bb6beb27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_c9ebca2a-06e2-4e5a-9249-65e2bb6beb27" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_ecf09a40-b7f6-4882-92ba-da306b966ef1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_ecf09a40-b7f6-4882-92ba-da306b966ef1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_9d218a49-1d49-406d-8b55-c2dfc09d7c29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_9d218a49-1d49-406d-8b55-c2dfc09d7c29" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_41baad62-447d-409f-aa73-01fd2d30495f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_41baad62-447d-409f-aa73-01fd2d30495f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_653cd46c-0dc9-479e-aeec-02ac0cb9a7ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_653cd46c-0dc9-479e-aeec-02ac0cb9a7ac" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_08d225f6-e737-43a8-9be9-6ee0b3e44298" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_44f84424-58e2-4440-87d7-b6bc65732b5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_08d225f6-e737-43a8-9be9-6ee0b3e44298" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_111f33eb-5c6f-4af3-b942-3dad40fbee39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_f77946c1-f324-436a-9097-91d1fbf835b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_f77946c1-f324-436a-9097-91d1fbf835b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_28d1ebeb-499a-4ae2-bc22-caa03e4ddf15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_f77946c1-f324-436a-9097-91d1fbf835b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_28d1ebeb-499a-4ae2-bc22-caa03e4ddf15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_3a332356-e7f1-4f49-ad60-a09f23955765" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_f77946c1-f324-436a-9097-91d1fbf835b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_3a332356-e7f1-4f49-ad60-a09f23955765" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsCurrent_c6e1456f-9d8f-4f69-b1c4-856028896ff8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_f77946c1-f324-436a-9097-91d1fbf835b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsCurrent_c6e1456f-9d8f-4f69-b1c4-856028896ff8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_02cc412a-86f2-4dbc-b936-ba389a87d397" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_f77946c1-f324-436a-9097-91d1fbf835b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_02cc412a-86f2-4dbc-b936-ba389a87d397" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_7d8cbb9e-6c43-4e92-a3e7-7f6117993f1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_f77946c1-f324-436a-9097-91d1fbf835b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_7d8cbb9e-6c43-4e92-a3e7-7f6117993f1b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_82f943cd-743e-49e8-9100-a3e85d46aee7" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_f77946c1-f324-436a-9097-91d1fbf835b2" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_82f943cd-743e-49e8-9100-a3e85d46aee7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_adb9ad3b-1090-47e9-a8da-97796129c7d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_f77946c1-f324-436a-9097-91d1fbf835b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_adb9ad3b-1090-47e9-a8da-97796129c7d1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsNoncurrent_1cbf31de-4c34-44f9-b9ae-c507f188d66a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProgramRightsObligationsNoncurrent_1cbf31de-4c34-44f9-b9ae-c507f188d66a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_f7ab1038-aaa5-446b-84a1-ffc5f47ba9a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_f7ab1038-aaa5-446b-84a1-ffc5f47ba9a9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_ad8de22a-c1f0-4337-b0e7-e344db2a7845" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_ad8de22a-c1f0-4337-b0e7-e344db2a7845" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_3f638eec-892b-456f-abfd-6a42bb85b42c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_3f638eec-892b-456f-abfd-6a42bb85b42c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_510bb4af-cc69-4b9c-97df-aa4fa31fbce7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_510bb4af-cc69-4b9c-97df-aa4fa31fbce7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_9c7c49df-1a37-4929-8f97-4095a671f76d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_9c7c49df-1a37-4929-8f97-4095a671f76d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_5250b800-597b-4c83-9627-99587d42e63d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_5250b800-597b-4c83-9627-99587d42e63d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_ad071807-cb64-4a07-b6d1-1936612883b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_ad071807-cb64-4a07-b6d1-1936612883b2" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_95b74177-514a-4b34-84e7-809b7c86d183" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_95b74177-514a-4b34-84e7-809b7c86d183" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_d039f941-6640-42f2-9917-676d44d1c11c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_d039f941-6640-42f2-9917-676d44d1c11c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_3bdc1c03-3ac9-4479-839c-1ca53bcfbc9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_3bdc1c03-3ac9-4479-839c-1ca53bcfbc9e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_8114590e-ab64-476e-a6bb-1a9891671e9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_8114590e-ab64-476e-a6bb-1a9891671e9a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue_1b162acb-5537-40f8-b493-2d3a98f989f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue_1b162acb-5537-40f8-b493-2d3a98f989f7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_dcfbc4f2-bb79-403b-a404-997ceece7dfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_dcfbc4f2-bb79-403b-a404-997ceece7dfe" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_154aeaa0-8ef7-463b-8105-c83939f91c80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_154aeaa0-8ef7-463b-8105-c83939f91c80" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_bb683b47-90e6-42d8-b292-54550f1e86ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_bb683b47-90e6-42d8-b292-54550f1e86ca" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_0258c204-ff04-427f-8786-b34555b91405" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_d615000c-0755-4884-9a11-3faab1b4e1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_0258c204-ff04-427f-8786-b34555b91405" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_361e0f3a-3ff0-4fa5-a6f3-2630c163f2f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_d2129c50-fcd3-42d4-84d3-f24b2de8f148" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_361e0f3a-3ff0-4fa5-a6f3-2630c163f2f5" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9797d159-2379-45f3-a05e-67f020128d11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_111f33eb-5c6f-4af3-b942-3dad40fbee39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9797d159-2379-45f3-a05e-67f020128d11" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_64f40a82-f1bf-4bf9-bd37-ad9b1f1d039b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9797d159-2379-45f3-a05e-67f020128d11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_64f40a82-f1bf-4bf9-bd37-ad9b1f1d039b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_64f40a82-f1bf-4bf9-bd37-ad9b1f1d039b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_64f40a82-f1bf-4bf9-bd37-ad9b1f1d039b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_64f40a82-f1bf-4bf9-bd37-ad9b1f1d039b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d93e6ba9-be39-4e58-9069-1b113f0e3c76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_64f40a82-f1bf-4bf9-bd37-ad9b1f1d039b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d93e6ba9-be39-4e58-9069-1b113f0e3c76" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_9c4223bb-9342-4c8f-8add-c34b25315613" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d93e6ba9-be39-4e58-9069-1b113f0e3c76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_9c4223bb-9342-4c8f-8add-c34b25315613" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_434f9aa3-2837-46b5-b9c8-a2958a12eb59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d93e6ba9-be39-4e58-9069-1b113f0e3c76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_434f9aa3-2837-46b5-b9c8-a2958a12eb59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="i90fb337da5294b909d1cf4e4a9e7659e_CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_3711a361-f60f-4f73-8c2a-b33f2c5b7eef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_3711a361-f60f-4f73-8c2a-b33f2c5b7eef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_6bf6180c-45a3-4713-bd15-ce5491e5c7d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_6bf6180c-45a3-4713-bd15-ce5491e5c7d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_fc0a034c-3069-4f54-b7d6-d006d4e0d785" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_fc0a034c-3069-4f54-b7d6-d006d4e0d785" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_20c7494b-ca00-4b13-8f9d-2ea27f8d0379" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_20c7494b-ca00-4b13-8f9d-2ea27f8d0379" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_9b900eee-1ca6-465e-8f1d-bdc563b57e89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_9b900eee-1ca6-465e-8f1d-bdc563b57e89" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_9549a571-2dd3-46c6-99ce-56f9280ebbec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_9549a571-2dd3-46c6-99ce-56f9280ebbec" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_e0970ef7-b65a-4d8d-9770-a5c37bfb8ca3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_e0970ef7-b65a-4d8d-9770-a5c37bfb8ca3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_5a92d50c-2f22-44d0-91a4-acaf1dc09d9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_5a92d50c-2f22-44d0-91a4-acaf1dc09d9f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_edeb0853-c75c-4520-a6e5-c24793958acc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_edeb0853-c75c-4520-a6e5-c24793958acc" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_b04b38cd-7251-42f8-9fae-4ce3374a2c7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_b04b38cd-7251-42f8-9fae-4ce3374a2c7c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_88199756-053a-4ade-9649-02becc5e1b07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a9cd4c19-c5e6-4314-84f0-31636a251ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_88199756-053a-4ade-9649-02becc5e1b07" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_c42427f1-ceef-4c1c-bcc1-dac994e64993" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_88199756-053a-4ade-9649-02becc5e1b07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_c42427f1-ceef-4c1c-bcc1-dac994e64993" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_c42427f1-ceef-4c1c-bcc1-dac994e64993_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_c42427f1-ceef-4c1c-bcc1-dac994e64993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_c42427f1-ceef-4c1c-bcc1-dac994e64993_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa1bb309-3033-489e-8e76-788334759568" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_c42427f1-ceef-4c1c-bcc1-dac994e64993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa1bb309-3033-489e-8e76-788334759568" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_b92f9eb6-9422-467b-8ab8-3dc990a3e379" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa1bb309-3033-489e-8e76-788334759568" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_b92f9eb6-9422-467b-8ab8-3dc990a3e379" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_137c6e21-f66e-4971-b16d-657151457eaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa1bb309-3033-489e-8e76-788334759568" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_137c6e21-f66e-4971-b16d-657151457eaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="i9d6bef53fb6d45ab97d8c4ed11c58526_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_59961d08-da8d-447e-80a3-21a143140d21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_59961d08-da8d-447e-80a3-21a143140d21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_95783c11-2656-4121-a290-a5c2cf2c80e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_95783c11-2656-4121-a290-a5c2cf2c80e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c5c812a0-c98c-4dc2-ac1c-82459dc82cde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c5c812a0-c98c-4dc2-ac1c-82459dc82cde" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest_32ca8dff-5f73-4a01-bee2-d74056d35ee1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest_32ca8dff-5f73-4a01-bee2-d74056d35ee1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationsOfTemporaryToPermanentEquity_7c2e4272-9cc7-40fe-997e-0b1f774ed94e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationsOfTemporaryToPermanentEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationsOfTemporaryToPermanentEquity_7c2e4272-9cc7-40fe-997e-0b1f774ed94e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance_6820d2f9-cc14-46c5-8edd-d418fee101e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance_6820d2f9-cc14-46c5-8edd-d418fee101e3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_af27288b-8ccc-4b95-9e4b-9565a36e6495" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_af27288b-8ccc-4b95-9e4b-9565a36e6495" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_60f34ca9-c343-4e2f-940e-a2925b6cd673" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_60f34ca9-c343-4e2f-940e-a2925b6cd673" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_5de3a88a-d4df-4f2c-9d26-5c44ac3b2e6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_5de3a88a-d4df-4f2c-9d26-5c44ac3b2e6e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_2cdd28bc-f980-42a6-aea5-158ffd718f67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_2cdd28bc-f980-42a6-aea5-158ffd718f67" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_cf5f3708-f2dd-4222-a1ef-a06a1271a142" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_5a84a2f9-877c-437f-b3ce-bc6d4595ba78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_cf5f3708-f2dd-4222-a1ef-a06a1271a142" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_9132debc-3f2f-4ceb-9a8a-a14c1c594d4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_d181fb5a-e939-4708-ad00-c7d3c315c65f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_59961d08-da8d-447e-80a3-21a143140d21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_d181fb5a-e939-4708-ad00-c7d3c315c65f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d5dd73ba-5499-4780-a8a2-2290695bb537" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_d181fb5a-e939-4708-ad00-c7d3c315c65f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d5dd73ba-5499-4780-a8a2-2290695bb537" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d5dd73ba-5499-4780-a8a2-2290695bb537_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d5dd73ba-5499-4780-a8a2-2290695bb537" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d5dd73ba-5499-4780-a8a2-2290695bb537_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_303b724b-f951-41c7-9030-e9590eb0c98e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d5dd73ba-5499-4780-a8a2-2290695bb537" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_303b724b-f951-41c7-9030-e9590eb0c98e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_d8daa469-cc8b-41d3-81b9-189cd36cbce5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_303b724b-f951-41c7-9030-e9590eb0c98e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_d8daa469-cc8b-41d3-81b9-189cd36cbce5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_b182331a-c148-4c36-a180-282e07ad20cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_303b724b-f951-41c7-9030-e9590eb0c98e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_b182331a-c148-4c36-a180-282e07ad20cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_c701167c-0f00-41df-8b13-4e9a6b59df3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_d181fb5a-e939-4708-ad00-c7d3c315c65f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_c701167c-0f00-41df-8b13-4e9a6b59df3b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c701167c-0f00-41df-8b13-4e9a6b59df3b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_c701167c-0f00-41df-8b13-4e9a6b59df3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c701167c-0f00-41df-8b13-4e9a6b59df3b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d2d623cc-55d4-42a1-b131-104d2c8ff50c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_c701167c-0f00-41df-8b13-4e9a6b59df3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d2d623cc-55d4-42a1-b131-104d2c8ff50c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_f280a5d6-9263-4062-9538-719807758dad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d2d623cc-55d4-42a1-b131-104d2c8ff50c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_f280a5d6-9263-4062-9538-719807758dad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_f373e040-c642-4cee-9c64-fab9f82168f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d2d623cc-55d4-42a1-b131-104d2c8ff50c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_f373e040-c642-4cee-9c64-fab9f82168f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_234eb48d-f59e-4bfb-9a39-c22b55b3930a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d2d623cc-55d4-42a1-b131-104d2c8ff50c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_234eb48d-f59e-4bfb-9a39-c22b55b3930a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_0ab52bf2-e0e4-47c3-8162-defeae340b79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d2d623cc-55d4-42a1-b131-104d2c8ff50c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_0ab52bf2-e0e4-47c3-8162-defeae340b79" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_f5fd65c0-847d-444e-b479-248e0d20f3bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d2d623cc-55d4-42a1-b131-104d2c8ff50c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_f5fd65c0-847d-444e-b479-248e0d20f3bd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_2d44cc4a-dd87-42ab-afd9-992541b0b46c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d2d623cc-55d4-42a1-b131-104d2c8ff50c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_2d44cc4a-dd87-42ab-afd9-992541b0b46c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_45748c0b-199d-4043-a35d-f2434f4a062b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d2d623cc-55d4-42a1-b131-104d2c8ff50c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_45748c0b-199d-4043-a35d-f2434f4a062b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareReconciliationBetweenBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#NetIncomeperShareReconciliationBetweenBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareReconciliationBetweenBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic7055a6566574fbba9b233a0360612fc_NetIncomeperShareReconciliationBetweenBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_bd2484b9-7396-4424-9f3a-a23c25bc2fba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_ca1d0e44-ae26-44e9-940c-0e4d0518cb23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_bd2484b9-7396-4424-9f3a-a23c25bc2fba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_ca1d0e44-ae26-44e9-940c-0e4d0518cb23" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_5a453c5d-5d47-46b7-89d4-dda892d1184f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_bd2484b9-7396-4424-9f3a-a23c25bc2fba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_5a453c5d-5d47-46b7-89d4-dda892d1184f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_4fff5e08-3506-4c75-93c0-3bbb0277b605" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_5a453c5d-5d47-46b7-89d4-dda892d1184f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_4fff5e08-3506-4c75-93c0-3bbb0277b605" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_8e00351a-3283-4d2d-a0ca-a3f8977e3055" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_bd2484b9-7396-4424-9f3a-a23c25bc2fba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_8e00351a-3283-4d2d-a0ca-a3f8977e3055" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_c05a8526-1123-4ec4-887f-a91274f5d9b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_bd2484b9-7396-4424-9f3a-a23c25bc2fba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_c05a8526-1123-4ec4-887f-a91274f5d9b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7dff2067-54ea-4848-8717-8e5696d46389" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_c05a8526-1123-4ec4-887f-a91274f5d9b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7dff2067-54ea-4848-8717-8e5696d46389" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7dff2067-54ea-4848-8717-8e5696d46389_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7dff2067-54ea-4848-8717-8e5696d46389" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7dff2067-54ea-4848-8717-8e5696d46389_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6d93321e-d783-4fcf-a49f-02f6a5aed98f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7dff2067-54ea-4848-8717-8e5696d46389" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6d93321e-d783-4fcf-a49f-02f6a5aed98f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_e8dcf45c-e1f7-4f4d-97ed-974e01f829b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6d93321e-d783-4fcf-a49f-02f6a5aed98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_e8dcf45c-e1f7-4f4d-97ed-974e01f829b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_79320c0c-6b59-4864-a430-16e0d181edcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6d93321e-d783-4fcf-a49f-02f6a5aed98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_79320c0c-6b59-4864-a430-16e0d181edcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#NetIncomeperShareNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/NetIncomeperShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0293d2a3758b46e49eb7fe2f70637515_NetIncomeperShareNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_6da8cbac-ccb4-4a68-bf59-b458c43496d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_fd5d1f0e-2b6d-4e8f-9713-45f1dbaf0e09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_6da8cbac-ccb4-4a68-bf59-b458c43496d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_fd5d1f0e-2b6d-4e8f-9713-45f1dbaf0e09" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_1818f606-358c-41a7-8e33-f6b68802037e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_6da8cbac-ccb4-4a68-bf59-b458c43496d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_1818f606-358c-41a7-8e33-f6b68802037e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_3083efc5-b666-414c-9610-a148641db5a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_6da8cbac-ccb4-4a68-bf59-b458c43496d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_3083efc5-b666-414c-9610-a148641db5a4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_d0bf21d9-3005-43b6-a18e-771a6ca4d591" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_6da8cbac-ccb4-4a68-bf59-b458c43496d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_d0bf21d9-3005-43b6-a18e-771a6ca4d591" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_3f73569c-6bdb-46bb-9394-96b0524854c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_6da8cbac-ccb4-4a68-bf59-b458c43496d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_3f73569c-6bdb-46bb-9394-96b0524854c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_8e5adae0-441e-452c-80a9-0ca66efea567" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_3f73569c-6bdb-46bb-9394-96b0524854c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_8e5adae0-441e-452c-80a9-0ca66efea567" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_8e5adae0-441e-452c-80a9-0ca66efea567_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_8e5adae0-441e-452c-80a9-0ca66efea567" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_8e5adae0-441e-452c-80a9-0ca66efea567_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_5a3fc0b1-1809-4d1c-b22c-e72e8ad2d0f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_8e5adae0-441e-452c-80a9-0ca66efea567" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_5a3fc0b1-1809-4d1c-b22c-e72e8ad2d0f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_7e2f82c5-f371-40e4-be3e-31742cae45c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_5a3fc0b1-1809-4d1c-b22c-e72e8ad2d0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_7e2f82c5-f371-40e4-be3e-31742cae45c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_c8b250c6-35a9-4bf3-8ab7-28f47625dfd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_3f73569c-6bdb-46bb-9394-96b0524854c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_c8b250c6-35a9-4bf3-8ab7-28f47625dfd3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_c8b250c6-35a9-4bf3-8ab7-28f47625dfd3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_c8b250c6-35a9-4bf3-8ab7-28f47625dfd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_c8b250c6-35a9-4bf3-8ab7-28f47625dfd3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f801bb3d-642c-46cf-8dcd-28e0b35d1fdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_c8b250c6-35a9-4bf3-8ab7-28f47625dfd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f801bb3d-642c-46cf-8dcd-28e0b35d1fdc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_30badaaf-6763-417e-870e-d353f5bcd612" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f801bb3d-642c-46cf-8dcd-28e0b35d1fdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_30badaaf-6763-417e-870e-d353f5bcd612" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ImpairmentandOtherChargesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#ImpairmentandOtherChargesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/ImpairmentandOtherChargesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i3fc44292b68c426e9eb5589bc80ffa0f_ImpairmentandOtherChargesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_0b420270-040b-4317-a0bc-ae7af6641122" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax_1ceed522-a5e2-4b45-9962-acbe9146f585" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_0b420270-040b-4317-a0bc-ae7af6641122" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax_1ceed522-a5e2-4b45-9962-acbe9146f585" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_1ea9f37b-6357-4662-82b2-9f8151a52fc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_0b420270-040b-4317-a0bc-ae7af6641122" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_1ea9f37b-6357-4662-82b2-9f8151a52fc3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_51e3d7aa-5f46-4fab-8d02-bb34bb72d1d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_1ea9f37b-6357-4662-82b2-9f8151a52fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_51e3d7aa-5f46-4fab-8d02-bb34bb72d1d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_51e3d7aa-5f46-4fab-8d02-bb34bb72d1d6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_51e3d7aa-5f46-4fab-8d02-bb34bb72d1d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_51e3d7aa-5f46-4fab-8d02-bb34bb72d1d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1ba7fd49-d8ec-46ef-ae19-c5466f2e9b87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_51e3d7aa-5f46-4fab-8d02-bb34bb72d1d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1ba7fd49-d8ec-46ef-ae19-c5466f2e9b87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsSpinoffMember_d55bf5dd-c451-4e55-a5f7-427f77aaf721" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsSpinoffMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1ba7fd49-d8ec-46ef-ae19-c5466f2e9b87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsSpinoffMember_d55bf5dd-c451-4e55-a5f7-427f77aaf721" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iba6a9b5cc0e6447784aa73bd314823e4_RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_a6d7a3dc-ea84-4e2a-b755-e176ad91a772" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_9771962e-306a-4e7b-aabc-36dd5bad09ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_a6d7a3dc-ea84-4e2a-b755-e176ad91a772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_9771962e-306a-4e7b-aabc-36dd5bad09ad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1acb52a5-a0fa-4333-a35f-80b8010b3110" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_a6d7a3dc-ea84-4e2a-b755-e176ad91a772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1acb52a5-a0fa-4333-a35f-80b8010b3110" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_dc0664ae-77c6-48cf-8f47-748c553e3186" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1acb52a5-a0fa-4333-a35f-80b8010b3110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_dc0664ae-77c6-48cf-8f47-748c553e3186" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_dc0664ae-77c6-48cf-8f47-748c553e3186_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_dc0664ae-77c6-48cf-8f47-748c553e3186" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_dc0664ae-77c6-48cf-8f47-748c553e3186_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_b0dc2871-7012-42bd-a1f1-7bc14dd2a087" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_dc0664ae-77c6-48cf-8f47-748c553e3186" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_b0dc2871-7012-42bd-a1f1-7bc14dd2a087" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_ManagementChangesMember_5894c86f-5e13-4d4e-8d35-f537f04b1383" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_ManagementChangesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_b0dc2871-7012-42bd-a1f1-7bc14dd2a087" xlink:to="loc_amcx_ManagementChangesMember_5894c86f-5e13-4d4e-8d35-f537f04b1383" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_d71f8d8c-e58e-4dc3-aab7-4eac4bcbaf4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1acb52a5-a0fa-4333-a35f-80b8010b3110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_d71f8d8c-e58e-4dc3-aab7-4eac4bcbaf4d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_d71f8d8c-e58e-4dc3-aab7-4eac4bcbaf4d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_d71f8d8c-e58e-4dc3-aab7-4eac4bcbaf4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_d71f8d8c-e58e-4dc3-aab7-4eac4bcbaf4d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_d302a98a-126d-43de-a899-c5f4f8c147af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_d71f8d8c-e58e-4dc3-aab7-4eac4bcbaf4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_d302a98a-126d-43de-a899-c5f4f8c147af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_d974c3cf-da04-4850-a864-9458ff8dc136" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_d302a98a-126d-43de-a899-c5f4f8c147af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_d974c3cf-da04-4850-a864-9458ff8dc136" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_e3fdc78a-a182-4daa-bbfb-cafff5cee347" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1acb52a5-a0fa-4333-a35f-80b8010b3110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_e3fdc78a-a182-4daa-bbfb-cafff5cee347" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_e3fdc78a-a182-4daa-bbfb-cafff5cee347_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_e3fdc78a-a182-4daa-bbfb-cafff5cee347" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_e3fdc78a-a182-4daa-bbfb-cafff5cee347_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_2e908a0f-c2cb-4d04-a1de-c4804c20ddec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_e3fdc78a-a182-4daa-bbfb-cafff5cee347" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_2e908a0f-c2cb-4d04-a1de-c4804c20ddec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_AMCNIReportingUnitMember_b86fb74b-0168-476c-9a59-03ddad25806a" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_AMCNIReportingUnitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_2e908a0f-c2cb-4d04-a1de-c4804c20ddec" xlink:to="loc_amcx_AMCNIReportingUnitMember_b86fb74b-0168-476c-9a59-03ddad25806a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesRestructuringandRelatedCostsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesRestructuringandRelatedCostsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesRestructuringandRelatedCostsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4db51c7a904648539b1c4df17a30f07d_RestructuringandOtherRelatedChargesRestructuringandRelatedCostsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_7c463dcc-002d-45bb-8b55-6e63161d3be3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_b796e459-b9c9-4aed-b1d9-bfa4138d1670" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_7c463dcc-002d-45bb-8b55-6e63161d3be3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_b796e459-b9c9-4aed-b1d9-bfa4138d1670" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_3937fd35-b9f0-4c34-9795-122b9c3920ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_7c463dcc-002d-45bb-8b55-6e63161d3be3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_3937fd35-b9f0-4c34-9795-122b9c3920ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_76add6b6-ed3a-4c28-9f75-bfb0a4553452" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_3937fd35-b9f0-4c34-9795-122b9c3920ca" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_76add6b6-ed3a-4c28-9f75-bfb0a4553452" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_76add6b6-ed3a-4c28-9f75-bfb0a4553452_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_76add6b6-ed3a-4c28-9f75-bfb0a4553452" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_76add6b6-ed3a-4c28-9f75-bfb0a4553452_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d29bf771-7d3c-41f8-a35a-3878187bdeaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_76add6b6-ed3a-4c28-9f75-bfb0a4553452" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d29bf771-7d3c-41f8-a35a-3878187bdeaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_e37a236e-c123-4514-b672-87453a65856e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d29bf771-7d3c-41f8-a35a-3878187bdeaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_e37a236e-c123-4514-b672-87453a65856e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_60da08d7-a8f0-4c28-b7cf-3e307221e7c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d29bf771-7d3c-41f8-a35a-3878187bdeaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_60da08d7-a8f0-4c28-b7cf-3e307221e7c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1cfebb9d-1e18-431d-9060-540ec729c143" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_3937fd35-b9f0-4c34-9795-122b9c3920ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1cfebb9d-1e18-431d-9060-540ec729c143" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1cfebb9d-1e18-431d-9060-540ec729c143_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1cfebb9d-1e18-431d-9060-540ec729c143" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1cfebb9d-1e18-431d-9060-540ec729c143_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_85bb4acb-26c6-4d1d-9735-eeefafa34fe5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1cfebb9d-1e18-431d-9060-540ec729c143" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_85bb4acb-26c6-4d1d-9735-eeefafa34fe5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_c1f24e47-de94-441b-b66f-4eb7079d39a2" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_DomesticOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_85bb4acb-26c6-4d1d-9735-eeefafa34fe5" xlink:to="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_c1f24e47-de94-441b-b66f-4eb7079d39a2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_e4e83861-2375-4b25-b119-e138377f63f7" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_85bb4acb-26c6-4d1d-9735-eeefafa34fe5" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_e4e83861-2375-4b25-b119-e138377f63f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofGoodwillDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i002ba5359d6b4412bb563e50b988a785_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofGoodwillDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_180faff4-ba04-4274-9cb1-45d38d8b12c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_1bb5afa3-d4ef-42a0-bc5e-5cff68ef897a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_180faff4-ba04-4274-9cb1-45d38d8b12c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_1bb5afa3-d4ef-42a0-bc5e-5cff68ef897a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_94c9d893-59de-483c-a30d-b6183348ce2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_1bb5afa3-d4ef-42a0-bc5e-5cff68ef897a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_94c9d893-59de-483c-a30d-b6183348ce2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_84be117c-7ae4-4b5e-b4ea-4d4bec148e96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_1bb5afa3-d4ef-42a0-bc5e-5cff68ef897a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_84be117c-7ae4-4b5e-b4ea-4d4bec148e96" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset_14949312-075d-4454-93b3-d9d6cd93e279" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_1bb5afa3-d4ef-42a0-bc5e-5cff68ef897a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset_14949312-075d-4454-93b3-d9d6cd93e279" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_6a7ba77b-3f7e-45de-bd72-372683d84a7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_1bb5afa3-d4ef-42a0-bc5e-5cff68ef897a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_6a7ba77b-3f7e-45de-bd72-372683d84a7e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_3ddd0b16-600d-4d2f-b24c-d139fec8b431" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_a735d160-dece-4a6a-a8f0-4d117be83025" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_180faff4-ba04-4274-9cb1-45d38d8b12c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_a735d160-dece-4a6a-a8f0-4d117be83025" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_70786382-e695-4865-8537-7b215577e6c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_a735d160-dece-4a6a-a8f0-4d117be83025" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_70786382-e695-4865-8537-7b215577e6c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_70786382-e695-4865-8537-7b215577e6c5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_70786382-e695-4865-8537-7b215577e6c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_70786382-e695-4865-8537-7b215577e6c5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_481ecf91-315d-4fa5-b3a6-c436a8f58c84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_70786382-e695-4865-8537-7b215577e6c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_481ecf91-315d-4fa5-b3a6-c436a8f58c84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_0ebccdfe-9128-4866-9081-f2f1c975a6ae" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_DomesticOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_481ecf91-315d-4fa5-b3a6-c436a8f58c84" xlink:to="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_0ebccdfe-9128-4866-9081-f2f1c975a6ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_d67df09c-3274-41fa-8038-a3a81be4d66b" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_481ecf91-315d-4fa5-b3a6-c436a8f58c84" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_d67df09c-3274-41fa-8038-a3a81be4d66b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6bf8859b580f4af8bd03df6ab5a3e8f9_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_61025d0c-169f-43d3-bb52-bfe6384690fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_e55b8f55-e09b-475a-a9e8-268e052f778d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_61025d0c-169f-43d3-bb52-bfe6384690fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_e55b8f55-e09b-475a-a9e8-268e052f778d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_8d58b3ca-27bd-4d9f-bff7-9e7d28c70641" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_61025d0c-169f-43d3-bb52-bfe6384690fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_8d58b3ca-27bd-4d9f-bff7-9e7d28c70641" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset_1623fa51-7175-42cf-98f4-356a8b3fbcc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_61025d0c-169f-43d3-bb52-bfe6384690fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillSubsequentRecognitionOfDeferredTaxAsset_1623fa51-7175-42cf-98f4-356a8b3fbcc2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_8bc95e92-cefe-47b7-8d49-6e048592ebbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_61025d0c-169f-43d3-bb52-bfe6384690fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_8bc95e92-cefe-47b7-8d49-6e048592ebbc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_88de2732-fed1-48fe-9c76-fea0e4db8a05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_61025d0c-169f-43d3-bb52-bfe6384690fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_88de2732-fed1-48fe-9c76-fea0e4db8a05" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9f0c1f23-30c1-444e-ad47-4e0a7f4e229b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_88de2732-fed1-48fe-9c76-fea0e4db8a05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9f0c1f23-30c1-444e-ad47-4e0a7f4e229b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9f0c1f23-30c1-444e-ad47-4e0a7f4e229b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9f0c1f23-30c1-444e-ad47-4e0a7f4e229b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9f0c1f23-30c1-444e-ad47-4e0a7f4e229b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9175dc29-766c-4ba3-848d-03e1ace1d70a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9f0c1f23-30c1-444e-ad47-4e0a7f4e229b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9175dc29-766c-4ba3-848d-03e1ace1d70a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_a74cd4d5-285e-401a-a13c-4eeccf0f8e94" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_DomesticOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9175dc29-766c-4ba3-848d-03e1ace1d70a" xlink:to="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_a74cd4d5-285e-401a-a13c-4eeccf0f8e94" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_646e9d81-b623-4162-b8e2-c4f327f0740d" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9175dc29-766c-4ba3-848d-03e1ace1d70a" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_646e9d81-b623-4162-b8e2-c4f327f0740d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofFiniteandIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofFiniteandIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofFiniteandIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idbf0c5f23d8949e083f84869dc416518_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsScheduleofFiniteandIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_f544ba9f-9b34-4ada-9bd6-59b6f0a514f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_0d090247-319f-4446-8315-a303cbc916bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_f544ba9f-9b34-4ada-9bd6-59b6f0a514f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_0d090247-319f-4446-8315-a303cbc916bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_b1749e55-d343-496b-b3fe-b291a3b35526" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_f544ba9f-9b34-4ada-9bd6-59b6f0a514f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_b1749e55-d343-496b-b3fe-b291a3b35526" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_c5d9a669-68b6-4ca0-b37b-3955d42f3573" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_f544ba9f-9b34-4ada-9bd6-59b6f0a514f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_c5d9a669-68b6-4ca0-b37b-3955d42f3573" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_b04f8570-943e-4a81-a90b-4cd2295d79fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_f544ba9f-9b34-4ada-9bd6-59b6f0a514f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_b04f8570-943e-4a81-a90b-4cd2295d79fd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill_bc2f3be9-5f0d-426b-a2b3-c3fc1ade4bb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_f544ba9f-9b34-4ada-9bd6-59b6f0a514f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill_bc2f3be9-5f0d-426b-a2b3-c3fc1ade4bb0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_cb0b7af0-e1f5-44d7-9606-993b10a95237" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_f544ba9f-9b34-4ada-9bd6-59b6f0a514f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_cb0b7af0-e1f5-44d7-9606-993b10a95237" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_9f29fcfd-eefb-4328-8563-9803e3a5f7e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_f544ba9f-9b34-4ada-9bd6-59b6f0a514f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_9f29fcfd-eefb-4328-8563-9803e3a5f7e0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_acf7b55d-6f0b-4c49-abfb-3daec76012c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_f544ba9f-9b34-4ada-9bd6-59b6f0a514f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_acf7b55d-6f0b-4c49-abfb-3daec76012c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_5a178a47-cbbb-4f60-8a7e-82150224b673" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_acf7b55d-6f0b-4c49-abfb-3daec76012c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_5a178a47-cbbb-4f60-8a7e-82150224b673" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_5a178a47-cbbb-4f60-8a7e-82150224b673_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_5a178a47-cbbb-4f60-8a7e-82150224b673" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_5a178a47-cbbb-4f60-8a7e-82150224b673_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7d891b1c-139c-468c-a03f-df3fb88d45e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_5a178a47-cbbb-4f60-8a7e-82150224b673" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7d891b1c-139c-468c-a03f-df3fb88d45e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_4ddd001d-1cc8-4df3-9386-2de51ac6fc63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7d891b1c-139c-468c-a03f-df3fb88d45e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_4ddd001d-1cc8-4df3-9386-2de51ac6fc63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_AdvertiserRelationshipsMember_fa792cd4-9dc4-4b71-87db-da11355a66c0" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_AdvertiserRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7d891b1c-139c-468c-a03f-df3fb88d45e4" xlink:to="loc_amcx_AdvertiserRelationshipsMember_fa792cd4-9dc4-4b71-87db-da11355a66c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_TradeNamesAndOtherMember_8856325c-0f34-42a2-80da-d6ad8ee6a4d4" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_TradeNamesAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7d891b1c-139c-468c-a03f-df3fb88d45e4" xlink:to="loc_amcx_TradeNamesAndOtherMember_8856325c-0f34-42a2-80da-d6ad8ee6a4d4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b10a8b5a-b809-4645-a9e6-0e511b83adaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_acf7b55d-6f0b-4c49-abfb-3daec76012c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b10a8b5a-b809-4645-a9e6-0e511b83adaf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_b10a8b5a-b809-4645-a9e6-0e511b83adaf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b10a8b5a-b809-4645-a9e6-0e511b83adaf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_b10a8b5a-b809-4645-a9e6-0e511b83adaf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_6c71ebd4-b032-47c6-9617-3b495e1714a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b10a8b5a-b809-4645-a9e6-0e511b83adaf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_6c71ebd4-b032-47c6-9617-3b495e1714a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_8c0da2f0-c18f-4276-bb46-9bb13daf63f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6c71ebd4-b032-47c6-9617-3b495e1714a6" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_8c0da2f0-c18f-4276-bb46-9bb13daf63f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b61203ca-f04e-468b-998d-cfdbd5863ac8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6c71ebd4-b032-47c6-9617-3b495e1714a6" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b61203ca-f04e-468b-998d-cfdbd5863ac8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#LongtermDebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/LongtermDebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0b1b272640184c789cef329d9cc1cc2d_LongtermDebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_aed17da8-74cb-4cf1-a22f-4f7832c9cddf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_aed17da8-74cb-4cf1-a22f-4f7832c9cddf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_3f48cc70-f75e-4cd6-b8f2-42c4edf1137a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_3f48cc70-f75e-4cd6-b8f2-42c4edf1137a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_378351cd-2678-4c24-9c34-d663dc851a78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_378351cd-2678-4c24-9c34-d663dc851a78" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_ae454832-4557-4ae9-bf82-c02c7be673c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_ae454832-4557-4ae9-bf82-c02c7be673c9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_9c46adee-c452-4ad6-98fd-32e8556c63cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_9c46adee-c452-4ad6-98fd-32e8556c63cc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_0ffe49ef-5755-429a-a6f3-91dda23fff50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_0ffe49ef-5755-429a-a6f3-91dda23fff50" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_55fb9a28-9c2b-4c5b-9c3d-b00efaf3989f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_55fb9a28-9c2b-4c5b-9c3d-b00efaf3989f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_a0393df5-2ac7-47ad-81d4-5f886aa8d448" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_a0393df5-2ac7-47ad-81d4-5f886aa8d448" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_af0bdbd9-b7e2-4086-a5a5-4b3f28ef8dd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_af0bdbd9-b7e2-4086-a5a5-4b3f28ef8dd6" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4d3dcd8b-bf22-4362-9de4-3c88221b06ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_da853c3d-30b3-44ac-9673-6f4cd6cb815b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4d3dcd8b-bf22-4362-9de4-3c88221b06ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_6f33ed39-860b-4b76-af3c-ca9ac776da50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4d3dcd8b-bf22-4362-9de4-3c88221b06ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_6f33ed39-860b-4b76-af3c-ca9ac776da50" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_6f33ed39-860b-4b76-af3c-ca9ac776da50_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_6f33ed39-860b-4b76-af3c-ca9ac776da50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_6f33ed39-860b-4b76-af3c-ca9ac776da50_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_afd23137-13f3-44ba-be5f-d7ccbffffe9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_6f33ed39-860b-4b76-af3c-ca9ac776da50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_afd23137-13f3-44ba-be5f-d7ccbffffe9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_941009d7-20a9-4d25-aee5-7e5985f68a4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_afd23137-13f3-44ba-be5f-d7ccbffffe9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_941009d7-20a9-4d25-aee5-7e5985f68a4a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_33ff4ad4-30f6-4017-a5ce-4b24bac99b84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_afd23137-13f3-44ba-be5f-d7ccbffffe9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_33ff4ad4-30f6-4017-a5ce-4b24bac99b84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_1210b000-6071-4d71-be3c-83bae00965bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4d3dcd8b-bf22-4362-9de4-3c88221b06ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_1210b000-6071-4d71-be3c-83bae00965bb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1210b000-6071-4d71-be3c-83bae00965bb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_1210b000-6071-4d71-be3c-83bae00965bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1210b000-6071-4d71-be3c-83bae00965bb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fc0047e1-bdba-4700-a7cc-ddd192f9b3cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_1210b000-6071-4d71-be3c-83bae00965bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fc0047e1-bdba-4700-a7cc-ddd192f9b3cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_1a834afa-ab92-4912-9001-091321878be3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fc0047e1-bdba-4700-a7cc-ddd192f9b3cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_1a834afa-ab92-4912-9001-091321878be3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f85eb72a-587e-4a89-bd4f-3f9d45311390" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4d3dcd8b-bf22-4362-9de4-3c88221b06ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f85eb72a-587e-4a89-bd4f-3f9d45311390" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f85eb72a-587e-4a89-bd4f-3f9d45311390_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f85eb72a-587e-4a89-bd4f-3f9d45311390" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f85eb72a-587e-4a89-bd4f-3f9d45311390_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_10b7b691-dacd-4b7a-97f8-1bb501e6e7fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f85eb72a-587e-4a89-bd4f-3f9d45311390" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_10b7b691-dacd-4b7a-97f8-1bb501e6e7fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_TermAFacilityMember_a2361428-6566-48be-8ba9-d533001bea79" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_TermAFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_10b7b691-dacd-4b7a-97f8-1bb501e6e7fe" xlink:to="loc_amcx_TermAFacilityMember_a2361428-6566-48be-8ba9-d533001bea79" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A500SeniorNotesDue2024Member_fd53c2f3-d1f8-4a6f-94bb-470c1eb76525" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_A500SeniorNotesDue2024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_10b7b691-dacd-4b7a-97f8-1bb501e6e7fe" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A500SeniorNotesDue2024Member_fd53c2f3-d1f8-4a6f-94bb-470c1eb76525" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesDue2025Member_63c7cce4-66b1-4694-ab4d-d29e370c2dba" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_A475SeniorNotesDue2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_10b7b691-dacd-4b7a-97f8-1bb501e6e7fe" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesDue2025Member_63c7cce4-66b1-4694-ab4d-d29e370c2dba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A425SeniorNotesDue2029Member_d9094868-0a63-4897-af2e-0678f422d458" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_A425SeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_10b7b691-dacd-4b7a-97f8-1bb501e6e7fe" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A425SeniorNotesDue2029Member_d9094868-0a63-4897-af2e-0678f422d458" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e11b12de-b0a6-4d06-9f8d-120a6a329d7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4d3dcd8b-bf22-4362-9de4-3c88221b06ab" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e11b12de-b0a6-4d06-9f8d-120a6a329d7a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_e11b12de-b0a6-4d06-9f8d-120a6a329d7a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e11b12de-b0a6-4d06-9f8d-120a6a329d7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_e11b12de-b0a6-4d06-9f8d-120a6a329d7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_dd8b5c5b-04a8-4e46-9089-f501a095941c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e11b12de-b0a6-4d06-9f8d-120a6a329d7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_dd8b5c5b-04a8-4e46-9089-f501a095941c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_021a9840-2ef1-40f9-bcc1-7ddc7341d1ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_dd8b5c5b-04a8-4e46-9089-f501a095941c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_021a9840-2ef1-40f9-bcc1-7ddc7341d1ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1a01597b51d249639da4d10c54ff0b62_FairValueMeasurementFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_c64a2798-77c1-45f8-a514-549b5fd21406" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_cd4b08d7-4993-4279-9493-b299ba7fe3c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_c64a2798-77c1-45f8-a514-549b5fd21406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_cd4b08d7-4993-4279-9493-b299ba7fe3c6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_9d5af21b-7379-428c-8691-d47930e142d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_cd4b08d7-4993-4279-9493-b299ba7fe3c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_9d5af21b-7379-428c-8691-d47930e142d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_41da6964-167d-4cbc-8cdd-c429dfcff6f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_cd4b08d7-4993-4279-9493-b299ba7fe3c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_41da6964-167d-4cbc-8cdd-c429dfcff6f8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure_c5de406f-2772-4a1f-b2d4-a071e9eaac0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_cd4b08d7-4993-4279-9493-b299ba7fe3c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure_c5de406f-2772-4a1f-b2d4-a071e9eaac0f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_64730cf5-3a37-4005-9a3b-097a950bb376" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_c64a2798-77c1-45f8-a514-549b5fd21406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_64730cf5-3a37-4005-9a3b-097a950bb376" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure_2a9e7891-a1d8-40a0-be71-d4456b665eb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_64730cf5-3a37-4005-9a3b-097a950bb376" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure_2a9e7891-a1d8-40a0-be71-d4456b665eb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_eefc2209-9208-4f7d-ae3e-58c816c44ee4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_c64a2798-77c1-45f8-a514-549b5fd21406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_eefc2209-9208-4f7d-ae3e-58c816c44ee4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_4b09b26d-e9fa-49cd-883b-ea38162d24fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_eefc2209-9208-4f7d-ae3e-58c816c44ee4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_4b09b26d-e9fa-49cd-883b-ea38162d24fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_4b09b26d-e9fa-49cd-883b-ea38162d24fc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_4b09b26d-e9fa-49cd-883b-ea38162d24fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_4b09b26d-e9fa-49cd-883b-ea38162d24fc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7b49f02c-4c0d-4b63-8f64-4f23680f88aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_4b09b26d-e9fa-49cd-883b-ea38162d24fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7b49f02c-4c0d-4b63-8f64-4f23680f88aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_2aaa1397-55d1-4d1d-9f10-8624f0620e7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7b49f02c-4c0d-4b63-8f64-4f23680f88aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_2aaa1397-55d1-4d1d-9f10-8624f0620e7d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_63d50270-9a7b-463d-b57f-6150e875017b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7b49f02c-4c0d-4b63-8f64-4f23680f88aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_63d50270-9a7b-463d-b57f-6150e875017b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_284cad52-9956-44f9-a7f2-3522d5dcbacc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7b49f02c-4c0d-4b63-8f64-4f23680f88aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_284cad52-9956-44f9-a7f2-3522d5dcbacc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_ad64a961-e12c-47e2-83c9-3218589d4c07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_eefc2209-9208-4f7d-ae3e-58c816c44ee4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_ad64a961-e12c-47e2-83c9-3218589d4c07" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_ad64a961-e12c-47e2-83c9-3218589d4c07_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_ad64a961-e12c-47e2-83c9-3218589d4c07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_ad64a961-e12c-47e2-83c9-3218589d4c07_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_4e12c975-61eb-4f69-bd77-87823ca35d17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_ad64a961-e12c-47e2-83c9-3218589d4c07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_4e12c975-61eb-4f69-bd77-87823ca35d17" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_9ccfb47c-7d23-4542-ae9d-e947ae297934" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_4e12c975-61eb-4f69-bd77-87823ca35d17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_9ccfb47c-7d23-4542-ae9d-e947ae297934" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementCarryingValuesandFairValuesoftheCompanysFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementCarryingValuesandFairValuesoftheCompanysFinancialInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/FairValueMeasurementCarryingValuesandFairValuesoftheCompanysFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i67406902642448cd8d774a77aecbc36b_FairValueMeasurementCarryingValuesandFairValuesoftheCompanysFinancialInstrumentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_2b2c519f-8af0-4c7f-b319-2f4c541aaf8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_3acbdcbc-29ca-48fc-99f6-bde4f3d96eab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_2b2c519f-8af0-4c7f-b319-2f4c541aaf8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_3acbdcbc-29ca-48fc-99f6-bde4f3d96eab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_2d898d50-fe19-40a9-a11a-f26c77f0257e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_2b2c519f-8af0-4c7f-b319-2f4c541aaf8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_2d898d50-fe19-40a9-a11a-f26c77f0257e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_19ef4f88-f1c1-4b6b-b1f6-cde446826ce8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_2b2c519f-8af0-4c7f-b319-2f4c541aaf8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_19ef4f88-f1c1-4b6b-b1f6-cde446826ce8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_6a51fb82-a904-4592-b8cd-738ffa33ca34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_19ef4f88-f1c1-4b6b-b1f6-cde446826ce8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_6a51fb82-a904-4592-b8cd-738ffa33ca34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_6a51fb82-a904-4592-b8cd-738ffa33ca34_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_6a51fb82-a904-4592-b8cd-738ffa33ca34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_6a51fb82-a904-4592-b8cd-738ffa33ca34_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_6b697365-72c7-4cf5-b476-19a946a66f18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_6a51fb82-a904-4592-b8cd-738ffa33ca34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_6b697365-72c7-4cf5-b476-19a946a66f18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_46379a66-b555-46d9-afb9-ad6480af0c4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_6b697365-72c7-4cf5-b476-19a946a66f18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_46379a66-b555-46d9-afb9-ad6480af0c4d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_eb7e5644-d89d-4aa5-847b-418a00c74a70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_46379a66-b555-46d9-afb9-ad6480af0c4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_eb7e5644-d89d-4aa5-847b-418a00c74a70" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_d46cb7e1-2c5e-4797-9470-0c4a463306d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_46379a66-b555-46d9-afb9-ad6480af0c4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_d46cb7e1-2c5e-4797-9470-0c4a463306d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c18e8848-a1d6-4cb8-9cbf-03a949fbbdb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_19ef4f88-f1c1-4b6b-b1f6-cde446826ce8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c18e8848-a1d6-4cb8-9cbf-03a949fbbdb1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c18e8848-a1d6-4cb8-9cbf-03a949fbbdb1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c18e8848-a1d6-4cb8-9cbf-03a949fbbdb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c18e8848-a1d6-4cb8-9cbf-03a949fbbdb1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0e917eb8-23d4-41b5-af74-37569e34febe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c18e8848-a1d6-4cb8-9cbf-03a949fbbdb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0e917eb8-23d4-41b5-af74-37569e34febe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_TermAFacilityMember_5b853299-8d5f-43f2-9740-816cb74167c4" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_TermAFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0e917eb8-23d4-41b5-af74-37569e34febe" xlink:to="loc_amcx_TermAFacilityMember_5b853299-8d5f-43f2-9740-816cb74167c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A500SeniorNotesDue2024Member_d2c932dc-f838-432d-8812-038991fb159c" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_A500SeniorNotesDue2024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0e917eb8-23d4-41b5-af74-37569e34febe" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A500SeniorNotesDue2024Member_d2c932dc-f838-432d-8812-038991fb159c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesDue2025Member_ca7163cb-bb63-4eed-8dd0-f5b46f6de3ba" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_A475SeniorNotesDue2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0e917eb8-23d4-41b5-af74-37569e34febe" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A475SeniorNotesDue2025Member_ca7163cb-bb63-4eed-8dd0-f5b46f6de3ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A425SeniorNotesDue2029Member_63806926-2f49-4f8d-93ee-c3a3f15af54c" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_A425SeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0e917eb8-23d4-41b5-af74-37569e34febe" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A425SeniorNotesDue2029Member_63806926-2f49-4f8d-93ee-c3a3f15af54c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_c32b1eba-598d-4cb3-986c-33d80bbfcb25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_19ef4f88-f1c1-4b6b-b1f6-cde446826ce8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_c32b1eba-598d-4cb3-986c-33d80bbfcb25" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c32b1eba-598d-4cb3-986c-33d80bbfcb25_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_c32b1eba-598d-4cb3-986c-33d80bbfcb25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c32b1eba-598d-4cb3-986c-33d80bbfcb25_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d938127d-b703-4f6d-8ab5-e438fb5f399d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_c32b1eba-598d-4cb3-986c-33d80bbfcb25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d938127d-b703-4f6d-8ab5-e438fb5f399d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_51d4e221-6334-4865-81d2-60ece280a6ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d938127d-b703-4f6d-8ab5-e438fb5f399d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_51d4e221-6334-4865-81d2-60ece280a6ad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinBalanceSheetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinBalanceSheetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinBalanceSheetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icdd6698d7f364b3dbbf80bd19cbeee90_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinBalanceSheetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_acec4418-0716-4da0-a55e-64a96d8db0e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract_57ef76f7-3af6-49bd-ab7f-0ef001b07408" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_acec4418-0716-4da0-a55e-64a96d8db0e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract_57ef76f7-3af6-49bd-ab7f-0ef001b07408" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue_28f0891c-4954-4768-83ba-29ce4fed2a62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract_57ef76f7-3af6-49bd-ab7f-0ef001b07408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue_28f0891c-4954-4768-83ba-29ce4fed2a62" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue_f1b45a7c-490a-44dd-87e6-11cfd2e1a50f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract_57ef76f7-3af6-49bd-ab7f-0ef001b07408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue_f1b45a7c-490a-44dd-87e6-11cfd2e1a50f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_29e38342-7e53-4d98-a60b-6ea8c23c070a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_acec4418-0716-4da0-a55e-64a96d8db0e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_29e38342-7e53-4d98-a60b-6ea8c23c070a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_b5284f8c-c065-4c8c-8d74-27b509e41997" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_29e38342-7e53-4d98-a60b-6ea8c23c070a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_b5284f8c-c065-4c8c-8d74-27b509e41997" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_b5284f8c-c065-4c8c-8d74-27b509e41997_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_b5284f8c-c065-4c8c-8d74-27b509e41997" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_b5284f8c-c065-4c8c-8d74-27b509e41997_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_b428ad28-35ed-4b2c-b758-72171811038e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_b5284f8c-c065-4c8c-8d74-27b509e41997" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_b428ad28-35ed-4b2c-b758-72171811038e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_4c1afa39-63c1-4232-bf50-89fdee1f4acd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_b428ad28-35ed-4b2c-b758-72171811038e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_4c1afa39-63c1-4232-bf50-89fdee1f4acd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_e83fa748-2626-476e-8a17-6a7f18ebb4a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_29e38342-7e53-4d98-a60b-6ea8c23c070a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_e83fa748-2626-476e-8a17-6a7f18ebb4a7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e83fa748-2626-476e-8a17-6a7f18ebb4a7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_e83fa748-2626-476e-8a17-6a7f18ebb4a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e83fa748-2626-476e-8a17-6a7f18ebb4a7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_0ca9d32b-1621-4741-ad90-1aa2dc2c2b80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_e83fa748-2626-476e-8a17-6a7f18ebb4a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_0ca9d32b-1621-4741-ad90-1aa2dc2c2b80" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_f8bc5bbd-274a-4562-95cf-85473f5509e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_0ca9d32b-1621-4741-ad90-1aa2dc2c2b80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_f8bc5bbd-274a-4562-95cf-85473f5509e1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_17fa1999-c9aa-4fe4-9853-d94ddb51b0d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_29e38342-7e53-4d98-a60b-6ea8c23c070a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_17fa1999-c9aa-4fe4-9853-d94ddb51b0d4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_17fa1999-c9aa-4fe4-9853-d94ddb51b0d4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_17fa1999-c9aa-4fe4-9853-d94ddb51b0d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_17fa1999-c9aa-4fe4-9853-d94ddb51b0d4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_308b910e-7cca-4d5c-8ce7-eb25cf410707" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_17fa1999-c9aa-4fe4-9853-d94ddb51b0d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_308b910e-7cca-4d5c-8ce7-eb25cf410707" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_3b66a660-40f2-443a-b79b-fb3aa119029a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_308b910e-7cca-4d5c-8ce7-eb25cf410707" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_3b66a660-40f2-443a-b79b-fb3aa119029a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember_5c3c57a2-7abd-4382-b92b-ba96f96883e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_308b910e-7cca-4d5c-8ce7-eb25cf410707" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember_5c3c57a2-7abd-4382-b92b-ba96f96883e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember_b12b6d54-d564-443f-b6aa-4be803220620" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_308b910e-7cca-4d5c-8ce7-eb25cf410707" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember_b12b6d54-d564-443f-b6aa-4be803220620" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember_546e01cb-d1ad-4acb-8bc8-4c69ec577caf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_308b910e-7cca-4d5c-8ce7-eb25cf410707" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember_546e01cb-d1ad-4acb-8bc8-4c69ec577caf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofOtherDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofOtherDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofOtherDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i796e9c8d4ae744f588686355032a53d8_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofOtherDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_80710c03-f37a-4674-8647-4c98f8b4a9fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_6f1d9c1d-9497-4758-b855-5124b54b6959" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_80710c03-f37a-4674-8647-4c98f8b4a9fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_6f1d9c1d-9497-4758-b855-5124b54b6959" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_96cacff1-c474-4ed7-a948-8510f8e1107f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_80710c03-f37a-4674-8647-4c98f8b4a9fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_96cacff1-c474-4ed7-a948-8510f8e1107f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_69e5b338-7ce0-41a2-bc6f-aadb93faaff9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_96cacff1-c474-4ed7-a948-8510f8e1107f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_69e5b338-7ce0-41a2-bc6f-aadb93faaff9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_69e5b338-7ce0-41a2-bc6f-aadb93faaff9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_69e5b338-7ce0-41a2-bc6f-aadb93faaff9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_69e5b338-7ce0-41a2-bc6f-aadb93faaff9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2b638f15-84fe-4db8-8cd3-ed5af1914464" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_69e5b338-7ce0-41a2-bc6f-aadb93faaff9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2b638f15-84fe-4db8-8cd3-ed5af1914464" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_4a9e0e6c-29e1-4eea-9451-3af995a74380" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2b638f15-84fe-4db8-8cd3-ed5af1914464" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_4a9e0e6c-29e1-4eea-9451-3af995a74380" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_90bbcfa6-c28a-4c11-9486-fc04779dabe2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_96cacff1-c474-4ed7-a948-8510f8e1107f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_90bbcfa6-c28a-4c11-9486-fc04779dabe2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_90bbcfa6-c28a-4c11-9486-fc04779dabe2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_90bbcfa6-c28a-4c11-9486-fc04779dabe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_90bbcfa6-c28a-4c11-9486-fc04779dabe2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_56444ca9-ada8-4dfe-91e4-ec64e1c4d916" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_90bbcfa6-c28a-4c11-9486-fc04779dabe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_56444ca9-ada8-4dfe-91e4-ec64e1c4d916" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember_1d008501-9448-4115-9959-3f6d461278fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_56444ca9-ada8-4dfe-91e4-ec64e1c4d916" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember_1d008501-9448-4115-9959-3f6d461278fa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i8802b943f0dd451c9d51ceef89c0a81b_CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_b0d55f84-0aab-46bd-8ae7-5fc2016e13e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_IncreaseDecreaseInContractualObligationsNotReflectedInBalanceSheet_a579c720-777f-4858-98e5-af708a9047e7" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_IncreaseDecreaseInContractualObligationsNotReflectedInBalanceSheet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_b0d55f84-0aab-46bd-8ae7-5fc2016e13e7" xlink:to="loc_amcx_IncreaseDecreaseInContractualObligationsNotReflectedInBalanceSheet_a579c720-777f-4858-98e5-af708a9047e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractualObligation_743111fc-15d2-4b74-90c5-f089a7ad836e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractualObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_b0d55f84-0aab-46bd-8ae7-5fc2016e13e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractualObligation_743111fc-15d2-4b74-90c5-f089a7ad836e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_NumberOfLegalMatters_c7cdb61a-3901-4253-a185-e75186ee5f5f" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_NumberOfLegalMatters"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_b0d55f84-0aab-46bd-8ae7-5fc2016e13e7" xlink:to="loc_amcx_NumberOfLegalMatters_c7cdb61a-3901-4253-a185-e75186ee5f5f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_LossContingencyNumberOfDefendantsEliminated_aaeabc98-b3d2-4d4c-bbec-8f73949583dc" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_LossContingencyNumberOfDefendantsEliminated"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_b0d55f84-0aab-46bd-8ae7-5fc2016e13e7" xlink:to="loc_amcx_LossContingencyNumberOfDefendantsEliminated_aaeabc98-b3d2-4d4c-bbec-8f73949583dc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_2fb5674e-e3d5-4970-a2ac-a71d92fb63a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_b0d55f84-0aab-46bd-8ae7-5fc2016e13e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_2fb5674e-e3d5-4970-a2ac-a71d92fb63a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_0bf9c65e-29ad-476c-845d-c27f57b059c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_2fb5674e-e3d5-4970-a2ac-a71d92fb63a5" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_0bf9c65e-29ad-476c-845d-c27f57b059c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_0bf9c65e-29ad-476c-845d-c27f57b059c4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_0bf9c65e-29ad-476c-845d-c27f57b059c4" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_0bf9c65e-29ad-476c-845d-c27f57b059c4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_72a1a14f-e7fe-490d-96cd-b046b4250ba0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_0bf9c65e-29ad-476c-845d-c27f57b059c4" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_72a1a14f-e7fe-490d-96cd-b046b4250ba0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_CaliforniaActionMember_97fcd0a3-7628-419b-b22b-bb35b45a9f1a" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_CaliforniaActionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_72a1a14f-e7fe-490d-96cd-b046b4250ba0" xlink:to="loc_amcx_CaliforniaActionMember_97fcd0a3-7628-419b-b22b-bb35b45a9f1a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/EquityPlansNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#EquityPlansNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/EquityPlansNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i141106b26bb04683b5227c0d0bcecd60_EquityPlansNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_27bce5bb-8724-4fd4-84a3-cb8cd95336d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_27bce5bb-8724-4fd4-84a3-cb8cd95336d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_4b7aae29-4c0d-4f16-a3a7-d24417155ca1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_4b7aae29-4c0d-4f16-a3a7-d24417155ca1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_77aa0020-c1cc-4643-a707-135b3e151b65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_77aa0020-c1cc-4643-a707-135b3e151b65" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_fab5a892-3c53-450b-af8a-0c60d7843ca1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_fab5a892-3c53-450b-af8a-0c60d7843ca1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_ea611f8e-5bd3-4cfd-9ddb-fa7919a1d93f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_ea611f8e-5bd3-4cfd-9ddb-fa7919a1d93f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfOtherEquity_ff732cda-9008-4f9d-9146-01d0e5a074a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfOtherEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfOtherEquity_ff732cda-9008-4f9d-9146-01d0e5a074a4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_e389e80e-9349-4891-a32b-65d0757a3b61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_e389e80e-9349-4891-a32b-65d0757a3b61" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_319ec423-d0d9-4340-874e-e7f0e4ddd52b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_319ec423-d0d9-4340-874e-e7f0e4ddd52b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_17c46a2a-f660-4917-96f7-d0747316e8e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_17c46a2a-f660-4917-96f7-d0747316e8e5" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dca4986c-9598-49bf-896e-37fa4d170181" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea82e39f-0551-4c6e-9b4b-229483b84c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dca4986c-9598-49bf-896e-37fa4d170181" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_869f25b8-4639-4dd1-81b0-e4cdbc4943f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dca4986c-9598-49bf-896e-37fa4d170181" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_869f25b8-4639-4dd1-81b0-e4cdbc4943f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_869f25b8-4639-4dd1-81b0-e4cdbc4943f4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_869f25b8-4639-4dd1-81b0-e4cdbc4943f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_869f25b8-4639-4dd1-81b0-e4cdbc4943f4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_af73aa76-2db1-43f1-98f7-5cc33483b3b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_869f25b8-4639-4dd1-81b0-e4cdbc4943f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_af73aa76-2db1-43f1-98f7-5cc33483b3b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_A2016EmployeeStockPlanMember_e9d1e82b-377b-4d72-af74-aed0ffd9637f" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_A2016EmployeeStockPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_af73aa76-2db1-43f1-98f7-5cc33483b3b6" xlink:to="loc_amcx_A2016EmployeeStockPlanMember_e9d1e82b-377b-4d72-af74-aed0ffd9637f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4383c6a9-31f1-4708-86bf-d3c50fbb9432" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dca4986c-9598-49bf-896e-37fa4d170181" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4383c6a9-31f1-4708-86bf-d3c50fbb9432" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4383c6a9-31f1-4708-86bf-d3c50fbb9432_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4383c6a9-31f1-4708-86bf-d3c50fbb9432" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4383c6a9-31f1-4708-86bf-d3c50fbb9432_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d6558830-a32c-475f-a120-9a6e89625f3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4383c6a9-31f1-4708-86bf-d3c50fbb9432" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d6558830-a32c-475f-a120-9a6e89625f3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_9ea4bdb1-8224-4f18-adf6-51b3f432fd4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d6558830-a32c-475f-a120-9a6e89625f3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_9ea4bdb1-8224-4f18-adf6-51b3f432fd4b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_888a705a-611a-462e-b05e-dc98ee92219e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d6558830-a32c-475f-a120-9a6e89625f3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_888a705a-611a-462e-b05e-dc98ee92219e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_fa27b1fb-f9a7-4377-9c58-a304a9dbf92f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dca4986c-9598-49bf-896e-37fa4d170181" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_fa27b1fb-f9a7-4377-9c58-a304a9dbf92f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_fa27b1fb-f9a7-4377-9c58-a304a9dbf92f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_fa27b1fb-f9a7-4377-9c58-a304a9dbf92f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_fa27b1fb-f9a7-4377-9c58-a304a9dbf92f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_18d7184c-9a2c-4a3e-b81b-ac472ace9328" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_fa27b1fb-f9a7-4377-9c58-a304a9dbf92f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_18d7184c-9a2c-4a3e-b81b-ac472ace9328" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_e1427fa3-6721-424c-8411-35efd5d96e72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_18d7184c-9a2c-4a3e-b81b-ac472ace9328" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_e1427fa3-6721-424c-8411-35efd5d96e72" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofContinuingOperationsbyReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#SegmentInformationSummaryofContinuingOperationsbyReportableSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofContinuingOperationsbyReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icc15f5f9d3c24dbf8fa80f27896e708e_SegmentInformationSummaryofContinuingOperationsbyReportableSegmentDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_d5cdd7c2-fb15-474a-9237-9640eb2715ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_d5cdd7c2-fb15-474a-9237-9640eb2715ee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_b56b3c59-4303-4ff5-8914-77cedf2065de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_b56b3c59-4303-4ff5-8914-77cedf2065de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_43bd610f-97e4-4cc9-89a8-ed69cbcfb447" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_43bd610f-97e4-4cc9-89a8-ed69cbcfb447" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_c9b751fa-bd69-4399-b0ac-afa3791813e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_c9b751fa-bd69-4399-b0ac-afa3791813e7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_6b29cc1e-3683-4a81-9265-9fff6a80de88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost_6b29cc1e-3683-4a81-9265-9fff6a80de88" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_be90a4e6-5651-4d25-9950-0196782277f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_be90a4e6-5651-4d25-9950-0196782277f8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostExpenseAmortization_e3ccc343-1c8f-4163-abc2-3851ca49027d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostExpenseAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostExpenseAmortization_e3ccc343-1c8f-4163-abc2-3851ca49027d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_EquityInvesteesAdjustedOperatingIncome_45d6c337-7541-4be1-bd8c-4f19fde4f5b2" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_EquityInvesteesAdjustedOperatingIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_amcx_EquityInvesteesAdjustedOperatingIncome_45d6c337-7541-4be1-bd8c-4f19fde4f5b2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedOperatingIncome_fc2d6471-6a39-4baf-8deb-26a269c8ce25" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedOperatingIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_amcx_SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedOperatingIncome_fc2d6471-6a39-4baf-8deb-26a269c8ce25" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a04d3810-6964-4ec0-bf1e-0017e7bc1093" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd988de9-e2ff-4534-a4d4-625736fc0dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a04d3810-6964-4ec0-bf1e-0017e7bc1093" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_528bfb77-12bb-4c1a-831c-8e97c6de5eae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a04d3810-6964-4ec0-bf1e-0017e7bc1093" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_528bfb77-12bb-4c1a-831c-8e97c6de5eae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_528bfb77-12bb-4c1a-831c-8e97c6de5eae_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_528bfb77-12bb-4c1a-831c-8e97c6de5eae" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_528bfb77-12bb-4c1a-831c-8e97c6de5eae_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6fea5248-2d82-4eb6-b423-c480d4068aaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_528bfb77-12bb-4c1a-831c-8e97c6de5eae" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6fea5248-2d82-4eb6-b423-c480d4068aaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubscriptionAndCirculationMember_6bad739c-1a68-450f-838c-570f84753f21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubscriptionAndCirculationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6fea5248-2d82-4eb6-b423-c480d4068aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubscriptionAndCirculationMember_6bad739c-1a68-450f-838c-570f84753f21" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LicenseMember_387a66ed-5fa5-4faa-9869-7798c41cd74e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LicenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6fea5248-2d82-4eb6-b423-c480d4068aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LicenseMember_387a66ed-5fa5-4faa-9869-7798c41cd74e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EntertainmentMember_81358b16-a159-4b9e-a5e1-f6176b3d1101" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EntertainmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6fea5248-2d82-4eb6-b423-c480d4068aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EntertainmentMember_81358b16-a159-4b9e-a5e1-f6176b3d1101" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdvertisingMember_2938ec5e-335e-4144-8eac-0d2f75b7e21f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdvertisingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6fea5248-2d82-4eb6-b423-c480d4068aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdvertisingMember_2938ec5e-335e-4144-8eac-0d2f75b7e21f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8b786625-2c5a-49e3-b829-cf01bebe98b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a04d3810-6964-4ec0-bf1e-0017e7bc1093" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8b786625-2c5a-49e3-b829-cf01bebe98b3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8b786625-2c5a-49e3-b829-cf01bebe98b3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8b786625-2c5a-49e3-b829-cf01bebe98b3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8b786625-2c5a-49e3-b829-cf01bebe98b3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_28f02662-616c-4e54-9ead-3ea53da66eb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8b786625-2c5a-49e3-b829-cf01bebe98b3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_28f02662-616c-4e54-9ead-3ea53da66eb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_60283f9a-0931-420b-b41a-ad7496046175" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_28f02662-616c-4e54-9ead-3ea53da66eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_60283f9a-0931-420b-b41a-ad7496046175" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_125a8cff-018c-47f9-97c3-c3c26fed3a09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_28f02662-616c-4e54-9ead-3ea53da66eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_125a8cff-018c-47f9-97c3-c3c26fed3a09" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_dc43617d-6fdf-4ed0-9b3c-d9fbfde0a937" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a04d3810-6964-4ec0-bf1e-0017e7bc1093" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_dc43617d-6fdf-4ed0-9b3c-d9fbfde0a937" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_dc43617d-6fdf-4ed0-9b3c-d9fbfde0a937_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_dc43617d-6fdf-4ed0-9b3c-d9fbfde0a937" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_dc43617d-6fdf-4ed0-9b3c-d9fbfde0a937_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ee63e543-a6dc-4cde-a882-887e11159576" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_dc43617d-6fdf-4ed0-9b3c-d9fbfde0a937" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ee63e543-a6dc-4cde-a882-887e11159576" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_f85080b6-6b00-44d8-891f-668da269b245" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_DomesticOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ee63e543-a6dc-4cde-a882-887e11159576" xlink:to="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_f85080b6-6b00-44d8-891f-668da269b245" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_2ce6312e-82e4-4936-ab78-7542e5dd00f2" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ee63e543-a6dc-4cde-a882-887e11159576" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_2ce6312e-82e4-4936-ab78-7542e5dd00f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofInterSegmentEliminationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#SegmentInformationSummaryofInterSegmentEliminationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofInterSegmentEliminationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6520ab29e0fc44dd832b1211cf85d5e0_SegmentInformationSummaryofInterSegmentEliminationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_b3948325-d61d-4174-9771-0dcda9c08722" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_2358e120-54e1-4173-b640-0082cd1163f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_b3948325-d61d-4174-9771-0dcda9c08722" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_2358e120-54e1-4173-b640-0082cd1163f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_78d785ab-f809-4e2b-9e56-83288ca61510" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_b3948325-d61d-4174-9771-0dcda9c08722" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_78d785ab-f809-4e2b-9e56-83288ca61510" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_6ccebcc8-cee4-4991-b3ca-2173a21c583f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_78d785ab-f809-4e2b-9e56-83288ca61510" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_6ccebcc8-cee4-4991-b3ca-2173a21c583f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6ccebcc8-cee4-4991-b3ca-2173a21c583f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_6ccebcc8-cee4-4991-b3ca-2173a21c583f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6ccebcc8-cee4-4991-b3ca-2173a21c583f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_de9895c1-f6fb-4127-b823-529579d6ec73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_6ccebcc8-cee4-4991-b3ca-2173a21c583f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_de9895c1-f6fb-4127-b823-529579d6ec73" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_6f1decab-d37a-44ef-955c-7136868f87b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_de9895c1-f6fb-4127-b823-529579d6ec73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_6f1decab-d37a-44ef-955c-7136868f87b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_447a95b3-83f6-45a0-8965-fc0b36bd82be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_78d785ab-f809-4e2b-9e56-83288ca61510" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_447a95b3-83f6-45a0-8965-fc0b36bd82be" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_447a95b3-83f6-45a0-8965-fc0b36bd82be_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_447a95b3-83f6-45a0-8965-fc0b36bd82be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_447a95b3-83f6-45a0-8965-fc0b36bd82be_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_c19981a8-6934-4ace-80be-ad464998e75a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_447a95b3-83f6-45a0-8965-fc0b36bd82be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_c19981a8-6934-4ace-80be-ad464998e75a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_33f0e49e-326d-4f4c-99a6-47a5b0910bc7" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_DomesticOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_c19981a8-6934-4ace-80be-ad464998e75a" xlink:to="loc_amcx_DomesticOperationsMember_33f0e49e-326d-4f4c-99a6-47a5b0910bc7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_81f95bc4-936c-4dae-962c-6571afef5989" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_c19981a8-6934-4ace-80be-ad464998e75a" xlink:to="loc_amcx_InternationalAndOtherMember_81f95bc4-936c-4dae-962c-6571afef5989" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofRevenuesbyGeographicLocationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#SegmentInformationScheduleofRevenuesbyGeographicLocationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofRevenuesbyGeographicLocationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie0253ee5c97a4dd9aa21abf955abfe0e_SegmentInformationScheduleofRevenuesbyGeographicLocationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_c1be6686-3e57-4fc4-bbae-250291ad8e4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_75b5feb5-983f-4ce5-8806-b2111fc39a93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_c1be6686-3e57-4fc4-bbae-250291ad8e4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_75b5feb5-983f-4ce5-8806-b2111fc39a93" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f7633053-a96f-45c2-b69f-7dddf2e94b3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_c1be6686-3e57-4fc4-bbae-250291ad8e4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f7633053-a96f-45c2-b69f-7dddf2e94b3b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_17c48bb1-47b9-4d73-b79f-315e0de704f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f7633053-a96f-45c2-b69f-7dddf2e94b3b" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_17c48bb1-47b9-4d73-b79f-315e0de704f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_17c48bb1-47b9-4d73-b79f-315e0de704f6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_17c48bb1-47b9-4d73-b79f-315e0de704f6" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_17c48bb1-47b9-4d73-b79f-315e0de704f6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0b4708f8-d215-4aaf-9442-505d98ab2246" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_17c48bb1-47b9-4d73-b79f-315e0de704f6" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0b4708f8-d215-4aaf-9442-505d98ab2246" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NorthAmericaMember_58f72fc0-be52-4b58-b807-233a6cc3c1fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_NorthAmericaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0b4708f8-d215-4aaf-9442-505d98ab2246" xlink:to="loc_srt_NorthAmericaMember_58f72fc0-be52-4b58-b807-233a6cc3c1fe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_26f5741d-7414-4c1f-bfe4-18488ce17220" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0b4708f8-d215-4aaf-9442-505d98ab2246" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_26f5741d-7414-4c1f-bfe4-18488ce17220" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember_391aadf2-5c60-4ae4-b092-4123ce652d5b" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0b4708f8-d215-4aaf-9442-505d98ab2246" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember_391aadf2-5c60-4ae4-b092-4123ce652d5b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicLocationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#SegmentInformationLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicLocationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.amcnetworks.com/role/SegmentInformationLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicLocationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i84e4e17ddd8849ab8eb2aa7ea2de85d5_SegmentInformationLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicLocationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_a5d7f16d-c5bc-406d-b220-52a0a97e7220" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_8591f639-ba0e-4b6e-8cbd-7ea47213b5b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_a5d7f16d-c5bc-406d-b220-52a0a97e7220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_8591f639-ba0e-4b6e-8cbd-7ea47213b5b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1de93f4e-0651-4787-abd5-36fb91db1ca1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_a5d7f16d-c5bc-406d-b220-52a0a97e7220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1de93f4e-0651-4787-abd5-36fb91db1ca1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_0de6908b-de51-442b-a22f-93197c74a008" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1de93f4e-0651-4787-abd5-36fb91db1ca1" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_0de6908b-de51-442b-a22f-93197c74a008" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0de6908b-de51-442b-a22f-93197c74a008_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_0de6908b-de51-442b-a22f-93197c74a008" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_0de6908b-de51-442b-a22f-93197c74a008_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_e20e91e4-8713-4621-9ba5-ca9f83a5627e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_0de6908b-de51-442b-a22f-93197c74a008" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_e20e91e4-8713-4621-9ba5-ca9f83a5627e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NorthAmericaMember_c1f5063b-f159-4e5b-900c-6505d16e5c7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_NorthAmericaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_e20e91e4-8713-4621-9ba5-ca9f83a5627e" xlink:to="loc_srt_NorthAmericaMember_c1f5063b-f159-4e5b-900c-6505d16e5c7a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_5ea89a8c-9348-4fe4-8acd-646d104c08f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_e20e91e4-8713-4621-9ba5-ca9f83a5627e" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_5ea89a8c-9348-4fe4-8acd-646d104c08f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember_529d8bb2-320c-4295-be23-00f2460fd862" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_e20e91e4-8713-4621-9ba5-ca9f83a5627e" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OtherGeographicLocationsMember_529d8bb2-320c-4295-be23-00f2460fd862" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-roles-2021-01-31.xsd#eedm"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_046d91a0-246e-4406-aea2-62797d264514" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_046d91a0-246e-4406-aea2-62797d264514" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrentAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_36773720-7ad6-46b5-bdf2-a99b16b0fe0d" xlink:href="amcx-20220331.xsd#amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrentAbstract" xlink:to="loc_amcx_OperatingandFinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_36773720-7ad6-46b5-bdf2-a99b16b0fe0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
