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	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ (377)	$ (323)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			(136)	(64)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	4	7	12	19
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income	(162)	55	(124)	(45)
Net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			(2)	1
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			(122)	(46)
Ending Balance	(499)	(369)	(499)	(369)
Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			(114)	(13)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			(136)	(83)
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income			(136)	(83)
Net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			(2)	1
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			(134)	(84)
Ending Balance	(248)	(97)	(248)	(97)
Available-for-Sale Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			9
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			4	9
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income			4	9
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			4	9
Ending Balance	13	9	13	9
Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			(5)	(13)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			(4)	(2)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	2	3	7	8
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income			3	6
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			3	6
Ending Balance	(2)	(7)	(2)	(7)
Post Employment Benefits
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			(267)	(297)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications				12
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	2	4	5	11
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income			5	23
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			5	23
Ending Balance	$ (262)	$ (274)	$ (262)	$ (274)