Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 233	$ 288
Trade and other receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns of $43 and $38 as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,076	1,110
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	300	278
Total current assets	1,609	1,676
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	537	560
Goodwill	7,322	7,352
Other intangible assets, net	4,519	4,555
Deferred tax assets	170	170
Other non-current assets	259	272
Total assets	14,416	14,585
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	848	967
Deferred revenues	345	373
Income tax liabilities	74	56
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings	372	355
Total current liabilities	1,639	1,751
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	5,948	6,229
Deferred tax liabilities	996	1,006
Other non-current liabilities	585	621
Total liabilities	9,168	9,607
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Nielsen stockholders' equity
Common stock, €0.07 par value, 1,185,800,000 and 1,185,800,000 shares authorized; 375,160,653 and 362,733,010 shares issued and 374,947,526 and 362,519,883 shares outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	31	30
Additional paid-in capital	6,738	6,485
Accumulated deficit	(1,217)	(1,252)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(353)	(333)
Total Nielsen stockholders' equity	5,199	4,930
Noncontrolling interests	49	48
Total equity	5,248	4,978
Total liabilities and equity	$ 14,416	$ 14,585