Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Class A Common Stock [Member] Class A Common Stock [Member] Class B Common Stock [Member] Class B Common Stock [Member] Statement [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash at end of period Cash at beginning of period Cash Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts receivable, net Inventory, Net Inventory, less allowances Deferred Costs, Current, Total Deferred advertising costs Total current assets Assets, Current Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Media Library Net Media library, net Media library, net. Deferred tax assets, net Deferred tax assets Goodwill Goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Other intangibles, net Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Line of Credit, Current Line of credit Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Accrued liabilities Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Equity: Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock Additional Paid in Capital Additional paid-in capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Total Gaiam, Inc. shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total equity Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract] Net Revenue Net revenue Cost of Goods Sold Cost of goods sold Gross profit Gross Profit Operating Expenses [Abstract] Expenses: Selling and Operating Expense Selling and operating Selling and operating expense. General and Administrative Expense Corporate, general and administration Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs Acquisition-related costs Total expenses Operating Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Loss from operations Contribution loss: Investment Income, Nonoperating Interest and other income (expense) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Loss before income taxes and noncontrolling interest Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax benefit Income tax benefit Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss Net loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss Net loss attributable to Gaiam,Inc. Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders Net loss per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders: Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Gaiam, Inc. Common Shareholders [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Basic Net loss per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders - basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Diluted Net loss per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders - diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted-average shares outstanding: Weighted average shares for basic net loss per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic Denominators for diluted net loss per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation Depreciation Amortization Amortization Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation expense Deferred and stock option income tax benefit Deferred and stock option income tax benefit Deferred and stock option income tax benefit. Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Loss on translation of foreign currency Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from an acquisition: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventory, net Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Charges Deferred advertising costs Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities Increase Decrease in Deferred Revenue and Other Current Liabilities Deferred revenue and other current liabilities Increase / (decrease) in deferred revenue and other current liabilities. Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Investing activities Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Purchase of property, equipment and media rights Cash from acquired business Cash Acquired from Acquisition Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable Collection of note receivable Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Change in restricted cash Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Financing activities Net borrowings (payments) on revolving line of credit Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Principal payments on debt Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and tax benefits from option exercises Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and tax benefits from option exercises Aggregate amount of proceeds from issuance of common stock and tax benefits from option exercises, net. Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rates on cash Net change in cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental cash flow information Interest Paid Interest paid Income Taxes Paid Income taxes paid Organization, Nature of Operations, and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract] Organization, Nature of Operations, and Principles of Consolidation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Mergers and Acquisitions [Abstract] Mergers and Acquisitions Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Line of Credit [Abstract] Revolving Line of Credit [Text Block] Line of Credit The entire disclosure for revolving line of credit. Equity [Abstract] Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Share-Based Payments [Abstract] Share-Based Payments Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Gaiam, Inc. Common Shareholders Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Use of Estimates and Reclassifications Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Estimated fair values of net assets acquired Schedule Of Purchase Price Allocation Table [Text Block] Impact of acquisition on historical financial information Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block] Summary of reconciliation Schedule Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Table Text Block] Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Comprehensive income (loss) component, foreign currency translation Computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Financial information for Company's segments Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Alteris [Member] Alteris [Member] Alteris. Subsidiaries [Member] Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment [Member] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Estimated fair values of net assets acquired Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract] Accounts receivable Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Receivables Other current assets Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Goodwill Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount Other intangibles Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill Net assets acquired Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed), Net Impact of acquisition on historical financial information Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Net revenue Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Changes in Accounting and Extraordinary Items, Net of Tax Net loss attributable to Gaiam Inc. Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Changes in Accounting and Extraordinary Items, Net of Tax, Per Share, Basic Net loss per share Net loss per share - basic Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Changes in Accounting and Extraordinary Items, Net of Tax, Per Share, Diluted Net loss per share - diluted Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Mergers and Acquisitions (Textual) [Abstract] Mergers and Acquisitions (Textual) [Abstract] Mergers and acquisitions. Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired Voting equity interests of Vivendi Entertainment Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Total consideration to be transferred Adjustment to Pro Forma Net Income Loss Pro forma net income (loss) adjusted Adjustment to pro forma net income loss. Revolving Line of Credit (Textual) [Abstract] Line of Credit (Textual) [Abstract] Revolving line of credit. Credit agreement borrowings maximum Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Line of Credit Facility Basis Spread on Variable Rate Bank's prime rate plus Line of credit facility basis spread on variable rate. Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Table] Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Comprehensive Loss [Member] Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Deficit [Member] Accumulated Deficit during Development Stage [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Class A and Class B Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items] Reconciliation of Carrying Amount of Equity [Abstract] Summary of reconciliation Reconciliation of carrying amount of equity. Stock Issued During Period Value New Issues and Share Based Compensation Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock, including related taxes, and share-based compensation Stock issued during period value new issues and share based compensation. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $2 Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss Schedule Of Subsidiary Or Equity Method Investee [Table] Subsidiary Or Equity Method Investee [Line Items] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Domain] Long Term Incentive Plan Two Thousand Nine [Member] Long-Term Incentive Plan 2009 [Member] Long term incentive plan two thousand nine. Long Term Incentive Plan One Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Nine [Member] Long-Term Incentive Plan 1999 [Member] Long term incentive plan one thousand nine hundred ninety nine. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Equity (Textual) [Abstract] Equity (Textual) [Abstract] Equity. Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Issuance of Class A common shares to independent directors, in lieu of cash compensation for services Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive loss attributable to Gaiam, Inc. shareholders. Share Based Payments (Textual) [Abstract] Share Based Payments (Textual) [Abstract] Share based payments. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Granted stock options under Long-Term Incentive Plan Cancelled stock options previously issued under Long-Term Incentive Plans Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Denominator: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract] Effect of dilutive securities: Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment [Abstract] Weighted average of common stock and stock options Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements Antidilutive common stock Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Business Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Direct to Consumer [Member] Direct to Consumer [Member] Direct to consumer. Business [Member] Business [Member] business. Solar [Member] Solar (RSOL) [Member] Solar. Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Net revenue: Revenue, Net [Abstract] Reconciliation of contribution margin (loss) to net income (loss) attributable to Gaiam, Inc.: Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract] Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract] Segment information. Number of Reportable Segments Reportable segments Other Assets, Current Other current assets Due from Related Parties, Current Receivable from equity method investee Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal Losses from equity method investment OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent Net-of-tax amount Other comprehensive income (loss), foreign currency translation, net of tax Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Income taxes receivable Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Purchase of business Increase (Decrease) in Participation Liabilities Participations payable Equity Method Investment and Receivable From Investee [Abstract] Cost and Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Method Investment and Receivable From Investee Advances [Abstract] Advances [Text Block] Advances The entire disclosure for advances. Participations Payable [Abstract] Participations payable. Participations Payable [Text Block] Participations Payable The entire disclosure for participations payable. Equity Method Investments[Text Block Summarized financial information for equity method investee Balance sheet Financial Information for our Equity Method Investee Income Statement [Table Text Block] Financial information for our equity method investee Income statement The entire disclosure for financial information for our equity method investee income statement. Summarized financial information for equity method investee Balance sheet Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract] Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract] Financial information for our equity method investee Income statement Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets Current assets Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets Noncurrent assets Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets Total assets Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities Current liabilities Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Liabilities Noncurrent liabilities Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities Total liabilities Net revenue Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue Gross profit Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss) Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss) Net loss Equity Method Investment and Receivable from Investee (Textual) [Abstract] Equity Method Investment and Receivable from Investee (Textual) [Abstract] Equity method investment and receivable from investee. Short-term Debt Loaned for twelve months Federal income tax purposes Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deductions, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) current tax rates Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations net operating loss carryforwards Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Owned Class A common stock Investment Owned, at Fair Value Estimated fair value based on the closing market price of Class A common stock Equity Method Investment, Underlying Equity in Net Assets Equity in the net assets Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date Revolving line of credit agreement, expiration date Outstanding borrowings Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Comprehensive income (loss) component, foreign currency translation Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Before-tax amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Tax (expense) benefit Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Loss from equity method investment in RSOL Entity Number of Employees Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Accelerated Compensation Cost Vivendi Entertainments' [Member] Gaiam Vivendi Entertainments [Member] Vivendi Entertainments. Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid Consideration to be transferred in cash Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Other Noncash Consideration Consideration to be transferred by non interest promissory note Media Titles Media Titles. Media Titles Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired Total assets Line of Credit Facility Amount Reserved for Letters of Credit Line of credit reserve Line Of Credit Facility Amount Reserved For Letters Of Credit. Granted Stock Options Expiration Term Granted Stock Options expiration date Granted Stock Options Expiration Term. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax Foreign currency translation net of tax Equity Method Investments Equity method investment Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current Deferred tax assets Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Parent Common Shareholders (Textual) [Abstract] Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Gaiam, Inc. Common Shareholders (Textual) [Abstract] Net loss per share attributable to parent common shareholders. Advances Advances. Advances Increase Decrease in Advances Advances Increase decrease in advances. Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Advances Advances Business acquisition purchase price allocation advances. Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued Liabilities Business acquisition purchase price allocation accrued liabilities current. Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual Net revenue Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual Net Income Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Participation Liabilities Participations payable Business acquisition purchase price allocation participation liabilities. Accrued Participation Liabilities, Due in Next Operating Cycle Participations payable Increase (Decrease) in Due from Related Parties, Current Receivable from equity method investee Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events Textual Abstract Subsequent events. Subsequent Events (Textual) [Abstract] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding Outstanfing borrowings on new credit agreement Interest Rate Percentage Points Added Interest Rate Percentage Points Added Interest rate percentage points added. Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Net revenue Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description Interest rate description Additional Interest Payable on Outstanding Advances Additional interest payable on outstanding advances. Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Due date for principal amount of revolving credit loan Early Termination Fee Early termination fee for repayment of advances before July 31st 2013 Early termination fee. Early Termination Fee for Advances Early termination fee for repayment of advances before July 31st 2014 Early termination fee for advances. Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period Interest rate on outstanding borrowings Domestic Rate Loan [Member] Domestic Rate Loan [Member] Domestic rate loan. Euro Dollar Rate Loan [Member] Euro Dollar Rate Loan [Member] Euro dollar rate. Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Date Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Amended and restated credit agreement Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Amount Fee for credit agreement Repayments of Senior Debt Outstanding balance paid to Wells fargo. Base Rate of Domestic Rate Loans Base rate of domestic rate loans Base rate of domestic rate loans. Fee Per Year Paid to Pnc Percentage on Undrawn Amount of Revolving Line of Credit Fee Per Year Paid To Pnc Percentage On Undrawn Amount Of Revolving Line Of Credit Fee per year paid To Pnc percentage on undrawn amount of revolving line of credit. Rsol [Member] RSOL [Member] Rsol.