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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ (387)	$ (333)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(136)	(64)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	12	19
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income	(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	(509)	(379)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(124)	(23)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(136)	(83)
Net current period 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	(258)	(107)
Available-for-Sale Securities
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	9
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	4	9
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income	4	9
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	4	9
Ending Balance	13	9
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(5)	(13)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(4)	(2)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	7	8
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income	3	6
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	3	6
Ending Balance	(2)	(7)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(267)	(297)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications		12
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	5	11
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income	5	23
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	5	23
Ending Balance	$ (262)	$ (274)