Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component - Summary of Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes						$ (383)	$ (236)	$ (91)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		$ 251	$ 142	$ 114	$ 63	570	384	$ 740
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, before tax
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders						15	23
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Available-for-Sale Securities
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes						13
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Available-for-Sale Securities | Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, before tax
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Income						(32)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders						(19)
Cash Flow Hedges | Interest rate contracts
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes						(5)	(6)
Cash Flow Hedges | Interest rate contracts | Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, before tax
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders						7	9
Interest expense						12	15
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes						(10)	(5)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Actuarial loss, before Tax	[1]					37	19
Post Employment Benefits | Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, before tax
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders						$ 27	$ 14

[1] This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.