Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 737	$ 288
Trade and other receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns of $45 and $38 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,138	1,110
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	336	278
Total current assets	2,211	1,676
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	555	560
Goodwill	7,686	7,352
Other intangible assets, net	4,855	4,555
Deferred tax assets	166	170
Other non-current assets	242	272
Total assets	15,715	14,585
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	990	967
Deferred revenues	324	373
Income tax liabilities	99	56
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings	361	355
Total current liabilities	1,774	1,751
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	6,521	6,229
Deferred tax liabilities	1,136	1,006
Other non-current liabilities	572	621
Total liabilities	10,003	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; 377,803,456 and 362,733,010 shares issued and 377,684,041 and 362,519,883 shares outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	32	30
Additional paid-in capital	6,670	6,485
Accumulated deficit	(657)	(1,252)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(379)	(333)
Total Nielsen stockholders’ equity	5,666	4,930
Noncontrolling interests	46	48
Total equity	5,712	4,978
Total liabilities and equity	$ 15,715	$ 14,585