Business Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Acquisitions

3. Business Acquisitions

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $11 million associated with both current period and previously executed acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Had the current period acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2013, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would not have been material.

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $16 million associated with both current period and previously executed acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Had the current period acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2012, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would not have been material.

3. Business Acquisitions

For the year ended December 31, 2012, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $160 million associated with both current period and previously executed acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Had the current period acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2012, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would not have been material.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $123 million associated with both current period and previously executed acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Had the current period acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2011, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would not have been material.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $55 million associated with both current period and previously executed acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Had such acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2010, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would not have been material.