Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss)/Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 92		$ 131		$ 223		$ 591
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(169)	[1]	51	[1]	(136)	[1]	(83)	[1]
Available for sale securities			3	[2]	4	[2]	9	[2]
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges	4	[3]	(2)	[3]	3	[3]	6	[3]
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	3	[4]	3	[4]	5	[4]	23	[4]
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income	(162)		55		(124)		(45)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income	(70)		186		99		546
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)		(1)		(2)		(3)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	$ (69)		$ 187		$ 101		$ 549

[1] Net of tax of $(4) million and $(2) million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively and $(5) million and $7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively

[2] Net of tax of zero and $(2) million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $(3) million and $(6) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively

[3] Net of tax of $(2) million and $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $(2) and $(4) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively

[4] Net of tax of $(1) million and zero for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and zero and $(16) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively