Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 132	$ 142	$ 347	$ 321
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(15)	(148)	35	(285)
Available for sale securities	[1]		(4)
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges	[2]	4	(4)	(6)	(6)
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	[3]		5	7	15
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income		(11)	(151)	36	(276)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)		121	(9)	383	45
Less: comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		1	(3)	2	(5)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders		$ 120	$ (6)	$ 381	$ 50

[1] Net of tax of zero and $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and zero for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively

[2] Net of tax of $(2) million and $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and zero and $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively

[3] Net of tax of $(1) million and $(2) million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $1 million and $(4) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively