CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,312,061	$ 2,037,579
Cost of revenue	1,732,500	1,792,021
Gross (loss) profit	(420,439)	245,558
Operating expense:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,208,721	2,746,438
Professional fees	326,428	412,377
Depreciation and amortization	656,743	1,231,314
Total operating expense	3,191,892	4,390,129
Loss from operations	(3,612,331)	(4,144,571)
Interest & other income / (expense)
Interest income	950	2,713
Interest expense	(30,369)	(1,673)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities	(25,405)	0
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(41,648)	(712,065)
Loss on investment in unconsolidated entities	(2,994)	(4,192)
Other	(1,181)	(179)
Net loss before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	(3,712,978)	(4,859,967)
Income tax benefit	37,811	75,438
Net loss	(3,675,167)	(4,784,529)
Plus: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	330,402	564,457
Net loss attributable to YOU On Demand shareholders	$ (3,344,765)	$ (4,220,072)
Net income (loss) per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.4)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.4)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	14,602,196	10,467,526
Diluted (in shares)	14,602,196	10,467,526