Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax by Component (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ (377)	$ (323)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	29	(112)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	9	12
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		(100)
Net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders	38	(99)
Ending Balance	(339)	(422)
Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(114)	(13)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	33	(134)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		(134)
Net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders	33	(133)
Ending Balance	(81)	(146)
Available-for-Sale Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	9
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	4	6
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		6
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders	4	6
Ending Balance	13	6
Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(5)	(13)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(6)	3
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	5	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		8
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(1)	8
Ending Balance	(6)	(5)
Post Employment Benefits
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(267)	(297)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(2)	13
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	4	7
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		20
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders	2	20
Ending Balance	$ (265)	$ (277)