Defined contribution plan expenses.

No definition available.

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- Definition

An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Glossary Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512013

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (k)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in net periodic benefit cost as a result of an irrevocable action that relieves the employer (or the plan) of primary responsibility for a benefit obligation and eliminates significant risks related to the obligation and the assets used to effect the settlement. Examples of transactions that constitute a settlement include, but are not limited to, lump-sum cash payments to plan participants in exchange for their rights to receive specified benefits and purchasing nonparticipating annuity contracts to cover vested benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Section 15

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7577095&loc=d3e8001-114927

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)(7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

Target allocation maximum percentage of investments of this type to total plan assets presented on a weighted average basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (d)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (c)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920

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- Definition

Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of cash or cash equivalents contributed by the entity to fund its pension plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

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- Definition

The amount of pension benefit costs recognized during the period for (1) defined benefit plans and (2) defined contribution plans. For defined benefit plans, pension expense includes the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss) on plan assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments. For defined contribution plans, the pension expense generally equals the firm's contribution to employees' accounts (if the firm contributes) during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 70

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of shares issued during the period to an employee benefit plan, such as a defined contribution or defined benefit plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2006
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan assumptions used in calculations, basis point	6.00%	6.00%	6.20%
Settlement loss recognized	$ 7
Defined contribution plan expenses	45nlsnnv_DefinedContributionPlanExpenses	39nlsnnv_DefinedContributionPlanExpenses	37nlsnnv_DefinedContributionPlanExpenses
Contributions made in shares by the employer	0
Minimum
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Percentage of contribution by the employer	3.00%
Maximum \| Up On Freeze Of US Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Percentage of contribution by the employer				4.00%
Equity securities
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Allocation of assets	40.00%
Fixed income securities
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Allocation of assets	57.00%
Other securities
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Allocation of assets	3.00%
United States
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan assumptions used in calculations, basis point	50.00%
Pension expense	1
Settlement loss recognized	1
Contributions to the pension plans	1
The Netherlands
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan assumptions used in calculations, basis point	50.00%
Pension expense	3
Contributions to the pension plans	6
Canada
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Settlement loss recognized	5
Mexico
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Settlement loss recognized	1
Other
Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Contributions to the pension plans	$ 21