Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Summary of Reconciliation of Carrying Amount of Total Equity (Detail)

v3.3.0.814
Summary of Reconciliation of Carrying Amount of Total Equity (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Line Items]        
Beginning Balance     $ 99,559  
Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock for stock option exercises and share-based compensation     816  
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest     (486)  
Comprehensive loss:        
Net (loss) income $ (8,264) $ (2,641) (13,257) $ (6,927)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $107 (154) (53) (246) (16)
Comprehensive loss (8,418) $ (2,694) (13,503) $ (7,060)
Ending Balance 86,386   86,386  
Comprehensive Loss        
Comprehensive loss:        
Net (loss) income     (13,257)  
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $107     (246)  
Comprehensive loss     (13,503)  
Accumulated Deficit        
Equity [Line Items]        
Beginning Balance     (76,329)  
Comprehensive loss:        
Net (loss) income     (13,823)  
Ending Balance (90,152)   (90,152)  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss        
Equity [Line Items]        
Beginning Balance     (200)  
Comprehensive loss:        
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $107     (102)  
Ending Balance (302)   (302)  
Class A and Class B Common Stock        
Equity [Line Items]        
Beginning Balance     3  
Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock for stock option exercises and share-based compensation     0  
Comprehensive loss:        
Ending Balance 3   3  
Paid-in Capital        
Equity [Line Items]        
Beginning Balance     171,315  
Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock for stock option exercises and share-based compensation     816  
Comprehensive loss:        
Ending Balance 172,131   172,131  
Noncontrolling Interest        
Equity [Line Items]        
Beginning Balance     4,770  
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest     (486)  
Comprehensive loss:        
Net (loss) income     566  
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $107     (144)  
Ending Balance $ 4,706   $ 4,706