Nature of business (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Nov. 26, 2018
Numerator for loss per common share calculation:
Net loss attributable to Hemisphere Media Group, Inc.	$ (2,358)	$ (5,106)	$ (4,044)	$ (12,665)
Denominator for loss per common share calculation:
Weighted-average common shares, basic	39,164	39,021	39,098	38,988
Effect of dilutive securities
Weighted-average common shares, diluted	39,164	39,021	39,098	38,988
Loss per share attributable to Hemisphere Media Group, Inc.
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.32)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.32)
Shares excluded from the computation of diluted loss per common share	900	2,000	1,000	2,000
Outstanding awards excluded from computation of diluted loss per share	500	200	500	200
Snap Media
Nature of business
Voting interest acquired (as a percent)					75.00%