Financial Information for Segments (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated net revenue		$ 41,146,000	$ 32,451,000	$ 78,784,000	$ 70,062,000
Consolidated contribution income (loss)		23,000	(3,155,000)	(2,862,000)	(5,633,000)
Reconciliation of contribution income (loss) to net loss attributable to Gaiam, Inc.:
Interest and other income (expense)		114,000	27,000	(370,000)	65,000
Gain on sale of investment	$ 500,000	0	1,042,000	0	1,480,000
Income tax expense		(125,000)	(130,000)	(174,000)	(226,000)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations		(1,121,000)	2,000	(1,587,000)	28,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(8,000)	(174,000)	(16,000)	(236,000)
Net loss attributable to Gaiam, Inc.		(1,117,000)	(2,388,000)	(5,009,000)	(4,522,000)
Gaiam Brand
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated net revenue		37,861,000	30,035,000	72,393,000	65,351,000
Consolidated contribution income (loss)		2,107,000	380,000	2,118,000	506,000
Gaiam TV
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated net revenue		3,285,000	2,416,000	6,391,000	4,711,000
Consolidated contribution income (loss)		(1,078,000)	(1,938,000)	(3,436,000)	(4,145,000)
Other unallocated corporate expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated contribution income (loss)		(1,006,000)	(1,597,000)	(1,544,000)	(1,994,000)
Continuing operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated contribution income (loss)		$ 1,029,000	$ (1,558,000)	$ (1,318,000)	$ (3,639,000)