Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Minimum Annual Payments under Nielsen's Purchase Obligations

The amounts presented below represent the minimum annual payments under Nielsen’s purchase obligations that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year. These purchase obligations include data processing, building maintenance, trade show venues, equipment purchasing, photocopiers, land and mobile telephone service, computer software and hardware maintenance, and outsourcing.

	For the Years Ending December 31,
(IN MILLIONS)	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		Thereafter		Total
Operating leases		91		78		59		45		36		84		393
Other contractual obligations		150		47		26		12		2		2		239
Total	$	241	$	125	$	85	$	57	$	38	$	86	$	632