Summary of Reconciliation of Carrying Amount of Total Equity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended							6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 Comprehensive Loss	Jun. 30, 2014 Accumulated Deficit	Jun. 30, 2014 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Jun. 30, 2014 Class A and Class B Common Stock	Dec. 31, 2013 Class A and Class B Common Stock	Jun. 30, 2014 Paid-in Capital	Jun. 30, 2014 Noncontrolling Interest
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ 105,290			$ (66,413)	$ (33)	$ 3	$ 3	$ 167,875	$ 3,858
Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock and share-based compensation			1,996							1,996
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest			(150)								(150)
Comprehensive loss:
Net (loss) income	(2,214)	7,983	(4,286)	7,761	(4,286)	(4,522)					236
Unrealized gains on investment, net of tax of $111	(30)		202		202		202
Reclassification of gain on equity security to net income, net of tax of $175	(319)		(319)		(319)		(319)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $17			37		37		12				25
Comprehensive (loss) income	(2,537)	7,812	(4,366)	7,592	(4,366)
Ending Balance	$ 102,770		$ 102,770			$ (70,935)	$ (138)	$ 3	$ 3	$ 169,871	$ 3,969