View source for Gaia, Inc.

{{Short description|Video streaming service}}
{{Redirect|Gaiam|the distribution company|Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment|the company also known as Gaiam|Chorion (company)}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Gaia, Inc.
| logo = Gaia, Inc. Logo.svg
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{NASDAQ |GAIA}} (Class A)<br />[[Russell 2000 Index|Russell 2000 Component]]
| successor =
| founded = {{Start date and age |1988}}<br />[[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]], [[Colorado]], U.S.
| founder = Jirka Rysavy
| hq_location_city = [[Louisville, Colorado]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| key_people = {{ubl|James Colquhoun ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Ned Preston ([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])|Kiersten Medvedich (President)}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive carousel turns at Gaia |url=https://bizwest.com/2023/06/29/executive-carousel-turns-at-gaia/ |website=Bizwest|date=29 June 2023 }}</ref>
| industry = Video production
| website = {{URL|http://www.gaia.com/}}
| footnotes = <ref name=mgmt>{{cite web|url=https://ir.gaia.com/company-information/management-team|title=Management Team|website=Gaia|accessdate=10 November 2022}}</ref>
}}
'''Gaia, Inc.''' is an American [[Media conglomerate|media company]] founded in 1988 by Jirka Rysavy in [[Louisville, Colorado]]. It owns and operates Gaia TV, an [[over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] [[video on demand#Subscription models|subscription video on-demand]] service consisting of original and licensed [[alternative media]] documentaries. While the content on Gaia TV initially focused on yoga, [[mindfulness]], and [[alternative medicine]] to complement the company's yoga equipment distribution business, the latter's divestiture led to a greater emphasis on content promoting [[conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] and [[pseudoscience]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Duane Paul |date=2018-09-25 |title=The Gaia Deception: Digital New Age Nonsense |url=https://thehumanist.com/news/science/the-gaia-deception-digital-new-age-nonsense |access-date=2019-05-21 |website=TheHumanist.com}}</ref> The service has been criticized and [[Deplatforming|deplatformed]] from social media platforms including [[Facebook]] and [[YouTube]] for hosting videos promoting [[vaccine misinformation]] and conspiracy theories such as the [[Illuminati]], [[UFO conspiracy theories|UFOs]], and [[Atlantis]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-17 |title=Demi Lovato's Fans Voice Outrage After Singer Joins Controversial Conspiracy Site Gaia |url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a38274874/demi-lovato-gaia-conspiracy-site/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=ELLE |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="stereogum.com">{{Cite web |date=2021-11-09 |title=Demi Lovato Signs On As "Ambassador" For Conspiracy Theory Website |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2166806/demi-lovato-signs-on-as-ambassador-for-conspiracy-theory-website/news/ |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Helene |last2=Blumenthal |first2=Ralph |last3=Kean |first3=Leslie |date=2017-12-16 |title=Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html |access-date=2019-10-03 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
{{As of|2018|9|13|df=US}}, Gaia TV had over 500,000 subscribers in 185 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sgbonline.com/gaia-widens-loss-in-q3/|title=Gaia Widens Loss In Q3 {{!}} SGB Media Online|website=sgbonline.com|date=5 November 2018 |access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> As of 2024, they had 806,000 subscribers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=High |first1=Lucas |title=Gaia's video service sees nearly double-digit membership growth |url=https://bizwest.com/2024/05/08/gaias-video-service-sees-nearly-double-digit-membership-growth/ |website=Bizwest|date=8 May 2024 }}</ref>
==History==
Gaia was founded in 1988 by Czechoslovakian-born entrepreneur Jirka Rysavy.<ref>'Gaiam Third Child of Entrepreneur Rysavy,' Boulder County Business Report, November 1, 1998, p. 1.</ref> Originally branding itself as a [[yoga]] equipment brand, Gaia sold mail-order exercise videos and [[alternative medicine]] products.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Rob |title=Gaiam, one of the world's most popular yoga mats, has its roots in a conspiracy site that touts alien secrets and 9/11 theories |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/yoga-mat-brand-gaiam-links-conspiracy-site-gaia-2021-2 |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>
Gaia began several acquisition and merging endeavors in the early 2000s. In 2001, Gaia merged with the Californian company [[Real Goods Solar]], a residential and commercial solar power integrator with a focus on [[off-the-grid]] living.<ref>'Gaiam, Real Goods to Merge,' Denver Post, October 17, 2000, p. C2.</ref> Gaia continued expansion and in 2003 bought a 50.1% share in its [[United Kingdom|UK]] distributor Leisure Systems International (LSI).<ref>[http://corporate.gaiam.com/sites/default/files/Gaiam-Annual-Report-2003.pdf Gaiam, Inc. (2003). 10-K Annual Report 2003. Retrieved December 20, 2012 from Gaiam Corporate Website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616190815/http://corporate.gaiam.com/sites/default/files/Gaiam-Annual-Report-2003.pdf|date=June 16, 2012}}</ref> In 2005, Gaia acquired the media assets of [[GoodTimes Entertainment]] and [[Jetlag Productions]].<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/09/12/daily27.html?jst=b_ln_hl Gaiam closes GoodTimes Entertainment Deal at $35M"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214083408/http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/09/12/daily27.html?jst=b_ln_hl|date=2013-12-14}}. Denver Business Journal. 9-14-2005. Retrieved 12-20-2012.</ref> The company additionally acquired both [[Lime TV]]<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aI3snuQ.fzlE "Gaiam, Zaadz, LIME Media & Conscious Enlightenment Create Unified Source for LOHAS"]. Bloomberg. 6-6-2007.</ref> and Zaadz.com<ref name=":2">[http://mashable.com/2007/08/06/zaadz-gaiam/ Zaadz: Green Living Social Network Acquired"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126031351/http://mashable.com/2007/08/06/zaadz-gaiam/|date=2013-01-26}}. Mashable. 6-6-2007. Retrieved 12-20-2012</ref> in 2007 to start what was called the LOHAS network ([[LOHAS]] stands for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability).<ref name=":2" /> In 2008, Rysavy stepped down as CEO.
In 2011, Gaia launched Gaia TV, a streaming service for videos on yoga, meditation, and fringe science.<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1089872/000119312512117500/d280922d10k.htm Gaiam, Inc (2011). 10-K Annual Report 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2012, from Gaiam Corporate Website.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201183242/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1089872/000119312512117500/d280922d10k.htm |date=February 1, 2014 }}</ref> The company acquired Vivendi Entertainment, a DVD distributor from [[Vivendi]] subsidiary [[Universal Music Group Distribution]], merging it with its home entertainment division to form [[Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment]].<ref>[http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gaiam-completes-acquisition-of-vivendi-entertainment-creating-gaiam-vivendi-entertainment-the-nations-largest-independent-content-distributor-2012-04-03 Gaiam Completes Acquisition of Vivendi Entertainment Creating Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment, the Nation's Largest Independent Content Distributor - MarketWatch] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505104455/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gaiam-completes-acquisition-of-vivendi-entertainment-creating-gaiam-vivendi-entertainment-the-nations-largest-independent-content-distributor-2012-04-03 |date=2012-05-05 }}</ref><ref>[https://variety.com/2012/film/news/gaiam-acquires-vivendi-entertainment-1118052250/ "Gaiam Acquires Vivendi Entertainment: Deal creates major indie distrib of nontheatrical content"] . Variety Magazine. 4-3-2012. Retrieved 12-20-2012</ref>
In 2016, Sequential Brands Group purchased the Gaiam brand and yoga equipment unit for $167 million. Gaia subsequently rebranded itself, focusing solely on its alternative media streaming service. Over the next three years, the service would increase in popularity. In 2019, [[USA Today]] ranked Gaia, Inc as the world's fastest-growing retailer,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Among the world's 20 fastest growing retailers, Amazon just ranks at No. 4 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/05/15/the-worlds-20-fastest-growing-retailers/39468945/ |access-date=2019-05-20 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> spending up to 120% of its revenue on advertising.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Gaia Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results |url=http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/02/24/1989522/0/en/Gaia-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2019-Results.html |date=2020-02-24 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> Gaia also sold its travel business for $12 million.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barrow |first1=Alex |title=Gaia: A Booming New-Age Streaming Service Run By A Zen-Monk CEO |url=https://macro-ops.com/gaia-a-booming-new-age-streaming-service-run-by-a-zen-monk-ceo/ |website=Macro Ops}}</ref>
Gaia added [[live streaming]] events from a new event center at its [[Louisville, Colorado|Louisville]], Colorado campus in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailycamera.com/gaia-to-launch-live-streaming-from-louisville-campus|title=Gaia to launch live streaming from Louisville campus|date=2019-04-27|website=Boulder Daily Camera |access-date=2019-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailycamera.com/gaia-to-launch-live-streaming-from-louisville-campus|title=Gaia to launch live streaming from Louisville campus|date=2019-04-27|website=Boulder Daily Camera|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sgbonline.com/gaia-widens-loss-in-q3/|title=Gaia Widens Loss In Q3 {{!}} SGB Media Online|website=sgbonline.com|date=5 November 2018 |access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> Events are live streamed in 185 countries with simultaneous translation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timescall.com/ci_31863113/louivilles-gaia-grows-revenue-aims-1m-subscribers-by|title=Louisville's Gaia grows revenue, aims for 1M subscribers by 2019|date=2018-05-08|website=Longmont Times-Call|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-23}}</ref>
In November 2021, American singer and actor [[Demi Lovato]] became the first celebrity ambassador for Gaia. Lovato announced via Instagram that they were partnering with Gaia, stating, "Thrilled to be a Gaia ambassador, understanding the world around us (the known and the unknown) is so exciting to me!"<ref>{{cite web |last=McNab |first=Kaitlyn |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Demi Lovato Joined Gaia — Here's Why It Matters |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/demi-lovato-joined-gaia-heres-why-it-matters |access-date=December 15, 2021 |website=[[Teen Vogue]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Strunck |first=Clara |date=November 17, 2021 |title=Demi Lovato Joins Conspiracy Site Gaia - Here's What You Need To Know |url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a38274874/demi-lovato-gaia-conspiracy-site/ |access-date=December 15, 2021 |website=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]] |location=UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Paper Magazine |date=November 9, 2021 |title=Demi Lovato Is Out Here Promoting a Site for Conspiracy Theorists |url=https://www.papermag.com/demi-lovato-gaia-conspiracy-2655528288.html |access-date=December 15, 2021 |website=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rude |first=Mey |date=November 9, 2021 |title=What You Need to Know About Demi Lovato Joining Conspiracy Site Gaia |url=https://www.out.com/celebs/2021/11/09/what-you-need-know-about-demi-lovato-joining-conspiracy-site-gaia |access-date=December 15, 2021 |website=[[Out (magazine)|Out]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-18 |title=Demi Lovato Joined Gaia — Here's Why It Matters |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/demi-lovato-joined-gaia-heres-why-it-matters |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref>
Gaia acquired the digital video service Yoga International in December 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Thomas |title=The 2021 Year In Review: M&A Accelerates Across Active Lifestyle Market |url=https://sgbonline.com/2021-year-in-review-ma-accelerates-across-active-lifestyle-market/ |website=SGB Media}}</ref>
In 2023, Gaia appointed James Colquhoun to the new position of Chief Operating Officer. During this time Gaia also announced an AI-powered search engine for their content library.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Franks |first1=Nico |title=Streamer Gaia promotes COO James Colquhoun to CEO role |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/gaia-names-coo-james-colquhoun-as-ceo/ |website=c21 Media}}</ref> In March 2024, Gaia launched Gaia+, a premium membership providing access to workshops, live events, and guided programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Events |url=https://www.gaia.com/gaia-plus |website=Gaia |access-date=5 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gaia Launches Gaia+, Reshaping the Streaming Industry with an Unparalleled Collection of Inspirational Content for Personal Growth and Transformation. |url=https://csimarket.com/news/gaia-launches-gaia-reshaping-the-streaming-industry-with-an-unparalleled-collection-of-inspirational-content-for-persona2024-03-18123759 |website=CSI Market}}</ref>
== Programming ==
Gaia's content library encompasses over 8,000 films on a variety of [[alternative media]] subjects, ranging from yoga and [[meditation]] to [[alternative medicine]] and [[conspiracy theories]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.westword.com/news/gaia-hits-filmmaker-patty-greer-with-an-old-school-weapon-a-lawsuit-10684808|title=Gaia Hits Filmmaker Patty Greer With an Old-School Weapon: a Lawsuit|last=Pampuro|first=Amanda|date=2018-08-21|website=Westword|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> Many of its documentaries endorse [[pseudoscience]] such as [[divination]], [[metaphysics]], [[astrology]], [[pseudoarchaeology]], [[alchemy]], and [[mysticism]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/gobekli-tepe-the-worlds-first-temple-83613665/|title=Gobekli Tepe: The World's First Temple?|last=Curry|first=Andrew|website=Smithsonian|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archaeology.org/issues/281-1801/features/6165-turkey-neolithic-skull-cult|title=Skull Cult at Göbekli Tepe - Archaeology Magazine|website=www.archaeology.org|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reginameredith.com/gaia-videos/alchemy-for-soul-ascension-with-theresa-bullard/|title=Alchemy for Soul Ascension with Theresa Bullard|website=Regina Meredith|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> Its coverage of alternative medicine includes videos on [[energy healing]], [[naturopathy]], [[traditional chinese medicine|traditional Chinese medicine]], [[ayurveda]], and [[time travel]]. While some of these discuss [[Human nutrition|nutrition]] in the context of mainstream principles such as [[Healthy diet|balanced diets]], many also make disputed claims on subjects such as [[Detoxification (alternative medicine)|detoxification]], [[superfoods]], and the [[Paleolithic diet]]. Several such videos were the result of a controversial partnership with [[Mayo Clinic]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Li|first1=Ben|last2=Forbes|first2=Thomas L.|last3=Byrne|first3=John|date=2018|title=Integrative medicine or infiltrative pseudoscience?|journal=The Surgeon|language=en|volume=16|issue=5|pages=271–277|doi=10.1016/j.surge.2017.12.002|pmid=29305045|s2cid=19580427 }}</ref>
== Controversy ==
In 2018, conspiracy theorist David Wilcock left Gaia. After his departure, his resignation letter was brought to public attention, supposedly claiming Gaia was spreading "Lucifer propaganda." These accusations generated a substantial amount of hate mail and death threats toward employees at Gaia. Wilcock eventually apologized to Gaia, and stated in his apology letter that his words were taken out of context and were meant to remain internal.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Pampuro |first=Amanda |title=Gaia Settles Million-Dollar Lawsuit Against Filmmaker Patty Greer |url=https://www.westword.com/arts/gaia-settles-lawsuit-against-filmmaker-patty-greer-11455812 |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Westword |language=en}}</ref>
That same year, Patty Greer, a filmmaker formerly contracted by Gaia, accused the company of "promoting [[Luciferianism]] and using directed-energy weapons against critics."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pampuro |first=Amanda |date=2018-08-21 |title=Gaia Hits Filmmaker Patty Greer With an Old-School Weapon: a Lawsuit |url=https://www.westword.com/news/gaia-hits-filmmaker-patty-greer-with-an-old-school-weapon-a-lawsuit-10684808 |access-date=2019-01-14 |website=Westword}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-09 |title=UFO filmmaker who called former client 'Luciferian' sued for defamation |url=https://businessden.com/2018/08/09/ufo-filmmaker-sued-for-defamation-called-former-client-luciferian-satanists/ |access-date=2019-01-14 |website=BusinessDen}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Pampuro |first=Amanda |date=2018-12-31 |title=Slander Suit Against Filmmaker Patty Greer Dismissed, Then Refiled |url=https://www.westword.com/arts/gaia-inc-sues-crop-circle-filmmaker-patty-greeragain-11081376 |access-date=2019-01-14 |website=Westword}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CropCircleFilms.com Offers Patty Greer's Award Winning Crop Circle UFO Films |url=https://cropcirclefilms.com/ |access-date=2019-08-19 |website=Crop Circle Films}}</ref> Greer claims she was attacked with a "directed energy weapon" in the [[Phoenix, Arizona]] airport in 2017.<ref name=":4" /> In addition, Greer alleged her films were intentionally removed from the Gaia website. She stated that her refusal to sign a [[non-disclosure agreement]] involved in regaining distribution rights to her films ultimately led to her content being intentionally removed from the site.<ref name=":4" />
In February 2021, [[Business Insider]] published an investigative piece detailing [[workplace harassment]] and concerns about the surveillance of Gaia employees by the company.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Rob |title=Gaia was a wildly popular yoga brand. Now it's a publicly traded Netflix rival pushing conspiracy theories while employees fear the CEO is invading their dreams. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-gaia-video-streaming-website-conspiracy-theories-2021-1 |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> These concerns stemmed from Gaia offering blood tests to employees, as well as unsupported reports that CEO Rysavy had installed 'a machine' on the roof of Gaia headquarters to 'psychically monitor employees.'<ref name=":3" />
Following videos and posts from Greer claiming Gaia was infiltrated by [[Satanism|satanists]] and [[Reptilian conspiracy theory|reptilians]],<ref name=":6" /> Gaia sued Greer for slander. Gaia claimed that Greer was retaliating after a decline in viewership of her videos hosted on Gaia's streaming services.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />
On December 14, 2018, the case was dismissed without prejudice, noting that Greer had not been served. On December 27, Gaia filed another lawsuit against Greer, seeking one million in damages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pampuro |first=Amanda |title=Slander Suit Against Filmmaker Patty Greer Dismissed, Then Refiled |url=https://www.westword.com/arts/gaia-inc-sues-crop-circle-filmmaker-patty-greeragain-11081376 |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Westword |language=en}}</ref> The lawsuit was settled in 2019, and Greer posted an apology to her website as part of a settlement agreement and removed all of the content surrounding Gaia and #GEM.<ref name=":5" /> In her apology, Greer stated "many of those postings were critical of Gaia and its employees, and were either based on my own opinion or information I received from various third-parties (sometimes anonymously). Because I was ultimately unable to corroborate or confirm the information — which Gaia believed to be untrue and unfounded, and which Gaia vehemently denied at all times — I agreed to remove the postings."
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official website |http://www.gaia.com/}}
{{VOD services}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1988 establishments in Colorado]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1988]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1988]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Internet television streaming services]]
[[Category:Yoga organizations]]
[[Category:Companies based in Boulder County, Colorado]]
[[Category:GoodTimes Entertainment]]
[[Category:Conspiracist media]]
[[Category:Yoga mass media]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theories in the United States]]
[[Category:New Age media]]