Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business. RealNetworks provides digital media software and services to consumers, mobile carriers, device manufacturers, system integrators, and other businesses. Consumers use our digital media products and services to store, organize, play, manage and enjoy their digital media content, either directly from us or through our distribution partners. As of January 18, 2019, we hold an 84% interest in the Napster music business, which offers a comprehensive set of digital music products and services designed to provide consumers with broad access to digital music. Inherent in our business are various risks and uncertainties, including a limited history of certain of our product and service offerings. RealNetworks' success will depend on the acceptance of our technology, products and services and the ability to generate related revenue and cash flow. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (10-Q or Report), RealNetworks, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as "RealNetworks," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our." "RealPlayer," "RMHD," "RealMedia," "GameHouse," "Kontxt," "SAFR" and other trademarks of ours appearing in this report are our property.
Use of Estimates	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, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segments		We manage our business and report revenue and operating income (loss) in four segments: (1) Consumer Media, which includes licensing of our codec technology and our PC-based RealPlayer products, including RealPlayer Plus and related products; (2) Mobile Services, which includes our SaaS services and our integrated RealTimes® platform which is sold to mobile carriers; (3) Games, which includes all our games-related businesses, including sales of in-game virtual goods, mobile games, games licenses, games subscription services, and in-game advertising and advertising on game sites; and (4) Napster, which includes on-demand music streaming and music services. RealNetworks allocates to its Consumer Media, Mobile Services and Games reportable segments certain corporate expenses which are directly attributable to supporting these businesses, including but not limited to a portion of finance, legal, human resources and headquarters facilities. Remaining expenses, which are not directly attributable to supporting these businesses, are reported as corporate items. These corporate items may also include restructuring charges and stock compensation charges. As stated in Note 5 Acquisitions, Napster operates as an independent company and, therefore, RealNetworks allocates no corporate expenses to the Napster segment. RealNetworks reports four reportable segments based on factors such as how we manage our operations and how the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) reviews results. The CODM reviews financial information presented on both a consolidated basis and on a business segment basis. The accounting policies used to derive segment results are the same as those described in Note 1, Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the 10-K.

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Description of Business. RealNetworks provides digital media software and services to consumers, mobile carriers, device manufacturers, system integrators, and other businesses. Consumers use our digital media products and services to store, organize, play, manage and enjoy their digital media content, either directly from us or through our distribution partners. As of January 18, 2019, we hold an 84% interest in the Napster music business, which offers a comprehensive set of digital music products and services designed to provide consumers with broad access to digital music.

Inherent in our business are various risks and uncertainties, including a limited history of certain of our product and service offerings. RealNetworks' success will depend on the acceptance of our technology, products and services and the ability to generate related revenue and cash flow.

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (10-Q or Report), RealNetworks, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as "RealNetworks," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our." "RealPlayer," "RMHD," "RealMedia," "GameHouse," "Kontxt," "SAFR" and other trademarks of ours appearing in this report are our property.

Use of Estimates

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, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segments

We manage our business and report revenue and operating income (loss) in four segments: (1) Consumer Media, which includes licensing of our codec technology and our PC-based RealPlayer products, including RealPlayer Plus and related products; (2) Mobile Services, which includes our SaaS services and our integrated RealTimes® platform which is sold to mobile carriers; (3) Games, which includes all our games-related businesses, including sales of in-game virtual goods, mobile games, games licenses, games subscription services, and in-game advertising and advertising on game sites; and (4) Napster, which includes on-demand music streaming and music services.

RealNetworks allocates to its Consumer Media, Mobile Services and Games reportable segments certain corporate expenses which are directly attributable to supporting these businesses, including but not limited to a portion of finance, legal, human resources and headquarters facilities. Remaining expenses, which are not directly attributable to supporting these businesses, are reported as corporate items. These corporate items may also include restructuring charges and stock compensation charges. As stated in Note 5 Acquisitions, Napster operates as an independent company and, therefore, RealNetworks allocates no corporate expenses to the Napster segment.

RealNetworks reports four reportable segments based on factors such as how we manage our operations and how the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) reviews results. The CODM reviews financial information presented on both a consolidated basis and on a business segment basis. The accounting policies used to derive segment results are the same as those described in Note 1, Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the 10-K.