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Equity (Details Textual) (USD $)
 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 16, 2011
Equity (Textual) [Abstract]      
Foreign currency translation net of tax $ 3,000    
Equity (Additional Textual) [Abstract]      
Acquisition of a noncontrolling interest, including related taxes 16,000    
Percentage of ownership by parent in subsidiary 51.40%    
Dividend paid from additional paid in capital 700,000    
Decrease in Gaiam, Inc.'s paid-in capital for its subsidiary's acquisition of a noncontrolling interest, including related taxes of $16 (163,000)    
Fair market value of common stock     21,600,000
Percentage of equity interest in Alteris   100.00%  
Dividend paid from retained earnings 500,000    
Long-Term Incentive Plan 2009 [Member]
      
Equity (Textual) [Abstract]      
Issuance of Class A common shares to independent directors, in lieu of cash compensation for services 13,791    
Alteris [Member]
      
Equity (Textual) [Abstract]      
Issuance of Class A common shares to acquire Alteris   8,700,000  
Paid-in Capital [Member]
      
Equity (Additional Textual) [Abstract]      
Decrease in Gaiam, Inc.'s paid-in capital for its subsidiary's acquisition of a noncontrolling interest, including related taxes of $16 (170,000)    
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
      
Equity (Additional Textual) [Abstract]      
Decrease in Gaiam, Inc.'s paid-in capital for its subsidiary's acquisition of a noncontrolling interest, including related taxes of $16 $ 7,000