Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

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

v3.4.0.3
Summary of Reconciliation of Carrying Amount of Total Equity (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Line Items]    
Beginning Balance $ 88,793  
Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock for stock option exercises and share-based compensation 301  
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest (1,944)  
Comprehensive loss:    
Net (loss) income (7,685) $ (3,884)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $32 75 (67)
Comprehensive loss (7,610) $ (3,951)
Ending Balance 79,540  
Comprehensive Loss    
Comprehensive loss:    
Net (loss) income (7,685)  
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $32 75  
Comprehensive loss (7,610)  
Accumulated Deficit    
Equity [Line Items]    
Beginning Balance (88,035)  
Comprehensive loss:    
Net (loss) income (7,624)  
Ending Balance (95,659)  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss    
Equity [Line Items]    
Beginning Balance (399)  
Comprehensive loss:    
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $32 126  
Ending Balance (273)  
Class A and Class B Common Stock    
Equity [Line Items]    
Beginning Balance 3  
Comprehensive loss:    
Ending Balance 3  
Paid-in Capital    
Equity [Line Items]    
Beginning Balance 172,371  
Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock for stock option exercises and share-based compensation 301  
Comprehensive loss:    
Ending Balance 172,672  
Noncontrolling Interest    
Equity [Line Items]    
Beginning Balance 4,853  
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest (1,944)  
Comprehensive loss:    
Net (loss) income (61)  
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $32 (51)  
Ending Balance $ 2,797