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
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Beginning Balance	$ (387)	$ (333)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(7)	(23)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	4	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		(18)
Net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		2
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(3)	(20)
Ending Balance	(390)	(353)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Currency Translation Adjustments
Beginning Balance	(124)	(23)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(8)	(27)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		(27)
Net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		2
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(8)	(29)
Ending Balance	(132)	(52)
Available-for-Sale Securities
Beginning Balance	9
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	2	3
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		3
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	2	3
Ending Balance	11	3
Cash Flow Hedges
Beginning Balance	(5)	(13)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(2)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	2	2
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		2
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		2
Ending Balance	(5)	(11)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Post Employment Benefits
Beginning Balance	(267)	(297)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	1	1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	2	3
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income		4
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	3	4
Ending Balance	$ (270)	$ (293)