AMC Networks (AMCX) 10-Q 1 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 26, 2018
Entity Registrant Name	AMC Networks Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,514,991
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		45,045,190
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,484,408

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 564,717	$ 558,783
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,949 and $9,691)	777,950	775,891
Current portion of program rights, net	470,254	453,450
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	118,569	91,726
Total current assets	1,931,490	1,879,850
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $290,229 and $259,919	225,468	183,514
Program rights, net	1,152,451	1,319,279
Deferred carriage fees, net	20,191	29,924
Intangible assets, net	469,757	457,242
Goodwill	705,382	695,158
Deferred tax asset, net	21,677	20,081
Other assets	635,541	447,937
Total assets	5,161,957	5,032,985
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	97,508	102,197
Accrued liabilities	240,892	263,076
Current portion of program rights obligations	356,157	327,549
Deferred revenue	61,289	46,433
Current portion of long-term debt	9,375	0
Current portion of capital lease obligations	4,649	4,847
Total current liabilities	769,870	744,102
Program rights obligations	397,592	534,980
Long-term debt	3,095,628	3,099,257
Capital lease obligations	22,422	26,277
Deferred tax liability, net	154,110	109,698
Other liabilities	178,160	136,122
Total liabilities	4,617,782	4,650,436
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	252,536	218,604
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 45,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Paid-in capital	232,882	191,303
Accumulated earnings	1,157,063	766,725
Treasury stock, at cost (18,210 and 13,120 shares Class A Common Stock, respectively)	(976,840)	(709,440)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(150,846)	(114,386)
Total AMC Networks stockholders' equity	263,006	134,944
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	28,633	29,001
Total stockholders' equity	291,639	163,945
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,161,957	5,032,985
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	632	627
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	$ 115	$ 115

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts receivable, trade, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 12,949	$ 9,691
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 290,229	$ 259,919
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	45,000,000	45,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	360,000,000	360,000,000
Common stock shares issued	63,235,291	62,721,145
Common stock, shares outstanding	45,025,364	49,601,184
Treasury stock, shares	18,209,927	13,119,961
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	90,000,000	90,000,000
Common stock shares issued	11,484,408	11,484,408
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,484,408	11,484,408

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues, net (including revenues, net from related parties of $1,605, $1,515, $4,779 and $4,594, respectively)	$ 696,875	$ 648,023	$ 2,199,083	$ 2,078,757
Operating expenses
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	346,398	322,743	1,043,572	956,200
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from related parties of $232, $216, $900 and $1,205, respectively)	156,242	138,688	494,067	464,670
Depreciation and amortization	22,011	20,938	64,034	65,037
Impairment and related charges	4,486	11,036	4,486	28,148
Restructuring expense	3,139	1,264	3,139	3,887
Total operating expenses	532,276	494,669	1,609,298	1,517,942
Operating income	164,599	153,354	589,785	560,815
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(38,137)	(35,392)	(115,607)	(96,609)
Interest income	5,102	3,582	15,453	10,841
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	(3,004)	0	(3,004)
Miscellaneous, net	28,762	12,420	30,989	42,448
Total other income (expense)	(4,273)	(22,394)	(69,165)	(46,324)
Income from operations before income taxes	160,326	130,960	520,620	514,491
Income tax expense	(43,666)	(40,124)	(133,092)	(173,399)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	116,660	90,836	387,528	341,092
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,403)	(3,834)	(13,220)	(15,276)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ 111,257	$ 87,002	$ 374,308	$ 325,816
Net income per share attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders:
Basic	$ 1.96	$ 1.37	$ 6.40	$ 4.94
Diluted	$ 1.93	$ 1.35	$ 6.31	$ 4.89
Weighted average common shares
Basic	56,875	63,683	58,519	65,960
Diluted	57,779	64,447	59,281	66,651

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues from related parties	$ 1,605	$ 1,515	$ 4,779	$ 4,594
Selling, general and administrative charges from related parties	$ 232	$ 216	$ 900	$ 1,205

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	$ 116,660	$ 90,836	$ 387,528	$ 341,092
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(6,094)	15,791	(32,679)	63,475
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps	0	(174)	0	(35)
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities	0	6,596	0	9,534
Other comprehensive income, before income taxes	(6,094)	22,213	(32,679)	72,974
Income tax expense	0	(2,363)	0	(3,495)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	(6,094)	19,850	(32,679)	69,479
Comprehensive income	110,566	110,686	354,849	410,571
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,218)	(4,633)	(11,954)	(17,997)
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ 105,348	$ 106,053	$ 342,895	$ 392,574

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 387,528	$ 341,092
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	64,034	65,037
Impairment and related charges	4,486	17,112
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	52,006	41,412
Amortization and write-off of program rights	684,289	667,060
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	13,107	13,204
Unrealized foreign currency transaction gain	(712)	(14,658)
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net	(40,848)	(27,598)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	5,746	6,530
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	3,004
Bad debt expense	6,155	3,638
Deferred income taxes	39,404	9,325
Other, net	(887)	(4,617)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net)	(2,333)	(13,316)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(27,769)	(69,463)
Program rights and obligations, net	(671,108)	(720,243)
Income taxes payable	(5,005)	(24,538)
Deferred revenue	3,531	(6,529)
Deferred carriage fees, net	(3,200)	(4,246)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	(36,612)	(8,633)
Net cash provided by operating activities	471,812	273,573
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(60,774)	(61,794)
Return of capital from investees	523	0
Investment in and loans to investees	(90,080)	(43,000)
Payments for acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired	(35,554)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(185,885)	(104,794)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	0	1,536,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	0	(1,257,965)
Payments for financing costs	0	(10,405)
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units	(15,734)	(13,373)
Purchase of treasury stock	(267,400)	(347,334)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	4,317	0
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(3,878)	(3,428)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(9,333)	(16,110)
Net cash used in financing activities	(292,028)	(112,615)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations	(6,101)	56,164
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	12,035	14,736
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	558,783	481,389
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 564,717	$ 552,289

Description Of Business And Bas

Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Description of Business AMC Networks Inc. ("AMC Networks") and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Company") own and operate entertainment businesses and assets. The Company is comprised of two operating segments: • National Networks: Includes activities of our five national programming networks, AMC Studios operations and AMC Broadcasting & Technology. Our national programming networks are AMC, WE tv, BBC AMERICA, IFC and SundanceTV in the U.S.; and AMC and IFC in Canada. Our AMC Studios operations produces original programming for our programming networks and also licenses such program rights worldwide. AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology is our technical services business, which primarily services most of the national programming networks. • International and Other : Principally includes AMC Networks International (AMCNI), the Company's international programming businesses consisting of a portfolio of channels in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Asia and Africa; IFC Films, the Company's independent film distribution business; Levity Entertainment Group ("Levity") (acquired April 20, 2018), our production services and comedy venues company; and our subscription streaming services, Sundance Now and Shudder. AMCNI – DMC, the broadcast solutions unit of certain networks of AMCNI and third-party networks is included through the date sold, July 12, 2017. Basis of Presentation Principles of Consolidation These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMC Networks and its majority owned or controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in business entities in which the Company lacks control but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Unaudited Interim Financial Statements These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017 contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (" 2017 Form 10-K") filed with the SEC. The condensed consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, such financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for future interim periods or for the full year ending December 31, 2018 . Program Rights The Company periodically reviews the programming usefulness of its licensed and owned original program rights based on a series of factors, including expected future revenue generation from airings on the Company's networks and other exploitation opportunities, ratings, type and quality of program material, standards and practices, and fitness for exhibition through various forms of distribution. If it is determined that film or other program rights have limited, or no, future programming usefulness, a write-off of the unamortized cost is included in technical and operating expense. Program rights write-offs were $11.4 million and $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , respectively. Program rights write-offs were $20.6 million and $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , respectively. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include derivative assets and liabilities, certain stock compensation awards, the useful lives and methodologies used to amortize and assess recoverability of program rights, the estimated useful lives of intangible assets, valuation and recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets and income tax assets and liabilities. Financial Assets and Liabilities The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-01 Financial Instruments-Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities on January 1, 2018, which requires that investments in equity securities (excluding equity method investments) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Under prior accounting guidance, changes in fair value of available-for-sale equity securities were recorded in other comprehensive income. The adoption did not have a significant impact to these condensed consolidated financial statements. Adoption of New Revenue Recognition Standard The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method for all contracts not completed as of the date of adoption. The reported results as of and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 reflect the application of the new standard, while the reported results for 2017 have not been adjusted to reflect the new standard and were prepared under prior revenue recognition accounting guidance. The adoption of the new standard did not result in significant changes in the way the Company records distribution and advertising revenues. However, as a result of applying the new standard, there are certain components of the Company’s distribution revenues where the new standard generally results in earlier recognition of revenue compared to its historical policies due to: (i) the requirement to estimate and recognize variable consideration prior to such amounts becoming fixed and determinable, (ii) recognition of royalties in the period of usage, and (iii) recognition of certain arrangements with minimum guarantees on a time-based (straight-line) basis. See Note 2 for more information. As a result of adopting Topic 606, the Company recorded an increase to opening retained earnings of approximately $12.8 million , net of tax, as of January 1, 2018. The following table provides changes to the opening balances of current assets, total assets, current liabilities and total liabilities resulting from the adoption of the new guidance. (In thousands) December 31, Impact of January 1, Current assets $ 1,879,850 $ 3,658 $ 1,883,508 Total assets 5,032,985 19,899 5,052,884 Current liabilities 744,102 835 744,937 Total liabilities 4,650,436 7,115 4,657,551 The amount by which each financial statement line item has been affected in the current reporting period by the application of Topic 606 compared to historical policies is not material, therefore, comparative disclosures have been omitted. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to record most of their leases on the balance sheet, which will be recognized as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The Company will be required to classify each separate lease component as an operating or finance lease at the lease commencement date. Initial measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability is the same for operating and finance leases, however expense recognition and amortization of the right-of-use asset differs. Operating leases will reflect lease expense on a straight-line basis similar to current operating leases. The straight-line expense will reflect the interest expense on the lease liability (effective interest method) and amortization of the right-of-use asset, which will be presented as a single line item in the operating expense section of the income statement. Finance leases will reflect a front-loaded expense pattern similar to the pattern for current capital leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption will include updates provided under ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases , as well as ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), Targeted Improvements . The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) . ASU 2018-13 changes the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and is effective for the first quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2018-13 changes disclosure requirements related to transfers between Level I and II assets, as well as several aspects surrounding the valuation process and unrealized gains and losses related to Level III assets. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the modified disclosure requirements will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer	Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when, or as, performance obligations under the terms of a contract are satisfied, which generally occurs when, or as, control of the promised products or services is transferred to customers. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring products or services to a customer ("transaction price"). To the extent the transaction price includes variable consideration, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration that should be included in the transaction price utilizing the most likely amount to which the Company expects to be entitled. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in the Company’s judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. Estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment of the Company’s anticipated performance and all information that is reasonably available. Amounts collected on behalf of others (including taxes), where the Company is an agent, are excluded from revenue. When determining the transaction price of a contract, an adjustment is made if payment from a customer occurs either significantly before or significantly after performance, resulting in a significant financing component. Applying a practical expedient in the new standard, the Company does not assess whether a significant financing component exists if the period between when the Company performs its obligations under the contract and when the customer pays is one year or less. Contracts with customers may contain multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised products or services underlying each performance obligation. The Company determines standalone selling prices based on the price at which the performance obligation is sold separately. If the standalone selling price is not observable through past transactions, the Company estimates the standalone selling price considering available information such as market conditions and internal pricing guidelines related to the performance obligations. Contracts may be modified to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. Contract modifications exist when the modification either creates new or changes existing enforceable rights and obligations. The effect of a contract modification on the transaction price and measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue (either as an increase in or a reduction of revenue) on a cumulative catch-up basis. The Company primarily earns revenue from the distribution of its programming services, including licensing of its programming and other content, and advertising. The Company’s revenue recognition policies that summarize the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty associated with each major source of revenue from contracts with customers is described below. Distribution The majority of the Company’s distribution revenues relate to sales-based and usage-based royalties which are recognized on the later of (i) when the subsequent sale or usage occurs and (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the sales-based or usage-based royalty has been allocated has been satisfied or partially satisfied. Occasionally, the Company incurs costs to obtain a distribution contract and these costs are amortized over the period of the related distribution contract as a reduction of revenue. Subscription fee revenue: Subscription fees are earned from cable and other multichannel video programming distribution platforms, including direct broadcast satellite ("DBS"), platforms operated by telecommunications providers and virtual multichannel video programming distributors (collectively "distributors"), for the rights to use the Company's network programming under multi-year contracts, commonly referred to as "affiliation agreements." The Company's performance obligation under affiliation agreements is a license of functional intellectual property that is satisfied as the Company provides its programming over the term of the agreement. The transaction price is represented by subscription fees that are generally based upon (i) contractual rates applied to the number of the distributor's subscribers who receive or can receive our programming ("rate-per-subscriber"), or (ii) fixed contractual monthly fees ("fixed fee"). For rate-per-subscriber agreements, the Company applies the sales-based or usage-based royalty guidance, and accordingly, recognizes revenue in the period of the distributor’s usage, based on the subscription fee earned during the period. Fixed fee affiliation agreements are generally billed in monthly installments, and such amounts may vary over the term of the contract. In cases where the invoice amount corresponds directly with the value to the affiliate of the performance to-date, the Company recognizes revenue based on the invoiced amount. In cases where changes in fees during the contract term do not correspond directly to the value of the performance to-date (for example, if the fees vary over the contract term due to a significant financing or credit risk component), the Company recognizes the total amount of fixed transaction price over the contract period using a time-based (e.g., straight-line) measure of progress. Certain of the Company’s fixed fee affiliation agreements contain guaranteed minimum fees that are recoupable during the term of the agreement, and variable fees based on rates-per-subscriber after the guaranteed minimum is recouped. The Company recognizes revenue for the fixed consideration over the minimum guarantee period and recognizes variable fees only when cumulative consideration exceeds the minimum guarantee. Subscription revenue from the Company's direct-to-consumer subscription streaming services is recognized as the streaming service is provided to customers. Content licensing revenue: The Company licenses its original programming content to certain distributors under subscription video on-demand ("SVOD"), pay-per-view ("PPV") and electronic sell-through ("EST") arrangements. Under these arrangements, our performance obligation is a license to functional intellectual property that provides the distributor the right to use our programming as it exists at a point in time. The satisfaction of the Company’s performance obligation, and related recognition of revenue, occurs when the content is delivered to the licensee and the license period has begun.The Company’s performance obligation in a content license arrangement pertains to each distinct unit of content, which is generally each season of an episodic series. The Company typically delivers all episodes of a season for a series concurrently and the licensee’s rights to exploit the content is the same across all of the episodes. For SVOD arrangements, the Company adjusts the transaction price for the time value of money in cases where license fees are paid over several years. SVOD licensing revenue is recognized at the later of the beginning of the license period, or when we provide the programming to the distributor. The Company recognizes a contract asset for the difference between the revenue recognized and the amount we are permitted to invoice. For PPV and EST license fee arrangements, the Company applies the sales-based or usage-based royalty guidance and recognizes revenue in the period of end-customer purchases, based on the fees earned during the period. The Company also licenses trademarks, logos, brands, derivative character copyrights, etc. under multi-year arrangements. Under these arrangements, the Company may receive a non-refundable minimum guarantee that is recoupable against a volume-based royalty throughout the term of the agreement. The Company adjusts the transaction price for the time value of money in cases where license fees are paid over several years. The Company recognizes revenue for the minimum guarantee on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement, and recognizes variable fees only when cumulative consideration exceeds the minimum guarantee. For production services arrangements, the Company recognizes revenue based on the percentage of cost incurred to total estimated cost of the contract. The Company’s payment terms vary by the type and location of customer. Generally, payment terms are 30-45 days after revenue is earned. In certain limited circumstances, agreements with customers have payment terms in excess of one-year after satisfaction of the performance obligation. Advertising The Company generates revenues from the sale of advertising time on its networks. In such arrangements, the Company generally promises to air a certain number of commercials (spots) and to generate guaranteed viewer ratings for an audience demographic (impressions) over a period that generally does not exceed one year. The promise to deliver impressions by airing spots represents the Company’s performance obligation. Advertising revenues are recognized as commercials are aired, to the extent that guaranteed viewer ratings are achieved. A contract liability is recognized to the extent the guaranteed viewer ratings are not met, and is subsequently recognized as revenue either when the Company provides the required additional advertising or the guarantee obligation contractually expires, which is generally within one year. Generally, payment terms are 30 days after revenue is earned. Transaction Price Allocated to Future Performance Obligations The new standard requires disclosure of the aggregate amount of transaction price that is allocated to performance obligations that have not yet been satisfied as of September 30, 2018 . However, the guidance does not apply to sales-based or usage-based royalty arrangements and also provides certain practical expedients that allow companies to omit this disclosure requirement for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, (ii) contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount to which the Company has the right to invoice for services performed and (iii) variable consideration related to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation. As of September 30, 2018 , other than contracts for which the Company has applied the practical expedients, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was not material to our consolidated revenues. Contract Balances from Contracts with Customers The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. For certain types of contracts with customers, the Company may recognize revenue in advance of the contractual right to invoice the customer, resulting in an amount recorded to contract assets. Once the Company has an unconditional right to consideration under a contract, the contract assets are reclassified to account receivables. When consideration is received, or such consideration is unconditionally due, from a customer prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue when, or as, control of the products or services is transferred to the customer and all revenue recognition criteria have been met. The primary source of the Company’s contract liabilities relates to advertising sales arrangements and content licensing arrangements. As noted above, the Company’s programming networks generally guarantee viewer ratings for its programming. If these guaranteed viewer ratings are not met, the Company is required to provide additional advertising units to the advertiser. For these types of arrangements, a portion of the related revenue is deferred if the guaranteed ratings are not met, representing a contract liability, and is subsequently recognized either when the Company provides the required additional advertising time or the guarantee obligation contractually expires. In certain content licensing arrangements, payment may be received in advance of a distributor's ability to exhibit a program. Such payments are recorded as a contract liability and subsequently recognized when the program becomes available for exhibition. The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers. (In thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (a) Balances from contracts with customers: Accounts receivable (including long-term, included in Other assets) $ 986,500 $ 926,089 Contract assets, short-term (included in Other current assets) 13,631 — Contract assets, long-term (included in Other assets) 5,351 — Contract liabilities (Deferred revenue) 61,289 46,433 (a) As noted above, prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective method. Revenue recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 relating to the contract liability at December 31, 2017 was $38.7 million .

Net Income Per Share

Net Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Per Share	Net Income per Share The following is a reconciliation between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding: (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 56,875 63,683 58,519 65,960 Effect of dilution: Stock options 31 4 12 1 Restricted stock units 873 760 750 690 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 57,779 64,447 59,281 66,651 Approximately 1.5 million and 1.0 million restricted stock units outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , respectively, have been excluded from diluted weighted average common shares outstanding since a performance condition for these awards was not met in each of the respective periods. As of September 30, 2017 , there were approximately 0.4 million stock options that would have been anti-dilutive to the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. Stock Repurchase Program On March 7, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $500 million of its outstanding shares of common stock (the "Stock Repurchase Program"). On June 6, 2017, the Board of Directors approved an increase of $500 million and on June 13, 2018, the Board of Directors approved an additional increase of $500 million in the amount authorized for a total of $1.5 billion authorized under the Stock Repurchase Program. The Stock Repurchase Program has no pre-established closing date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company repurchased 5.1 million shares of its Class A Common Stock at an average purchase price of approximately $52.53 per share. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company has $575.2 million available for repurchase under the Stock Repurchase Program.

Restructuring

Restructuring	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring	Restructuring Restructuring expense of $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, due to severance charges incurred related to a management initiative which commenced in the third quarter of 2018, resulting in employee terminations at our corporate headquarters and AMCNI. We expect additional charges in the fourth quarter of 2018. All amounts remain outstanding at September 30, 2018. Restructuring expense of $1.3 million and $3.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively, related to corporate headquarter severance charges in connection with the restructuring initiative launched during the second half of 2016 and charges incurred at AMCNI related to costs associated with the termination of distribution in certain territories.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure	Business Combinations Levity Entertainment Group LLC On April 20, 2018, the Company acquired a 57% controlling interest in Levity Entertainment Group LLC ("Levity"), a production services and comedy venues company, for a total purchase price of $48.4 million . The purchase price consisted of $35.0 million payment for the outstanding Class B Common Units of Levity and the acquisition of Series L Preferred Units for $13.4 million . The Company views this acquisition as complementary to its business and programming content strategy. The Company accounted for the acquisition of Levity using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires, among other things, that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination be measured at their estimated respective fair values as of the closing date of the acquisition. Goodwill recognized in connection with this transaction represents primarily the potential economic benefits that the Company believes may arise from the acquisition. The goodwill associated with the Levity acquisition is generally deductible for tax purposes. The acquisition accounting for Levity as reflected in these condensed consolidated financial statements is preliminary and based on current estimates and currently available information, and is subject to revision based on final determinations of fair value and final allocations of purchase price to the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. The primary estimated fair values that are not yet finalized relate to the valuation of property and equipment, intangible assets, other assets, current and noncurrent liabilities, and redeemable noncontrolling interests. The following table summarizes the preliminary valuation of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands). Cash paid for controlling interest $ 48,350 Redeemable noncontrolling interest 30,573 $ 78,923 Allocation to net assets acquired: Cash 13,471 Other current assets 17,251 Property and equipment 20,663 Intangible assets 46,413 Other noncurrent assets 3,306 Current liabilities (23,647 ) Noncurrent liabilities (21,394 ) Noncontrolling interests acquired (1,354 ) Fair value of net assets acquired 54,709 Goodwill 24,214 $ 78,923 Unaudited Pro forma financial information The following unaudited pro forma financial information is based on (i) the historical financial statements of AMC Networks and (ii) the historical financial statements of Levity and is intended to provide information about how the acquisition may have affected the Company's historical consolidated financial statements if it had occurred as of January 1, 2017. The unaudited pro forma information has been prepared for comparative purposes only and includes adjustments for estimated additional depreciation and amortization expense as a result of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved had the acquisition taken place on the date indicated or that may result in the future. (In thousands) Pro Forma Financial Information for the Three months ended September 30, 2017 Nine months ended September 30, 2017 Revenues, net $ 689,550 $ 2,181,295 Income from operations, net of income taxes $ 87,728 $ 326,854 Net income per share, basic $ 1.38 $ 4.96 Net income per share, diluted $ 1.36 $ 4.90 Revenues, net and operating income attributable to Levity of $68.1 million and $2.2 million , respectively are included in the condensed consolidated statement of income from the acquisition date, April 20, 2018, to September 30, 2018 . For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company incurred acquisition related costs of $1.3 million which are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statement of income.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Investments [Abstract]
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure	Investments Equity Method Investments The Company holds several investments and loans in non-consolidated entities. Equity method investments were $103.2 million at September 30, 2018 and $61.3 million at December 31, 2017 . In September 2018, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $3.5 million related to the partial write-down of an equity method investment. RLJE On January 5, 2018, a subsidiary of the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Stock Purchase Agreement") with JH Partners Evergreen Fund, L.P., Forrestal, LLC, JH Investment Partners III, L.P., and JH Investment Partners GP Fund III, LLC (collectively, "JH Partners"). Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company purchased (i) 678,095 shares of common stock of RLJ Entertainment, Inc., ("RLJE"), (ii) 747,945 warrants to purchase shares of common stock of RLJE with an adjusted exercise price of $1.50 per share issued, and (iii) 7,479.432 shares of Series D-1 preferred stock of RLJE. The total purchase price was $17.2 million . On July 29, 2018, the Company, Digital Entertainment Holdings LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("DEH"), and River Merger Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of DEH ("Merger Sub"), and RLJE entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which the Company has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of RLJE not currently owned by the Company or entities affiliated with Robert L. Johnson. The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into RLJE, with RLJE continuing as the surviving corporation and a subsidiary of DEH (the "Merger"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each share of RLJE’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "RLJE Common Stock"), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, except for certain excluded shares (which include shares beneficially owned by the Company, DEH and their affiliates), will be automatically converted into the right to receive $6.25 in cash without interest (the "Per Share Merger Consideration"). The Merger Agreement also includes provisions for the payment at the Effective Time of consideration, calculated based on the amount of the Per Share Merger Consideration, to the holders of outstanding RLJE preferred stock who elect to receive such cash consideration and holders of warrants to purchase RLJE Common Stock, except for certain excluded shares (which include shares beneficially owned by the Company, DEH and their affiliates). Such holders of outstanding RLJE preferred stock will be entitled to receive $7.86 per underlying share of RLJE Common Stock, in accordance with the terms of the RLJE preferred stock, if they elect cash as their consideration. Such holders of outstanding warrants will be paid the difference between $6.25 and the per share exercise price of their warrants. RLJE - Subsequent Events On October 31, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of RLJE pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. At the Effective Time, Merger Sub merged with and into RLJE, with RLJE continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of DEH. The Merger Agreement was approved by the common stockholders of RLJE at a special meeting held earlier on October 31, 2018. The total cash purchase price paid by the Company to acquire the RLJE securities not previously owned by the Company or entities affiliated with Mr. Johnson is approximately $58.9 million (assuming all preferred stock holders elect cash as their consideration). Following the Effective Time, DEH was renamed “RLJ Entertainment Holdings LLC” (“RLJE Holdings”). RLJE Holdings is a majority owned subsidiary of the Company, with a minority stake of 17% held by affiliates of Mr. Johnson. The Company has entered into arrangements with Mr. Johnson related to the governance of RLJE Holdings and RLJE following the Merger. DEH and RLJE were parties to a Credit and Guaranty Agreement entered into on October 14, 2016 pursuant to which DEH provided term loans to RLJE (the “RLJE Term Loans”). In connection with the RLJE Credit and Guaranty Agreement, DEH received Class A, Class B and Class C warrants to purchase at least 20 million shares of RLJE’s common stock, at a price of $3.00 per share (the “RLJE Warrants”). On October 1, 2018, DEH fully exercised the remainder of its Class A warrant at $3.00 per share and was issued 3.3 million shares of RLJE Common Stock in exchange for the cancellation of $10.0 million of Tranche B of the RLJE Term Loans. On October 1, 2018, DEH also partially exercised its Class B warrant at $3.00 per share and was issued 3.4 million shares of RLJE Common Stock in exchange for the cancellation of $10.1 million of Tranche B of the RLJE Term Loans. As a result of the warrant exercises, the Company obtained a 51% controlling interest in RLJE. On October 30, 2018, DEH fully exercised the remainder of its Class B warrant at $3.00 per share and was issued 6.6 million shares of RLJE Common Stock in exchange for the cancellation of $19.9 million of Tranche B of the RLJE Term Loans. On October 30, 2018, DEH also fully exercised its Class C warrant at $3.00 per share and was issued 5.0 million shares of RLJE Common Stock in exchange for the cancellation of $15.0 million of Tranche B of the RLJE Term Loans. As a result of the warrant exercises, the full amount of Tranche B of the RLJE Term Loans was cancelled. In connection with the acquisition of RLJE, on October 31, 2018, RLJE Holdings and RLJE amended and restated the existing Credit and Guaranty Agreement. Pursuant to the amended and restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, the aggregate principal amount of the RLJE Term Loans were increased by $5 million (for a total of $28 million in outstanding RLJE Term Loans as of October 31, 2018) and the maturity date of the RLJE Term Loans was extended until October 31, 2021. In addition, the amended and restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement permits RLJE to borrow up to an additional $12 million in RLJE Term Loans at any point until October 31, 2021. Interest on the RLJE Term Loans will be payable to RLJE Holdings in cash at a rate of 7.00% per annum. Marketable Equity Securities The Company classifies publicly traded investments with readily determinable fair values that are not accounted for under the equity method as marketable equity securities. Marketable equity securities are recorded at cost and adjusted to fair value at each reporting period. The changes in fair value between measurement dates are recorded in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, included in Miscellaneous, net in the condensed consolidated statement of income. Investments in marketable equity securities were $5.3 million at September 30, 2018 and $10.7 million at December 31, 2017 and are included in Other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Non-marketable Equity Securities The Company classifies investments without readily determinable fair values that are not accounted for under the equity method as non-marketable equity securities. The accounting guidance requires non-marketable equity securities to be recorded at cost and adjusted to fair value at each reporting period. However, the guidance allows for a measurement alternative, which is to record the investments at cost, less impairment, if any, and subsequently adjust for observable price changes of identical or similar investments of the same issuer. The Company applies this measurement alternative to its non-marketable equity securities. When an observable event occurs, the Company estimates the fair values of its non-marketable equity securities based on Level 2 inputs that are derived from observable price changes of similar securities adjusted for insignificant differences in rights and obligations. The changes in value are recorded in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, included in Miscellaneous, net in the condensed consolidated statement of income. On March 5, 2018, the Company made an investment in fuboTV Inc. of $25.0 million , and on April 6, 2018, the Company provided a senior secured term loan to fuboTV Inc. of $25.0 million with a maturity date of April 6, 2023. In June 2018, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $10.0 million related to the partial write-down of certain non-marketable equity securities. Investments in non-marketable equity securities were $71.8 million at September 30, 2018 and $46.8 million at December 31, 2017 and are included in Other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Goodwill And Other Intangible A

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The carrying amount of goodwill, by operating segment is as follows: (In thousands) National Networks International and Other Total December 31, 2017 $ 239,759 $ 455,399 $ 695,158 Additions — 24,214 24,214 Amortization of "second component" goodwill (984 ) — (984 ) Foreign currency translation — (13,006 ) (13,006 ) September 30, 2018 $ 238,775 $ 466,607 $ 705,382 The increase in the carrying amount of goodwill for the International and Other segment relates to the acquisition of Levity (see Note 5 ). The reduction of $1.0 million in the carrying amount of goodwill for the National Networks is due to the realization of a tax benefit for the amortization of "second component" goodwill at SundanceTV. Second component goodwill is the amount of tax deductible goodwill in excess of goodwill for financial reporting purposes. In accordance with the authoritative guidance at the time of the SundanceTV acquisition, the tax benefits associated with this excess are applied to first reduce the amount of goodwill, and then other intangible assets for financial reporting purposes, if and when such tax benefits are realized in the Company's tax returns. The following tables summarize information relating to the Company's identifiable intangible assets: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Estimated Useful Lives Amortizable intangible assets: Affiliate and customer relationships $ 543,570 $ (188,571 ) $ 354,999 6 to 25 years Advertiser relationships 46,282 (16,561 ) 29,721 11 years Trade names 73,973 (16,344 ) 57,629 15 to 20 years Other amortizable intangible assets 13,792 (6,284 ) 7,508 2 to 15 years Total amortizable intangible assets 677,617 (227,760 ) 449,857 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Trademarks 19,900 — 19,900 Total intangible assets $ 697,517 $ (227,760 ) $ 469,757 (In thousands) December 31, 2017 Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Amortizable intangible assets: Affiliate and customer relationships $ 527,713 $ (167,911 ) $ 359,802 Advertiser relationships 46,282 (13,405 ) 32,877 Trade names 53,761 (14,420 ) 39,341 Other amortizable intangible assets 11,401 (6,079 ) 5,322 Total amortizable intangible assets 639,157 (201,815 ) 437,342 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Trademarks 19,900 — 19,900 Total intangible assets $ 659,057 $ (201,815 ) $ 457,242 The increase in amortizable intangible assets is a result of the acquisition of Levity (see Note 5). Aggregate amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $29.1 million and $28.5 million , respectively. Estimated aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the following five years is: (In thousands) Years Ending December 31, 2018 $ 38,556 2019 39,389 2020 39,386 2021 39,028 2022 39,025

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities consist of the following: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Interest $ 40,048 $ 30,262 Employee related costs 84,200 117,850 Income taxes payable 13,799 19,558 Other accrued expenses 102,845 95,406 Total accrued liabilities $ 240,892 $ 263,076

Long-term Debt

Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term Debt The Company's long-term debt consists of the following: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Senior Secured Credit Facility: (a) Term Loan A Facility $ 750,000 $ 750,000 Senior Notes: 4.75% Notes due August 2025 800,000 800,000 5.00% Notes due April 2024 1,000,000 1,000,000 4.75% Notes due December 2022 600,000 600,000 Total long-term debt 3,150,000 3,150,000 Unamortized discount (30,360 ) (33,776 ) Unamortized deferred financing costs (14,637 ) (16,967 ) Long-term debt, net 3,105,003 3,099,257 Current portion of long-term debt 9,375 — Noncurrent portion of long-term debt $ 3,095,628 $ 3,099,257 (a) The Company's $500 million revolving credit facility remains undrawn at September 30, 2018 . Total undrawn revolver commitments are available to be drawn for general corporate purposes of the Company. As a result of the acquisition of Levity, the Company has two lines of credit totaling $5 million . The lines of credit bear interest at the greater of 3.5% or the prime rate and mature on August 25, 2019. There were no outstanding borrowings on either line of credit as of September 30, 2018.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurement The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity's pricing based upon their own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels: • Level I - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. • Level II - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. • Level III - Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable. The following table presents for each of these hierarchy levels, the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 : (In thousands) Level I Level II Level III Total At September 30, 2018: Assets Cash equivalents $ 35,709 $ — $ — $ 35,709 Marketable securities 5,339 — — 5,339 Investments 48,987 — — 48,987 Interest rate swap contracts — 60 — 60 Foreign currency derivatives — 3,188 — 3,188 Other derivatives — 78,586 — 78,586 Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives $ — $ 3,587 $ — $ 3,587 At December 31, 2017: Assets Cash equivalents $ 100,615 $ — $ — $ 100,615 Marketable securities 10,709 — — 10,709 Investments 9,948 — — 9,948 Interest rate swap contracts — 1,444 — 1,444 Foreign currency derivatives — 3,801 — 3,801 Other derivatives — 6,174 30,891 37,065 Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives $ — $ 4,475 $ — $ 4,475 The Company's cash equivalents and marketable securities are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. The Company's interest rate swap contracts, foreign currency derivatives and the embedded derivative for the interest on the RLJE Term Loans to be paid in shares of RLJE common stock (see Note 11 ) are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy as their fair values are determined based on a market approach valuation technique that uses readily observable market parameters and the consideration of counterparty risk. On October 14, 2016, DEH and RLJE entered into a Credit and Guaranty Agreement pursuant to which DEH provided to RLJE the RLJE Term Loans and received the RLJE Warrants. Prior to July 29, 2018, the RLJE Warrants held by the Company were classified within Level III of the fair value hierarchy. The Company determined the value of the RLJE Warrants using a Black Scholes option pricing model. Inputs to the model were stock price volatility, contractual warrant terms (remaining life of the warrants), exercise price, risk-free interest rate, and the RLJE stock price. The equity volatility used was based on the equity volatility of RLJE with an adjustment for the changes in the capital structure of RLJE. In arriving at the concluded value of the warrants, a discount for the lack of marketability (DLOM) of 32% was applied. The DLOM, which is unobservable, is determined using the Finnerty Average-Strike Put Option Marketability Discount Model (Finnerty Model), which was applied with a security-specific volatility for the warrants. As a result of the Merger Agreement entered into on July 29, 2018 (see Note 6 ), the value of the RLJE Warrants was determined as the difference between the RLJE stock price and the per share exercise price of the RLJE Warrants. As a result of the change in valuation method, a value of $60.0 million was reclassified from Level III to Level II within the fair value hierarchy. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company recorded a gain of $20.6 million and $30.2 million , respectively, related to the RLJE Warrants which is included in Miscellaneous, net in the condensed consolidated statement of income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company recorded a gain of $2.0 million and $19.1 million , respectively. At September 30, 2018 , the Company does not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis that would be considered Level III. Fair value measurements are also used in nonrecurring valuations performed in connection with acquisition accounting. These nonrecurring valuations primarily include the valuation of affiliate and customer relationships intangible assets, advertiser relationship intangible assets and property and equipment. All of our nonrecurring valuations use significant unobservable inputs and therefore fall under Level III of the fair value hierarchy. Credit Facility Debt and Senior Notes The fair values of each of the Company's debt instruments are based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for instruments of the same remaining maturities. The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments, excluding those that are carried at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, are summarized as follows: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Debt instruments: Term Loan A Facility $ 739,061 $ 748,125 4.75% Notes due August 2025 786,026 768,000 5.00% Notes due April 2024 985,700 985,000 4.75% Notes due December 2022 594,216 598,500 $ 3,105,003 $ 3,099,625 (In thousands) December 31, 2017 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Debt instruments: Term Loan A Facility $ 737,140 $ 748,125 4.75% Notes due August 2025 784,757 793,000 5.00% Notes due April 2024 984,056 1,012,500 4.75% Notes due December 2022 593,304 612,750 $ 3,099,257 $ 3,166,375 Fair value estimates related to the Company's debt instruments presented above are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgments and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments Interest Rate Risk To manage interest rate risk, the Company enters into interest rate swap contracts to adjust the amount of total debt that is subject to variable interest rates. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company had interest rate swap contracts outstanding with notional amounts aggregating $200.0 million that are not designated as hedging instruments. The Company's outstanding interest rate swap contracts matured in October 2018. Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk We are exposed to foreign currency risk to the extent that we enter into transactions denominated in currencies other than our or our subsidiaries' respective functional currencies (non-functional currency risk), such as affiliation agreements, programming contracts, certain accounts payable and trade receivables (including intercompany amounts) that are denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency. Other Derivatives The RLJE Warrants held by the Company meet the definition of a derivative and are included in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the interest on the RLJE Term Loans to be paid in shares of RLJE common stock is an embedded derivative. Both the RLJE Warrants and the embedded derivative for the future interest to be paid in shares of RLJE common stock are remeasured at the end of each period with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of income. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company recorded a gain of $27.2 million and $4.4 million , respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company recorded a gain of $39.5 million and $26.8 million , respectively, related to these derivatives, which is included in Miscellaneous, net in the condensed consolidated statement of income. The fair values of the Company's derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows: (In thousands) Balance Sheet Location September 30, December 31, 2017 Assets Foreign currency derivatives Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 1,187 $ 943 Foreign currency derivatives Other assets 2,001 2,858 Interest rate swap contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets 60 1,444 Other derivatives Other assets 78,586 37,065 Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives Accrued liabilities 788 1,223 Foreign currency derivatives Other liabilities 2,799 3,252 The amounts of gains and losses related to the Company's derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments are as follows: (In thousands) Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) in Earnings Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Three Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships: Interest rate swap contracts $ — $ 50 Interest expense $ — $ 224 (a) There were no gains or losses recognized in earnings related to any ineffective portion of hedging relationships or related to any amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . (In thousands) Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) in Earnings Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Nine Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships: Interest rate swap contracts $ — $ 306 Interest expense $ — $ 341 (a) There were no gains or losses recognized in earnings related to any ineffective portion of hedging relationships or related to any amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . The amounts of gains and losses related to the Company's derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments are as follows: (In thousands) Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Interest rate swap contracts Interest expense $ (700 ) $ (24 ) $ (1,384 ) $ (29 ) Foreign currency derivatives Miscellaneous, net 250 (1,643 ) 430 (4,487 ) Other derivatives Miscellaneous, net 27,175 4,432 39,464 26,836 Total $ 26,725 $ 2,765 $ 38,510 $ 22,320

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, income tax expense was $43.7 million and $133.1 million , respectively, representing an effective tax rate of 27% and 26% , respectively, as compared to the federal statutory rate of 21% . For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to tax expense from foreign subsidiary earnings indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. of $5.6 million and state and local income tax expense of $3.4 million . For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate due primarily to tax expense of $15.8 million for an increase in valuation allowances for foreign taxes and U.S. foreign tax credits; state and local income tax expense of $9.5 million ; a tax benefit of $8.3 million for the one-time rate change on deferred tax assets and liabilities that resulted from the extension of certain television production cost deductions included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (enacted February 9, 2018); and a tax benefit from foreign subsidiary earnings of $0.6 million . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, income tax expense was $40.1 million and $173.4 million , respectively, representing an effective tax rate of 31% and 34% , respectively. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to tax benefit from the domestic production activities deduction of $2.8 million and $13.1 million , tax expense of $5.5 million and tax benefit of $1.2 million from foreign subsidiary earnings indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S., tax benefit of $8.4 million and $0.9 million resulting from a decrease in the valuation allowances for foreign and local taxes, tax benefit of $0.6 million and tax expense of $2.0 million relating to uncertain tax positions (including accrued interest) and state and local income tax expense of $2.4 million and $8.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. At September 30, 2018 , the Company had foreign tax credit carry forwards of approximately $15.6 million , expiring on various dates from 2024 through 2025. These carryforwards have been reduced by a valuation allowance of $15.6 million as it is more likely than not that these carry forwards will not be realized. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , $1.0 million relating to amortization of tax deductible second component goodwill was realized as a reduction in tax liability (as determined on a 'with-and-without' approach).

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Commitments As of September 30, 2018 , the Company's contractual obligations not reflected on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet decreased $244.9 million to $1.1 billion . The decrease relates to payments for program commitments and the expiration of Company guarantees for certain production related costs . Legal Matters On December 17, 2013, Frank Darabont ("Darabont"), Ferenc, Inc., Darkwoods Productions, Inc., and Creative Artists Agency, LLC (together, the "2013 Plaintiffs"), filed a complaint in New York Supreme Court in connection with Darabont's rendering services as a writer, director and producer of the television series entitled The Walking Dead and the agreement between the parties related thereto. The Plaintiffs asserted claims for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, for an accounting and for declaratory relief. On August 19, 2015, Plaintiffs filed their First Amended Complaint (the "Amended Complaint"), in which they retracted their claims for wrongful termination and failure to apply production tax credits in calculating Plaintiffs' contingent compensation. Plaintiffs also added a claim that Darabont is entitled to a larger share, on a percentage basis, of contingent compensation than he is currently being accorded. On September 26, 2016, Plaintiffs filed their note of issue and certificate of readiness for trial, which included a claim for damages of $280 million The parties each filed motions for summary judgment. Oral arguments of the summary judgment motions took place on September 15, 2017. On April 19, 2018, the Court granted the Company’s motion for leave to submit supplemental summary judgment briefing. A hearing on the supplemental summary judgment submissions was held on June 13, 2018. The Company believes that the asserted claims are without merit, denies the allegations and continues to defend the case vigorously. At this time, no determination can be made as to the ultimate outcome of this litigation or the potential liability, if any, on the part of the Company. On January 18, 2018, the 2013 Plaintiffs filed a second action in New York Supreme Court in connection with Darabont’s services on The Walking Dead television series and agreements between the parties related thereto. The claims in the action allegedly arise from Plaintiffs' audit of their participation statements covering the accounting period from inception of The Walking Dead through September 30, 2014. Plaintiffs seek no less than $20 million in damages on claims for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and declaratory relief. The Company filed an Answer to the Complaint on April 16, 2018. On August 30, 2018, Plaintiff's filed an Amended Compliant, and on September 19, 2018, the Company answered. The parties have agreed to consolidate this action for a joint trial with the action Plaintiffs filed in the New York Supreme Court on December 17, 2013. The Company believes that the asserted claims are without merit, denies the allegations and will defend the case vigorously. At this time, no determination can be made as to the ultimate outcome of this litigation or the potential liability, if any, on the part of the Company. On August 14, 2017, Robert Kirkman, Robert Kirkman, LLC, Glen Mazzara, 44 Strong Productions, Inc., David Alpert, Circle of Confusion Productions, LLC, New Circle of Confusion Productions, Inc., Gale Anne Hurd, and Valhalla Entertainment, Inc. f/k/a Valhalla Motion Pictures, Inc. (together, the "California Plaintiffs") filed a complaint in California Superior Court in connection with California Plaintiffs’ rendering of services as writers and producers of the television series entitled The Walking Dead , as well as Fear the Walking Dead and/or Talking Dead , and the agreements between the parties related thereto (the "California Action"). The California Plaintiffs asserted that the Company has been improperly underpaying the California Plaintiffs under their contracts with the Company and they assert claims for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, inducing breach of contract, and liability for violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200. On August 15, 2017, two of the California Plaintiffs, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert (and their associated loan-out companies), along with Charles Eglee and his loan-out company, United Bongo Drum, Inc., filed a complaint in New York Supreme Court alleging nearly identical claims as the California Action (the "New York Action"). Hurd, Alpert, and Eglee filed the New York Action in connection with their contract claims involving The Walking Dead because their agreements contained exclusive New York jurisdiction provisions. On October 23, 2017, the parties stipulated to discontinuing the New York Action without prejudice and consolidating all of the claims in the California Action. The California Plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages and restitution. The Company filed an Answer on April 30, 2018 and believes that the asserted claims are without merit and will vigorously defend against them. At this time, no determination can be made as to the ultimate outcome of this litigation or the potential liability, if any, on the part of the Company. The Company is party to various lawsuits and claims in the ordinary course of business, including the matters described above. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and while the impact of these matters on the Company's results of operations in any particular subsequent reporting period could be material, management does not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company or the ability of the Company to meet its financial obligations as they become due.

Equity Plans

Equity Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Equity Plans	Equity Plans In March 2018, AMC Networks granted 684,737 restricted stock units ("RSUs") and 537,403 performance restricted stock units ("PRSUs") to certain executive officers and employees under the AMC Networks Inc. 2016 Employee Stock Plan. The RSUs vest ratably over a three -year period and the vesting criteria for 195,028 RSUs include the achievement of certain performance targets by the Company. The PRSUs vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. The target number of PRSUs granted represents the right to receive a corresponding number of shares, subject to adjustment based on the performance of the Company against target performance criteria for a three -year period. The number of shares issuable at the end of the applicable measurement period ranges from 0% to 200% of the target PRSU award. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , 720,657 RSUs of AMC Networks Class A Common Stock previously issued to employees of the Company vested. On the vesting date, 295,973 RSUs were surrendered to the Company to cover the required statutory tax withholding obligations and 424,684 new shares of AMC Networks Class A Common Stock were issued in respect of the remaining RSUs. The units surrendered to satisfy the employees' statutory minimum tax withholding obligations for the applicable income and other employment tax had an aggregate value of $15.7 million , which has been reflected as a financing activity in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . Share-based compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expense, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $16.9 million and $52.0 million , respectively, and $13.8 million and $41.4 million , respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively. As of September 30, 2018 , there was $105.4 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation cost related to outstanding unvested share-based awards. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of approximately 2.3 years.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Inter

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests The following table summarizes activity related to redeemable noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 $ 218,604 Acquired 30,573 Net earnings 12,692 Distributions (9,333 ) September 30, 2018 $ 252,536 The redeemable noncontrolling interest acquired relates to acquisition of Levity. The terms of the agreement provide the noncontrolling interest holders with a right to put 50% of their interests to the Company on the fourth anniversary of the agreement and a right to put all of their interests to the Company on the sixth anniversary of the agreement. The put rights are at fair market value.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions Members of the Dolan Family, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including trusts for the benefit of the Dolan Family, collectively beneficially own all of the AMC Networks outstanding Class B Common Stock and own approximately 3% of the AMC Networks' outstanding Class A Common Stock. Such shares of the AMC Networks Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, collectively, represent approximately 73% of the aggregate voting power of AMC Networks' outstanding common stock. Members of the Dolan Family are also the controlling stockholders of The Madison Square Garden Company ("MSG") and MSG Networks Inc. ("MSG Networks"). The Company and its related parties routinely enter into transactions with each other in the ordinary course of business. Revenues, net from related parties amounted to $1.6 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and $4.8 million and $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Amounts charged to the Company, included in selling, general and administrative expenses, pursuant to transactions with its related parties amounted to $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and $0.9 million and $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. On June 16, 2016, AMC Networks entered into an arrangement with the Dolan Family Office, LLC ("DFO"), MSG and MSG Networks providing for the sharing of certain expenses associated with executive office space which will be available to Charles F. Dolan (the Executive Chairman and a director of the Company and a director of MSG and MSG Networks), James L. Dolan (the Executive Chairman and a director of MSG and MSG Networks and a director of the Company), and the DFO which is controlled by Charles F. Dolan. The Company's share of office expenses is not material.

Cash Flows

Cash Flows	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Cash Flows	Cash Flows The Company's non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental data are as follows: (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: Treasury stock not yet settled $ — $ 2,000 Exercise of RLJE Warrants — 5,001 Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid 2,835 3,761 Supplemental Data: Cash interest paid 97,437 65,442 Income taxes paid, net 96,272 181,129

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company classifies its operations into two operating segments: National Networks and International and Other. These operating segments represent strategic business units that are managed separately. The Company generally allocates all corporate overhead costs within operating expenses to the Company's two operating segments based upon their proportionate estimated usage of services, including such costs as executive salaries and benefits, costs of maintaining corporate headquarters, facilities and common support functions (such as human resources, legal, finance, strategic planning and information technology) as well as sales support functions and creative and production services. The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating segment adjusted operating income ("AOI"), a non-GAAP measure, defined as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense or benefit, impairment and related charges (including gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses), and restructuring expense or credit. The Company has presented the components that reconcile adjusted operating income to operating income, an accepted GAAP measure, and other information as to the continuing operations of the Company's operating segments below. (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 National Networks International and Other Inter-segment eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net Advertising $ 199,714 $ 20,128 $ — $ 219,842 Distribution 360,607 131,644 (15,218 ) 477,033 Consolidated revenues, net $ 560,321 $ 151,772 $ (15,218 ) $ 696,875 Operating income (loss) $ 188,107 $ (16,749 ) $ (6,759 ) $ 164,599 Share-based compensation expense 13,860 3,074 — 16,934 Restructuring expense — 3,139 — 3,139 Impairment and related charges — 4,486 — 4,486 Depreciation and amortization 8,450 13,561 — 22,011 Adjusted operating income $ 210,417 $ 7,511 $ (6,759 ) $ 211,169 (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 National Networks International and Other Inter-segment eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net Advertising $ 197,891 $ 20,691 $ — $ 218,582 Distribution 343,551 92,069 (6,179 ) 429,441 Consolidated revenues, net $ 541,442 $ 112,760 $ (6,179 ) $ 648,023 Operating income (loss) $ 179,624 $ (18,782 ) $ (7,488 ) $ 153,354 Share-based compensation expense 11,598 2,219 — 13,817 Restructuring (credit) expense (10 ) 1,274 — 1,264 Impairment and related charges — 11,036 — 11,036 Depreciation and amortization 8,482 12,456 — 20,938 Adjusted operating income $ 199,694 $ 8,203 $ (7,488 ) $ 200,409 (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 National Networks International and Other Inter-segment eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net Advertising $ 672,273 $ 66,071 $ — $ 738,344 Distribution 1,148,365 343,802 (31,428 ) 1,460,739 Consolidated revenues, net $ 1,820,638 $ 409,873 $ (31,428 ) $ 2,199,083 Operating income (loss) $ 647,965 $ (44,899 ) $ (13,281 ) $ 589,785 Share-based compensation expense 42,647 9,359 — 52,006 Restructuring expense — 3,139 — 3,139 Impairment and related charges — 4,486 — 4,486 Depreciation and amortization 25,358 38,676 — 64,034 Adjusted operating income $ 715,970 $ 10,761 $ (13,281 ) $ 713,450 Capital expenditures $ 9,511 $ 51,263 $ — $ 60,774 (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 National Networks International and Other Inter-segment eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net Advertising $ 690,906 $ 62,134 $ — $ 753,040 Distribution 1,070,606 268,267 (13,156 ) 1,325,717 Consolidated revenues, net $ 1,761,512 $ 330,401 $ (13,156 ) $ 2,078,757 Operating income (loss) $ 640,855 $ (69,222 ) $ (10,818 ) $ 560,815 Share-based compensation expense 33,717 7,695 — 41,412 Restructuring (credit) expense (53 ) 3,940 — 3,887 Impairment and related charges — 28,148 — 28,148 Depreciation and amortization 25,315 39,722 — 65,037 Adjusted operating income $ 699,834 $ 10,283 $ (10,818 ) $ 699,299 Capital expenditures $ 20,311 $ 41,483 $ — $ 61,794 Inter-segment eliminations are primarily licensing revenues recognized between the National Networks and International and Other segments as well as revenues recognized by AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology for transmission revenues recognized from the International and Other operating segment. (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Inter-segment revenues National Networks $ (10,304 ) $ (6,179 ) $ (25,454 ) $ (13,045 ) International and Other (4,914 ) — (5,974 ) (111 ) $ (15,218 ) $ (6,179 ) $ (31,428 ) $ (13,156 ) The table below summarizes revenues based on customer location: (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Revenues United States $ 550,573 $ 504,732 $ 1,737,336 $ 1,653,342 Europe 108,607 91,447 311,294 278,198 Other 37,695 51,844 150,453 147,217 $ 696,875 $ 648,023 $ 2,199,083 $ 2,078,757 The table below summarizes property and equipment based on asset location: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Property and equipment, net United States $ 182,266 $ 136,203 Europe 26,567 28,261 Other 16,635 19,050 $ 225,468 $ 183,514

Condensed Consolidating Financi

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Debt of AMC Networks includes $600 million of 4.75% senior notes due December 2022, $1 billion of 5.00% senior notes due April 2024 and $800 million of 4.75% senior notes due August 2025. All outstanding senior notes issued by AMC Networks (for purposes of this Note 19 , "Parent Company") are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of its existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries (the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"). All Guarantor Subsidiaries are owned 100% by AMC Networks. The outstanding notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor Subsidiaries on a joint and several basis. Set forth below are condensed consolidating financial statements presenting the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows of (i) the Parent Company, (ii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis (as such guarantees are joint and several), (iii) the direct and indirect non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Parent Company (the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries") on a combined basis and (iv) reclassifications and eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis. Basis of Presentation In presenting the condensed consolidating financial statements, the equity method of accounting has been applied to (i) the Parent Company's interests in the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and (ii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries' interests in the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, even though all such subsidiaries meet the requirements to be consolidated under GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions between the Parent Company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries have been eliminated, as shown in the column "Eliminations." The accounting basis in all subsidiaries, including goodwill and identified intangible assets, have been allocated to the applicable subsidiaries. Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,127 $ 360,124 $ 179,466 $ — $ 564,717 Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, — 544,083 233,867 — 777,950 Current portion of program rights, net — 308,039 162,215 — 470,254 Prepaid expenses, other current assets and intercompany receivable 2,174 184,253 20,335 (88,193 ) 118,569 Total current assets 27,301 1,396,499 595,883 (88,193 ) 1,931,490 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation — 158,651 66,817 — 225,468 Investment in affiliates 3,590,449 1,584,454 — (5,174,903 ) — Program rights, net — 980,299 172,152 — 1,152,451 Long-term intercompany notes receivable — 45,986 303 (46,289 ) — Deferred carriage fees, net — 19,331 860 — 20,191 Intangible assets, net — 163,886 305,871 — 469,757 Goodwill — 65,626 639,756 — 705,382 Deferred tax asset, net — — 21,677 — 21,677 Other assets — 167,548 467,993 — 635,541 Total assets $ 3,617,750 $ 4,582,280 $ 2,271,312 $ (5,309,385 ) $ 5,161,957 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 6 $ 33,716 $ 63,786 $ — $ 97,508 Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable 56,373 153,174 119,538 (88,193 ) 240,892 Current portion of program rights obligations — 291,059 65,098 — 356,157 Deferred revenue — 32,734 28,555 — 61,289 Current portion of long-term debt 9,375 — — — 9,375 Current portion of capital lease obligations — 2,749 1,900 — 4,649 Total current liabilities 65,754 513,432 278,877 (88,193 ) 769,870 Program rights obligations — 385,640 11,952 — 397,592 Long-term debt, net 3,095,628 — — — 3,095,628 Capital lease obligations — 1,751 20,671 — 22,422 Deferred tax liability, net 142,041 — 12,069 — 154,110 Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable 51,321 91,008 82,120 (46,289 ) 178,160 Total liabilities 3,354,744 991,831 405,689 (134,482 ) 4,617,782 Commitments and contingencies Redeemable noncontrolling interests — — 252,536 — 252,536 Stockholders' equity: AMC Networks stockholders' equity 263,006 3,590,449 1,584,454 (5,174,903 ) 263,006 Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests — — 28,633 — 28,633 Total stockholders' equity 263,006 3,590,449 1,613,087 (5,174,903 ) 291,639 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,617,750 $ 4,582,280 $ 2,271,312 $ (5,309,385 ) $ 5,161,957 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 320 $ 391,248 $ 167,215 $ — $ 558,783 Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, — 581,270 194,621 — 775,891 Current portion of program rights, net — 304,149 149,301 — 453,450 Prepaid expenses, other current assets and intercompany receivable 3,760 183,815 8,540 (104,389 ) 91,726 Total current assets 4,080 1,460,482 519,677 (104,389 ) 1,879,850 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation — 136,032 47,482 — 183,514 Investment in affiliates 3,443,013 934,612 — (4,377,625 ) — Program rights, net — 1,128,021 191,258 — 1,319,279 Long-term intercompany notes receivable — 489,939 436 (490,375 ) — Deferred carriage fees, net — 29,346 578 — 29,924 Intangible assets, net — 170,554 286,688 — 457,242 Goodwill — 66,609 628,549 — 695,158 Deferred tax asset, net — — 20,081 — 20,081 Other assets — 142,115 305,822 447,937 Total assets $ 3,447,093 $ 4,557,710 $ 2,000,571 $ (4,972,389 ) $ 5,032,985 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 350 $ 50,282 $ 51,565 $ — $ 102,197 Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable 51,692 179,003 136,770 (104,389 ) 263,076 Current portion of program rights obligations — 262,004 65,545 — 327,549 Deferred revenue — 27,530 18,903 — 46,433 Current portion of long-term debt — — — — — Current portion of capital lease obligations — 2,939 1,908 — 4,847 Total current liabilities 52,042 521,758 274,691 (104,389 ) 744,102 Program rights obligations — 511,996 22,984 — 534,980 Long-term debt, net 3,099,257 — — — 3,099,257 Capital lease obligations — 3,745 22,532 — 26,277 Deferred tax liability, net 114,717 — (5,019 ) — 109,698 Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable 46,133 77,198 503,166 (490,375 ) 136,122 Total liabilities 3,312,149 1,114,697 818,354 (594,764 ) 4,650,436 Commitments and contingencies Redeemable noncontrolling interests — — 218,604 — 218,604 Stockholders' equity: AMC Networks stockholders' equity 134,944 3,443,013 934,612 (4,377,625 ) 134,944 Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests — — 29,001 — 29,001 Total stockholders' equity 134,944 3,443,013 963,613 (4,377,625 ) 163,945 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,447,093 $ 4,557,710 $ 2,000,571 $ (4,972,389 ) $ 5,032,985 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net $ — $ 485,737 $ 214,150 $ (3,012 ) $ 696,875 Operating expenses: Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) — 216,253 130,901 (756 ) 346,398 Selling, general and administrative — 106,068 52,431 (2,257 ) 156,242 Depreciation and amortization — 11,297 10,714 — 22,011 Impairment charges — — 4,486 — 4,486 Restructuring expense — 2,275 864 — 3,139 Total operating expenses — 335,893 199,396 (3,013 ) 532,276 Operating income — 149,844 14,754 1 164,599 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (38,316 ) 2,178 3,103 — (33,035 ) Share of affiliates’ income (loss) 187,659 37,704 — (225,363 ) — Miscellaneous, net (101 ) 213 28,651 (1 ) 28,762 Total other income (expense) 149,242 40,095 31,754 (225,364 ) (4,273 ) Income from operations before income taxes 149,242 189,939 46,508 (225,363 ) 160,326 Income tax expense (37,985 ) (2,280 ) (3,401 ) — (43,666 ) Net income including noncontrolling interests 111,257 187,659 43,107 (225,363 ) 116,660 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,403 ) — (5,403 ) Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 111,257 $ 187,659 $ 37,704 $ (225,363 ) $ 111,257 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net $ — $ 494,563 $ 157,346 $ (3,886 ) $ 648,023 Operating expenses: Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) — 232,432 91,142 (831 ) 322,743 Selling, general and administrative — 99,481 42,352 (3,145 ) 138,688 Depreciation and amortization — 10,072 10,866 — 20,938 Impairment and related charges — — 11,036 — 11,036 Restructuring (credit) expense — (10 ) 1,274 — 1,264 Total operating expenses — 341,975 156,670 (3,976 ) 494,669 Operating income — 152,588 676 90 153,354 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (34,403 ) 10,543 (7,950 ) — (31,810 ) Share of affiliates’ income 171,490 10,784 — (182,274 ) — Loss on extinguishment of debt (3,004 ) — — — (3,004 ) Miscellaneous, net (1,076 ) (244 ) 13,830 (90 ) 12,420 Total other income (expense) 133,007 21,083 5,880 (182,364 ) (22,394 ) Income from operations before income taxes 133,007 173,671 6,556 (182,274 ) 130,960 Income tax (expense) benefit (46,005 ) (2,181 ) 8,062 — (40,124 ) Net income including noncontrolling interests 87,002 171,490 14,618 (182,274 ) 90,836 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3,834 ) — (3,834 ) Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 87,002 $ 171,490 $ 10,784 $ (182,274 ) $ 87,002 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net $ — $ 1,609,916 $ 600,542 $ (11,375 ) $ 2,199,083 Operating expenses: Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) — 687,055 359,165 (2,648 ) 1,043,572 Selling, general and administrative — 348,590 154,206 (8,729 ) 494,067 Depreciation and amortization — 33,276 30,758 — 64,034 Impairment charges — — 4,486 — 4,486 Restructuring expense — 2,275 864 — 3,139 Total operating expenses — 1,071,196 549,479 (11,377 ) 1,609,298 Operating income — 538,720 51,063 2 589,785 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (113,057 ) 25,790 (12,887 ) — (100,154 ) Share of affiliates' income 607,374 51,010 — (658,384 ) — Miscellaneous, net (48 ) (1,557 ) 32,596 (2 ) 30,989 Total other income (expense) 494,269 75,243 19,709 (658,386 ) (69,165 ) Income from operations before income taxes 494,269 613,963 70,772 (658,384 ) 520,620 Income tax expense (119,961 ) (6,589 ) (6,542 ) — (133,092 ) Net income including noncontrolling interests 374,308 607,374 64,230 (658,384 ) 387,528 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (13,220 ) — (13,220 ) Net income attributable to Parent Company's stockholders $ 374,308 $ 607,374 $ 51,010 $ (658,384 ) $ 374,308 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net $ — $ 1,610,247 $ 480,153 $ (11,643 ) $ 2,078,757 Operating expenses: Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) — 694,336 264,231 (2,367 ) 956,200 Selling, general and administrative — 335,585 138,669 (9,584 ) 464,670 Depreciation and amortization — 30,399 34,638 — 65,037 Impairment and related charges — — 28,148 — 28,148 Restructuring expense — 2,649 1,238 — 3,887 Total operating expenses — 1,062,969 466,924 (11,951 ) 1,517,942 Operating income — 547,278 13,229 308 560,815 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (93,548 ) 30,531 (22,751 ) — (85,768 ) Share of affiliates’ income 592,012 19,610 — (611,622 ) — Loss on extinguishment of debt (3,004 ) — — — (3,004 ) Miscellaneous, net (1,419 ) 2,085 42,090 (308 ) 42,448 Total other income (expense) 494,041 52,226 19,339 (611,930 ) (46,324 ) Income from operations before income taxes 494,041 599,504 32,568 (611,622 ) 514,491 Income tax (expense) benefit (168,225 ) (7,492 ) 2,318 — (173,399 ) Net income including noncontrolling interests 325,816 592,012 34,886 (611,622 ) 341,092 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (15,276 ) — (15,276 ) Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 325,816 $ 592,012 $ 19,610 $ (611,622 ) $ 325,816 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income including noncontrolling interest $ 111,257 $ 187,659 $ 43,107 $ (225,363 ) $ 116,660 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment (6,094 ) — (6,094 ) 6,094 (6,094 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes (6,094 ) — (6,094 ) 6,094 (6,094 ) Comprehensive income 105,163 187,659 37,013 (219,269 ) 110,566 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,218 ) — (5,218 ) Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 105,163 $ 187,659 $ 31,795 $ (219,269 ) $ 105,348 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income including noncontrolling interest $ 87,002 $ 171,490 $ 14,618 $ (182,274 ) $ 90,836 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment 15,791 — 15,791 (15,791 ) 15,791 Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps (174 ) — — — (174 ) Unrealized gain on available for sale securities 6,596 — — — 6,596 Other comprehensive income, before income taxes 22,213 — 15,791 (15,791 ) 22,213 Income tax expense (2,363 ) — — — (2,363 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes 19,850 — 15,791 (15,791 ) 19,850 Comprehensive income 106,852 171,490 30,409 (198,065 ) 110,686 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (4,633 ) — (4,633 ) Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 106,852 $ 171,490 $ 25,776 $ (198,065 ) $ 106,053 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income including noncontrolling interest $ 374,308 $ 607,374 $ 64,230 $ (658,384 ) $ 387,528 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment (32,679 ) — (32,679 ) 32,679 (32,679 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes (32,679 ) — (32,679 ) 32,679 (32,679 ) Comprehensive income 341,629 607,374 31,551 (625,705 ) 354,849 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (11,954 ) — (11,954 ) Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders $ 341,629 $ 607,374 $ 19,597 $ (625,705 ) $ 342,895 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income including noncontrolling interest $ 325,816 $ 592,012 $ 34,886 $ (611,622 ) $ 341,092 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment 63,475 — 63,475 (63,475 ) 63,475 Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps (35 ) — — — (35 ) Unrealized gain on available for sale securities 9,534 — — — 9,534 Other comprehensive income, before income taxes 72,974 — 63,475 (63,475 ) 72,974 Income tax expense (3,495 ) — — — (3,495 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes 69,479 — 63,475 (63,475 ) 69,479 Comprehensive income 395,295 592,012 98,361 (675,097 ) 410,571 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (17,997 ) — (17,997 ) Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 395,295 $ 592,012 $ 80,364 $ (675,097 ) $ 392,574 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 426,876 $ 1,180,996 $ (477,659 ) $ (658,401 ) $ 471,812 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (51,695 ) (9,079 ) — (60,774 ) Return of capital from investees — — 523 — 523 Investment in and loans to investees — — (90,080 ) — (90,080 ) Payments for acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired — (675 ) (34,879 ) — (35,554 ) Increase (decrease) to investment in affiliates (129,968 ) (1,798,987 ) 1,040,871 888,084 — Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (129,968 ) (1,851,357 ) 907,356 888,084 (185,885 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units (15,734 ) — — — (15,734 ) Purchase of treasury stock (267,400 ) — — — (267,400 ) Proceeds from stock option exercises 4,317 — — — 4,317 Principal payments on capital lease obligations — (2,223 ) (1,655 ) — (3,878 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — (9,333 ) — (9,333 ) Net cash used in financing activities (278,817 ) (2,223 ) (10,988 ) — (292,028 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from operations 18,091 (672,584 ) 418,709 229,683 (6,101 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 6,716 641,460 (406,458 ) (229,683 ) 12,035 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 320 391,248 167,215 — 558,783 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 25,127 $ 360,124 $ 179,466 $ — $ 564,717 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 374,873 $ 498,874 $ 11,714 $ (611,888 ) $ 273,573 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (47,811 ) (13,983 ) — (61,794 ) Investment in and loans to investees — — (43,000 ) — (43,000 ) Increase (decrease) to investment in affiliates (289,891 ) (394,117 ) 254,014 429,994 — Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (289,891 ) (441,928 ) 197,031 429,994 (104,794 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt 1,536,000 — — — 1,536,000 Principal payments on long-term debt (1,257,965 ) — — — (1,257,965 ) Payments for financing costs (10,405 ) — — — (10,405 ) Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units (13,373 ) — — — (13,373 ) Purchase of treasury stock (347,334 ) — — — (347,334 ) Principal payments on capital lease obligations — (2,019 ) (1,409 ) — (3,428 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — (16,110 ) — (16,110 ) Net cash used in financing activities (93,077 ) (2,019 ) (17,519 ) — (112,615 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from operations (8,095 ) 54,927 191,226 (181,894 ) 56,164 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 7,798 26,885 (201,841 ) 181,894 14,736 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 565 320,950 159,874 — 481,389 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 268 $ 402,762 $ 149,259 $ — $ 552,289

Description Of Business And B_2

Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy	Principles of Consolidation These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMC Networks and its majority owned or controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in business entities in which the Company lacks control but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Unaudited Interim Financial Statements These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017 contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (" 2017 Form 10-K") filed with the SEC. The condensed consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, such financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for future interim periods or for the full year ending December 31, 2018 .
Program Rights, Policy	Program Rights The Company periodically reviews the programming usefulness of its licensed and owned original program rights based on a series of factors, including expected future revenue generation from airings on the Company's networks and other exploitation opportunities, ratings, type and quality of program material, standards and practices, and fitness for exhibition through various forms of distribution. If it is determined that film or other program rights have limited, or no, future programming usefulness, a write-off of the unamortized cost is included in technical and operating expense. Program rights write-offs were $11.4 million and $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , respectively. Program rights write-offs were $20.6 million and $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , respectively.
Use of Estimates, Policy	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include derivative assets and liabilities, certain stock compensation awards, the useful lives and methodologies used to amortize and assess recoverability of program rights, the estimated useful lives of intangible assets, valuation and recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets and income tax assets and liabilities.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	Financial Assets and Liabilities The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-01 Financial Instruments-Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities on January 1, 2018, which requires that investments in equity securities (excluding equity method investments) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Under prior accounting guidance, changes in fair value of available-for-sale equity securities were recorded in other comprehensive income. The adoption did not have a significant impact to these condensed consolidated financial statements. Adoption of New Revenue Recognition Standard The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method for all contracts not completed as of the date of adoption. The reported results as of and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 reflect the application of the new standard, while the reported results for 2017 have not been adjusted to reflect the new standard and were prepared under prior revenue recognition accounting guidance. The adoption of the new standard did not result in significant changes in the way the Company records distribution and advertising revenues. However, as a result of applying the new standard, there are certain components of the Company’s distribution revenues where the new standard generally results in earlier recognition of revenue compared to its historical policies due to: (i) the requirement to estimate and recognize variable consideration prior to such amounts becoming fixed and determinable, (ii) recognition of royalties in the period of usage, and (iii) recognition of certain arrangements with minimum guarantees on a time-based (straight-line) basis. See Note 2 for more information. As a result of adopting Topic 606, the Company recorded an increase to opening retained earnings of approximately $12.8 million , net of tax, as of January 1, 2018. The following table provides changes to the opening balances of current assets, total assets, current liabilities and total liabilities resulting from the adoption of the new guidance. (In thousands) December 31, Impact of January 1, Current assets $ 1,879,850 $ 3,658 $ 1,883,508 Total assets 5,032,985 19,899 5,052,884 Current liabilities 744,102 835 744,937 Total liabilities 4,650,436 7,115 4,657,551 The amount by which each financial statement line item has been affected in the current reporting period by the application of Topic 606 compared to historical policies is not material, therefore, comparative disclosures have been omitted. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to record most of their leases on the balance sheet, which will be recognized as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The Company will be required to classify each separate lease component as an operating or finance lease at the lease commencement date. Initial measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability is the same for operating and finance leases, however expense recognition and amortization of the right-of-use asset differs. Operating leases will reflect lease expense on a straight-line basis similar to current operating leases. The straight-line expense will reflect the interest expense on the lease liability (effective interest method) and amortization of the right-of-use asset, which will be presented as a single line item in the operating expense section of the income statement. Finance leases will reflect a front-loaded expense pattern similar to the pattern for current capital leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption will include updates provided under ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases , as well as ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), Targeted Improvements . The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) . ASU 2018-13 changes the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and is effective for the first quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2018-13 changes disclosure requirements related to transfers between Level I and II assets, as well as several aspects surrounding the valuation process and unrealized gains and losses related to Level III assets. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the modified disclosure requirements will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Description Of Business And B_3

Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	The following table provides changes to the opening balances of current assets, total assets, current liabilities and total liabilities resulting from the adoption of the new guidance. (In thousands) December 31, Impact of January 1, Current assets $ 1,879,850 $ 3,658 $ 1,883,508 Total assets 5,032,985 19,899 5,052,884 Current liabilities 744,102 835 744,937 Total liabilities 4,650,436 7,115 4,657,551

Revnue Recognition (Tables)

Revnue Recognition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability	The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers. (In thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (a) Balances from contracts with customers: Accounts receivable (including long-term, included in Other assets) $ 986,500 $ 926,089 Contract assets, short-term (included in Other current assets) 13,631 — Contract assets, long-term (included in Other assets) 5,351 — Contract liabilities (Deferred revenue) 61,289 46,433 (a) As noted above, prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective method.

Net Income Per Share (Tables)

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares	The following is a reconciliation between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding: (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 56,875 63,683 58,519 65,960 Effect of dilution: Stock options 31 4 12 1 Restricted stock units 873 760 750 690 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 57,779 64,447 59,281 66,651

Business Combinations (Tables)

Business Combinations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the preliminary valuation of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands). Cash paid for controlling interest $ 48,350 Redeemable noncontrolling interest 30,573 $ 78,923 Allocation to net assets acquired: Cash 13,471 Other current assets 17,251 Property and equipment 20,663 Intangible assets 46,413 Other noncurrent assets 3,306 Current liabilities (23,647 ) Noncurrent liabilities (21,394 ) Noncontrolling interests acquired (1,354 ) Fair value of net assets acquired 54,709 Goodwill 24,214 $ 78,923
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	The following unaudited pro forma financial information is based on (i) the historical financial statements of AMC Networks and (ii) the historical financial statements of Levity and is intended to provide information about how the acquisition may have affected the Company's historical consolidated financial statements if it had occurred as of January 1, 2017. The unaudited pro forma information has been prepared for comparative purposes only and includes adjustments for estimated additional depreciation and amortization expense as a result of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved had the acquisition taken place on the date indicated or that may result in the future. (In thousands) Pro Forma Financial Information for the Three months ended September 30, 2017 Nine months ended September 30, 2017 Revenues, net $ 689,550 $ 2,181,295 Income from operations, net of income taxes $ 87,728 $ 326,854 Net income per share, basic $ 1.38 $ 4.96 Net income per share, diluted $ 1.36 $ 4.90

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The carrying amount of goodwill, by operating segment is as follows: (In thousands) National Networks International and Other Total December 31, 2017 $ 239,759 $ 455,399 $ 695,158 Additions — 24,214 24,214 Amortization of "second component" goodwill (984 ) — (984 ) Foreign currency translation — (13,006 ) (13,006 ) September 30, 2018 $ 238,775 $ 466,607 $ 705,382
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	The following tables summarize information relating to the Company's identifiable intangible assets: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Estimated Useful Lives Amortizable intangible assets: Affiliate and customer relationships $ 543,570 $ (188,571 ) $ 354,999 6 to 25 years Advertiser relationships 46,282 (16,561 ) 29,721 11 years Trade names 73,973 (16,344 ) 57,629 15 to 20 years Other amortizable intangible assets 13,792 (6,284 ) 7,508 2 to 15 years Total amortizable intangible assets 677,617 (227,760 ) 449,857 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Trademarks 19,900 — 19,900 Total intangible assets $ 697,517 $ (227,760 ) $ 469,757 (In thousands) December 31, 2017 Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Amortizable intangible assets: Affiliate and customer relationships $ 527,713 $ (167,911 ) $ 359,802 Advertiser relationships 46,282 (13,405 ) 32,877 Trade names 53,761 (14,420 ) 39,341 Other amortizable intangible assets 11,401 (6,079 ) 5,322 Total amortizable intangible assets 639,157 (201,815 ) 437,342 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Trademarks 19,900 — 19,900 Total intangible assets $ 659,057 $ (201,815 ) $ 457,242
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	The following tables summarize information relating to the Company's identifiable intangible assets: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Estimated Useful Lives Amortizable intangible assets: Affiliate and customer relationships $ 543,570 $ (188,571 ) $ 354,999 6 to 25 years Advertiser relationships 46,282 (16,561 ) 29,721 11 years Trade names 73,973 (16,344 ) 57,629 15 to 20 years Other amortizable intangible assets 13,792 (6,284 ) 7,508 2 to 15 years Total amortizable intangible assets 677,617 (227,760 ) 449,857 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Trademarks 19,900 — 19,900 Total intangible assets $ 697,517 $ (227,760 ) $ 469,757 (In thousands) December 31, 2017 Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Amortizable intangible assets: Affiliate and customer relationships $ 527,713 $ (167,911 ) $ 359,802 Advertiser relationships 46,282 (13,405 ) 32,877 Trade names 53,761 (14,420 ) 39,341 Other amortizable intangible assets 11,401 (6,079 ) 5,322 Total amortizable intangible assets 639,157 (201,815 ) 437,342 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Trademarks 19,900 — 19,900 Total intangible assets $ 659,057 $ (201,815 ) $ 457,242
Schedule of Estimated Amortization Expense	Estimated aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the following five years is: (In thousands) Years Ending December 31, 2018 $ 38,556 2019 39,389 2020 39,386 2021 39,028 2022 39,025

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	Accrued liabilities consist of the following: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Interest $ 40,048 $ 30,262 Employee related costs 84,200 117,850 Income taxes payable 13,799 19,558 Other accrued expenses 102,845 95,406 Total accrued liabilities $ 240,892 $ 263,076

Long-term Debt (Tables)

Long-term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments	The Company's long-term debt consists of the following: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Senior Secured Credit Facility: (a) Term Loan A Facility $ 750,000 $ 750,000 Senior Notes: 4.75% Notes due August 2025 800,000 800,000 5.00% Notes due April 2024 1,000,000 1,000,000 4.75% Notes due December 2022 600,000 600,000 Total long-term debt 3,150,000 3,150,000 Unamortized discount (30,360 ) (33,776 ) Unamortized deferred financing costs (14,637 ) (16,967 ) Long-term debt, net 3,105,003 3,099,257 Current portion of long-term debt 9,375 — Noncurrent portion of long-term debt $ 3,095,628 $ 3,099,257 (a) The Company's $500 million revolving credit facility remains undrawn at September 30, 2018 . Total undrawn revolver commitments are available to be drawn for general corporate purposes of the Company.

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis	The following table presents for each of these hierarchy levels, the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 : (In thousands) Level I Level II Level III Total At September 30, 2018: Assets Cash equivalents $ 35,709 $ — $ — $ 35,709 Marketable securities 5,339 — — 5,339 Investments 48,987 — — 48,987 Interest rate swap contracts — 60 — 60 Foreign currency derivatives — 3,188 — 3,188 Other derivatives — 78,586 — 78,586 Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives $ — $ 3,587 $ — $ 3,587 At December 31, 2017: Assets Cash equivalents $ 100,615 $ — $ — $ 100,615 Marketable securities 10,709 — — 10,709 Investments 9,948 — — 9,948 Interest rate swap contracts — 1,444 — 1,444 Foreign currency derivatives — 3,801 — 3,801 Other derivatives — 6,174 30,891 37,065 Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives $ — $ 4,475 $ — $ 4,475
Carrying Values And Fair Values Of The Company's Financial Instruments	The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments, excluding those that are carried at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, are summarized as follows: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Debt instruments: Term Loan A Facility $ 739,061 $ 748,125 4.75% Notes due August 2025 786,026 768,000 5.00% Notes due April 2024 985,700 985,000 4.75% Notes due December 2022 594,216 598,500 $ 3,105,003 $ 3,099,625 (In thousands) December 31, 2017 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Debt instruments: Term Loan A Facility $ 737,140 $ 748,125 4.75% Notes due August 2025 784,757 793,000 5.00% Notes due April 2024 984,056 1,012,500 4.75% Notes due December 2022 593,304 612,750 $ 3,099,257 $ 3,166,375

Derivative Financial Instrume_2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Included In Balance Sheets	The fair values of the Company's derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows: (In thousands) Balance Sheet Location September 30, December 31, 2017 Assets Foreign currency derivatives Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 1,187 $ 943 Foreign currency derivatives Other assets 2,001 2,858 Interest rate swap contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets 60 1,444 Other derivatives Other assets 78,586 37,065 Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives Accrued liabilities 788 1,223 Foreign currency derivatives Other liabilities 2,799 3,252
Schedule of Gains And Losses Related To Derivative Instruments	The amounts of gains and losses related to the Company's derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments are as follows: (In thousands) Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) in Earnings Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Three Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships: Interest rate swap contracts $ — $ 50 Interest expense $ — $ 224 (a) There were no gains or losses recognized in earnings related to any ineffective portion of hedging relationships or related to any amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . (In thousands) Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) in Earnings Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Nine Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships: Interest rate swap contracts $ — $ 306 Interest expense $ — $ 341 (a) There were no gains or losses recognized in earnings related to any ineffective portion of hedging relationships or related to any amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 .
Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The amounts of gains and losses related to the Company's derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments are as follows: (In thousands) Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Interest rate swap contracts Interest expense $ (700 ) $ (24 ) $ (1,384 ) $ (29 ) Foreign currency derivatives Miscellaneous, net 250 (1,643 ) 430 (4,487 ) Other derivatives Miscellaneous, net 27,175 4,432 39,464 26,836 Total $ 26,725 $ 2,765 $ 38,510 $ 22,320

Redeemable Noncontrolling Int_2

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	The following table summarizes activity related to redeemable noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 $ 218,604 Acquired 30,573 Net earnings 12,692 Distributions (9,333 ) September 30, 2018 $ 252,536

Cash Flows (Tables)

Cash Flows (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary Of Non-Cash Activities And Other Supplemental Data	The Company's non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental data are as follows: (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: Treasury stock not yet settled $ — $ 2,000 Exercise of RLJE Warrants — 5,001 Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid 2,835 3,761 Supplemental Data: Cash interest paid 97,437 65,442 Income taxes paid, net 96,272 181,129

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Continuing Operations By Reportable Segment	The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating segment adjusted operating income ("AOI"), a non-GAAP measure, defined as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense or benefit, impairment and related charges (including gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses), and restructuring expense or credit. The Company has presented the components that reconcile adjusted operating income to operating income, an accepted GAAP measure, and other information as to the continuing operations of the Company's operating segments below. (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 National Networks International and Other Inter-segment eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net Advertising $ 199,714 $ 20,128 $ — $ 219,842 Distribution 360,607 131,644 (15,218 ) 477,033 Consolidated revenues, net $ 560,321 $ 151,772 $ (15,218 ) $ 696,875 Operating income (loss) $ 188,107 $ (16,749 ) $ (6,759 ) $ 164,599 Share-based compensation expense 13,860 3,074 — 16,934 Restructuring expense — 3,139 — 3,139 Impairment and related charges — 4,486 — 4,486 Depreciation and amortization 8,450 13,561 — 22,011 Adjusted operating income $ 210,417 $ 7,511 $ (6,759 ) $ 211,169 (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 National Networks International and Other Inter-segment eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net Advertising $ 197,891 $ 20,691 $ — $ 218,582 Distribution 343,551 92,069 (6,179 ) 429,441 Consolidated revenues, net $ 541,442 $ 112,760 $ (6,179 ) $ 648,023 Operating income (loss) $ 179,624 $ (18,782 ) $ (7,488 ) $ 153,354 Share-based compensation expense 11,598 2,219 — 13,817 Restructuring (credit) expense (10 ) 1,274 — 1,264 Impairment and related charges — 11,036 — 11,036 Depreciation and amortization 8,482 12,456 — 20,938 Adjusted operating income $ 199,694 $ 8,203 $ (7,488 ) $ 200,409 (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 National Networks International and Other Inter-segment eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net Advertising $ 672,273 $ 66,071 $ — $ 738,344 Distribution 1,148,365 343,802 (31,428 ) 1,460,739 Consolidated revenues, net $ 1,820,638 $ 409,873 $ (31,428 ) $ 2,199,083 Operating income (loss) $ 647,965 $ (44,899 ) $ (13,281 ) $ 589,785 Share-based compensation expense 42,647 9,359 — 52,006 Restructuring expense — 3,139 — 3,139 Impairment and related charges — 4,486 — 4,486 Depreciation and amortization 25,358 38,676 — 64,034 Adjusted operating income $ 715,970 $ 10,761 $ (13,281 ) $ 713,450 Capital expenditures $ 9,511 $ 51,263 $ — $ 60,774 (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 National Networks International and Other Inter-segment eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net Advertising $ 690,906 $ 62,134 $ — $ 753,040 Distribution 1,070,606 268,267 (13,156 ) 1,325,717 Consolidated revenues, net $ 1,761,512 $ 330,401 $ (13,156 ) $ 2,078,757 Operating income (loss) $ 640,855 $ (69,222 ) $ (10,818 ) $ 560,815 Share-based compensation expense 33,717 7,695 — 41,412 Restructuring (credit) expense (53 ) 3,940 — 3,887 Impairment and related charges — 28,148 — 28,148 Depreciation and amortization 25,315 39,722 — 65,037 Adjusted operating income $ 699,834 $ 10,283 $ (10,818 ) $ 699,299 Capital expenditures $ 20,311 $ 41,483 $ — $ 61,794
Summary of Inter-Segment Eliminations	Inter-segment eliminations are primarily licensing revenues recognized between the National Networks and International and Other segments as well as revenues recognized by AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology for transmission revenues recognized from the International and Other operating segment. (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Inter-segment revenues National Networks $ (10,304 ) $ (6,179 ) $ (25,454 ) $ (13,045 ) International and Other (4,914 ) — (5,974 ) (111 ) $ (15,218 ) $ (6,179 ) $ (31,428 ) $ (13,156 )
Schedule of Revenue by Geographic Area	The table below summarizes revenues based on customer location: (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Revenues United States $ 550,573 $ 504,732 $ 1,737,336 $ 1,653,342 Europe 108,607 91,447 311,294 278,198 Other 37,695 51,844 150,453 147,217 $ 696,875 $ 648,023 $ 2,199,083 $ 2,078,757
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets	The table below summarizes property and equipment based on asset location: (In thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Property and equipment, net United States $ 182,266 $ 136,203 Europe 26,567 28,261 Other 16,635 19,050 $ 225,468 $ 183,514

Condensed Consolidating Finan_2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Balance Sheet	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,127 $ 360,124 $ 179,466 $ — $ 564,717 Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, — 544,083 233,867 — 777,950 Current portion of program rights, net — 308,039 162,215 — 470,254 Prepaid expenses, other current assets and intercompany receivable 2,174 184,253 20,335 (88,193 ) 118,569 Total current assets 27,301 1,396,499 595,883 (88,193 ) 1,931,490 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation — 158,651 66,817 — 225,468 Investment in affiliates 3,590,449 1,584,454 — (5,174,903 ) — Program rights, net — 980,299 172,152 — 1,152,451 Long-term intercompany notes receivable — 45,986 303 (46,289 ) — Deferred carriage fees, net — 19,331 860 — 20,191 Intangible assets, net — 163,886 305,871 — 469,757 Goodwill — 65,626 639,756 — 705,382 Deferred tax asset, net — — 21,677 — 21,677 Other assets — 167,548 467,993 — 635,541 Total assets $ 3,617,750 $ 4,582,280 $ 2,271,312 $ (5,309,385 ) $ 5,161,957 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 6 $ 33,716 $ 63,786 $ — $ 97,508 Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable 56,373 153,174 119,538 (88,193 ) 240,892 Current portion of program rights obligations — 291,059 65,098 — 356,157 Deferred revenue — 32,734 28,555 — 61,289 Current portion of long-term debt 9,375 — — — 9,375 Current portion of capital lease obligations — 2,749 1,900 — 4,649 Total current liabilities 65,754 513,432 278,877 (88,193 ) 769,870 Program rights obligations — 385,640 11,952 — 397,592 Long-term debt, net 3,095,628 — — — 3,095,628 Capital lease obligations — 1,751 20,671 — 22,422 Deferred tax liability, net 142,041 — 12,069 — 154,110 Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable 51,321 91,008 82,120 (46,289 ) 178,160 Total liabilities 3,354,744 991,831 405,689 (134,482 ) 4,617,782 Commitments and contingencies Redeemable noncontrolling interests — — 252,536 — 252,536 Stockholders' equity: AMC Networks stockholders' equity 263,006 3,590,449 1,584,454 (5,174,903 ) 263,006 Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests — — 28,633 — 28,633 Total stockholders' equity 263,006 3,590,449 1,613,087 (5,174,903 ) 291,639 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,617,750 $ 4,582,280 $ 2,271,312 $ (5,309,385 ) $ 5,161,957 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 320 $ 391,248 $ 167,215 $ — $ 558,783 Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, — 581,270 194,621 — 775,891 Current portion of program rights, net — 304,149 149,301 — 453,450 Prepaid expenses, other current assets and intercompany receivable 3,760 183,815 8,540 (104,389 ) 91,726 Total current assets 4,080 1,460,482 519,677 (104,389 ) 1,879,850 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation — 136,032 47,482 — 183,514 Investment in affiliates 3,443,013 934,612 — (4,377,625 ) — Program rights, net — 1,128,021 191,258 — 1,319,279 Long-term intercompany notes receivable — 489,939 436 (490,375 ) — Deferred carriage fees, net — 29,346 578 — 29,924 Intangible assets, net — 170,554 286,688 — 457,242 Goodwill — 66,609 628,549 — 695,158 Deferred tax asset, net — — 20,081 — 20,081 Other assets — 142,115 305,822 447,937 Total assets $ 3,447,093 $ 4,557,710 $ 2,000,571 $ (4,972,389 ) $ 5,032,985 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 350 $ 50,282 $ 51,565 $ — $ 102,197 Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable 51,692 179,003 136,770 (104,389 ) 263,076 Current portion of program rights obligations — 262,004 65,545 — 327,549 Deferred revenue — 27,530 18,903 — 46,433 Current portion of long-term debt — — — — — Current portion of capital lease obligations — 2,939 1,908 — 4,847 Total current liabilities 52,042 521,758 274,691 (104,389 ) 744,102 Program rights obligations — 511,996 22,984 — 534,980 Long-term debt, net 3,099,257 — — — 3,099,257 Capital lease obligations — 3,745 22,532 — 26,277 Deferred tax liability, net 114,717 — (5,019 ) — 109,698 Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable 46,133 77,198 503,166 (490,375 ) 136,122 Total liabilities 3,312,149 1,114,697 818,354 (594,764 ) 4,650,436 Commitments and contingencies Redeemable noncontrolling interests — — 218,604 — 218,604 Stockholders' equity: AMC Networks stockholders' equity 134,944 3,443,013 934,612 (4,377,625 ) 134,944 Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests — — 29,001 — 29,001 Total stockholders' equity 134,944 3,443,013 963,613 (4,377,625 ) 163,945 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,447,093 $ 4,557,710 $ 2,000,571 $ (4,972,389 ) $ 5,032,985
Condensed Income Statement	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net $ — $ 485,737 $ 214,150 $ (3,012 ) $ 696,875 Operating expenses: Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) — 216,253 130,901 (756 ) 346,398 Selling, general and administrative — 106,068 52,431 (2,257 ) 156,242 Depreciation and amortization — 11,297 10,714 — 22,011 Impairment charges — — 4,486 — 4,486 Restructuring expense — 2,275 864 — 3,139 Total operating expenses — 335,893 199,396 (3,013 ) 532,276 Operating income — 149,844 14,754 1 164,599 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (38,316 ) 2,178 3,103 — (33,035 ) Share of affiliates’ income (loss) 187,659 37,704 — (225,363 ) — Miscellaneous, net (101 ) 213 28,651 (1 ) 28,762 Total other income (expense) 149,242 40,095 31,754 (225,364 ) (4,273 ) Income from operations before income taxes 149,242 189,939 46,508 (225,363 ) 160,326 Income tax expense (37,985 ) (2,280 ) (3,401 ) — (43,666 ) Net income including noncontrolling interests 111,257 187,659 43,107 (225,363 ) 116,660 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,403 ) — (5,403 ) Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 111,257 $ 187,659 $ 37,704 $ (225,363 ) $ 111,257 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net $ — $ 494,563 $ 157,346 $ (3,886 ) $ 648,023 Operating expenses: Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) — 232,432 91,142 (831 ) 322,743 Selling, general and administrative — 99,481 42,352 (3,145 ) 138,688 Depreciation and amortization — 10,072 10,866 — 20,938 Impairment and related charges — — 11,036 — 11,036 Restructuring (credit) expense — (10 ) 1,274 — 1,264 Total operating expenses — 341,975 156,670 (3,976 ) 494,669 Operating income — 152,588 676 90 153,354 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (34,403 ) 10,543 (7,950 ) — (31,810 ) Share of affiliates’ income 171,490 10,784 — (182,274 ) — Loss on extinguishment of debt (3,004 ) — — — (3,004 ) Miscellaneous, net (1,076 ) (244 ) 13,830 (90 ) 12,420 Total other income (expense) 133,007 21,083 5,880 (182,364 ) (22,394 ) Income from operations before income taxes 133,007 173,671 6,556 (182,274 ) 130,960 Income tax (expense) benefit (46,005 ) (2,181 ) 8,062 — (40,124 ) Net income including noncontrolling interests 87,002 171,490 14,618 (182,274 ) 90,836 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3,834 ) — (3,834 ) Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 87,002 $ 171,490 $ 10,784 $ (182,274 ) $ 87,002 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net $ — $ 1,609,916 $ 600,542 $ (11,375 ) $ 2,199,083 Operating expenses: Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) — 687,055 359,165 (2,648 ) 1,043,572 Selling, general and administrative — 348,590 154,206 (8,729 ) 494,067 Depreciation and amortization — 33,276 30,758 — 64,034 Impairment charges — — 4,486 — 4,486 Restructuring expense — 2,275 864 — 3,139 Total operating expenses — 1,071,196 549,479 (11,377 ) 1,609,298 Operating income — 538,720 51,063 2 589,785 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (113,057 ) 25,790 (12,887 ) — (100,154 ) Share of affiliates' income 607,374 51,010 — (658,384 ) — Miscellaneous, net (48 ) (1,557 ) 32,596 (2 ) 30,989 Total other income (expense) 494,269 75,243 19,709 (658,386 ) (69,165 ) Income from operations before income taxes 494,269 613,963 70,772 (658,384 ) 520,620 Income tax expense (119,961 ) (6,589 ) (6,542 ) — (133,092 ) Net income including noncontrolling interests 374,308 607,374 64,230 (658,384 ) 387,528 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (13,220 ) — (13,220 ) Net income attributable to Parent Company's stockholders $ 374,308 $ 607,374 $ 51,010 $ (658,384 ) $ 374,308 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues, net $ — $ 1,610,247 $ 480,153 $ (11,643 ) $ 2,078,757 Operating expenses: Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) — 694,336 264,231 (2,367 ) 956,200 Selling, general and administrative — 335,585 138,669 (9,584 ) 464,670 Depreciation and amortization — 30,399 34,638 — 65,037 Impairment and related charges — — 28,148 — 28,148 Restructuring expense — 2,649 1,238 — 3,887 Total operating expenses — 1,062,969 466,924 (11,951 ) 1,517,942 Operating income — 547,278 13,229 308 560,815 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (93,548 ) 30,531 (22,751 ) — (85,768 ) Share of affiliates’ income 592,012 19,610 — (611,622 ) — Loss on extinguishment of debt (3,004 ) — — — (3,004 ) Miscellaneous, net (1,419 ) 2,085 42,090 (308 ) 42,448 Total other income (expense) 494,041 52,226 19,339 (611,930 ) (46,324 ) Income from operations before income taxes 494,041 599,504 32,568 (611,622 ) 514,491 Income tax (expense) benefit (168,225 ) (7,492 ) 2,318 — (173,399 ) Net income including noncontrolling interests 325,816 592,012 34,886 (611,622 ) 341,092 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (15,276 ) — (15,276 ) Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 325,816 $ 592,012 $ 19,610 $ (611,622 ) $ 325,816
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income including noncontrolling interest $ 111,257 $ 187,659 $ 43,107 $ (225,363 ) $ 116,660 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment (6,094 ) — (6,094 ) 6,094 (6,094 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes (6,094 ) — (6,094 ) 6,094 (6,094 ) Comprehensive income 105,163 187,659 37,013 (219,269 ) 110,566 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,218 ) — (5,218 ) Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 105,163 $ 187,659 $ 31,795 $ (219,269 ) $ 105,348 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income including noncontrolling interest $ 87,002 $ 171,490 $ 14,618 $ (182,274 ) $ 90,836 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment 15,791 — 15,791 (15,791 ) 15,791 Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps (174 ) — — — (174 ) Unrealized gain on available for sale securities 6,596 — — — 6,596 Other comprehensive income, before income taxes 22,213 — 15,791 (15,791 ) 22,213 Income tax expense (2,363 ) — — — (2,363 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes 19,850 — 15,791 (15,791 ) 19,850 Comprehensive income 106,852 171,490 30,409 (198,065 ) 110,686 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (4,633 ) — (4,633 ) Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 106,852 $ 171,490 $ 25,776 $ (198,065 ) $ 106,053 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income including noncontrolling interest $ 374,308 $ 607,374 $ 64,230 $ (658,384 ) $ 387,528 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment (32,679 ) — (32,679 ) 32,679 (32,679 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes (32,679 ) — (32,679 ) 32,679 (32,679 ) Comprehensive income 341,629 607,374 31,551 (625,705 ) 354,849 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (11,954 ) — (11,954 ) Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders $ 341,629 $ 607,374 $ 19,597 $ (625,705 ) $ 342,895 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income including noncontrolling interest $ 325,816 $ 592,012 $ 34,886 $ (611,622 ) $ 341,092 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment 63,475 — 63,475 (63,475 ) 63,475 Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps (35 ) — — — (35 ) Unrealized gain on available for sale securities 9,534 — — — 9,534 Other comprehensive income, before income taxes 72,974 — 63,475 (63,475 ) 72,974 Income tax expense (3,495 ) — — — (3,495 ) Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes 69,479 — 63,475 (63,475 ) 69,479 Comprehensive income 395,295 592,012 98,361 (675,097 ) 410,571 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (17,997 ) — (17,997 ) Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders $ 395,295 $ 592,012 $ 80,364 $ (675,097 ) $ 392,574
Condensed Cash Flow Statement	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 426,876 $ 1,180,996 $ (477,659 ) $ (658,401 ) $ 471,812 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (51,695 ) (9,079 ) — (60,774 ) Return of capital from investees — — 523 — 523 Investment in and loans to investees — — (90,080 ) — (90,080 ) Payments for acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired — (675 ) (34,879 ) — (35,554 ) Increase (decrease) to investment in affiliates (129,968 ) (1,798,987 ) 1,040,871 888,084 — Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (129,968 ) (1,851,357 ) 907,356 888,084 (185,885 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units (15,734 ) — — — (15,734 ) Purchase of treasury stock (267,400 ) — — — (267,400 ) Proceeds from stock option exercises 4,317 — — — 4,317 Principal payments on capital lease obligations — (2,223 ) (1,655 ) — (3,878 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — (9,333 ) — (9,333 ) Net cash used in financing activities (278,817 ) (2,223 ) (10,988 ) — (292,028 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from operations 18,091 (672,584 ) 418,709 229,683 (6,101 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 6,716 641,460 (406,458 ) (229,683 ) 12,035 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 320 391,248 167,215 — 558,783 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 25,127 $ 360,124 $ 179,466 $ — $ 564,717 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Parent Company Guarantor Subsidiaries Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 374,873 $ 498,874 $ 11,714 $ (611,888 ) $ 273,573 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (47,811 ) (13,983 ) — (61,794 ) Investment in and loans to investees — — (43,000 ) — (43,000 ) Increase (decrease) to investment in affiliates (289,891 ) (394,117 ) 254,014 429,994 — Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (289,891 ) (441,928 ) 197,031 429,994 (104,794 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt 1,536,000 — — — 1,536,000 Principal payments on long-term debt (1,257,965 ) — — — (1,257,965 ) Payments for financing costs (10,405 ) — — — (10,405 ) Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units (13,373 ) — — — (13,373 ) Purchase of treasury stock (347,334 ) — — — (347,334 ) Principal payments on capital lease obligations — (2,019 ) (1,409 ) — (3,428 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — (16,110 ) — (16,110 ) Net cash used in financing activities (93,077 ) (2,019 ) (17,519 ) — (112,615 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from operations (8,095 ) 54,927 191,226 (181,894 ) 56,164 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 7,798 26,885 (201,841 ) 181,894 14,736 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 565 320,950 159,874 — 481,389 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 268 $ 402,762 $ 149,259 $ — $ 552,289

Description Of Business And B_4

Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)segmentnetwork	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Accumulated earnings	$ 1,157,063		$ 1,157,063			$ 766,725
Number of Operating Segments | segment			2
Number of Nationally Distributed Programming Networks | network			5
Program Rights Write Offs	$ 11,400	$ 8,000	$ 20,600	$ 9,700
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Accumulated earnings					$ 12,800

Description Of Business And B_5

Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation (Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 1,931,490	$ 1,883,508	$ 1,879,850
Total assets	5,161,957	5,052,884	5,032,985
Current liabilities	769,870	744,937	744,102
Total liabilities	$ 4,617,782	4,657,551	4,650,436
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Current assets			1,879,850
Total assets			5,032,985
Current liabilities			744,102
Total liabilities			$ 4,650,436
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Current assets		3,658
Total assets		19,899
Current liabilities		835
Total liabilities		$ 7,115

Revenue Recognition (Narrative)

Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	$ 38.7

Revenue Recognition (Contract w

Revenue Recognition (Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Net	$ 986,500	$ 926,089
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net, Current	13,631	0
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net, Noncurrent	5,351	0
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current	$ 61,289	$ 46,433

Net Income Per Share (Narrative

Net Income Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 13, 2018	Jun. 06, 2017	Mar. 07, 2016
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 1,500		$ 500	$ 500	$ 500
Common Class A [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	5.1
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$ 52.53
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 575.2
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive securities excluded from EPS	1.5	1
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive securities excluded from EPS	0.4

Net Income Per Share (Reconcili

Net Income Per Share (Reconciliation Between Basic And Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	56,875	63,683	58,519	65,960
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	57,779	64,447	59,281	66,651
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Incremental Weighted Average Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect [Abstract]
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	31	4	12	1
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Incremental Weighted Average Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect [Abstract]
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	873	760	750	690

Restructuring (Narrative) (Deta

Restructuring (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring expense	$ 3,139	$ 1,264	$ 3,139	$ 3,887

Business Combinations (Narrativ

Business Combinations (Narrative) (Details) - Levity [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Apr. 20, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired		57.00%
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs		$ 48,350
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	$ 68,100
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	2,200
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	$ 1,300
Common Class B [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs		35,000
Series L Preferred Stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs		$ 13,400

Business Combinations (Schedule

Business Combinations (Schedule of Business Acquisitions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Apr. 20, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 705,382		$ 695,158
Levity [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for controlling interest		$ 48,350
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		30,573
Cash		13,471
Other current assets		17,251
Property and equipment		20,663
Intangible assets		46,413
Other noncurrent assets		3,306
Current liabilities		(23,647)
Noncurrent liabilities		(21,394)
Noncontrolling interests acquired		(1,354)
Fair value of net assets acquired		54,709
Goodwill		24,214
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net		$ 78,923

Business Combinations (Schedu_2

Business Combinations (Schedule of Pro Forma) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Revenues, net	$ 689,550	$ 2,181,295
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	$ 87,728	$ 326,854
Net income per share, basic	$ 1.38	$ 4.96
Net income per share, diluted	$ 1.36	$ 4.90

Investments (Narrative) (Detail

Investments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 30, 2018	Oct. 01, 2018	Jul. 29, 2018	Mar. 05, 2018	Jan. 05, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 14, 2016
Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	$ 103.2		$ 103.2							$ 61.3
Marketable Securities	5.3		5.3							10.7
Securities Owned Not Readily Marketable	71.8		$ 71.8							$ 46.8
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment	$ 3.5	$ 10
Common Class A [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01		$ 0.01							$ 0.01
RLJE Stock Purchase Agreement [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Warrants Received per RLJE Investment Agreement									747,945
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights									$ 1.50
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs									$ 17.2
RLJE Stock Purchase Agreement [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Common Stock Of RLJE Acquired, Number Of Shares									678,095
RLJE Stock Purchase Agreement [Member] | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Common Stock Of RLJE Acquired, Number Of Shares									7,479.432
RLJE [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Warrants Received per RLJE Investment Agreement											20,000,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights											$ 3
Business Acquisition, Share Price							$ 6.25
Preferred Stock Cash Consideration Per Share of Common Stock							7.86
RLJE [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs				$ 58.9
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired				17.00%		51.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 28
Additional Term Loans Permitted				$ 12
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				7.00%
RLJE [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Term Loan Principal Increase [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 5
RLJE [Member] | Class A [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Common Stock Of RLJE Acquired, Number Of Shares						3,300,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights						$ 3
Cancellation of Tranche B Term Loans						$ 10
RLJE [Member] | Class B [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Common Stock Of RLJE Acquired, Number Of Shares					6,600,000	3,400,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights					$ 3	$ 3
Cancellation of Tranche B Term Loans					$ 19.9	$ 10.1
RLJE [Member] | Class C [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Common Stock Of RLJE Acquired, Number Of Shares					5,000,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights					$ 3
Cancellation of Tranche B Term Loans					$ 15
RLJE [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Common stock, par value							$ 0.001
fuboTV [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Securities Owned Not Readily Marketable								$ 25
Payments to Acquire Loans Receivable			$ 25

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	$ 984
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense	29,100	$ 28,500
National Networks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	$ 984

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2017	$ 695,158
Additions	24,214
Amortization of second component goodwill	(984)
Foreign currency translation	(13,006)
September 30, 2018	705,382
National Networks [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2017	239,759
Additions	0
Amortization of second component goodwill	(984)
Foreign currency translation	0
September 30, 2018	238,775
International And Other [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2017	455,399
Additions	24,214
Amortization of second component goodwill	0
Foreign currency translation	(13,006)
September 30, 2018	$ 466,607

Goodwill and Other Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Gross Carrying Amount of Amortizable Intangible Assets	$ 677,617	$ 639,157
Accumulated amortization	(227,760)	(201,815)
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	449,857	437,342
Trademarks	19,900	19,900
Intangible Assets, Gross, Excluding Goodwill	697,517	659,057
Total intangible assets, net	469,757	457,242
Affiliate and Customer Relationships [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount of Amortizable Intangible Assets	543,570	527,713
Accumulated amortization	(188,571)	(167,911)
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$ 354,999	359,802
Advertiser Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	11 years
Gross Carrying Amount of Amortizable Intangible Assets	$ 46,282	46,282
Accumulated amortization	(16,561)	(13,405)
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$ 29,721	32,877
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	20 years
Gross Carrying Amount of Amortizable Intangible Assets	$ 73,973	53,761
Accumulated amortization	(16,344)	(14,420)
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	57,629	39,341
Other Amortizable Intangible Assets [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount of Amortizable Intangible Assets	13,792	11,401
Accumulated amortization	(6,284)	(6,079)
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$ 7,508	$ 5,322
Minimum [Member] | Affiliate and Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	6 years
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Amortizable Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	2 years
Maximum [Member] | Affiliate and Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	25 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Amortizable Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years

Goodwill and Other Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Estimated Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2,018	$ 38,556
2,019	39,389
2,020	39,386
2,021	39,028
2,022	$ 39,025

Accrued Liabilities (Details)

Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Interest	$ 40,048	$ 30,262
Employee related costs	84,200	117,850
Income taxes payable	13,799	19,558
Other accrued expenses	102,845	95,406
Total accrued liabilities	$ 240,892	$ 263,076

Long-term Debt (Narrative) (Det

Long-term Debt (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 500
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 5
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	3.50%

Long-term Debt (Summary of Long

Long-term Debt (Summary of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 3,150,000	$ 3,150,000
Unamortized discount	(30,360)	(33,776)
Unamortized deferred financing costs	(14,637)	(16,967)
Long-term debt, net	3,105,003	3,099,257
Current portion of long-term debt	9,375	0
Long-term debt	3,095,628	3,099,257
Term-A Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, net	739,061	737,140
5.00% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, net	$ 985,700	$ 984,056
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%	5.00%
4.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, net	$ 594,216	$ 593,304
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%	4.75%
4.75% Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, net	$ 786,026	$ 784,757
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%	4.75%
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.00% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	600,000	600,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.75% Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	800,000	800,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Term-A Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 750,000	$ 750,000

Fair Value Measurement (Narrati

Fair Value Measurement (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ 26,725	$ 2,765	$ 38,510	$ 22,320
Other Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			60,000
Other Contract [Member] | Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	27,175	4,432	39,464	26,836
Other Contract [Member] | RLJE [Member] | Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ 20,600	$ 2,000	$ 30,200	$ 19,100
Measurement Input, Discount for Lack of Marketability [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount for Lack of Marketability (Deprecated 2018-01-31)	0.32		0.32

Fair Value Measurement (Financi

Fair Value Measurement (Financial Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	$ 35,709	$ 100,615
Marketable securities	5,339	10,709
Investments	48,987	9,948
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swap contracts	60	1,444
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Foreign currency derivatives	3,188	3,801
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Foreign currency derivatives	3,587	4,475
Other Contract [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other derivatives	78,586	37,065
Level I [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	35,709	100,615
Marketable securities	5,339	10,709
Investments	48,987	9,948
Level II [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swap contracts	60	1,444
Level II [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Foreign currency derivatives	3,188	3,801
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Foreign currency derivatives	3,587	4,475
Level II [Member] | Other Contract [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other derivatives	$ 78,586	6,174
Level III [Member] | Other Contract [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other derivatives		$ 30,891

Fair Value Measurement (Carryin

Fair Value Measurement (Carrying Values And Fair Values Of The Company's Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 3,105,003	$ 3,099,257
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	3,099,625	3,166,375
Term-A Facility [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	739,061	737,140
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	748,125	748,125
4.75% Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	786,026	784,757
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	768,000	793,000
5.00% Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	985,700	984,056
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	985,000	1,012,500
4.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	594,216	593,304
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 598,500	$ 612,750

Derivative Financial Instrume_3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ 26,725	$ 2,765	$ 38,510	$ 22,320
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	200,000		200,000
Other Contract [Member] | Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ 27,175	$ 4,432	$ 39,464	$ 26,836

Derivative Financial Instrume_4

Derivative Financial Instruments (Fair Value Of Derivative Instruments Included In Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset at Fair Value	$ 1,187	$ 943
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset at Fair Value	2,001	2,858
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability at Fair Value	788	1,223
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability at Fair Value	2,799	3,252
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset at Fair Value	60	1,444
Other Contract [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset at Fair Value	$ 78,586	$ 37,065

Derivative Financial Instrume_5

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Gains And Losses Related To Derivative Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps	$ 0	$ (174)	$ 0	$ (35)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0	224	0	341
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps	$ 0	$ 50	$ 0	$ 306

Derivative Financial Instrume_6

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ 26,725	$ 2,765	$ 38,510	$ 22,320
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	(700)	(24)	(1,384)	(29)
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	250	(1,643)	430	(4,487)
Other Contract [Member] | Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ 27,175	$ 4,432	$ 39,464	$ 26,836

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ (43,666)	$ (40,124)	$ (133,092)	$ (173,399)
Effective tax rate	27.00%	31.00%	26.00%	34.00%
Federal statutory rate			21.00%	35.00%
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	$ (5,600)	$ (5,500)	$ 600	$ 1,200
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount	3,400	2,400	9,500	8,400
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount		8,400	15,800	900
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount			8,300
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Reconciling Items, Amount		600		(2,000)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Qualified Production Activity, Amount		$ 2,800		$ 13,100
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Foreign	15,600		15,600
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount			(15,600)
Second component of tax deductible goodwill, net of tax	$ 1,000		$ 1,000

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in contractual obligations not reflected in the balance sheet	$ (244.9)
Contractual Obligation	1,100
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	280
Threatened Litigation [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 20

Equity Plans (Narrative) (Detai

Equity Plans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units				$ (15,734)	$ (13,373)
Share-based compensation expense	$ 16,934		$ 13,817	$ 52,006	$ 41,412
Total unrecognized share-based compensation costs, remaining period of recognition (in years)				2 years 3 months
Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
New shares of Company's Class A common stock issued				424,684
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares surrendered to the Company for tax withholding				295,973
Total unrecognized share-based compensation costs	$ 105,400			$ 105,400
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares vested in period				720,657
2016 Employee Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		684,737
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years
2016 Employee Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		195,028
2016 Employee Stock Plan [Member] | Performance Vesting Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		537,403
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years
2016 Employee Stock Plan [Member] | Performance Vesting Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				0.00%
2016 Employee Stock Plan [Member] | Performance Vesting Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				200.00%

Redeemable Noncontrolling Int_3

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Narrative) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Right to Put	50.00%

Redeemable Noncontrolling Int_4

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Activity (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2017	$ 218,604
Acquired	30,573
Net earnings	12,692
Distributions	(9,333)
September 30, 2018	$ 252,536

Related Party Transactions (Nar

Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Line Items]
Aggregate voting power held by related party	73.00%		73.00%
Net revenues from related parties	$ 1,605	$ 1,515	$ 4,779	$ 4,594
Selling, general and administrative charges from related parties	$ 232	$ 216	$ 900	$ 1,205
Common Class A [Member]
Related Party Transactions [Line Items]
Percentage of common stock owned by related party	3.00%		3.00%

Cash Flows (Summary Of Non-Cash

Cash Flows (Summary Of Non-Cash Activities And Other Supplemental Data) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract]
Treasury stock not yet settled	$ 0	$ 2,000
Exercise of RLJE Warrants	0	5,001
Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid	2,835	3,761
Cash interest paid	97,437	65,442
Income taxes paid, net	$ 96,272	$ 181,129

Segment Information (Narrative)

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Operating Segments	2

Segment Information (Summary Of

Segment Information (Summary Of Continuing Operations By Reportable Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 696,875	$ 648,023	$ 2,199,083	$ 2,078,757
Operating income	164,599	153,354	589,785	560,815
Share-based compensation expense	16,934	13,817	52,006	41,412
Restructuring expense	3,139	1,264	3,139	3,887
Impairment and related charges	4,486	11,036	4,486	28,148
Depreciation and amortization	22,011	20,938	64,034	65,037
Adjusted operating income	211,169	200,409	713,450	699,299
Capital expenditures			60,774	61,794
Operating Segments [Member] | National Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	560,321	541,442	1,820,638	1,761,512
Operating income	188,107	179,624	647,965	640,855
Share-based compensation expense	13,860	11,598	42,647	33,717
Restructuring expense	0	(10)	0	(53)
Impairment and related charges	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	8,450	8,482	25,358	25,315
Adjusted operating income	210,417	199,694	715,970	699,834
Capital expenditures			9,511	20,311
Operating Segments [Member] | International And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	151,772	112,760	409,873	330,401
Operating income	(16,749)	(18,782)	(44,899)	(69,222)
Share-based compensation expense	3,074	2,219	9,359	7,695
Restructuring expense	3,139	1,274	3,139	3,940
Impairment and related charges	4,486	11,036	4,486	28,148
Depreciation and amortization	13,561	12,456	38,676	39,722
Adjusted operating income	7,511	8,203	10,761	10,283
Capital expenditures			51,263	41,483
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	(15,218)	(6,179)	(31,428)	(13,156)
Operating income	(6,759)	(7,488)	(13,281)	(10,818)
Share-based compensation expense	0	0	0	0
Restructuring expense	0	0	0	0
Impairment and related charges	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Adjusted operating income	(6,759)	(7,488)	(13,281)	(10,818)
Capital expenditures			0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | National Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	(10,304)	(6,179)	(25,454)	(13,045)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | International And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	(4,914)	0	(5,974)	(111)
Advertising [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	219,842	218,582	738,344	753,040
Advertising [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | National Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	199,714	197,891	672,273	690,906
Advertising [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | International And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	20,128	20,691	66,071	62,134
Advertising [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	0	0	0	0
Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	477,033	429,441	1,460,739	1,325,717
Entertainment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | National Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	360,607	343,551	1,148,365	1,070,606
Entertainment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | International And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	131,644	92,069	343,802	268,267
Entertainment [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ (15,218)	$ (6,179)	$ (31,428)	$ (13,156)

Segment Information (Summary _2

Segment Information (Summary Of Inter-Segment Eliminations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 696,875	$ 648,023	$ 2,199,083	$ 2,078,757
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	(15,218)	(6,179)	(31,428)	(13,156)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | National Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	(10,304)	(6,179)	(25,454)	(13,045)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | International And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ (4,914)	$ 0	$ (5,974)	$ (111)

Segment Information (Revenues b

Segment Information (Revenues by geographic region) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 696,875	$ 648,023	$ 2,199,083	$ 2,078,757
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	550,573	504,732	1,737,336	1,653,342
Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	108,607	91,447	311,294	278,198
Other Geographic Locations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 37,695	$ 51,844	$ 150,453	$ 147,217

Segment Information (Long-lived

Segment Information (Long-lived assets by Geographic Location) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 225,468	$ 183,514
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	182,266	136,203
Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	26,567	28,261
Other Geographic Locations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 16,635	$ 19,050

Condensed Consolidating Finan_3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 3,150,000	$ 3,150,000
Parent Percentage of Ownership in Guarantor Subsidiaries	100.00%
4.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%	4.75%
5.00% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%	5.00%
4.75% Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%	4.75%
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 600,000	$ 600,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.00% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	1,000,000	1,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.75% Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 800,000	$ 800,000

Condensed Consolidating Finan_4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 564,717		$ 558,783	$ 552,289	$ 481,389
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, less allowance for doubtful accounts)	777,950		775,891
Current portion of program rights, net	470,254		453,450
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	118,569		91,726
Total current assets	1,931,490	$ 1,883,508	1,879,850
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	225,468		183,514
Investment in affiliates	0		0
Program rights, net	1,152,451		1,319,279
Long-term intercompany notes receivable	0		0
Deferred carriage fees, net	20,191		29,924
Intangible assets, net	469,757		457,242
Goodwill	705,382		695,158
Deferred tax asset, net	21,677		20,081
Other assets	635,541		447,937
Total assets	5,161,957	5,052,884	5,032,985
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	97,508		102,197
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable	240,892		263,076
Current portion of program rights obligations	356,157		327,549
Deferred revenue	61,289		46,433
Current portion of long-term debt	9,375		0
Current portion of capital lease obligations	4,649		4,847
Total current liabilities	769,870	744,937	744,102
Program rights obligations	397,592		534,980
Long-term debt	3,095,628		3,099,257
Capital lease obligations	22,422		26,277
Deferred tax liability, net	154,110		109,698
Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable	178,160		136,122
Total liabilities	4,617,782	$ 4,657,551	4,650,436
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	252,536		218,604
Stockholders' equity:
AMC Networks stockholders' equity	263,006		134,944
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	28,633		29,001
Total stockholders' equity	291,639		163,945
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,161,957		5,032,985
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0	0	0
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, less allowance for doubtful accounts)	0		0
Current portion of program rights, net	0		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(88,193)		(104,389)
Total current assets	(88,193)		(104,389)
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	0		0
Investment in affiliates	(5,174,903)		(4,377,625)
Program rights, net	0		0
Long-term intercompany notes receivable	(46,289)		(490,375)
Deferred carriage fees, net	0		0
Intangible assets, net	0		0
Goodwill	0		0
Deferred tax asset, net	0		0
Other assets	0
Total assets	(5,309,385)		(4,972,389)
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	0		0
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable	(88,193)		(104,389)
Current portion of program rights obligations	0		0
Deferred revenue	0		0
Current portion of long-term debt	0		0
Current portion of capital lease obligations	0		0
Total current liabilities	(88,193)		(104,389)
Program rights obligations	0		0
Long-term debt	0		0
Capital lease obligations	0		0
Deferred tax liability, net	0		0
Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable	(46,289)		(490,375)
Total liabilities	(134,482)		(594,764)
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0		0
Stockholders' equity:
AMC Networks stockholders' equity	(5,174,903)		(4,377,625)
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total stockholders' equity	(5,174,903)		(4,377,625)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	(5,309,385)		(4,972,389)
Parent Company [Member]
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	25,127		320	268	565
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, less allowance for doubtful accounts)	0		0
Current portion of program rights, net	0		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,174		3,760
Total current assets	27,301		4,080
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	0		0
Investment in affiliates	3,590,449		3,443,013
Program rights, net	0		0
Long-term intercompany notes receivable	0		0
Deferred carriage fees, net	0		0
Intangible assets, net	0		0
Goodwill	0		0
Deferred tax asset, net	0		0
Other assets	0		0
Total assets	3,617,750		3,447,093
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	6		350
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable	56,373		51,692
Current portion of program rights obligations	0		0
Deferred revenue	0		0
Current portion of long-term debt	9,375		0
Current portion of capital lease obligations	0		0
Total current liabilities	65,754		52,042
Program rights obligations	0		0
Long-term debt	3,095,628		3,099,257
Capital lease obligations	0		0
Deferred tax liability, net	142,041		114,717
Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable	51,321		46,133
Total liabilities	3,354,744		3,312,149
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0		0
Stockholders' equity:
AMC Networks stockholders' equity	263,006		134,944
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total stockholders' equity	263,006		134,944
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,617,750		3,447,093
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	360,124		391,248	402,762	320,950
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, less allowance for doubtful accounts)	544,083		581,270
Current portion of program rights, net	308,039		304,149
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	184,253		183,815
Total current assets	1,396,499		1,460,482
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	158,651		136,032
Investment in affiliates	1,584,454		934,612
Program rights, net	980,299		1,128,021
Long-term intercompany notes receivable	45,986		489,939
Deferred carriage fees, net	19,331		29,346
Intangible assets, net	163,886		170,554
Goodwill	65,626		66,609
Deferred tax asset, net	0		0
Other assets	167,548		142,115
Total assets	4,582,280		4,557,710
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	33,716		50,282
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable	153,174		179,003
Current portion of program rights obligations	291,059		262,004
Deferred revenue	32,734		27,530
Current portion of long-term debt	0		0
Current portion of capital lease obligations	2,749		2,939
Total current liabilities	513,432		521,758
Program rights obligations	385,640		511,996
Long-term debt	0		0
Capital lease obligations	1,751		3,745
Deferred tax liability, net	0		0
Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable	91,008		77,198
Total liabilities	991,831		1,114,697
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0		0
Stockholders' equity:
AMC Networks stockholders' equity	3,590,449		3,443,013
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total stockholders' equity	3,590,449		3,443,013
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,582,280		4,557,710
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	179,466		167,215	$ 149,259	$ 159,874
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net, less allowance for doubtful accounts)	233,867		194,621
Current portion of program rights, net	162,215		149,301
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	20,335		8,540
Total current assets	595,883		519,677
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	66,817		47,482
Investment in affiliates	0		0
Program rights, net	172,152		191,258
Long-term intercompany notes receivable	303		436
Deferred carriage fees, net	860		578
Intangible assets, net	305,871		286,688
Goodwill	639,756		628,549
Deferred tax asset, net	21,677		20,081
Other assets	467,993		305,822
Total assets	2,271,312		2,000,571
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	63,786		51,565
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable	119,538		136,770
Current portion of program rights obligations	65,098		65,545
Deferred revenue	28,555		18,903
Current portion of long-term debt	0		0
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,900		1,908
Total current liabilities	278,877		274,691
Program rights obligations	11,952		22,984
Long-term debt	0		0
Capital lease obligations	20,671		22,532
Deferred tax liability, net	12,069		(5,019)
Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable	82,120		503,166
Total liabilities	405,689		818,354
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	252,536		218,604
Stockholders' equity:
AMC Networks stockholders' equity	1,584,454		934,612
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	28,633		29,001
Total stockholders' equity	1,613,087		963,613
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 2,271,312		$ 2,000,571

Condensed Consolidating Finan_5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Income Statement) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 696,875	$ 648,023	$ 2,199,083	$ 2,078,757
Operating expenses
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	346,398	322,743	1,043,572	956,200
Selling, general and administrative	156,242	138,688	494,067	464,670
Depreciation and amortization	22,011	20,938	64,034	65,037
Impairment and related charges	4,486	11,036	4,486	28,148
Restructuring expense	3,139	1,264	3,139	3,887
Total operating expenses	532,276	494,669	1,609,298	1,517,942
Operating income	164,599	153,354	589,785	560,815
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(33,035)	(31,810)	(100,154)	(85,768)
Share of affiliates' income	0	0	0	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	(3,004)	0	(3,004)
Miscellaneous, net	28,762	12,420	30,989	42,448
Total other income (expense)	(4,273)	(22,394)	(69,165)	(46,324)
Income from operations before income taxes	160,326	130,960	520,620	514,491
Income tax expense	(43,666)	(40,124)	(133,092)	(173,399)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	116,660	90,836	387,528	341,092
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,403)	(3,834)	(13,220)	(15,276)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	111,257	87,002	374,308	325,816
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	(3,012)	(3,886)	(11,375)	(11,643)
Operating expenses
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	(756)	(831)	(2,648)	(2,367)
Selling, general and administrative	(2,257)	(3,145)	(8,729)	(9,584)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Impairment and related charges	0	0	0	0
Restructuring expense	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	(3,013)	(3,976)	(11,377)	(11,951)
Operating income	1	90	2	308
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
Share of affiliates' income	(225,363)	(182,274)	(658,384)	(611,622)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0		0
Miscellaneous, net	(1)	(90)	(2)	(308)
Total other income (expense)	(225,364)	(182,364)	(658,386)	(611,930)
Income from operations before income taxes	(225,363)	(182,274)	(658,384)	(611,622)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net income including noncontrolling interests	(225,363)	(182,274)	(658,384)	(611,622)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	(225,363)	(182,274)	(658,384)	(611,622)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	0	0	0	0
Operating expenses
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Impairment and related charges	0	0	0	0
Restructuring expense	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	0	0	0	0
Operating income	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(38,316)	(34,403)	(113,057)	(93,548)
Share of affiliates' income	187,659	171,490	607,374	592,012
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(3,004)		(3,004)
Miscellaneous, net	(101)	(1,076)	(48)	(1,419)
Total other income (expense)	149,242	133,007	494,269	494,041
Income from operations before income taxes	149,242	133,007	494,269	494,041
Income tax expense	(37,985)	(46,005)	(119,961)	(168,225)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	111,257	87,002	374,308	325,816
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	111,257	87,002	374,308	325,816
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	485,737	494,563	1,609,916	1,610,247
Operating expenses
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	216,253	232,432	687,055	694,336
Selling, general and administrative	106,068	99,481	348,590	335,585
Depreciation and amortization	11,297	10,072	33,276	30,399
Impairment and related charges	0	0	0	0
Restructuring expense	2,275	(10)	2,275	2,649
Total operating expenses	335,893	341,975	1,071,196	1,062,969
Operating income	149,844	152,588	538,720	547,278
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	2,178	10,543	25,790	30,531
Share of affiliates' income	37,704	10,784	51,010	19,610
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0		0
Miscellaneous, net	213	(244)	(1,557)	2,085
Total other income (expense)	40,095	21,083	75,243	52,226
Income from operations before income taxes	189,939	173,671	613,963	599,504
Income tax expense	(2,280)	(2,181)	(6,589)	(7,492)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	187,659	171,490	607,374	592,012
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	187,659	171,490	607,374	592,012
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	214,150	157,346	600,542	480,153
Operating expenses
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	130,901	91,142	359,165	264,231
Selling, general and administrative	52,431	42,352	154,206	138,669
Depreciation and amortization	10,714	10,866	30,758	34,638
Impairment and related charges	4,486	11,036	4,486	28,148
Restructuring expense	864	1,274	864	1,238
Total operating expenses	199,396	156,670	549,479	466,924
Operating income	14,754	676	51,063	13,229
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	3,103	(7,950)	(12,887)	(22,751)
Share of affiliates' income	0	0	0	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0		0
Miscellaneous, net	28,651	13,830	32,596	42,090
Total other income (expense)	31,754	5,880	19,709	19,339
Income from operations before income taxes	46,508	6,556	70,772	32,568
Income tax expense	(3,401)	8,062	(6,542)	2,318
Net income including noncontrolling interests	43,107	14,618	64,230	34,886
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,403)	(3,834)	(13,220)	(15,276)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ 37,704	$ 10,784	$ 51,010	$ 19,610

Condensed Consolidating Finan_6

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	$ 116,660	$ 90,836	$ 387,528	$ 341,092
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(6,094)	15,791	(32,679)	63,475
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps	0	(174)	0	(35)
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities	0	6,596	0	9,534
Other comprehensive income, before income taxes	(6,094)	22,213	(32,679)	72,974
Income tax expense	0	(2,363)	0	(3,495)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	(6,094)	19,850	(32,679)	69,479
Comprehensive income	110,566	110,686	354,849	410,571
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,218)	(4,633)	(11,954)	(17,997)
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	105,348	106,053	342,895	392,574
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	(225,363)	(182,274)	(658,384)	(611,622)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	6,094	(15,791)	32,679	(63,475)
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps		0		0
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities		0		0
Other comprehensive income, before income taxes		(15,791)		(63,475)
Income tax expense		0		0
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	6,094	(15,791)	32,679	(63,475)
Comprehensive income	(219,269)	(198,065)	(625,705)	(675,097)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	(219,269)	(198,065)	(625,705)	(675,097)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	111,257	87,002	374,308	325,816
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(6,094)	15,791	(32,679)	63,475
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps		(174)		(35)
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities		6,596		9,534
Other comprehensive income, before income taxes		22,213		72,974
Income tax expense		(2,363)		(3,495)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	(6,094)	19,850	(32,679)	69,479
Comprehensive income	105,163	106,852	341,629	395,295
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	105,163	106,852	341,629	395,295
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	187,659	171,490	607,374	592,012
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	0
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps		0		0
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities		0		0
Other comprehensive income, before income taxes		0		0
Income tax expense		0		0
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	187,659	171,490	607,374	592,012
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	187,659	171,490	607,374	592,012
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	43,107	14,618	64,230	34,886
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(6,094)	15,791	(32,679)	63,475
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps		0		0
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities		0		0
Other comprehensive income, before income taxes		15,791		63,475
Income tax expense		0		0
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	(6,094)	15,791	(32,679)	63,475
Comprehensive income	37,013	30,409	31,551	98,361
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,218)	(4,633)	(11,954)	(17,997)
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ 31,795	$ 25,776	$ 19,597	$ 80,364

Condensed Consolidating Finan_7

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Cash Flow) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 471,812	$ 273,573
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(60,774)	(61,794)
Return of capital from investees	523	0
Investment in and loans to investees	(90,080)	(43,000)
Payments for acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired	(35,554)	0
Increase (decrease) to investment in affiliates	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(185,885)	(104,794)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units	(15,734)	(13,373)
Purchase of treasury stock	(267,400)	(347,334)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	4,317	0
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(3,878)	(3,428)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(9,333)	(16,110)
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	0	1,536,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	0	(1,257,965)
Payments for financing costs	0	(10,405)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	(292,028)	(112,615)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations	(6,101)	56,164
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	12,035	14,736
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	564,717	552,289
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(658,401)	(611,888)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0
Return of capital from investees	0
Investment in and loans to investees	0	0
Payments for acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired	0
Increase (decrease) to investment in affiliates	888,084	429,994
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	888,084	429,994
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0
Proceeds from stock option exercises	0
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt		0
Principal payments on long-term debt		0
Payments for financing costs		0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations	229,683	(181,894)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(229,683)	181,894
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	426,876	374,873
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0
Return of capital from investees	0
Investment in and loans to investees	0	0
Payments for acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired	0
Increase (decrease) to investment in affiliates	(129,968)	(289,891)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(129,968)	(289,891)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units	(15,734)	(13,373)
Purchase of treasury stock	(267,400)	(347,334)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	4,317
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt		1,536,000
Principal payments on long-term debt		(1,257,965)
Payments for financing costs		(10,405)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	(278,817)	(93,077)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations	18,091	(8,095)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	6,716	7,798
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	25,127	268
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,180,996	498,874
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(51,695)	(47,811)
Return of capital from investees	0
Investment in and loans to investees	0	0
Payments for acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired	(675)
Increase (decrease) to investment in affiliates	(1,798,987)	(394,117)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(1,851,357)	(441,928)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0
Proceeds from stock option exercises	0
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(2,223)	(2,019)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt		0
Principal payments on long-term debt		0
Payments for financing costs		0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	(2,223)	(2,019)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations	(672,584)	54,927
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	641,460	26,885
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	360,124	402,762
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(477,659)	11,714
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(9,079)	(13,983)
Return of capital from investees	523
Investment in and loans to investees	(90,080)	(43,000)
Payments for acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired	(34,879)
Increase (decrease) to investment in affiliates	1,040,871	254,014
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	907,356	197,031
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0
Proceeds from stock option exercises	0
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(1,655)	(1,409)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(9,333)	(16,110)
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt		0
Principal payments on long-term debt		0
Payments for financing costs		0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	(10,988)	(17,519)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations	418,709	191,226
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(406,458)	(201,841)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 179,466	$ 149,259