Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to RealNetworks		$ 1,533
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	$ (4,550)	1,472
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests	(4,689)	1,214
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ (5,549)	$ 1,446
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute basic EPS	38,229	37,820
Dilutive effect of stock based awards	0	92
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute diluted EPS	38,229	37,912
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ (0.12)	$ 0.04
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ (0.12)	$ 0.04