Stock options to purchase shares of common stock.

No definition available.

Name:	NTN_StockOptionsToPurchaseSharesOfCommonStock
Namespace Prefix:	NTN_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of authorized capital units or capital shares. This element is relevant to issuers of face-amount certificates and registered investment companies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-04.16(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488278&loc=d3e603758-122996

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalUnitsAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) issued to shareholders (includes related preferred shares that were issued, repurchased, and remain in the treasury). May be all or portion of the number of preferred shares authorized. Excludes preferred shares that are classified as debt.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate share number for all nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) held by stockholders. Does not include preferred shares that have been repurchased.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from entity's first offering of stock to the public.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of shares issued or sold by the subsidiary or equity method investee per stock transaction.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Per share amount received by subsidiary or equity investee for each share of common stock issued or sold in the stock transaction.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the equity-based award expires, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Value of stock issued as a result of the exercise of stock options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=NTN_AmendedTwoThousandTenPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=NTN_SubscriptionAgreementMember
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Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_CommonStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=NTN_TwoThousandFourteenInducementPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=NTN_NewEmployeeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis=NTN_SeriesAConvertiblePreferredStockMember
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Stockholders' Equity (Details Narrative) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2017	Mar. 27, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 08, 2017	Apr. 10, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Preferred stock, shares issued			156		156				156
Preferred stock, shares outstanding			156		156				156
Stock-based compensation			$ 117	$ 110	$ 234	$ 223
Stock options to purchase shares of common stock			2,000	20,000	4,000	35,000
Option exercised during period, value
Amended 2010 Plan [Member]
Number of option available for grants			105,000		105,000
Share-based awards, expiration date					Feb. 29, 2020
Subscription Agreement [Member]
Common stock at purchase price per share	$ 7.78	$ 7.85
Sale of stock common, shares	29,566	200,000
Proceeds from offering expenses	$ 200	$ 1,554
Minimum [Member]
Number of shares authorized							16,000,000
Minimum [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Number of shares authorized							15,000,000
Minimum [Member] \| Preferred Stock [Member]
Number of shares authorized							1,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Number of shares authorized							178,000,000
Maximum [Member] \| Amended 2010 Plan [Member]
Number of option available for grants			240,000		240,000
Maximum [Member] \| 2014 Inducement Plan [Member] \| New Employee [Member]
Number of option available for grants			85,000		85,000
Maximum [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Number of shares authorized							168,000,000
Maximum [Member] \| Preferred Stock [Member]
Number of shares authorized							10,000,000
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, shares issued			156,112		156,112			156,112
Preferred stock, shares outstanding			156,112		156,112			156,112
Preferred stock, shares authorized								5,000,000
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Preferred stock, shares authorized								156,112