<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>726</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>623</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>164</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>12</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentandEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfIncomeAlternative</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassified</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1007 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassifiedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1008 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfCashFlowsIndirect</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1009 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1010 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1011 - Disclosure - Background and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsBusinessDescriptionAndBasisOfPresentationTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Background and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1012 - Disclosure - Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountingChangesAndErrorCorrectionsTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1013 - Disclosure - Business Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsBusinessCombinationDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Acquisitions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1014 - Disclosure - Business Divestitures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Divestitures</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1015 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1016 - Disclosure - Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1017 - Disclosure - Restructuring Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsRestructuringAndRelatedActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Activities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1018 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsFairValueDisclosuresTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1019 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLongTermDebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1020 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1021 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1022 - Disclosure - Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1023 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsGuarantorFinancialInformationDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1024 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSubsequentEventsTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1025 - Disclosure - Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1026 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1027 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1028 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1029 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1030 - Disclosure - Investments in Affiliates and Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsInvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesScheduleOfInvestmentsTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments in Affiliates and Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1031 - Disclosure - Additional Financial Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureCurrentTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Additional Financial Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1032 - Disclosure - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsScheduleOfValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1033 - Disclosure - Background and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsBusinessDescriptionAndBasisOfPresentationTextBlockPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Background and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1034 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1035 - Disclosure - Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1036 - Disclosure - Restructuring Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsRestructuringAndRelatedActivitiesDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1037 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsFairValueDisclosuresTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1038 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLongTermDebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1039 - Disclosure - Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1040 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsGuarantorFinancialInformationDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1041 - Disclosure - Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1042 - Disclosure - Business Divestitures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Divestitures (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1043 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1044 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1045 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1046 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1047 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1048 - Disclosure - Additional Financial Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesDisclosureCurrentTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Additional Financial Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1049 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSubsequentEventsTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1050 - Disclosure - Background and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBackgroundAndBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Background and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1051 - Disclosure - Business Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessAcquisitionsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1052 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1053 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfChangesInCarryingAmountOfGoodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1054 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1055 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Other Intangible Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsOtherIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Other Intangible Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1056 - Disclosure - Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax by Component (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChangesInAndReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeByComponentSummaryOfChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxByComponent</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax by Component (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1057 - Disclosure - Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component - Summary of Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChangesInAndReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeByComponentSummaryOfReclassificationOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeByComponent</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component - Summary of Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1058 - Disclosure - Restructuring Activities - Summary of Changes in Liabilities for Restructuring Activities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringActivitiesSummaryOfChangesInLiabilitiesForRestructuringActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Activities - Summary of Changes in Liabilities for Restructuring Activities (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1059 - Disclosure - Restructuring Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringActivitiesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1060 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasis</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1061 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Outstanding Interest Rate Swaps (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsOutstandingInterestRateSwaps</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Outstanding Interest Rate Swaps (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1062 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1063 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsFairValuesOfDerivativeInstrumentsInCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1064 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsDerivativesInCashFlowHedgingRelationships</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1065 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongtermDebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsSummaryOfLongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1066 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongtermDebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsSummaryOfLongTermDebtParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1067 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongtermDebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsAnnualMaturitiesOfLongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1068 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongtermDebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1069 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1070 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1071 - Disclosure - Segments - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1072 - Disclosure - Segments - Business Segment Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsBusinessSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments - Business Segment Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1073 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatingStatementOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1074 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatingBalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1075 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatingStatementOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1076 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1077 - Disclosure - Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessBasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1078 - Disclosure - Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Estimated Useful Life of Intangible Assets with Finite Lives (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessBasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOfEstimatedUsefulLifeOfIntangibleAssetsWithFiniteLives</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Estimated Useful Life of Intangible Assets with Finite Lives (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1079 - Disclosure - Business Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessDivestituresAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1080 - Disclosure - Business Divestitures - Summarized Results of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessDivestituresSummarizedResultsOfOperationsForDiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Divestitures - Summarized Results of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1081 - Disclosure - Business Divestitures - Summarized Results of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessDivestituresSummarizedResultsOfOperationsForDiscontinuedOperationsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Divestitures - Summarized Results of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1082 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Estimated Future Amortization Expense (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfEstimatedFutureAmortizationExpense</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Estimated Future Amortization Expense (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1083 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1084 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1085 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1086 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1087 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Summary of Benefit Pension Plans (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfBenefitPensionPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Summary of Benefit Pension Plans (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1088 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Total Accumulated Benefit Obligation and Minimum Liability Changes for Pension Plans (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsTotalAccumulatedBenefitObligationAndMinimumLiabilityChangesForPensionPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Total Accumulated Benefit Obligation and Minimum Liability Changes for Pension Plans (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1089 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsNetPeriodicBenefitCost</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1090 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1091 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Expected to be Recognized (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsComponentOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossExpectedToBeRecognized</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Expected to be Recognized (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1092 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Weighted Average Assumptions Underlying Pension Computations (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsWeightedAverageAssumptionsUnderlyingPensionComputations</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Weighted Average Assumptions Underlying Pension Computations (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1093 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Weighted Average Asset Allocations by Asset Category (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsWeightedAverageAssetAllocationsByAssetCategory</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Weighted Average Asset Allocations by Asset Category (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1094 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Assets at Fair Value (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsAssetsAtFairValue</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Assets at Fair Value (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1095 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Pension Plans Level 3 Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfChangesInFairValueOfPensionPlansLevel3Assets</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Pension Plans Level 3 Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1096 - Disclosure - Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePensionsAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitsEstimatedFutureBenefitPayments</Role>
      <ShortName>Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1097 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Schedule of Long-term Debt Currency Wise (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongtermDebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsScheduleOfLongtermDebtCurrencyWise</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Schedule of Long-term Debt Currency Wise (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1098 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Future Minimum Capital Lease Payments under Non-Cancelable Capital Leases (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongtermDebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsSummaryOfFutureMinimumCapitalLeasePaymentsUnderNonCancelableCapitalLeases</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Future Minimum Capital Lease Payments under Non-Cancelable Capital Leases (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1099 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1100 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1101 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Assumptions Used in Options (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationSummaryOfAssumptionsUsedInOptions</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Assumptions Used in Options (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1102 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Plan Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationSummaryOfStockOptionPlanActivity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Plan Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1103 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity in Net Income of Affiliates (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesAndEquityInNetIncomeOfAffiliates</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Components of Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity in Net Income of Affiliates (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1104 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Provision/(Benefit) for Income Taxes Attributable to Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity in Net Income of Affiliates (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesProvisionBenefitForIncomeTaxesAttributableToIncomeFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesAndEquityInNetIncomeOfAffiliates</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Provision/(Benefit) for Income Taxes Attributable to Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity in Net Income of Affiliates (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R104.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1105 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Provision/(Benefit) for Income Taxes as Per Dutch Federal Income Tax Rates (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfProvisionBenefitForIncomeTaxesAsPerDutchFederalIncomeTaxRates</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Provision/(Benefit) for Income Taxes as Per Dutch Federal Income Tax Rates (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R105.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1106 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Current and Non-current Deferred Income Tax Assets/(Liabilities) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesComponentsOfCurrentAndNoncurrentDeferredIncomeTaxAssetsLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Components of Current and Non-current Deferred Income Tax Assets/(Liabilities) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R106.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1107 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Uncertain Tax Positions (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfReconciliationOfBeginningAndEndingAmountOfUncertainTaxPositions</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Uncertain Tax Positions (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R107.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1108 - Disclosure - Investments in Affiliates and Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments in Affiliates and Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R108.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1109 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Minimum Annual Payments under Nielsen's Purchase Obligations (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesMinimumAnnualPaymentsUnderNielsensPurchaseObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Minimum Annual Payments under Nielsen's Purchase Obligations (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R109.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1110 - Disclosure - Segments - Business Segment Information (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsBusinessSegmentInformationParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments - Business Segment Information (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R110.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1111 - Disclosure - Segments - Geographic Segment Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsGeographicSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments - Geographic Segment Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R111.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1112 - Disclosure - Additional Financial Information - Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAdditionalFinancialInformationAccountsPayableAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Additional Financial Information - Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R112.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1113 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events - Summarized Results of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsSummarizedResultsOfOperationsForDiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events - Summarized Results of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R113.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1114 - Disclosure - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nielsen.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateDerivatives had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '1062 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '1068 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '1069 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '1070 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '1108 - Disclosure - Investments in Affiliates and Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1005 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1006 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1007 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Jan. 31, 2011
EUR (€)'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1008 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010
EUR (€)'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1010 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>ck0001397410-20130331.xml</File>
    <File>ck0001397410-20130331.xsd</File>
    <File>ck0001397410-20130331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ck0001397410-20130331_def.xml</File>
    <File>ck0001397410-20130331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ck0001397410-20130331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
